Don'ts in Saudi Arabia

1. Never ride a private car driven by Arab men. You might end up in jail charged as prostitute. Likewise, be aware that if a woman is found in a car with a man who isn't her husband, a close relative or a designated chauffeur she will be liable, under Islamic law, to be accused of either adultery (if she is married) or prostitution (if she isn't.)

2. Don’t keep pictures of your partner showing intimacy or any nude picture in your wallet.

3. Don't go walking around in skimpy clothes (even if you're a man). Saudis will be offended by the sight of men wearing shorts, vests, etc. If you want to go jogging, wear track suit bottoms (or whatever they're called these days) and a T-shirt. If you do walk around not wearing much during the day, the sun will burn you to a crisp anyway.

4. Don’t urinate in public. Don't leave the cubicle door open and show them that you are urinating while you are standing.

5. Arabs are easily attracted with clean-shaved Filipinos. Wear some mustache if you want not to be trailed by them on streets.

6. Don't bring any magazines featuring pictures of partially clothed women or daring men into the country. Don’t bring videos, with the exception that you'll be delayed for even longer as the customs man will insist on watching them. If you insist, well, better save it in USB flask disk. (There is a story, of a traveler who brought in a video recording of a football match. He, and everyone else, had to wait for two hours as all the customs men went off to watch the game (lol).

7. Avoid driving alone. The traffic in Riyadh is very dangerous. Fatality rates here appallingly high. Remember that most of the road signs are in Arabic (although some of the motorways have signs in our alphabet) and that, even if you can read Arabic, the generally secretive Saudi culture means that most roads you might want to find are not signposted. A lot don't even have names. Remember also that the Islamic justice system means that if you injure somebody in an accident, even if it's not your fault, you are expected to compensate him/her. Do you still want to drive?

8. Don't make any disparaging remarks about Islam, even if you think no-one is listening. In fact, it's best not to mention religion at all.

9. Don't mess with the women. The all-over black veil which Saudi women are obliged to wear makes for some bizarre sights - particularly if the woman in question wears glasses and puts them on outside the veil. Under the chadour, many of the women are extremely trendily dressed. But seriously, Saudi culture takes a dim view of any women having any sort of contact with men outside of their immediate family. Don't talk to any woman you might bump into in the street, don't stare at them, in fact it's best simply to act like you haven't seen them. If a woman says anything to you, it's best not to respond. The veil means that people can't see her lips moving, but they can see yours.

10. Don't go staggering across the street singing rugby songs and do not attempt to give any booze to a Muslim.

11. Don’t dye your hair. Many Saudi men consider blonde hair to be the last word in exotic sexual temptation.

12. Don’t try to enter a mosque without first asking permission. It’s unlikely that you will be allowed in. Don’t walk on a prayer mat or in front of any person at prayer and try not to stare at people who are praying. Don’t try to enter the Holy sites of the areas surrounding Mecca and Medina. The roads are well signposted to notify everybody of this restriction. If a non-Muslim is found within the prohibited areas, he’s likely to be assaulted and will be afforded no protection against the assailants.

13. Don’t beckon to people with a finger, as this is considered particularly impolite. Arabs might use such a gesture to summon a dog.

14. During Ramadan, don’t eat, drink or smoke anywhere where you can be seen by Muslims during the hours of daylight.

Let Go....

"Your courage is matched by your compassion. Hence, you urge to rescue someone or to make a sacrifice you would never make for yourself.."

Remembering "A.R.A.III".



Ang lungkot pag gising mo sa umaga, sya yong maiisip mo at hinahanap… hinahanap dahil wala sya sa tabi mo… wala siya dahil hindi na siya sa iyo….

Dati, isang ngiti ang bubungad sa iyong pagdilat… ngiti na siyang magbibigay sigla sa buo mong maghapon.. “Hon, gising na! baka ma-late ka sa work mo..”

Dahil sa ngiti nya’t haplos sa mukha mo, nararamdaman mo hindi ka nag-iisa…
may kasama kang sasalubong sa umaga…masama man ang panahon…bumagyo man…ma-traffic ka man sa EDSA, balewala sa iyo lahat…

kahit bumiyahe ka man ng malayo, tiyak may papawi sa pagod at hirap mo pag-uwi mo ng bahay…

Andoon siya naghihintay… “Hon, kumain ka na? mukhang loaded ang araw mo… halika nakahain na pagkain, kain na tayo”…

Ganoon ang buhay mo.. nararamdaman mo may nagmamahal sa iyo… may nag-aalaga sa iyo..kaya umikot man ng mabilis ang mundo at biglang tumigil, hindi ka matutumba dahil magkahawak kayo ng mahigpit…alam mo, hindi ka niya bibitawan… hindi ka niya pababayaan…….at ganon ka rin sa kanya…

“You and me against the world”.. yon ang palagi mong sinasabi sa kanya.. hatulan man kayo ng tao sa relasyon niyo… kutyain man kayo ng mga mapanuring mga mata sa iyong paligid… pandirihan man kayo ng mga moralista, lahat kaya niyong tanggapin sa ngalan ng pag-ibig.

Sabi ng iba, baliw ang pag-iibigan niyo… maling-mali sa mata ng tao.. pero binigyan niyo ng laya ang inyong mga damdamin.. nagmahal kayo.. Tama lang iyon....

Pero sa kabila ng lahat, may takot pa ring nakatago sa iyong damdamin..

Takot na baka tama nga sila, na hindi tatagal ang inyong relasyon..na walang nabubuhay sa bawal na pagmamahalan...

Dati, ang akala mo pag nasa iyo na yong taong mahal mo, masaya ka na…

Ngunit hindi lang pala iyon ang kailangan mo…kailangan din palang mabuhay sa tama… magpakawala ng bagay na mahalaga sa iyo kahit masasaktan ka..




“I don’t want to lose you, but you have to go…”

pinipilit mong kalasin ang higpit ng yakap niya… pinunasan mo ang luhang dumaloy sa kanyang mga mata… sa huling pagkakataon, niyakap mo siya ng mahigpit dahil ito na ang huli mong makita siya ng malapitan….

Sinamantala mo ang pagkakataong dumikit ang inyong mga labi.. kahit tumutulong sabay ang mga luha niyo..nagmamakaawa siya …. walang patid ang iyong paghaplos sa mukha niya…

Pilit mo na siyang nilalayo sa iyo… nilalabanan niya ang lakas ng iyong pagpupumiglas sa mahigpit na hawak niya sa iyo…

Ngunit talagang desidido ka na sa iyong pasiya... Kailangan na siyang lumayo sa iyo at ganoon ka rin….. tapusin na ang lahat sa inyong dalawa dahil hindi na tama..

Kung gaano kabagal ang hakbang niya papalayo sa iyo habang nagmamakaawa, ay mabilis naman ang takbo mo papalayo sa kanya habang dumadaloy ang luha sa mata mo dahil baka hindi mo makayanan at biglang magbago ka pa ng desisyon…

Unti-unting humihina ang naririnig mong pagmamakaawa niya dahil sa patuloy mong paglayo…hanggang sa mawala na ito ng tuluyan sa iyong pandinig…tanging ang mga daghoy mo na lang ang iyong naririnig…

Pinunasan mo ang luha sa iyong mukha..

Tama lang dahil kung hindi mo kayang mawala siya, habang buhay mong dadalhin sa iyong konsensya ang pagwasak mo sa isang pamilya… sa kanya, sa asawa niya at sa mga anak niya….

Salungat pala….

Yong pansamantalang sakit na iyong mararamdaman ay ang panghabang buhay na saya … ang makita ang mahal mo na tinatahak ang tamang landas…ang gamutin ang sariwang sugat ng iba dulot ng iyong maling pagmamahalan….

Kaya sa pagmulat mo ng iyong mga mata sa iyong pag-gising sa umaga, tanging magagandang alaala na lang niya ang bubungad sa iyo para muling maging masigla ang araw mo……

Stranded Filipino Shepherdess Gives Up SR63,000 (780,000 Pesos), Wants to Go Home

JEDDAH, 26 August 2007 — It may sound incredible, but a Filipino woman who was hired by a Saudi family in 1987 as a domestic helper is now stranded at the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah after working as a shepherdess for 18 years in Al-Baha and weathering unpaid salaries, ice storms and being arrested several times by the police.

“I want to go home as I don’t want to die here,” said Leonora Somera, aged 65, in an interview with Arab News yesterday. “My employer still owes me SR63,000 in back wages, but since it seems he cannot afford to pay me that amount, I’m ready to just go home.”

Misfer Al-Ghamdi became Somera’s sponsor after his father died in early 1988. Somera had joined the family in Riyadh in December of 1987, but after her sponsor died she moved to Al-Baha with her sponsor’s son, his wife and children. There they left her in a large house to look after their goats, while they moved to Makkah for the education of their children.

Left on her own to tend to 42 goats, Somera had to take them up the mountain every morning for grazing and then bring them down in the evening. Her utter isolation was only broken by occasional chats with Filipino nurses who lived near by and infrequent phone calls from her relatives back home. “The family I worked for only came to Baha during the school holidays. It was then that my sponsor would give me small amounts of money,” she recounted, noting that her monthly salary was only SR500.

Somera said that she occasionally had arguments with Al-Ghamdi over her delayed salaries, but to no avail. She estimates that she was only able to send home SR38,000 in the 18 years she lived in the Kingdom. At times she was so hard up for cash that she was forced to sell some of her goats.

“I ate plenty of fresh fruits, but I don’t like the taste of goat so I couldn’t eat any of my animals. Instead I had chicken,” she explained.

Although the cold weather of Al-Baha forced Somera to constantly wear sweaters and woolen socks, she said she never really felt that lonely there. “I didn’t get lonely though I was alone in the house. I would watch TV in the evenings — but it only had Arabic channels,” she explained.

Despite not feeling lonely, the shepherdess said that she had several run-ins with the authorities who were surprised to see a foreign woman tending to goats in such a remote area. “The police held me several times because I had no iqama or passport with me, but they always released me after I explained that my sponsor lived in Makkah and that this was my only livelihood,” Somera explained.

