Just going to add my 2cents here, I totally understand where shopaoface is coming from. I lived beside a 1st generation Filipino family in Winnipeg many years ago. Our families became good friends with each other and I became great friends with one of there daughters( we were the same age), went to the same school and everything. The Old man wanted his family to become more " Western" but keep their culture intact. Our families had many meals together,we shared our culture with them and they with us. When we finally went to high School the oldest daughter and I became romantically involved with out the family knowing, when one of the brothers " tattled " on us, there was what I can only describe as an " intervention" from both families. We were basically under no circumstances to have any contact with each other any more, and we did in fact do this. I was more scared of my Dad than hers, but I didn't want to bring shame if you will to her... many years went by, I moved out and on to other things and she went to a different school. Today we actually are friends as she married and has kids, in fact I'm going to be helping her oldest son at my workplace next month. Her husband and kids no nothing of our past( just that we were good neighbours) as her Dad and Mom have passed away. All I'm saying is I know the Filipino family way of life and now that we are on 3rd generation Filipino in Winnipeg it's not as harsh now. You see lots on inter mingling now with the different races, and I for one am happy to see it, but there is still that family honour system in place....