I recently had a conversation with several Andrews students of Filipino descent to learn more about the different Filipino languages and dialects that are represented on campus, and if they relate to the Andrews Filipino International Association’s yearly theme of “Barkada”—a group of friends.” The students featured are Franky Paypa (senior, physical therapy), Cyril Arielle Punzalan Guarin (freshman, architecture), Rod Olofernes (freshman, medical laboratory sciences), and Andre Canubas (junior, medical laboratory sciences).
What languages do you (or your family) speak?
Franky: Bisaya, English, and Tagalog.
Cyril: Kapampangan, Tagalog, English, and Ilocano.
Rod: Cebuano.
Andre: I speak a little Tagalog, but understand enough to have conversations. My whole family speaks Tagalog.
What area of the Philippines is that language found in?
Franky: Bisaya is commonly spoken in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Cyril: Ilocos and Cagayan Valley (Ilocano), Pampanga/Tarlac (Kapampangan), and the National Capital Region and Bataan (Tagalog/English).
Rod: Cebu, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Andre: Tagalog is the national language, so it would be safe to assume it’s spoken throughout the country.
Was this your first language? How often is it spoken at home?
Franky: My lola taught me English and Bisaya at the same time when I was still a baby, so I grew up knowing both. However, when we moved to America when I was four, my parents tried to primarily speak English so I could transition more easily.
Cyril: Growing up and at home we spoke English, but as I got older I got more interested in the other languages my family speaks.
Rod: Cebuano is my first language and it is spoken at home along with English.
Andre: English was my first language, but I also learned Tagalog while I grew up, so I can translate what I know pretty easily. I’d say it is spoken maybe 30% of the time in my home.
How many speakers of that language do you know of at Andrews right now?
Franky: At Andrews, the only Bisaya speakers that I know of are also from the same home church as me.
Cyril: Aside from Tagalog (speakers), zero.
Rod: None that I can really remember.
Andre: A lot, don’t know an exact number.
Does the word “barkada” exist in that language? If not, are there any words you know of with a similar meaning?
Franky: “Mga higala,” “suod ng higala,” meaning general group of friends, or really close friends.
Cyril: We say “dabarkads” and “tropa.”
Rod: Yes, it means friends.
Andre: I believe it does. Another word that may be similar as well is kaibigan, which means friend.
What does barkada (or equivalent terms) mean to you personally?
Cyril: Barkada means a sense of belonging and connectivity.
Andre: Barkada or kaibigan (I for sure heard kaibigan more from the Tagalog speakers around me growing up) means a friend, someone you can count on. I think barkada may also mean something along the lines of a group of friends, but I’m not 100% sure.
Have you seen this (barkada) in your experience at Andrews?
Cyril: Yeah, and not only just in Filipinos, but in many friends of different ethnicities.
Andre: I believe Andrews provides a great community for people to meet new people and form friendships relatively easily.
How do you hope to further encourage the idea of barkada this year?
Franky: I have the privilege of helping lead out this year’s Filipino Cultural Night again, and I’m looking forward to incorporating the theme of Barkada throughout all the different performances and acts.
Cyril: Associate, listen/understand, share, and smile.
Andre: Maybe reaching out to some people I haven’t met and getting to meet and create friendships with new people.
Although Tagalog and English are the main languages of the Philippines, there are over 100 languages and dialects spoken throughout the country. Languages such as Bisaya, Kapampangan, Ilocano, Cebuano, and even Tagalog are not commonly heard of in the United States, but learning about them helps preserve their value and expand our appreciation for other cultures.
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