In My Kalanguya Mind.... "Owaytodman!"

In our class today, we were discussing one of the Filipino values "bahala na" which mean "whatever happens, "whatever will be"-(that's it)." Some authors claim that it is a negative characteristic that characterize Filipinos while other authors do not agree because they think it is a positive trait that trace them back to "Bathala"-God. This makes them say "bahala na" which could have come from "Bathala na". Thus they say, it simply means "it is up to God" and not suppose to be a form of resignation.

Reflecting what it means in my native tongue, "owaytodman" connotes a positive message that brings risk but with hope that it will work out well whatever happens. Owayto may mean "maybe" in English while "man" is a short word for diman which literally means "there." This utterance usually implies an opportunity for something good to happen rather than a tragedy. For it will bring forth good to those people who are to be involved- a better character "there" after the event.

A typical example I could think of (which often happens) is a bunch of people who are leaving for a trip. When one of their supposed companion says he/she could not join because of the lack of money or resources when one of them would suddenly say "(Koy)Owaytodman!" This word implies hope that either he/she could help provide what is lacking or that they can work it out for the best. So it is a way of encouraging the person with action who got discouraged. It is a way of saying, "do not worry." I think it is never used to discourage someone neither a negation but with confidence that when I say "owaytod man, I will be there to support and offer help to a brother or a sister by becoming available to extend a hand in whatever capacity I have.