This year’s “Buwan ng Wika” is coming to a close, but nationalism and patriotism are alive as Filipinos’ official language gets recognition to the international scene.
Oxford English dictionary’s recent update showed that 10 uniquely Filipino and Filipino-coined English words are currently recognized as part of the English language.
Here is a list of some Filipino words that are now part of the English language:
Balikbayan (n.)
A Filipino visiting or returning to the Philippines after a period of living in another country.
Bahala na (excl.)
Expressing an attitude of optimistic acceptance or fatalistic resignation, especially in acknowledging that the outcome of an uncertain or difficult situation is beyond one’s control or is preordained
Barkada (n.)
A group of friends.
Baon (n.)
Money, food, or other provisions taken to school, work, or on a journey.
Comfort room (n.)
(Originally) a room in a public building or workplace furnished with amenities such as facilities for resting, personal hygiene, and storage of personal items (now rare); (later) a public toilet (now chiefly Philippine English).
Kilig (adj.)
Exhilarated or elated by an exciting or romantic experience.
KKB (excl.)
”Kanya-kanyang bayad’, lit. ‘each one pays their own’, used especially to indicate that the cost of a meal is to be shared.
Pasalubong (n.)
A gift or souvenir given to a friend or relative by a person who has returned from a trip or arrived for a visit.
Presidentiable (n.)
A person who is a likely or confirmed candidate for president.
Teleserye (n.)
A television soap opera.
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