Kultura

Kultura — culture — covers the things everyone in the family knows and nobody writes down. Why the ninong and ninang list at a Filipino wedding runs to fourteen names. What the coins in the arrhae actually stand for. Why your lola turns the plate around when someone leaves the table mid-meal, and whether anyone still means it. Fiestas and what happens on the day rather than what the tourism page says. Weddings from the pamanhikan onward. Superstitions explained honestly, including the ones that are simply old advice wearing a warning.

It is written for two readers in particular. The one who grew up with all of it and wants the reason behind the rule. And the one raised in Toronto or Milan who has to explain a tradition to her own kids next month and does not want to guess. Anything in Filipino gets translated the first time it appears, so shaky Tagalog is no barrier. Start with wedding traditions, the superstitions piece, or enough Tagalog to keep up at the table.