Filipinos Becoming Animals?

"Hayup ka!" is often heard as a joke nowadays which means "You're an animal!" But the root of this idioms is not really through kidding but was usually heard when a person is mad which could also mean rude or inconsiderate. Nowadays, we also hear or see "Hayup!" (no pronouns) as an expression even in chatting or texting which could either refer to a person or something amazing done or said.

So are Filipinos really turning into animals?


Nahhhh.. It just so happen that animals, their name and characteristics have been a part of Filipino language, most of them as a part of speech or idiomatic expression. It's like turning the person or the subject person into an animal. I hope I can give justice to it and translate the "Filipino Animals" properly. It really sounds so different and funny if forced to be translated.

"Kapit-tuko si Pedro sa asawa!" Peter holds on to his wife like a lizard. The animal tuko or green lizard known to have a good grip is being used to connote a person who cannot let go and holds on to someone or to something.

"Kayod- kalabaw" Or works like a carabao. The animal is a Filipino farmer's best friend and works the whole day tilling the land. If a person's way of labor is compared to a carabao then he really works hard.

"Anak ng Pating" - literally means a baby shark. This is generally used as an expression of frustration about something missed or not done. "Anak ng pating, hindi natapos!" translation: Son of a shark, it's not finished! This can be used towards a person as well "Anak ka ng pating!"

Most famous and always seen on the street - the "Buwaya" - or crocodile. Now often refers to corrupt and greedy person. More often, this is used on the policemen (being on the streets or since they are known for being corrupt?) and politicians. But generally, buwaya means greedy and must come from the root word "buwakaw" of the same meaning.

"Usad Pagong" - Pagong is turtle and usad means move. Hence, a turtle person is one who moves hecka slow.

"Utak-biya" - Utak is brain while biya is one of the smallest edible freshwater fish in the Philippines. Imagine comparing an individual's brain to that of a small fish? How to use: Your progress is like turtle-phase because you are fish-brained! (Oh, so rude!)

"Lakad bibe" - (walks like a duck) butt out, usually to recognize a female with big butts and sways her hips while walking. Usage: "Oh Daisy is really pretty plus she walks like a duck!"

"Butete" - or tadpole. Refers to a person, usually male with big bellies. (Some kids catch tadpoles during my time)

"Kiti-kiti" - which means larvae of mosquito. "Para kang kiti-kiti" is a person who is constantly moving, uneasy and cannot stay in one place.

"Hanep" - gnat, a very very small insect. I remember only feeling them whenever I get eggs from our native hen's nest when I was young. Seeing them? it's like seeing small dots crawling on your arms! Hanep is an expression meaning very impressive, amazing, extraordinary or outstanding! Use: "Hanep sa likot ang batang ito, parang kiti-kiti!" Translation: "Gnat in naughtiness this kid, like a mosquito larvae!" Whoaaahh! Forgive me! I cannot help it but that's the way it goes!

"Baboy" - is Pig. Period. Do I have to explain why someone called you a pig? Hehehe! Just a gossip: Last time I heard, Baboy refers to the presidential spouse (The First Gentleman?)

"Linta" - leech. This one is also used by other countries as well. Refers to persons who are like parasites - sucking the blood of another! Ewww! No, I have not heard this being actively used for our politicians (yet). Wanna start?

"Palos" - Eel. Flat, slimy and slippery. A person is called palos if he always escapes being caught similar to Leo DiCaprio's role in the movie Catch me if you Can.

"Tusong matsing" or clever monkey - This came from Aesop's fables (the monkey and the turtle). A person who takes advantage of the situation or of the weakness of the other person. Use: "Hindi nila mahuhuli ang palos na si Leo dahil tusong-matsing ito!" They cannot catch Leo the eel because he is one clever monkey!"

"Boses palaka" - refers to the singing voice of a person that is not pleasant to the ears. Means the person "croaks like a frog!"

"Boses Ipis" - Voice sounds like a cockroach. Well, have you ever heard a cockroach talk or make a sound? Obviously, this means the voice is hardly audible or cannot be heard at all.

"Parang palakang naulanan" - Like a frog under the rain. Refers to group of persons that are loud and wild, just like the frog in a pond when it rains!

A teacher to her students: "Children, how come during our recitation, your voice is like that of a cockroach and when I leave the room for a while, you're like frogs under the rain?" in Tagalog: "Mga bata, bakit kung tayo'y may talakayan kayo ay boses-ipis samantalang pag alis ko naman ng silid-aralan ay para kayong palakang naulanan?"

i know I may have missed a lot of animals. But we cannot deny that some of our acts or features are really comparable to these innocent animals anyways.

If you have other animals in mind, leave a comment here!

One thing I know and just realized: this topic is sooooo difficult but I enjoyed writing it!

Animal ang dating di ba? Translation: Animal arrive, isn't it? Hehehe! The word animal here refers to the outstanding or extraordinary (animalistic?) appeal of a thing, event or person.

Haneps!!

Important note: No animal was harmed (or abused)in the course of this activity!