Agaylatan!

This was dad’s suggested title for my blog, one of the topics discussed on the dinner table a couple of minutes ago. I actually considered this as the name of this blog but after consultation with kaye, the closest and most convenient person during the creation of this blog, she suggested “antutan?” and I decided it was a better blog name for the following reasons:

1. Kaye’s presence during the process of my blog’s creation
2. “Antutan”, in relation to the Filipino language, is one letter away from being Hayden Kho’s favorite activity – and its not videotaping.

This is the reason why I decided that it would be funny (and I hope it is – did you get it?) to put a CONTENT WARNING before actually being able to read my posts. Not that what I write about is sexually oriented material. Although, I may go to that kind of topic if I run out of things to write, but I think that will be later rather than sooner…I have so much to learn before being able to converse in pangasinense.

3. It asks a question. It may be in relation to what my blog is all about, or to what the reader might think of when reading what I right about. It’s up to the reader.

Of course, I just thought of this reason in the process of writing this post. It makes me look intellectual. hehe (Paano ba emoticons dito?)

Recall (Corrections)

Sampiga = Magkakano?
Unsabe ak la = Paparating na ako

Pasaliw, not necessarily "pabili". More like "nakiki-paki"

Those entries which are not corrected are correct.
And no, no more english translations for this post. Nobody's perfect.

Recall, continued

After my poor attempt at remembering the words/phrases/sentences last time, it is the purpose of this post to redeem myself.

Alagar ka = Maghintay ka (You wait)
Ambutel = Maginaw (Cold)
Wala = Meron ('refers to a thing that exists')
Angapo = Wala (Inexistent)
Andi la = Hindi na (Not anymore)
Sira = Isda (Fish)
Unsabe ak ne = Paparating na ako (I am coming) - I am not sure about this one
Akasumpet ak la = Nakauwi na ako (I am home) - I am not sure about this one either
Pasaliw = Pabili (Can you buy...) - Again, not sure about this one


The next set refers to questions, and I can not believe that I forgot to add the first entry on my previous post.

Antutan = Ano iyan? (What's that?)
Akin = Bakit? (Why?)
Pigara = Ilan? (How many?)
Sampiga = Magkano? (How much?)


Note that I may have confused "pigara" with "sampiga" as to their respective meanings. I will definitely clarify the uncertainties of this post with my next one.

Lesson 1: Recall

Here are some words/phrases/sentences that I remember.

Narasan ak la = Gutom na ako (I am hungry)
Naksel ak la = Busog na ako (I am full - not hungry)
Amputang = Mainit (Hot)
Amputang lan maong = Masyadong mainit (Very hot)
Balbaleg = Malaki (Big)

(Space Out)

Ambilunget = Madilim (Dark)


Tama ba?

Ok. I really don't want to think too much while still on vacation, so I'll just stop.

Typhoon Emong

It was devastating. The strong wind and the rain did not even last overnight but the damage it caused was overwhelming.

The day before the typhoon hit north-western Philippines, I was in Tagaytay for a LENTE training for the upcoming 2010 elections. Raring to go on vacation in Pagudpud at the end of the LENTE training, I was more than ready to drive back home despite my lack of sleep. All of a sudden, I receive a text message from my cousin (Noah) informing me of the tumultuous road conditions to Pangasinan because the typhoon surged while they were on the road. Immediately following Noah's text, I receive a text from both my mom and dad telling me that our trip to Pagudpud was postponed due to the typhoon. I was devastated.

No sooner than the sudden surge of Emong, the following day, it was bright and sunny in Manila. Prepared to sleep all day, we were awakened by a phonecall from mom telling us to pack our bags because our trip to Pagudpud had just been re-scheduled, as in right now. We did not even have time to take bath, we were immediately on the road to Pangasinan to start our long-awaited road trip to Pagudpud. I was happy.

Once in Pangasinan, we were greeted by fallen mango trees, branches and leaves all over the road, electric posts pushed down on the side of the road, and people trying to clean up after the mess that Emong caused. I even heard one relative say that after the typhoon, the places which were hit hard by the typhoon (Alaminos, Bani, Bolinao, among others) looked like a war zone. I was devastated.

Up to now there is still no electricity in our house. Although, two blocks away, some houses have electricity runing through their circuits... signs of recovery which leaves me feeling happy, but also frustrated.