Tatak Pinoy: FILIPINO TRAITS & VALUES

         Years after being colonized by foreign countries, Filipinos have saved the original values that they practice even before alien cultures invaded our own.

         Although we have adopted to the influences of the mixture of Spanish, American, Chinese and Japanese culture, Filipinos were able to cultivate and made these traits their own marks of being a genuine Pinoy.

Filipino people are said to be very versatile when it comes to adapting to new surroundings. They are flexible and they always come in trend.

But, aside from those positive traits and values that we acquire from our ancestors, we Filipinos, acknowledge that we also give ourselves in negative qualities, qualities that we possess since the start of the world.

Now let us take a quick look to the common traits and values that Filipinos from around the globe share.

POSITIVE TRAITS

1.   FAITH IN GOD

It is a common thing for Filipinos to be seen on their bended knees, with their candle in one hand or sing praises on the top of their lungs. There is no question as to whether Filipinos believe in God.

We may be a member of different churches, but we put faith and strongly acknowledge the presence and existence of one true God.

2.   CLOSE FAMILY TIES

Other countries may find it absurd, but for us Filipinos, we prefer to stay and live with our family even after we are married off. The family members are almost complete when you try to visit a house owned by a Filipino. From the grandparents up to the last bit of their grandchildren, these people are what comprise a Filipino home.

3.     HOSPITABLE

It is one of the Filipino traits that people from other countries often commend to us. We are notable in terms of being accommodating to our visitors. When we have visitors, we always welcome them with warm smiles, good conversation and tasty food.

4.     OBEDIENT AND DUTIFUL

Filipinos always acknowledge those that are in authority or someone superior to them. Even inside the family, children can be found obediently following their parents instructions.

5.     RESPECTFUL

It is a part of our custom and even in our language to pay respect to the elderly or to people superior to us. We use the words “po” at “opo” when talking to someone older to us and do act of “pagmano” as a sign of respect.

6.     HELPFUL

Whenever someone needs someone else’s aid, Filipinos are always ready to give a hand to that person. One great example of Filipino custom portraying helpfulness is the act of “bayanihan.”

7.     DILIGENT AND PATIENT

Because of the situation of our country, agriculture as one of the primary sources of a living has contributed to these traits of Filipinos. They do strenuous planting and the same in gathering them.

8.     RESOURCEFUL AND CREATIVE

Being dubbed as a third world country, Filipinos have learned to adapt to their conditions. Consequently they learned the practice of improvising things by recycling trashes to useful things.

9.     CHEERFUL

Filipinos often find themselves in struggle to survive for a day. In response to this, they tend to cheer themselves up and just laugh their problems off.

10. THRIFTY AND FRUGAL

For a typical Filipino, it is ordinary to see them eat foods that are considered too plain, they buy simple clothes and things that are really needed. They don’t spend money to just everything ar anything they want.

NEGATIVE TRAITS

1.     NINGAS- KUGON

There is a tendency for Filipino people to show eagerness on the start of the way but lacks of it as the work progresses.

2.     MAÑANA HABIT

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Philippines is still under developed country. Filipinos often put off doing things until it is too late.

3.     CRAB MENTALITY

Another dark side of Filipino traits is how insecure we could get to somebody who is on his/ her way to success that we find a way to pull that person back down, rather than striving to be better.

4.     COLONIAL MENTALITY

We perceive the Filipino made products as inferior to what imported products offer us.

5.     BAHALA NA

When cornered to a situation that seems to remain unsolved, we often let the fate dictates on whatever will happen.

6.     SORE LOSERS

Many times, Filipinos become very competitive and hate losing. At times, when we lose, we find a way to get even.

Gay Language: Made in Philippines

When we were in learning institutions, academicians always describe Filipino language as a creative and a dynamic language. It has its own life that evolves according to the trend of our society.

          That was the only statement that I came to believed in without a second thought, while inside a classroom full of homosexuals, bisexuals, transvestites- gay people, whom I intend no harm in writing this article. As a communication student, where most of my male block mates are actually gays, I discovered and learned how to jive with them and I really enjoyed their company. These people actually made our already rich language to a more vivid, aesthetic one.

“Pakia-abot ng chuva.”
“Ay, redo the lay-out, Chaka Khan!”
“Josko, ang CR hindi na-flush ha ma-Panjee Gonzales.”
“Hoy, i-ready na ang pang-Janno Gibbs sa press ha.”
“Anong oras na ba, Tom Jones na ako e.”

          Originally, gay lingo was used for a confidential conversation in order for others to avoid hearing or understanding what they were talking about. They resorted in inventing words, replacing or adding letters on specific words or even use the name of prominent personality to alter with descriptive sentences.

