In spite of problems, calamities, controversies and everyday struggles all year-round, no one celebrates the New Year more enthusiastically than Filipinos. As one of the happiest people in the world, we are ready to forget our troubles for a while and meet the coming year with hope, optimism and merry making born out of the unique traditions that had endured even in these modern times.
Continue Leave a Comment December 22, 2010
In a music-loving country tagged as the “Land of Fiestas”, Filipinos celebrate almost every event with singing or dancing. Birthdays, weddings, town fiestas, and even graduation celebrations are not complete without karaoke, song numbers, dance contests, and the like.
Christmas, as the biggest, longest and most-awaited celebration of the year, is naturally celebrated with music.
Continue Leave a Comment December 17, 2010
Filipinos love Christmas as much as they love food, and to have both in one occasion makes up for one big, happy celebration all over the country.
Continue Leave a Comment December 3, 2010
If you haven’t experienced Christmas in the Philippines, you haven’t experienced the longest and merriest Christmas in the world.
Continue Leave a Comment November 26, 2010
One way to introduce a foreign visitor to the Filipino culture is to introduce him or her to as many people as you can: hearing the names of your Uncle Boy, your Aunt Baby, your cousin Ding-Dong, your sister Len-Len and your friend Cherry Pie would be a novel experience all on its own—confusing, fascinating and eye-opening (and not necessarily in that order).
If you’re travelling to the Philippines, make sure to hit the dusty, sweltering hot and lively streets of Manila for a taste of a quirky and unique culture that is Filipino street food!
Continue Leave a Comment November 5, 2010
agaw-buhay — naghihingalo; between life and death
anak-pawis – magsasaka; manggagawa; farmer; laborer; blue-collar worker
balat-kalabaw — makapal, di agad tinatablan ng hiya; one who is insensitive; with dense-face (literal=buffalo-skinned)
Continue Leave a Comment October 14, 2010
Accomplish — “to complete a form”; All government forms specify they are to be “accomplished”.
Ala — Filipinos prefer to spell “a la,” or more correctly “à la,” as one word.
Already — Filipinos use this word to state that they have finished doing something, even though it was completed past the original deadline. In standard English, by contrast, “already” is used only when something was completed ahead of schedule.
Apartelle — A budget hotel. From apartment + hotel + le. Other terms used are “apartel,” “apartment hotel,” and “condotel.”
Continue Leave a Comment September 24, 2010
In a country that is both conservative and free-thinking, the issue of sexual orientation still remains within certain boundaries of social, moral and political correctness. To this day, few can deny the lingering negative connotations on homosexuality and the propensity of some towards condemnation of the members of the third sex. These, ironically, are said to have spawned what is now considered a mainstream subculture that not only accepts the gay community, but one that is originally exclusively theirs.
Continue Leave a Comment September 17, 2010