We Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers

Summary

The story humorously portrays the cultural differences between a Filipino farmer and an American soldier during World War II. The Filipino narrator describes his encounter with 'Joe,' a nickname for all Americans, who is eager to try lambanog, a local coconut-based drink. Despite the soldier's confidence in handling alcohol, he quickly becomes overwhelmed by the potent drink. The story explores themes of hospitality, resilience, and contrasts in drinking habits, while highlighting the symbolic significance of the coconut tree in Filipino culture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Filipinos are described as mild drinkers, drinking for three reasons: when happy, when sad, and for any other occasion.
• 🪖 The story takes place during the American recapture of the Philippines, where American GIs became common in the narrator's barrio.
• 🐃 The narrator, while working in a rice field with his carabao, encounters an American soldier named Joe.
• 🥃 Joe, who loves drinking, asks the narrator for whiskey, but the narrator offers him lambanog (a local coconut-based liquor).
• 🍋 The narrator prepares the lambanog with calamansi, a Philippine lemon, to enhance the drink, following local customs.
• 😲 Joe reacts strongly to the lambanog, as it is much stronger than the liquors he is used to, causing a humorous scene.
• 💧 The narrator pours some of his drink on the ground, a Filipino custom symbolizing giving back to the earth.
• 😵 Joe becomes progressively more affected by the strong drink, experiencing physical discomfort and hilarious reactions.
• 🛏️ Joe eventually passes out from the lambanog, and the narrator, with help, takes him back to the barracks.
• 🍺 Despite the offer for more alcohol, the narrator ends the story by reinforcing that Filipinos are mild drinkers.

Q & A

What are the three reasons Filipinos drink according to the narrator?

Filipinos drink when they are very happy, when they are very sad, and for any other reason.

How does the narrator describe his inability to differentiate between American soldiers?

The narrator says he cannot pronounce their names or tell them apart because all Americans look alike to him, specifically noting that they all look white.

What is the significance of the carabao, Datu, in the story?

Datu, the carabao, symbolizes the narrator's connection to his work and daily life. The carabao helps with plowing the field and provides a sense of partnership, as the narrator says it does half of his work.

Why does the narrator offer lambanog to the American soldier instead of whiskey?

The narrator explains that Filipinos are 'mild drinkers' and that he drinks lambanog, a traditional Filipino alcoholic drink, instead of whiskey.

What is lambanog, and how does it differ from whiskey?

Lambanog is a drink extracted from the coconut tree, often mixed with mango bark to prevent spontaneous combustion. It is also used as a remedy for snake bites, as a malaria counteractive, insecticide, and for tanning carabao hide. It is a much stronger and more versatile drink compared to whiskey.

How does Joe, the American soldier, react to drinking lambanog?

Joe reacts dramatically to the lambanog, with his eyes popping out, clutching his throat, panting, and sweating. He struggles to handle the strong drink and eventually passes out.

Why does the narrator pour some of his drink on the ground before consuming it?

The narrator explains that it is a custom in the Philippines to give back to the earth a little of what has been taken from it.

What symbolic comparison does the narrator make between the coconut tree and the Philippines?

The narrator compares the coconut tree to the Philippines, saying that while it reaches for the sky, its leaves bend down to the earth, symbolizing how it does not forget the soil that gave it life.

What cultural differences are highlighted in the interaction between the narrator and Joe?

Cultural differences are highlighted through the narrator's mild drinking habits, the custom of pouring a bit of drink for the earth, and his preference for lambanog over whiskey, while Joe represents the American tendency to drink excessively and his unfamiliarity with Filipino customs.

How does the story reflect the relationship between Filipinos and Americans during the time of American presence in the Philippines?

The story reflects a mix of camaraderie and cultural misunderstanding between Filipinos and Americans. While there is friendliness and mutual respect, as shown by the narrator taking care of Joe, there are also differences in behavior and customs that lead to humorous and awkward moments.

Outlines

00:00

🍻 Mild Filipino Drinkers and the American Encounter

The narrator explains how Filipinos are considered 'mild drinkers,' drinking for three main reasons: happiness, sadness, or any other reason. The story is set during the American recapture of the Philippines, where U.S. soldiers were commonly seen. The narrator describes meeting a friendly American soldier, whom he calls 'Joe,' as all Americans were called by that name in the Philippines. Joe offers him whiskey, but the narrator declines, stating that Filipinos prefer lambanog (local coconut liquor). Joe boasts about his drinking history, listing many types of alcohol he’s consumed, from whiskey to even non-traditional substances like perfume and shaving lotion. Intrigued by the local drink, Joe insists on trying lambanog, and the narrator agrees to bring him some.