          The words that they used are said to be influenced by the mixture of English, Tagalog, Visayan and even Japanese languages. If you happen to hear an actual conversation of gays in their colorful words, you’ll hear a hilarious gibberish- sounding voices coming out from those men in their most lovely dresses. Some people even say that it feels like a chore of deciphering the Da Vinci Code in attempt to understand what has been said by those people.

          Just like any other slang, there are also rules and regulations that are implemented in speaking gay language. These are the following laws that are popular in gay lingo:

THE “J” LAW- Replacing the first letter of word with ‘J’

Ex:

JOWA- Asawa (Husband, Boyfriend)

JONTA- Punta (to go to a place)

JUBIS- Obese

THE “KY/NY” LAW- Replacing the first letter with “KY” or “NY”

Ex:

KYOTA- Bata (Child)

NYORTS- A pair of shorts

THE NAME GAME- Replacing a word with a name,    (usually a celebrity) that sounds like it.

Ex:

Julie Yap- Daza- Huli (Caught in act)

Gelli de Belen- Jealous

Carmi Martin- Karma

Tom Jones- Gutom (Hungry)

PLUS- Adding an extra syllable, extra letters or extra words to create a different word.

Ex:

Crayola- Cry

Thunder cats- Tanda (An old person; often called to an old gay man)

          Aside from the rules, there are also the list of words written in their ‘Badingtionary’- a personalize dictionary for gays, which contains the guide for Nouns, Pronouns, Prepositions,, Proper Nouns, Adjectives and Adverbs.

          To name some, here is the list of their common vocabulary:

NOUNS, PRONOUNS, PREPOSITIONS	ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS	PROPER NOUNS
Andalucia – pera Akesh– ako Badet – bading Berru – beer Borlog – tulog, power nap Bottomesa, bottones – a Bottom Bufra – boyfriend Carrou, carosa – car Cheese – chismis Chimi, , chimini-aa – maid Constru – construction worker Daot – ahas, traitor Ditey, ditich, ditraks – dito Feelanga – crush Fiampey –birdie, flower Garapata –punggok Gardini – security guard Gulay, pechay, bilatch, Tahong – babae Hammer – pakonyo effect Havana – mahabang mukha Hipon – maganda ang katawan pero panget Itich, itechlavu – ito Jowa, jowawis – lover Jubelita –batang bading Kyotatalet – sanggol Potato queen – chink for chinks Red alert – menstruation Colbam, sholbam – callboy Sholbug – na daig Shulupi – pulubi Tayelz – tayo Variables – barya, coins Wigwam – wig	48 years – sobrang tagal Antibiotic – antipatika Balaj, valaj – balahura Bella – boba Bigalou – big Biway, chopopo, – gwapo Borta – malaki katawan Chaka– ugly Chopopo – gwapo Conalei – baklush Daki – dako Dites – dito Doonek – doon Effem – halatang bakla Ganda lang – for free Ganders – maganda Jutay, juts – maliit Kabog, loss – talo! Katagalugan – matagal Katol – mukhang katulong Matod – magnanakaw Nakakalurky –nakaka-takot Oblation – walang saplot Otoko – lalakeng lalaki Paminta– discreet gay guy Pinkalou – pink Shala – sosyal Shogal – matagal Shokot, bokot – takot Shontis – buntis Sudems – never Tamalis – tamad Urky – nakakaloka Warla – loka-loka, Wiz, waz – wala! Wrangler– matanda	Aglipay – ugly Pinay Anaconda – ahas, traidor Anita Linda– A.I.D.S. Ate Vi – atrebida Bebang, Mayta – maid Chabelita – chubby Chiquito – maliit Churchill – sosyal Crayola Khomeni – iyak Debbie Gibson – give Eva Kalaw – evak Girlie Rodis – babae Givenchy – give, pahingi Indiana Jones – hindi sumipot Elena – umuulan Julie Andrews – mahuli Lilet – bading na bagets Lucita Soriano – loss na, sorry pa Lucrecia Kasilag – baliw Miss Nigeria – negra Murriah Carey– mura Nora Daza – magluto Phil Collins – Philcoa Rita Gomez – naiirita Ruffa – laklak Siete Pecados – tsismosa Thunder Cats – gurang Tom Jones– gutom Washington D.C. – wala X-Men – mga dating lalaki Yayo Aguila – dyahe Zsa Zsa Padilla – o siya, sige!

DAKILA

Modern Day Heroes

“To die is easy; to live amongst the chaos yet to give yourself when you also need more is far more heroic. The call today is no longer ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo (to die for you) but rather ang mabuhay nang dahil sa’yo (to live for you).”

