Why is it called Amigo? - Amigo (2011) Discussion

[–] blunderbus 13 years ago

Not sure what language you are referring to by 'Filipino.' Tagalog perhaps. But the Cebuano word for friend is Amigo or Amiga depending on the sex. And while Cebuano may not be considered the official language, it is still spoken by 20 or 30 million people in the Philippines despite not being taught in schools. I can only assume it used to be even more widely spoken then it is today.

But even so, today there are still well over a hundred languages spoken in the Philippines. Many with over a million speakers. iirc only two are official. Tagalog and English. (although more than 10 are considered official auxiliary) And just as the US forced English to be an official language, Spain had forced Spanish to be official. Only difference is that Spanish was official a lot longer.

So, Amigo fits .....Spanish would have been then lingua franca then as English is today, and of course, amigo is part of various pinoy languages then as well as now.

reply

[–] nyjack 13 years ago

when the American soldiers first entered the village Rafael introduced himself as an "amigo." Ironic.

reply

[–] saving_agav1 13 years ago

Tagalog is just a part of Filipino language. Filipino language represents all the languages/dialects spoken in the country. Anyways, Amigo(or Amiga if referring to woman) is a Spanish word but used by Filipinos since the Spanish colonization. Based from the movie,it happened after the Spanish colonization. That's the reason why Amigo can speak Spanish (as I can remember), there's a Friar, and also Spanish soldiers (although the I know the one with Filipina girlfriend is American in real life).

reply

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 12 years ago

Aside from the Bisayans who may or use this word 'Amigo', I find it strange too that this is the title of the movie because most Filipinos don't use this word. Bisayans take pride in having a lot of Spanish loan words in their language but that's not the same for other Filipino languages & ethnic groups though.

OPEN YOUR EYES! dailymotion.com/video/xbi2hi_1993-chandler-molestation-extortion_news

reply

[–] saving_agav1 13 years ago

Yes, it is a Spanish word. A friend in Filipino is "kaibigan". :D

reply

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] aizabella_ph 12 years ago

After 333 years of Spanish rule, the Filipino language borrowed words from the Spanish language. Until now, Spanish words exist in the modern Filipino language. The Tagalog dialect is the basis of the Filipino language. "Kaibigan" is the Tagalog word for a "friend", but still "AMIGO" and "AMIGA" are known words among Filipinos. The spanish word "ALIADO" (which means "ally" in English) is also a word commonly used by Filipinos up to this day.

I think the title had something to do with how Rafael introduced himself to the American soldiers. It showed the mentality of common Filipinos during that period regarding foreign invaders who marched and occupied their land. The Filipinos experienced harsh treatment from the "white Spanish imperialists" (e.g. discrimination, forced labor, slavery, white race supremacy, etc.) During colonial hispanic era in the Philippines, if you were a native of the Philippines and you wanted a peaceful living, then identify yourself as an "AMIGO" to the Spaniards.

In that context, Rafael was afraid and nervous that the white American soldiers would do what the Spaniards did.. he immediately identified himself as an "AMIGO", a friend... not an enemy for the safety of his family and community. Also during Spanish rule, the Spaniards insisted that the Spanish language was a superior and civilized language. So the natives tried to learn and speak Spanish. Since Rafael didn't know how to speak English, he thought speaking in Spanish in front of white people (Americans) would do.

During the American occupation, American colonizers have insisted that they came as "friends" of the Filipinos and not as enemies. The Americans even invented the term "Little Brown Brothers" when referring to the native Filipinos... maybe for the sake of political correctness. Something like, the USA was the liberator of the Philippines from the oppressive Spanish rule. The US would help the natives run their own nation.. but of course under the strict supervision of the American government, once the Filipinos are ready to manage their country on their own, the US would grant them autonomy. On July 4, 1946... the US gov't granted the Filipinos their freedom. Until now July 4 is called "Filipino-American Friendship Day".

reply

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 12 years ago

The spanish word "ALIADO" (which means "ally" in English) is also a word commonly used by Filipinos up to this day.

