Family Feud: Once More With Feelings

Last Monday’s episode of Family Feud Philippines turned into an unexpected wildlife documentary. 

Host Dingdong Dantes asked a very simple question: “What words would you say to people who steal from the government?”

Apparently, the Philippines has been preparing for this question its entire life.

First to buzz in was Vice Ganda with the classic: “Hayop!”

Survey says… ding! The audience applauded, relieved that the national vocabulary still contains at least one honest adjective.

Next came Vhong Navarro with “Buwaya!”

Another ding! Somewhere in the swamps, actual crocodiles protested for defamation.

Then the board started filling up like a résumé for public office: kurakot, gahaman, ganid, garapal, makapal, demonyo. 

At this point, the audience wasn’t sure if they were answering a game show question or reading a Senate attendance sheet.

Every correct answer earned cheers, nods, and the universal Filipino gesture for “finally someone said it on TV.” 

The crowd enthusiastically gave thumbs-up signs, which is impressive considering many of them were probably also holding their wallets a little tighter.

What made the segment truly educational was how quickly everyone recognized the answers. 

No hesitation. No awkward silence. 

Just instant national consensus—something we rarely achieve, except during karaoke arguments and basketball games.

By the end, the audience was no longer playing a game. 

They had formed a civic movement. 

The episode closed with a spontaneous chant echoing through the studio: “Ikulong na ’yan! Ikulong na ’yan!”

(Translation: Survey says… jail time.)

Somewhere, a group of politicians watched the show nervously, realizing that the next round of Family Feud might include a new question:

“Name a place where corrupt officials should go.”

Top answer on the board?

“Prison.”

Good luck beating that in the lightning round.

Lawyer's Mumbo Jimbo

I. PHRASE: Ad Cautelam

II. DEFINITION

Ad cautelam is a Latin term meaning “for caution” or “just to be safe.”

It’s what people say when they want to do something, not because it’s necessary—but because they’d rather not be caught off guard later (or, more importantly, look unprepared in front of cameras).

In plain terms, ad cautelam is the legal world’s version of bringing an umbrella when the sky is clear—because you don’t trust the weather, your neighbor, or the entire atmospheric system.

Lawyers love this phrase because it sounds far more impressive than saying, “We’re doing this just in case things go south.”

Why use five simple English words when you can summon the spirit of ancient Rome?

So when someone files a motion ad cautelam, it doesn’t necessarily mean they agree with the situation.

It just means: “Okay, fine, I don’t think this should even be happening… but in case it does, I’m not going down without paperwork.”

Think of it as:

Locking your door even when you’re inside the house

Saving a file five times before closing it. Mabuti na may reserba.

Screenshotting a conversation because “you never know."

It’s caution… with a touch of drama and a Latin accent.

III. EXAMPLE (inspired by recent events) Using ad cautelam in a sentence.

Following the recent response of Sara Duterte to her impeachment issue, one could imagine a sentence like:
“Vice President Sara Duterte, ad cautelam, submitted her response—essentially saying, ‘I question this entire process, but just in case you insist on continuing, here’s my answer so no one says I ghosted the Constitution.’”

In other words, ad cautelam is the political equivalent of replying to a message you think is nonsense—but you reply anyway so nobody screenshots you later and says, “Seen at 3:42 PM.”

Or you will charge her with "she did not even reply."

See?