October 1-31, 2023
Learning Cebuano: Oct
Location : Siquijor Island, Philippines
English-Cebuano Translation
Space
- outside - sa gawas
- inside - sa sulod
- from - gikan
- going to - paingon
- the other side - pikas
Verb
- laughing - nakatawa, eg. I was laughing hard | Grabe akong katawa
- crying - naghilak, eg. I was crying a lot | Grabe akong hilak
- rushing - nagdali
- to walk - paglakaw
- to run - pagdagan
- to open - abli
- to close - pagsira
- to ask - pagpangutana, eg I asked, Nangutana ko
- to answer - pagtubag
- to go to (a place) - adto ko
- to come here - nga moanhi dinhi
- to sell - baligya
- to buy - pagpalit
- to understand - sabot
- to not know / whatever (sarcastic) - ambot
- to know - aron makahibalo e.g. I don't know - wala ko kabalo
Time
- whenever - bisan kanus-a
- tomorrow morning - ugma sa buntag
- this morning - karong buntag
- it will take a long time - dugay pa
- a long time ago - dugay na
- now - karon
- yesterday - kagahapon
- tomorrow - ugma
- later - unya
Adjective
- feeling lazy - tapulan eg. I am lazy tapulan ko
- pretty - nindot
- hole at the bottom - buslot
- tasty / delicious - lami
- very good - kaayo, eg: lami kaayo - very delicious, ok kaayo - I'm really very good
Greetings
- good morning - maayong buntag
- good noon - maayong udto
- good afternoon - maayong hapon
- good evening - maayong gabii
- how are you? - kumusta man ka?
- I'm doing good - maayo man
Feelings
- shy. timid, bashful - maulawon
- scared - nahadlok
- happy - palipayo
- surprised, startled - nakurat
- confused - naglibog
- grumpy - gisapot
- angry - nasuko
- sad - naguol
- excited - naghinam-hinam
- worried - nabalaka
- impatient - walay pailub
Wh-words (interrogative words)
- why - nganong eg. why did you stop? nganong nihunong ka?
- what - unsa eg. what is that? unsa na?
- how - gi-unsa eg. how do you play this? giunsa nimo pagdula kini?
- when - kanus-a eg. when are you coming? kanus-a ka muadto
- where - asa eg. where are you going? asa ka paingon?
- which - unsa (same as what) eg. which one do you like? unsa nimong ganahan?
- whose - kang kinsa eg. whose food is this? kang kinsa ni nga pagkaon?
Etc
Acquiring a Language (not learning it)
After practically giving up on Cebuano, I stumbled upon a Youtube channel, Poly-glot-alot, by Jeff Brown, a polyglot who speaks 7 of the world's most difficult languages - Chinese Mandarin and Arabic being 2. What I found interesting is how he intimated on his learning approach. He doesn't attempt to learn the language. He ACQUIRES it - technically speaking, it's called Comprehensible Input. This means he picks up the language by subconsciously absorbing it, the same way a baby does - just listening, not questioning, no grammar (grammar doesn't work), no telling the baby she's wrong in saying the words, etc.
How?
- get a teacher - the teacher re-tells (not translate) a children's book in Bisaya and all you have to do is listen and ask (what is that? what is he doing? why?). Since you see pictures in the book as the teacher reads, you hear the words in context. At some point, the brain just gets it.
- no English with the teacher - always use the target language, or gesture, or mime
- no grammar - it doesn't work
- no correction - it doesn't work
- level-up - ask the teacher to ramp-up the re-telling. Not just, "This is a trailer", but "Trailer is old but well-maintained"
- read - read around 100 pages a week even if you don't understand it, but best to have pictures on what you're reading to put thngs in context
- verbs - know lots and lots of verbs (dance, walk, run, sing, laugh, etc)
- record your words on the mobile - this allows you to speak it, listen to yourself and serves as review material
- conversation with native speakers - since I'm already here in in Siquijor, I should just internalize being Bisaya when talking to them
Youtube Kid's Storybooks in Cebuano
Finding new motivation to resume my Cebuano learning, I downloaded a few Youtube kid-storytelling in Cebuano with simplified graphics. So, this is what I'm watching and hearing. I'll give it a month and let's see.
The Old Way
My old way of learning was to blog in simple English what I did for the day and find translation in Google. I then study the translation from my base English writing. I then record myself and write down the same blog but in Cebuano. This works, but at some point, I realized I was just using the same old words, not really expanding my vocabulary. Plus, it wasn't fun anymore.
Storybook Videos
Transcript
Vocabulary
- lasang - forest
- kauban si - accompanied by
- bitin - snake
- apan - but
- paghawa - to leave eg. paghawa sa lasang to leave the forest
- nigakos - hugged
- nangayo - asked
- hinimo ni - made by
- niduol - approached
- niingon - said
- nidalagan siya - he ran
- -
- -
- -
Retelling
Ending Thoughts
It's too early to tell. I just need to be watchng it attentively for an hour a day. Let's see how it goes after November.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
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More on Siquijor Island:
Siquijor Island Local Info
Jeeps - there are only 2 routes for jeeps within Siquijor Island - and they are rare. Most people have their own motorcycle transport.