Which Filipinos use this word though? Are they Bisayans or Chavacanos? Because I'm from Manila & I'm not familiar with this word, we don't use it, we use 'kampi' or 'kakampi' or 'kasagwat.'

As for your theory of identifying himself as an 'Amigo' to whites, similar to Spaniards, this makes sense to me though I'm not familiar if Filipinos in the 19th century actually used the term.

I had read that the Philippine-American war killed more native Filipinos than the 330 years of Spanish colonial rule did. & in fact, this Philippine-American war actually killed 1/3 of the entire Philippine population. I also read that it was during this war when the Americans first used the term *beep* to refer to Filipinos.

The Americans did not colonize the Philippines out of their own good will, they did it to take advantage of the natural resources the Philippine had an abundance of particularly gold, & to take a strategic position in Asia & the Pacific. The revolution against Spain was winning, to save face, Spain handed the Philippines to America.

OPEN YOUR EYES! dailymotion.com/video/xbi2hi_1993-chandler-molestation-extortion_news

reply

[–] blunderbus 12 years ago

I will comment on a couple of things here. Not going into word usage though, since at this point it really is a moot point. At least to me. Even today there is a dizzying amount of dialects there. Back then, who can say what word you'd use to a white soldier if you were trying to make yourself understood.

That said, regarding the loss of life after the US occupation. Not sure I'd try to believe the claim that more died than in the 333 years under Spain. Since there is no way to compare numbers vs percentages, nor the actual number involved at all. So here it is opinions and preset beliefs that tend to guide one to a conclusion. Not to mention, I've heard from Pinoy and read that the Filipinos killed more of each other during the US occupation than the US did. I found it incredibly difficult to believe myself. But I do know that outside very narrow areas the US forces had extremely limited control for a very long time. The US spent decades trying to stem the fighting between the different factions. Fighting and killing that still is going on. If it is this bad now I can only imagine how it was then when there was little chance of reprisal. Often the tactics used by the US were the same used against native Americans. Which makes sense given the time period. One always uses the tactics of the last wars. And they were wrong in most eyes now. But we are judging from a distance. The native Americans wanted to be able to fight each other. It was how they proved themselves. A way of life. Situations are rarely black and white. But we do tend to simplify. especially the military. So, the solution to stop two sides fighting was usually arm and support one side, and vice versa, and destroy the other side.

As to US & Spanish motives. I will say this much. Spain didn't want to lose the naval base. Nor did it want to lose Cuba. But it lost the war. It was a fading empire and had no choices left any more. There was no face left to save. As to US motives, that is more tricky. Granted, the government was shifting in a big way to be a global power in order to survive. And to do so required a very powerful navy. Almost, if not more important, were strategic ports in which to base these navies. Manila was a near perfect choice. Which is why it was targeted for attack so decisively. But the honest truth is the average US citizen in the states actually did believe they were doing it for right reasons. They had nothing to gain from it, unlike what they believed in Cuba. In fact, it was, and actually still is, a US money pit. Individuals and corps have. But not the US. And when word got out about the atrocities, the average US citizens were sickened and outraged. They found out because soldiers being ordered to do the killing were writing home about it in horror. As to resources, they were nothing compared to what was spent there. Not just military. But everything else. Infrastructure of every sort. Not to mention what resources there were went into very few people's pockets. Just as it does today all over the world. The idea of resources is important though. It was touted in a huge way in order to validate the massive spending needed there. The carrot, as it were, to justify the costs.

Now, you pointed out the use of the word *beep* It will show as beep but I know what you are referring to. Now, here is where I find the irony rather amusing. The ones that started using the words were almost all northern soldiers. Or northern-educated southerners. In fact, it was the southern soldiers that protested its use. They even took the matter up with the highest ranking officers there and in the US to forbid its use. Why? Because contrary to a lot of ideas, most soldiers are just folks. They liked the Filipinos, many loved them and felt it was an insult to them. Hence the irony.

