Filipina Soul

The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial holds the largest number of graves of American military killed during World War II. The circular pattern of headstones count 17,202, one for each soldier who died in New Guinea and the Philippines.

A white masonry Chapel stands at the center of the cemetery. The Tablets of the Missing contain 36,285 names, and another landmark bear a list of those who were identified and recovered.
The Manila American Cemetery is located in the Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila. It is easily accessible by Taxi or car using the Epifano de los Santos Ave. …read more

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For all the native English speakers of the world who has heard a Filipino speak, you will notice something very interesting about how we talk in English – we can speak it well, but we “put the accent on the wrong sylLAble”.
Louie Agnir-Paraan of the Business Mirror wrote that “English should sound like English” and he suggests that if Filipinos are going to speak the English language anyway, we must know how to pronounce the words correctly. Case in point: Filipinos say ceREmony instead of CEremony. MaTRImony instead of MAtrimony. ineviTAble instead of inEVitable. comforTAble instead of COMfortable… and …read more

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Here we go again! Are you ready to guess these riddles?
1. May alaga akong hayop, malaki ang mata kaysa tuhod. (I have a pet whose eyes are larger than its knees)
2. Binasa’t nilapirot, saka isinuot. (It got wet and wrung before it was worn).
3. hindi tao, hindi ibon, bumabalik kung itapon. (Not a human, not a bird, it comes back when it’s thrown)
4. Hinila ko ang tadyang, lumapad ang tiyan. (I pulled on the ribs, and the stomach expanded).
5. Bahay ng Kapre, iisa ang haligi (Home of the boogeyman has only one pillar)
 
Answers after the cut.

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Thirty-six years ago on September 21, 1972, then Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos signed the declaration of martial law. He then announced the deed on television on September 23, 1973.
The proclamation ensured Marcos’ grip on power, in defiance of the constitutional 2-term limit for Philippine presidents. The declaration also marked the darkest age in Philippine history. It was during this time that hundreds of Filipinos disappeared, presumably murdered (“salvaged” in local parlance). It was also then that the Marcoses stole the country’s wealth and indulged First Lady Imelda Marcos’ taste for fine jewelry, shoes and hobnobbing with the rich and …read more

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Yes, we’re at set #23 now for our  Filipino riddles (Bugtong). If you need/want more riddles, check out this page.
Now, it’s time for more riddles!!!

Aling bagay sa mundo, and inilalakad ay ulo? (what thing walks on its head?)
Bugtong ng princesa, turingin ninyo siya: Aling halaman sa mga eskuwela, puno’t dulo’y may bunga? (Riddle of the princess, listen to what she says” What plant in school, bears fruit from end to end?)
Maraming dalaga, iisa ang bituka. (A lot of maidens but only one intestine)
Bahay ni San Pedro, pinid na lahat ng kwarto. (This house of Saint Peter has all …read more

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This was the event that changed the course of Philippine history.
Twenty-five years ago, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. was murdered at the airport that now bears his name.
A new documentary of the events surrounding this national tragedy has been released. Beyond Conspiracy: 25 Years after the Aquino Assassination takes a look at the questions that have remained unanswered about Ninoy’s death.
He was our hope. He was the one who was to bring change. He did eventually catalyze radical change in the political landscape of the Philippines, but at great cost to himself. This is what happened the day he went …read more

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Filipina Soul is inundated with requests for bugtong (Filipino riddles), sawikain (Filipino idioms) and salawikain (Filipino proverbs). And we’re more than glad to help students with their homework. After all, that’s what blogs sometimes are – student resource material.
As much as we can, we try to explain them or give translation and answers. We definitely love it when you add more to the list!
Here’s what we got for salawikain (Filipino proverbs):
1. Maikakaila ang kayamanan, ngunit hindi ang kahirapan. (One can deny wealth, but never poverty).
2. Ang naglalakad ng marahan, matinik man ay mababaw. Ang naglalakad ng matulin, …read more

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I would be very surprise if you could not guess these riddles correctly! These are soo easy, but I figured if you need these riddles (bugtong) for a school assignment, these should score points.
1. Daming ulo, isang sumbrero. (Many heads, one hat).
2. Manghahabing batikan, tubig ang hanay, ang yaring sinamay, iba’t ibang kulay. (The expert weaver uses water to create a multi-colored handwoven fabric.)
3. Sinakal ko muna bago ko nilagari. (I choked it first before I sawed it).
4. May alila si Mang Gusting, may tainga at may ngipin. Tuwing ito’y pakakanin, kumakagat ng pagkain, ngunit ayaw lululunin. (Mr. Gusting …read more

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Don’t be confused with these two words – “sawikain” and “salawikain“. They sound almost the same but they have totally different meanings.
Salawikain are proverbs. Filipina Soul has growing collection of Filipino Proverbs or Salawikain, so check them out here, here and a full list in this page.
Sawikain are idiomatic expressions. They are composed of two or more words that have an entirely different meaning when joined together or hyphenated.
Some examples of SAWIKAIN:
1. Anak-pawis. The literal translation of “anak” is son; pawis” is sweat. The idiom really means “blue-collar worker” to signify sweat and hard work are …read more

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It’s only been a month since school in the Philippines resumed, but requests for more Filipino riddles (bugtong) have been pouring in our inbox. See, it’s one of the most popular assignment, it’s quite fun (sometimes easy) to guess, and the 100 riddles we have in stock don’t seem enough.
So, here are more of them … Bugtungan na tayo! 

Bahay ni Mang Kulas nang magiba’y tumaas. (The house of Mr. Kulas rose up when it broke down).
Nang malayo pa’y alam na alam mo. Nang sumapit, itinanong na kung sino. (At a distance you know what it is. As …read more

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