March 29, 2024

MY YOUNGER BROTHER Reuben intimated in earlier times his own unforgettable instance of clap3.
HE WAS THEN working under a big company – with which he stayed and later, retired from, as a skilled worker.
ONE TIME, THERE was a Program event hosted by the company, and their special guests were Japanese counterparts. The info was that: among the guests were Engineers, bosses; technical, and skilled workers too.
THE HOST COMPANY assigned brother Reuben to sing a Japanese song – cum English translation ‘nice and easy’, he was advised. He sought my help in the translations and interpretations of some lines, and I did my best. Then, came his big day; and, he did well his part. Long after said event, he narrated to me what happened in the final stage:
“FROM THE ABOUT-Middle of my song and ‘Narration’-part, I saw the Japanese faces lighten or shine. When I finished my song and bowed, most or all of them stood and bowed too. I deciphered.. I got their appreciation and approval when I heard them clap3.” There goes our first application example. Now, our second.
A CANDIDATE FOR Mayor – OM by name, in the last Local Elections had one of his leaders, TM, organize a Caucus/Meeting where the attendees are from families related to each other.
SAID MEETING WENT Well and organized: the usual pleasantries, some questions were asked, clarified, and answered; and, all those who desired to say something were allowed to speak. When the time for candidate OM to state his appeal came, he said:
“THANK YOU FOR your initial inputs and for coming here today.. and for listening and contributing to our discussions.
“ONE IMPORTANT THING we talked about today is the fact that I am related to you – by blood, in both my father-side and in my mother-side; your spouses respective too, are my relatives affinal. Therefore, may I say and stay now confidently that
“YOU WILL HELP me and vote for me come Election Day?” One of the listeners said: Yes, of course!’ Another one followed suit.
LISTENING TM STOOD up and stated: ‘to summarize what we’re all saying, rest assured it is an – Aye3! Yes, we’re all for you!’
OUR THIRD EXAMPLE. Nuh Años Polano or “Nap” – a retired teacher but certainly with a sinewyheart-and mental disposition, has been recently on special focus to the concern(s) of his daughter – Ma. Sikahl, and her friend, Mabu Baeng.
“MA.SIK” AND MABU have been going close for more than two years now. Their families and friends have been wishing them enough ‘Good Luck’s; bit it appears nothing of a formal plan is heard of the two to finally ‘settle down’.. up to this time.
ONE DAY, FEELING oppressed by the heat of the sun, Mabu came by a local restaurant.. thinking to have himself a brew. Upon entering however, he immediately spotted Tito “Nap” seated and waiting for his order at the near-corner side. Brushing aside his bashfulness, he approached Tito Nap’s table. Easily recognizing him, his Tito Naps bid him sit and give company. Halika, samahan mo ako. Soon, both were in deep topic of the food, the weather, and of course: the political aroma – hereways and sideways. And then. Tito Nap said:
“LET’S SHIFT TOPIC a little while, Maby. Let me ask you three questions; kindly answer candidly, then we can proceed..?” [‘Surely, po’. replied Mabu].
“FIRST, DO YOU really have Ma. Sik, my daughter; second, have you two plans to get married; and third, will the marriage be soon or tomorrow?”
‘YES, TO THE first question Tito. And so to the second and the third. In short, my answers are opo, opo, opo, respectively and no other, Tito.’
“IN THAT CASE, I copy and I have no other questions. Just inform us when we need to come together and finalize the plans, hijo!” [Mabu nodded and replied: “Po, opo, po!’]. The two shook hands and bade each other the best Salutis, the Tag-English way; e.g. Bye, po; and Okay, ingat hijo.


WITH SOME OTHER cultures and languages, they are very generous with their “Yes!”es, if they mean the positive (otherwise, they’ll just state one “No!”, or their language’s word for that).
FOR EXAMPLE, TO a Japanese, the question: Anata wa Nihonjin desu ka? (Transl: “Are you a Japanese?”), they’ll in most probability answer: Hai, hai, hai! (Transl: “Yes, yes, yes!”), instead of just one Hai! If not, the ‘formal form: Sou, Sou, Sou desu! Shortened to Sosousous! sometimes.
THE FRENCH TOO. You ask them, “you’re from Lyon.. so you speak, le français? And they’ll reply at once: Oui, oui, oui! Et cetera.


IN THE PHILIPPINES, or among us Filipinos, we at times have those rapid forms, aforediscussed; but at most times; our tripod ‘affirmations’ are rather expressed in the gestural: clap, clap, claps; or else, the vocalized Phil. English: Aye, aye, aye! or, is it: Ay, ay, ay! – said in one stream of voice?