The US is an easy target for criticism. In an endless variety of ways. And this is just as it should be. Then and today. But for all the sins that it has committed, it would be equally unjust to fail to see the other sides.

reply

[–] aizabella_ph 12 years ago

Whether the Spaniards killed more Filipinos or the Americans killed more Filipinos or we Filipinos have killed more of our own kind: just implies that war is NOT a beautiful thing.. but that's how nations are built. It's a tool of statescraft and political expansion.

reply

[–] blunderbus 12 years ago

You are completely correct.
I confess, when I was VERY young I was quite patriotic. And I come from the end of a long line of a military family. They've fought and died in wars for hundreds of years. Including an uncle that served in the Philippines prior to 1910. But as I aged, I become more and more saddened by war. Forgetting how unjust, criminal or just plain evil a nation's or a people's motives are. Simply what people are so eager and willing to do to one another. As if life doesn't offer suffering enough that we need to add more. Very sad.

reply

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 12 years ago

Not sure I'd try to believe the claim that more died than in the 333 years under Spain. Since there is no way to compare numbers vs percentages, nor the actual number involved at all.

This is true. i read it on an introduction of a documentary of the Philippine-American war. I have not seen the film as I cannot find it but it was narrated by a half American-Filipina.

I wondered where they got their facts from. But 1 thing, the Spaniards were meticulous with their sources & preserved much in their books & documents prehispanic/Hispanic Philippines & Filipinos.

Not to mention, I've heard from Pinoy and read that the Filipinos killed more of each other during the US occupation than the US did.

I doubt this very much. We may have strong tribal/regionalistic tendencies, but Filipinos killing more than a third of their own population within 50 years? It's a ridiculous claim. It seems like an American propaganda, sounds similar to their excuse in the mass genocide of Native Americans.

It was a fading empire and had no choices left any more. There was no face left to save.

They had plenty to save, they were in a corner & this was the only alternative left other than utter defeat.

But the honest truth is the average US citizen in the states actually did believe they were doing it for right reasons.

So did the Spaniards, 'white man's burden' to educate or civilize us natives? I'm sure this is the propaganda thrown to the ordinary citizens, same propaganda thrown with every hidden agenda. It's unrealistic to think that the government were as naive as their people in falling for their own propaganda device.

The idea of resources is important though.

There is a reason the Philippines has always been known historically, even before the arrival of the Spaniards as the land of gold. We are still under American control & they are the ones with the rights to these resources.

Now, you pointed out the use of the word *beep* It will show as beep but I know what you are referring to. Now, here is where I find the irony rather amusing. The ones that started using the words were almost all northern soldiers. Or northern-educated southerners. In fact, it was the southern soldiers that protested its use. They even took the matter up with the highest ranking officers there and in the US to forbid its use. Why? Because contrary to a lot of ideas, most soldiers are just folks. They liked the Filipinos, many loved them and felt it was an insult to them. Hence the irony.

Do you have a source for this? It is rather ironic indeed.

The US is an easy target for criticism. In an endless variety of ways. And this is just as it should be. Then and today. But for all the sins that it has committed, it would be equally unjust to fail to see the other sides.

I agree but I think you see the US through a rose tinted glass. I am a Filipina, & as such there is much I admire in American culture because I have been brainwashed to admire your culture but it doesn't change the fact that I don't see through their own BS. & this is one of them, make no mistake do I see them as devils, i just don't see them as the saviors & angels they like to delude us to believe in.

OPEN YOUR EYES! dailymotion.com/video/xbi2hi_1993-chandler-molestation-extortion_news

reply

[–] blunderbus 12 years ago

Sure sounds like you see them as devils. The closest you come to saying anything positive is the 'I'm Brainwashed to do so' disclaimer.

reply

[–] aizabella_ph 12 years ago

I agree but I think you see the US through a rose tinted glass. I am a Filipina, & as such there is much I admire in American culture because I have been brainwashed to admire your culture but it doesn't change the fact that I don't see through their own BS. & this is one of them, make no mistake do I see them as devils, i just don't see them as the saviors & angels they like to delude us to believe in.

