Filipino Culture on the Road to Extinction?

When I watch ABS-CBN, it's pretty much CNN and American news media dubbed in Tagalog.

When I watch politicians dodging tough questions, it's pretty much a page from Bill and Hillary's playbook.

When I go to the malls, its not much different from a typical American mall except nicer.

When I watch Boy Abunda doing an interview, it's a nice rip off of Larry King.

When I watch Showtime, a lot of it is nothing more than rap and hip-hop with Pinoy singers and dancers.

When I bathe, its a bar of Safeguard, Head and Shoulders, and Colgate toothpaste.

Most of the time I'm in a taxi, it's American oldies but goodies on the radio that go as far back as the 50's and 60's (weird, but my partner seems to know most of those songs).

When I watch a lot of pinoy soaps, its not much more than an old Disney story reworked.

When it's time for fast food, American junk food usually beats out pinoy food (except for the kids who love Jollibee burgers and spaghetti).

When the dishes are washed, it's with Joy. Clothes get the Tide and Downy treatment.

My partner is a Facebook addict.

My kids want Coke (not Sparkle) and there are actually two Coke plants near where I live.

My partner likes Marlboros (I smoke Fortune).

My youngest boy graduated from prep school and the theme song was from Frozen.

We usually are asked to bring spaghetti to school functions (we make it American style) and everyone loves it.

I-pads are the latest fad of upwardly mobile parents at school.

The tattoo fad seems more like a Vin Diesel rip off than any true Polynesian influence.

I could go on ... but I think you get the idea.

Nah, I'm not knocking it. I'm not too impressed by nationalism any more. Going with the global flow. I only listed what I thought were Americanisms (I could be wrong there). But the Korean, Chinese and Japanese influence are pretty strong as well. I think Jefferson said something to the effect that every generation had the right to define themselves. I had my time. Now my kids will have theirs.

Or as they used to say the king is dead, long live the king. Or, as my two year old has picked up from somewhere, 'Whatever."