Learn Some Tagalog
~By Cindy

The Filipino language is sort of easy.. (well, I guess I think it's easy because I understand it?) For the most part, the main language called Tagalog is just like Spanish. I think the Philippines is one of the few Asian countries whose alphabet isn't made up of characters. And most of the time, English is also the main language. Like most countries however, the Filipino language is made up of several different local dialects. For example, my mom can't understand my Dad's local dialect while my Dad is the same way with my mom's local dialect. But that is another story... Tagalog is the main official Filipino language, so here are some words for you:

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Kuya: This is a term used for an older boy. Whether it be an older brother or cousin. It can even be used for a familiar older friend of the family or just someone you know.
Ate: (pronounced as "Ah-teh") This is a term used for an older girl. An older sister or cousin or a familiar older friend. My sisters call me "Ate Cindy"
Lolo and Lola: This means Grandpa and Grandma. ~I remembered when my friend first heard me call my grandmother "Lola". She thought Lola was her first name and wondered why I was calling my grandma by her first name.
Tita and Tito: You usually use this to address an aunt or an uncle or someone you think of as an Aunt or an Uncle. Like your godmother or godfather, an old family friend etc...
Mabuhay: You hear this a lot in the Philippines. In the Manila International Airport, this word is plastered right on the roof of the main terminal so whenever a plane lands you can clearly see it. It basically means "Have a wonderful life", "Life is great" or something around those words.
Salamat: Thank-you
~po: (pronounced like p'oh) Many Asian countries are very respectful towards their elders. Filipinos are very proper around them especially. So when you are talking to someone that is older than you... you always have to address them by their title and you usually ALWAYS have to use ~po in the end of that sentence. It's a word that signifies that you respect them. Even when saying thank-you... "Yes, Lola. Salamat po"
Ano: What? Come again?
Bakit: Why?
Ignat: (pronouced with a silent "n") Take care (my cousin always ends her letters like this)
Mahal kita: I love you...
Maganda talaga: Very pretty
Talaga: Really? Very.. (it really depends on how you put it in as a sentence. Like the above example)
Hindi ko alam: I don't know

Well, that's all I can think of right now. I understand Tagalog and my mom's dialect of Aklanon but it's a little hard for me to write some of the words down because I don't speak it. So it takes me quite a long time to think of some words but these are the words that are used often enough.

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