Page 358 - Tagalog for Beginners: An Introduction to Filipino, the National Language of the Philippines

If _______________________, then ____________________.

Gawain (Role-play)

Go back to the pictures, and the questions, answers, and sentences you have written.
Then, using the dialogue you have learned as a guide, do role-plays with your
partner. Classroom learners can work in pairs or small groups while individual
learners should write down the dialogue.

Mga Tala Sa Kultura

One of the oldest and most historic sites in the Philippines is Manila Hotel. Built in
1912, and restored in 1976, among its famous guests were General Douglas
MacArthur, Muhammad Ali, and Ernest Hemingway. Built during the American
colonial period in the Philippines (1899–1945), and designed by New York
architect William Parsons, the hotel’s design was influenced by the architecture of
California missions (characterized by solid massive walls, patios, curved
pedimented gables, wide projecting eaves and low, sloping tile roofs). The hotel’s
interior includes a grand lobby, marble floors, chandeliers made of brass, crystal,
and seashells, and rooms decorated with handcarved mahogany furniture.
Through the years, Manila Hotel has been the site for the making of history—
political speeches delivered, coups d’états staged, and issues discussed. General

Douglas MacArthur used it as his residence for seven years (1935–1941), political
parties used it for their conventions, and recently, former First Lady Imelda Marcos
held her birthday celebration at the hotel. For more than three decades, the hotel has
also hosted a Kapihan (coffee meet) where guest speakers and the media had
informal discussions with audience members while eating breakfast or having
coffee.
My own memory of the hotel is my high school senior prom, and through the
years it certainly has hosted numerous debuts, weddings, and anniversaries, as it has
signified either upper- and middle-class status or yearnings for upper- and middle-
class status. A few meters from the hotel, jeepney drivers blare loud music and
young children peddle sampaguita garlands.

Pagbabasa

Read the following short short story, 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.