05:00

🌴 Comparing Pine and Coconut Trees: A Symbolic Exchange

As the narrator and Joe walk toward the narrator’s house, they discuss trees that symbolize their respective countries. Joe mentions the American pine tree, tall and straight like a skyscraper, symbolizing America’s growth and ambition. The narrator contrasts this with the Philippine coconut tree, which grows toward the sky but bends its leaves down toward the earth, representing a connection to the land and humility. Upon reaching the narrator’s home, they prepare for their drinking session, with the narrator picking Philippine lemons (calamansi) for chasers and readying the lambanog. Joe begins to experience the local customs and environment.

10:03

🍋 The Ritual of Drinking Lambanog

In the narrator's home, they prepare to drink lambanog, a coconut-based alcoholic beverage with multiple uses, including as a remedy for snake bites and an insecticide. The narrator follows the tradition of pouring some of the drink onto the ground as an offering back to the earth. As they start drinking, Joe struggles with the strong lambanog, coughing and showing exaggerated reactions, despite his earlier confidence. The first drink hits him hard, but he insists on trying more. The narrator, being a good host, continues to drink with him while observing Joe’s increasingly dramatic responses to the potent liquor.

🥴 Joe’s Downfall: The Lambanog Challenge

Joe continues to drink the lambanog, but each time he reacts more dramatically, panting, loosening his clothing, and even mistaking his leg for his tongue at one point. He fumbles with his teeth, complaining that the drink has loosened his bridgework. His exaggerated reactions, like sweating and making strange noises, amuse the narrator. Joe eventually passes out from the strong drink, lying flat on the floor like a starfish. The narrator, concerned about getting Joe back to the airbase, calls on neighbors to help carry him. They place Joe on a carabao and take him back to his barracks, where his fellow soldiers are relieved to see him return. The narrator declines a beer from them, reaffirming that Filipinos are 'mild drinkers.'

Keywords

💡Mild drinkers

This term is used to describe the cultural drinking habits of Filipinos in the video. It reflects the idea that Filipinos only drink for special reasons, such as being happy, sad, or for any other social reason. It contrasts with the heavy drinking habits attributed to the American soldier in the story, highlighting cultural differences in alcohol consumption.

💡GI (Government Issue)

GI refers to American soldiers stationed in the Philippines during World War II. In the script, the protagonist interacts with a 'GI' who represents the typical American soldier, often seen carrying whiskey. This term reflects the presence of American military personnel in the Philippines during that time.

💡Lambanog

Lambanog is a traditional Filipino alcoholic drink made from the sap of coconut trees. In the script, it is referred to as 'jungle juice' by the American soldier, and the protagonist offers it as a milder alternative to whiskey. It symbolizes Filipino culture and local customs around alcohol consumption.

💡Carabao

A carabao is a water buffalo, commonly used as a work animal in the Philippines. In the script, the protagonist is plowing the fields with his carabao named Datu. The carabao symbolizes the rural and agricultural life in the Philippines, representing the hard work and simplicity of the Filipino people.

💡Calamansi

Calamansi is a small, sour citrus fruit native to the Philippines. In the story, the protagonist uses it as a chaser after drinking lambanog. It serves as a cultural touchpoint, showing the Filipino way of enjoying local drinks and incorporating natural ingredients from the environment.

💡Nipa hut

A nipa hut is a traditional Filipino stilt house made from bamboo and nipa palm leaves. The protagonist invites the American soldier to his nipa hut for drinks. This structure symbolizes the simple, traditional lifestyle of the Filipino people and serves as a backdrop for the cultural exchange between the Filipino and the American.

💡Jungle juice

Jungle juice is a slang term used by the American soldier to describe lambanog. It reflects the soldier’s casual, humorous attitude towards foreign drinks and highlights his adventurous spirit in trying local customs. It also emphasizes the stark differences between the drinks familiar to Americans and those in the Philippines.

💡Yankee soldier

The term 'Yankee soldier' refers to American military personnel, specifically those stationed in the Philippines during World War II. The protagonist encounters and befriends a Yankee soldier, which symbolizes the interactions and cultural exchanges between Filipinos and Americans during the war.

💡Coconut tree

The coconut tree holds symbolic importance in the Philippines. The protagonist compares it to the American pine tree, explaining that while the pine grows straight, the coconut tree’s leaves bend toward the earth, symbolizing a connection to the land. This comparison illustrates the cultural and natural differences between the two nations.

