Learn Filipino

Book Two
Learn Filipino
Book Two

Victor Eclar Romero

Illustrations by
Manny Francisco

Magsimba Press
Atlanta
 Learn Filipino: Book Two
By Victor Eclar Romero

© 2007 Victor Eclar Romero. All rights reserved.

Published by Magsimba Press

1821 Bruce Rd. Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30329

Visit us on the web at www.tagalog1.com.

Email us at [email protected].

First printing February 2007

135798642

ISBN 978-1-932956-42-9

Library of Congress Control Number: 2006940727

Printed in Canada on permanent paper by Transcontinental Printing.

 LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO v

Sa aking mga gurò, nagpapasalamat

To my teachers, with gratitude

Vicente Angeles
Remo Bati
Giuseppe Batistello
Giovanni Benna
José Bosch
Miss Cancio
Jaime Claret
César Dandán
Leonardo Delfin
Ruben Dy
Marciano Evangelista
Violeta Flores
Charles Frady
James Gough
Celestino Lingad Jr.
Agustin López
Juan Martinez
Francesco Panfilo
Victor Panizales
Lawrence Pellizzato
Anthony Pezzota
Ruggero Prioreschi
Lázaro Revilla
Miss Reyes
Francisco del Rosario
Miss Rubio
Dante Sacchi
George Schwarz
Mr. Sioson
George Stein
Mariano Tarrosa
vi LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO

Preface

W
e received many encouraging words from readers of Learn Filipino: Book One and requests for
Book Two. So here it is. We heard their constructive comments and suggestions. From one
reader we heard: "I think you must give the translation of each Tagalog word. I think it is very
frustating for a beginner." And from another: "Some of the chapters do vault ahead quickly,
introducing new material quite fast." We appreciate this feedback and agree with it. So in writing Book
Two we strived to provide the translation of each Filipino word, except in the exercises. We apologize in
advance if we missed any; we promise to provide them in the next edition. Secondly, we tried to slow
down the introduction of new material by giving more examples and exercises.
Book Two builds on the foundation laid by Book One. From Book One's four simple sentence
patterns we move to compound sentences and five patterns of complex sentences. At the end of Book
Two, the serious learner can expect to: 1) combine simple sentences into compound sentences and 2)
create complex sentences: a) to say what he or she knows or thinks, b) to relate two events in time
(when, while, whenever, before, after), c) to say something happens "because . . .", d) to say "if"
something happens, and e) to say something happens "so that . . ." We also give you the opportunity to
learn five hundred new words, grouped by topic or situation. At the end of this book, you can expect to
have a vocabulary of the 1000 most frequently-used words in the language.
As in Book One, we place emphasis on conversation. The goal of the example sentences and
exercises throughout the book is to continually increase the learner's ability to converse in Filipino. We
give all and only the grammar necessary to support this goal. In Book Two we also introduce readings
that contain conversations.
Use our website. We encourage you to include us in your learning experience. Post your
questions or comments on our website, www.tagalog1.com. We will answer all questions. You might
see a question or comment similar to yours already posted. Register your book at the same website, so
we will be able to email you any corrections or updates to the book. There you will also find the sound
files for listening and speaking practice and other useful supplementary material and information.
We thank the many persons who gave permission to include their paintings, photographs,
maps, or other material. We think these illustrations of Filipino culture make the book more lively and
interesting. We hope the reader thinks so too. We believe learning a language should be fun. We
welcome and encourage feedback. Let us know what you think. Post your comment at
www.tagalog1.com.
 LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO vii

Acknowledgments
Añonuevo, Rebecca. For her short story Ang Tatlong Kahilingan ni Julián.
Cunanan, Art. For his painting Yo-yo.
Cruzet, Frank. For his painting Simbánggabí.
Demetillo, Prof. Lester. For the music from the Original Pilipino Classics CD, played by University of the
Philippines (U.P.) Guitar Ensemble and directed by him. The music excerpts are used in the book's
accompanying CDs.
Doctor, Tony. For his painting Luksóng Tiník.
Genduso, Joe. For his photograph of Mayon Volcano.
Gonzalez, Michael. For the map of the national capital region and photos of Makati, Quezon City and Dumaguete
City.
Groleau, Bambi and Francois. For the pictures of their wedding at San Agustin Church, Intramuros.
Jesuit Communications Foundation. For the music score of Father Eddie Hontiveros' Pananagutan.
MananQuil, Romi. For his paintings Orasyonand Kanyúng Kawayan
Olarte, Omar. For his photograph of Magellan's Cross, Estancia, Iloilo and Loboc River.
Paz, Gene and Menchu. For the paintings by Belegal of Tumbang Preso and Taguan; the photos of the calesa and
the fruit basket made of sea shells.
Philippine Bible Society. For the excerpts from the Magandang Balita Biblia.
Pulga, Christian. For photos of Boracay, Aklan; Siargao, Surigao del Norte; Bantayan, Cebu; and Panglao, Bohol.
Romero, Bill and Doyet. For the painting of the Filipino family saying grace before their meal; photos of the
Ilocano wooden trunk and the wood carvings of Filipino warriors.
Romero, Omar. For helping obtain copyright permissions.
Romero, Rosalina. For the recipe of sinigáng na salmon at hipon and pinakbet.
Rubi, Vicente ("Nong Inting"). For the music of Maligayang Paskó at Masaganang Bagong Taón
Taylor, Allan and Kathrine Reyes-Tan. For the many stimulating questions and conversations on Tagalog
grammar and usage, prompting me to think and develop answers.
Tonido, Frank. For his painting Pagmamano.
Ursal, Randie. For the photo of the Sinulog festival in Carmen, Cebu.
Villar, Eugene Alvin. For the maps of the Philippines and Manila.
Villarante, Herbert. For the photo of hikers on Mount Kanlaon in Negros Oriental.

