Taumbahay \ta:um:ba:hī\ is a person who stays at home. It is the compound word of "tao" and "bahay", joined together by the gitlapi "um". (Filipino grammar is one of the hardest languages to learn to be honest.) The word "tao" means human, and "bahay" means home.
The word taumbahay is not colloquially used, but the shorter version of it - tambay - is. When you are called a tambay, however, it often has a negative connotation. Usually, a tambay is a person who's unable to find employment, is unproductive, who kills his or her time in front of a house or sari-sari store gossiping, drinking, or simply doing nothing. They are able-bodied bums.
Tambays are very common in the Philippines, since the unemployment rate is, oh I don't know, it's up there. We have many poor people who just accept that being poor is their lot in life. (On the contrary, we also have many rich young people who choose to be a tambay because of their inherited wealth).
So why name this site taumbahay?
That's what I am - a person who stays home - but on a positive note. I stay home on purpose to be able to do my purpose in life - and that's what I want to be. I am not a tambay, but I hope those who are, will have the chance to read this and become aware.. Just because you're a tambay doesn't mean you don't have a choice.. You do. You have many.
Why not just write this whole website in Tagalog or Filipino?
I have much love for my native language. Me and my children speak Tagalog effortlessly. Our accent is neutral, but it's hard to actually write in full Tagalog. I'm just more confident in my writing this way. Secondly, I am hoping using English as the medium will enable me to reach out to more people.
So why name this site taumbahay?
That's what I am - a person who stays home - but on a positive note. I stay home on purpose to be able to do my purpose in life - and that's what I want to be. I am not a tambay, but I hope those who are, will have the chance to read this and become aware.. Just because you're a tambay doesn't mean you don't have a choice.. You do. You have many.
Why not just write this whole website in Tagalog or Filipino?
I have much love for my native language. Me and my children speak Tagalog effortlessly. Our accent is neutral, but it's hard to actually write in full Tagalog. I'm just more confident in my writing this way. Secondly, I am hoping using English as the medium will enable me to reach out to more people.
