August is History Month in the Philippines, a time to reflect on where we came from and how our culture has evolved. One of the most personal and powerful markers of that history is language.

The way we speak reflects who we are and who we’ve been. In the Philippines, where over 170 languages once flourished, the evolution of language has been both beautiful and bittersweet. We’ve embraced Taglish. We slide from “Lods” to “charot” to “Bes! I can't!” in one breath. And that flexibility? That’s cultural superpower.

But in the process, some older Filipino words—rich, poetic, deeply rooted—have quietly slipped away.

These aren’t just formal terms for classroom essays. These were the words your lolo used in love letters, the ones your lola slipped into stories without translation. They capture moods that “LOL” can’t. They hold histories, rituals, and rhythms. And maybe it’s time we brought some of them back, not out of nostalgia, but because they say what we still feel.

Here are five beautiful Filipino words we think deserve a second life—plus how you can use them in today’s Taglish world.

1. Guniguni

Meaning: Hallucination, vivid imagination

Why it’s worth reviving:

We’ve all had those moments—when we swear we saw someone, felt something, or imagined a whole story in our heads. Guniguni captures that blurred space between fantasy and reality.

Modern usage:

“Grabe, akala ko sinundan ako ni crush. Pero guniguni ko lang pala.”

It’s more expressive than just saying “na-imagine ko.” It gives your delulu (delusional) moment a poetic twist.

2. Liyag

Meaning: Beloved

Why it’s worth reviving:

There’s “jowa,” “sinta,” “mahal,” but liyag? It sounds like something you whisper, not shout. A word made for longing, not labeling.

Modern usage:

“Hindi ko ma-let go si liyag, kahit ilang Red Flags™ na siya. Bakit ganon?”

Bring liyag into your vocabulary when “babe” doesn’t feel big enough to carry the weight.

3. Salipawpaw

Meaning: Airplane

Why it’s worth reviving:

Sure, we all say “eroplano,” but salipawpaw? It feels like flight. Like freedom. Like a kid pointing at the sky in awe.

Modern usage:

“May pa-salipawpaw si boss for the team building! Level up!”

Use it for travel captions, IG stories, or anytime you want to add a little old-school flair to your jet-set life.

4. Marahuyo

Meaning: To be enchanted or captivated

Why it’s worth reviving:

There’s “gigil,” “kilig,” “fascinated”—but marahuyo is gentler. It’s when something or someone quietly takes over your senses.

Modern usage:

“Na-marahuyo ako sa voice niya. Parang lullaby pero may landi.”

Perfect for TikTok voiceovers, late-night tweets, or when a stranger on a podcast suddenly owns your heart.

5. Pagsamo

Meaning: Heartfelt plea or supplication

Why it’s worth reviving:

We all say sorry but sometimes, a plain apology doesn’t cut it. Pagsamo is what you do when you mean it. When you're on your knees (figuratively or not).

Modern usage:

“Hindi na ito basta sorry, pagsamo na ‘to. As in, nag-Spotify playlist apology level na.”

It’s raw, real, and completely unpretentious.

Let’s Make These Words Trend Again

You don’t have to replace your entire Taglish arsenal. But every now and then, drop a liyag into a caption. Describe your weird 3AM thoughts as guniguni. Post a throwback photo with “First time ko sumakay ng salipawpaw.”

Because every time we use these words, we revive stories. We bridge generations. And we remind ourselves that Filipino isn’t just a language—it’s a memory that deserves to live on our lips, one sentence at a time.

Which words do you want to bring back? Let us know in the comments!