26 Filipino Words Now Officially Part Of

The English Language

1. "Mabuhay"

2. "Balikbayan"

A balikbayan box is a carton shipped or brought to the Philippines from another

country by a Filipino who has been living overseas, typically containing items
such as food, clothing, toys, and household products.

3. "High-blood"

Meaning: Angry, agitated.

4. "Sari-sari store"

Meaning: A small neighbourhood store selling a variety of goods.

5. "Estafa"

Meaning: Criminal deception, fraud; dishonest dealing.

6. "Despidida"

Meaning: A social event honouring someone who is about to depart on a journey

or leave an organization; a going-away party

7. "Carnap"

Meaning: To steal (a motor vehicle)

8. "Halo-halo"

Meaning: A dessert made of mixed fruits, sweet beans, milk, and shaved ice,
typically topped with purple yam, crème caramel, and ice cream.

9. "Utang na loob"

Meaning: A sense of obligation to return a favour owed to someone.

10. "Comfort room"

Meaning: A public toilet

11. "KKB" ("Kaniya-kaniyang bayad")

Meaning: Literally 'each one pays their own,' used especially to indicate that the
cost of a meal is to be shared

12. "Barong"

Meaning: A lightweight, embroidered shirt for men, worn untucked and

traditionally made of piña or a similar vegetable fibre.

13. "Pan de sal"

Meaning: A yeast-raised bread roll made of flour, eggs, sugar and salt, widely
consumed in the Philippines, especially for breakfast.

14. "Suki"

Meaning: A buyer or seller involved in an arrangement whereby a customer

regularly purchases products or services from the same provider in exchange for
favorable treatment. Also: the arrangement itself.

15. "Bahala na"

Meaning: Expressing an attitude of optimistic acceptance or fatalistic

resignation, esp. in acknowledging that the outcome of an uncertain or difficult
situation is beyond one's control or is preordained; 'que sera sera'. Hence, also
as a noun, an approach to life characterized by this attitude.

16. "Presidentiable"

Meaning: A person who is a likely or confirmed candidate for president

17. "Baon"

Meaning: Money, food, or other provisions taken to school, work, or on a

journey.

18. "Mani-pedi"

Meaning: A beauty treatment comprising both a manicure and a pedicure.

The word, now used all over the world, was first used by "renowned Filipino
writer Kerima Polotan-Tuvera in an essay published in 1972," the OED said.

19. "Dirty kitchen"

Meaning: A kitchen where everyday cooking is done by household staff, as

distinct from a kitchen that is purely for show or for special use by the owner of
the house.

20. "Sinigang"

Meaning: In Filipino cookery: a type of soup made with meat, shrimp, or fish and
flavoured with a sour ingredient such as tamarind or guava.

21. "Kuya"

Meaning: An elder brother. Also used as a respectful title or form of address for
an older man.

22. "Buko juice"

Meaning: A drink made from the clear watery liquid inside unripe coconuts;
coconut water.

23. "Kikay"

Meaning: A girl or woman interested in beauty products and fashion.

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24. "Barangay"

Meaning: In the Philippines: a village, suburb, or other demarcated

neighbourhood; a small territorial and administrative district forming the most
local level of government.

25. "Barkada"

Meaning: A group of friends.

26. "Gimmick"

Meaning: A night out with friends.

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