Vicky_lc the American government knows its politics and propaganda well. That's how they reached the superpower status. On the Filipinos' side, sad to say runs a sort of...DEEP SEATED COLONIAL MENTALITY. THE MOST AWFUL LINE I've heard from some Filipinos: "It would be better if we remained as a territory of the US, maybe life would be easier. Maybe China won't attempt to steal the Spratlys." There's a sense of dependence. It was sad to hear that.

I remember my late granny said that the Filipinos have been more receptive of Americans NOT because they are Americans but because:

1. The Americans are not the Spaniards.
>>> The Spaniards was in the business of making Filipinos feel inferior. They built schools but they did NOT want the Filipinos to be "TOO EDUCATED". Rizal was one of the most educated men during his era, ended up executed. He was too educated and bold enough to expose the ills of Spanish rule. The Spaniards taught literacy, while the Americans established a system of education. 333 years of Spanish colonialism, now only a few Filipinos speak Spanish. Almost 50 years of American rule.. and yet more of us know English more than we know Spanish.

2. The Americans are not the Japanese
>>> Well, to summarize, the Japanese soldiers have been notoriously known for their ways of torturing people and the issue of comfort women.

That made the Americans more acceptable and less threatening to the Filipino civilians.

reply

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 12 years ago

My point though is that America was never out for others out of some altruism. They have always been out for number 1 & that is themselves. Filipinos putting them in a pedestal to worship & putting themselves in an inferior position is a form of effective colonialism. What the Spaniards have done in the past, is their method of colonization which was very effective. & as times change, so do methods.

I remember my late granny said that the Filipinos have been more receptive of Americans NOT because they are Americans but because:

1. The Americans are not the Spaniards.
2. The Americans are not the Japanese

But if we are as receptive to their colonization, then why would 1/3rd of the Filipino people sacrifice their lives for their own independence?

333 years of Spanish colonialism, now only a few Filipinos speak Spanish. Almost 50 years of American rule.. and yet more of us know English more than we know Spanish.

You equate a foreign language, like Spanish or English as a synonym for education, I disagree. If our languages had not prevailed in the end despite Spanish colonization, we would've been just like the South & Central Americas, a dead people from a dead culture. For this, whatever it may be, I am grateful that despite the problems we have with retaining, remembering or honoring OUR OWN culture, we have kept much still, languages included that defines as a living breathing people & society. We are not yet erased from this earth. I don't envy the Hispanics in the Americas tbh, for me, they represent our luck & strength as a people in surviving despite colonization.

The fact that it took only 50 years for English to subjugate our own languages, is a scary thought. Every nation/country that succeeds, succeeds on their own merit & culture, not from a disjointed & reverential view of others.

>>> Well, to summarize, the Japanese soldiers have been notoriously known for their ways of torturing people and the issue of comfort women.

This is true but remember 2 things:

1. Many of the atrocities attributed to Japanese Imperial soldiers were in fact drafted Korean soldiers. This is fact, it is taught in schools, it is in our books & it is stated by many survivors. In fact, it was the Japanese that promoted Tagalog/Filipino languages to be taught in schools & to be used as a medium to write in instead of either Spanish/English.

2. The Americans killed more Filipinos than the Japanese in WW2. They bombed Manila, indiscriminately killing Filipino infants, children, women & civilians to get to the walled Japanese soldiers they could not get to. By the end, 100,000 Filipinos died due to the American bombing so that they could get to the 6,000 Japanese soldiers in Intramuros.

& after ww2, the Americans diverted their aid to Japan instead of restoring the Philippines. The Filipino people can only rise if you love yourself & your culture, no one else will care or love you if you do not love yourself. It's time we stopped looking to America to save us because they never will nor do they care to, we in turn should have enough integrity & pride to raise ourselves instead of allowing ourselves to be bounded by our colonial mentality.

OPEN YOUR EYES! dailymotion.com/video/xbi2hi_1993-chandler-molestation-extortion_news

reply

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] aizabella_ph 12 years ago

@vicky_lc -- The point is, the motive is always politics. By that time the USA was a rising imperialist. The Filipinos after being colonized by Spain for over three centuries, have accepted the reality that by that time... the country was weak and was trying to establish it's independence. They found convenience in the material things the USA offered... built roads, schools, brought vehicles, etc. There was more religious freedom too. An air of open-mindedness.

