Funny Filipino puns and signs
Updated August 22, 2023.
Wit and cleverness is something Filipinos crave, not only from each other, but also from signs, food stalls, restaurants, and even menu items. From puns to interesting and novel dishes, sometimes it seems food that makes us laugh is just as important as its flavor.
Once and a while I’ll find an occasional sign, food stall, or menu item that makes me smile and hungry at the same time. Here are a few of them.
ChizMozza
Chizzmoza is a food stall franchise that focuses on mozzarella sticks and other mozzarella fast food snacks. They’re predominantly found in Metro Manila and other shops and malls in Luzon. The name is a play on the words cheese and tsismosa, which loosely translates to “gossiper.”
Nothing tastes better than tsismis that’s about someone else. Unlike in Europe where a variety of cheeses can be found, a variety of cheesy puns are most abundant among Philippine food stalls and vendors. Also, you can’t go wrong with deep fried mozzarella cheese sticks, unless you have it too often and get hypertension. Don’t do that. Cheesy tsismis however is better for your health.
Hellboy-inspired Cellboy
Need a new phone? Cellboy is a shop in Manila that can help you. Their logo seems to be inspired by the logo created for the Hellboy comics and films.
Burberry blueberry rice
Have you eaten with your hands while wearing a Louis Vuitton cardigan? It’s difficult because the cardigan is too expensive to wear to even try this.
But visit the Project 4 palengke in Quezon City to find Blueberry rice at around P70 pesos per kilo. If having this at your local karinderia, get 2 cups if you’re feeling extra luxurious.
Lady Gas-gas
I saw this shop somewhere in Quezon City as well, where I believe they were selling LPG, gasol, or gas tanks for stoves. If you’re in a Bad Romance, probably not necessary, but you’ll need a tank to cook on mahjong nights while you show your Poker Face.
Make it Kwek!
Street food is the people’s fast food, with kwek-kwek or deep fried quail eggs still a popular source of protein for both quail chicks, and human beings.
Thailand? No, Thai Lang
Thai food lang here, nothing else.
Di raw masyadong masarap, pero puede na
A tagline that roasts itself! I forgot where I took this photo but when we saw it on the road I had to take a photo. Roasted chicken is another quick and affordable meal in towns across the country. There are so many in fact, sometimes you just have to tell the truth to stick out.
Fish be with you… and also with you
If you’re Catholic, you’re familiar with the phrase “May peace be with you,” or if you’re a Star Wars fan, “May the 4th be with you.” But the saying is different in Sual, Pangasinan, a fishing town where you can find numerous stalls selling delicious daing or dried fish. In other words, the fish that is with you, will eventually be in you. The phrase is also used by Bacolod Chicken Inasal highlighting their fish menu.
Bongganisang sausage
I recently saw this at a meat shop. Longganisa is indeed bongga (exciting, flashy, grand).
Kotse Network
Cartoon Network has brought the world plenty of cartoon shows, this one just brings us more traffic. Kotse means car in Tagalog.
Tuloy po kayo may CCTV
If you’re here to rob this place, they have choices for you here. Also enjoy rustic decor and CCTV footage for your next vlog.
IDEA vs. IKEA
People say that the first IKEA in the Philippines is at the SM Mall of Asia, but long before that was constructed, there was Pinoy IDEA! This shop not only has home furnishings, they also provide everything from graphic design services to trucking and hauling services.
Busog na?
After seeing these and more on the street, it’s obvious that humor is an importrant aspect of Filipino life. Even in our day-to-day lives whether we’re going to school or work, street food and street signs that both guide and make us laugh help us get through the day.
As I find more funny Filipino puns and signs, I’ll continue to post them here.