DUBAI: Hugots… what used to be “patutsada” in the old days, are expressions, more like sighs and heaves – “buntong hininga,” as they say – straight off one’s chest, and usually preceded or followed by that attention-catching word, “haaaayyyssssst!” mostly uttered with eyes staring at the heavens of the great unknown.
It’s saying one thing and meaning another; covering anything from paychecks to love life.
There’s humor in sarcasm. And that’s why hugots survive and actually get better with time like last week’s chicken pork adobo, described aptly as the staple OFW weekend indulgence in much the same way that hugots are the staples, themselves, of OFW life.
In this edition, and because it’s Christmas, we present to you the top 10 OFW hugots of the season:
10. Parol ka ba? Kasi all these years, ikaw pa rin ang nakasabit sa puso ko.
This especially goes to OFWs on a long-distance relationship where the festive season even more solidifies their love with promises of being physically together when the next one comes.
9) Malamig ang simoy ng hangin; gaya ng lamig mo sa akin.
While the “parol hugot” sounds more like two persons trying to keep the faith despite the distance, this one gives the plate to love on the rocks – that Christmas will save, inshallah!
8) Malamig na ang simoy ng hangin. Kailangan ko ng KAPE – oo, as in KAPErasong pagmamahal.
If the “parol hugot” was about LDR and the “simoy” was about a dying love, KAPE is that of being loveless on Christmas, hopefully “kape,” which is T agalog for coffee, can satiate that loneliness.
7) Single bells ang national anthem ng mga OFWs sa Pasko.
Taking its roots from the popular Christmas carol, “Jingle Bells,” single bells rings for more “kape.”
6) Ang sadness sa Christmas ay parang Pasko… lilipas din.
Here’s the bright side to being sad and lonely on Christmas: Like Christmas, it will pass away, just give it a day.
5) Ang diwa ng Pasko ay pang-Dubai, pero ang bulsa ko ay pa-China.
More like a money-hugot, this is about an OFW who wants to go shopping ala Dubai but only has money for less expensive copycat brands.
4) Bawal ang emotera sa pasko… lalo’t kung may pasok ka!
OFWs who have to be at work on Christmas Day find it odd to do so, especially the new ones who have grown used to staying home and having fun during this holiday. But the more seasoned ones, having been used to it, would just shrug it off: no time to emote.
3) Sa Paskong darating, kailangan mo ng insPERAsyon.
Now this should get OFWs going, a follow-thru to the “emotera hugot,” even the “pa-China” one, because while they need someone to keep warm with, they also need inspiration and money lumped in one: inspirasyon and pera.
2) Buti pa ‘pag simbang gabi, gising sya; pag sa‘kin hindi.
There are those who are alone during the Christmas holidays and there are those who are not but feels lonelier – simply put.
1) Sa Paskong darating, Santa Claus pala ay ako rin!
The top hugot of them all. The Santa role that OFWs find themselves doing during Christmas gives mixed feelings of joy and awe – joy because they are able to join in the spirit of Christmas; awe because they never thought they have that many relatives.
