N’ong isilang ako sa mundong ito
laking tuwa ng magulang ko
di kasi nila alam akoy’s sira ulo
At ang nanay at tatay ko’y
binibigay kahit ano’ng gusto.

Dati po, noong ako’y bata
lagi akong tumutula
at naglalaro sa labas pag walang magawa.
Kahit ano’y sinusunog
pag nakahanap ako ng kandila.

Shato, piko, patintero
ang nagsira ng tsinelas ko
iyon po ang aking naging ehersisyo.
Unti unting tumataba
wala kasing ginagawa kundi nintendo.

Hindi na nagbabasketbol,
Si MacGyver ang naging idol
Nakagawa ako ng aking palakol.
Minahal ko rin ang berdeng ilaw
ng aking computer na apol.

Ngayon namang malaki na ko
wala pa ring nagbabago
ulol, tungak, tanga, saka gago.
At ang nanay at tatay ko’y
hindi alam kung bakit ako’y ganito.

Ang aking kanta’y pakinggan
may taong di matutulungan
dahil puno ng katarantaduhan
dinggin mo ang aking payo
ang mga katulad ko’y dapat ilagan
ang mga katulad ko’y dapat ilagan
ang mga katulad ko’y dapat ilagan…

Having been inspired by Kwanzaa, I propose a new wonderful tradition that highlights seven qualities found in the Filipino spirit. The tradition needed the concept of symbolic gifts chosen carefully to focus on a specific quality each day. The idea of lighting candles is popular in many different holiday festivities and would have been a popular concept to “borrow.” However, Filipinos surely have better uses for candles, especially during regularly scheduled holiday “brown-outs” and thus there will be no mandatory candle-lighting here.

After much deliberation, the tradition came alive through caffeine-induced inspiration. It spoke to me in a soft, subtle voice with an accent undeniably Filipino. It told me the brilliance in the symbolism of its seven days. It spoke of the gifts to be exchanged in its name. The new tradition needed a good name — something ethnic-sounding, exotic yet catchy, and distinctly Filipino. As I sat there listening and writing the concepts for this new celebration, the voice grew stronger and louder, and in an ultimate epiphany, it revealed its name. What follows is the seven day celebration of Tang ‘Na.

On the first day of Tang ‘Na, people are to give gifts of toiletries or perfumes. With a smile, the gift-giver invokes a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang kabahuan mo!” to which the recipient responds with “Tang ‘na mo.”

On the second day of Tang ‘Na, people are to give gifts of oversized clothing. With a smile, the gift-giver invokes a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang katakawan mo!” to which the recipient responds with “Tang ‘na mo.”

On the third day of Tang ‘Na, people are to give gifts of educational textbooks. With a smile, the gift-giver invokes a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang kabobohan mo!” to which the recipient responds with “Tang ‘na mo.”

On the fourth day of Tang ‘Na, people are not to give each other gifts. With a smile, both parties invoke a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang karamutan mo!” and respond with “Tang ‘na mo.”

On the fifth day of Tang ‘Na, people are to give each other a joke or gag gift. With a smile, the gift-giver invokes a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang kagaguhan mo!” to which the recipient responds with “Tang ‘na mo.”

On the sixth day of Tang ‘Na, people are to give gifts of hand-crafted paper crowns. With a smile, the gift-giver invokes a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang kayabangan mo!” to which the recipient responds with “Tang ‘na mo.”

On the seventh day of Tang ‘Na, people are to gather together and have a sit-down dinner with each other. With a smile, both parties invoke a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang kaibigan ko. Hapi nyu yir, ha!”

This guide is designed to be a somewhat humorous, mostly factual list of observations of the culture in action enhanced by some knowledge of how the culture operates internally. By no means is this the be-all end-all of Flipbooks but instead offers insights into Filipino cultural aspects broken into Poker and Politics, Language, Food, and Entertainment.

Socially, the Filipino culture could be summarized as a game of Poker and Politics. Poker faces, alterior motives, and uncommunicated thoughts are all too common. One is never to tip their hand lest they be deemed blunt or harsh. The Politics side mandates that public image is extremely important, thus a member of the culture normally avoids actions that may result in negative publicity.

In terms of language, most Filipinos speak a hybrid of Tagalog and English they call “Taglish.” However, most can communicate fluently in English if not for an accent that often substitutes the letter f for p and v for b and vice bersa. It is also common to mess up on fronouns and frefositions. You may wish to learn a few tagalog fhrases if you freper.

A culture is not complete without its own foods. The Filipino cuisine has influences from many of the countries that shared, occupied, or invaded its land. Outsiders who comment on how some Filipino food is “gross” should understand that every culture has its share of exotic foods. If one finds a particular dish sickening, then the best advice would be to not eat it, not to smell it, not to look at it, and be open minded enough to know that there may very well be dishes in YOUR culture that some Filipinos would not eat. That said, the author’s personal recommendations are lumpia, adobo, menudo (no, it’s not the same thing), and for those who live la vida loca, Kare-Kare. Oh yeah, there’s some rice involved in the Filipino diet, too.

The world of Filipino Entertainment is not a very exciting one. In terms of music, the genres are predominantly pop and oldies. As for movies, don’t ask. Filipino movies are mostly plotless hacks about orphans or adopted children. Broad generalization, yes, but so are the movies. Then there is gambling in its many forms. Mah-jong, cards, and horses, to name a few. As one strolls down a casino, if “gaddamit ah chit!” is heard, a Filipino is nearby. Lastly, Filipinos also seem to be drawn to karaoke like moths to a flame with varying results.

How to Become an Honorary Flip:

Filipinos are generally known for their hospitality. They will gladly take you in provided you follow a few simple rules. The first rule would be to respect the culture (unlike what I have done here). Play the “poker and politics” game to perfection. The second rule is to associate with the culture. Eat some Filipino food and learn a few phrases in Tagalog. The final rule is closely tied to the other rules — make them laugh. If you keep these observations and rules in mind, you just might be a Filipino at heart.