Asked why she did not run away sooner, Somera said that she was scared to do so because of the remoteness of where she lived. “I could have asked the Filipino nurses to help me, but they were too afraid that the police would blame them later for helping me escape,” she said.

But with Somera’s sponsor heading fast toward bankruptcy, the shepherdess felt increasingly desperate at making ends meet.

She finally put out an appeal through the Filipino community that she wanted to be rescued, and a consular team visiting Al-Baha in December 2005 managed to rescue her and bring her to the center for runaway maids at the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah.

Twenty months later, Somera is still waiting to go home. After the consulate helped her file a case with the labor court against her employer to try and get back some of her owed wages, Al-Ghamdi never appeared in court and showed up only once at the consulate in Jeddah.

“He came and spoke to me more than a year ago,” said Philippine Consul General Pendosina Lomondot yesterday. “He pleaded insolvency and gave SR7,000 for Somera. We have never heard from him since.”

Now, even though Somera is ready to go home without having recovered all of her back pay, Lomondot said that she cannot leave until the labor court issues her permission to do so.

“We have to take her to the labor court in Makkah and file the undertaking that she is giving up on her claim,” explained Welfare Officer Abdurajik “Jake” Samain.

Somera’s daughter is now an adult, aged 24, and works in a hotel in Manila .

“Please help me go home,” Somera told this reporter yesterday, “I want to see my daughter.”
Rasheed Abou-Alsamh, Arab News


Erlinda Balbuena weeps as a boxful of money from OFWs in Riyadh was presented to her.

Last year, Erlinda Balbuena (photo above), who experienced same fate as of Leonora Somera, was sent home after donations flooding her with almost 10,000SR (137,000 pesos) in one of the shows at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. Nanay Erlinda, as she is fondly called, seek her fortune in Saudi Arabia in 1991 but to her dismay, she ended up overworked, underpaid and abused. She was not allowed to go on vacation despite her advance age. She works also as shepherdess and there were times that she ate what the shepherds were eating. The worse, when she ran away from her employer’s house, her employer didn’t bother to give her benefits and salary. All she wanted was to go back home and forget about whatever legal rights she had from her sponsor. She undertook a waiver giving up her claims.

Now, Nanay Erlinda is happily reunited with her children in Nueva Ecija and we were informed how she managed her swine-raising business and small sari-sari store from the donation she got from us. She has already recovered after years of traumatic ordeal in Saudi Arabia

Happy Birthday, Jei-C!

Jei-C Manuel, one of my featured Desert Hunks, celebrated his birthday with some of his closest friends last Thursday.

Actually, I missed Jei-C coz’ more than a month na kaming di nagkikita.

We arrived in Jei-C’s pad almost past midnight. The party has just started since Jei-C’s office schedule during Thursday is until 11:00pm at kauuwi lang niya.

He has no plan to celebrate his birthday since he just arrived from vacation few months ago. However, some friends insisted to give him a pot-luck surprise party with no spending angst on his part. Apparently, being the friendliest desert hunk, I had anticipated already that his “preferred” guests will arrive with their own “dowry”. Kaya from his office, lahat nakahanda na sa mesa.

I’ve seen buckets of KFC Chicken, Cakes, softdrinks, pasta, kare-kare and other main dishes. I know even if I won’t ask him (coz I might put someone on a hotseat), alam ko wala siyang masyadong nagastos sa party niya. Dami niya atang fans sa Riyadh.

There were few guests in his pad when we arrived, mostly mga barkada din namin. I saw his co-members in Beat Static Dance Troupe with their new friends. Andoon din si Abs (together with his companion whom I mistakenly identified as an Arab, pero Pinoy din pala).

After several minutes, more guests arrived, like Mamu Breajette, Eric, Lito and Aio. I was surprised to see Brejeatte sa bago niyang looks dahil for several months na daw na hindi siya nag-aahit. Last time I saw Mamu was in June. As usual, siya pa rin ang palaging nagpapasaya ng crowd, with his new crack jokes, tsismis, and new-fangled stories from nowhere.

Although Breajette has always livened up the crowd, you can feel that he is enduring some apprehension about his present problem concerning his work as a fashion designer. For several months, his Saudi sponsor failed to give him his full salary and housing allowance. He is planning to seek the Labor Office assistance.

But despite of everything, he can withstand the financial burden he is facing to. Hindi mo talaga mahahalata ang problema niya ngayon. As a matter of fact, when we asked him to show his version of Papaya Dance, he unhesitantly did it and made us fall down laughing (watch his video in youtube).



Eric, also featured as Desert Hunk #6, was present and ever so gorgeous. Malambing pa rin at kalog. Mas lalong tumutingkad ang kaguwapuhan.

The night was full of fun and laughters.. at napagbati yong may mga tampuhan at iringan sa barkada. Hindi kasi maalis yong iba na nagkakagalit, pero dahil sa mga taong tinuturing na ama’t ina (Daddy Ed and Cora) ng grupo, naayos ang lahat.

Pero ang ikinabigla ko ay ang mga revelations na nangyari… kung sino ang sila na… yong mga hiwalay na… at yong mga papunta pa lang doon..

Muli, Happy Birthday Jei-C!

Love It! Play It! Live It!

I stopped my work-out @ BodyMaster Gym in Takhassusi for almost two years now, because my job demands more time and I couldn’t catch up with my schedule. Our company decided to have broken time office hours. Morning from 7:30 to 12:30 and in the afternoon 4:30 to 8:30pm. Besides, I can’t find “sponsor” anymore. My ”good friend” Fahad is still in London for his college studies.

Wala naman kaming magawa, kasi desisyon ng Company. Arabs usually spare their afternoon time for siesta. Mas gusto pa nilang matulog at magpahinga after lunch kaysa magtrabaho. No wonder, maraming obese sa kanila.. Karamihan din sa mga Pinoy expats, nagiging prone na sa hypertension and other illnesses. Actually, hypertension/stroke is the main cause of death for Filipinos here in Middle East.

Last week, I had my annual medical check-up and to my surprised, my laboratory test shown that my uric acid is high. This is the first time that I had a terrible laboratory result after I stopped my regular work-out and became a couch-potato in my villa. It maybe because I had been in bad eating habits because I had no choice but to have my daily meals in our mess hall. Wala akong pagpipilian ng pagkain…. “Papaitan”, “Bopis”, Nilaga, and Bulalo…they are just few of the superfluous menu served to us. Mura kasi ang meat kaysa sa mga isda’t gulay. Not to mentioned the i-can’t-resist bunch of mixed nuts on my table, which our gay receptionist-turned-entrepreneur is so persistent that we can’t say no to his offer and buy his stuff everyday. Sino ba naman ang hindi tataas ang BP at uric acid kung araw-araw may kinakain ako habang nagtatrabaho. As a matter of fact, 3 of my officemates had been treated with hypertension and had their mild stroke just this year.

I am still fortunate that despite of my high uric acid, I was able to know it at an earlier stage, kung hindi, sabi ng doctor, baka magkaroon ako ng gout and kidney problems.. He recommended plenty of water intake and exercise.

Immediately, I asked my friend Richard if I can join him in his badminton class. Sad to say, tigil muna ang sessions nila coz they don’t have place for practice. Mahirap kasing maghanap ng available slots sa mga schools sa dami ng mga activities. Dito kasi sa Saudi, mas safe ang magkaroon ka ng indoor games sa schools lalo na pag mixed crowds, kaysa sa makipagsisikan sa mga sports centers.

At that time, I had already bought my YONEX racquet at gusto ko nang subukan ang badminton. Besides, mabilis daw na bumalik ang agility dito.

Badminton is an extremely demanding sport. At an elite level, players are often required to perform at their limits of speed, agility, flexibility, endurance and strength. On top of all of this, players must maintain a high state of concentration.

Fortunately, I was able to join other badminton club where they play regularly in one of the schools here in Riyadh.

After a month of training and assiduous weekly attendance to their practices, daily diets and abstinence from foods rich in purine, my uric acid subsided hastily. From an alarming one, now its just a little above normal.

I decided to continue my full time affiliations to the club and enjoy playing with them. As a matter of fact,, recently, we had our elections and unexpectedly, I was elected as one of the officer. Well, okey na rin yon, at least, magiging active ulit ako sa past time ko. From a cultural group before, now sa sports naman… biro ko nga sa friends ko, next time, “education” naman para kompleto na yong acronym ng DECS.

Our badminton session is every Wednesday and Thursday, but sometimes, I also attended Friday and Monday sessions sa parehong school kasi nakaka-addict talaga maglaro. This is my first time to learn how to play badminton kaya medyo marami pa akong dapat matutunan. Sooner or later, baka sumabak na rin ako sa mga tournaments. I’ve seen some of my colleagues, who are considered as Class A & B players, at talagang ang galing ng mga slices and smashes nila. Hope I can be like them in the future. Dami ko pang shuttle COCKS na dapat hawakan….pisil-pisilin…paglaruan at pagsawaan..he.he.he.he.he

Is Decade for Nought?

The present decade is well into its seventh year, yet it still does not have a name. The 1920s was described as the “roaring 20s,” 1950s as “fabulous 50s,” 1960s as “swinging 60s.” But then how to describe the present decade - double zeroes?
In 1996, Barbara Walraff, a US columnist, had promoted it as “double-ohs.” Fortunately or unfortunately, it did not click.

Lexicographers are racing against time to find a proper name for this decade, now when it is already halfway through. This riddle seems to be bigger than the feared Y2K bug. In the case of the latter, the computer experts fixed the problem even before the bug could wreak havoc. But finding a name for a decade that has two zeroes is not an easy task.

The Cox News Service, a New York Times partner, quotes Allan Metcalf, executive secretary of the American Dialect Society and author of the book “Predicting New Words:” “I can remember around 1995, people started asking me what are we going to call the next decade... At that time I guessed ‘the zeroes’ or ‘the aughts’ or ‘the naughts.’ All those seemed reasonable.”

