Filipino Lies

I have been in America for some time now and one thing that I appreciate in this culture is how direct they are in telling you what they want or feel about something. Yes is yes, and no is no. Unlike in our Filipino culture, we beat around the bush or say something that we don’t really mean.

So here are a few answers that a Filipino would tell you and what they mean.

1. “Try ko.” This means I am not coming so don’t wait for me.

Example:

Mare #1: Uy, sama ka naman sa aming prayer group.

Mare #2: Sige, try ko.

2. “Huwag na.” Meaning: I really like what you are offering, but I’m playing hard to get (pakipot).

Example:

Pare #1: Sige ililibre kita kasi birthday mo ngayon.

Pare #2: Kakahiya naman, huwag na.

3. “Ako na.” This means I appreciate that you’re doing that and please continue and finish the job.

Example:

Mare #1: (Washing the dishes even if she’s just a visitor.)

Mare #2: Naku mare, ako na.

4. “Mamaya na.” Meaning: I don’t want to do it, and you should be the one doing it.

Example:

Nanay: Anak, pakiwalis naman ‘yung harap nating kalsada, masyadong makalat na.

Anak: Mamaya na.

5. “Hindi naman masyado.” This means that what you’re saying is very true and your feeding my ego, but I am playing pa-humble effect.

Example:

Mare #1: Uy, mare ang ganda-ganda mo at ang sexy-sexy mo na ngayon.

Mare #2: Ikaw naman, hindi naman masyado.

6. “Busog pa ako.” Meaning: I am really starving and I like what you are eating, but I am too proud to beg.

So if you’re really a good friend you should insist until they say, “sige, konti lang.”

Example:

Pare #1: (while eating chicken adobo with isang kalderong kanin) Kain tayo.

Pare #2: Busog pa ako.

7. “Konti lang.” What they really mean is a lot, or much more than you can imagine.

Example:

Pare #1: Dahan-dahan lang, ang lakas mo yatang lumaklak ng alak.

Pare #2: Hindi naman, konti lang.

8, “Sakto lang.” Meaning: We are struggling and we can barely make both ends meet, but we would not say we are poor.

Example:

Pare #1: Napapagkasya mo ba ang sweldo mo sa iyong pamilya?

Pare #2: Sakto lang.

9. “Pag-iisipan ko.” This may sound hopeful but what it really means is that they don’t want what you are asking them to do, but they’re too timid to say no and they’re just trying to stall their answer.

Then if you ask them later, their answer will be some other lame excuse which suggests they really mean no, like “busy ako,” or “walang mag-aalaga sa nanay ko,” or “namatay yung kuko ko.”

Example:

Boss: Pwede ka bang mag-overtime sa trabaho nitong darating na Lunes?

Employee: Pag-iisipan ko.

10. “Ayoko.” This may be the only time that they really mean what they say, and that they have muster enough courage to say no to your face.

Example:

Mare #1: Mars, pautang naman, babayaran kita sa katapusan.

Mare #2: Ayoko. (Ang kapal naman nang mukha mo, hindi ka naman marunong mag-bayad. Katapusan ng buwan o katapusan ng mundo? *unsaid words in parenthesis*)

***********

There you have it folks. I hope this will help you understand better your Filipino friend.

(*photo taken few months ago)