- Siquijor Port to Lazi - last trip leaves at 3pm from station near market
- Lazi to Siquijor Port - jeeps depart from the Lazi Port area. 5 jeeps, the last trip at 12:30 pm. Lazi to San Juan, P50.
- Larena Port to Lazi - jeeps are unpredictable. As of this writing, there is only 1 jeep plying the Larena-Lazi route. This jeep leaves Larena for Lazi at 9:50am. After that, no more jeep. You'll have to take a tricycle to Siquijor Pob for jeeps going to Lazi
- Lazi to Larena Port - 6am (daily) and 9 am (M-Th)
Food - these were suggested by a local to me
- Lechon manok & liempo - roasted pork belly and chicken at Joel's in Siquijor Poblacion. I've tried this myself...yummy, even if the chicken was no longer hot
- Bibingka - sweetened rice cake by Fidy's Bibingka (P30) in Sawang, Maria. I've come back for this and I buy for other people as well as 'pasalubong' - they love this
- Siopao - at the Rosita store near Thrifty (P25) in Siquijor Poblacion
- Peanut butter - by Rene. Just ask around in Siquijor Poblacion. It's popular
- Torta - sweet cakish bread at the Thrifty story in Siquijor Poblacion
Siquijor Island Map
Siquijor - Dumaguete Boat Trips
(as of Jan 2023)- Montenegro Lines - at Siquijor Port, P234.00/pax, P169/bicycle, 7:30am/10:00am/2:00pm/4:30pm
- Aleson Shipping - at Siquijor Port, 6 am and 6 pm daily, 1:30 pm M-Sat, Regular P200.00/pax, Aircon P250.00/pax
- Ocean Jet - 40 mins,at Siquijor Port, 0919.066.5964, www.oceanjet.net, marketing@ocenajet.net, 6:00am/6:00pm, P350/pax (tourist/open air), P580/pax (business class)
Siquijor - Tagbilaran - Cebu City Boat Trips
(as of Jan 2023)En route to Cebu City, the ferries usually make a stop-over to Tagbilaran (Bohol) to pick-up more passengers or unload.
- Ocean Jet - 8:20 am, at Siquijor Port
To Tagbilaran: P800/tourist & open air, 2 hours (arrive 10:20 am), P1200/business class
To Cebu (Pier 1): P1600/tourist & open air, 4 hours (arrive 12:40 am), P2400/business class - Lite Ferries - at Larena Port, no Senior Citizen discount for online ticket purchase
To Tagbilaran: T-Th-Sun, 3 hours, depart 7 pm - arrive 10 pm, P475/standard (Tourist, PHP 750)
To Cebu: T-Th-Sun, 10 hours, depart 7 pm - arrive 5 am, PHP 605/standard (Senior P484), Tourist, PHP 770 - Apekoptravel - at Larena Port to Tagbilaran: 1:00 pm, xxx hours, P750
Reserve through call or text: Cleare - 0938 283 4760 | Grace - 0936 534 6564 | Jessel - 0961 759 6711, Pay via G-Cash: +63-917-880-1464, Email: momovillageadventure@gmail.com, Facebook messenger: Apekoptravel. Enter your birthday and nationality to get discounts: 0 to 3 years old free, 4 to 9 years old will have 20% discount, 10 years old and above full price, Filipino Senior Citizens will also have 20% discount
Siquijor - Plaridel Boat Trips
(as of Jan 2023)- Lite Ferries - at Larena Port, T-Th-Sun, 2:00 am, 5 hours, PHP?
Siquijor - Cebu (Liloan) - Cebu City BUS Trip
(as of Jan 2023)There is only one bus plying this route - Sugbo Urban. Tourist class coach, a/c, comfortable, Sun-Fri (these dates keep changing). P420 for bus, P275 for ferry to Liloan. Larena Port around 5 am, makes a clockwise roundtrip around Siquijor Island - Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi (stops at Lazi market for breakfast and leaves 6:50 am), San Juan, Siquijor (arrives 8am, P50 from Lazi to Siquijor Poblacion) and catches the 1pm ferry at Larena Port (Sundays at 3 pm) for Liloan, Cebu and resumes its land route. Arrives Cebu City (South Bus Terminal) 10 pm.
Sugbo Urban is the cheapest and most convenient way because it goes around the island (clockwise) along the circumferential road, passing through - Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, San Juan, Siquijor...and back to Larena where it takes the ferry at 1 pm. This saves you the hassle and high transport cost of a tricycle. Besides, it's a long trip from the other side of the island to be taking by tricycle.
