When I first heard him speak, I was really surprised, his Cebuano is almost perfect for a “normally” white American, no trace of American accent when he talks.
According to information I gathered from the web, Sgt. Paul Palmeri is a Gunnery Sargeant for US Marine Corp (USMC).
He grew up in Cagayan de Oro City, his father Tom Palmeri used to be a professor in Xavier University.
So mao diay fluent kaayo iyang Cebuano, na tawo diay sya sa diri sa Pilipinas.
What do you mean “his Cebuano is almost perfect”?! It is perfect! I say this as a native Cebuano speaker.
Hehe, okay.
My Cebuano is almost perfect.
Ahhh thank you for the information – indeed Sgt. Palmeri’s bisaya is absolutely perfect! Here’s a tribute to the late Prof. Tom Palmeri published in the Inquirer on Nov 2 2012
http://opinion.inquirer.net/39994/faces-not-forgotten
What a generous and great family, and contributors to education, care and the Society of Jesus.