STILL TALKING ABOUT THE DRUG MATRIX  — A former Pangasinan official, enjoying his long break from the political heat and distress in the province, celebrated his recent birthday with the biggest surprise and greatest gift in his life.

His simple celebration held outside Pangasinan was attended by only a few of his closest friends in the political arena, our source said.

One of his guests greeted him with, ” Pare, ang saya-saya ng birthday mo, ang tindi ng regalo sa yo, drug matrix ng taong nagpahirap at nagpapahirap hanggang ngayon sa yo.” Then laughter emerged from the group.

After downing some bottles of beer and wine, one visitor asked, ” Was his inclusion in the drug matrix true?” Laughter filled their room again.

One said “only jueteng, black sand, quarrying, contracts are mostly associated with the guy.”  Then another added, “But drugs? Oh my, how could that be?”

Yes, all of them were in great disbelief but all agreed to just keep calm, relax and watch how the guy’s destiny unfolds.

Then, the celebrator volunteered to provide information, that he said he was privy to, allegedly about properties of one of the officials dragged in the drug matrix issue. He is an important witness in case his proposal materializes. I think investigators should talk to him.

As often said, “Ang taong nasusugatan, lalong tumatapang.”

But the group agreed when one of the guy’s fanatics expressed full belief that his patron will surpass the controversy as he had proven in the many tough challenges and battles he had fought.

So let’s see kung hanggang saan at hanggang kailan ang kanyang suwerte. – Tita Roces

PINOY EXPLETIVES — In a country with a lot of folklores and heroes, the words,”p…ina” is considered an everyday fare, a common expression everywhere. This is the reason, I suppose, that the expletive is not deemed malicious when it is not directed at a particular person but on things and actions.

Otherwise, if accompanied by a “mo” it is directed at one person or “nyo” when it is directed at two or more persons. Then that hurts.

So when someone blurts out “p..ina” during a conversation, no one really gets offended because they understand that this is a mere expression, common even among educated Filipinos in many informal conversations and gatherings, particularly around drinking tables among friends.

But a foreigner who does not understand the Filipino psyche from Adam and given the literal translation of this expletive as “mother is a whore” (not “son of a whore” as others wrongly translate), he or she would naturally feel offended, insulted and outraged, becoming combative.

“‘P…na”, which was passed on from one generation of Filipinos to another, I believe is a lot tamer than the common American expletive “mother fu…er”, whatever that means.

Meanwhile, Ilocanos have their own version of this expletive ” o…na” and the Pangasinenses have their own too in the words “b…am”. In the Visayas, I was informed it is “b…ng”. Do they feel slighted when the expletives fly often from their mouths during conversations or a drinking spree? Hell, no.

“P…na”. Do I sound like I am defending the person who said this expletive too many? Hell, no!

But before you get me wrong, may I clarify that this random thought is not, however, an endorsement of these two Filipino words as it is morally wrong when spoken in front of the kids.

I have three granddaughters overseas, all English speaking, and I certainly won’t allow them to learn such an expletive after hearing it when they come and visit me in the Philippines. – Leonardo Micua

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