pukengkeng... an introduction

Pukengkeng is a slang coined from two Tagalog words: puke, which means vagina and kerengkeng, a woman of loose morals.

OK.

I’m not making a very good first impression here.

Let me try this again: Pukengkeng, due to the complex intricacies of the Filipino language, is actually considered amusing. No, I’m not trying to be comical. It’s just that Vagina doesn’t have the oomph that Pukengkeng does.

And the Tagalog name gives me a sense of recognition and pride–Pinoy yata ‘to!

Proud as I am of my Filipino heritage, I have to admit, some of the customs perplex me—foremost is, why using Tagalog words that concern sex—from the act itself to the genitalia—considered as taboo. Have you noticed how self-conscious we get when we actually put into words anything that pertains to sex? Everything is reduced to ano or its spin-off of sorts, kwan.

(Babysitter to employer) Ate, Junior’s kwan is throbbing—an insect may have bitten him there when we went outside to play.

Why is it that we, Filipinos in general, flinch from or completely shun saying words like pekpek (vagina), tite (penis), suso (breast) or kantutan (sexual intercourse) and mention the English counterpart freely? I mean, not even the local TV regulatory board would censor the word “sex” but would likely cancel a show because of the word “kantutan”!

By doing random queries on this topic, I was able to find very interesting theories:

1. Filipinos are basically conservative—anything that pertains to sex should be discussed behind closed doors. Conservative or hypocritical?

2. The English language is universal—ergo, not likely to scandalize or be considered dirty. Because if you find the universal language vulgar, then how else can people communicate?Universal or bland?

3. The Filipino language is graphic, picturesque and passionate. If the Tagalog dialect is compared to a person, it is someone lusty. I agree.

Without doubt, the Filipino language is dynamic—creative even. Comical jargons that are easy on the ears (or on the heart of the old-fashioned) were borne to somehow liberate Pinoys from this language barrier. Some of these lingo are: pukengkeng and pepe (vagina); etits and tarugo (penis); dede (breast); tonting (sex, sexual intercourse); KTR (a guy oozing with sex appeal), etc.

Now a thought just struck me, what if we translate in Tagalog re-runs of Sex in the City like we do those Korean, Chinese, and Latin soap operas—it would be Kantutan sa Syodad. Hmm. Pangit nga naman. It just doesn’t sound right, does it?