Pop Culture and Language

In the Philippines, pop culture is like the cool older sibling shaping how we talk. Movies
and soap operas give us catchy phrases; think "Walang Forever" from a romantic film.
OPM songs, like the Eraserheads' "ligaya" ( joy), make their way into everyday speech.
Thanks to K-Dramas, girls now call someone older or a crush "oppa." Social media
brings us "Sana Oil" for good luck, and influencers introduce words like "gigil" for
excitement. Western influences add in terms like "woke" for being socially aware. It's a
lively mix, creating a language that's uniquely Filipino, blending tradition with the latest
trends from movies, music, and online culture.

Compilation of some popular slang terms and expressions widely used in various media
across the Philippines:

Oppa:
Origin: Influenced by K-Dramas, it means older brother or boyfriend, used
endearingly.
Daebak:
Origin: Another K-Drama gem, it signifies something impressive or amazing.
Sana Oil:
Origin: Social media slang expressing hope for good luck or success.
G?:
Origin: Shortened form of "Game?" commonly used to check if someone is ready or
available.
Ligaya:
Origin: From the Eraserheads song, it now represents joy and contentment.
Jowa:
Origin: Coined from Filipino movies, it refers to a romantic partner.
Walang Forever:
Origin: Movie catchphrase, often used skeptically to imply that eternal love doesn't
exist.
Gigil:
Origin: Influencer slang, expressing overwhelming excitement or the urge to pinch
something cute.
Lodi:
Origin: Influencer culture, short for "idol," used to refer to someone admired.
Petmalu:
Origin: Filipino slang for "malupit" (awesome), often used to describe something
extraordinary.

Werpa:
Origin: Derived from "power," it signifies strength or energy.

Woke:
Origin: Imported from Western media, it refers to being socially aware or enlightened.
G na G:
Origin: A phrase expressing extreme enthusiasm or readiness, derived from the
English word "game."
Laban:
Origin: Adopted from the local sports scene, it means to fight on or keep going
despite challenges.