"Lang",(only, just)

"Lang, a Filipino word which means just in English. It is a Filipino expression that means" lack of something and sometimes accompanied by a facial expressions 🤨". I have heard this topic from a valedictorian speech who emphasizes this word "Lang", as often described with her profession as a teacher, she experienced being criticized by some of her relatives, because she's a very intelligent lady, and people say, "you just take up education, the salary was too low".

I know that there are a lot of Education graduates here in this platform and I don't know if they have experienced the same thing. Personally, I admire every teachers, they are true great heroes for helping us in molding our children's intelligence and helping them to grow in knowledge and become a second parent. There's no greatest leaders in the world, when there's nobody who teach them.

There are some working people who have received such comments, like a janitor, a nanny, a construction worker, a farmer and many more jobs that doesn't have high pay check every month. It comes when a person doesn't met expectations.

When I used to watch TV in the afternoon , specifically in Eat Bulaga, and showtime, some of the contestants of the show were ask, "what is your job," anong trabaho mo?, and he will reply, "driver Lang po ako", or "I'm just a driver". And the other one is, "nagtitinda Lang po ako ng snack sa may Kanto", "I'm just selling snacks on the street".

Even the person itself, have used this word to describe his/her work, it seems that it emphasizes less confidence or too low, compared to others.Or like self-pitying for saying with a "Lang" at the end of their description or phrase to describe himself with regards to his work or educational attainment.

"What is your educational attainment? I'm just a high school graduate.

" Anong na tapos mo? High-school Lang po. "

Even me, when one of my classmate on high-school have chatted me a long time ago, she ask me, "what's your job?", and I said"Im just a full time mom". I was thinking that she gonna ask me back why? I thought that she will say, you were class valedictorian, why did you ended up a full time mom?

But I was wrong, she said, "it's hard to become a full time mom, and I resigned also to take care of my children.And I was thinking that I become critical to myself for thinking too much negativity. But, honestly, most people who really know me, will say" why did you just stay in the house weng, you supposed to be in an office right now". I don't need to defend myself more because I'm too tired already of being defensive for many years.

What am I going to emphasize here is that, we should never underestimate others craft, or area of profession like a teacher, even a security guard, service crew and sweeper on the streets. Each of us has its own journey that we want to pursue in this life.

Like a teacher, it's a noble job that requires more than 8 hours of working, learning and even personal interactions with their students. A tricycle driver who take us to wherever we go, when we go to the market, or in town. They give their effort to save up money for their children's education, food and other basic necessities.

A side walk vendor, who sell street foods night and day to gain money in order to sustain their family. Who walk around against any risks, for the sake of living, it's something that we should be proud of, because they are hardworking people, who used their strength and effort.

Anyone who has its own work to be part of the society deserves respect and high regards despite of any accomplishments we may possessed.

"Lang or just in self denial"

"Lang"(Just), is sometimes used in denial to our true feelings like being sad.

"Are you okay?", "Okay ka Lang ba? "

"I'm just fine?", "Okay Lang ako!".

Even if deep inside he/she is not okay. I often used this word to deny my feelings when my husband asks me, if I'm fine, I'm just fine, even if I'm not.

The use of the word "Lang (just)", should be in a right statement to especially when it's pertaining to a person's employment status of our family, specifically our parents who supports us daily. It doesn't mean that we will never try to do better to improved ourselves. But, it what I want to say is that, we should always give importance and value whatever source of income we have or kind of work.

Even if it's a one word, but once we can used it in a wrong way, approach to someone, it will relay message that sounds negative.

A sentence ends with a period, is a statement, but once a statement is connected with a words that is doubtful, it's often misinterpreted like,:

Why did you just end up being a mom?

I'm just a full time mom.

Your just a nanny?

I'm just a bagger.

I'm just a dressmaker.

Instead, we can say:

I am a full time mom.

I'm a dressmaker.

I'm a driver.

I'm a collector.

I'm a writer.

Say it, with confidence, to enable us to move forward, and face possible opportunities that may comes our way. If ever, things won't work, our confidence will drive us through to seek more possible ways.

Final thoughts

Your value as a person doesn't depend on whatever you have, everyone is valid and valuable. Some people are weak, and vulnerable, that is why, we should always be careful to what we say or do.

It's 4:52as I finished writing this article, I appreciate everyone who visit my posts.

Love lots!

All images came from unsplash.com.