"Erning and the American's Porch"

Here's a funny excerpt from Miguel Syjuco's book "Ilustrado" that I'm currently reading, side-by side with other readings for my two literature classes this year. The humor comes last:

    Erning has trouble getting a good tech job because the Americans are wary of accepting his foreign qualifications. So he hits the job listings in the classified ads and finds this: "Wanted: Porch Painter". Erning, excited, says to himself: Wow. This is great! In the Philippines, I've painted many things. The walls of our old house. My uncle's chicken coop. My niece's bicycle. I'm very qualified!
    So Erning applies and shows up bright and early at the employer's house. The blury blond fellow explains to him, speaking slowly and loudly: "Okay, buddy. I don't know how you folks do it where you come from, but I want you to paint my porch in one day. First, scrape all the paint off to the bare surface. Then apply a coat of primer. When that dries, I want you to do two coats of this pink paint. Can you do that?"
     Erning thinks it a strange request. Pink doesn't seem like a good color at all. But Erning figures this is California. Besides, it's no use understanding Americans. Especially rich ones. "Yes, sir," Erning says eagerly. "I can remove paint and apply paint very well thank you very much!"

Pink porch

     "Okay, buddy," the American says. "You've got the job. All the material's ready been unloaded from the trunk of the car."
     Only two hours later, the American hears a knock on his front door. When he opens it, Erning's there, standing proudly, flecked with pink paint. "Sir, the job is finished!"
     "Far out, bro," says the American. "Only took you two hours! Are  you sure you scraped the paint to the bare surface?"
     "Yes, sir. I'm positively!"
     "And you let the primer dry first?"
     Erning nods.
     "And then you put on two coats of pink?"
     "You betcha by golly wow," Erning says. He's thrilled at being impressive. He thinks: If Americans are this taken  by our work ethic, I'll have a high-paying tech job in no time.
     The American is indeed impressed. "Wow, you Mexicans sure work well. Okay, buddy. You deserve a bonus. Here's another ten bucks!"
     Erning is delighted. "Sir, thank you, sir!" Relishing this feeling of being a star employee, Erning adds: "But I have to tell you, sir, 'cause maybe you don't know much about these things. You don't own a Porch. Your car's a Ferrari."

Funny, right? I really enjoy reading this book. It is honest and dead-serious of what it's talking about, but you just can't let away that unique Filipino humor its author has perfectly integrated in the storytelling of this book. Currently, I'm on to take its fourth chapter, and it makes me feel all the prouder of his work.