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Summary: Michael Moore version of the Philippines
Review: It's a very informative book if you disregard the political tone of it. I wanted my husband to read something more than I could tell him about the Philippines but was a bit shocked with the amount of anti-Americanism in this book. The paragraphs on the Japanese influence was a little disconcerting. Have they forgotten that the Japanese came not to liberate the Philippines but to expand their empire? My grandfather fought the Japanese in the 2nd world war and my father remembers as a boy how they were so badly treated that his short history regarding the japanese influence is an insult to those who fought and those who perished under the Japanese. Instead on focusing on that, he focuses on the "evils" of the Americans. Looks like he'd rather have the Spanish and the Japanese rather than the Americans to have dominated the islands. Don't believe that people think that way in the Philippines. It's almost like Michael Moore writing a cultural review of the U.S. of A.
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Summary: Filipino Behavior Under A Microscope
Review: It's amazing that somebody actually came out with a very level-headed discussion about Filipino culture (motives, customs and traditions) without falling into the trap of either glorifying or over critisizing the topic. The book is a very accurate portrayal of Philippine social dynamics that would help tourists understand Filipino behavior despite its seeming affinity to western culture.Despite the book's casual tone, the discussion is very academic. So much so, that even Filipinos would benefit from reading it. The book needs to be updated though. Some customs discussed in the book are rarely practiced anymore.
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Summary: good book with a good overlook over the Philippines
Review: Kroendik sej ndjampur
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Summary: Insightful reading
Review: Started thumbing through this book and suddenly realized that my future in-laws, originally from the Phillipines, could be upset with me and I wouldn't even know it! At that moment it dawned on me just how clueless I was about Pilipino culture. This book did a good job covering some basic differences between the US and RP like: importance of group vs individual; family interactions; etiquitte; why yes may mean no; why a question may be rhetorical; why a question may need to be repeated; food (balut lasa manok). This book has given me some context to help interpret things and read between the lines. I'll always be puti, but at least now I'll have a clue.
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Summary: Indispensable
Review: Superb book! Extremely helpful in regard to body english and tips on getting along. This book is a must for anyone contemplating a trip to the Philippines.
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Summary: Culture Shock:Philippines
Review: The book contains a lot of useful information and the authors are obviously knowledgeable about Filipino history and culture but I found the presentation to be somewhat monotonous and uninteresting. The pictures also seem dated.
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Summary: Fundementals but limited focus...
Review: The book provides some insight into the customs and people. It is a cross of general reference material and a sudo-business guide to interaction with natives in the Philippines. It's approach is a bit shallow and limited. It's content might be described to be a mile wide and an inch deep. It covers a variety of topics with litte real application. It hints around the edges of useful material. The few valuable points it does make are hammered to death throughtout the book. It basically states that we don't need to fully understand Philipno thinking just understand that it is not as western as it appears. Example... "yes" can mean... yes/no/maybe/indifference..etc...
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Summary: The best book on insights to our funny ways
Review: The Roces go beyond the norm of "Travel Books" to share insights to our unique: 1. Body Language - what we say with simple eyebrow movements, a touch on the arm or curling under of our fingers; 2. We say it but don't really mean it - we want to be kind and gracious so sometimes we offer things but don't expect you to accept; 3. We say we are "traditional" and "simple" and "obedient" but what do "we" mean by those English words? There are better travel guides to my Country offered by Amazon.com I recommend on my website but this is the most unique, and though written several years ago is still timely for those wanting to understand Filipina and Filipino. It is especially appropriate for Western gentlemen planning to visit their Filipina pen-pal.
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Summary: So Accurate It's Shocking
Review: This book illustrates the Filipino character and mindset in a very detailed and in-depth manner. If you are Filipino, or even Filipino-American, you will be surprised to find how much culture influences the way you think, speak and behave. I would especially reccommend this book to Filipino-Americans who were raised in the U.S.: You will laugh as you discover your family, friends and even yourself described in this book, no matter if you've been in the U.S. for ten years or your entire life! You will also be surprised, maybe even proud, at how much of the Filipino mentality and traditions you actually maintain without realizing it! If you have Filipino friends, coworkers, or are lucky enough to be romantically involved with a Filipino, let this book serve as a tool for understanding and enrichment.
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Summary: Yes! So true!
Review: This book is a well written introduction to the culture of the Philippines. I was born and raised in the US but my ethnic background is Filipino and I am fluent in Tagalog. I didn't think I would need to prepare for the trip to the Philippines. I could not have been more incorrect. Unfortunately for me, I read this book after my trip. Roces and Roces clearly explain the idiosyncrasies of the Filipino culture without insulting Filipino people. I recommend this book to anyone who will embark on a trip to the Philippines. One piece of advice: read the book *before* the trip not after!
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