This article is dedicated to telling every location in Filipino. Please be informed that before every word listed below, the speakers add the word sa which marks the next word as an adverb of place. It is very similar in use to the English word in. In English, we always encounter the word the after the in (in the…). In Filipino, the word ang is the equivalent of the, but it is not used in this way. Ang is used for the subjects and the objects in the sentences and not in adverbs of place.

Four cardinal points in Filipino

Below, we have here enumerated the four basic cardinal points. However, since the Philippines have several provinces which have Spanish names (along with are the words like norte and sur), I will include these Spanish terms for directions in this article. Notice that I did not add the Spanish for east and west. This is because they are not used in the Philippines. Instead, there are words oriental which is eastern or the orient and occidental which means western used in Philippine provinces.

Hilaga/Norte – North

Timog/Sur – South

Silangan – East

Kanluran – West

The in betweens (cardinal points)

The point that we will be discussing in this next group of directions are the variations in southern areas. Katimugang is derived from timog which we already know as south. The affixes ka and an (note that the g attached is used as modifier) are used to mean a certain place. Remember that there are some words which do not have ka in the end to mean a place and just have an alone is attached. As for the timug, Filipino tends to change sounds depending on the nearby sound for better blending.

Hilagang silangan – Northeast

Hilagang kanluran – Northwest

Timog silangan – Southeast

Timog kanluran – Southwest

Katimugang silangan – Variation of southeast

Katimugang kanluran – Variation of southwest

More specific directions (cardinal points)

About this next group, it is common to hear this in weather news in the local media.

Hilaga hilagang silangan – NNE

Silangan hilagang silangan – ENE

Hilaga hilagang kanluran – NNW

Kanluran hilagang kanluran – WNW

Timog timog silangan – SSE

Silangan timog silangan – ESE

Timog timog kanluran – SSW

Kanluran timog kanluran – WSW

Different locations in Filipino

Below are some of the words indicating locations in Filipino. I further sort them to clarify that there are root words that are used in adverbs of place without having affixes attached (like the basic cardinal points).

Taas – Up

Baba – Down

Labas – Outside

Loob – Inside

Gilid – Side

Tabi – Beside

Sunod – Next

Kanan – Right

Kaliwa – Left

Gitna – Center or Middle

Harap – Front

Likod – Rear or Back

Below are some of the words indicating locations in Filipino which have affixes to it. Look at the words above and below. They are derived from the words up and down which are listed above. The prefix i is attached. These two are also used as imperative verbs (raise/lift and put down/under). To avoid confusion, please remember that verbs in Filipino are usually in the beginning of the sentence and the adverbs of place always have the word sa before it. Itaas mo ang bandila natin. – Raise our flag (itaas is used as verb). Sa itaas, nakatulog ako – Upstairs, I fell asleep (itaas is used as adverb of place). Look at the word for below and beneath in my list below. They are derived from root words babaw which means superficial and lalim depths. Now, let us go to the words for beside and flanking. The prefix used here is ka. If you remember, I said earlier that there are words which do not have ka but instead retain an as its suffix. There are words which do not have an as suffix but retain ka as prefix. Katabi and kasunod are the examples of it.

Itaas – Above

Ibaba – Below

Ibabaw – Top

Ilalim – Beneath

Katabi – Beside

Kasunod – Flanking

Pagitan – Between

Are you looking for a Filipina penpal? It may sound a little backward, but yes there are some people who still go for the old school of finding true love – penpals. Although snail mail is no longer popular nowadays but to places (yes there are still areas in the Philippines) which are not reached by technology, writing with the use of real pen and paper still exists. Your true love may be in those places, so it is still worth the effort and time.

There are websites that provide you this kind of service. You only need to look for the person that interests you, then get her details, and you can start writing a letter. Usually, you need to pay a small fee to get the Filipina girl’s mailing address.

Later on, if your relationship progresses then you can help her find the means to see you online. There has to be a way for you to make your communication with her more faster and easier for the two of you. And one way is of course, using the internet. Another option is for you to call her if she has a phone or a cellphone.

So after finding your Filipina penpal, learn to plan your ways to win her heart. Remember that women who live in remote places are very reserved and old-fashioned. This means that these types of Filipina women are still shy and are taught with old Filipino values.

