PHALLIC SYMBOLS

By: Nina Nacianceno

A phallic symbol (a. k. a. "lingam") is any cylindrical object that, by any stretch of the imagination, may be construed as representing a penis, whether flaccid or erect.

source: http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Phallic_Symbol

Chinese and Korean People in the Philippines

ADVANTAGES
By: Karla Kalaw


The advantages in having Chinese and Koreans stay here in the Philippines would let them have the privileged of learning English. I guess welcoming other foreigners who want to live in our country is a good idea because it shows that we’re a society that accepts globalization. You can also say that we’re promoting our country to let others influence our culture and language. At the same time, we can also experience and learn their culture and language too. This helps us to understand more of other nationalities, be open- minded and respect as well. 
The Chinese and Koreans have now influenced us through their entertainment industry, by being addicted to Korean teleseryes and the same goes with Chinese television shows. We have also been a fanatic of their edgy music and fashion. You can describe their style as young, fresh with a tinge of eccentricity and class. Since we live in a community that is very conservative, somehow with the Chinese and Koreans living here has helped us evolve into a generation where fashion, music and the showbiz industry have excelled through the advancement of technology. 

It’s not bad to embrace a culture that’s not our own, because it could also help in advocating world peace and awareness.


DISADVANTAGES
By: Carmina Abanes


Learning the English Language is what Chinese and Korean people want. They'd come here in the Philippines because of good quality and cheaper education. Living in this country is somewhat difficult for them because there is a cross in socio-cultural boundaries. Not only do they find it hard to understand our language but also they are trying to adapt into our culture which is completely different from their culture. In lifestyle, the Chinese and Koreans has 4 seasons which compared to ours, we only have 2 seasons. I'd consider this as a disadvantage for them because they won't be able to wear the clothes they used to wear. It's strange for us to see them in layers of clothing because we're in a tropical country. We would label them as "weird" in clothing and this would add to the cross in socio-cultural boundaries. Another disadvantage is that Koreans and especially Chinese people are known for being really rich. That's why they usually can't walk freely around the streets because they might be kidnapped or stolen from. 


I'd like to share an essay I found made by a Korean entitled "My Short Essay About the Philippines". Click HERE.

Gender In Equality

By: Adrian Mombay and Patmai De Vera

The road to gender equality has been cumbersome at best and fantastically botched at worst (globally and historically). In the Philippines it is neither too drastic, nor is it far from unnoticeable. Typically, gender inequality has affected the Philippines slightly when it comes to culture. In the business and political sector however, the modern day woman is gaining stable footing; why, just recently we've had our first female president. Sure, there are times when gender discrimination bogs up the people's judgment (socially like not allowing female children to remain out late at night, having tons of bars/clubs with female attendants/entertainers [though in the Philippines, men have a lot of those too]).

Analysis on the situation is not as bad as it used to be though. In fact, evaluating the female perspective, the Philippines has had it better than most other countries. During pre-colonial times, the female gender was considered a mighty and respected aspect of humans. So much so that we had female datus ruling tribes and commanding men (who had man-servants to pleasure them at night with penis rings that they'd puncture right in the middle of their shafts by order of their female datus). We all know that such an idea elsewhere would be heretical (like how the Chinese love sons but hate daughters, or how in Europe, only men were considered worthy of education).

But as we move onto the future, we leave these old memories and dated relics aside and start asking questions fit for the modern world. Are women truly equal to men? Should men and women be offended if they truly aren't equal? Is it so bad to not be equal if the reasons being are logical or reasonable? In the past, we used to see the issue of gender inequality somewhat as a black and white painting. With modern day photoshopping, we can add tonal values, different hues (because there never truly is a white or black on the matter; only several shades of grey).