Now he suggests a new name, “the first decade of the 21st century.” But in this age of text messaging and the Netspeak, doesn’t this name seem too long and archaic? If we stick to this name, then how are we going to describe the fashion or the music or the trend of this decade - the first decade of the 21st century fashion or the first decade of the 21st century music? And what the cable TV channel VH1 - the host of popular nostalgia shows “I Love the ‘70s,” “I Love the ‘80s” and “I Love the ‘90s” - going to call this decade? “I Love the First Decade of the 21st Century?”
The Oxford Dictionary of English, in its new edition, named the decade as ‘noughties.’ It is defined as “the decade between 2000 and 2009.” Well, except for the double nought, the decade has no zeroes to its credit. So it should not be condemned to nought.

The namelessness of this decade has led to a number of contests on TV, radio and the Internet. Enthusiastic contestants have contributed weird names.

The hardest hit with this namelessness is the ad industry, because it cannot launch an advertising campaign on double zeroes. Some ad firms took the escapist route and deferred the choice till the time they reach the bridge. Others like the British public relations consultancy QBO commissioned a public poll. The result made a good laugh but served no purpose. Some 33% of the respondents favored the ‘zeroes,’ followed by the ‘oh-ohs’ and ‘the earlies.’



To me ‘oh-ohs!!’ sounds better, considering the amount of pain we have gone through in this decade - the war, beheadings, bombings, and to top these all the Tsunami.
On a more serious and somber note, this is a “decade of the disasters” - manmade as well as natural. It started with terrorist attacks on Twin Towers and Pentagon, which led to war and violence. Midway Tsunami struck, killing and uprooting hundreds and thousands.

Desert Hunk #7: Dave Payne Medina

Dave almost didn’t make it to the International Image Model 2007 contest since he was scheduled to go back to the Philippines before the pageant night. However, he was able to postpone his trip in order to join the contest.

Six-footer Dave, a bonafide SE talent, works as a Waiter at Muthana Hotel in Riyadh. Just recently, he was declared as 2nd Runner up for the Ginoong Pilipinas Saudi Arabia 2006.



Although he had a hard time coping up with the contest because of his work and the great expectations from the people around him, Dave thinks that he bagged the title because he is a very good example of modern Filipino youth because of his confidence, friendly attitude and preserving the good quality of a Filipino. “I consider almost everything as an advantage because I was able to extend my social relationship and experienced many things one wouldn’t normally encounter here in Saudi Arabia”, a teary-eyed Dave confesses during his farewell party.



Unlike other men who are seeing themselves joining male beauty pageants and modeling as a despicable act of exploitation, Dave finds it relevant to individual’s maturity and development of self-confidence. “It is always believing in yourself and think positively in everything you do. Never underestimate your potentials by the negative thinking that real men have no place in beauty contests”, Dave enthuses.


Aside from the main title, Dave was also proclaimed as Best in Office Attire, Formal Wear and the Gulf Air award.

Philippinenurses won Week 69 Blog Award

Congratulations to philippinenurses for winning Week 69 Blog Award.

You deserve it!

Being a nominee is a great privilege and i thank "The Composed Gentleman" for recognizing my effort to share my life...my knowledge and my identity. It's my own little way to put into writing what i can't tell.... share to others where nobody dares to listen to me.

I started my daily digest last June 2007 and i make sure that everyday, i feed my blog.

I admit, i still have to learn more..share more and prepare myself to go publicly, no matter what it takes..I feel better if i noticed that there are bloggers who visited my site and give me inspiration, encourage me to write, and some has criticize my works. I welcome them all. I may not be perfect with my rhetorics and compositions, but my true intention to educate, inspire and touch other's lives is genuine...

Again thanks to those who voted me.. to Richard Lionheart...to hush & listen (Khalel) and all members of my blog community... you guys give me lot of inspiration..

To The Composed Gentleman... i salute your kindness... God Bless You!

Let us all keep blogging!!

The Devil Wears Jo Malone

Here are comments from more readers regarding Malu Fernandez' article.

The devil wears Jo Malone and not only that . . . she carries Louis Vuitton bag too!
Ayus sana kung sing-ganda rin siya ni Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) baka maging kapata-patawad ugali ng
babaing tabatsoy na ‘to. Kaso hindi eh! Somobra yata kolesterol nya at nalunod na ng mantika pati utak! Grrrr!


Comment by A Z R A E L | August 8, 2007

i hate that lechong baboy. im sure ngayon lang nagka bag ng Louis Vuitton at pabangong Jo Malone.
Kase she is proud, yan ang feeling ng first time! lol super itim ng budhi mo!! saksak mo yan sa baga mo! Pagnagkita tayo sigurado maiinggit ka sa akin dahil puwera slim ako, di masikip ang upuan ng economy sa akin! niyahahaha!

yabang talaga ni malu malone (hala nalito na). sana ako nakatabi nya sa eroplano at nang nasabihan ko na “so sobra taba mo baka bumagsak tayo, pwede mag barko ka na lang?” kahit aircraft carrier tangna baka

Comment by Banana | August 9, 2007
dapat sinusunog yung mga ganyang tao para mapatunayan na iisa lang ang amoy ng taong nasusunog, mayaman o mahirap’ mayaman pala sya bakit di sya magpa lipo’
hindi kayang itago ng mamahaling damit at mga mamahaling pabango ang kabalahuraan ng ugali nitong babaeng to..



Comment by sawn | August 9, 2007

No. it would be shameful for the monkeys to be associated with this kind.



.
ik3mbot Says:
August 9, 2007 at 10:05 am
Buti na lang kalevel ko si Meryl Streep at d si Ms. Malu(wang)hehehe… ganyan talaga manay madaming
mapagkunwaring tao sa mundo. Malay natin isa lang siyang hampaslupang patay gutom na nagkukunwaring
mayaman. Kung totoong mayaman yan d sana nasa bussiness class siya. Kapal ng mukha niya kamo baka
napanalunan niya lang sa raffle ung pleasure trip niya.


6. bonniefazzyoo Says:
August 9, 2007 at 4:54 pm
a wild boar in the shrine of athena. yikes! panget pala talaga sha.


August 9, 2007 at 10:35 pm
to ms malu B.
ofw din ako pero dp rin ako nakakasakay ng emirates airline pero pag magkasabay tayo minsan ihahagis kita palabas ng eroplano ( with the help of other ofws on board of course, di kita kaya buhatin noh). di ako bibili ng jo malone kung magiging kasing amoy lang naman kita lols.

“id rather have the scent of axe and charlie cologne than eternity without it!” nyahhaha!

Banana Says:
August 10, 2007 at 2:25 am
niyahaha kawawa ka naman MALU kung dadaan ka sa harap naming lahat sigurado tunaw yang FATS mo.
bwuahahaha! we’ll see if your branded bags and perfumes will save your life este FATS pala. pakyu!



August 10, 2007 at 2:07 pm
I’m sure andami nang nakain na kulangot at nainom na plema itong Matapobreng Dabianang may Baltik na to!
Tiyak, sa dami ng mga waiter at waitress na na-badtrip sa lekat na Ngetpadoodles na to e kung anu-ano nang mga foreign objects ang inihalo sa mga inorder niyang pagkain at inumin!!!
Isipin mo yan, punyeta ka! Mamahalin nga ang bag, damit at pabango mo… pero andami mo nang nakaing
dura at kulangot!!!! Wahahahahaha……



purity_hate_empathy Says:
August 11, 2007 at 7:55 am
to malu fernandez of manila standard… tao ka ba? palibhasa hindi mo naranasan ang hirap dito sa mid-east kaya kung makapagsalita ka. its a good thing u aint workin here… bawal ang baboy dito! on the spot pag nakita ka ng arab dito…uuwi kang naka-kahon na hinayupak ka!!! nawala pag-galang ko sa babae sau ah?!

illillillillillilli Says:
August 16, 2007 at 5:30 pm
sobra naman tong c porky…lahat kapatid ko nasa dubai…bat ka kase nag-economy…wag kang magtipid kung may pera ka tanga…nagwork ako sa 1 airline kaya alam ko na hindi maliit ang seat, malaki ka lng talgang impakta ka…may jo malone ka pang nalalaman for ol u know guys lalagyan lang un at bambini tlga gamit nya nirefill ba. kawawa ka naman. kung sa tingin mo kakainggit ka well sad to say nakakadiri ka…
nagbabrag ka kase first time mo gaga…

rai Says:
August 17, 2007 at 12:50 am
makisali na rin po me Ms. Maru read Malu(wag ang turnilyo )

sa totoo lang.. MUKHA NAMAN SIYANG PINOY..
pero and utak at kaluluwa niya ay 101% na ABNOY!!!
sana man lang mauntog o di kaya ay mahulog sa kahit anong sasakyan si Madam Malu minsan at magkaamnesia baka sakaling tumino ang takbo ng utak niya. ang tao nga naman..calling Ka Freddie A or FLorante..kantahan nyo nga po ang SIRAULONG BABAENG TOH… at kung di pa rin madala sa mga awit
ninyo, pagtulungan nating baliktarin katawan niya..ung ULO niya ang i-apak sa lupa kasi parang di niya alam na ang 2 paa niya ay nakatapak pa rin sa lupa eh!!
nagbabaka sakali lang naman po na pag ulo na gawing niyang pantapak ay malaman niyang nasa planet earth pa rin siya..kasi baka feeling niya isa siya sa mga GREEK GODESSES dahil nga galing siyang GREECE!!!
hek..hek..hek

doubleJ Says:
August 19, 2007 at 3:51 am
Ang baboy, kahit pabangohan ng JoMalone at pagbitbitin ng Louis Vuitton, ay, Baboy, pa rin. Kawawa naman mga baboy. Nasisira sila sa taong ito na nagpapanggap baboy na pilit magmukhang
tao.mwahahaha

Paulo Martinez Says:
August 19, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Malu Fernandez
You made a lot of people hate you with your harsh words and your horrible perspective on us OFWs. I hope you’re happy if this was what you were expecting. But if you’re concerned that you hurt a lot of people… I suggest you apologize sincerely because you made enemies within the OFW community not only in Dubai but the whole world for that matter.
Being part of the “elite” social class, you should obviously be a well educated person; you would not be in media if you weren’t, so I don’t have to point out our importance as OFWs to the country. But our importance should not be a reason to NOT belittle us. You should not deride us, or any other social class for that matter, because it is basically a very insensitive thing to do. Its something we Filipinos find very wrong.
It is something that is just plain bad.
You just don’t say those things for whatever reasons you may have. Whether you’re just staying true to your “media persona/attitude” or for any agenda that only you may know. But if you said them because it’s your true self and the way you were educated and brought up, then please forgive me but clearly your character and morals are very appalling… it you do have morals at all.
You made the world so much harsher and much more difficult to live in.
…what someone who read your column would not give to be on the same plane with you to show you what a “little private hell” really means.


