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INTRODUCTION TO FILIPINO LANGUAGE, ‘TAGALOG’

One of the most beautiful truths about Tagalog (and Filipino culture in general):

Family- and Community-Centered Language

1.Kinship Terms as Everyday Speech

•Words like Kuya (older brother), Ate (older sister), Tito (uncle), Tita (aunt), Lolo (grandfather), Lola (grandmother) aren’t just for relatives — they’re used for anyone older as a form of respect.

•Example: You might call your neighbor Tita even if she isn’t your aunt, because she cares for you like family.

2.Politeness Particles (po/opo)

•These tiny words show humility and respect, especially to elders.

•They carry the family value of “paggalang” (respect), woven right into the language.

3.Communal Concepts

•Bayanihan (working together), pakikisama (harmonious getting along), and utang na loob (debt of gratitude) are all core Filipino values expressed in language.

•These words highlight interdependence, not individualism.

4.Inclusive Speech

•Phrases often use “tayo” (we) or “lahat” (all), emphasizing togetherness.

•Example: “Mabuhay tayong lahat!” → “Long live all of us!”

⸻

✨ So yes — Tagalog/Filipino is more than just vocabulary. It’s a linguistic reflection of culture: family ties, community bonds, respect for elders, and the spirit of bayanihan.

LIST OF FILIPINO WORDS USED IN KEYNOTE

Adobo – A signature Filipino dish made by marinating and simmering meat (usually chicken or pork) in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaf, and peppercorn. Considered the unofficial national dish of the Philippines.

Ate

• Means “Older Sister.”
• Like Kuya, it’s used for real sisters or for older female friends/relatives.
• Shows respect, love, and deference.
• Example: “Ate Maria, sama mo ako.” → “Older sister Maria, let me join you.”

Baon – Provisions or packed food, often prepared for school, work, or a trip. Parents commonly prepare baon for their children’s school lunch.

Bayanihan – The spirit of communal unity, cooperation, and helping one another. Traditionally, it referred to neighbors literally lifting a house together using bamboo poles. Today, it symbolizes teamwork and solidarity.

Chismis – Filipino word for gossip or small talk about other people’s affairs.

Grabe ka – Literally “You’re intense” or “You’re too much.” Depending on tone, it can be playful (teasing) or serious, similar to saying “Wow, you’re really something” in English.

Kababayans – Fellow countrymen or townsfolk; people from the same place. Often used affectionately to mean “my fellow Filipinos.”

Kuya

• Means “Older Brother.”
• Used not only for an actual brother but also for any older male relative, friend, or even a respected peer.
• Shows respect and affection.
• Example: “Kuya Mark, tulungan mo ako.” → “Older brother Mark, please help me.”

Lola – Grandmother. A respectful and affectionate Filipino word for grandma, also sometimes used for older women in the community.

Lolo – Grandfather. A respectful and affectionate Filipino word for grandpa, also sometimes used for older men in the community.

Lumpia – Filipino spring rolls, usually filled with vegetables and/or meat. Can be fried (crispy) or fresh (wrapped in soft crepes). A common dish at Filipino gatherings.

Magluto – To cook. (Root word luto = “cooked”; prefix mag- makes it an action word.)

Mabuhay – A Filipino greeting or exclamation that means “Live!” or “Long live!” It is used as “Welcome,” “Cheers,” or “Long live [someone/something].”

Mabuhay FACSC – “Long live FACSC!” or “Cheers to FACSC!” A celebratory phrase honoring the Filipino American Community of Southern Colorado.

Mabuhay tayong lahat – “Long live all of us” or “May we all live and thrive.” A unifying phrase that includes everyone in the celebration.

Maraming salamat po = “Thank you very much (with respect).”

Opo / Po – Respectful terms used when addressing elders or people of authority. Po is added to sentences to show politeness, and Opo is the polite way to say “yes.”

Pancit – A noodle dish, usually stir-fried, influenced by Chinese cuisine. Served at birthdays and celebrations because it symbolizes long life and prosperity.

Talaga – Means “really” or “truly.” Can express surprise, doubt, or affirmation depending on tone. Example: “Talaga?” = “Really?”

Tinikling – one of the most famous traditional Filipino dances, often considered the national dance of the Philippines

• Performed by two people who beat, tap, and slide bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in a rhythmic pattern.

• Dancers step in and out of the moving poles with light, quick, graceful footwork, imitating the movement of the tikling bird (a long-legged bird that nimbly avoids bamboo traps in the rice fields).

Tito

• Means “Uncle” (your parents’ brother or male friend/relative).
• Also used as a respectful title for any older man in the community, even if not related.
• Example: “Si Tito Juan ay darating sa handaan.” → “Uncle Juan is coming to the party.”

Tita

• Means “Aunt” (your parents’ sister or female friend/relative).
• Similarly used for older women in the community, not only blood relatives.
• Example: “Si Tita Maria ang magluluto ng pancit.” → “Aunt Maria will cook the pancit.”

TRANSCRIPT 

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TYPO NOTES:

1. Slide 4:  Title:  ‘Festival’

2.  Slide 11: (third bullet):  “Hall-of-Fame”

UPDATE

Created using FlowPaper Flipbook Maker ↗

Below is an example using fliphtml5 platform:

In the 15 Sep STEAM-TEAMS meeting and future meetings until Oct 2025, the members of IEEE-PPS are planning the participation and preparation of Cool Science Carnival Day (Sep 27, 2025, Saturday) and Cool Science Festival (Sep 27- Oct 12, 2025). Please visit https://coolscience.org and https://r5.ieee.org/pikespeak/ and https://r5.ieee.org/pikespeak/steam-teams-notes.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Demos are presented to empower each member of the IEEE Pikes Peak Section.

IEEE TryEngineering

To empower you even more here are some resources from Try-Engineering:

• https://tryengineering.org/explore-resources/game
• https://tryengineering.org/explore-resources/engineering-disciplines/
• https://tryengineering.org/explore-resources/collections/semiconductors/
• https://tryengineering.org/news/introducing-global-classroom-visits-from-tryengineering
• https://cricketmedia.com/tryengineeringtogether

Here is a excellent overview of the sources given at TryEngineering by their current leadership:  Airmeet: Jumpstart Your Year With TryEngineering’s Resources for Educators

Below are selected videos about the Philippines and positions IEEE as a means to amplify his culture as viewed from one perspective by Dr. John Santiago.  The videos intend to provide insight in how interested young Filipino Americans and students who are interested in entering engineering or other STEAM fields can navigate between American and Filipino Cultures.

Here are more playlists of videos about the Philippines:

(41) VI3ION – YouTube