This only means that these Filipina ladies are very traditional, including her parents and grandparents as well. So if you plan to meet them in the future, you need to be prepared and at least know what are the important Filipino cultures and traditions in terms of courtship and wedding.

Since I brought that out, we might as well talk about the very common tradition in the Filipino relationship.

If you are interested with a Filipina lady, you need to woe her and ask the permission of her parents. Once the permission is granted, then you can visit her at home. You can ask her for a date and see her often.

Now, if the relationship progresses and you want to propose marriage to a Filipina woman, you have to ask the woman’s parents first. You bring your own parents the day or night you propose to her in marriage. This proposal is like a small social gathering where you bring some food and celebrate the relationship. This is to formalize the engagement wherein both parties should agree for the wedding to happen.

Then once you are engaged, you can now start planning the wedding date with her. If you will have your wedding in the Philippines, then you should be aware that normally the Philippine wedding is a like a feast where everyone are invited for the merrymaking. So if you are really serious in finding a wife through a Filipina penpal, then at least you need to be prepared for all these things.

Located in Baranggay Sta. Cruz, Putol in San Pablo, Laguna, Kusina Salud is a long two-hour drive from Manila. That long ride, however, is definitely worth it once you get your feet step on the unperturbed ground of Kusina Salud.

The two-storey wooden house turned into a fine-dining restaurant is owned and managed by husband and wife team of Chef Paul Poblador and Nina Tesoro-Poblador. The ambience is so warm and homey that any visitor or diner for that matter, will never fail to have that nostalgic feel of their good old childhood days, spending summertime in the province with their grandparents. The walls of Kusina Salud are made of old callado beams and dividers salvaged from capiz windows. Several changes have also been made to accommodate its newfound function, which include the renovation of the silong, the extension of the receiving area to serve as a waiting lounge for guests, and the expansion of a hot kitchen just beyond the open kitchen adjoining the ground floor dining area. Add that up with the breezy interiors which are laden with wooden tables and chairs, purposely mismatched, and antique décor. Plus, the sound of rolling brooks, chirping of birds, and the swaying of bamboos put off that relaxing feeling even more.

The foods being served at Kusina Salud are just your typical Filipino breakfast goodies you used to eat at home, only that, Chef Paul made them a lot better and tastier. Their best sellers include Adobo flakes, bangus belly with salted egg, longganisang Laguna with achara, which were all served with garlic rice, and with Laguna cheese omelet with bread. Their Pandan coffee is a sure favorite especially for coffee-lovers. Chef Paul adds that their dishes may not be unique in the sense that they’re actually staple dishes in a common Filipino household, however, he prepares Kusina Salud’s dishes in a contemporary way. He hopes to instill appreciation for the local cuisine to the young and coming generation whose palates are being increasingly shaped by fast foods and foreign dishes.

Other signature dishes also include Tinola sa Tanglad which is a native chicken in a lemongrass broth infused with baby papaya and young sili leaves, the Sinuglaw which is a salad of tossed fire-grilled pork belly and fish ceviche topped with fresh fettlehead fern and pickled radish, the Kalderetang Kalabaw–a traditional carabao-meat stew with organic tomatoes and bell peppers infused with spicy hot chilis, and the Sinugno which are farmed tilapia fillets wrapped in mustard leaves, stewed in rich coconut cream with fragrant local-ginger and green chilis. For the dessert, the Halo-halo ng Laguna is really a must-try with its tasty ingredients such as the kaong, nata de coco, sago, ube, langka, macapuno, and saba, pinipig, red mungo beans, topped with several scoops of mango ice cream and served creamy leche flan.

Indeed, Kusina Salud is really a silent haven for those who would want to leave the hustles and bustles of the busy world in the metropolis for a while. It is a sanctuary for people who yearn so much for the past that can never be brought back to the present. It is a home for anyone who loves everything about the Philippines and the people living there.

You may think that pancit molo is a noodle recipe because of the term pancit. But in reality, there are no noodles used to prepare this dish. Instead of noodles, wrappers for molo, siomai or wonton are used to enclose the fillings which usually include meat, shrimps, carrots and other vegetables similar to the fillings used in lumpia shanghai. Another distinction of the pancit molo from the regular pancit recipes is that it is not dry but served with broth. It is such a scrumptious and lip smacking treat that you will surely love.

