Page 346 - Tagalog for Beginners: An Introduction to Filipino, the National Language of the Philippines

Gawain (Role-play)

Using the words you have learned and the dialogue you just studied, make
reservations at a restaurant.
Here are some possible situations you can use in your role-play:

1. Make lunch reservations for a party of five for Tuesday, June 6 at 7:00 P. M.
2. Make reservations for dinner for two for Saturday, February 14 at 8:00 P. M.
3. Make reservations for a private room (pribadong kuwarto) for ten people for
Easter Sunday brunch (use the word “brunch” because there is no equivalent in
Tagalog/Filipino) for April 4 at 10:30 A. M. You need the room for 4 hours.

Mga Talang Sa Kultura

Most Filipinos use spoons and forks as eating utensils. Knives are hardly used at
the table because the food is cut up in smaller pieces or is tender enough to be cut
without using a knife. Chopsticks are used only in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean
restaurants. However, in the provinces, some Filipinos still eat in the indigenous

manner—by using their hands.
A return to the use of the hands in eating was made popular in the late 1970s
with the proliferation of restaurants advocating the aptly named “kamayan” (using
hands) style. In these restaurants, there are huge clay jars called banga where diners
can wash their hands.
For a few politicians, eating with one’s hands also signifies one’s intention to
feel for, and be one with the masses. Thus, in several photo opportunities former
President Joseph Estrada dined with the less privileged, eating with his hands food
served on top of banana leaves. This strategy was also adapted by the next
president, Gloria Arroyo, and by other politicians.

Pagbabasa

Read the following passage, and then answer the questions that follow. Study the
following words before reading the story. You have learned some of the words in
earlier lessons, so some of them are listed here for you to review. You can also
refer to the glossary at the back of the book. This short short story was inspired by
Marcia Burnham, a missionary and kidnapping survivor.
Espesyal Special

Tanghaling tapat Exactly at noon
Katimugan South