Suggested Destinations After Siquijor Island
These are the nearest popular destinations from Siquijor by boat
- Bohol - Bohol is an island northeast Siquijor. Tourist attractions are Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Monkey, Loboc River Cruise, Beaches of Panglao, whale sharks (recent offering), freediving (recent offering)
- Cebu - Cebu City is the usual gateway into the Visayas. But in Cebu Island itself, there are many offerings - Whale Sharks of Oslob, sardine run at Moalboal,Thresher Shark of Malapascua
- Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
- Dumaguete - Dumaguete is a small charming progressive coastal town in Negros Oriental. Cafe and restaurants line the famous Boulevard Boardwalk. Tourist attractions include Japanese Shrine, Casaroro Falls, snorkeling along the southern coastline (Dauin, Masaplod Norte, etc), Balinsasayao Twin Lakes
- Plaridel (Misamis Occidental, Mindanao) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
Blogs
Siquijor Island
- Goodbye Siquijor April 18, 2024
- January Chronicles: Bandilaan Meditation January 2024
- My January Yoga Practice: A Journal January 31, 2024
- Jan 2024: Squid, Balangawan, Margarita Pizza January 2024
- December Chronicles: Yuletide Season December 30, 2023
- December Snapshots: Bolo Bolo Dip, Christmas Lunch, Tuba Denizens, Friends Forever, Men Working, Cow / Crow December 1-30, 2023
- Eggplant Bulad Pizza December 20, 2023
- Canghaling Cave November 14, 2023
- Kings and Queens November 13, 2023
- Barangay Vote-Buying October 22, 2023
- Real Estate Mapping October 1, 2023
- Learning Cebuano: Oct October 1-31, 2023
- Oct Food Hack: Pizza, Kinilaw, Coconut Bread, Fish Okuy, Carrot Omelette,Lemon-Grass Tea October 2023
- Sep Snapshots: Fisherman, Granny, Pedicure, Big Fish, Garbage September 1-30, 2023
- Sep Food Hack: Fish Tinola, Ratatouille, Chayote Omelette, Flat Bread September 2023
- Together Forever Sep 11, 2023
- The Cigarette Talk Sep 1, 2023
- Siquijor Star Meditation Center Aug 31, 2023
- The Lost Dogs of Siquijor Aug 27, 2023
- Moving to a Bungalow! Aug 22, 2023
- Aug Chronicles: CDO produce August 31, 2023
- Aug Snapshots: Pan de Sal, Palpitate, Taho, Tuna, Pineapple August 1-31, 2023 [an error occurred while processing this directive]
- July Chronicles July 31, 2023
- July Snapshots July 1-31, 2023
- Learning Cebuano: July July 1-31, 2023
- June Chronicles June 31, 2023
- June Snapshots June 1-31, 2023
- Learning Cebuano: June June 1-31, 2023
- May Chronicles May 31, 2023
- May Snapshots May 1-31, 2023
- Learning Cebuano May 1-31, 2023
- In Search of a Cool Climate May 25, 2023
- The 64 km Bike Ride May 16, 2023
- Lazi Fiesta May 15, 2023
- The Boulevard Opening May 5, 2023
- April Snapshots April 1-30, 2023
- Learning Cebuano...Again! April 1-30, 2023
- Kris Visits Siquijor Mar 17 - Apr 15, 2023
- Exploring Siquijor with Marky Mar 25 - Apr 11, 2023
- Siquijor Healing Festival April 5-8, 2023
- The Talk at United Church of Christ April 2, 2023
- Mar Snapshots Mar 1-31, 2023
- Vigil for the Ghost Ship of Siquijor March 31, 2023
- Judging an Essay on Gender Equality Mar 29, 2023
- The Thief, the Shaman, the Elves and the Police Mar 20, 2023
- Finally Acquiring the Motorbike Mar 18, 2023
- Bitcoin Blunder Mar 15, 2023
- Maria's Unsung Beaches Mar 11, 2023
- Lagaan Falls Mar 9, 2023
- Tibhong Spring Water Source Mar 8, 2023
- Bolo-Bolo Natural Spring Mar 2, 2023
- Reasons to Get a Wife March 1, 2023
- Feb Snapshots Feb 28, 2023
- Camagung-Ong Natural Spring Feb 28, 2023
- Heeeere's Johnnie! Feb 26, 2023
- Manifesting a Motorbike from Thin Air? Feb 18, 2023
- The 'Bad Guy' of Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
- Amazement from Drivers License Renewal in Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
- Locong Falls Feb 9, 2023
- Inguinal Hernia? Goodbye ABS! Feb 4, 2023
- Jan Snapshots January 31, 2023
- In Search of Tubod Cold Spring Jan 27, 2023
- 1:4:2:3 Nadi Shodana Jan 26, 2023
- Lazi's Boulevard Jan 22, 2023
- Lazi: A Monthly Stay Jan 21, 2023
- 7 Days in Maria, Siquijor Jan 14-21, 2023
- Capilay Spring Jan 17, 2023
- Siquijor: In Search of Resonance Jan 9-14, 2023
- Riding Around Siquijor's 86km Coastal Road Apr 3, 2012
- Exploring the Cantabon Cave of Siquijor Feb 23, 2012
- Jovee and Missy's Excellent Adventure Nov 6-7, 2010
- Freediving in Siquijor's Marine Sancturaries Apr 23-24, 2010
- Island Tour of Siquijor Apr 22, 2010
- Kram's Siquijor Wedding Apr 21, 2010
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