ASSIGNMENT 1

Name: Jacinto, Emie Rose B.

Offering No. M091
Instruction: Comment on the use of “po” and “opo” among Visayans while speaking in their
first (Cebuano, Waray, etc.) language. Do you support it? Why? Why not? Justify your
answer.

Answer: In my opinion as a Tagalog speaker and also a Bisaya/Cebuano speaker it sounds

odd and awkward at the same time. When I first come here in Baybay and hear people talking
in Bisaya I kind of thought that they are disrespectful to each other. And to think they are
talking to an elder. I'm shocked and confused on how can they talk to an older person with
saying “po” and “opo”. I was taught with my older relatives and parents that when we are
speaking with the people that is older than me is to say “po” or “opo”. For example, when
someone is calling me I should answer “Bakit po?” or “Po?”. Or when my parents ask
“Ginalingan mo ba ngayon sa school?” and I would answer “Opo” or “ Naging good po ako
sa school”. Those words are used for us kids to learned to be respectful to our elders.
But, as I learn the Cebuano/Bisaya language, I gradually understand why the “po” and
“opo” are not used in Cebuano or Ilokano language. They sound odd and uneasy to hear
when you includes “po” or “opo” in any of those languages.
For example:
• Diri lang ka po sa mag puyo.
• Dili lang sa po manilhig karon.
• Ana daw si mama wala po daw siya ana nga adlaw po.
You know what they mean but imagine them the Cebuano speaker to talk like that daily. It’s
not in their custom to speak like that. It sounds wrong even if I'm not fluent in the Cebuano
language I know that those are not the right term. It should be straight and forward.
I know few of the Tagalog speaker thinks that Cebuano/Bisaya speaker are disrespectful
because they don't use “po” and “opo” in their language. Plus they said that the accent is
sometimes strong and thought that Cebuano/Bisaya speakers are always angry. But you knoe
what I see the Cebuano speakers more respectful than most of the Tagalog speaker that I
know.
In conclusion, I don't support using “po” and “opo” in Cebuano or in any languages that
existed in the Philippines because not using them doesn't mean that those speaker are
disrespectful they are unique. It’s there identity and it’s not meant to change.