(Biclish is an unofficial language extracted from both Bikol dialect and English language.)
One of the trends that Filipinos usually observe is to find greener pastures even at the cost of leaving their families and friends behind. Everything from their homeland will be dearly missed including the frequency of speaking their language or dialects like Bikol, Pangasinan, Waray, Kapampangan, Kinaray-a, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Ilocano, and Tagalog.
A Bicolano, born in his native land - Tabaco, Albay, is now working in Canada after he left Philippines almost 5 years ago. He always use the French and the English language as his communication media for his work.
Last week, he heard again a familiar dialect he used to have when he was in Philippines. He contacted his kababayan (fellowman) via phone. He gladly and excitedly requested, “Padi (Bro), can we speak Bikol? Na-miss ko na daw magtaram ka an. (I really miss speaking it).” Listening to his voice, he has French accent that is similar to Bikol dialect of Naga but it differs from Albayano accent.
Odd to his kababayan but the call made him feel he’s home again. A glimpse on his past life set in such as listening to local radio stations, celebrating festivals, eating street food, and jamming with his folks. There was a surge feeling of wanting to come home soon.
Probably next summer, he would visit Philippines. His hopes are set up high to look forward for irinuman, and urulukan (liquor drinking and laughing) with his folks.
Even though reaching home again seems to last forever, an encouragement would be a bigger motivation for Filipinos working abroad such as this - ” Ma-jaraming kita pag-uli mo digdi.” (Let us hang out when you got home.)
Have you ever experienced being irritated by person who kept on texting and asking about your personal life and eventually threatening you? Back in 2004, my friend shared his story about his admirer-turned prankster. He also told me how he got rid of him/her.
He began receiving text messages from unknown person initially saying ‘hi’ and ‘hello’. Entertaining his unknown textmate, the exchange of messages advanced to the curiosity of his personal life, and still the prankster wouldn’t disclose his/her identity. My friend consistently asked to stop bugging him but the favour wasn’t granted. The prankster continued what he/she was doing and used offensive remarks on him.
“I’ll tell your girlfriend that we are having a relationship if you don’t answer me back.” replied by his prankster. That is a bit off the keys, seems like crazy.
Then, my friend thought a creative and imaginative idea, probably a brilliant one to deal with his unknown follower. “Ipapakulam kita kapag hindi ka tumigil!” (I have someone curse you, if you don’t stop!) That’s his text to prankster.
I was laughing when he shared this to me. His prankster replied, “How would you do that? You don’t even know me?”
If one wants to curse someone, it should be a piece of personal belongings like hair, dress, or comb to be handed to a mangkukulam (witch).
My friend replied, “Hindi mo ba alam na hi-tech na ang mga mangkukulam ngayon? Ibibigay ko lang cell phone number mo sa kanila para kulamin ka. Kaya humanda ka.” (Don’t you know that witches use hi-tech [curse]? I’ll just give them your cellphone number to curse you. So better be ready.)
Har har har har. Bwahahaha. His prankster suddenly replied. “Talaga? Sorry na, pasensya na sa mga ginawa ko.. Titigilan na kita.” (Really? Im so sorry, I apologize for what I did. I won’t bother you anymore.)
It’s unbelievable that the prankster drew back at once. I was really laughing out loud back then. Why would anyone believe that witches do exist? And even go hi-tech to curse someone? That is so gullible.
From then on, he never heard of his prankster. Thanks to his cool idea.
Looking back that day made me smile.
So anyone who read this and have the same experience, try fighting back. I even recommend you to use my friend’s fantastic idea. Make it believable. And you’ll find yourself laughing in the end. Hehehe
Known from its pottery, hot springs, halo-halo (tourists from other places like Manila love the taste), and geothermal power plants (owned by Chevron and soon-to-be Aboitiz), Tiwi, Albay in Philippines is making a commotion about its new discovery of food, the seaweed pancit/noodles.
Seaweed pancit is nutritiously rich in calcium and magnesium due to its component - a lato (seaweed). Calcium and magnesium are beneficial to our health as they help aid in making the bones strong and muscles to function well.
Aside from seaweed, the seaweed pancit has also malunggay (ben oil tree) that makes it highly nutritious for every individual. Malunggay is a significant source of vitamins and iron, good for persons with lower red blood cell count or pregnant mothers.
Another captivating characteristic of seaweed pancit is that its content has no preservatives, all natural that can be served in a variety of dishes.
It is also affordable for consumers especially who are health conscious. For only P50 or more than $1 per kilo, it can cater 30 people. Definitely, this would make your meal enjoyable.
