8/13/2019 Phil Ope

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Gilia Marie M. Soriano

10915478

PHILOPE REFLECTION PAPER:

Freedom Film Fest 2013- Ang Turkey Man Ay Pabo Rin

At the root of the story is the common stereotype drawn by onlookers of a Pin-American relationship. The assumption is usually that the foreigner is an older, moneyed

gentleman ready to woo (or buy) the next exotic Filipina he sees, while the Pinay is a

loosely-employed, struggling young lady who is more than eager to fall into the arms of any

light-skinned suitor. This film takes apart this stereotype, challenges each component,

while validating some and completely destroying others.

Cookie is the Pinay in the relationship who is in fact, a struggling, self-employed fish

deboner who chanced upon Matchu (Matthew) on a Pinay-American dating website.

Alongside her are her two kumadres who add a healthy dose of comedy to the plot aside

from providing Cookie with important advice whenever needed, and sometimes even

unsolicited. They share a friendship that allows them to freely discuss their experiences,their men and their sexuality without any fear of being judged by the conservative Filipino

community. Sadly for Cookie, simply going out with her foreigner lover draws much

attention and judgment from anyone around.

Another assumption is that every Pinay girlfriend is after the American dream. She

longs to fly to the United States where she can live the life of a Stepford wife to her

newfound husband. Cookie, on the other hand, has different plans. Although Matchu is

pushing for Cookie to do well on her Visa interview, Cookie would rather stay in the

Philippines, supporting her family and child from a previous relationship.

Ang Turkey Man Ay Pabo Rin is indeed a strange title for a movie about an

interracial couple. However, the plot did allude to its title by featuring Cookie on a wildgoose (perhaps turkey) chase around town in search of a whole turkey so that she and

Matchu can celebrate an authentic Thanksgiving. The way I understand it, the title means

something or someone foreign can be assimilated into the local culture and society and one

should not judge on the basis of any cultural disparity for there is no real difference. A

turkey is a pabo and love is pag-ibig, no matter how it is permutated.

True love in my opinion cannot be separated by words such as race, culture or

society. There are those who believe that true love cannot exist when there is a disparity in

age or culture because one will overpower another. I, on the other hand, believe that it is

exactly these disparities, these dichotomies that allow a relationship to flourish- as

opposites attract, if you will. In justifying true love, I must say that it is born out of intensepassions. This pure love is manifested in its clearest expression and small gestures-

learning the language of your loved one, studying his or her quirks, a tender look, a kiss,

loving words and so on. Much love throughout history is proof that the feeling alone wins

over any technicalities that fall under the unfortunate social constructs and

presuppositions. The only thing that should be frowned upon is succumbing to social

pressures and pre-empting what could have been a true love, resulting in heartbreak for

both parties and satisfaction for prude, judging onlookers.