ELNOR LUCHING Says:
August 20, 2007 at 7:11 pm
WAG KA NG MAGTAKA KUNG BAKIT KA KINAKAGAT KA NG LAMOK, KAHIT ISANG DOSENA PANG LAMOK DI KA PA RIN MAUUBOS AT PG NA CUTIX KA LAGYAN MO RIN ANG MUKHA MO KASI MUKHANG PAA DIN, HA HA HA BUTI NA LANG NAKAPAGPABANGO KA NG MAHAL AT LEAST NAGMUKHANG KABAYO KA ESTE TAO PALA, SA SUSUNOD KUNG
MAGSUSULAT KA DAGDAGAN MO PA KASI KULANG PA PARA DESCRIBE MO SARILI MO…….BUTI NGA YUNG MGA BATO SA BORACAY NILULUMOT LANG, IKAW? DI LANG LUMOT KUNDI UOD, ANG TAO TALAGA PAG INSECURE SA SARILI KUNG ANU ANO ANG SINASABI…..SALAMAT SA COMMENT MO HA?

I’m proud to be pinoy kahit anong amoy!

Malu Fernandez’ article appeared in People Asia creates havoc among Filipino expatriates abroad, especially here in Middle East.

This slut described herself as an inorganic narcissist faggot who exist because she was deprived of real beauty.

The air freshener that she smelled in the plane also includes her “fake” Jo Malone perfume.

As i was reading her article, i really felt that this FEMALE CHAUVINIST PIG can't live without transforming herself into a quick-fix impermanent beauty hiding in tons of dyes in her face with so much of formalhyde. Thanks to her make-up.

I’m so ashamed that people like her do exist!

Here's some reactions:

Dear. Malu Fernandez

FIRST OF ALL, How nouveau riche can one get? Did you marry rich? Did you suddenly come in to money? Your blatant displays of your 'luxuries' and 'wealth' and your comfort with using the word 'elitist' to describe yourself alongside the fact that you had to reference to 'politicians in your family' show that even if you did come from money, you certainly have no class.

You also seem to need to name-drop in every article that you write.

It really gets to me that you should complain about the coach seats on your Emirates flight. Honey, they aint small... YOU'RE FAT. Spare yourself some doughnuts and maybe your travels will be more comfortable... coach, or not.

MOST IMPORTANTLY. That you would put down OFW's (Overseas Filipino Workers) is really DISGUSTING. It makes you sound viler than what you described as the scent of their 'AXE and Charlie cologne' while your 'Jo Malone melted into thin air'. Honey, without that perfume, you want to know what you smell like? Like a fat Filipino woman. The smell is probably more putrid than the smell of those OFW's. Cause they sweat honest, hard-working sweat. The kind of sweat that keeps the Filipino economy going. They're fucking brave. They've seen more than you, felt more than you, and fought more than you. You're just a coddled fat Filipino woman, under all of that cologne, and that branded clothing that makes you feel more important than them.

It sounds to me like you get to fly Business Class when you travel for work, but when you had to pay for your own travels, coach was more affordable. You tried to hide this by grandiose references to you perfume and your designer wear, didn't you? Tsk tsk...

You mentioned of having 17kg's of make-up in your hand-carry. All the make-up and adornments in the world can't hide how ugly you are inside. You aint that good-looking either, Honey bitch. Go to gym, eat some fruits. You wrote that you wanted to slit your wrists because you were stuck in coach with all the OFW's. I am MOVED every time I am on a flight with OFW's. I am reminded of their resilience. Of how hard they work, and how they keep the Philippines going. The economy relies on their bravery. You should have slit your wrists, Honey pig. And you are going to hell if you don't change the way you think. Think of sitting in coach, imagining your personal hell as a personal foreshadowing.

I have lived in the Philippines, and I have also traveled the world. I've probably been to as many if not more places than you, seen more things than you, so maybe despite all of this money you seem to need to brandish and the places you have been to, you're just an ignorant. This coming from a 20 year old girl.

You're act isn't classy. You're not pretentious. You're just some stupid woman, living in a third world country, thinking that because you jetted off to Greece and you wear Jo Malone perfume, you are suddenly something.

Take this from someone with the same 'socio-economic background' as you, bitch. What a pitiful excuse.

I also happen to read things 'thicker than magazines', I go to University in London where I will finish with an Honors Bachelors Degree in May. I have a 1 year Marketing Economics degree from a business school in Oslo, and I graduated with an International Baccalaureate Diploma at age 17, if you were wondering. So no fucking excuses.

You could do so much more than you think, yet you choose to act like a proper twat. The kind of twat that people with some brains laugh at, the world over. Think of this as some more exposure.

I am ashamed of people like you.

OFW'S all over the world, working their tits off, deserve a public apology.

Ingrid Holm

Clove: Amoy dollar na ang sangkap ay dugo at pawis para madugtungan ang hininga ng pamilya at makatulong sa inang bansa.

My 100 Blog: "The Gift"

I don't have much to give you
in the way of material things.
But then, I have never been a material person . . .
so it wouldn't matter much anyway.
I do have something to give you, though . . .
and I hope you accept this gift with joy.
I have chosen not to wrap it . . .
I want it to be presented to you
as pristine as can be.
And anyway, decorations or wrappings would
certainly ruin the effect.
And so it is . . . that I stand before you . . .
unclothed, but surprisingly, unashamed
of my nakedness.
You have already captured a piece of my heart,
and you have captivated my soul.
The only thing left for me to present to you
is my very being . . . and I do that willingly,
happily, and most of all . . . lovingly.
Standing before you . . . watching your every movement . . .
seeing the desire in your eyes
for the very first time.
I don't believe in all of my life,
I have ever witnessed a moment
as beautiful as this.
Neither one of us can speak . . .
and we are finding, even breathing, is difficult.
Your heartbeat is pounding out a rhythm
that almost assaults my ears.
I can hear it from where I stand across from you . . .
and every beat speaks of your love for me.
I am giving you this gift tonight,
because I desperately want you to look inside.
I want you to open this package that I offer you,
slowly . . . lovingly . . . sensuously . . .
and search for what lies within.
You don't have to look far, you know . . .
everything I feel for you is just below the surface.
So it shouldn't take long for you
to discover the beauty awaiting you there.
Go ahead . . . open this gift as a child would
on a snowy Christmas morning . . .
in a hurried fashion . . . rather like a frenzy, if you will.
But once that initial gift is opened . . .
and the passion subsides . . .
Please promise me
that this gift I give you . . .
this gift of myself . . .
is only just the beginning.

To My Friends.....

1.To My Friends Who Are - SINGLE

Love is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it eludes
you. But if you just let it fly, it will come to you when you least expect
it. Love can make you happy but often it hurts, but love's only special
when you give it to someone who is really worth it. So take your time and choose the best.

2.To My Friends Who Are - NOT SO SINGLE

Love isn't about becoming somebody else's "perfect person." It's about finding someone who helps you become the best person you can be.

3.To My Friends Who Are - PLAYBOY/GIRL TYPE

Never say "I love you" if you don't care. Never talk about feelings if
they aren't there. Never touch a life if you mean to break a heart.
Never look in the eye when all you do is lie. The cruelest thing a guy can do to a girl is to let her fall in love when he doesn't intend to catch her fall and it works both ways...

4.To My Friends Who Are - MARRIED

Love is not about "it's your fault", but "I'm sorry." Not "where are
you", but "I'm right here." Not "how could you", but "I understand." Not "I wish you were", but "I'm thankful you are."


5.To My Friends Who Are - ENGAGED

The true measure of compatibility is not the years spent together but
how good you are for each other.

6.To My Friends Who Are - HEARTBROKEN

Heartbreaks last as long as you want and cut as deep as you allow them to go. The challenge is not how to survive heartbreaks but to learn from them .


7.To My Friends Who Are - NAIVE

How to be in love: Fall but don't stumble, be consistent but not too
persistent, share and never be unfair, understand and try not to demand, and get hurt but never keep the pain.


8.To My Friends Who Are - POSSESSIVE

It breaks your heart to see the one you love happy with someone else
but it's more painful to know that the one you love is unhappy with you.

9.To My Friends Who Are - AFRAID TO CONFESS

Love hurts when you break up with someone. It hurts even more when someone breaks up with you. But love hurts the most when the person you Love has no idea how you feel. . .

10.To My Friends Who Are - STILL HOLDING ON

A sad thing about life is when you meet someone and fall in love, only
to find out in the end that it was never meant to be and that you have
wasted years on someone who wasn't worth it. If he/she isn't worth it now he's/She's not going to be worth it a year or 10 years from now. Let go . . .


11.TO ALL MY FRIENDS . . .

My wish for you is a man/women whose love is honest, strong
,mature ,never-changing, uplifting, protective, encouraging,
rewarding and unselfish.

