Manongs and Their Vices

Although the manong generation was sincere in their attempts to make a living and an honest name for Filipinos in America, as well as abroad, they were the unlucky victims of several vices that crippled their abilities to obtain success. They gave into several temptations including gambling, prostitution, and illegal cockfights. These types of activities provided them with temporary satisfaction –quick money, quick love, and entertainment. The Filipino community that migrated to the States was made up mostly of single, uneducated men, with little or no relatives to rely on (Melendy). So, it is easy to understand why the first Filipinos had such a hard time resisting temptation.


It is no secret that Filipinos get involved with gambling. It is every gambler’s dream to hit the jackpot and go home as the big winner for the evening. But this dream is very few people’s realities. With the hardships the first Filipinos faced when coming to America, gambling seemed like the most viable option since they were being paid with such little wages. They made promises to those back home that they would return with the financial means necessary for supporting their families. The stress of returning to the Philippines successful and rich pressured several men to make poor choices. They hoped to strike gold when betting on boxing matches, horse races, cockfights, poker, blackjack, and dice. They would blow their wages on bets that would give them little in return.

Prostitution was another activity that Filipinos would get involved in. With few Filipinas who journeyed to America, girlfriends and wives thousands of miles away, laws prohibiting interracial marriage, and violence being a result of being seen with a white American woman, many men resorted to the illicit act of prostitution to get their sexual needs met. Many would go to taxi-dance halls, and spend their wages on lap dances from dancers. Some would get a little more for the right price. Prostitution and the attention received from a female solved the problem of loneliness and made the manongs feel wanted and desired in a country where they were being treated poorly. It gave them a false sense of acceptance.

During the 1930s, the manongs increased the profits of Stockton gambling operators and prostitutes by about $2 million annually (Melendy). Although dishonest, it was a lucrative business for many cities and states that were inhabited by Filipinos.

In addition to gambling and prostitution, cockfights were a source of entertainment and leisurely activity. Cockfights (also known as sabong) are very popular in the Philippines. It is even considered one of the Philippines’ national sports. Some forms of cockfights are legal when they are held in official cockpits. The manongs brought cockfighting to America as a means of entertainment and saw it as a betting sport, another way to earn a quick buck.

The vices that several manongs possessed profoundly impact Filipinos in America and the Philippines. It brings to light that gambling is still a major problem that Filipinos face today. It is a huge business in the Philippines, some legal and some illegal. Several Gambler Anonymous groups meet weekly. Sadly, but thankfully at the same time, many of the attendees are Filipinos. It is discouraging to see the statistics reflect the problems Filipinos have, but it is also comforting to see that many are seeking help to kick the habit.

Written by: LD

Source:
http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Du-Ha/Filipino-Americans.html
http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/1681279-p4.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15693951@N00/516528653/