Philippines – Manila Davao Borocay – Travel Food Entertainment

1.    Irrationalism. This refers to a certain superstitious beliefs of Filipinos that still practiced up to now. People still believed in gods of the nature and spirits and offer them foods and placate the sprits to heal the illness and provide them a good harvest. It is rarely practiced in the urban areas but in rural areas it is a common practice. Filipinos common irrationalism is shown in fatalism or the ‘bahala na’ syndrome. We always looked upon what fortune can make us. We are the captain of our life so whatever happened in our life depends on the decisions we made.
2.    Social Belongingness. Filipinos want to be accepted by the group or to the community, so, sometimes Filipinos are doing things just to please somebody. We are not true to ourselves. Sometimes we avoided to be franked to others just not hurt others feelings, because we are so sensitive.
3.    Close family ties. The family is the most important in our life. We are totally dependent with our family. We are doing things for the common good or for the benefits of the family. Children should obey their parents because if they will defy parental advises it will bring misfortune or their life becomes tragic.
4.    Sense of debt gratitude. In Filipino term, it is “utang na loob”. We are obliged to do something in return for what others do for us. We are very particular in stressing this owing a debt of gratitude, that’s why we are always expecting for repayment. This value has been taken advantage by others especially the politicians. This “utang na loob” may result to faithfulness and a cause for graft and corruption.
5.    Emphasis on authority. Father is the head of the family; Mayor is the head of the town and whatsoever. We give more emphasis to what the person is. The status of the person depends on his wealth and acquisition of land.
6.    Personal improvement. Most Filipinos are aiming to raise their family in standard living. We believed that we will obtain success only when we will finish our education. Education has played a major role in obtaining success that’s why parents would sacrifice themselves just to send their children to school. In return, older brother and sister would help their younger ones to go to school and would not get married until they help their parents.

Most Filipinos can speak English. This is a fact. While it may not be perfect English, it would still be understandable to a certain agree. Foreigners however are advised to learn some of the local language (Tagalog is widely spoken, first language) Here are twenty simple phrases that would get you through your trip.

1) Magandang Umaga, Hapon, Gabi. Pronounced as (Mah-ghan-dahng Oo-ma-ga, Ha-pon, Ga-bi) Magandang Umaga means good morning, Magandang Hapon is Good Afternoon and Magandang Gabi is Good Evening. Greeting someone the local way immediately shows that you are not snobbish and are willing to get to know the local custom.

2)  Magkano? Pronounced as Mag-ka-noh. This means that you are asking how much something is. Whether it’s cab fare or the price of chicken joy, it’s all the same. At bargain shops, follow this up with “Ang Mahal Naman” pronounced as Ahng ma-hal nah-man, which means “It’s expensive” and you could get a bargain. Or not.

3) Para sa tabi. Or simply “Para”, Pronounced as Pah-rah sa ta-bee. This means stop the vehicle on the side. This is very useful when you are travelling by public transport especially a jeep. Note thouh that you should shout this to the driver about twenty meters from where you really want to stop because they take a long time to stop the vehicle.

4) Nasan ang CR? Pronounced as Nah-san ahng C.R., this basically means that you are asking where the comfort room is. You may find it comical now, but you’ll thank me later when you need to do number 2 in a public location. Please thank me AFTER you do number two. I can wait.

5) Makikiraan po - Pronounced as: MAH-KEE-KEE-RAH-AHN POH - This is a term that means “Excuse me” when you’re trying to navigate your way through a crowded place. This is preferred to Excuse me” as sometimes the accent when foreigners use such a term makes it sound irritated and condescending. Adding the “Po”, a term of respect helps as well.

6) Mayroon ba yang (insert food that you are allergic with): Pronounced as MAHY-ROH-OHN BAH YAHNG_____this is important if you are allergic with some ingredients and certain types of food. When dining out, usually you will be encountering people who can speak English. However, if you’re in a fiesta or in some party with tons of food, being able to ask this question may be essential to saving your life. As a freebie here are some notable allergens and their Filipino translation:

Garlic- Bawang (Bah-wahng)
Nuts, Peanuts – Mani(Mah-ni)
Dairy(for the lactose intolerant)-Milk - Gatas(Gah-tas)
Cheese – Keso(Keh-so)

7) Oo, Opo – Pronounced as O-O, O-POH - This basically means “Yes”. The first is a regular yes and the other one is a respectful yes. The latter is used whenever talking to a superior, an elderly person or someone you are asking some form of service from like a taxi driver or a pharmacist. Be careful in using this in social events as it would be insulting to use the term with people who are roughly your age.