Mga Wika at Diyalekto ng Iba't-ibang Bansa

Bilang pagtatapos ng Linggo ng Wika, nais kong ibahagi sa inyo ang mga talaan ng iba't-ibang wika at diyalekto ng bawat bansa:

Afghanistan - Pashtu, Dari Persian, other Turkic and minor languages
Albania- Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek
Algeria-Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Andorra-Catalán (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Angola-Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Antigua and Barbuda-English (official), local dialects
Argentina-Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French
Armenia-Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2%
Australia-English, native languages
Austria-German 98% (official nationwide); Slovene, Croatian, Hungarian (each official in one region)
Azerbaijan-Azerbaijani Turkic 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)
Bahamas-English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Bahrain-Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Bangladesh-Bangla (official), English
Barbados-English
Belarus-Belorussian (White Russian), Russian, other
Belgium-Dutch (Flemish) 60%, French 40%, German less than 1% (all official); legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Belize-English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Benin-French (official), Fon, Yoruba, tribal languages
Bhutan-Dzongkha (official), Tibetan dialects (among Bhotes), Nepalese dialects (among Nepalese)
Bolivia-Spanish, Quechua, Aymara (all official)
Bosnia and Herzegovina-Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian (all official)
Botswana-English (official), Setswana
Brazil-Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French
Brunei Darussalam-Malay (official), English, Chinese
Bulgaria-Bulgarian; secondary languages strongly correspond to ethnic breakdown
Burkina Faso-French (official); native African (Sudanic) languages 90%
Burundi-Kirundi and French (official), Swahili
Cambodia-Khmer (official), French, English
Cameroon-French, English (both official); 24 major African language groups
Canada-English 59.3%, French 23.2% (both official); other 17.5%
Cape Verde-Portuguese, Criuolo
Central African Republic-French (official), Sangho (lingua franca, national), tribal languages
Chad-French, Arabic (both official); Sara; more than 120 languages and dialects
Chile-Spanish
China-Standard Chinese (Mandarin/Putonghua), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages
Colombia-Spanish
Comoros-Arabic and French (both official), Shikomoro (Swahili/Arabic blend)
Congo, Republic of-French (official), Lingala, Monokutuba, Kikongo, many local languages and dialects
Congo, Democratic Republic of the-French (official), Lingala, Kingwana, Kikongo, Tshiluba
Costa Rica-Spanish (official), English
Côte d'Ivoire-French (official) and African languages (Diaula esp.)
Croatia-Croatian 96% (official), other 4% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, German)
Cuba-Spanish
Cyprus-Greek, Turkish (both official); English
Czech Republic-Czech
Denmark-Danish, Faeroese, Greenlandic (Inuit dialect), German; English is the predominant second language
Djibouti-French and Arabic (both official), Somali, Afar
Dominica-English (official) and French patois
Dominican Republic-Spanish
East Timor-Tetum, Portuguese (official); Bahasa Indonesia, English; other indigenous languages, including Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak
Ecuador-Spanish (official), Quechua, other Amerindian languages
Egypt-Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
El Salvador-Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians)
Equatorial Guinea-Spanish, French (both official); pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo
Eritrea-Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages
Estonia-Estonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, Finnish, other
Ethiopia-Amharic (official), Tigrigna, Orominga, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, English, over 70 others
Fiji-English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
Finland-Finnish 93.4%, Swedish 5.9% (both official); small Sami- (Lapp) and Russian-speaking minorities
France-French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects (Provençal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Gabon-French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
Gambia, The-English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous
Georgia-Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azerbaijani 6%, other 7% (Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia)
Germany-German
Ghana-English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)
Greece-Greek 99% (official), English, French
Grenada-English (official), French patois
Guatemala-Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
Guinea-French (official), native tongues (Malinké, Susu, Fulani)
Guinea-Bissau-Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages
Guyana-English (official), Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu
Haiti-Creole and French (both official)
Honduras-Spanish (official), Amerindian dialects; English widely spoken in business
Hungary-Magyar (Hungarian), 98.2%; other, 1.8%
Iceland-Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
India-Hindi (official), English (official), Bengali, Gujarati, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Kannada, Assamese, Sanskrit, Sindhi (all recognized by the constitution). Dialects, 1,600+
Indonesia-Bahasa Indonesia (official), English, Dutch, Javanese, and more than 580 other languages and dialects
Iran-Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%
Iraq-Arabic (official), Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian
Ireland-English, Irish (Gaelic)
Israel-Hebrew (official), Arabic, English
Italy-Italian (official); German-, French-, and Slovene-speaking minorities
Jamaica-English (official), Jamaican Creole
Japan-Japanese
Jordan-Arabic (official), English
Kazakhstan-Kazak (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%; Russian (official, used in everyday business) 95% (2001 est.)
Kenya-English (official), Swahili (national), and several other languages spoken by 25 ethnic groups
Kiribati-English (official), I-Kiribati (Gilbertese)
Korea, North-Korean
Korea, South-Korean, English widely taught
Kuwait-Arabic (official), English
Kyrgyzstan-Kyrgyz, Russian (both official)
Laos-Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages
Latvia-Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Lebanon-Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Lesotho-English, Sesotho (both official); Zulu, Xhosa
Liberia-English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic-group languages
Libya-Arabic, Italian and English widely understood in major cities
Liechtenstein-German (official), Alemannic dialect
Lithuania-Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian
Luxembourg-Luxermbourgish (national) French, German (both administrative)
Macedonia -Macedonian 68%, Albanian 25% (both official); Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 2%, other 2%
Madagascar-Malagasy and French (both official)
Malawi-English and Chichewa (both official), others important regionally
Malaysia-Bahasa Melayu (Malay, official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai- several indigenous languages (including Iban, Kadazan) in East Malaysia
Maldives-Maldivian Dhivehi (official); English spoken by most government officials
Mali-French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages
Malta-Maltese and English (both official)
Marshall Islands-Marshallese (two major dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family), English (both official); Japanese
Mauritania-Hassaniya Arabic, Wolof (both official); Pulaar, Soninke, French
Mauritius-English, French (both official); Creole, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori
Mexico-Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages
Micronesia-English (official, common), Chukese, Pohnpeian, Yapase, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Moldova-Moldovan (official; virtually the same as Romanian), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Monaco-French (official), English, Italian, Monégasque
Mongolia-Mongolian, 90%; also Turkic and Russian (1999)
Morocco-Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often used for business, government, and diplomacy
Mozambique-Portuguese (official), Bantu languages
Myanmar-Burmese, minority languages
Namibia-English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero- Nama
Nauru-Nauruan (official), English
Nepal-Nepali 90% (official), over 40 other languages and major dialects, English (1995)
The Netherlands-Dutch, Frisian (both official)
New Zealand-English, Maori (both official)
Nicaragua-Spanish (official); English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast
Niger-French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Nigeria-English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani, and more than 200 others
Norway-Bokmål Norwegian, Nynorsk Norwegian (both official); small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Oman-Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Pakistan-Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English, Burushaski, and others 8%
Palau-English (official everywhere); Palau (official in all states but those following); Sonsoralese (official in Sonsoral); Tobi (official in Tobi); Angaur and Japanese (official in Angaur)
Palestinian State (proposed)-Arabic, Hebrew, English
Panama-Spanish (official), English 14%, many bilingual
Papua New Guinea-Tok Pisin (Melanesian Pidgin, the lingua franca), Hiri Motu (in Papua region), English 1–2%; 715 indigenous languages
Paraguay-Spanish, Guaraní (both official)
Peru-Spanish, Quéchua (both official); Aymara; many minor Amazonian languages
The Philippines-Filipino (based on Tagalog), English (both official); eight major dialects: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Poland-Polish
Portugal-Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)
Qatar-Arabic (official); English a common second language
Romania-Romanian (official), Hungarian, German
Russia-Russian, others
Rwanda-Kinyarwanda, French, and English (all official); Kiswahili in commercial centers
St. Kitts and Nevis-English
St. Lucia-English (official), French patois
St. Vincent and the Grenadines-English, French patois
Samoa-Samoan, English
San Marino-Italian
São Tomé and Príncipe-Portuguese (official)
Saudi Arabia-Arabic
Senegal-French (official); Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Serbia and Montenegro-Serbian (official) 95%, Albanian 5%
Seychelles-Seselwa Creole, English, French (all official)
Sierra Leone-English (official), Mende (southern vernacular), Temne (northern vernacular), Krio (lingua franca)
Singapore-Malay (national), Mandarin Chinese, Tamil, English (all official)
Slovakia-Slovak (official), Hungarian
Slovenia-Slovenian 92%, Serbo-Croatian 6.2%, other 1.8%
Solomon Islands-English 1%–2% (official), Melanesian pidgin (lingua franca), 120 indigenous languages
Somalia-Somali (official), Arabic, English, Italian
South Africa-Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu (all 11 official)
Spain-Castilian Spanish 74% (official nationwide); Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% (each official regionally)
Sri Lanka-Sinhala 74% (official and national), Tamil 18% (national), other 8%; English is commonly used in government and spoken competently by about 10%
Sudan-Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English
Suriname-Dutch (official), Surinamese (lingua franca), English widely spoken, Hindustani, Javanese
Swaziland-English, siSwati (both official)
Sweden-Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Switzerland-German 63.7%, French 12.9%, Italian 7.6%, Romansch 0.6% (all official); other 8.9%
Syria-Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood
Taiwan-Chinese (Mandarin, official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Tajikistan-Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business
Tanzania-Swahili, English (both official); Arabic; many local languages
Thailand-Thai (Siamese), English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects
Togo-French (official, commerce); Ewé, Mina (south); Kabyé, Cotocoli (north); and many dialects
Tonga-Tongan (an Austronesian language), English
Trinidad and Tobago-English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese
Tunisia-Arabic (official, commerce), French (commerce)
Turkey-Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek
Turkmenistan-Turkmen 72%; Russian 12%; Uzbek 9%, other 7%
Tuvalu-Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)
Uganda-English (official), Ganda or Luganda, other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic
Ukraine-Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian
United Arab Emirates-Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
United Kingdom-English, Welsh, Scots Gaelic
United States-English, sizable Spanish-speaking minority
Uruguay-Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero
Uzbekistan-Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
Vanuatu-Bislama (a Melanesian pidgin English), English, French (all 3 official); more than 100 local languages
Vatican City (Holy See)-Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
Venezuela-Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Vietnam-Vietnamese (official); English (increasingly favored as a second language); some French, Chinese, Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Western Sahara (proposed state)-Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Yemen-Arabic
Zambia-English (official); major vernaculars: Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga; about 70 other indigenous languages
Zimbabwe-English (official), Shona, Ndebele (Sindebele), numerous minor tribal dialects

