Common Filipino Words/Phrases- Newton's Renovation Complete

Not in the List: Magandang Umaga, Hapon and Gabi- Good morning, Good Afternoon and Good Evening ( or night) respectively and Mahal Kita-I love You. 

In my previous postings, I wrote about Yiddish words, Basic Spanish words/phrases and Latin words that are part of today's  use of English. This posting is inspired based on my current living conditions here at THD- an Active Senior-living community. The Heritage Downtown ( (THD), Walnut Creek, has currently 121 senior residents. As far as I know, I am the only resident with Filipino ancestry. Some of my co-residents have past and recent connections with Filipino-Americans in the area, thus have some interest on Filipino culture and language. However, majority of my fellow residents here at THD, are not very knowledgeable about Filipino culture, language and traditions. Thus this posting.  

Here are ten popular Filipino ( Tagalog) words you may want to know.  Remember the Philippines have 8 major languages besides Tagalog and 87 other dialects. But Tagalog is the official language, besides English and Spanish.      

1. Kumusta? – This is a friendly greeting, similar to “How are you?” in English.

2. Salamat – This phrase means “thank you” in Tagalog and can express gratitude for any situation or favor.

3. Po/Opo – This is a polite form of “Yes” in Tagalog, usually used when addressing someone older than you.

4. Hindi po – This is the polite way to say “No” in Tagalog, usually when addressing someone older than you.

5. Paki – This is the Tagalog word for “please” and can be used to request a favor or ask a question.

6. Sige – This term is similar to “okay” in English and can be used to agree to something or give permission.

7. Sorry/Paumanhin – This is the Tagalog word for “sorry” and can be used to apologize or express regret.

8. O, sige – This phrase combines both “okay” and “yes” in Tagalog, so it can be used to indicate 

9. Mabuti – This is the Tagalog word for “good” and can be used to describe something positive or express approval of an idea.

10. Ingat (Be careful) – A phrase of caution, often used when making an important decision or taking risks, with something or give permission.

The Philippines is excellent at service outsourcing and have a tight hold on the English language. Despite this, they continue to speak Filipino as their main form of communication.

To build successful business relationships with Filipinos, it is key that you learn some of their languages. This shows that you are willing to collaborate and make them feel like part of the team rather than just another employee – which will go a long way in building rapport.

For Details and other common Filipino words( Tagalog) read the following:

https://currandaly.com/27-filipino-words-and-phrases-you-should-know-when-working-with-filipinos/

Personal Note: I can speak and write besides English, two other languages, Tagalog and Hiligaynon ( Ilongo dialect). I can read and understand a little Spanish, but have written only one short poem in Spanish as a project in my Spanish Class in College, UP in the Philippines.

I was born in the Philippines on December 20, 1934. I went to graduate school at the University of Illinois, Chicago  to obtain my Ph.D Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1960. I was just 26 years old then. For the rest of my story read: https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/08/excerpts-from-my-autobiography-updated.html

Good Day to All!  Maraming Salamat Sa Inyong Lahat! Thank You Very Much to All!  

Personal Note:  Renovation of Newton's is expected to be completed this weekend. Unofficial rumors have circulated that we will have our Sunday Brunch at the Newly Renovated Dining and Kitchen Area. I also heard that the huge plastic tree in the Center of the Dining Room is gone. Hopefully, it will be replaced by a circular table for 6 as suggested by a few residents that I posted in my recent blogs. I am still waiting for a solution to reduce the noise levels at Dinner time in Newton's Restaurant. Kudos to THD management for a very successful renovation and maintenance project of the Kitchen area with minimal interruptions and provision for delicious meals during this transition period of 3 weeks.     

Basic Spanish Words and Phrases Words You Should Know

In my previous postings I wrote on popular Yiddish and Latin words/phrases. I received numerous positive response from my blog readers locally and other parts of the world. Today it will be Basic Spanish words. Here at THD, all our Kitchen Crew, Servers, Housekeeping Staff, Maintenance/ Landscaping Employees speak Spanish in their daily conversation. I understand some of what they are talking if they speak slowly. Sometimes I would greet them in my basic knowledge of Spanish and they appreciate it.  My knowledge of Spanish is from College.  However, my mother during my teenager years in the Philippines sometimes talk to us kids in Spanish along with our local dialect- Hiligaynon.   Here are some basic Spanish words you should probably know.

