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.