PEOPLE ARE MORE RECEPTIVE TO THINGS THAT THEY FIND AS MORE CONVENIENT FOR THEM. THAT IS THE NATURE OF HUMANS.

I am not saying that foreign language is the basis of education, you misinterpreted it. I just gave an example. It showed the comparison and efficiency of the systems of education brought by Spain and the USA.

Teaching style, the "PALO" or stick by the Spanish teachers... who would like to learn in that manner? There is even a song that gave a description of a catholic school. "Catholic school vicious as Roman rule I got my knuckles bruised by a LADY in BLACK. (A nun)" Well, schools set up by the Spaniards were obviously Catholic schools.

It's easier to learn a language or ANY BODY OF KNOWLEDGE if a student learns it not only using his mind, but also his heart. Learning things by heart is erudition, learning things by recall and due to fear is shallow education, literate but actually unlearned.

What I am saying is that the Americans BROUGHT a system of education that was more efficient that made the students more receptive to learning and also gave better chances for girls to go to school. When you educate girls, girls who will become mothers they will obviously pass it on to their children... cos they often serve as the first teachers. In this effect, the transfer of knowledge from one generation to another is continuous and has more staying power.

Even a chapter from Noli Me Tangere showed how Maria Claria wrote a letter. There were errors and grammatical flaws. Rizal was trying to say that women by that time, weren't expected to be overly educated/intellectual. But instead most women were educated to be good mothers studying Ethics, Religion, Sewing, cooking, language, playing the piano, etc.

Revolutionists wanted independence, but when Aguinaldo was captured.. the Republic ended. Aguinaldo calculated that to fight the USA by that moment would be futile... so he gave up. It was a pygmy-giant battle. A newly emerging country vs a rising imperialist. And people realized this too... so they just adjusted themselves to the situation. The Spaniards were out... Aguinaldo was captured, so what would the FIlipinos do? Just cope and see the what the Americans had to offer. It was unavoidable for them to compare Spaniards and the Americans. For them, it was more convenient to live during the American regime.

Turning point was Emilio Aguinaldo... the Americans approached him as an "ally", promised him that The USA wouldn't occupy the Philippines, that they'd just help the Filipinos defeat the Spaniards. Aguinaldo was new to International Politics, and he believed the "verbal promise" the Americans told him. He was double crossed.

Mock Battle of Manila Bay and Treaty of Paris happened, but it was a good thing he declared the JUne 12 independence. As what old Cavitenos say "The Americans did not grant us our Independence, they just RETURNED our independence that they had snatched."

Often times, Aguinaldo has been criticized for not supporting the USA during the Japanese occupation and they even labeled him as a "makapili" he had a reason.. he hated the Americans. Aguinaldo said "Why should the Filipinos spend their lives fighting America's war?" It was a VALID reason for him to hate them. He was maligned and his image was badly damaged. Rizal is an american made national hero. The Americans didn't want the Filipinos to be as rebellious as Bonifacio and not to be militant like Aguinaldo.

With the Koreans, well Korea was under Japanese rule by that time too. Even if the Koreans were the actual torturers, on whose order would they be doing that? Obviously, THE JAPANESE.

What happened to the message I posted.. triplicate? I'll delete the other 2 .

reply

[–] aizabella_ph 12 years ago

@Vicky_lc >>>I am a Cavitena, I speak the Southern Tagalog Dialect."Alyado" is a term we still use here especially the old people. "Si Ping Lacson, dating alyado yan ni Erap." or "Magkamag-anak na angkan yun, natural na magkakaalyado yun sa eleksyon." Or sometimes the question: "Kaalyado ba yan?" The context is usually political though.

My friends from Las Pinas, Laguna and Batangas also use this term.

We also use the word kakampi. When we use the word kakampi.. it's like we hear children playing: "Kakampi mo sya, huwag mo syang tayain."