We apologize if we missed to acknowledge anyone. It was not intentional and we will correct the error in the next
edition.
viii LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO

Some Themes of Filipino Life

T
he pictures, maps, songs and other supplementary material in this book illustrate some of the
following major themes of Filipino life. These themes are also found in the lives of persons from
other nations. Their common themes enable Filipinos and others understand and appreciate
each other.

Family: Filipinos greatly value the family and maintain close family relationships.

Food: Filipinos love to prepare, share and eat good food.

Sea and typhoons: Filipinos are surrounded by the sea and use its resources for food, transportation
and enjoyment. Typhoons occur several times each year and destroy the lives, homes, businesses and
crops of tens of thousands of people.

Volcanoes and earthquakes: Volcanoes erupt and the earth quakes only so often, but when these
events occur, they destroy lives and homes.

Song, dance, art: Filipinos love to tell the story of life in song, dance and visual arts.

Church: Large numbers of Filipinos participate actively in church activities throughout the year and
throughout their lives. Almost every Filipino is either Christian or Muslim. Almost every Filipino is
baptized, gets married and buried in a church ceremony.

Malay, Chinese, Spanish and American influence: Malay, Chinese, Spanish and American influence
is evident in Filipino food, language and life in general. Filipino languages share thousands of words
with Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Melayu. Records from the Sung (960-1278) and Yuan (1260-1368)
dynasties describe Chinese trade with the Philippines.1 The Spaniards first came in 1521 and again in
1565 and stayed until 1898. The Americans came in 1898 and stayed until 1946.

1Scott, William Henry. Prehispanic Source Materials for the Study of Philippine History. (Quezon City, Philippines: New Day
Publishers, 1984).
 Contents
1. Aralín Isá: Basic sentence: review .............................................................................................1
Useful phrases: weekly activities, 1 ...................................................................................................1
Useful phrases and conversations.....................................................................................................1
Grammar. Balarilà: Focus.................................................................................................................2
Balarilà: Aspect.................................................................................................................................5
Balarilà: Basic sentence pattern 1.....................................................................................................7
Balarilà: Basic sentence pattern 2.....................................................................................................9
Balarilà: Basic sentence pattern 3...................................................................................................11
Balarilà: Basic sentence pattern 4...................................................................................................14
Balarilà: Summary of basic sentence patterns ................................................................................15
Vocabulary: greetings .....................................................................................................................16
Sagót sa pagsasanay.......................................................................................................................17
Review and checklist.......................................................................................................................18
2. Aralín Dalawá: Self-check .......................................................................................................23
Refer to persons and things ............................................................................................................23
Difference between ang-case and ng-case .......................................................................................24
The word family of itó, iyán, iyón ....................................................................................................24
Walâ, mayroón, kauntî, marami......................................................................................................25
May and mayroón ...........................................................................................................................25
Potential and proactive verbs ..........................................................................................................27
Mahalagáng pandiwà: kumain at kainin .........................................................................................28
Usapan: Sino ang kumain noóng adobo? Who ate the adobo? .........................................................30
Vocabulary: nature .........................................................................................................................31
Vocabulary: place ...........................................................................................................................32
Sagót sa pagsasanay.......................................................................................................................33
patalastás | advertisement: at, o, pero, tapos .................................................................................41
3. Aralín Tatló: Compound sentence ...........................................................................................42
The monkey and the turtle..............................................................................................................42
Useful phrases: weekly activities, 2 .................................................................................................43
Useful phrases and conversations...................................................................................................44
x LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO

Compound sentence .......................................................................................................................45