Ingredients:

• 1 pack molo (or wonton, or siomai) wrappers

Filling

• ½ lb shrimps (chopped)
• ½ lb ground pork
• I small carrot (chopped finely)
• 1 small singkamas or turnip (chopped finely)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground pepper

Broth

• 250 grams ground pork
• 100 grams shrimps (peeled)
• 100 grams sweet ham (chopped)
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp oil
• fried garlic (for garnish)
• chopped spring onions (for garnish)
• salt and pepper (to taste)

Cooking Procedure:

• In preparing the filling, mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Take one molo wrapper and put a small amount of filling in the middle. Fold wrapper making sure that the two ends meet to seal the filling inside. Do the same to the other wrappers until all the fillings are wrapped then set aside.
• Heat oil in a saucepan then sauté the garlic and onions. Add the shrimps, pork and ham and cook for a few minutes.
• Add the chicken broth and go on cooking until it comes to a boil.
• Drop the stuffed molo wrappers into the boiling broth and add seasoning for flavor. Cover and bring to a boil again. Adjust the heat to low and allow to simmer for a few more minutes.
• Garnish with fried garlic and spring onions and serve hot.

There are a lot of Filipina girls in Dubai. Dubai has the largest population and second largest territory of land among the seven emirates. Currently, it has become a business center and a global city, considering that it becomes the most progressive city in the Middle East. With this, it has a large influx of foreign workers especially Filipino women.

Most of these Filipino women have arrived for the promise of a better income and a better lifestyle. Most of these women are working in the hotels and restaurants. Some are working as secretaries of some big time companies in Dubai. Though, Filipino workers could not get a permanent residency.

There are a number of hotels and night spots in Dubai where you could find a lot of Filipina girls. Most of these are out to have a good time with friends. This is what they mostly do when they are taking a break from the work environment. There are also some who work in these night spots. If you are out to look for one for a prospective girlfriend then you must look beyond opportunity that presents itself.

Filipina girls in Dubai are still reserved in a certain perspective despite the change in environment and culture. Even if they may be far from their family, still the cultural background stems deep. Filipino women are known for their out of the ordinary beauty and their fine character adds to the punch.

Foreign men are attracted to their personality and cheerful disposition. They also seek true love and take a good look at an opportunity that arises to really get to know the person. It will not be easy so you must have a lot of patience and perseverance to woo her. They will not fall head over heels just because you are from the UAE. They search for someone who will treat them as equals and will shower them with love and respect due a wife.

If you will succeed in wooing her it doesn’t stop there because the next stage will determine your true intentions. Filipinos are a very close-knit family, when you marry a Filipina you marry the family as well. Though not literally, but if a family member is in trouble or is in need it is her moral obligation to help, and you should be open-minded enough to understand and help in any means possible. You will surely grow to another level if you are able to accomplish this. Be familiar with the culture and dating customs and you will not be far from having Filipina girls in Dubai as a girlfriend.

To attract a shy pretty Filipina woman, you should be aware of why she is shy in the first place. The contributing factor why a Filipina is shy, especially if she was born and raised in the Philippines is her culture. If you know the Filipino culture, then it will be easy for you to get to the first base. This simply means that being shy is not merely a facade but really part of the Philippine woman’s way of life.

So, now that you are in the situation that you meet this Filipino girl maybe in a party or event or other social functions, and knowing she is shy, your acrobatic tricks will not work for you to get noticed. In fact, she might all the more shrink back. Try this 5 ways in attracting a shy pretty Filipina woman:

First is, be creative and a bit funny yet original with your pick up lines. Your pick up line is important. It can either let you have her name or she will slip away before you can even touch the tip of her finger. Once your pick up line get her sweet smile, then it is a sign that you are off to the next base.

Second is, you may introduce your name but do not jump right away to ask a shy pretty Filipino woman about her personal information like where she lives, how old she is, and other personal stuff. You will not make her talk. Try to avoid asking her for a date right away but instead find a common thing to talk about, maybe the place or venue you are in together. You might make a comment about the background music or the food, anything about the place that she may add her opinion as well. As she started getting relaxed with your presence, move on to the next step.

The third is, offer her a drink or something to eat. If she declines, call the waiter still and order a refill of what she was having or if it is a party, you may get her a dessert. Filipina ladies love men who are caring and thoughtful. They have a soft spot for those qualities and it will ignite her attention and curiosity about you.

