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3. Kuwan, ano. At a loss for words? Try these and marvel at how Pinoys understand just exactly what you mean.

4. Pinoy Humor & Irreverence. If you're "api" & knows it, crack a joke. Nothing personal.

5. Tingi. Thank goodness for small entrepreneurs. Where esle can we buy cigarettes, soaps, condiments & life's essentials in small affordable amounts?

6. Spirituality. Even before the Spaniards came, Ethnic tribes already had their "anitos, bathala's" & assorted deities, pointing a strong relationship with the Creator, who or whatever it may be.

7. Po, opo, mano po. Speech suffixes that define courtesy, deference, filial respect - a balm to the spirit at these aggressive times.

8. Pasalubong. Our way of sharing the vicarious thrills & delights of a trip & a wonderful excuse to shop without the customary guilt.

9. Beaches!!! We have 7, 107 islands to choose from, with miles & miles of shoreline, piles high with fine white sand, lamped with warm waters & nibbles with exotic tropical fish. From the stormy seas of Batanes to the emerald isles of Palawan. Here, life is truly a beach.

10. Bagoong. Darkly mysterious, this smelly fish or shrimp paste typifies the underlying theme of most ethnic foods: disgustingly unhygienic, unbearably stinky & simply irresistable.

11. Bayanihan. Yes, the internationally renowed dance company, but also this habit of pitching is still common in small communities. Just have that cold beer & some pulutan ready for the troops.

12. Balikbayan Box. Another way of sharing life's bounty, where the most wonderful part is that the contents are carted home to be distributed.

13. Pilipino Komiks. Not to mention, "Hiwaga, Aliwan, Tagalog Classics, Liwayway & Bulaklak" magazines. Pulpy publications that gave us "Darna, Facifica Falayfay, Lagalag, Kulafu, Kenkoy, Dysebel, characters of a time innocent & worldy.

14. Folk Songs. They come unbidden & spring, fullblown like a second language, at the slightest nudge from the too loud passing jeepney or tricycle.

15. Fiestas. Eat, drink & be merry, for tomorrow is just another day, shruggs a poor man who, once a year honors a patron saint with this sumptuous, no holds-barred spread. It's a Pinoy celebration & it's pious & riotous best.

16. Aswang, mananaggal, kapre. The whole underworld of Filipino mythology recalls our uniquely bizarre childhood, that is, until political correctness kicked in. Still, their rich adventures peppers our storytelling.

17. Jeepney. Colorful, fast, reckless, a vehicle of postwar Pinoy ingenuity, this Everyman's communal cadillac makes for a cheap, interesting ride. If the driver is a dare devil (which they usually are) hang on to your seat.

18. Dinuguan. Blood stew, a bloodcurdling idea, until you try it with puto. best with mined with jalapeno peppers. Messy but delicious.

19. Santa Cruzan. More than just a beauty contest, this one has a religious overtone, a tableau of St. Helena's & Constantine's search for the Cross that seamlessly blends piety, pageant & ritual. Plus, it's a perfect excuse to show off the most prettiestl ladies, and the most beautiful gown.

20. Balut. Unhatched duck's embryo, another unspeakable ethnic food to outsiders, but oh! to indulge in guilty pleasures. Sprinkle with salt and suck out the soup with gusto.

21. Pakidala. A personalized door to door remittance & delivery system for overseas Filipino workers who don't trust the banking system, and who also expects a family update from the courier as well.

22. Choc-nut. Crumbly chocolate peanut bars that defined childhood ecstacy before M&M's & Hershey's.

23. Kamayan Style. To eat with one's hands & eschew spoon, fork & table manners. Ahh, heaven.

24. Chicharon. Pork, fish, or chicken crackling. There is in the crunch a hint of the extravagant, the decadent, the pedestrian. Perfect with vinegar, sublime with beer.

25. Pinoy Hospitality. Just about everyone gets a hearty "Kain tayo!" invitation to break bread with whoever has food to share, no matter how skimpy or austere it is.

26. Lutong Bahay. Adobo, kare-kare, sinigang. Home cooked meals that has a stamp of approval from generations, who swear by closely guarded cooking secrets & family recipes.

27. Lola Basyang. The voice one heard spinning tales over the radio, before movies & television curtailed imagination & defined grown-up tastes.

28. Pambahay. Home is where one can let it all hang out, where clothes do not make a man or a woman but rather define their level of comfort.

29. Tricycles & Triskidad. The poor Pinoy's taxicab that delivers you at your doorstep for as little as 3php with a complimentary dusting of polluted air.

30. Dirty Ice Cream. Very Pinoy flavors that make up for the risk; munggo, langka, ube, mais, keso, macapuno & the colorful cart that recalls jeepney art.

1. Merienda. Where is it normal to eat five times a day?

2. Sawsawan. Assorted sauces that gurantee freedom of choice, enough room for experimentation & maximum tolerance for diverse tastes. Toyo't calamansi, suka with sili, patis at suka.