The monkey and the turtle: compound sentences ...........................................................................48
Mahalagáng pandiwà: kumuha at kunin.........................................................................................50
Some notes on orthography ............................................................................................................52
Vocabulary: family ..........................................................................................................................53
Vocabulary: house ..........................................................................................................................54
Answers to exercises: sagót sa pagsasanay .....................................................................................56
Review and checklist.......................................................................................................................57
Recipe: Sinigáng na salmon at hipon ..............................................................................................58
Tradition: Orasyón, Praying the Angelus at 6 PM, by Romi MananQuil, Filipino painter..................59
patalastás | advertisement: enclitics...............................................................................................61
4. Aralín Apat: Sentences with a distinctly Filipino style .............................................................62
Useful phrases and conversations...................................................................................................62
Monthly activities ...........................................................................................................................63
Usapan: Nasa coche, papuntá sa lolo't lola .....................................................................................64
Exclamations ..................................................................................................................................65
Enclitic adverbs ..............................................................................................................................65
na, pa .............................................................................................................................................67
namán ............................................................................................................................................67
ngâ .................................................................................................................................................68
baká, yatà.......................................................................................................................................68
Enclitic adverbs in combination ......................................................................................................68
Mahalagáng pandiwà: gumawâ at gawín .........................................................................................70
Vocabulary: personality ..................................................................................................................74
Vocabulary: emotion .......................................................................................................................75
Sagót sa pagsasanay.......................................................................................................................76
Review and checklist.......................................................................................................................78
Fruit: Lanzones...............................................................................................................................79
Map: Central Visayas ......................................................................................................................80
History: Magellan's Cross................................................................................................................81
Tradition: Simbang-Gabi, Mass at Night, by Frank Cruzet, Filipino painter.....................................84
Recipe: Pinakbét .............................................................................................................................85
patalastás | advertisement: verbs of mind ......................................................................................87
 LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO xi
5. Aralín Limá: Introduction to the complex sentence .................................................................88
Useful phrases and conversations...................................................................................................88
Usapan: Sa bahay ng lolo't lola: pagmamano ..................................................................................89
Ang tatlóng kahilingan ni Julián, ni Rebecca Añonuevo ..................................................................90
Complex sentence ...........................................................................................................................92
Noun clause....................................................................................................................................97
Adjective clause ............................................................................................................................100
Adverb clause ...............................................................................................................................101
Mahalagáng pandiwà: Mag-isíp at isipin .......................................................................................103
Vocabulary: interaction.................................................................................................................105
Sagót sa pagsasanay.....................................................................................................................108
Review and checklist.....................................................................................................................109
Tradition: Pagmamano, by Frank Tonido, Filipino painter .............................................................111
Map: Davao ..................................................................................................................................112
Economy: Enterprise ....................................................................................................................113
6. Aralín Anim: Say what you think, part 1...............................................................................115
Yearly activities.............................................................................................................................115
Useful phrases and conversations.................................................................................................115
Ang tatlóng kahilingan ni Julián, bahagì dalawá (2) ......................................................................118
Grammar: Verbs of the mind or speech acts .................................................................................120
The monkey and the turtle: complex sentences with noun clauses................................................123
Saán and nasaán: where? .............................................................................................................124
Vocabulary: action or movement ...................................................................................................125
Sagót sa pagsasanay.....................................................................................................................129
Review and checklist.....................................................................................................................130
Song: Mabuhay.............................................................................................................................132
Children's Games: Luksóng Tiník .................................................................................................133
patalastás | advertisement: noun clauses.....................................................................................135
7. Aralín Pitó: Say what you think, part 2 .................................................................................136
Useful phrases and conversations.................................................................................................136
Ang tatlóng kahilingan ni Julián, bahagì tatló (3)..........................................................................137
Life cycle events, 1 ........................................................................................................................138
Usapan: Araw ng sueldo ...............................................................................................................141
xii LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO

Mahalagáng pandiwà: magsabi at sabihin.....................................................................................142

Vocabulary: time...........................................................................................................................143
Vocabulary: weather .....................................................................................................................145
Sagót sa pagsasanay.....................................................................................................................147
Review and checklist.....................................................................................................................148
Children:s Game: Tumbáng Preso.................................................................................................149
8. Aralín Waló: Describe somebody or something......................................................................151
Useful phrases and conversations.................................................................................................151
Ang tatlóng kahilingan ni Julián, bahagì apat (4) ..........................................................................152
Life cycle events, 2 ........................................................................................................................153
Adjective clause ............................................................................................................................153
Usapan: Sa banko ........................................................................................................................157
The monkey and the turtle: complex sentences with adjective clauses ..........................................158
Mahalagáng pandiwà: Tumingín at tignán ....................................................................................159
Vocabulary: commerce..................................................................................................................161
Vocabulary: measure ....................................................................................................................162
Sagót sa pagsasanay.....................................................................................................................165
Review and checklist.....................................................................................................................167
Children's Game: Taguán, Hide-and-Seek, by Belegal, Filipino painter..........................................168
Song: Bayan Ko, by Constancio de Guzman..................................................................................169
patalastás | advertisement: nang..................................................................................................174
9. Aralín Siyám: Relate two or more events in time ...................................................................175
Useful phrases and conversations.................................................................................................175
Usapan: Mayroón pa bang gasolina ang coche? ............................................................................176
Ang tatlóng kahilingan ni Julián, bahagì limá (5) ..........................................................................177
Nang: when...................................................................................................................................179
The monkey and the turtle: complex sentences with nang adverb clauses.....................................179
Habang: while...............................................................................................................................182
Bago: before..................................................................................................................................184
Tuwíng: while, whenever ...............................................................................................................186
Hanggáng: until ............................................................................................................................188
Mahalagáng pandiwà: magdalá at dalhín ......................................................................................189
Vocabulary: the body ....................................................................................................................191
 LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO xiii
Vocabulary: food ...........................................................................................................................195
Sagót sa pagsasanay.....................................................................................................................196
Review and checklist.....................................................................................................................199
Economy: Commercial Fishing......................................................................................................200
patalastás | advertisement: kasí ...................................................................................................203
10. Aralín Sampû: Say "because"................................................................................................204
Useful phrases and conversations.................................................................................................204
Usapan: sa department store ........................................................................................................205
Ang tatlóng kahilingan ni Julián, bahagì anim (6) .........................................................................206
Kasí: because................................................................................................................................208
Dahil: because ..............................................................................................................................211
The monkey and the turtle: complex sentences with dahil adverb clauses.....................................211
Gawâ ng: because .........................................................................................................................212
Yamang: since ..............................................................................................................................214
Mahalagáng pandiwà: magbigáy, ibigáy ang bigyán.......................................................................215
Vocabulary: entertainment............................................................................................................218
Sagót sa pagsasanay.....................................................................................................................219
Review and checklist.....................................................................................................................222
Cuisine: Embutido ........................................................................................................................224
Volcano: Kanla-on ........................................................................................................................225
patalastás | advertisement: kung .................................................................................................227
11. Aralín Labíng-Isá: Say "if" and "even if" .................................................................................228
Useful phrases and conversations.................................................................................................228
Ang tatlóng kahilingan ni Julián, bahagì pitó (7) ...........................................................................229
Kung and kapág: if .......................................................................................................................231
The monkey and the turtle: complex sentences with kung adverb clauses.....................................233
Kung hindî and kapág hindî: even if..............................................................................................234
Kahit: even ...................................................................................................................................235
ipag- .............................................................................................................................................237
ipang- ...........................................................................................................................................237
Vocabulary: condition or quality of things .....................................................................................238
Pagbasa: Mulâ sa Ebanghelyo ayon kay Juan ...............................................................................240
Sagót sa pagsasanay.....................................................................................................................241
xiv LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO

