I’m glad you are familiar with the Ybanag language. Don’t worry: I won’t give lessons on profanity.And while Ybanag and Itawis sound alike, I think they are only closely related. Our housekeepers, for example, did not come from Tuguegarao, they speak Itawis, but they understand the Ybanag words my parents often use.

Thank you very much for your kind words. Cheers to you, and I’m looking forward to meeting you the next time you visit the Philippines!

Thanks for another beautiful article, very appropriate for Mother’s Day.

I have had a lot of exposure to Ybanag as my uncle married a lady from Cagayan. Although I don’t understand Ybanag, I pick up words here and there like “danum” for water and some others. Oh, of course, the often-used cuss word (I think you know what that is).

Is Ybanag another name for Itawis? I remember my aunt’s helpers refer to their language as Itawis, not Ybanag. Anyway, I always found it amusing to listen to them talk, the lilting of their voices followed by bursts of laughter.

On a different note, sorry I didn’t get to see the Manila Sunset on this trip as planned. Our stay in Manila was very brief, there was no time for a trip to Manila Bay. I hope we get to do this next time.

Take care and keep writing these beautiful articles. Cheers!

By the way, it was good to have a cup of coffee with you whilst I was down in Davao. I’ll be back soon!

Having stayed in Davao, I must say that Bisaya also sounds a bit like the sound of “bird’s tongue”. Not that I understand it myself; Mr Bob Martin speaks much better Bisaya than I can ever hope to learn!

Anyway, the cinemas are cleaner now, I suppose. You won’t get anymore of those empty peanut shells but I do hope that you still get to visit Cagayan soon – and other such beautiful provinces up north.

Cheers! It was wonderful to meet you!

Hi Klaus: Thank you very much. Kindly send my best regards to Rose and Mutti. It was a pleasure meeting you all again!

Hi Richard: Thanks very much for your kind words. I’m sure everyone has their own beautiful stories to tell about the Philippine provinces. I love Manila but I love Cagayan, too!

also when i was younger, watched the graduate, i was in the uk, early 20’s i was then and dustin hoffman looks like a boy in it. It made a splash too in the uk but i guess it was more controversial here in the Philippines, anyway enjoyed yr article Migs and will look out for the birdsong language and the peanut shells too if i make the cinema, hope they have used some disinfectant before i get there

enjoyed your writing, best regards

Being shared with your Mom’s experiences of the best years of her life will be a memory you’ll never forget. It will bring a chuckle or a tear from your eyes one day.

Cheers!

(BTW, have you tried filmmaking?…I’m sure you’ll be a great director.)