Funny Signage

If you are a grammar police who usually gets irritated and cannot stand your penchant for the use of the fractured King's language ... incoherent sentence structure and semantics ... mind-boggling syntax and word coordination ... this nook is not for you. 

But traveling from Aparri to Jolo ... we encountered signage in the streets that managed to put a smile on our faces ... even though Robin Padilla's grandiose display of bad opinions ... or China's flexing his superpower muscle ... has riled up and angered our tender sensibilities.

We are here to celebrate (not mock) the little cracks and flaws in the manner we communicate ourselves. All of us make mistakes ... and at a time when a kilo of rice at 20 pesos is next to impossibility ... we need a little outlet to have a hearty laugh.

And no matter how over-use the cliche goes ... Laughter is indeed ... the best medicine.

Long sleeves na ... sleeveless pa

Movie Poster

Can't Buy Me Love, had its first day of showing last Monday ... and there's a Christmas merry tinkling of dough-re-mi smell in the air.  The proof in the pudding is the 454,413 peak concurrent viewers jostling and elbowing each other to see the teleserye's inaugural installment. Helmed by ABS CBN box-office directors Cathy Garcia Sampana and Mae Cruz Alviar it is evident that the rom-com has the touch of brilliance to feast your eyes on ... and an eye for the box office ... even though of a different genre ... it was a fitting follow-up to the highly successful Iron Heart.

This early Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano will go down the long list of Star Magic's loveteam crowd drawers. Ably supported by who's who in the primetime bida one can't resist the magnet of a stellar cast with the likes of Rowell Santiago, Ruffa Gutierrez, Nova Villa, Agot Isidro, Ina Raymundo, Ketchup Eusebio, Celeste Legaspi, Shaina Magdayao, Bernard Palanca, Frenchy Dy, Mitch Valdes, Maricel Laxa. Alwyn Uytingco, Alex Medina, Katya Santos, and Hero Angeles.

The young stars also were ably represented - Darren Espanto, Albie Casino, Joao Constancia, Anthony Jennings, Enzo Pineda, Maris Racal, Kaila Estrada, Vivoree Esclito, Karina Bautista, Chie Filomino, Karl Gabriel and Gello Marquez.

Following the life of an aspiring entrepreneur Bingo (Donny) who lands a chance at a life-changing business grant ... only to get derailed when a wealthy young Caroline (Belle) enters the scene.  

The first day was an eyeful lot ... and the promise of an interesting story started to unfold.  Be the first to witness the birth of a new love team in the league of Kathniel and Lizquen.

Multiple Choice

 Which of the following statement describe the picture above?

a. If at first, you don't succeed ... try and try again.

b. Grit is a consistent sustained effort to reach the goal even when we struggle.

c. The attitude is perseverance and resiliency.

d. Skill and intelligence can grow with effort.

e. Constant practice ... makes perfect.

f. All of the above

Idiom In Tagalog

 One of my friends asked:  "Are there idiom equivalents also  in the Tagalog language?" Of course, there are.  Katulad ng idioms sa English, ginagamit ito para tumingkad ang paglalarawan ng mga bagaybagay at para mapaigting  at matalinhaga ang takbo ng usapin o pagsusulat.

And just like in English ... ang kahulugan ng mga "sawikain or idioms" ay magkaiba sa literal meaning ng mga salita. Sa madaling salita ang mga sawikain don't mean exactly what the individual words in it say. Tandaan natin ... ang figurative meaning ng mga sawikain ... is different from its literal meaning.

Ang sawikain natin ngayon ay daga sa dibdib which has a literal translation "a mouse in the chest".

Pambihira naman ang dagang yan at nakipagpatintiro pa sa dibdib of all places. Ang dami namang lugar ... bakit doon pa? But don't get fooled because ang figurative meaning ng idiom ay natatakot yong tao ... or he is worried and petrified about something.

Idiom Of The Day

Let's start using idioms or idiomatic expressions when we write. When idioms are used, it add color and texture to language by creating images that convey meanings beyond those of the individual words that make them up. An idiom can be very colorful and make a 'picture' in our minds. It also shows the writer's familiarity with English. When you want to make your writing sound more conversational, including idioms can give your writing a more relaxed tone.

Idioms allow us to say a lot with few words. Idioms amplify your messages in a way that draws your readers in and helps awaken their senses. It adds dynamism and character to otherwise stale writing. They make your writing less monotonous and your readers will think that you are smart and knowledgeable. All the while ... you only clothe your writing with elaborate idioms to create an impact... saying too much with less. 

To perfect your English, you really need to become confident in using idioms and knowing the difference between breaking a leg and pulling someone's leg. So the idiom of the day is:

IDIOM: It takes two to tango 

MEANING: It takes two to tango means a task or a situation is not created by one person alone .... it has to be two people. The situation involves two parties and both therefore are to be blamed ... and are responsible for it. If a couple plans for a divorce or separation ... both parties are instrumental in making it happen.

ORIGIN:  In order to dance tango it requires a duo ... or two dance partners to perform it. Tango is a dance in South America and the idiom originated in a 1952 song Takes Two to Tango by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning and gained popularity subsequently as an expression. 

USING IT IN A SENTENCE: If you want to play the divorce game, you need a partner who will play with you. It takes two to tango.

Choice Cut

(Some Pinoy programs on TV barely make a glitch on our radar screen, but there were lines uttered that invaded our collective consciousness so much so that we find ourselves echoing its most famous lines in our everyday conversations. Some lines manage to put a smile on our faces making us happy and contented.

Whether intentional or accidental, the classic lines resonate with us, because we can relate to the scene and see our lives being lived out onscreen.)

 (In the set of It's Your Lucky Day ... the show that temporarily replaced Its Showtime for 2 weeks)

Luis: Kung si Anne Curtis merong ITS SHOWTIME ... kami naman ay mayroong ...

Melai: IT'S SHORT TIME!

Caption That

                                                Romeo and Juliet .... dog-style