Review and checklist.....................................................................................................................244

Children's Toy: Yo-yo ....................................................................................................................245
Family Tradition: Grace before Meals ............................................................................................248
patalastás | advertisement: para ..................................................................................................250
12. Aralín Labíndalawá: Say "so that" .........................................................................................251
Useful phrases and conversations.................................................................................................251
Ang tatlóng kahilingan ni Julián, bahagì waló (8)..........................................................................252
Para: so that .................................................................................................................................253
Usapan: sa dentista ......................................................................................................................256
magpa- .........................................................................................................................................257
Vocabulary: the mind....................................................................................................................258
Build an abstract noun using a root word and an affix..................................................................261
Sagót sa pagsasanay.....................................................................................................................263
Review and checklist.....................................................................................................................264
Folk Dance: Sayáw sa Bangkô, Dance on a Bench ........................................................................265
Volcano: Mount Mayón .................................................................................................................266
13. Aralín Labíntatló: Wrap-up ...................................................................................................268
Useful phrases: life cycle events, 1 ................................................................................................268
Ang tatlóng kahilingan ni Julián, bahagì siyám (9)........................................................................269
Useful phrases and conversations.................................................................................................271
Review and checklist.....................................................................................................................272
Song: Maligayang Kaarawán, Happy Birthday ...............................................................................273
Children's Game: Tumbang-Preso .................................................................................................274
Folk Dance: Itík-itík ......................................................................................................................275
Historic Architecture: San Agustin Church ...................................................................................276
14. Appendix: Readings ..............................................................................................................279
The monkey and the turtle: Ang ulól na unggóy at ang marunong na pagóng................................279
Ang Tatlóng Kahilingan ni Julián ..................................................................................................284
15. Limited Filipino-English Vocabulary .....................................................................................300
16. Limited English – Filipino Vocabulary...................................................................................320
17. Some Frequently Used Phrases.............................................................................................340
18. Verbs....................................................................................................................................342
Filipino-English ............................................................................................................................342
 LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO xv
English-Filipino ............................................................................................................................347
Top 101 Filipino Words .................................................................................................................354
Pronouns: ang-case ......................................................................................................................354
Pronouns: ng-case ........................................................................................................................354
Pronouns: sa-case ........................................................................................................................354
Noun markers: ang-case ...............................................................................................................354
Noun markers: ng-case .................................................................................................................354
Noun markers: sa-case .................................................................................................................354
Plural marker ...............................................................................................................................354
Predicate marker ..........................................................................................................................354
Questions .....................................................................................................................................354
Demonstratives.............................................................................................................................354
Enclitics .......................................................................................................................................354
Conjunctions: coordinate ..............................................................................................................354
Conjunctions: subordinate............................................................................................................354
Comparators.................................................................................................................................355
Affirmation ...................................................................................................................................355
Existence ......................................................................................................................................355
Volition .........................................................................................................................................355
Time .............................................................................................................................................355
Place.............................................................................................................................................355
Adverbs ........................................................................................................................................355
Exclamation..................................................................................................................................355
Bibliography ....................................................................................................................................356
Grammar ......................................................................................................................................356
Dictionaries ..................................................................................................................................356
Filipino Literature, Culture and History ........................................................................................356
19. Index ....................................................................................................................................358
xvi LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO

Table of Figures
Figure 1-1: Focus: who, what is in the ang-case? ................................................................................................. 3
Figure 1-2: Focus: actor, object, beneficiary ......................................................................................................... 4
Figure 1-3. Basic Sentence Pattern 1 ................................................................................................................... 9
Figure 1-4. Basic Sentence Pattern 2 ................................................................................................................. 10
Figure 1-5. Basic Sentence Pattern 3 ................................................................................................................. 13
Figure 1-6. Basic Sentence Pattern 4 ................................................................................................................. 15
Figure 1-7: Lupang Hinirang, part 1 of 2, national anthem of the Philippines ..................................................... 19
Figure 1-8: Map of the Philippines. © 2006 Eugene Alvin Villar. Used by permission. ......................................... 21
Figure 2-1: Mayroón .......................................................................................................................................... 25
Figure 2-2: May ................................................................................................................................................. 26
Figure 2-3: Usapan: Sino ang kumain noóng adobo?.......................................................................................... 30
Figure 2-4: Gazebos and coconut trees, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Pilipinas.Photo © 2006 Christian Pulga............ 35
Figure 2-5: Kanyúng Kawayan, Bamboo Cannon, oil on canvas, by Romi MananQuil, Filipino painter. .............. 36
Figure 2-6: Map: National Capital Region. © 2006 Michael Philip Gonzalez. Used by permission......................... 37
Figure 2-7: Map of Manila, part 1 of 2. © 2006 Eugene Alvin Villar. Used by permission..................................... 38
Figure 2-8: Map of Manila, part 2 of 2. © 2006 Eugene Alvin Villar. Used by permission..................................... 39
Figure 3-1: Compound sentence ........................................................................................................................ 46
Figure 3-2: Compound sentence, again .............................................................................................................. 47
Figure 3-3: Focus: kumuha, kunin, kunan ........................................................................................................ 51
Figure 3-4: Orasyón, oil on canvas, by Romi MananQuil, Filipino painter. © 2005 Romi MananQuil. Used by
permission. At 6 o'clock in the evening, the church bells ring, inviting the faithful to recite the Angelus, the angel's
announcement to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus (Luke 1:26-37).......................................................... 59
Figure 4-1: Usapan: Pasalubong sa Lolo't Lola ................................................................................................... 64
Figure 4-2: Lazones, a fruit tree, Lansium domesticum, L, grown in Laguna, Camiguin and Negros Oriental
provinces., Photo © 2005 Michael Philip Gonzalez. Used by permission. ............................................................ 79
Figure 4-3: Central Visayas: Eastern Negros Island (Negros Oriental) , Cebu and Bohol. Map courtesy of and ©
Microsoft Corporation. ....................................................................................................................................... 80
Figure 4-4: Magellan's Cross in Old Town Cebu. Photo © 2005 Omar Olarte. Used by permission. A sign at the
foot of the cross reads: "Magellan's Cross: This cross of tindalo wood encases the original cross planted by
Ferdinand Magellan on this very site: April 21, 1521.......................................................................................... 81
Figure 4-5: "Maligayang Pasko" by Vicente Rubi (Nong Inting) ............................................................................ 82
Figure 4-6: Simbáng Gabí, by Frank Cruzet, Filipino painter. © 2005 Frank Cruzet. Used by permission. From
December 16 to 25, churches fill up with people at four in the morning to go to Mass. After Mass, churchgoers
enjoy delicious goodies like bibingka, puto, cuchinta, tamales, puto bumbong, turrones, and others................. 84
 LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO xvii
Figure 5-1: Usapan: Sa bahay ng lolo't lola: pagmamano.................................................................................... 89
Figure 5-2: Complex sentence 1 ......................................................................................................................... 94
Figure 5-3: Compound sentence: reviewed ......................................................................................................... 95
Figure 5-4: Complex sentence: two clauses ........................................................................................................ 95
Figure 5-5: Noun, adjective, adverb clause ......................................................................................................... 96
Figure 5-6: Noun clause..................................................................................................................................... 97
Figure 5-7: Noun clause, another....................................................................................................................... 98
Figure 5-8: Noun clause: conjunctions ............................................................................................................... 98
Figure 5-9: Adjective clause ..............................................................................................................................100
Figure 5-10: Adverb clause 1 ............................................................................................................................101
Figure 5-11: Adverb clause: WHEN ...................................................................................................................102
Figure 5-12: Welcome to Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental. Almost every town in the Philippines has a sign along the
highway that says you are entering their town and that you are welcome. Photo © 2006 Michael Philip Gonzalez.
Used by permission. .........................................................................................................................................110
Figure 5-13: Pagmamano, by Frank Tonido, Filipino painter. © 2005 Frank Tonido. Used by permission. Say
"Mano pô," as you take the elder's right hand with your right hand and touch it to your forehead. The elder says
"Kaawaán ka ng Diyós, anák. God bless you, child."..........................................................................................111
Figure 1-1: Davao. Photo courtesy of and © Microsoft Corporation. ...................................................................112
Figure 1-2: Jollibee is a Philippine-owned international burger chain. Photo © 2006 Michael Philip Gonzalez. Used
by permission. ..................................................................................................................................................113
Figure 6-1: Saán and nasaán: how to ask "where?" ...........................................................................................125
Figure 6-2: Filipino children sing "Mabuhay" before they release balloons at opening of Pista ng Pilipinas, Atlanta,
Georgia, June 11, 2006. Philippine Independence Day is celebrated anually on June 12th, the date in 1898 when
Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine independence. Photo © 2006 Victor Eclar Romero................................131
Figure 6-3: We say "Mabuhay!". The standard Filipino celebration song. Also sung right after a Philippine
president takes the oath of office.......................................................................................................................132
Figure 6-4: Luksóng Tiník, by Tony Doctor, Filipino painter. © 2006 Tony Doctor. Used by permission. ............133
Figure 6-5: Promenade along Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete City. Photo © 2006 Michael Philip Gonzalez. Used by
permission........................................................................................................................................................134
Figure 7-1: Complex sentence with noun clause 1.............................................................................................139
Figure 7-2: Complex sentence with noun clause 2.............................................................................................140
Figure 7-3: Araw ng sueldo ...............................................................................................................................141
Figure 7-4: Pansít Palabok, a favorite Filipino noodle dish with all the trimmings. Serve it at the next gathering of
your family or friends........................................................................................................................................148
Figure 7-5: Tumbang Preso, oil on canvas, by Belegal, Filipino painter. Courtesy of the owners, Gene and Menchu
Paz. Used by permission. ..................................................................................................................................149
Figure 8-1: Adjective clause ..............................................................................................................................154
xviii LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO

