Customer Reviews

Hey, Joe

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Ted Lerner has a wonderful ability to capture into words both the poignant and hilarious contrasts between Filipino and U.S. culture. And he indeed represents the reactions of the "wide-eyed" foreigner. This is not the jet-setting rich of Manila that he is observing - this is the life of the other 97%.. He's a student of the sweet science and the deft turn of phrase. Lerner is just the man to put this into words

This is a guy who rides "jeepneys" to work and back - something very, very few foreigners do. It is this kind of lifestyle that opens up the culture to him. But it's a culture that is easily recognizable to almost any foreigner that has spent significant time in the Philippines. As a five-year resident of Manila, I thoroughly enjoyed Lerner's writings.

A reader unexposed to the events described by Lerner will be enlightened; but the reader who recognizes and identifies with his observations will laugh out laud at times or even shed a tear or two.

For any foreigner who wants a primer on Filipino street culture, and especially life in Manila, this book is an excellent read. Lerner provides a sympathetic and insightful, if somewhat superficial, treatment of Filipino culture and Manila's street life. Lerner achieves a level of insight into the lives of the average man-on-the-streets that eludes most foreigners who have lived in Manila for decades.

The stories are not particularly deep, and contain very little profound insight into Filipino culture or life. But for what it is--an affectionate, honest, no-holds-barred description of life in one of SE Asia's least pleasant capital cities--the book succeeds. For anybody looking for amusing anecdotes about the foibles and ironies of life in the biggest of Filipino cities, this is a very good read. If you're looking for profound cultural insights, you'd best keep looking.

This book , which could also be called Good Morning, Zir(Sir, which is what I heard alot from locals there)tells it all about a city the world has not yet given itself the precious time to know. Manila is filled with gross poverty and stunning wealth, a city where a CEO will make $60,000 a year, not much as CEO's go in the US but is opulent there. A city where a maid makes $600 a year but still has to pay the same price for food and electricity and entertainment as you and I do. I spent time there this year , my first visit, since we were going to meet my inlaws who could not make it to my wedding to their daughter and was slapped in the face by the ghastliness and the elegance that live side by side there. The poverty is bad but what struck me the most was the unbelievable haze that stays in the air & will not move. Surrounded by smog in an Asian capital with as much intense history as this city has stays in your mind as you leave the airport. This city , with perhaps the freest press in the Asian world, millions of English speakers and yet troubled, uprooted traditions will fascinate you and the author relates issues well with brevity and clarity. Read 'America's Boy', about Marcos and also 'Ghosts of Manila' too if you want to get the feel of this awful, wonderful place that God looks upon, not angrily, as men do, but with compassion and patience because His people live there.

A fun, entertaining book. Excellent reading and an accurate portrayal as to what happens to a typical Caucasian Westerner male and how he addressed all over the Philippines. "Hey, Joe" is a term left over from WW II and all the GI Joes in the US Army. I really enjoyed the chapters "Life on Arquiza Street," "Can't Buy My Love," and "When Mom Comes to Visit." Lerner has an eye for the "real feel" and essence of the islands, and is not at all judgemental, reporting "Just the Facts." I liked the book and would recommend it to all fellow travelers. Once you start the reading, it'll be hard to put down, and you might miss your next train stop. The pencil sketches are a nice touch and very detailed.

a great perspective for an american who comes the philippines but doesnt confine himself in a hotel. he is a keen observer of his sorroundings and impartial and objective in his views. funny, honest and intelligent.

Lerner captures the feeling and essence of the Philippines(PI) right on. I've been there many times, and when Lerner describes the marketplace, the cockfights, the pig butchering, the dog menu, and/or the bars, he puts you side-by-side with the locals. Poverty and wealth, dirt and brilliance, and ignorance and fine education, all live side-by-side in some kind of lop-sided arrangement. Through it all, the visitor will realize the strength, courage and ability of the people to survive, and many just by a day-by-day existence. The latest reports indicate that the birth rate is leveling out - thank goodness - just too many people for the nation to sustain a reliable food supply and general health care. Of course, there are random thefts, killings, and terrorism, but the vast majority of the people are happy and smiling, honest and straight, helpful and kind, and the word 'resilience' comes to mind. The visitor just has to use common sense, and certain places you don't visit at night, such as Tondo, or as Lerner bravely does, ride a bicyle in Manila, or exercise strenuously, and take in too much of the funky air. I enjoyed the book totally and had some hearty chuckles and insight, and would recommend this book to anyone travelling in Asia, or even enjoy in the armchair at home. Lerner is a good writer and keeps the reader wanting more. The illustrator, Vicky Villanueva Firestone, brings the words to life - good job!

Ted Lerner captures Manila and the Philippines like no other author that I've read. He obviously lives there and knows the markets, the culture and customs, religion and the spirtual, the night life, and everything in between Asia meeting the Western World. Though the Philippines has had strong influences from the Spanish, Japan and America, there is still a special uniqueness of the people, mostly speaking English and very friendly. I liked Ted's book and I believe you will also. If you travel to a National/Robinson's bookstore in Manila, I believe you'll find it in stock.

As an American with one foot in the Philippines and the other in the U.S. - just waiting for retirement to move both feet to the islands - it is reassuring to discover that a full-time resident there is still as mystified by life in the P.I. as I am. This book offers insights that no travel guide will include.

Another recommendation if you're wanting to understand the Filipino culture is "Culture Shock: Philippines".

If you are an American-born Filipino out of touch with your roots and thinking of making a trip there, these books are for you. If you are an American married to a Filipina (as I am) and making your first trek across the globe to see where your spouse came from, these books are for you. If you are an American businessman preparing to travel to the Philippines for business, pack these books for the plane.