Filipino Tapestry: Tagalog Language through Culture

3. Pamilya (Family)

35 Pamilya Family OBJECTIVES • Use objective pronouns in lieu of their noun-phrase equivalents. • Describe your own family using Filipino. • Understand family relationships in the Philippines and the place of the family in Filipino society. OPENING PHOTO Filipino family On your own: Use the following diagram to write down similarities and differences between Filipino and American families. Small group/in-class: Use the following table to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of independence and interdependence. Ano ang ayaw mo? Ano ang gusto mo? Ayaw Gusto Independent Interdependent 3 36 Filipino Tapestry Glossary pamilya – family nanay – mother tatay – father lolo – grandfather lola – grandmother tito – uncle tita – aunt anak/mga anak – child/children panganay – eldest bunso – youngest kuya – older brother ate – older sister pinsan – cousins kamag-anak – relatives inaanak – godchild ninong – godfather ninang – godmother pagmano – blessing acquired by placing an elder’s hand on one’s forehead matalik na kaibigan – best/close friend pagmamahal sa pamilya – love of family utang na loob – debt of gratitude miyembro ng pamilya – member of the family marami – many masaya – happy matulungin – helpful trabaho – employment magtrabaho – to work nars – nurse doctor – doctor guro – teacher inhinyero – engineer mangangalakal – businessperson sekretarya – secretary maybahay – homemaker CULTURAL NOTE The family is the most basic and fundamental unit of Filipino society. Like many Asians, Filipinos regard loyalty and respect within the family to be among their most important cultural values. Historically, populations in the Philippines have tended to organize themselves into broadly defined clans and familial social and political networks. Precolonial Tagalogs, for example , recognized cousins up to the seventh degree. Extended family members in most parts of the islands often live together in a cluster of houses and usually consider all of these familial dwellings as “home.” Respect for one’s elders provides the social structure for most Filipino families. Fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older siblings all have affectionate titles of respect that indicate and acknowledge their seniority. Although the formal terms for “father” and “mother” are ina and ama, respectively, many Tagalog speakers use the more familiar and affectionate nanay or inay and tatay or itay. This is comparable to the English use of “mom” or “dad” as opposed to “mother” and “father.” Grandmothers and grandfathers are referred to as lola and lolo, while aunts and uncles are generally called tia or tita and tio or tito. Among siblings, special care is taken to always refer to older brothers and sisters by their appropriate titles. Older brothers are addressed as kuya and older sisters as ate. While these designations can be used by themselves, they are often employed prior to the person’s name – for example, Kuya Roland or Ate Belen. What is important is that speakers acknowledge a person’s seniority . Hence, these appellations are also typically used when speaking to individuals who are not 37 Pamilya necessarily family. A respectful Tagalog speaker will almost always address an elderly woman on the street, for example, as lola (e.g., Magandang araw, Lola). Proscribed roles are also an important part of Filipino families. Traditionally, mothers run the household and manage financial affairs while fathers earn the family’s income. Although it is also correct to say that mothers are primarily in charge of tending to children, child care is often a family affair, with aunts, uncles, grandparents, and older siblings bearing much of the load. In urban areas, however, among upper- and upper-middle-class families it is increasingly common for mothers to find employment outside the home. These women can usually afford to hire a katulong (domestic helper) or yaya (nanny) to care for the children. Though broadly inclusive, the family is the cornerstone of Filipino society and tends to define an individual more than any other factor. Employment, location, and even marriage are largely determined within the scope of one’s family. It serves as patron, social safety net, and even at times a disciplinary council. GUIDED CONVERSATION On your own: Read and listen to the following dialogs. Practice reciting the lines. Translate the words you know and compare your translation with that of a partner. Ang Pagbabalikbayan ni Nanay Tatay: Darating ang nanay sa pasko. Dito siya sa Pilipinas magpapasko. Anak 1: Sana hindi makalimutan ni nanay ang sapatos ko. Anak 2: Sana bumili si nanay ng maraming tsokolate. Anak 3: Sana bumili siya ng maraming T-shirts. Tatay: Ay naku! Huwag kayong mag-alala. Sigurado kong marami kayong pasalubong. Ang...