Fourth is, though a lovely Filipino woman also love being given full attention, take it slow. Most especially on a first meeting, if it is not a set-up date and you just happen to meet her in the same place in that specific event. It is appropriate that you involve the other people around you if you are sitting with a group of people or group of friends. In this way, she will not feel awkward and uneasy. This will also give her a chance to look at you closely. If it is the first time you have talked to each other, most Filipino women will not look at you eye to eye though they would like to take a look at you. Mostly, they do this when you are not looking.

Fifth, be a real gentleman all throughout the time you are around her. Many Filipino girls have an ideal man in mind. And one of the qualities they search in a man is a gentlemanly character. By doing these 5 ways, it will definitely help you attract a shy pretty Filipina woman to be more interested in you.

Ingredients:

• 36 ounces bacon
• 10 ounces Velveeta cheese
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 4 cans of cream of mushroom
• 1 cup water
• 1 pint heavy whipping cream
• Ground pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 pounds uncooked spaghetti
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• Optional: Chopped parsley.

Procedure for the sauce:

1. Chopped the bacon into small pieces. Then fry until its crispy. Set aside. Drain the grease, but leave about 2 tablespoon for sauteing.
2. Saute garlic and onion. Mix in the bacon.
3. Put the fish sauce and ground pepper.
4. Mix in the cream of mushroom, and a cup of water. Let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Put the heavy whipping cream.
6. Put the Velveeta cheese and let it melt. When the cheese has melted, its done.

Procedure for the spaghetti:

1. Boil some water.
2. When its boiling, put the spaghetti and stir it constantly.
3. When its nice and soft, its done.
4. Drain the water and coat the spaghetti with butter.

This recipe is very rich and delicious. Spaghetti with Carbonara Sauce is perfect for special occasions or even just for simple gatherings. Every time I get invited to a party, this recipe has been the most requested food for me to bring.

I can not really tell which is the key ingredient to this recipe. It is not only the bacon, heavy whipping cream, or the cheese. I think its the combination of all. And the combination of the ingredients makes it perfect. There was one time that I forgot to put the cheese. It still turned out good though, but not as good as what I was expecting it to be. So yes, the cheese plays a great part when it comes to flavoring. Same thing with the heavy whipping cream. I tried using just regular milk before ( I ran out of heavy whipping cream) but it did not come out right. So I guess the key to making this particular recipe perfect is having all the ingredients together. No more, no less.

In the Philippines, combat training methods developed to a level of efficiency unsurpassed anywhere in the world. There are over 7,000 islands in the Philippine archipelago with over 78 major languages spoken. The Filipino Martial Arts are as diverse as the islands themselves.

Kali Silat – Kali, meaning body in motion, is the Martial Art of the Philippines. Our Kali program consists of energy drills and sensitivity training utilizing hand eye coordination techniques with or without the use of weapons. Silat is the Art form of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. It is the art of taking down an attacker simply and directly utilizing locks, chokes and holds.

Unlike most martial art systems, both weaponry and empty hands are taught together because the principles are common to both and are inter-changeable. Armed or unarmed, the student learns to relate to any situation using the same concepts of body angling, positioning and flowing.

Depending on speed, footwork and skill rather than brute strength, this fluid and practical method of self-defense is one of the most comprehensive martial art systems known.

A Filipino Martial Art System

Kali-Silat is a Filipino martial art and is over 1200 years old. It is tried and tested on the battlefield and is believed to be the art that killed Magellan’s warriors when he landed in the Philippines. Kali incorporates empty hand and weaponry as well as specialised sections on dumog (grappling and moving the body), panantukan (Filipino boxing), pananjackman or sikaren(Filipino low-level kicking) and flow / energy drills such as hubud and Kunsi (locks and manipulations).

What is taught at Martial Art Concepts?

We practise Inosanto-Blend Kali that is taught by Guro Dan Inosanto, a martial arts legend in his own right. The blend that we teach has a strong element of knifework in it and this normally signifies a higher level of empty hand skill and technique due to the range of combat.

Kali has stood the test of time and evolved into a fantastic martial art that develops mental as well as physical skills. Kali philosophy is based on triangles and the highest triangle is based on Love, Compassion and Humility. There are many areas of Kali to study and as a modern art it serves the student well as a street defence style.

