*Filipinism - literal translation of Pilipino words into English.
> fall in line = get in line
> "fill up" the form = "fill out" the form
> for a moment = hold on
> for a while = hold on; wait
> open the light = turn on the light
> close the light = turn off the light
> CR = bathroom
> malling = window shopping
> bottomless = refillable
> take home = to-go / take-out
> aircon = air conditioner / AC
> Colgate = toothpaste
{Only in the Philippines...}
FALL IN LINE = QUE UP
Signs that say, "fall in line" are posted everywhere, but yet Pilipinos refuse to que up. Patrick and I had dealt with people cutting us in line (fast food restaurants, government offices and grocery stores) several times and let it go in the past, but now we know better. We've learned to speak up and let the person know where the back of the line is. Many of the other people get mad when others cut in line, but refrain from saying anything because most Pilipinos are passive-aggressive and are not confrontational. Pilipinos are "hiya" (shame) so they refuse to speak up even though they know others are in the wrong. People who cut in line will continue to cut in line unless someone speaks up to them.
PAYING
Stores, even the big grocery stores, seem to always not have any change in their registers throughout the day. And half the time, ATM cards cannot be used because the "system is offline. So remember, carry cash and plenty of small bills.
FREE is NOT really FREE
Free parking is common at malls, but it's not really free when you have to pay the "parking boys" who try and help you in and out of your parking space. I want to emphasize on the word "TRY" because half the time, the "parking helpers" make it more difficult to back into the parking spot. It's optional until one of them chases you down to make sure you "pay" for using the parking space.
FEE for EVERYTHING
Packages are sent to us; to my two boys specifically, from friends and family from the States through the Post Office. What I don't understand is why we have to pay P100 to pick our package from our local Post Office when shipping cost has already been paid in full back in the States. And to make things worst, it cost P200 to get the package delivered to my door if I opt that option of having it delivered by the postman. I can only assume that this unnecessary fee is the workers' "merienda" (mid-afternoon snack) money for the day.
This past Monday the family and I applied for our Philippine Passport. Before going to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, we made sure we had all required paperwork and brought several copies, just in case. After our application has been approved, stamped and signed by officials, we were asked to make copies of it. Yes, we had to make copies... for them, which costs us P4 each when it should be their job to do so for filling purposes. And paying P950 for a Philippine Passport is no longer an option unless you're a senior citizen. The DFA is forcing everyone else to pay a total of P1200 for "rush processing" of a Philippine Passport. AND... passports can be delivered by LBC for a fee of P120 each. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the fee my family and I also had to pay to have our passport application filled out by a local travel agency which was P300 each.
When we arrived in the Philippines in 2013, Patrick and I wanted to get a drivers license so we had identification with our local address. Did you know that for a fee, you can have your Philippine driver's license personally delivered to you by the end of the day you applied for it and only having to show up to take a picture at the LTO. And if you're worried about the written test, pay a fee for a form that has the right answers already filled out. There's no point in worrying about the actual driving test because it's nothing like the 'real world.' The test is exactly like a mini go-kart track; with four left turns, a speed bump and a small bridge. No parking skills required. It's no wonder why the driving here in the Philippines is terrible; nobody follows traffic lights, speed limits, and nobody uses their headlights, signal lights or look before changing lanes. You know you're in the Philippines when you see a 2-lane road become 5-lanes and cars making a left turn from the right most lane. If you get pulled over, you just pay the traffic enforcer / police a small fee and you can be on your way to break another traffic rule!
TAWAD (barter)
There's no such thing as FINAL PRICE, there's always room for "tawad." Patrick found a jersey stand at our local mall. During Christmas time, the football jersey he was eyeing (Steelers) cost P350. Already a good price, but decided to wait until after the new year to purchase. Last week, we went back for it, the guy told Patrick that the jersey was P250. I then asked the seller, "Kuya, walang tawad?" We got it for P200! YES!
Last month, PeeJay begged DaDa to take us all to the beach. Since PeeJay had winter break, Patrick agreed! We headed back to our favorite boat raft beach in Batangas because we all really enjoyed it last time we were there especially taking the pedal boats out in the corals to feed the fishes up close! Before turning into the barrio/baranggay of Matabungkay beach, we were already stopped by a man offering us to see the resort they have for renting. I told him that I was only going to pay P1,500 for everything and he agreed so we followed him towards their beach spot. We got their place, it was nice; newer rafts, clean sand and not much crowd around. The guy told the owner of the raft what we were willing to pay, then he started adding other expenses to the original P1,500 we agreed on earlier. I reminded him that P1,500 was all my husband was willing to pay for everything; boat raft, life vests for the kids, and the unlimited use of pedal boats to go out to the corals for the fishes. The guy then informed me that the use of the pedal boats were a separate fee so I signaled to Patrick that it was time to walk away. Off course, they followed us back to our vehicle saying that we won't be able to get anything for P1,500. Boy, were they wrong, because we drove a few kilometers down the road and voila... P1,500 for everything!
One time, my older cousin, Ate, accompanied me to the open market in Binan to pick up a few items like Pilipino shirts (Kamiseta de Chino) for Patrick and treats for the boys. We took the Jeepney which costs us P8.50 each from the entrance of our subdivision (Filinvest) to our destination. On our way home, we knew that we won't be able to make it on time to pick up PeeJay from school if we took the Jeepney so we decided to take a tricycle instead. One tricycle driver parked just outside the market immediately asked us if we needed a ride. Ate asked him right away how much to Filinvest. The driver said, P60. Ate told him P40 as she quickly walks away with me close behind her. Then the driver yells out... "sige, 40 pesos na lang!" We hopped on and got to PeeJay's school with two minutes to spare!