💡Bolo

A bolo is a large, traditional Filipino knife used for farming and various tasks. The protagonist carries a bolo while working in the fields, symbolizing his connection to the land and the practical tools of rural Filipino life. It also reflects the self-sufficient nature of the Filipino farmer.

Highlights

Filipinos drink for three reasons: when happy, when sad, and for any other reason.

Americans built an airbase near the narrator’s barrio after recapturing the Philippines.

All Americans are called 'Joe' by Filipinos, symbolizing the familiarity yet difficulty in telling them apart.

The American soldier offered whiskey to the Filipino, who refused, stating that Filipinos are 'mild drinkers'.

The Filipino introduces the soldier to 'lambanog,' a traditional coconut-based drink, and explains its cultural significance.

The American soldier, despite his confidence in drinking different types of alcohol, reacts strongly to the lambanog.

The narrator humorously describes how the first drink of lambanog hits hard, comparing the soldier's reaction to swallowing a centipede.

Lambanog is described as having many uses, including as a remedy for snake bites, malaria, and even as an insecticide.

The Filipino custom of pouring a little of the drink onto the ground to give back to the earth is highlighted.

The soldier struggles with the potency of the drink, causing him to think his bridgework has come loose.

The comical image of smoke seemingly coming out of the soldier’s ears after drinking lambanog.

The American soldier passes out from the lambanog, and the Filipino narrator has to carry him back to his barracks.

The entire barrio helps carry the soldier back, creating a sense of community and camaraderie.

Upon returning the soldier to his barracks, another American offers the narrator a beer, but the narrator declines, reaffirming that 'we Filipinos are mild drinkers'.

The story humorously contrasts the American soldier’s brashness with the Filipino’s understated yet strong sense of culture and identity.

Transcripts

we Filipinos are mild drinkers by

Alejandro AR

Roes we Filipinos are mild drinkers we

drink for only three good reasons we

drink when we are very happy we drink

when we are very sad and we drink for

any other

reason when the Americans recaptured the

Philippines they built an air base a few

miles from our bario Yankee soldiers

became a very common site I met a lot of

GIS and made many friends I could not

pronounce their names I could not tell

them apart all Americans looked alike to

me they all looked white one afternoon I

was plowing a rice field with our

caribow named

datu I was barefooted and stripped to

the waist my pants which were made from

abaka fibers and woven on homemade looms

were rolled to my knees my bolo was at

my

side

an American Soldier was walking on the

highway when he saw me he headed toward

me I stopped plowing and waited for him

I noticed he was carrying a half pain

bottle of whiskey whiskey bottle seemed

part of the American

[Music]

Uniform hello my little brown brother he

said patting me on the head hello Joe I

answered all Americans are called Joe in

the

Philippines I am sorry Joe there are no

bars in this

bario oh no you know where I could buy

more

whiskey here have a swig you have been

working hard no thank you Joe we

Filipinos are mild

drinkers well don't you drink at

all yes Joe I drink but not whiskey

what do you

drink I drink

lambanog jungle juice

a I guess that is what the gis call it

you know where I could buy

some I have some you can have but I

don't think you will like

it I'll like it all right don't worry

about that I have drunk everything

whiskey ROM Brandy tequila Jin champagne

AK

vodka he mentioned many more things that

I cannot

spell I not only drink a lot but I drink

anything I drank Chanel Number Five when

I was in France in New Guinea I get sa

on Williams shaving lotion when I was

laid up in a hospital I pie eyed with

medical

alcohol on my way here on a transport I

got Stoned on torpedo juice you ain't

kidding when you say I drink a lot so

let's have some of that Jungle Juice

eh all

right I will just take this Carib about

to the mud hole then we can go home and

drink you sure love that animal don't

you I should it does half of my work why

don't you get two of

them I didn't

answer

I unhitched thatu from the plow and led

him to the Mud Hole Joe was following

me that laid in the mud and was going

whoosh

[Music]

whoosh flies and other insects flew from

his back and hoovered in the

air a strange warm odor rose out of the

mudel a carab about does not have any

sweat glands except on the nose it has

to wallow in the mud or bath in a river

every 3 hours otherwise it runs a

[Music]

