‘Yudiputa’

By Alex P. Vidal 

“I was raised to think cursing makes you look unintelligent.” —Chloe Grace Moretz

BELIEVE it or not, but according to Google, the English translation of “yudiputa” is “judiciary”—or is it the system of courts that interprets, defends, and applies the law in the name of the state?

For most Hiligaynon-speaking people, the Google’s English translation is bewildering and scarcely credible; it’s completely unexpected.

Definithing, or defining anything, on the other hand, defines “yudiputa” as “the Filipino version of the Spanish word hijo de puta which, in English means son of a b-tch.”

It explains that the word’s “origin: the Filipinos were tired of speaking the word hijo, and they short cutted it to yu, it still sounds the same…history: it’s history was just like the Spanish version, yeah, because most of the Filipino words being used here came from Spain when they colonized us during the 1500’s.”

Urban Dictionary has a more explicit version: “YUDI came from the word ‘Hijo’ meaning son. PUTA came from the word ‘BITCH’ meaning whore.”

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If spoken in Iloilo City or in any Hiligaynon-speaking places, “yudiputa” actually connotes profanity, or a type of language that includes dirty words and ideas.

Our grandparents would be up in arms and declare Armageddon if they heard us utter the “forbidden” word.

The persons who uttered the controversial word could be perceived as rude, disrespectful, and offensive to others, potentially damaging relationships and creating a negative impression, especially in professional or formal settings; it could also signal a lack of control or maturity depending on the context and situation.

As children, we had been warned the word was actually considered taboo and could be hurtful or upsetting to people depending on their cultural background or personal beliefs.

Nowadays, however, it is spoken almost with glee in normal conversations, in press conferences, concerts, political rallies, and social media.

In fact, it has become a fad and vocalized by some smart alecks to attract attention and provoke debate whether it should be tolerated and accepted as part of a normal dialogue in today’s unbigoted and latitudinarian generation.

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The Impact of Food Waste and How to Reduce It. Food waste is a growing global concern, with millions of tons of food being discarded every year, according to Things Finance World.

This issue not only affects the environment but also contributes to economic losses and food insecurity.

One of the major causes of food waste is improper storage. Many fresh produce items spoil quickly when not stored correctly, leading to unnecessary waste.

Simple steps like using airtight containers and freezing perishable items can help extend shelf life.

Restaurants and grocery stores are also responsible for a large portion of food waste. Many businesses are now adopting food donation programs and “ugly produce” campaigns to ensure edible food is not discarded unnecessarily.

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BRUSH IT UP. Let’s not throw away our old toothbrush; let’s use it to clean tricky-to-reach areas like the caulking between floor and wall tiles and the area around bathroom faucets. Often a little more elbow grease will do the trick without resorting to harsh cleaners.

PLAY BALL. When our running shoes are worn beyond use, let’s not throw them away. Because of their high rubber content and the fact that rubber is easily recyclable, old sneakers are now being used to make new sports surfaces. Nike is one brand that operates this function by producing its Nike Grind material.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of to daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)