Exploring the Filipino Psyche Day 19: 'Signs'

                If one may go around and take a stroll around the flatlands, or even the mountainous places in the Philippines, one shall notice a community of warm hosts and friendly people. But aside from the warm bodies I take pride in as people of my race, one may also see, in the streets where we live, a composition of signs. These signs add to the color of the culture. I do not speak of the gigantic billboards one may see in main roads and highways, or the fancy establishments found in posh places, but rather the small ones that may be overlooked if it weren’t for the entertaining content it may have.  Sometimes as simple as a clean piece of white paper can do the trick, and once one reads it…it entertains.

One instance I can recall was when I was walking down a street which is quite known for their girls in bars, I saw a sign that said: ‘Wanted: GRO without experience’. I started laughing alone and hoped that I looked like I was just smiling because of the strong glare of the sun.  These signs are sometimes very direct or even emotional, some show multi-talented skills such as this very unique combination of services my friends saw:

Available Service:

Manicure/Pedicure

Hot Oil or Hair Spa

Hair Cut and Blow Dry

Rebonding or Hair Straightening

and we also do Vulcanizing

But whatever they may be, if you are not from my country, make sure to be on the lookout for these signs and get ready to be amused with my people.

Filipinos like playing the association game when naming their small businesses. Since Jollibee is known all over the country and some parts outside of it, maybe “Jolly Boy” can get a share of their customers. Then a barber thought of associating a popular old cartoon to the name of his shop: ‘Felix the Cut’, and another one named his ‘Harry Cutter’.  There are numerous shops and eateries that use this technique to lure potential customers to try their products and/or services. There is ‘Aristoback’, a little eatery found at the back of a known restaurant with the name ‘Aristocrat’.  Other names are ‘Mami Pakyaw’, a noodle house; ‘Kisame Street', a service for ceiling installation; ‘Lord of the Wings Lechon Manok (roast chicken)'; ‘Bread Pit’, an eatery; and ‘Prints Charming’, a printing shop. 

Another style would be changing the spelling of famous words or phrases such as ‘Curl Up and Dye’ for a parlor, or ‘Obeertime’ for a place where one can have a beer. Jimmy’s Shoe Repair Shop expressed compassion for your shoes: ‘I will heel you, I will save your sole, and I will even dye for you'. It is quite amusing to walk the streets of Manila, or places outside Manila, and read a variety of information in signs such as stating the obvious: ‘Our Public Bar Is Presently Not Open Because It Is Closed’. Oh. Okay, now I know… Then there is a word of caution: ‘Drive Slow and See Our City; Drive Fast and See Our Jail’. Or even a sarcastic sign: 'Gusto Mong ma Korog ang Imong Itlog? Hala! Pangihi diri (You want your balls to get electrocuted? Sure! Go pee here).' And from those who believe that every creature deserves to live: ‘Pls. Don’t Throw Your Cigarettes End on the Floor. The Cockroaches are Getting Cancer'. 

Then we go to spelling. The Philippines is a country of many accents. Maybe this is the reason why a few foreigners cannot tell exactly what a Filipino accent is since it is a variety of different tones. Some have a strong curling ‘r’ and a thick ‘p’ when they speak, while others are sweet and mellow, then there are those who interchange their short and long vowels; but whatever may be the difference in accent or pronunciation, all of these are very Pinoy—and we embrace them all.  One accent is the interchanging of the letter ‘e’ and ‘i’. So sometimes check-in will sound like chik-en, cheer will sound like ‘cher’ or cheese will be heard as ‘ches’.  This accent may be a little difficult to understand at first, but once one gets used to the interchanging of these two letters, it gets easier. But when this accent, or a different way of pronouncing words, is placed on a sign, it can, in some cases, come out with a whole different meaning. One furniture shop had a sign that said: ‘Available Here: Tables, Chairs, Cabinets, Beds (Single, Queen Size, King Size and Double Dick)’. I am quite sure they meant something else for that last bed.

There are also signs that give requests: ‘Our Aim is to Keep this Bathroom Clean—Gentlemen: Your aim will help. Stand Closer. It’s shorter than you think. Ladies: Please remain seated for the entire performance.’  And one that just states the fact: Starr Box: Yosi (cigarettes) Bad for you, Good for me—Business is Business by Steven Cigar’.

So when you are in your car or walking around, especially if you are a guest of the country, look around and read the amusing little pieces of paper posted on walls, or those cardboard and metal names of different shops and eateries, and you will discover little things about our culture—the creative sense of humor of the Pinoy, the emotional side that we pour into our signs, and the play with words we do that will make you smile. All you’ve got to look for are the signs.

  Source: 

Just Google 'Funny Filipino Signs' :-)