Women nowadays are more independent, more in control. Feminism couldn’t express any more pride than the Meryl Streep’s musical number “Dancing Queen” in Mama Mia. No, but kidding aside. I am proud of the women of today for expressing that a lot of them can stand on their own. Take for example, single mothers. I mean, yeah, sure, it’s not good that there are lots of single mothers out there, but there’s some sort of marvel at a woman who’s not desperately in need of dependency on some two-bit good-for-nothing to feed her, dress her AND her children. No, there are darn good souls out there who decided, and with queue music—that they “don’t need a man to make them happy”. They’re actually out of the kitchen and on their own!

Well, not just women, I more or less am just as impressed with men nowadays, some of them being metro-sexual and all. I see a lot of men becoming more vain and more open about their feminine side and not being so exaggeratingly over-reacting about it. I know men who pluck their eyebrows. I know men who search high and low for that specific facial wash that will fit their sensitive, oily-combination-type face. I appreciate that men now are caring to look more presentable, if not conspiring in turning all lesbians straight again.

So, humans are improving bit by bit. Women can actually go to school now, vote, get jobs and aren’t considered the secondary and weaker sex. And Men… are still there, but not as douche-y as before. There are still stereotypes of how men and women are supposed to act and whatnot, but stereotypes will always be there. Our ability to distinguish has been there since the dawn of time (if not, we’d all be extinct by now from trying so damn hard to become friends with the dinosaurs). So, the trouble isn’t in how men and women are different or if one is more superior to the other. Men and Women were never meant and are never going to be equal.

Because we were always meant to compliment each other.

The Ultimate Pinoy Fashion

Pinoy fashion is a huge joke. 

We've never had a real "fashion-identity", knowing that we've been bombarded with foreign ideas for almost half a millennium. Nevertheless, we embraced our xenocentric behavior so much, it merged with our desperation to become the nouveau riche and caucasian, shat out an even bigger pile of crap some embrace and have the balls to call it "culture". But just like hurting one's toe by kicking it at a part of some hard, solid object, like let's say, the bed, one would just have to bear with the pain and hope that it'll go away sooner or later.

First up...

Photo from: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/

"OH, d0/\/T \/\/3 l00k kh00l, FaR3, tzchongz?!"

Jejemon Style

These are the trying-hard Filipino gangsters. They are individuals with low IQs who spread around their idiocy on the web by tYpFing LyK diZS jejejeje (typing like this, hehehe), which make other people annoyed. They wear everything that’s loose like loose shirts or baggy pants, which they think is cool to look at and as much as possible they want the attention from the crowd.

Image from the internet

These shorts are so short, you can almost see her uterus!

Pekpek Shorts

I am telling you, this fashion item was practically made for Filipinos--este, Filipinas. It's light, comfortable, revealing and it is practical to wear in those hot, summer days where all you want to do is show off your lean legs while trying not to get dark. No matter who you are and where you come from, you will see them, in whatever way they are worn, you would be always be brought to question the promiscuous denim, a cry of frustation, screaming "Nagshorts ka pa!!!"

Image from the internet

Poppin' your collar high isn't as cool as poppin' your shoulderpads high.

Epic Shoulder-pads

We've all heard of the barong tagalog and baro't saya, and everyone knows about that other dress that has these really fantastic shoulderpads, but what is the name of this "unique" dress?

I present to you the "Mestiza" dress!

The what? The white dress? No, silly, it doesn't have to be white! It just means it's for people with white blood!

  But really, what part of that is even remotely unique to our culture? One would ponder where this mode even came from, us or the Spaniards? What is the use of these shoulderpads being so tall? Is it to hide your face because you didn't want to show yourself or was it to be like a forever shrug for young ladies? Either way, this dress served a great purpose of making one feel superior in a way, not to mention it hides a great deal of arm fat.

So the Ultimate Pinoy Fashion is... 

THE PEKPEK SHORTS

Sorry to the Jejejerks and to our national shoulderpads, but I do not see anyone (in their right minds) who would normally wear something like that on the street on a typical day, on the way to a grocery store, or even make pa-cute in those outfits.

Not to mention, I'd have to applaud its versatility in style. From the rich to the feeling-rich, as long as you've got the legs, you can have the freedom to stut your stuff down the road, around the kanto and even in your own home! 

