I got a coin as change, a little smaller then a nickel, silver "or nickel" color.
It says UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around and eagle setting on a shield and 1932 at the bottom.
The back side, five centavos over a sitting person, and what looks like Filipinas on the bottom.
What the heck is this thing?

It's a US Philippine "nickel" or 5 centavos. They are copper-nickel. As you probably know, the Philippines were a US territory thanks to the Spanish-American war. FWIW, if in halfway good condition, they are worth, if you can find someone who wants them, from a buck on up. Source I found said if in AU 50 condition, is worth $20. I'd say that if you could get half that, in that condition, you'd be lucky. Interesting find, I would guess that an heir of a US Soldier found it and spent it.

Thanks Gato!
Did it say, or do you know where they were minted, the US or the Philippines?

BTW, the US/Philippines One Peso is a beautiful coin, the size of a US silver dollar, with varying silver content, early ones, 90%, then 80%, I believe. Common ones in fairly used condition can be had pretty cheap, less than $20.

Several years ago I was in the bank drive through depositing a check + wanted $20.00 cash back.The girl gave me a like new 20 that looked kinda funny.I looked closer ,it was a series 1934. I guess someone robbed grandmas stash.In that regard I was in a coin + stamp store in 82 + found a 1934 50 cent airmail stamp that was valued at $560.00. I asked the guy why. He said,as I should have guessed that in 1934 nobody had 50 cents for a stamp.Makes me wonder how many 20's were printed in that year as well.

I got a silver certificate $1 as change a few years ago.
The centavo is certainly nothing to exciting, but is a neat curio. Many thanks to Gato for all the info on it.

In the early 80's when I worked at another mans shop our secretary told us of how her mother who had a whole stack of silver certificates took them to the bank + deposited them the came back later wanting her same bills back + could'nt figure out why they would'nt give her back her original money.Makes you sick but then stupid acts generally do.

Well, it ain't like she gave away the family fortune. The bills today, depending on condition, dates, etc are probably worth at most about $2 today and back then, maybe, at best $1.50.