Pagkaing Pinoy

Bilang pagbibigay halaga sa pagdiriwang ng Linggo ng Wika, ang buong linggong pagbabahagi sa Blog na ito ay ang paggamit ng ating sariling Wika)

Mga putahe na matatagpuan sa isang restaurant malapit sa NAIA AIRPORT,

1. TAPSILOG - Tapa, Sinangag, Itlog

2. LONGSILOG - Longganisa, Sinangag, Itlog

3. HOTSILOG - Hotdog, Sinangag, Itlog

4. PORKSILOG - Pork, Sinangag, Itlog

5. CHICKSILOG - Chicken, Sinangag Itlog

6. AZUCARERA - Adobong Aso

7. LUGLOG - Lugaw, Itlog

8. PAKAPLOG - Pandesal, Kape, Itlog

9. KALOG - Kanin, Itlog

10. PAKALOG - Pandesal, Kanin, Itlog

11. MAALOG NA BETLOG - Maalat na Itlog, Pakbet, Itlog

12. BAHAW - Bakang Inihaw (akala ninyo kaning lamig
ano)

13. KALKAL - Kalderetang Kalabaw

14. HIMAS - Hipon Malasado

15. HIMAS SUSO - Hipon Malasado, Sugpo, Keso

16. HIMAS PEKPEK - Hipon Malasado, Kropek, Pinekpekan

17. PEKPEK MONG MALAKI - Kropek, Pinekpekan, Monggo,
Malasado, Laing, Kilawin

18. DILA - Dinuguan, Laing

19. DILAAN MO - Dinuguan, Laing, Dalandan, Molo

20. BOKA BOKA - Bopis, Kanin, Bokayo, Kape

21. BOKA BOKA MO PA - Bopis, Kanin, Bokayo, Kape,
Molong Pancit

22. KANTOT - Kanin, Tortang Talong

23. KANTOT PA - Kanin, Tortang Talong, Pancit

24. SIGE KANTOT PA - Sinigang na Pige, Kanin, Tortang
Talong, Pancit
25. SIGE KANTOT PA IBAON MO - Sinigang na Pige, Kanin,
Tortang Talong, Pancit - Take out

26. SIGE KANTOT PA HA - Sinigang na Pige, Kanin,
Tortang Talong, Pancit, Halo-halo

27. SIGE KANTOT PAIBAON MO PAPA - Sinigang na Pige,
Kanin, Tortang Talong, Pancit... Take out with Ketchup


28. PAKANTOT - Pandesal, Kanin, Tortang Talong

29. PAPAKANTOT - Papaitan, Kanin, Tortang Talong

30. PAPAKANTOT KA BA - Papaitan, Kanin, Tortang
Talong, Kapeng Barako

31. PAKANTOT SA YO - Pandesal, Kanin, Tortang Talong,
Saging + Yosi

32. PAKANTOT KA - Pandesal, Kanin, Tortang Talong,
Kape

33. PAKANTOT KA HABANG MATIGAS PA - Pandesal, Kanin,
Tortang Talong, Kape, Inihaw na Bangus, Maruya,
Tinola, Ginisang Aso, Pancit

34. SUBO - Sugpo, Bopis

35. SUBO MO - Sugpo, Bopis, Molo

36. SUBO MO PA - Sugpo, Bopis, Molo, Pancit

37. SUBO MO PA MAIGE - Sugpo, Bopis, Molo, Mais, Pige

38. SUBO MO TITE KO - Sugpo, Bopis, Tinola, Teryaki,
Kochinta

39. SUBO MO TITE KO BILIS - Sugpo, Bopis, Tinola
Teryaki, Kochinta, Bihon, Tawilis

40. SUBO MO TITE KO BILIS, HAYOP! - ...same as #39,
minura mo lang yung waiter kasi ang tagal ng order.


NOW, YOU BELIEVE, FILIPINO CUISINE MENUS CAN BE SO
APPETIZING, SERVE WITH SIZZLING LIBIDO... ENJOY YOUR
MEAL, BON APPETITI!!!

Paano kung Hindi Tayo Magkaintindihan?

Bilang paggunita sa "Linggo ng Wika", isang pagpapahayag ng kahalagahan ng sariling Wika..




Ano kaya ang mangyayari kung ang salita mo ay may ibang kahulugan sa iba? O di kaya ang bawat bigkas ng kausap mo ay tila bago sa iyong pandinig at hindi mo maiintindihan?

Noong bata pa ako, hilig kong manood ng mga science fictions, lalong lalo na tungkol sa mga aliens. Sa edad na tatlo, sa halip na matakot ako, ay mas naaaliw ko silang pinapanood. Pinagmamasdan ko ang kanilang mga kilos sa tuwing may eksenang kinakausap nila ng mga taga-lupa. Ang pag galaw ng kanilang mga antenna sa ulo…ang ilaw na umiikot sa kanilang katawan habang nagsasalita.

Bbzzzz….bzzz..piittt…ditt..ditt… ito ang mga tunog na madalas kong naririnig. Sa katunayan, ilang ulit kong pinanood ang ET sa Betamax noong dekada 80, at kahit ni minsan ay walang salitang lumalabas kay ET, kaya nahihirapan ang bidang si Elliott na makipag-usap.

Katabi ko lagi ang ate ko na naiinis sa akin dahil palagi kong tinatanong ang mga nakasulat sa ibabang bahagi ng aming telebisyon habang nagsasalita ang mga taga ibang planeta.

Minsan may nagawi sa amin na isang pamilyang Amerikano na kabilang sa Seventh-day Adventist. Mga Sabatistang misyonaryo ang tawag sa kanila. Dahil Kapitan ng Barangay ang aking ama, madalas iniiwan sa amin ang kanilang anak pag sila ay nasa misyon. Dahil sa pareho kaming bata, natuto akong makipaglaro kahit magkaiba ang aming gusto. Nag-uusap lang kami sa pamamagitan ng mga galaw ng kamay. Kadalasan, hindi namin maintindihan kung ano ang sinasabi ng isa.

Sa edad na apat, pinilit ko ang aking ina na payagan akong pumasok sa malapit na day-care center sa amin para matutong bumasa at magsulat…para huwag nang gambalain pa ang aking kapatid habang nanonood ng palabas sa telebisyon at para maunawaan ko na rin ang sinasabi ng kalaro kong batang Amerikano.

Unti-unting namulat ng aking isipan sa mga bagay na nagbibigay sagot sa mga tanong na madalas sanhi ng di pagkakaunawaan. Ang Abakada ang naging susi sa aking kamalayan upang buksan ang aking isipan. Ang wastong pagbigkas naman nito ang naging gabay ko para mas lubos akong maintindihan ng iba.

At sa bawat pagbigkas ko ng ating wikang Pilipino, mas lubos kong naihahayag ang aking nais sabihin sa iba. Malaya kong naibabahagi ang laman ng aking isipan at natutunan ko ang mga bagay na dati ay hindi ko maintindihan.

Ngunit hindi pala sapat ang iyong pandinig para umunawa.. Kailangan din palang malaman mo ang kahulugan ng mga salitang iyong naririnig.

May pagkakataon na ang pagbigkas pala ng salita ay magpapatunay na iisa ang ating lahi at pareho ang ating kulturang kinagisnan.

Datapwa’t maraming diyalekto ang ating bansa, tayo ay nagkakaroon ng unawaan dahil sa iisang wika- ang wikang Pilipino. Tila ito’y mga sanga-sangang hibla ng ugat ng isang puno na nanggagaling sa isang pangunahing daluyang nagbibigay buhay para ito’y mabuhay.

Kailangan ang isang wika na siyang magsisilbing tulay para ganap na magkaintindihan sa kilos, pag-uusap at pag-iisip ang bawat isa..

Ang ating wika ay naging bahagi ng ating kasaysayan na siyang bumuklod sa pagkakaisa ng ating mga bayani at intrumento ito para sa pagkakaisa noon, ngayon at bukas.

Nawa’y ito ang maging dahilan muli ng pagkakaisa ng bawat Pilipino saan mang dako ng mundo.

Paano kung Hindi Tayo Magkaintindihan?

Bilang paggunita sa "Linggo ng Wika", isang pagpapahayag ng kahalagahan ng sariling Wika..




Ano kaya ang mangyayari kung ang salita mo ay may ibang kahulugan sa iba? O di kaya ang bawat bigkas ng kausap mo ay tila bago sa iyong pandinig at hindi mo maiintindihan?

Noong bata pa ako, hilig kong manood ng mga science fictions, lalong lalo na tungkol sa mga aliens. Sa edad na tatlo, sa halip na matakot ako, ay mas naaaliw ko silang pinapanood. Pinagmamasdan ko ang kanilang mga kilos sa tuwing may eksenang kinakausap nila ng mga taga-lupa. Ang pag galaw ng kanilang mga antenna sa ulo…ang ilaw na umiikot sa kanilang katawan habang nagsasalita.

Bbzzzz….bzzz..piittt…ditt..ditt… ito ang mga tunog na madalas kong naririnig. Sa katunayan, ilang ulit kong pinanood ang ET sa Betamax noong dekada 80, at kahit ni minsan ay walang salitang lumalabas kay ET, kaya nahihirapan ang bidang si Elliott na makipag-usap.

Katabi ko lagi ang ate ko na naiinis sa akin dahil palagi kong tinatanong ang mga nakasulat sa ibabang bahagi ng aming telebisyon habang nagsasalita ang mga taga ibang planeta.

