Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Glossary
amihan
the northwest monsoon from November to
April (dry season)
bahay
house
bahay kubo
wooden house
bahay na bato
house built of stone
bangka
boat carved from wood, with stabilizing
outriggers made from bamboo; the so-called “big
bangkas” are used as ferries and often feature cabins
barangay
the smallest political voting unit, whose
residents elect “barangay captains” to represent their
views to the mayor; barangays take different forms,
ranging from part of a village through a whole village
to a district of a town or city. In the Guide barangay is
used more generally to mean “village”.
barong
or
barong tagalog
formal shirt worn by
men, woven from fine fabric such as
piña
and worn
hanging outside the pants
barrio
village
bulol
rice god carved from wood, used by many
northern hill tribes in religious rituals
buri
type of palm used to make mats and rugs
butanding
whale shark
capiz
a white seashell that's almost translucent when
flattened and is used to make windows and screens
carabao
water buffalo
carinderia
canteen where food is presented in pots
on a counter-top
chinito
a Filipino/Filipina who looks Chinese
chinoy
slang for Filipino/Filipina Chinese
cogon/kogon
wild grass that is often used as thatch
on provincial homes and beach cottages
CR
toilet (= “comfort room”)
DoT
Department of Tourism
earthquake Baroque
style of church architecture
typical of Spanish churches in the Philippines, which
were built with thick buttresses to protect them from
earthquakes and a separate bell tower that wouldn't
hit the main church if the tower collapsed
GRO
guest relations o
cer; waitress or hostess in a bar
who receives a cut of the payment for the drinks a
customer buys her; often a euphemism for sex worker
habagat
southwest monsoon from May to October
(wet season)
ilustrado
the wealthy elite
isla
island
kalesa
or
calesa
horse-drawn carriage, still seen in
some areas including Chinatown in Manila and Vigan
kalye
street
kuweba
cave
mabuhay
literally, “long live”. Used most often at
toasts, at rallies, or to welcome guests (and in
tourism campaigns).
malong
tube-like woven garment worn by many
Muslims in Mindanao, similar to a sarong
Moro
Muslim
narra
the national tree, whose wood is considered
best for furniture
nipa
short, sturdy palm that is dried and used for
building houses
nito
native vine woven into hats, mats and decorative
items such as lampshades
Pasalubong
The (almost mandatory) Filipino tradition
of bringing back gifts, usually food items, for friends
and family from abroad - one which serves tourist
shops well
Pilipino
Filipino; also means Tagalog
piña
fibre taken from the outside of the pineapple and
woven into fine, shiny cloth
pinoy/pinay
slang for Filipino/Filipina
poblacion
town centre
rugby boys
street children, named after the “Rugby”
brand of glue they are often addicted to sni
ng
sabong
cockfighting
sala
living room
santo
saint; also small statues of the saints found in
churches and sold in antique shops
Santo Niño
the Christ Child; patron of many
communities, revered by Christian Filipinos
sari-sari store
small store, often no more than a hut,
selling essentials such as matches, snacks, shampoo
and toothpaste
sikat
native grass woven into various items,
especially rugs
sitio
small village or outpost, often consisting of no
more than a few houses
tamaraw
dwarf water buffalo, an endangered species
found only on Mindoro
terno
classic Filipino formal gown popularized by
Imelda Marcos, with high butterfly sleeves and low,
square-cut neckline
tinikling
folk dance in which participants hop adeptly
between heavy bamboo poles as they are struck
together at shin height, at increasing speed
tsinoy
slang for Filipino/Filipina Chinese
