Kumusta! (How are you?) Maupay nga aga ha iyo ngatanan! (Good morning to everyone!)
Get to know the Waray. You’ll simply love them!
About the Waray People
Waray is the language of the people of the entire province of Samar and Eastern and Northern Leyte (people from Western and Southern Leyte speak Cebuano). It is one of the eight major languages of the Philippines and its roots can be traced to the Malayo-Polynesian family. (Vilches, 1982, 59)
The Waray language is shared by the fun-loving and carefree natives inhabiting the sister islands of Leyte and Samar who are also called the Warays. The geographical proximity of these two provinces, although divided by the whirlpool-pervaded San Juanico Strait and linked now by the Marcos Bridge, may account for the cultural bond that exists among the natives.
The Warays have the reputation of being tough but actually they are gentle and fun-loving too. They can even be sentimental at times.
This video shows how the rest of the Filipinos see the Waray people.
About Belinda
Belinda is a teacher who believes that her job is to build people and help others bring out the best in them. She teaches English and Research at the Secondary Laboratory School of the Eastern Visayas State University, Tacloban City, Leyte. Her Master’s Thesis entitled “Consorcia Z. Palejaro’s Cadena de Amor: A Critical Analysis” is her first humble work and contribution in the retrieval and preservation of Waray Literature and the Waray language.
She is a quiet person who loves to read for she considers herself a learner for life. She prefers a quiet evening at home, curled up in bed with an interesting book than a night out with friends. Though she might strike others as introvert, she gets along well with others and most of her friends come to her when they need an ear to listen to them and a shoulder to cry on. She also loves to write and most of the time she finds herself being asked to write speeches, letters and other writing stuff for others.
She is happiest when she is with her children, Michael Joshua and Mahalaleel Jan.
About my Blog
My Blog entitled “Siyempre Waray” showcases the literature and culture of the people of Leyte and Samar. It will serve as my avenue in telling the whole world that the Waray people do have their share of literary genius. Through it, I also intend to encourage the Waray youth to write original literary pieces to enrich this body of writing.
I chose to have this theme for my blog so I can contribute to the effort of the Waray to preserve their language, literature and culture.
My graduate professors, Dr. Nenita G. Tamayo (a UP alumna) and Dr. David Genotiva (a former UP professor) serve as my inspiration in this endeavor.
Contact Belinda:
E-mail address: mabelindalora@yahoo.com
Join Me in
This page has the following sub pages.
Hello! As of this writing, I am missing the great people I met and got to know in the camp.
Miss you much! Take care ma’am! Basta Waray, THE BEST!
Hi Eric! Every time i face my students, I remember you and the “boring” story… ha ha ha! Not to mention the test choices “kikik” or ________. ha ha ha! Then I remember the way you laugh and I’m just back in Mimosa having dinner or lunch or breakfast with you guys! Thanks for the comment…it sure warmed my heart. See you online guys!
hi mam bel!
I have so much to thank God for giving me friends like you back in Mimosa. Your work inspires me a great deal and it opens my mind how an educational blog should be.
Your love for your culture is something that one should model as not all of us have the same passion as you have.
Thank you so much for the friendship.
Hi there gen! Same here… you were simply superb! I miss you guys and the fun we had… the laughter and all. Keep in touch… see you online!