Figure 8-2: Adjective clause example.................................................................................................................155

Figure 8-3: Sa banko ........................................................................................................................................157
Figure 8-4: Adjective clause: another example...................................................................................................159
Figure 8-5: Tagúan, oil on canvas, by Belegal, Filipino painter. Courtesy of Gene and Menchu Paz, owners.......168
Figure 8-6: Bayan Ko, part 1 of 3, by Constancio de Guzman (1903 – 1983) ......................................................169
Figure 8-7: Bayan Ko, part 2 of 3 ......................................................................................................................170
Figure 8-8: Bayan Ko, part 3 of 3 ......................................................................................................................171
Figure 8-9: Intersection of Ayala Avenue and Buendia Avenue in Makati City. Photo © 2006 Michael Philip
Gonzalez. Used by permission...........................................................................................................................172
Figure 9-1: Usapan: Mayroón pa bang gasolina ang coche?...............................................................................176
Figure 9-2: Adverb clause: nang........................................................................................................................179
Figure 9-3: Adverb clause: habang ....................................................................................................................182
Figure 9-4: Adverb clause: bago ........................................................................................................................184
Figure 9-5: Compound sentence with tapos (then).............................................................................................186
Figure 9-6: Adverb clause: tuwíng.....................................................................................................................187
Figure 9-7: Focus: magdalá, dalhín, dalhán ......................................................................................................190
Figure 9-8: The day's catch in Estancia, Iloilo. Photo © 2006 Omar Olarte. Used by permission. The sea is a major
force in Filipino life. It is a resource for food, transportation and recreation. It is also a factor in the several
typhoons that pass through the archipelago each year and harm lives, crops and property. ..............................200
Figure 9-9: Siargao Island, on the Pacific Ocean, just north of Surigao, is a favorite surfer's destination. Photo ©
2006 Christian Pulga. Used by permission. .......................................................................................................201
Figure 10-1: Usapan: sa department store ........................................................................................................205
Figure 10-2: Adverb clause: kasí .......................................................................................................................209
Figure 10-3: Adverb clause: gawâ ng.................................................................................................................212
Figure 10-4: Focus: magbigáy, ibigáy, bigyán ....................................................................................................217
Figure 10-5: Katipunan Avenue, in Quezon City, just in front of the Ateneo de Manila University campus. Photo ©
2006 Michael Philip Gonzalez. Used by permission. ..........................................................................................223
Figure 10-6: Embutido, pork meat roll, prepared and served on special occasions. Photo © 2005 Victor Eclar
Romero.............................................................................................................................................................224
Figure 10-7: Mount Kanla-on, an active volcano, on Negros Island. Photo courtesy of Herbert Villarante. Used by
permission........................................................................................................................................................225
Figure 11-1: Adverb clause: kung......................................................................................................................231
Figure 11-2: Adverb clause: kapág ....................................................................................................................231
Figure 11-3: Adverb clause: kahit .....................................................................................................................235
Figure 11-4: Lumpia Shanghai, a must-have at every Filipino party. Photo © 2005 Victor Eclar Romero............244
Figure 11-5: Yo-yo, watercolor, by Art Cunanan, Filipino painter. © 2005 Art Cunanan. ...................................245
 LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO xix
Figure 11-6: A Filipino family at prayer before dinner, oil on canvas, by unspecified Filipino painter. Courtesy of
the painting's owners, Bill and Doyet Romero. ..................................................................................................248
Figure 12-1: Adverb clause: para ......................................................................................................................254
Figure 12-2: Adverb clause: para, another example ...........................................................................................255
Figure 12-3: Usapan: Sa dentista......................................................................................................................256
Figure 12-4: Sayáw sa Bangkô, Dance on a Bench, performed at the Pistá ng Pilipinas held on June 11, 2006, in
Atlanta, Georgia. Photo © 2006 Victor Eclar Romero. Used by permission. ........................................................265
Figure 12-5: Majestic Mount Mayón, an active volcano, in Albay province in the Bicol Region. Photo © 2005 Joe
Genduso. Used by permission. Mount Mayón is admired for its almost perfect cone-shape................................266
Figure 12-6: Puhagan Geothermal Power Plant in Valencia, Negros Oriental. Photo © 2006 Michael Philip
Gonzalez. Used by permission...........................................................................................................................267
Figure 13-1: "Tumbang-Preso," oil on canvas, by Filipino artist Belegal. Used by permission of the owners, Gene
and Menchu Paz. ..............................................................................................................................................274
Figure 13-2: Itík-itík. The dancers' movements mimic those of the ducklings that roam the rice fields. Photo taken
at Pistá ng Pilipinas, Philippine Festival held June 11, 2006 in Atlanta, GA. © 2006 Victor Eclar Romero..........275
Figure 13-3: Historic San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila, built between 1587 and 1606, is a World
Heritage Site and a favorite venue for weddings.................................................................................................276
Figure 13-4: A traditional wedding at San Agustin Church, in Intramuros, Manila. ...........................................277
Figure 14-1: Wooden trunk with ornate design from Ilocos. Courtesy of Bill and Doyet Romero. ........................283
Figure 14-2: Calesa, horse-drawn carriage. Courtesy of Gene & Menchu Paz.....................................................299
Figure 15-1: Manila Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Araneta-Cubao Station. Photo © 2006 Michael Philip Gonzalez. Used
by permission. ..................................................................................................................................................319
Figure 16-1: Sinulog Festival in Carmen, Cebu. Photo © 2006 Randie Ursal. Used by permission. The Sinulog is
the festival, on the third Sunday in January, in honor of Jesus, the Holy Child, Santo Niño in Spanish, celebrated
all over the Philippines, but most especially in Cebu. ........................................................................................339
Figure 18-1: A carabao, the dominant work animal in agricultural areas of the Philippines, used for plowing the
fields and providing fresh milk. Photo © 2005 Michael Philip Gonzalez. Used by permission..............................353
Figure 0-1: Masks on display during the Masskara Festival in Bacolod City in October 2005. Photo © 2005
Christian Pulga. Used by permission.................................................................................................................357
xx LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO

Tulóy pô kayó sa
Welcome to
Learn Filipino: Book Two
1. Aralín Isá: Basic sentence: review

Lesson goals

§ 1. Lesson goals. By the end of this aralín (lesson) you can expect to be able to:
• Refresh your previous learning of the four basic sentence patterns
• Review the all-important language-learning tools of verb focus and aspect
• Review the phrases to say when greeting or leaving family and friends
• Use verbs describing typical weekend activities
• Use everyday expressions such as "Nakita mo ba" and "Nasaán kayâ"

Useful phrases: weekly activities, 1

§ 2. Here is the first set of verbs for some typical activities we perform during the weekend. We will
see other verbs in Aralin Tatló (Lesson Three).
a. mag la ba, to wash clothes
b. ma ma lan cha, to iron (clothes)
c. mag tu pî (ng damít), to fold clothes
d. mag lig pít (ng damit), to put away clothes
e. mag li nis (ng bahay), to clean house
f. mag ta pon (ng basura), to take out the trash

Useful phrases and conversations

§ 3. Everyday sentences: Nakita mo ba? Here are some sentences we might say on an ordinary day:
Filipino English
1. Nakita mo ba ang aking (mga) susì? Have you seen my keys?
2. Hindî ko nakita. I didn't see (it). I didn't see (them).
2 LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO

Filipino English
3. Nasaán kayâ iyón? I wonder where it is.
4. Nasaán kayâ ang mga iyón? I wonder where they are.
5. Hindî ko alam. I don't know.
6. Nakita mo ba ang aking pitaka? Have you seen my wallet?
7. Nakita mo ba si Kikò? Have you seen Kikò?
8. Hindî ko siyá nakita. I didn't see him / her.
9. Nasaán kayâ siyá? I wonder where he / she is?
10. Saán kayâ siyá nagpuntá? I wonder where he / she went.
11. Nakita mo ba siná Kikò at Charina? Have you seen Kikò and Charina?
12. Hindî ko silá nakita. I didn't see them.
13. Saán kayâ silá nagpuntá? I wonder where they went.
14. Hindî namin alam. We (excl.) don't know.

Grammar. Balarilà: Focus

§ 4. Focus. Each Filipino verb expresses an action or a condition about somebody or something--its
subject. Focus can be on one of several things:
a. the actor or agent performing the action,
b. the object, patient or undergoer receiving the result or effect of the action and, sometimes,
c. the beneficiary (or victim) of the action.

§ 5. An easy way to grasp focus is to ask the question: "Which is the subject?" Is it the one
performing the action, or the one on the receiving end of the action, or the beneficiarry of the
action?

§ 6. In any case, the subject is always in the ang-case. Conversely, whichever is in the ang-case is
the subject.

§ 7. Actor focus. When the subject is the doer or agent of the action, we say the verb is an actor
focus verb. We learned this concept in Book One and had a lot of practice using it.
 LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO 3
§ 8. Object focus. When the subject is the receiver or object of the action, we say the verb is an
object-focus verb. This is similar to the passive voice in Western languages. We learned this
concept in Book One and had a lot of practice using it.