We always have the chance to take a step forward, to show that we care and to prove that Filipinos are not indifferent to our current situations. It is never too late for us to make our move to becoming a hero. It is not a requirement to shed blood for the people, but to perspire as we aspire to committing to our dream of being the superhero of our own selves.

As an advocate of social change, DAKILA, Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism, consisting of a group of artists, students, and individuals, can be our inspiration. Just like them, we can take the risk of remaining unheard despite the heavy effort that they give for Filipinos to wake up from centuries of unconsciousness to the essence of progress.

People might look positively or negatively to such organizations, but it is far more obvious that these people care. That wherever they go whatever path they take and whoever comes their way, they will instill people with social awareness bringing with them the brighter future of our country.

And if we just lift a finger, we can absolutely do just the same.

DAKILA Members

Profiles

Lourd Ernest Hanopol de Veyra

Musician, poet, journalist, broadcast personality and activist

The president of Dakila is a four time Palanca awardee and arguably the hottest man on television today (We got paid for this).  Known for his quirky lines like, “Ang tunay na lalake, walang abs,” it’s no wonder that he has captivated the youth in his a-lot-of-times sarcastic-but-very-witty social commentaries whether in his show, Word of the Lourd or through the songs of his band, Radioactive Sago Project. He has gained millions of audience who listen to his words of wisdom and who lines up for hours if just to get their books signed. He and his show have done what other celebrities and other shows have failed to do: make the youth interested and involved in social issues surrounding the country.

NOEL CABANGON

Singer, composer, writer

Noel Cabangon has captured the nation’s heart when he sang during Philippine President Noy’s inauguration and made all politicians present pledge to be “Mabuting Pilipino”.  He epitomizes the power of art in his ability to provide elegant social commentary without sacrificing melody and heartfelt expression.

ARVIN “TADO” JIMENEZ

Actor, comedian, radio personality, activist

More known for his comedic antics as Tado and putting the letter “T” in BrewRATs, there’s more to this long-haired comedian than just being funny. An activist himself, Tado has a slew of advocacies which include anti-drug use, tobacco control, labor rights, and anti-naming of government projects.

 RONNIE LAZARO

Actor, director, theater actor

The versatile Ronnie Lazaro is considered one of the country’s finest actors and has appeared in some of the most critically acclaimed films in recent Philippine cinema history including Oro, Plata, Mata, Misteryo sa Tuwa, Bayani, Sa Pusod ng Dagat, Raymond Red’s Cannes-winning short film Anino, Jose Rizal, Bagong Buwan, Hubad sa Ilalim ng Buwan, Heremias and Sigaw just to name a few.

COOKY CHUA

Singer, band vocalist, composer, writer

Cooky is the lead vocalist of the rock band Color it Red which rose to fame in the 90s. Cooky has won awards such as the Golden Voice of Asia in Hanoi, Vietnam in 1998. Her band was selected as Best New Artist at the Awit Awards. Her voice emits a powerful blend of red-blooded sensuality and earthy confidence. Clearly, she is Pinoy Rock’s goddess. Unlike other female vocalists, Cooky doesn’t need to wear quirky or skimpy clothes to be noticed. In fact, she is comfortable with her standard black outfit and barely dons on make-up. All she needs to get the attention of her audience is her voice — and maybe with a little bit of her favorite drink on hand.

POCHOY LABOG

Composer, writer, band member

As the front man of the rock/rap/grunge band Dicta License, he penned songs carrying political and nationalistic themes addressing the Filipino youth. During the band’s peak in the mid-2000’s, they released their first album Paghilom, and received nominations and awards from MTV Pilipinas and NU 107. It was also at this time that Pochoy juggled his law studies with volunteer work for social advocacy groups Gawad Kalinga, RockEd, Visayan Forum, and Dakila.

  

JIM LIBIRAN

Writer, filmmaker, producer, journalist, activist

A native of Tondo, Manila, Jim is a multi-awarded writer, documentary filmmaker, activist, educator, television producer, and journalist. He keeps a frenetic schedule working on short films, TV documentaries for television, and literary pieces. His work includes documentaries and reportage on the eve of the wars in Iraq; the Taliban defeat and the Northern Alliance takeover in Afghanistan; the rebellions in Mindanao; the EDSA DOS uprising. Twenty years in television news and the print media  has whetted his aptitude for capturing stories about the Filipino culture and condition. While working as a newspaper journalist, he was also a labor union activist and a grassroots organizer/educator.

TOOTOOTS LEYESA

Photographer, director

Tootoots is a seasoned photographer whose talent always aims to break free from the conventional. A jack of all trades, he has ventured in to film directing, sound and editing but remains true to his unconventional styles. His naturally inquisitive and dysfunctional mind breeds brilliant concepts that add flavor and twist not only in his art but also in his various advocacies.