Minsan may nagawi sa amin na isang pamilyang Amerikano na kabilang sa Seventh-day Adventist. Mga Sabatistang misyonaryo ang tawag sa kanila. Dahil Kapitan ng Barangay ang aking ama, madalas iniiwan sa amin ang kanilang anak pag sila ay nasa misyon. Dahil sa pareho kaming bata, natuto akong makipaglaro kahit magkaiba ang aming gusto. Nag-uusap lang kami sa pamamagitan ng mga galaw ng kamay. Kadalasan, hindi namin maintindihan kung ano ang sinasabi ng isa.

Sa edad na apat, pinilit ko ang aking ina na payagan akong pumasok sa malapit na day-care center sa amin para matutong bumasa at magsulat…para huwag nang gambalain pa ang aking kapatid habang nanonood ng palabas sa telebisyon at para maunawaan ko na rin ang sinasabi ng kalaro kong batang Amerikano.

Unti-unting namulat ng aking isipan sa mga bagay na nagbibigay sagot sa mga tanong na madalas sanhi ng di pagkakaunawaan. Ang Abakada ang naging susi sa aking kamalayan upang buksan ang aking isipan. Ang wastong pagbigkas naman nito ang naging gabay ko para mas lubos akong maintindihan ng iba.

At sa bawat pagbigkas ko ng ating wikang Pilipino, mas lubos kong naihahayag ang aking nais sabihin sa iba. Malaya kong naibabahagi ang laman ng aking isipan at natutunan ko ang mga bagay na dati ay hindi ko maintindihan.

Ngunit hindi pala sapat ang iyong pandinig para umunawa.. Kailangan din palang malaman mo ang kahulugan ng mga salitang iyong naririnig.

May pagkakataon na ang pagbigkas pala ng salita ay magpapatunay na iisa ang ating lahi at pareho ang ating kulturang kinagisnan.

Datapwa’t maraming diyalekto ang ating bansa, tayo ay nagkakaroon ng unawaan dahil sa iisang wika- ang wikang Pilipino. Tila ito’y mga sanga-sangang hibla ng ugat ng isang puno na nanggagaling sa isang pangunahing daluyang nagbibigay buhay para ito’y mabuhay.

Kailangan ang isang wika na siyang magsisilbing tulay para ganap na magkaintindihan sa kilos, pag-uusap at pag-iisip ang bawat isa..

Ang ating wika ay naging bahagi ng ating kasaysayan na siyang bumuklod sa pagkakaisa ng ating mga bayani at intrumento ito para sa pagkakaisa noon, ngayon at bukas.

Nawa’y ito ang maging dahilan muli ng pagkakaisa ng bawat Pilipino saan mang dako ng mundo.

Pinoy Ako sa Mundo!!

Isang kaibigan ko ang may akda ng isang website gusto kayong imbitahan...

Ang Pinoy Ako! World ay isang website para sa mga Pinoy sa buong mundo na tumutulong para magkaroon ng interaksyon at ilapit ang Pilipinas sa kanila

Bumisita sa

www.pinoyakoworld.com


http://pinoyakoworld.com/index.php?page=join.

Sali na!

Ipagmalaki natin na tayo'y Pinoy...Isagaw natin sa buong mundo!

Salamat!

Sana Nga Huwag Na....

August 14, 2007 ....4:42 AM Ginising ako ng tunog galing sa aking CP “Minamasdan kita ng hindi mo alam..Pinapangarap na ikaw ay akin....”

“1 New Message”

“Musta na, ano na blta, wla na gimik noh, lge nlang trbho. Labas nman tau minsan kung ok lang sau.”

Galing kay Mhel ang unexpected text..





February 2007.. Birthday ng friend ko…Niyaya niya ako at isama ko daw ang Habibi ko..

“Pasensya na friend, hindi puwede ko siyang isama… alam mo naman ang sitwasyon namin..”.

Actually kahit anong pilit nila na ilantad ko ang habibi ko sa public, talagang hindi puwede dahil ayaw niyang mabuko ang pagkatao niya lalo na sa circle of friends namin. Malihim kasi siya… ayaw niya na pag usapan at pag piyestahan ang relasyon namin kaya hanggang ngayon kahit bestfriend ko, hindi nila alam na may relasyon kami …Kilala kasi niya…Sa akin, okey lang ang ganitong arrangement.. saka hindi naman siya maramot sa akin..love niya ko… love ko rin siya.. (parang Mcdo he.he.he.he.)..inisip ko rin na mabuti na yon kaysa may magkagusto pa at malaman na habibi ko siya, mahirap na..makamandag pa naman ngayon ang mga rattlesnakes sa disyerto. And mind you, pag nalaman nila, naku, malakinggulo at maraming magkakandarapa sa kanya.. Habulin ata siya!

“Basta punta ka! Me ipapakilala ako sa sa’yo.”

Sounds good! Sarap maging single for a night!

Maaga akong pumunta sa kanila para tulungan siya sa pagluluto. Andoon na yong iba naming friends.

“Friend, mamaya pa labas ng ipapakilala ko sa’yo.. panggabi kasi duty niya”

Ok lang sa akin, at least , may time pa akong maki jamming sa barkada namin..


Dabarkads sa Riyadh

Past midnight na ng dumating si Art, ang Habibi ng friend ko at may kasama niya.

“O ayan friend.. si Mhel.. katrabaho ni Art, siya yong sinasabi ko sa iyo.”

“Hi Mhel.. glad to meet you!”

Bata pa si Mhel. Siguro nasa early twenties. Moreno, slim ang katawan.. guwapo kung ngumiti at medyo tahimik..

Kumain muna sila at pagkatapos, sumali na rin sa amin..

Habang tumatagal at dahil na rin sa “agua de pataranta”, madaling tinablan si Mhel. Siguro dahil sa pagod..at ang sa una ay tahimik, naging komportable na sa usapan at lumabas ang tunay na pagiging kalog..

Inabot kami ng 5 ng umaga na panay kuwentuhan, kumustahan at may koting harutan.. Yong iba natulog na…

Naging kampante na rin ako sa kanya hanggang sa matulog kaming magkatabi..

Pag gising namin, tuksuhan ang inabot ko sa mga barkada ko….

Nagpalitan kami ng cp no. at simula noon madalas na kaming magtawagan at nagkita..gumigimik pag wala siyang pasok…

Alam ko I find him nice as a friend, pero hindi puwedeng lumagpas doon..besides, ayokong maging unfair sa Habibi ko at marami pa akong dahilan para iwasan siya…

“Hi! Ginising mo ko ha! Kmusta kn rin? oo nga, ala na tau gimik..How’s ur work? Hayaan mo f im free, ta2wagan kita. Ingat!

“Message Sent”

Linggo ng Wika Special: "Aral ng Kasaysayan"

Isang pag gunita ng Linggo ng Wika ang paggamit ng ating sariling wika sa pagkakataong ito dito sa aking blog at bilang ipakita sa lahat na kahit sa ibang bansa, ang puso't isip ko ay nanatiling isang Pilipino :

Ang artikulong ito ay kabilang sa mga kasali sa Pinoy Blog Writing Contest. Maari po lamang na pumasyal sa blog na ito - http://www.pinoyblogosphere.com/wika2007








Ang mga hibla ng pangunahing ugat ng puno ang siyang nagpapatibay ng tayog nito. Kung gaano niya sasalubungin ang unos na dumating, ay nakasalalay sa kapit ng mga ugat nito pababa sa lupa. Ngunit kapag nalihis ang direksyon nito pataas, hihina ang lakas nito at malamang ito’y mabuwal.

Sa isang progresibong bansa, maliit man o malaki, ang pagkakaisa ay ang pangunahing batayan ng tatag at tibay nito.

Maraming Diyalekto

Kung nakilala ang Pilipinas sa dami ng isla, isa rin tayo sa mga bansang may maraming diyalekto.

Kung isa kang estranghero at babagtasin mo mula Batanes hanggang Jolo, malamang malilito ka sa iba’t-ibang salita ng mga Pilipinong katutubo.

Marahil ay dahil na rin sa mga stratehiyong lugar na naghihiwalay sa bawat isla kaya nagkaroon ng maraming diyalekto ang ating mga ninuno.

Hindi rin natin maiwasang isipin na ang pagkakaroon ng pagkakaiba at sanga-sangang aspeto ng pakikipagtalastasan ang marahil isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit tumagal ng halos 400 taong pananakop sa atin ng mga dayuhan noong unang panahon. Ang hindi pagkakaroon ng isang pangunahing wika ang naging dahilan para naging madali ang pananakop ng mga dayuhan at tuluyang isinuko ng ating mga ninuno ang karapatan nating angkinin ang sariling atin. Paano nga namang makipag tulungan at magkaisa ang ating mga ninuno kung sila mismo ay walang paraan para magkaintindihan.

Tulad ng bansang India na may marami ring lenguahe, naging madali ang pagsakop ng mga Britanya na tumagal ng maraming taon. Ang bansang Tsina na dumaan din sa maraming pag-aalsa ng mga Tsino laban sa pamamalakad ng kanilang bansa.

Ang mga magulong bansa gaya ng Afghanistan, East Timor at Laos na hanggang ngayon ay balakid pa rin ang pagkakaroon ng maraming diyalekto at wika.

Ang lugmok sa kahirapang Congo, Kenya, Nigeria at Pakistan na may maraming wika ngunit mabagal ang progreso ng kanilang ekonomiya.

Sa ating kasaysayan, umiral ang pagiging rehiyonalismo ng ating lahi. May kanya-kanya silang pinuno at pamamaraan ng pamumuhay alinsunod sa kung ano ang nararapat sa kanilang nasasakupan. Walang konkretong pamamalakad at walang pinuno sa buong kapulungan ng Pilipinas kaya’t madaling nasakop ng mga banyaga.

