Comments on: A shortage…of rice?!

By: Ernie

Ernie — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:54:17 +0000

Speaking of Filipinos not exercising, this post by Genghis was one of the first posts on 8Asians.

By: Efren

Efren — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:46:56 +0000

I think there’s a definite cultural bias for Filipino immigrants working out (I actually live in Daly City too), or at least going out in the sun for fear of “getting too dark”, which in Daly City probably wouldn’t happen given the fog.

There’s also a definite cultural bias for Filipino immigrants eating meat and not eating vegetables, which presumes a certain level of affluence (at least from what I remember from family conversations–meat = rich, vegetables = poor), along with being fat supposing a level of affluence, and just speaking from personal/familial preferences where rice is a significant portion of the meal, it’s a perfect recipe for higher rates of diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease. Any public health intervention has to get over these cultural perceptions of fat = rich and address them.

In the gym that I go to, there are about six Filipino fitness instructors, but I am usually the only Filipino in these classes. Interestingly enough, the majority of them were fitness instructors in Metro Manila before moving to San Francisco, and they did talk about the shift in the Filipino nouveau riche who are going to the gym to supposedly exercise (but mostly are just there for the free air conditioning and to show they have enough disposable income to go to the gym). I do see quite a few Filipino Americans at the gym, but it is extremely rare to see any Filipino immigrants.

By: ancient one

ancient one — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:19:24 +0000

Efren, I don’ think that rice is the main cause of the chronic health problems plagueing Filipino Americans. I think it is more of Filipino American’s love of meat, dislike of eating lots of vegetables, and lack of exercise. I live in the same neighborhood as the Goldilocks, Costco, and Ranch 99 mentioned in the article. In the local park which I drive by almost every morning, there are lots of Asians exercising – from running and playing tennis to various forms of Tai Chi and even organized dance groups. When I go running there, I hear lots of Chinese and Vietnamese, but I seldom hear Tagalog or Ilokano, which is sad considering how many Filipinos there are in the neighborhood. I am often the only Filipino there, and I gotten to know the (very few) others who go there regularly. Same goes at the local fitness clubs.

By: Obi

Obi — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:17:01 +0000

Tried American long grain. I prefer to pay more for Jasmine and Basmati rice rather than buy that crap.

By: darkmoon

darkmoon — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:45:38 +0000

Which we will, of course. Because us Asians are hella cheap.

Speak for yourself! I don’t shop at Costco!!! (tries to figure out a way to wipe out the previous comment about Sam’s Club).

By: Ernie

Ernie — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:16:37 +0000

Unless, of course, we start turning to domestically grown rice because it’s cheaper.

Which we will, of course. Because us Asians are hella cheap.

By: darkmoon

darkmoon — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:10:16 +0000

Sam’s Club is limiting to 4 bags of the long grain. Which is kind of amusing actually, since to my knowledge, Chinese and Japanese actually prefer short grain. Makes it sticky, so easier to eat with chopsticks.

At least I’ve grown up with short-grain most of my life. In any case, I blame… hmm… the aliens. Yeah. Damn aliens have been beaming up the rice.