Dulce Karen Butay
Thank you 2024 for the countless lessons, memories, blessings, and everything in between. Hello 2025! Happy New Year! Naragsak Nga Baro a Tawen! (Ilokano) Manigong Bagong Taon! (Tagalog) Maayong Bag-ong Tuig! (Cebuano) Malipayong nga Bag-ong Tuig! (Ilonggo) Magayaya ka ta bagu nga dagun! (Ibanag) Masaplalang bayung Banwa! (Kapampangan)
New year, new beginnings, let’s make every moment count.
How did you welcome this year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese calendar? Did you do any of the traditions like wearing polka dots, having coins in your pockets, or jumping at the stroke of midnight? Or did you do the trend of eating twelve grapes under the table? If you don’t know about it, you should google the meaning behind it. Anyway, whatever you do, I hope it will bring you good fortune or good luck this new year.
Shout out to our January Birthday celebrants: Basilia “Bessy” Evangelista, Kallie Keith-Agaran, Camille Rhianna Butay Hayen and Rackie Lagpacan. Happy, Happy birthday to you! Maligayang bati sa inyong kaarawan! (Tagalog) Naimbag nga panagkasangay mo! (Ilokano) Makapagayaya nga aggaw na nikeyana mu! (Ibanag) Masayang kebaitan queca! (Kapampangan) Masadya gid nga adlaw sa imo pagkatawo. (Ilonggo)
Let’s visit our friends Angel and Michael and see what’s going on with them this month, shall we?
Ray dials again … Ringggg … ringggggg … Long pause …
“Uncle Ray … it’s 3 o’clock in the buntag (morning) … ” Michael says, he is inaantok (sleepy).
“Michael, I have something to tell you … ” Ray says nervously to Michael.
“Is it so important, Uncle, that you have to tell me at this hour? Can it wait until later in the day?” Michael asks, with his eyes still closed.
“Angel is my daughter,” Ray says to Michael seriously. His puso (heart) beats fast waiting for Michael to respond.
“Stop joking Uncle Ray, go to sleep, you are nabartek (drunk).” Michael hangs up the phone.
Ray calls Michael again. “I am serious, Michael Walker.”
Michael says, “Go to sleep” and hangs up the phone. He opens his mata (eyes) and realizes that his Uncle called him with his full nagan (name).
Michael is magkaturug (sleepy) but he forces himself to sit down at the edge of his bed. He takes a breath and dials the phone. He closes his mata (eyes), as he waits for Uncle Ray to answer.
Ring … ringgg…ringggg …
“Hello?” Ray answers the phone calmly.
“Uncle Ray?” is all that Michael can say.
“Did you hear ana (what) I said?” Ray asks.
Michael nods even though Uncle Ray cannot see him, he knows that he nodded.
“Paano (How)?” Michael asks.
And there is a long pause on the other line.
“You are right, Mikey. This can wait at a later time. I’ll call you back later this umaga (morning). I’m sorry to disturb you. You should go back to sleep,” Ray says to Michael.
“Wait, Uncle Ray.” Michael says.
“I am hubog (drunk) Mikey. I will talk to you later,” Ray says and hangs up the phone.
Michael dials Ray’s phone again.
“Mikey, go back to sleep…” Ray says.
“No, wait…” Michael stops him.
“Just ask if her nanay (mother) is Lena Ramos Corpuz,” and Ray hangs up the phone.
Michael types the name on his phone so he won’t forget then returns to bed.
Michael has been staring at the ceiling in the dark for over an hour now. He couldn’t go back to sleep. His mata (eyes) are heavy but couldn’t get himself to fall asleep. He has been tossing and turning too.
“Angel’s inahan (mother) and Uncle Ray?” he says in his mind. “Makananu (How) did that happen?”
Michael sits up on the edge of the bed, “Bakit (Why) is this happening to me? Nganong (Why)? Apay (Why)? Kaam (Why)?” he says. “Ano (what) am I going to do?, Anni (what) am I going to say to Angel?” He closes his mata (eyes).
What should Michael do or say to Angel? Please share your ideas at https://www.facebook.com/FilAmVoiceMaui.
Anyways, that’s all I have. Keep an eye out for my column in every issue. I’m Dulce, helping you to master your Filipino Language. Like always, let’s laugh, let’s makinig (listen) and Let’s Talk Pinoy! Hanggang sa muli! (Until next time!) Ingat! (Take care!)
Dulce Karen Butay graduated from Maui High School and received her Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Maui Community College. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specializing in Accounting, from the University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu. She is currently the Administrative Officer at the County of Maui, Department of Finance. Butay is the owner of Maui Balsamic Vinegar and is a licensed Resident Producer of Life Insurance with World Financial Group and an Independent Consultant of Saladmaster. She is a part of Saladmaster’s Travel Club and won an all-expenses paid trip to Cancún, Mexico. Butay has traveled to Texas, the Philippines and Thailand as one of the delegates from Island Healthy Solutions, a Saladmaster dealer here on Maui.