by Cecile Cinco
I received a text message from my sister this morning, greeting us a happy anniversary. I suddenly tried to find my thoughts…what date is today? ohhh…it’s the 19th of September! (for those who would be reading this from the other side of the globe, I’m in the Philippines so my time is faster, just to remind you). 
15 years of ups and downs, surely colorful and every day adds to the whole makeup.The bad things that happened are not bad at all. There are lessons learned and blessings gained instead.
Our differences complement each other while our similarities enhance. I can say that without him, I’m merely the worse half. So it’s very important that we all live under one roof…working abroad for a “greener pasture” is not an option if one will have to leave. It will be ok if the whole family will move, though. It’s family togetherness over money. 
We call each other “Mahal” which is the Tagalog word for love.
Mahal, Happy 15th Anniversary! Thanks for everything especially your growing patience.
Popularity: 20% [?]
While “Mahal” in my language is “expensive”…
I am Malaysian…
Love in the terms of calling other is “Sayang”…
I know this words…
“”Mahal na mahal kita”…
Better find Filipino girl to say that to… 
“Mahal” in Tagalog can also mean “expensive” or “dear” or “love” as I’ve mentioned earlier. I think there are Malaysian words than resemble Tagalog words since we are just neighbors.
Mahal kita: I love you
Ang mahal nyan: That’s expensive
Tagalog “sayang” means “waste” that has a rueful or surprised or exclamatory tone like in the examples below:
Napanis ang gatas! (The milk got spoiled!)
Sayang! (What a waste!)
Nawala pera ko. (I lost my money.)
Sayang…
Bakit di mo kainin yan? Sayang! (Why don’t you eat that? You’re wasting!)
Ah?
Interesting…
Sayang in Malay is also can be use like (What a waste!)…
I know some other similar like anak and tolong…
They bring the same meaning…
Anak=child
tolong/tulung=Help
Yah…
We are close neighbour…
Infact, they are also many Filipino occupy Malaysia, especially borneo(My home land)…
Hope to go there soon, to see and tour…
Hahaha…
p/s: Philipine dramas is very popular here… I like Shaina… But, yeah I know… She is not that popular… Well, she is look a like my beloved… That’s one point…
I’m not sure if I know her but her name is familiar. What dominates the Philippine TVs are from Korea, these days. They are dubbed by our talented Philippine dubbers that they look like really speaking our language.