We Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers by Alejandro R. Roces

Summary

In this humorous and insightful narrative, a Filipino farmer recounts his encounter with an American soldier during the 1945 liberation of the Philippines. The soldier, seeking a drink, is introduced to lambanog, a potent Filipino liquor. Their cultural exchange is filled with amusing moments, highlighting the stark contrast between American and Filipino drinking habits. As the soldier reacts dramatically to the strong drink, the story explores themes of humor, cultural differences, and wartime camaraderie. The tale ends with the Filipino farmer helping the soldier back to camp, exemplifying the mild drinking customs of the Filipinos.

Takeaways

• 😀 Filipinos are mild drinkers and typically consume alcohol for three main reasons: when they're sad, when they're happy, or for any other occasion.
• 😀 The story highlights a humorous encounter between a Filipino and an American soldier during World War II, where the Filipino offers a local drink called lambanog to the American soldier.
• 😀 The American soldier is initially surprised by the Filipino's mild drinking habits and is eager to try lambanog, despite having consumed various types of alcohol in the past.
• 😀 Lambanog, a Filipino traditional drink made from coconut sap and used for various purposes like medicinal and even insecticide, is introduced to the American soldier, who is skeptical about it.
• 😀 The narrative also explores the cultural differences between the Filipino and American characters, including their views on alcohol and their way of life.
• 😀 The Filipino character demonstrates hospitality by offering the American soldier a drink and explaining the significance of local customs, such as giving back to the earth when drinking.
• 😀 The American soldier experiences an intense reaction to lambanog, which leads to some comedic moments, such as his difficulty handling the strong drink and his humorous reactions.
• 😀 As the soldier gets more intoxicated, he begins to act deliriously, mistaking the Filipino for a Japanese soldier and creating absurd situations, illustrating the confusion and chaos of war.
• 😀 The story humorously addresses the cultural misunderstandings between Americans and Filipinos during World War II, especially through the soldier's intoxicated antics and the Filipino's patient explanations.
• 😀 Despite the soldier's wild behavior, the Filipino maintains his composure, trying to navigate the situation with humor, including attempting to convince the soldier of his innocence and offering him further drinks.
• 😀 The story concludes with a humorous and chaotic scene where the soldier's drunken escapades lead to a misunderstanding with the Filipino's mother, resulting in the soldier being carried back to his camp by the Filipino and his friends.

Q & A

Why do Filipinos drink alcohol, according to the narrator?

The narrator explains that Filipinos drink alcohol for three main reasons: when they are very sad, when they are very happy, and for any other reason.

What is the significance of the American soldiers arriving in the Philippines in 1945?

The arrival of the American soldiers in 1945 was significant because Filipinos were happy not just to see Americans but because they were not Japanese, marking the end of Japanese occupation.

What was the humorous incident involving an American soldier's whiskey bottle?

The story humorously describes an American soldier feeling wetness in his pocket, thinking it was his whiskey, but later realizing it was blood, not his drink.

What drink does the narrator offer the American soldier, and how does the soldier react?

The narrator offers the American soldier lambanog, a Filipino drink made from coconut sap. The soldier initially doubts it but agrees to try it, though he experiences an overwhelming reaction to it.

How does the narrator explain lambanog to the American soldier?

The narrator explains that lambanog is made from the coconut bud, mixed with mangrove bark to prevent spontaneous combustion. It has various uses, including medicinal purposes and as an insecticide.

What is the significance of the Filipino coconut tree compared to the American pine tree?

The narrator contrasts the Filipino coconut tree with the American pine tree by saying that while the pine tree stands tall and symbolizes the state, the coconut tree also stands tall but its leaves sway down, symbolizing a connection to the land that nurtures it.

What cultural custom is referenced when the narrator pours a drink on the floor?

The custom mentioned by the narrator is that it is traditional in the Philippines to offer a portion of your drink back to the earth, symbolizing respect and gratitude for what nature has provided.

What happens when the American soldier consumes lambanog for the second time?

When the American soldier drinks lambanog a second time, he experiences another intense reaction, clutching his throat and feeling like it has loosened his dental work, causing him to panic and seek relief.

How does the American soldier's behavior change after drinking lambanog?

After drinking lambanog, the American soldier becomes delirious and starts believing that the narrator is a Japanese soldier, demanding his unconditional surrender and accusing him of bombing Pearl Harbor.

What is the final outcome of the night of drinking?

The final outcome is that the American soldier, severely intoxicated and acting irrationally, is carried back to his camp by the narrator and his friends. The American soldiers thank the narrator for bringing him back, and the narrator humorously concludes by reaffirming that Filipinos are mild drinkers.