The American instructors then began to Americanize what they had learned, by adding techniques and new adaptations, and combining old systems to make a New breed of exercises and training methods. New forms and sets of movements developed. The mixing of Kali with Silat was only the beginning, By reducing the necessity of hitting the hands and sparring full contact. The arts then became available even to the very young and the old alike. Also young girls and women could now participate as well. Also the main difference that stamps a particular style is being unique and interesting to learn. And the enjoyment of the flowing movements, and the simplicity on learning the art.

Therefore, the advantage of using the best from both systems is a wonderful balance, of building a strong foundation of practical methods of self defense in weapons and empty hands, that are taught in a unique and dynamic way. In Nubreed Kali Silat one will never say one style is better than the other. All provide an excellent course of self defense training with the standard of equal skill.

Here's a situation: A and B, both Filipinos, went to the United States to get married. After several years, marital troubles started to occur between the couple and after efforts at reconciliation failed, the two started to part ways. They figured that since they were married in abroad, they decided to get a divorce in the US.

Upon return to the Philippines, after obtaining a decree of divorce, A and B mutually divided their properties between them and went their separate ways. Now, here's where it gets tricky: Apparently, A incurred debts after their 'divorce'. And now creditors are after not just A's properties but also that B's, which left the latter distraught. Is this even possible? Yes.

First things first: Divorce is NOT applicable to Filipinos. Even if the couple successfully obtains a decree of divorce, the same is VOID in the Philippines. In effect, in the eyes of the law, the couple is still legally bound as husband and wife.

Art. 15, otherwise known as the Nationality Principle, of the New Civil Code provides:

Laws relating to family rights and duties, or to the status, condition and legal capacity of persons are binding upon citizens of the Philippines, even though living abroad.

Given this, the creditors may go after the property of B as the same forms part of the community property of with A. After all, they are still a married couple.

However, Divorce obtained outside the country, may, in certain instances, be recognized in the Philippines. How?

Article 26 of the Family Code, reads:

All marriages solemnized outside the Philippines in accordance with the laws in force in the country where they were solemnized, and valid there as such, shall also be valid in this country, except those prohibited under Articles 35 (1), (4), ( 5) and (6), 36, 37 and 38.

Where a marriage between a Filipino citizen and a foreigner is validly celebrated and a divorce is thereafter validly obtained abroad by the alien spouse capacitating him or her to remarry, the Filipino spouse shall have capacity to remarry under Philippine law.

What makes this provision applicable to Filipinos are the presence of the following elements:
1. That the there is a valid marriage between a Filipino and a foreigner.
2. That the alien spouse obtains the divorce abroad and such decree capacitates him / her to remarry.

What if the Filipino later on became a naturalized foreign citizen, is this now applicable to him? It depends. In Republic vs. Orbecido III, the Supreme Court ruled that: "The reckoning point is not the citizenship of the parties at the time of marriage, but their citizenship at the time a valid divorce is obtained abroad by the alien spouse capacitating the latter to remarry."

Mabuhay! So you’ve chosen to get married in Thailand with your lovely Filipina bride. The good news is Filipinos can get married in Thailand hassle free, though the Philippine embassy in Bangkok requires documents from the Philippines before it issues the Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage – a marriage document required by Thai law from a foreigner that she may be able to register marriage in Thailand.

The Filipino fiancé has to collect the Certificate of No Marriage or CENOMAR from the National Statistics office in Manila and then original Birth Certificate also from NSO. These documents are to be sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs for legalization or the red-ribbon process as it’s colloquially called in the Philippines. Once in Bangkok, the Filipino bride has to visit the Philippine embassy in Thonglor to apply for the LCCM. The embassy no longer imposes the 10-day marriage ban so the certificate is available for pick up the next business day. The processing fee is THB 1,125.

When the LCCM has finally been obtained, it has to be translated into Thai and be legalized at the Ministry of foreign Affairs before the marriage registration at the district office. Currently, the legalization period for documents takes 3 days so you have to anticipate this waiting period. When the documents are finally ready, you may proceed to the nearest district office to do the actual marriage registration which can be accomplished in less than an hour. Both husband and wife will be issued Marriage certificates in Thai which need to be translated into English and legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that they can be used overseas.

Marrying your Filipino fiancé in Thailand is a good option as Thai marriage is recognized world wide. Also, marriage ceremony is a separate entity and has nothing to do with the legality to the marriage unlike in the Philippines. Hence, you can skip it and proceed with the marriage registration right away.