The Expat Celebrity: “He Must Be an American Movie Star!” [Flashback* 10.14.2015]

The Kano

Mac Davis crooned that “it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.” Anyone that has ever met me can attest to the fact that I’m far from perfect. But in the Philippines, one can become an expat celebrity the minute they pass their plastic-wrapped luggage through the Manila airport and officially enter the PH. When’s the last time someone exclaimed to you: “He must be an American movie star!”?

Yes, dear reader, celebrity status in this archipelago in Southeastern Asia is a topic that’s been discussed in the past on this website.  How could any of the faithful not recall the classic “Rock Stars in the Philippines! Papa Duck and The Kano”?  

Really? Rock stars? Look, did you ever have two attractive women in the States ask to take your picture? I don’t know about Papa D, but I never did.American Movie Star

Papa Duck pumped up

It’s time for me to trot out this old line: You can have a face like a dog’s rear end and still attract a lot of attention as an expat in the Philippines.

Now I’m not inferring that Papa Duck or I fit the above description, but what’s going with some of these locals in the Philippines?

I’ve had a fine Filipina squeal at me like a pig with a fresh bucket of slop as I drove away in the back of a tricycle in Guimaras, the island province we call home. My asawa was riding in front!

A pack of pretty Pinays chased after the jeepney I was riding in after the vehicle stopped to pick up some passengers.  The girls spotted me sitting in the back and started screaming at me and running after me. 

Boys and girls, I’m not making any of this up.

I have no doubts that other ex-pats living in the Philippines have experienced similar incidents.

Tom Ramberg, over in Gen San, has to fight the ladies off whenever he goes out in public.

And now, I’m mistaken for an American movie star by a group of elementary school girls. Is everybody in this country smoking shabu?American Movie Star

My lovely asawa and I were taking one of our morning walks on the wild side. We had pressed on that day and gone further down our path and reached a small town about 40 minutes from our new home in the Philippines.

I knew something was up. Up and down the road my wife was remarking how “everyone’s heads were rolling off”‘ in effort to catch a glimpse of this American expat in the Philippines. I was wearing my usual tropical paradise uniform: cargo shorts, a “trailer park” tank top, and slippers.

After a stop at a local sari sari store to quaff a couple of bottles of 12. oz. Sprites, we pressed on. My spouse wanted to visit a high school classmate that lived near by.

As we approached an elementary school, a group of young girls were buzzing louder than a hive of African killer bees on crack. I couldn’t understand a word they were saying but I noticed a lot of smiles. My wife squeezed my hand and told me what one of the young ladies had said:“He must be an American movie star!”

Imagine what they would have said if it was Papa Duck or Scott H. passing by?

Just another day in paradise.

(Don’t be shy. Share your rock star moments in the Philippines.)

7 thoughts on “The Expat Celebrity: “He Must Be an American Movie Star!” [Flashback* 10.14.2015]

  1. American Movie Star! Only in the Philippines . I’m not as popular as you, all i get is stares from the ladies. The photo you posted does not help at all lol.

  2. Hi Dave, I couldn’t tell you how many times I have been called an American one Filipino girl said what’s the difference between American and British, I said have you got a week
    And I’ll try to explain lol , I’m no oil painting Dave but every time I’m out I get the stares
    Even had to pose for photos when I was in China town with my wife when I was on a
    Chinese Rickshaw, it’s more fun in the Philippines Dave, Derek in sunny pasig.

  3. Dave, we have discussed this on this site before but no matter how many times I tell my friends here in America what it is like, they do not get it. They don’t have a clue.

    When I am in the Philippines it is ridiculous. And I am by NO MEANS a really handsome guy. But in the Philippines I am a rock star…and that includes places like Makati, Manila where there are a LOT of foreigners.

    When I lived in Sindangan, Mindanao I would walk into a local grocery store and the ENTIRE place would stop and start looking and smiling and whispering. It was not just the patrons of that store, but everyone that worked there. It was amazing. It was also sorta addicting. Getting that type of attention is just not something we are used to in America unless you are super good looking or famous or something like that.

    I spend a lot of time in Makati and just four or five blocks from where I live it is like another world. In the area I live it is loaded with foreigners, but you get a few blocks away and in that area you might only see one foreigner a week…at most. When Ruby and I go to that area to eat at our favorite karinderya it is shocking how much attention I get. Ruby is cool with it, THANKFULLY! LOL.

    There is really no way to explain to people how it is in the Philippines unless they go there. You can tell guys all day long how popular they will be there, but they really don’t have a clue.

    It really is simple…be nice, show respect, show some interest in the culture and you will be more popular than you ever imagined.

    ;;;;;;;;

  4. I’ve given up trying to explain the philippines to people back home a long time ago. because no matter how much I’ve tried to explain the philippines they will never get the picture. so now if they ask I just smile and say you have to go and see if you want to know.
    and tell them is that the philippines is a beautiful place with friendly people. ” it’s more fun in the philippines”

  5. I actually have reverse culture shock when I go back to the states. I am thinking to myself, why is no one looking at me!

Comments are closed.

error: Content is protected !!