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Pamilya Ko
Pamilya Ko is the fourth of the language series. Pamilya Ko introduces family terms in Tagalog/Filipino.
Filipinos place great emphasis on the solidarity of the family unit. In a Filipino household, it is common to find three generations living together. Often, grandparents play a large role in raising their grandchildren. Close familial relationships often go beyond one’s genetic connections or bloodlines to incorporate distant relatives, close neighbors, or friends. For example, it is common to hear people refer to distant relatives or non-relatives with familial terms such as ‘tita’ (aunt), ‘tito’ (uncle), ‘lola’ (grandmother) and ‘lolo’ (grandfather).
The importance of family is also very prevalent in the everyday language used by Filipinos. While we would normally use “sir” and “madam” to refer to people we do not know informally, Filipinos occasionally use “kuya” and “ate” – meaning “older brother” and “older sister” in Filipino – to address them. These can be, but not limited to, their taxi driver, their local barista or even a stranger on the street they want to get the attention of. When amongst people they know personally, Filipinos use “tito” and “tita” when addressing the parents of their friends. It may seem unusual for foreigners to hear them refer to people outside of their family as one of their own, but this is second nature to all Filipinos and shows just how deeply rooted familial bonds are in their culture.
Storybook Activities:
Draw a picture of your family, or who you live with in your bahay (house).
You will need:
- A sheet of paper
- Markers, colored pencils or paints
- Scissors and/or craft knife (optional)
Use our free printable Bahay drawing prompt, or design your own house. You can download the free printable Bahay here.
This printable is an A4 sized pdf file, you will need a pdf reader such as Adobe Acrobat to open it. If you are printing on US ‘letter sized’ paper be sure to select ‘fit’ with a borderless option from your printer.
- To fold your paper into a house, place the side of the paper with the windows and doors face down then fold the sides into the middle.
- Now that you have folded your house, you have the option to carefully cut the windows and doors into flaps so they open up, and then you are ready to decorate.
- It is a good idea to close your house, open the windows and doors, and draw what you want to see inside them first. Then you can add the rest of the inside details knowing whatever you want to see when you open the flaps are in the right area.
Polaroid Coloring Sheet
Use our free printable Polaroid Coloring Sheet to draw pictures of your family members.
We would love to see what you create! Tag us on Instagram @littleyellowjeepney or share a photo on our Facebook page.
Digital versions are also available for purchase HERE and on:
Amazon Kindle and iTunes