REFERENCES:

http://dakila.org.ph/new/who-we-are-2/

Aswang

A Philippine Myth and Mystery

        Philippines is known for its prosperous culture and tradition. In every corner of the country even in its smallest island, countless customs and beliefs are being passed on generation to generation.

          Even in this age of modern technology, Filipinos are still fond of spreading and grasping on ideas of myths, that most people from across the globe find too naïve.

          One of the remains of folklores that Filipinos can’t seem to get enough of is the mystery behind the dark creatures called ‘Aswang.’

          The undying stories of aswang in the Philippines started during the Spanish era. People believed that these evil creatures live mostly in the rural areas in feed on people as their prey.

There are also five classifications of aswang in the country namely the werebeast, the witch, the vampire, the ghoul and the viscera sucker.

Here are the common characteristics of each classified creature:

1.     Werebeast

During the day, they are in a normal form of a person but shifts in a gigantic black dog or wild boar at midnight. They are called kiwig in Aklan and malakat in Cebu.

It bites on the neck of its victims which they prefer to be pregnant.

2.     Witch

They are capable of making their enemy physically sick. They are believed to act shyly and live in abandoned houses or in remote areas.

They cannot look straight into the eyes of people; and you’ll see your reflection in a reverse form in his/ her eyes. They are called mambabarang in Bicol, manggagamodsa in Iloko/ Pangasinan, mamumuyog in West Visayan and mangkukulam in Pampanga, Tagalog.

3.     Vampire

It originally came from the European and Lower Americann Mythology.

They are blood suckers and they use the tip of their long and sharp tongue to penetrate the neck of its victim. They are called amaranhig in West Visayan, danag in Isneg and mandurugo in Tagalog.

4.     Ghoul

They are said to be thieves of corpse. They have sharp teeth and nails.

They wait on tall trees near the cemetery to dig for the dead bodies that they eat at night. They have the ability to hear the breathing of dying people.

They replace the actual body of the dead with a banana tree which can deceive the family members that it really is their dead relative.

They are afraid of flames, metal and spicy food.

They are called balbal in Tagbanuas, busaw in Bagobos, segben in East and West Visayas and wirwir in Apayao.

5.     Viscera Sucker

They feed on the internal organs of their victims.

During the day, they are seen to be beautiful girls with long hair. At night, it divides itself into two, leaving its lower body part under her mattress or in a place with banana trees so that, people won’t notice it.

It goes to the roof of its victim and finds holes. Her elongated tongue reaches its victims. It attacks the heart, liver lungs and other internal organs of the victim. Most of her victims are pregnant women because they like to feed on the fetus inside the woman’s stomach.

To destroy it, they should find her lower body part and sprinkle it with salt or ashes.

          People can choose their own way on however they are going to react on these stories.  In the end, we are living a life in a country that needs advancement.

          Whether we continue to live in horror or face the real dangers ahead is up to us.

IS IT STILL A NO FOR CYBERCRIME LAW?

Despite the attention that the government is giving to cyberpornography, the top crime in the country today, there is still tough competition amongst the ‘evil market’ which is paid by the patrons for engaging innocent children in sexual acts for online pornography.

          Based on reports, poverty is the primary reason why children are being held and forced to work, a work which made them victims of sexual abuse. There has been numerous cases jotted down in different police office, be it in rural or in urban areas in the country.

          The record shows that children, in as young as five years old are being used in this field of filthy work. Also, most of the patrons are from different countries, where they pay for a hundred dollar for viewing a live sexual acts performed by children.

          Children are supposed to be playing with other kids, fed with abundant of essential information, advised with moral values and sent to school. In a family unit, somebody could have shown concern or paid attention on whatever a child member is up to.

          How those parents came to not know the hideous situations of their children is almost impossible, unless they are the ones to voluntarily take their children in front of a small camera connected on a desktop, teaching those little ones how to perform the patron’s demands online.

          It is not much of a surprise for people from across the globe to exploit Filipino children sexually, especially in this era where people do less but gain much by the aid of technology. In just a click away, the patrons get to watch and feed their lustful desires while the victims get paid with a certain amount, enough to make him/ her be ever present in another transaction.

It is as crystal clear that tougher laws are needed to be implemented. But the freeze of the cybercrime law, limits the power of the Department of Justice to fight against cybercrimes, including the cyberpornography.

The said law was passed by the Congress on September 2012 which aims to stop cybercrimes which include fraud, identity theft, spamming and child pornography, which is what we need to halt the continuous rising of this case in the country.

What those children need are real guardians, and what the government need is simply to provide them that.

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