• ¡Gracias! — Thank you!
• ¡Muchas gracias! — Thank you very much!
• ¡De nada! — You’re welcome! / No problem!
• Por favor — Please (generally used at the end of a sentence)
• ¡Perdon! — Excuse me!
• ¡Disculpe! — Excuse me! (to apologize in advance for being a bit of a bother)
• ¡Lo siento! — Sorry! (to apologize for a mistake)

• Buenos días — Good morning
• Buenas tardes — Good afternoon
• Buenas noches — Good evening / Good night

• ¿Qué hora tienes? — What time is it?
• ¿De dónde viene? — Where are you from?
• ¿Dónde vives? — Where do you live?
• ¿Puede ayudarme? — Can you help me?
• ¿Podría ayudarle? — Can I help you?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta eso? — How much does it cost?
• ¿Qué hora tienes? — What time is it?
• ¿Entiende? — Do you understand?
• ¡Puede repetirlo! — Can you say that again?

I hope you find this posting helpful and practice your Spanish to our Servers Here at THD and your Housekeeping Ladies.  

For Details and other common words and phrases visit the website below:    

https://preply.com/en/blog/basic-spanish-words-and-phrases/

Personal Note and Suggestion to THD Management:  I have received suggestion on the seating arrangement in Newton's from several residents as follow: (After our successful transition from Newton to the Yoga Room and Surroundings during the Newton's Maintenance and Renovation).  

Exchange a few of the square tables for 4 ( currently in Newton's) to the round table for 6 ( from the activity Room). I agree with the suggestion because a better and wider socialization at dinner time is accomplished with the Table of 6. 

The  Square table for 4 is  perfect for Bridge Games and Mahjong Games. There is currently a Bridge Game every Day except Saturday and a Mahjong at Churchill's Pub on Thursday-  not a spacious space for 2 tables. Playing bridge and Mahjong at the Activity Room would be ideal. Thus a table for 4 in the Activity Room is highly desirable.         

Meanwhile here are 3 photos taken by Martha R. at yesterday's Rodeos Cowboy Dinner. Muchas Gracias Martha. 

 

Early Morning Shadows in My Bedroom- An Original Poem

Early Morning Shadows in My Bedroom Ceiling and Wall from my Nite Light- September 4, 2024

I woke up at 3:30AM this morning.  The Shadows in My Bedroom Ceiling and Wall from my nite light appeared like a black angel of Doom( see photo above), but it did not scare me at all.  Instead it inspired me to write the following poem( in ten minutes time), then I went back to sleep and did not wake up until 8:30AM. And as usual I did my daily blogs in 30 minutes before breakfast at Newton's. 

Early Morning Shadows in My Bedroom,

Telling me what to Do and Not to Do;

But my aging body and diminishing libido, 

Refuses to admit:  and longing for memories of vigor of Decades Ago.

Early Morning Shadows in My Bedroom,

Please tell me what is the right thing to Do;

Continue rumination of the Pangs of Loneliness,

Or just Ignore it and Just say, Go! Go! Go! 

Early Morning Shadows in My Bedroom,

Hallelujah! My Mind is Now Clear of what to do,

Because I just woke up ten minutes ago! 

Here's one more shot of the Morning Shadows in My Bedroom Walls and Ceiling from My Nite Light-A Bubblegram Photo of Me and Macrine ( RIP). The shadow in the Wall looks more clear compared to the first photo above.   

This photo shows the shadows in both the walls and Ceiling of My Bedroom

My Bubblegram Photo of Me and Macrine(RIP)-A Nite Light in My Bedroom.

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of Batman & Robin, I took the other day.

Look at those beautiful Green Eyes!!! 

and my Rocks: 

A Letter of Gratitude from John and Carol Larimore

Yesterday I received the following letter from John Larimore. John is one of the 121 residents here at THD. He requested that I post this letter in my blogs. John, it is with great pleasure and honor to grant your request.  Here's the letter addressed to all of the hardworking Staff of our community. 

In honor of Labor Day, I wanted to express my gratitude for all of the wonderful hardworking staff here at THD, who, all together, have enriched our community.  I don't want to single anyone out or mention any specific names. 

I offer my deep and sincere outpouring of appreciation first for the concierge staff, who cheerfully and faithfully answer the phone, provide guidance and answer questions, greet residents and guests alike, perform rounds, and engage in a myriad of tasks, seen and unseen, that ensure our wellbeing.

