I really liked how Bienvendo Santos gives us as readers such great description throughout this text.  I feel that the way that he goes into depth about explaining the setting or the conversations between one individual and another gives me a perfect visual in my mind and lets me better understand the meaning thats trying to get across. 

I don’t know if i’m the only person who missed this, but who is talking in the beginning where its all italics.  I thought that this was a good part to include in this text because it shows us the culture they are coming from and how their english is spoken.  When I first began reading this I felt so bad for Alipio.  After many long hours, days, night taking care of his wife, she dies.  He then gets himself into an accident and spends a year in the hospital thinking he may never be able to walk again.  Throughout the text, there is many comments that relate to religion and god.  I feel that the Fillipinos may have a stronger connection to religion maybe then what I was initially thinking.  Also, family ties seemed important just like with the chinese and japanese culture because Mrs. Zafra kept saying how she sends money and things over to their family in the Phillipines.  I think that these cultures all show such loyalty, honesty and respect towards their families. 

I found in humorous how Mrs. Zafra ended up marrying Carlito.  It’s also shocking in a way because it makes you think, what kind of marriage do they have?  When a person just marry’s somone to stay in the States, then obviously there is something a little strange about that.  I think this was a great text to open eyes to Americans because could you imagine being kicked out of a place where you want to spend your life, and the only way to stay is to be married to an american citizen?  Also, going along with other texts that we have read throughout this semester so far, there are many “nicknames, or abbreviations” for these different cultures.  One that was present was the OT’s- or should we say, old timers.  I think thats so funny how they go about naming themselves. 

All in all, I feel that there are many connections to chinese and japanese culture, but also many differences.  From reading this text I can’t say that they were “treated better” than japanese and chinese americans, but it doesn’t seem as “harsh” if thats the right word…?

I can’t wait to read more and find out what the Fillipinos life was like in America!