Gustuhin man ng ating mga ninuno na umaklas sa mga dayuhan sa unang bugso ng mga mananakop sa ating bayan, ngunit walang nagawang paraan an gating mga ninuno para pagkakaisa dahil sa depektong komunikasyon ng bawat pinuno ng mga tribu at balangay bunsod ng pagkakaibang diyalekto. Ito marahil ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit bigo silang makamit ang kasarinlan at tuluyang naging alipin ng mga dayuhan.

Sa panahon ng pananakop ng mga Kastila, naging madali sa kanila na tuluyang baguhin ang sistema ng ating lipunan. Unti-unting nabago ang buhay sosyolohikal ng ating mga ninuno sa pagyakap nila ng panibagong kultura na nagpabago sa kanilang kamalayan at nagpatuloy hanggang sa mga sumunod na salinlahi.

Isang Sariling Wika

Hanggang sa pangunahan ni Pangulong Quezon ang pagkakaroon ng isang wika na magbubuklod sa sambayanang Pilipino. Isang wika na magbibigay daan sa pagkakaunawaan ng bawat Pilipino saan mang sulok ng bansa. At dahil dito, umusbong ang pagmamahal ng mga Pilipino sa bawat isa. Nabawasan ang rehiyonalismo’t pagkamakasarili. Unti-unting nadarama ang tibay ng pagkakaisa ng bawat Pilipino. Nagkaroon ng unawaan sa isa’t-isa na siyang naging bantayog ng pagiging isang malayang bansa.


Maraming Wika

Ngunit sa larangan ng pag-unlad at lalo na sa kalakalang pandaigdigan, hindi sapat ang sariling wika lamang para mabilis ang asenso ng isang bansa. Ang maraming kaalaman sa wikang banyaga ay may adbentahe sa pakikikisalamuha sa mga taga ibang bansa.

Mahirap man gawin, pero napatunayan na rin, kabilang si Gat. Jose Rizal, na kahit may sarili tayong wika, ang kaalaman ng ibang wika ay pasaporte sa pakikipagrelasyon sa ibang bansa.

Tunay na matatag ang isang bansa kung sa maraming diyalekto ay may nabubukod tanging wika. Ito ang pangunahing ugat na siyang nagpapatibay sa bantayog ng kanilang sariling lipunan. At ang kaalaman ng iba’t ibang lenguahe ay nagbibigay panibagong hamon sa isang matatag at progresibong bansa.


PinoyBlogoSphere.com | Pinoy Bloggers Society (PBS)
presents
Wika2007 Blog Writing Contest
Theme: “Maraming Wika, Matatag na Bansa”

Sponsored by:
Ang Tinig ng Bagong Salinlahi
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WikiPilipinas: The free ‘n hip Philippine Encyclopedia

Email Etiquettes

Author, consultant and former Yahoo executive Tim Sanders offers the following top tips of e-mail etiquettes:
• Never say no: “E-mail is for yes, maybe, passing on information of answering
a question. If you’re going to say no, pick up the phone.”
• Don’t CC Dad: “Try to limit CCing your boss or parents. The person who you
are sending the e-mail (to) can become rather resentful.”
• Don’t send e-mail with “hot eyelids”: “Never send an e-mail when you’re mad.
Touch your fingers to your eyelids and if they’re hot, put the e-mail into
the drafts box and revisit once you’ve calmed down.”
• Stop replying to all: “Erase the ‘reply all’ from your e-mail. Take the time
to think who the e-mail really needs to go to.”
• Consider the time: “If you are a boss, don’t send company e-mails throughout
the night. If your employees see you working late, they will feel they have
to as well. This could cause a very resentful workplace.

"Filipino Blog Award" Week 69

Hey guys!!

I am honored to be nominated for this week "FILIPINO BLOG AWARD".

Visit http://salaswildthoughts.blogspot.com and vote for DESERT-69!

The Rape of Lang-Widg

Written language without proper grammar and spelling is like a sketch without colors. Unfortunately, the World Wide Web has affected the English language so that the celebrated Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez called for the scrapping of spelling.

“Spelling, that terror visited on human beings from the cradle onwards, should be pensioned off,” once Garcia Marquez told a meeting.

The statement, no doubt, is provocative. But there must be some reason behind this provocation: What made Garcia Marquez call for the ‘pensioning off’ of spelling?
This stems from the modern trend where literature has been reduced to the level of day-to-day language. The popularity of the Internet has swept aside all norms and forms of spelling. Aiding and abetting this downward spiral is the mobile phone Short Messaging Service. Language is telegraphic, and spellings shortened to mere alphabets. Thus ‘you’ has become ‘u’, ‘r’ is enough for ‘are’, and in ‘c’ you can ‘see’.



Rules of grammar have been thrown out of the ‘Windows’ (I mean the operating system). Communication is instant. People are now guided more by phonetics than the lexicon. Thus ‘accommodate’ is now ‘akomodate’, ‘accident’ is ‘axident’ and because is ‘coz.’

These are the pangs of the learning process which every teacher and student has to bear. I was surprised when I read Garcia Marquez’s statement. He is a leading light of literature. If he upholds the rape of language, then who is going to stop it? He should be the one fighting to keep language and literature pure.

No doubt, there are those who justify this rape of language in the name of popularity. The global village has a new dialect which is easier for the ‘netizens’ to understand and faster to communicate. E-mails and text messaging are different from traditional letter writing, argue those who favor the style of electronic discourse. But does traditional letter writing exist any more? Space constraint restricts me from bemoaning the death of letter writing.

Communication is different from correspondence. Those sharing e-mails or sending text messages fail to realize that they are not communicating but corresponding. I think this is the basis of the problem.

What is a World Without Filipinos?

Let's imagine the entire world waking up one day to discover Filipinos have disappeared. I'm talking here about the six or seven million Filipinos currently working overseas in countries with names that run the entire alphabet, from Angola to Zimbabwe .

Let's not worry first about why or how the Filipinos disappeared; in fact, it becomes academic whether it's a day or a week. Just imagine a world without Filipinos.

Think of the homes that are dependent on Filipino housekeepers, nannies, caregivers. The homes would be chaotic as kids cry out for their nannies. Arabs, Hong Kong and Singaporean and Taiwanese yuppie couples are now forced to stay home and realizing, goodness, there's so much of housework that has to be handled and how demanding their kids can be and hey, what's this strange language they're babbling in?

It's not just the children that are affected. The problems are even more serious with the elderly in homes and nursing institutions, because Filipino caregivers have provided so much of the critical services they need. When temporary contractual workers are brought in from among non-Filipinos, the elderly complain. They want their Filipino caregivers back because they have that special touch, that extra patience and willingness to stay an hour more when needed.

Hospitals, too, are adversely affected because so many of the disappeared Filipinos were physicians, nurses and other health professionals. All appointments for rehabilitation services, from children with speech problems to stroke survivors, are indefinitely postponed because of disappeared speech pathologists, occupational and physical therapists!

Eventually, the hospital administrators announce they won't take in any more patients unless the conditions are serious. Patients are told to follow their doctors' written orders and, if they have questions, to seek advice on several Internet medical sites. But within two days, the hospitals are swamped with new complaints. The web sites aren't working because of missing Filipino web designers and web site managers.

Service establishments throughout the world -- restaurants, supermarkets, hotels -- all close down because of their missing key staff involved in management and maintenance. In Asia , hotels complain about the missing bands and singers.

In the United States , many commercial establishments have to close shop, not just because of the missing Filipino sales staff but because their suppliers have all been sending in notices about delays in shipments. Yup, the shipping industry has gone into a crisis because of missing Filipino seafarers.

The shipping firms begin to look into the emergency recruitment of non-Filipino seafarers but then declare another crisis: They're running out of supplies of oil for their ships because the Middle Eastern countries have come to a standstill without their Filipino workers, including quite a few working for the oil industry.

Frantic presidents and prime ministers call on the United Nations to convene a special session of the Security Council but Ban Ki-Moon says he can't do that because the UN system itself is on the edge, with so many of their secretarial and clerical staff, as well as translators, having disappeared from their main headquarters in New York and Geneva, as well as their regional offices throughout the world. Quite a number of UN services, especially refugee camps, are also in danger of closing down because of missing Filipino health professionals and teachers.

Ban Ki-Moon also explains that he can't convene UN meetings because the airports in New York , Washington and other major US cities have been shut down. The reason? The disappeared Filipinos included quite a few airport security personnel who used to check passengers and their baggage.

Ban Ki-Moon calls on the World Bank and international private foundations for assistance but they're crippled, too, because their Filipino consultants and staff are nowhere to be seen. Funds can't be remitted and projects can't run without the technical assistance provided for by Filipinos.

An exasperated Ban Ki-Moon calls on religious leaders to pray, and pray hard. But when he phones the Pope, he is told the Catholic Church, too, is in crisis because the disappeared include the many Filipino priests and nuns in Rome who help run day-to-day activities, as well as missionaries in the front lines of remote posts, often the only ones providing basic social services.

As they converse, Ban Ki-Moon and the Pope agree on one thing: the world has become a quieter place since the Filipinos disappeared. It isn't just the silencing of work and office equipment formerly handled by Filipinos; no, it seems there's much less laughter now that the Filipinos aren't around, both the laughter of the Filipinos and those they served.

Still My Mind

Model: Chris - Riyadh


Still it rushes through me,
in every pore,
through every cell.
What is this . . .
what feeling is this?
I cannot tell,
what secrets unveil
capabilities
unknown to limits.
This absolute immersion
blankets my every
conscious thought.
Drawing you closer,
bringing you here.
So close to me I dare not say -
still not within my sight.
I feel your breath,
heat penetrating my skin
like a hard summer rain.
I feel your face, your eyes,
trace your mouth
with my fingers.
You give me breath
so close to your mouth,
still we do not touch.
Smoldering fantasies
ignite burning,
lust and longing.
Desire tempts me.
"Move closer . . . " he whispers,
"closer, closer. "
A paradox? Closer to you,

Pictures that play with your mind

Count the black dots!


How many legs does the elephant have?









Keep staring at the black dot. After a while the gray haze around it will appear to shrink.






See the baby?