I enjoy so much, from the activities staff, not only the fun and enriching events and pursuits available to us daily, but also the joy, enthusiasm, and fun they exude.

To the leasing and resident relations staff, I extend a hearty THANK YOU for all you have done and continue to do to make Carol, me, and so many others feel at home.

To the maintenance staff, I declare that their readiness to help and their availability to do such things as replace lightbulbs, repair things in our apartments that aren't working quite right and explain how appliances work make living in Carol's and my apartment a comfort and security.

Finally, kudos to our wonderful cooks and dining room staff who, during the remodeling of Newton's, have continued, without letup, to provide a great assortment of tasty meals and kind, compassionate, and efficient service to us all!

If I have left anyone out, I express my deepest apologies!  My intent is to honor everyone and express thinks from the bottom of my heart.!

With love and gratitude, John Larimore

Personal:  I concur 100% with this letter. May I add the that Kitchen Crew and Servers have done an excellent job during the 3-weeks of Newton's Renovation and Maintenance. Eating outdoors with fellow residents in perfect weather is one of the pleasures I will never forget during my stay here at THD.  In addition allow me to thank all my Readers/Commentators of my daily blogs, specially to those of you who gave positive responses either in written or verbal form. I will not mention names, but you know who you are. Your comments inspire me to continue blogging not only to inform but perhaps enhanced your sense of community and belonging here at THD. 

I am delighted also to mention the hard work of our van drivers, Joseph, Nancy and Ralph. Last but not least are the hardworking Housekeeping Staff, who are patient not only in cleaning our apartments, but also public areas such as the hallways, the library and public bathrooms, the Gym and the Yoga Room and the Cinema.  I almost forgot, the good work of our landscaping crew and contractors are indeed well appreciated.  Muchas Gracias por todo!  

Popular Latin Phrases You Should Know

In my last posting, I wrote about Yiddish Words, I have never heard before. I received a few positive comments from my readers here at THD as well as from my readers all over the world.  One of my readers suggested I write on popular latin words and phrases that are popular today.  Here are some examples. 

• Famous Latin Phrases you need to know
  • Veni, vidi, vici. — I came, I saw, I conquered.
  • Alea iacta est. — The die has been cast.
  • Carpe diem. — Seize the day.
  • Cogito, ergo sum. — I think, therefore I am.
  • In vino veritas. — In wine, there is truth.
  • Et tu, Brute? — “And you, Brutus?”
  • Acta, non verba. — Deeds, not words.
  • Carthago delenda est. — Carthage must be destroyed.

At the bottom of the page is the website listing more latin words and phrases for your reading pleasure. 

https://www.mondly.com/blog/cool-latin-phrases/

Meanwhile enjoy list of words from my FB readings the other day.

Personal Note:  I took Latin Classes (101 and 102) during my 1st year in college, a prerequisite subject in my Pre-Med Class. However, today all that knowledge is gone and only a few Latin words are in my aging memory. 

Good Day To All! Bonam fortunam et in die enim bona

Rock Art- Another Activity Here at THD

Yesterday, THD hosted another activity that I have not participated before( see brochure above). To my surprise, I enjoyed the 30 minutes of creative activity. I was able to paint 4 small rocks. It took another 20 minutes to dry.  On the other hand the experienced rock artists in our group spent at least one hour for one rock, but of course the result of their creation is more refined and detailed than mine. I have no patience in details, so rock art is not for me, I will stick to my daily blogs, bridge and mahjong if I get bored during the week.    

I took some photos of the art work of my fellow senior residents. A couple of residents were former art teachers but a few of us were newbies. 

I took some photos during the event. Afterwards I took home my 4 rock creations and placed them in my rock garden. They do not look too bad, but compared to the creations of the semi-pro art teachers, my creation look like the work of a 5-year old kid, However, I felt accomplished and should get a "shout-out" for just trying. 

Here are some of the photos I took during and after this activity.  

My 3 Creations In 30 Minutes- Ugly but colorful  

The rock art creation of a former art teacher- one hour of patient work. She was trying to copy the design in the napkin to her rock.   

Some of the Residents have art in their cell phone to copy~

My 3 rock creations after I placed it in my small cacti terrarium

The color of the Philippine Flag-Red, White and Blue

My 4th rock art was the color of the Philippine Flag-Red,White and Blue

One Resident was copying from a commercial rock art she had purchased before

  Thank You THD Activity Director ( Leslie) for hosting this Activity.