Figure 1-1: Focus: who, what is in the ang-case?

§ 9. Beneficiary focus. There are sentences when the subject is neither the agent nor the object of
the action but the beneficiary (or victim), the person or thing for whom the action is performed; we
say the verb is in beneficiary focus. I gave him a book. Binigyan ko siyá ng aklát. Focus is on the
beneficiary, siyá. Ko is the agent, ng aklat is the object. What turns out to be the indirect object in
English is the subject in Filipino. More examples below.
4 LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO

Figure 1-2: Focus: actor, object, beneficiary

§ 10. Mga halimbawà. Let's look at examples of actor, object and beneficiary focus.

Halimbawà Comment
1. Igagawâ ko si Kikò ng laruán. I will make a toy for Kikò. The subject is Kikò;
Kikò is in the ang-case. The doer of the
action is ko, "me"; ko is in the ng-case. The
object of the action is laruán, which is also in
the ng-case. Remember that the subject is
always in the ang-case; whatever is in the
ang-case is the subject.
2. Ipaglabá2 mo ngâ akó? Would you please wash clothes for me?
Would you please do the laundry for me?
3. Ipinaghugás3 ko siyá ng pinggán. I washed the dishes for her.
4. Ipamamalengke4 mo ba akó? Will you go to the market for me?
5. Ipagdarasal kitá. I will pray for you.
6. Ipinaglutò akó ni Charina. Charina cooked for me.

2 i pag la bá, v., b.f., to wash clothes for s.b.

3 i pag hu gás, v., b.f., to wash s.t. for s.b.
4 i pa ma leng ke, v., b.f., to go to the market for s.b. From pa leng ke, n., market, from Spanish.
 LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO 5
Halimbawà Comment
7. Ipagdadalá ka namin ng manggá. We will bring mangoes for you.
8. Ipananahî5 niya akó ng polo. She will sew a polo shirt for me.

Balarilà: Aspect

§ 11. Aspect. Each Filipino verb expresses an action or a condition in the a) past, b) present, c)
future or d) recent past. This verb property is called tense in Western languages. However,
linguists who study Filipino or Tagalog hesitate to use tense with Filipino verbs, because they do
not behave like Western-language verbs.6 Hence the term aspect. The present aspect is also called
imperfective aspect. The past aspect is also called perfective aspect.

§ 12. Present aspect. Use the present aspect to express action that: a) is happening now, b) happens
continually, c) was happening in the past or d) will be happening in the future. The present aspect
is also called imperfective aspect.

Usage of present aspect Halimbawà Comment

a. is happening now Si Amado ay naliligò. Amado is taking a bath.
b. happens continually Hindî ko gustó ng pansít. I don't like pansit. I like
Gustó ko ng lumpiâ. egg rolls.
c. was happening in the Natutulog si Kikò nang Kikò was sleeping when I
past dumatíng akó. came in. (This is a complex
sentence, which we will
study later in this book.)
d. will be happening in Natutulog na akó pag uwi I will be sleeping when you
the future mo mamayang gabi. come home tonight.

§ 13. Recent past aspect. Some Filipino verbs have the recent past aspect. Katatapos ko lang. I just

5 i pa na hî, v., b.f., to sew s.t. for s.b., like a dress or other article of clothing
6 In Filipino the action of a present-aspect verb: 1) could have happened in the past, 2) can be happening in the present and 3)
could happen in the future. Natutulog akó can be translated: 1) I was sleeping, 2) I sleep or I am sleeping, and 3) I will be
sleeping.
6 LEARN FILIPINO: BOOK TWO

finished. The recent past aspect is almost always used with the adverb lamang or its short form
lang. The verb comes first. There is no subject; there is no ang-case noun or prounoun. The doer
or agent of the action is in the ng-case.

Halimbawà Comment
1. Kararatíng lang ng mga batà. The children just came in. The children just
now arrived.
2. Kaaalís lang ng kartero. The postman just left. The postman left just
now.
3. Kabibilí lang namin ng bagong We just bought a new car. We bought a new
coche. car just recently.
4. Kagagawâ lang ng coche. The car just got repaired. The car got
repaired just recently.
5. Kababakasyón mo lang. You just got back from vacation. You went on
vacation just recently.
6. Maysakít akó noóng isáng linggó. I was sick last week. I just got well. I just
Kagagalíng ko lang. recently got well.
7. Kasasabi lang niyá. She said it just now.
8. Kauumpisá pa lang namin. We just got started. We got started just now.
9. Kagigising lang ni Charina. Charina just now woke up.
10. Kalalabás lang ng araw. The sun just now came out.

§ 14. Pagsasanay 1-1: Recent past aspect. Use the recent past aspect in the following sentences.

Pagsasanay Sagót (Answer)

1. I just made a cake. Kagagawâ ko lang ng kalamay.
2. They are not hungry. They just Hindî silá gutóm. Kakakain lang nilá.
ate.
3. I just finished a poem.7 Katatapos ko lang ng tulâ.
4. We (excl.) sang8 just now. Kakakantá lang namin.

7 tu lâ, n., poem

8 ku man tá, v., a.f., to sing