Nick Joaquin will probably write this same assessment today due to the country’s plethora of problems that everyone believes can be fixed (from our failing airports to drug-dealing policemen). But no one appears to be capable of solving anything. The 18th death anniversary of NJ was recently commemorated. Noong nakaraang Sabado lang. Today, 106 years […]
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Well, it’s still a popular Spanish curse word that we often use to express frustration and bafflement. My adopted grandma used to say “que puñeta” when I was little. Generally, people back then just said puñeta. It’s a passive curse, never directed at a person, but rather at a situation. In my understanding, that’s how […]
It is probably unknown to most Filipinos that the independence speech was not proclaimed by Aguinaldo. The man wasn’t even in his house. In his absence, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista read the independence declaration. An account of volunteers Juan y Jose Toral’s recollections was published in “El sitio de manila: Memorias de un voluntario”, that Dewey […]
The American archivist John Tewell, who has generously shared his old photos collection online that has educated many Filipinos about the past, faces deportation. A dispute he had with a tertiary medical hospital has allegedly impacted his immigration status. In view of the ongoing legal proceedings, I will not get into the details of the […]
Due to my friendships and acquaintances with Muslim Malays for years, I have become familiar with some of their traditions. Through these traditions, you discover historical connections. “Máno Po” is one of these practices (salam) that survived even after our country became Christianized. “Mano” is Spanish for hand and is our adaptation of the ancient […]
People have often dismissed our history with Spain as nothing more than a time of oppression and that what good there was was negligible. It has even been said the Spanish era was only a disruption since we already had an established civilization before they arrived. I recall a public grade school history teacher, Mrs […]
Spanish words used by Filipinos in public transport and their contemporary meanings. There could be more, and some that were missed. Primarily, these are used in central Luzon. There is no doubt that our local languages, particularly in the south, would be filled with more and perhaps different meanings. The diversity of our languages is […]
“no quiero que el español muera en Filipinas” – Enrique Zóbel de Ayala (1877 – 1943) feliz fin de semana a todos – A
I found Jo Koy’s bit about “púto” hilarious (check it out). About Mexicans mistaking Puto for something else when they hear it LOL It’s the masculine form of the Spanish puta, which means “prostitute” and used to insult people to denigrate the weak and contemptible. As you can see, not a good word. The thing […]
He has always been one of my favorite historical figures—one of the least appreciated heroes of the revolution. While he didn’t fight on the front lines of battle, he was right in the thick of it all. Providing leadership during the most difficult times. Having to be carried between towns so as not to be […]
One of my favorites, I must say. It means the same in Spanish (sp. thrown out, cast away), but from what I read, it could also mean “to release,” an expert may be able to explain this more clearly. In Tagalog uses, it means you were excluded or you were banished. It is unclear whether […]
más que “maski” – bagamán o maganáp man. Above is the official translation of the UP Diksiyonaryong Filipino. “Maski” is more commonly used than “bagamán”. So when someone says, “maski na, wala akong pakialam,” it means “so be it, I don’t care.” The Spanish meaning is more than or rather than. This post was inspired […]
As everything has been anglicized (or tagalized) in the last century, some aren’t as prevalent as they used to be. But I find it interesting that many of them are still in use today. The spelling has been left in its original Spanish for Spanish learners (such as myself). In addition to all our words […]
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