mock thatu shook his head and his

widespread horns scooped the muddy water

on his

back he rolled over and was soon covered

with slimy

mud an expression of perfect contentment

came into his

eyes then he he swished his tail and Joe

and I had to move back from the Mud Hole

to keep from getting splashed I left duu

in the mud hole then turning to Joe I

said let us

go and we proceeded toward my house Joe

was cautiously looking

around this place is full of coconut

trees don't you have any coconut trees

in

America

no back home we have the pine

tree what is it

like oh it is tall and stately it goes

straight up to the sky like a skyscraper

it symbolizes

America well the coconut tree symbolizes

the

Philippines it starts up to the sky but

then its leaves way down the Earth as if

remembering the land that gave it birth

it does not forget the soil that gave it

life in a short while we arrived at my

NEPA house I took the bamboo ladder and

leaned it against the tree then I

climbed the ladder and picked some

calaman what's

that Philippine lemon we will need this

for our drinks oh

Chasers that is right Joe that is what

the soldiers call

[Music]

it I filled my pockets and then went

down I went to the Garden well and

washed the mud from my legs then we went

up a bamboo ladder to my

[Music]

Hut it was getting dark so I filled a

coconut shell dipped a wick in the oil

and lighted the wick It produced a

flickering light I unstrapped my bolo

and hung it on the

wall please sit down Joe

where he said looking

around right there I said pointing to

the floor Joe sat down on the floor I

sliced the calamansi in halves took some

rough salt and laid it on the foot high

table I went to the kitchen and took the

bamboo tube where I kept my

lambanog lambanog is a drink extracted

from the coconut tree with pulverized

mango bark thrown in to prevent SP

aneous

combustion it has many uses we use it as

a remedy for snake bites as a

counteractive for malaria chills as an

insecticide and for tanning carabal

hide I poured some lambanog on two

polish coconut shells and gave one of

the shells to Joe I diluted my drink

with some of Joe's whiskey it became

milky we were both Seated on the floor I

poured some of my drink on the bamboo

floor it went through the slits to the

ground

below hey what are you doing throwing

good liquor

away no Joe it is the custom here always

to give back to the earth a little of

what we have taken from the earth well

he said racing his shell here's to the

end of the

war here is to the end of the war I said

also lifting my shell I gulped my drink

down I followed it with a slice of

calaman dipped in rough salt Joe took

his drink but reacted peculiarly his

eyes popped out like a frogs and his

hand clutched his throat he looked as if

he had swallowed a centipede quick a

chaser I gave him a slice of calaman

dipped in unrefined salt he squirted it

in his mouth but it was too late nothing

could chase him the calaman did not help

him I don't think even coconut would

have helped him what is wrong

Joe nothing the first drink always

affects me this way he was panting hard

and tears were rolling down his cheeks

well the first drink always acts like a

mind sweeper but this second one will be

smooth I filled his shell for the second

time again I diluted my drink with Joe's

whiskey I gave him his shell I noticed

that he was beaded with perspiration he

had unbuttoned his color and loosened

his thigh Joe took his shell but he did

not seem very anxious I lifted my shell

and said here is to America I was trying

to be a good

host here's the

America Joe

said we both killed our drinks Joe again

reacted in a funny way his neck

stretched out like a Turtles and now he

was panting like a a Carib about gun

berserk he was panting like a caribow

gun a

mo he was grasping his thigh with one

hand then he looked down on his thigh

threw it to one side and said oh Christ

for a while I thought it was my

tongue after this he started to Tinker

with his teeth what is wrong Joe I asked

still trying to be a perfect host plenty

this dang drink has loosened my bridge

work as Joe exhaled a moth flying around

the flickering flame fell dead he stared

at the dead moth and said and they talk

to

DDT well how about another drink it is

what we came here for no thanks I'm

through okay just one more I poured the

juice into the shells and again diluted

mine with whiskey I handed Joe his drink

here's to the FIP Philippines here's to

the

Philippines Joe took some of his drink I

could not see very clearly in the

flickering light but I could have sworn

I saw smoke coming out of his

ears this stuff must be

radioactive he threw the remains of his

drink on the Nipa wall and yelled Blaze

God dang you

blaze just as I was getting in the mood

to drink Joe passed out he lay on the

floor flat as a

starfish he was in a class all by

himself I knew that the soldiers had to

be back in their Barracks at a certain

time so I decided to take Joe back I

tried to lift

him it was like lifting a caribow I had

to call four of my neighbors to help me

carry

Joe we slung him on top of my carow I

took my Ballo from the house and trapped

it on my waist then I proceeded to take

him back the whole bario was wondering

what had happened to the big

Americano after 2 hours I arrived at the

Airfield I found out which Barracks he

belonged to and took him there his

friends helped me to take him to his cot

they were glad to see him

back everybody thanked me for taking him

home as I was leaving the barracks to go

home one of his buddies called me and

said hey you how about a can of beer

before you

go no thanks we Filipinos are mild

drinkers