The Fabulous Filipino Brothers

This is a story about four brothers.

It's a love story, kinda.

It's their quest to get it, keep it, and maintain it.

You know, that white picket fence thing.

Or, in this case, brown bamboo fence?

-Hey. Babe. -You're so late.

-I'm so sorry. -That's okay, everybody's waiting.

Okay, thank you. Thank you so much.

-Pop! -Hello. Hey, you're late.

I know, I know, I know, I know.

There's just been, I have so much going on.

If you didn't get it by now, they're Filipino.

Specifically, Filipino-American.

In some ways, it's the same,

and in other ways, very different.

Generous by nature, Filipinos adapt to their surroundings more than most.

I mean… I mean, it makes sense.

They've been occupied by the Americans, the Japanese…

Heck, the country is named after King Philip II of Spain.

Hey!

It's probably why we say "bahala na" so much.

Come what may.

Anyway, point being, Filipinos are a weird mix.

Like, they're Asians, but, like, the other Asians.

Which is kind of fitting, since this story takes place in Pittsburg.

The other Pittsburg, without the "H."

Pittsburg, California.

I know, I know, but I'm right on time.

-You have your brothers waiting. -I know, I know.

And this tale begins at a classic Filipino tradition, a wedding.

-All right, here we go. -

-Let's go, it's a big day. -Cheers. Big day.

- -Ah!

-Whoa. -Amazing.

Brothers have a unique relationship.

Longest relationship most have in their lives.

They know each other better than anyone else,

but they couldn't be more different.

Look, don't get me wrong.

They're thick as thieves and they love each other immensely.

But there are unspoken agreements

that deprive them from fully developing that keeps them in their lanes.

The reliable one,

the lucky one,

the funny one,

the dark one.

- -Hey, Pop.

Good morning, everyone.

You can't speak, fool.

Where are you guys coming from?

-From church. -It's Friday.

They go to church on Friday now.

But I thought she went to church on Sundays and Wednesdays.

-Yeah, well, she goes on Fridays now too. -Man, they be going almost every day.

I think she thinks she's gonna die soon,

and I think she thinks this is her ticket to get into heaven.

-That's not how it works. -Oh, I know, I tried to tell her.

Hey, guys.

Somebody has to take Lola to her dialysis later.

I got her on the way to work, but somebody's got to pick her up.

-David, pick up grandma. -What? I um--

You ain't doing shit, so you pick up Lola.

Let me check my schedule.

Pass the ensenada.

-What'd you say? -Pass the ensenada.

What are you talking about, man? This is called pandesal.

-Same thing. -Uh, no it ain't.

-They're bread. -Huh?

- Shut up. - You shut up.

Okay, okay stop it. Look.

One is bread that's kind of sweet and has cheese on top.

The other one is regular bread, all right? You take it,

you open it in half like that, you put the longganisa inside, see?

Okay, yeah, okay that's cool, but I want the ensenada.

Pass the ensenada.

Ensaymada. Ensenada is in Mexico.

-That's what I said. -No you didn't, fool.

Hey, boys, I just talked to Tita Flor,

and they're looking for a new president for the Fil-American Association.

Oh, Ma, work's been crazy.

Yeah, Ma, the kids are doing a lot of sports.

Hey, Ma, David would be good.

-You think I could win? -David? No, no, no, David.

- This is our community. -

You practically grew up there singing and dancing.

A representative from our family would be good as a way to give back.

As it is, you guys don't even Tagalog.

I know, it's partly our fault.

It's not our fault. They didn't wanna learn.

You know, I just don't want you guys to lose touch. Okay?

Hey, you will have to order the lechon.

Hey, Mom and Dad can't afford to pay for all this.

It's gonna be expensive.

You know, I ain't got much, man, but I'm gonna be there.

-Yeah? -Yeah, I'm gonna help out and whatnot.

Hey, look, it's not that big a deal. It's just a little party.

-It's a wedding, people have to eat. -Oh, and drink.

-How many people we talking? -God, who knows?

-I don't know who mom invited. -Um, everyone.

-For sure. -Whoa, whoa, wait, so then that's like…

-Uncle Jake, Uncle Dom, Uncle Boy. -And their wives.

And kids.

Then you got Auntie Dulce, Auntie Pinky, Auntie Barbara.

-And their husbands. -And kids.

That's Dad's side. Mom's side?

Oh, then you got Auntie Bernie, Auntie Nita, Auntie Elsie, and Uncle Chet.

And?

And their husbands and wives and kids, yeah.

Well then, damn, that's, like, over 100 people already.

And don't forget about her friends and family.

Fuck, that's a lot of people.

David, you gonna bring someone?

You better not be bringing any hoes.

Guess not.

Okay, so we're going to need a lot of food.

We're going to need two lechons.

-Yo, let's just make this a potluck. -It's a wedding.

We can't have people just bringing their own stuff.

You don't know what the hell they're gonna bring.

You know what? I got the food.

-What? -No, no, no, no, we're all gonna chip in.

Right? Right?

Huh?

No, no, no, bro. I said I'ma take care of it I'll take, I got you.

No, I mean, it's gonna be expensive. I can help pay up for the food.

-That's over 100 people. - It's gonna be a lot of money--

No, look, I said I was gonna take care of the food.

I'ma take care of it, all right? Period.

That's it, I'ma do it.

-I mean, that's hella food, man. -

Dammit, David, I said I'ma take care of the food, okay?

Filipinos call the eldest brother "kuya."

This is Dayo. You know, like the Harry Belafonte song.

Filipinos have nicknames.

His real name is Darius,

although a White guy at work calls him Dale,

like Chip and Dale.

Dayo has always wanted to be the protector

and in many ways he is,

but the struggle is real,

and his wife, Emily, isn't always the softest woman.

Dayo, what the fuck?

Why would you say that?

We can't afford that.

-I know. -Why would you volunteer us to pay?

I didn't agree to that.

Duke said he would help. He has the money.

He doesn't have any kids or a mortgage or mouths to feed on a daily basis.

I know, I know, all right?

But Duke doesn't have to pay for everything all the time.

Pay for everything? He doesn't pay for shit.

I just need to do this myself.

But it's not just yourself, Dayo.

It's me and the kids too.

Look, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I know.

- -I just have to pay for this, babe.

No, you don't.

I have to. I owe him.

Who?

All of 'em. But Danny boy definitely.

Why?

Look, not that I am complaining about this,

but we are already letting him stay in the kid's playroom.

I know.

-For two years. -Goddammit, I know, okay?

- -I'll talk to him, I'll talk to him.

But we're not like you. We're not Chinese.

We're Asian too, yeah, but we're jungle Asian.

-You know what I'm saying? -No. What are you saying?

We're tribal. We live together.

You know, growing up we never lived in the house by ourselves,

just parents and kids.

-We always lived with my grandparents. -Yeah, we still do.

I mean, you know, at one time, I think we had like 21 people in the house.

Three bedroom house, one bathroom.

While you're taking a shower, someone's taking a shit.

And what is your point, Dayo?

Jungle Asians!

But you know what?

It was always a blast, it was.

We always had a good time.

You know, everyone was singing and dancing all the time--

-Yelling at each other all the time. -Yeah, we're loud.

But you know what? My mom and dad, they never turned anyone away,

but they just made sure everyone was happy.

I'm not talking about happiness.

-That's not what this is about. -I know, but I'm just saying.

I'm just saying it's a tribal thing, babe.

I'm the oldest, my dad's getting older, and who am I to disrupt tradition?

I don't want you to worry about it, but I have to do this.