Hindi, Hindi Poh- Pronounced as HIN-DEEH. This, on the other hand, means No. Always use this when you are being asked about something factual. Sometimes though, the proper term is Wala, pronounced as “Wah-la”. It means None or Nothing.

9) Tulong and Saklolo. Pronounced as Too- long and SAHK-LOH-LOH. These two terms both mean help. Tulong is usually used when you need help with something lke to carry stuff or bring someone to the hospital. “Saklolo!” is used in a life and death situation especially when it’s your life.

10) Pahiram ng____: Pronounced as PAH-HEE-RAHM NAHNG. This term is used when you want to borrow something from another person. Add a “Po” after Pahiram and you would sound more respectful and probably be accommodated better.

11) Pa-utang. PRONOUNCED as PAH-OOH-TAHNG. This also means borrowing but more specifically, it means borrowing money. This is important because you might be the receiving end of this more than anything else. Make sure that you know the person asking money from you and make sure that he understands that it is a loan and not a gift.

12) Ayoko. Pronounced as AH-YOH-KOH - As a foreigner, people will always ask you to try something out. Whether it’s a ride or some form of food that you are not familiar with, people will always ask you to try it. It is always recommended that you try what they are asking you to do unless it is an obviously dangerous stunt or to be an accomplice to a crime. Trying things out means that you welcome the Filipino culture. However, if you really cannot do it, say the words “Ayoko” which means “I don’t want”. Remember that you may have to utter them more than once because they will still insist.

13) Kain tayo -Pronounced as KAH-EEN TAH-YOH. Filipinos are known for their love of food and their love of sharing food. If you enter a house where people are eating, you will always be invited to eat with such words which means, “Let’s eat(kain)”. Usually, this is out of their friendly nature and so even if they have very little food, they will say such thing. This does not mean that you should grab half of their food. The appropriate thing to do is to politely decline and say “Sige po, salamat po” pronounced as SEE-GEH POH, SAH-LAH-MAT POH. This means, “Go ahead, Thank you”.  However, if they set out a table for you and a plate and actually partitioned some of the food for you, it would be impolite to not eat.

14) Hindi ko maintindihan-  Pronounced as HIN-DEE KOH MAH-IN-TIN-DEE-HAN. This means “I do not understand” here will always be situations wherein you do  not understand what is being said or what you are hearing. Never agree with something you are not sure of. Before you agree with anything let them know that you do not understand what they are talking about.

15) Maganda ka/Gwapo ka. Pronounced as MAH-GAHN-DAH KAH and GWAH-POH KAH. This means You’re Beautiful  and You’re Handsome. There are many ways of saying these things so don’t be surprised if you hear something a bit different. It would also be nice to be able to say it to other people but be careful as you might sound a little bit creepy if said in a certain tone.

16) Supot ka- Pronounced as SOO-POHT KAH. This is the ultimate insult word or phrase against a man and literally means “You’re uncircumcised”. In the Philippines, circumcision is a very big thing and is considered as a right of passage. Being uncircumcised means that you are not a man yet. If you are an uncircumcised man, still consider this as an insult. NEVER reveal to them the fact that you are indeed uncircumcised even if it is by choice. This makes it worse. Moreover, even women do not like uncircumcised men so never reveal this unless it is really necessary

17) Dalhin nyo ako sa Ospital- Pronounced as DAHL-HIN NYOH AH-KOH SA OS-PEE-TAHL. This means “Bring me to the hospital”. Obviously, this is useful during times of medical emergency. If someone tells you this, mmediately call an ambulance or bring them to the hospital yourself if you can. Memorize these words as it could be you who needs to be brought to the hospital for some medical attention.

18) Hindi ko sinasadya - Pronounced as HIN-DEE KOH SEE-NAH-SAHD-YAH. This means “I did not mean it”. Usually this is said right after an apology and the term “Sorry” is pretty much universal. There are other terms for sorry like “Patawad” (PAH-TAH-WAHD) or “Paumanhin” (PAH-OOH-MAHN-HIN) but these terms, especially the latter are too deep even for locals. Those terms are usually used to apologize for disrespecting someone or someone’s family.

19) Itatanong ko sa abogado ko – Pronounced as EE-TAH-TAH-NONG KOH SAH AH-BOH-GAH-DOH KOH. This means I will ask my lawyer. Hopefully you will not have to be caught in any legal entanglement. If you are put in such an unfortunate situation however, make sure that you do not do anything that will make things more complicated for you. If you are unsure about something and it has anything to do with a legal matter, consult your lawyer.

20) Paalam. Pronounced as PAH-AH-LAHM. This basically means “Goodbye”. The most common term for Goodbye however, “Ba-Bye”.