The official language that is spoken in the Philippines is called Filipino (Tagalog). I visit the Philippines very often for business. Since it is a neighboring country, I make frequent visits. When I conduct business, I generally use Spanish vocabulary for counting as this is quite common here. The currency used here is peso which is called "piso" by Filipinos. One piso is divided into hundred centavos or a hundred cents in English. Tagalog uses the English script for writing. Business men sometimes use Spanish or English when they bargain and conduct business.

Since Monday, (Lunes) is the first day of the week, it is necessary for me to be here to visit the corporate office to find out what my schedule will be. I generally stay a few days and return on Thursday ( Huwebes). The trips I make are mainly from January (Enero) to May (Mayo) since the weather is pleasant then. The rains usually start anytime in June (Hunyo) and I prefer to be at home during that season.

I have rented a small apartment close to my place of work in Manila; a popular city. My apartment is simple. I have a telebysion (television) in the living room (sala). The kwarto, or rooms, are clean and not too large. I have a table (lamesa) and a chair (upuan) which is near the kitchen, both of which are used when working. I have learned the Tagalog words for some of the things I use daily. For instance, lapis means pencil and kwaderno means notebook. On my frequent trips to the store to replenish my work supplies, I have learned how to say the following: pakikuha ng lapis (please get the pencil) and pakikuha ng kwaderno (please get the notebook). Note that the word paki means please in Tagalog.

I am friends with the person that lives next door. This person has black hair (maiitim na buhok) and long eyelashes (mahabang pilik). We drive to nearby stores to buy food and the supplies I need for work. I am happy to have a friend here so I am not lonely. I find the people here warm and friendly and I plan to make more friends and go out more often.

My friend has taught me additional Tagalog words and I have learned more about the language. For example, I have learned that the word for "today" is "ngayon." The phrase "malaking lungsod" means "large city." I have memorized the words for "excuse me" because I find that I often need to ask someone a question or when I bump into people accidentally. I would use makikiraan po which is the way of saying "excuse me" when you have to get by someone or want them out of your way. On the other hand, I would say, "Ano yon?" when asking a question.

I have learned a lot during my visits to the Philippines. I continually learn new Filipino words. I am also learning some of the subtleties of the language. As time goes by and as I gain more confidence speaking the language, I think that my pronunciation will improve.

Find out additional words in Tagalog and how to say no in Tagalog http://speakingtagalog.com/articles/no-in-tagalog.