MIchael

The name "Douglas" is a familiar one to Filipinos as Douglas MacArthur was very much a part of the nation's history.  But saying "Douglas" with the American schwa?  Let's just say that we Filipinos don't have lazy vowels.  So rather than risk calling him a domesticated friendly pup, prudent minds asked for his second name.  If you do hear folks referring to him as Michael, you're not mistaken.

Gaining Filipino relations meant meeting Mang Dante, the street vendor, who now has bragging rights having sold taho to this white guy.

It also meant plenty of hardships: eating beyond one's satiety, drinking the local beer, sampling queso ice cream, waiting a long time for a good cup of coffee...

...acting in family skits, answering the probing questions from relatives (e.g. when are you having a son?), getting bruised on the forehead from greeting so many distinguished relatives with huge rings and sharp fingernails (also called showing respect), finding a 110v outlet for his gadgets, taking a "shower" using a bucket, and listening to the neighbors' karaoke concerts in the middle of the night.

And it meant marrying into a family of his soulmates--artists with his temperament and quirks, sleeping schedule, and appreciation for what's true, good, and beautiful.