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Archive for the 'Filipino Culture' Category

20 Filipino Angry Phrases, Plus Popular Tagalog Swear Words

Want to learn some Tagalog swear words? Want to know how we Pinoys get angry and how we express our frustration? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Before anything else, consider this quote by General Douglas MacArthur: "Give me 10,000 Filipino soldiers and I will conquer the world." These words of the great American general are a confirmation of the bravery of the Filipino guerilla men and women who stood their ground against the Japanese colonizers during the Second World War. It’s not a surprise that MacArthur was impressed by the resilience and bravery of the Filipinos. After all, Pinoys are considered to be a "warlike" people. From the time of Lapu-Lapu to the days of heroes like Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio, Filipinos have... Show more

Essential Vocabulary for Life Events in Filipino

What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing's for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, "We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us." The older I get, the more I agree with him! Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person's journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you're planning to stay in for more than a quick visit, you're sure to need at least a few 'life events' phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it's generally expected that we will show up with good manners... Show more

Celebrating the Day of Valor in the Philippines

The Day of Valor holiday in the Philippines, called Araw ng Kagitingan in Filipino, is a day of both celebration and mourning. On the one hand, it honors the courage of Filipino soldiers in World War 2, and on the other, it commemorates those who lost their lives in the Bataan Death March. In this article, you’ll learn about the history behind the Day of Valor, look at how Pinoys mark this day, and gain some relevant Filipino vocabulary. Let’s get started! 1. What is Day of Valor in the Philippines? In the Philippines, the Day of Valor is a public holiday for honoring the bravery, or katapangan, of Filipino and American soldiers during the Second World War. In particular, it commemorates one of the most horrendous things... Show more

How to Celebrate the Filipino-Chinese New Year

Considering the history between China and the Philippines, it should come as no surprise that the popular Chinese New Year holiday would find a place among the Filipinos. The Filipino Chinese New Year traditions reflect traditional Chinese culture with a modern Filipino flare. In this article, you’ll learn all about the Philippines during Chinese New Year, the most popular Chinese New Year foods, and some of the history involved in the integration of this holiday into Filipino culture. At FilipinoPod101.com, it’s our aim to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative, starting with this article! Ready to delve into this fascinating holiday? Let’s get started. 1. What is the Chinese New Year? ... Show more

The Filipino Calendar: Talking About Dates in Filipino

Did you know there are many different types of calendars? As you probably know - a calendar is a system of organizing days in weeks and months for specific purposes, according to Wikipedia. Worldwide, most countries use the Gregorian calendar. Some just work on the same framework, meaning that time is divided into units based on the earth's movement around the sun - the "solar calendar". Other calendars keep time by observing the moon's movements, a combination of the moon and the sun's movements, and seasons. Through FilipinoPod101, you can learn all about this and so much more! Our themed, culturally relevant lessons are skillfully designed so you can do your planning perfectly for a holiday or a date. Having a good plan for a visit... Show more

Learn How to Talk About Your Family in Filipino

Did you know that only some reptiles and birds don't parent their offspring? Except for crocodiles, all reptiles (and one family of bird species called megapodes) hatch from eggs and grow up alone, without any family. The rest of us need family if we are to survive and thrive - humans and animals alike! At FilipinoPod101, we know how important family is. Therefore, we take care to teach you all the important vocabulary and phrases pertaining to family. Table of Contents Why Is It Important to Know Filipino Vocabulary about Family? Learn a New Culture? Learn its Family Vocab first How FilipinoPod101 Can Help You Learn Filipino Family Terms 1. Why Is It Important to Know Filipino Vocabulary about Family? Well, if you're... Show more

The Bonifacio Day Anniversary in the Philippines

On Bonifacio Day, Philippines citizens remember the life of Andrés Bonifacio, one of the country’s most important figures. Bonifacio is credited as a significant player in the eventual gaining of the Philippines’ republic status and freedom from Spanish colonial rule. In this article, you’ll learn a little about Bonifacio’s role in history, and how Filipinos observe this holiday today. At FilipinoPod101.com, we make learning fun and effective! Let’s get started. 1. What is Bonifacio Day? On Bonifacio Day, Filipinos commemorate the life of Andrés Bonifacio and remember his significant role in helping the Philippines attain its status as a republic. Specifically, Bonifacio is known for being the founder of the... Show more

How To Post In Perfect Filipino on Social Media

You're learning to speak Filipino, and it's going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in Filipino. At Learn Filipino, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your Filipino in the process. 1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in Filipino Eating out is fun, and often an experience you'd like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in Filipino. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills...and perhaps your taste in restaurants! Juan eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of the group, and leaves this comment: POST Let's break... Show more

Internet Slang Words in Filipino That Pinoy Millennials Use

The internet gives birth to different trends every now and then. Among them are internet slang words. Expressions like "ASL please," "CTC?" and "BRB" used to dominate the internet chat scene, particularly during the era of mIRC and Yahoo! Messenger. Now that we have FB Messenger, Twitter, Viber, and WhatsApp, the list has been expanding and will probably continue to do so. When sending Filipino text messages or chatting online, knowing the lingo is essential. There's not a lot of internet slang words in Filipino, but the ones that do exist can be very useful to know when you're communicating with Pinoy friends online or via text. In the Philippines, there are Filipino slang words that have been around even before the internet. And... Show more

Must-Watch Filipino Movies for Tagalog Learners!

There are many non-standard methods of learning a new language, but none seem more beloved and exciting than film-watching. Yes, you read that right. Watching movies is a great way to familiarize yourself with a language you’re learning. Watching Filipino movies, for instance, will help improve your vocabulary, your pronunciation, and even your comprehension of the Tagalog language. The Philippine cinema may not be as celebrated as, say, the American or European cinemas, but there’s no question that it’s home to many great filmmakers. In fact, several Filipino films have made it big internationally, and have, over the years, bagged prestigious awards. You may not be able to visit the nearest movie theaters anytime soon to watch... Show more