The few downsides I can see from wearing this is, if you don't have the legs for it, it'll be an eyesore for the rest of us. Not to mention when our bi-polar weather would decide to turn in for the worst, sudden downpour would totally leave us shivering like a sisiw, but who cares? You still look damn hot.

The Ultimate Pinoy Stuff

EXPRESSIONS

BY Karla Kalaw

Astig

It’s a Filipino expression that means to be cool on something. It is the reverse of being hard. In Filipino words “TIGAS” or “TIGASIN”. The people who mostly use this expression are guys that find things that are awesome.

Example:

Guy: ASTIG Pare! I didn’t know you could do that shit.

Guy 2: ‘Yan ang ASTIG! Sobrang hardcore!

Churva

 It is defined as the term used when something cannot be explained. A great filipino expression that comes into play when one is at a loss for words. And more often than not do Filipinos find themselves bamboozled and at a loss of words. The word is applicable when one is smashed/ drunk, disgruntled by studies/ work, shock/surprised or clueless/ dumbfounded.

Example:

when a hobo jumps you and asks for change, you say "ay churva!"

when your professor asks you a question which you cannot answer, you say "ay churva!"

Amp/Amf

It is a term derived from Filipino linguistics in the videogame Ragnarok. The term was to quicken the expression “ang puta” and is a sort of “damn” expression used among Filipinos. Very accessible because the idea of “damn” may be used both positively and negatively.

Example

“Amf! I forgot my homework!”

“Amp ang galling mo!”

“Amp naman, I can’t go out drinking tonight”

Winner:

 For us the expression Amp/Amf is the winner, because this expression has been made by our generation. This word made it easy for the youth to express their feeling by using this word in either a good or bad way.

FOOD
BY: Carmina Abanes

Filipinos are known for being hospitable and hardworking. Filipinos are also known for its many festivals, tourists destinations, dishes and other delicacies. For our Ultimate Pinoy stuff Edition under the Food Category, Kare- Kare Vs Adobo.

Kare- Kare

Some say that this dish came from Pampanga, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and another from the regal dishes of Moro elite. Kare- Kare is a Philippine stew that is made up of stewed oxtail, beef, offal or tripe and peanut sauce with a variety of vegetables. This dish is usually eaten with bagoong (shrimp paste) and spiced with chilli. In many places, Fiestas are not complete without the Kare- Kare.

Adobo

On the other hand Adobo is known as the Philippines’ National Dish. Most households considers this dish as their favourite to serve in any occasion. Ingredients in making Adobo would be meat, minced garlic, chopped onions, vinegar, basil leaves/bay leaves, and black pepper. Chicken and pork are usually cooked as but a lot can be made as Adobo style like fish, beef and vegetables.

Between these two, the winner would be Adobo because not only it is delicious but it is also easy to prepare most likely when you can’t think of something to cook for your family and it is affordable.

DRINKS
BY: Nina Nacianceno

Sago't Gulaman

It is a very popular refreshment among the Filipinos. It is usually served in a tall, footed glass. While in street stands and in neighborhood stores it is placed into plastic cups and in street stands, it is poured into plastic bags and provided with a straw. It can be taken a dessert, a snack or a drink to accompany another merienda item. Gulaman which is made from seaweed called agar-agar and can be eaten as a gelatin dessert with or without fruits. Sago is usually seen in, Ginataan and Taho.

Salabat

Salabat is hot ginger tea made by boiling crushed ginger in water. It is a favorite drink during the cold season, and is often given out to buyers of bibingka and puto bumbong. Brown sugar is used to sweeten the beverage. Camote, sago, or carabao's milk are added by some to salabat. Salabat is found to have healing properties and is used to ease cold symptoms and stomachaches. It soothes sore throats and is said to sweeten the singing voice. It is now available in powdered form for convenience in preparation.

Pandan Iced Tea

This is tea made with pandan leaves and lemon grass. It is a very exotic refreshing iced tea, with very sweet aroma and taste. it is essentially rich in flavonoids which are antioxidants that are known today to fight cancer.