Newspaper reporters and newcasters on TV actually use the term "kaalyado". Example: Ang mga huwes ay kilalang "kaalyado" ng pangulo.

I've been studying in Manila for almost 10 years now and yeah it's not the common word choice of the younger Manilenos. Though there are Manilenos who are familiar with it and some use it. Anyway, there are many people from the provinces who have migrated to Manila. Here in Cavite, "alyado" is a common word. For the chavacano de caviteno and chavacano de ternateno speaking people, yes they also use the words aliado and amigo/a.

reply

[–] blunderbus 12 years ago

I have a friend from Gensan and when we went to Manila I assumed she'd be a good translator. Turns out I was mistaken. Ended up using English much of the time. Luckily many in Manila are from her area so they'd use Cebuano or Visayan I think. There is a stunning number of dialects used there.

reply

[–] aizabella_ph 12 years ago

Yeah, there are Visayans who are more fluent in English than in Tagalog. Like, Senator Miriam Santiago.

reply

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 12 years ago

I'm from Las Pinas actually, I guess I had not heard it if it was popular amongst older folks, though I didn't hear the word from my elders.

Do people from the provinces use the term more than not? & are they popularizing it?

OPEN YOUR EYES! dailymotion.com/video/xbi2hi_1993-chandler-molestation-extortion_news

reply

[–] aizabella_ph 12 years ago

@vicky_lc

My hometown is Bacoor. :) Just a bridge away from Las Pinas (Zapote Bridge). I spent 2 years of my childhood in Pamplona. Well, ask the old people around you if they know the meaning of "alyado".

People here are not really popularizing it, but in usual political conversations it's often heard. Maybe it's just part of the native Caviteno parlance. Even though the younger people from Bacoor have assimilated the Central Tagalog accent, our choice of words and verb tenses remain "Southern Tagalog".

You say: umuulan/kumakain/sinungaling/Kamusta na po kayo?/Hindi ako sanay sa bagong makina./Siya yung anak ng titser.

We say: "naulan"/"nabili"/"bulaan"/Kamusta na ho kayo?/Hindi ko gamay ang bagong makina./Siya yung anak ng maestra.

Maybe it's a matter of choice words. The word "maestra" is still part of our normal conversations until today, so is the word "alyado".

reply

[–] blunderbus 12 years ago

I hate to interrupt such an interesting conversation but I fear I have a question to impose upon you. Several times the consideration of "age" has come up. 'Old' and 'older' people. As well as 'younger people.' What age would you consider no longer young and older and old?

It is fascinating. The language constantly evolves as we do.

reply

[–] aizabella_ph 12 years ago

Interesting question.

For a brief moment I asked myself if I should consider myself "young". Children and teenagers are young, I am neither a child nor a teenager. My parents are 3 to 4 decades older than me, they still classify me as young.

However, manufacturers of ANTI-AGING products would label their products "for 25+, for 30+, for 40+"... They don't target teenagers and children to buy. It somewhat implies that my generation isn't "younger" vs. the other age groups

50-60 is NOT young anymore.

65-70 is obviously OLD. They're kinda... the ones who were born during the Japanese occupation.

70+ is really old -- they've seen 15 Philippine Presidents come and go .

reply

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 12 years ago

Hi aiza! My brother moved to Cavite recently actually, Bacoor too. I have to be honest, perhaps my family or old folks are not the best people to ask around. I have asked, my mother was vaguely familiar with the term but it is not a word my family uses. My family is Spanish mestizo & they only know the term perhaps because my mother speaks Spanish. But aside from that, we do not use this term, even the older folks.

I am familiar with the use of na-kain/na-bili, I have heard it from a neighbor & she comes from a Southern Tagalog region.

Maybe the preferences for more native Tagalog words in Central Tagalog was due to the direct stripping of many Spanish terms from Tagalog after the revolution but did not reach farther areas/cities/provinces from Manila.

OPEN YOUR EYES! dailymotion.com/video/xbi2hi_1993-chandler-molestation-extortion_news

reply

[–] aizabella_ph 12 years ago

Hi Vicky :) I see. Las Pinas is like a second home to me.

reply