Day 111: Who Owns the Sidewalk?
On a crowded sidewalk in Divisoria, Manila, before a clearing operation, Domingo (A), head of the city's sidewalk task force, is approached by Caleb (B), a young law student from a legal aid group that helps the vendors.
How to study this lesson 3 steps
- Read the situation under the title. It says who is talking and how they know each other, which decides how politely they speak.
- Read the dialogue line by line with its translation, until every line makes sense.
- Spend at least 30 minutes listening to native Tagalog. It doesn't matter if you don't understand it yet.
Dialogue
Audio for this lesson is coming soon. For now, read the dialogue and its translation.
Keys: E hide English · ← → previous / next day
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A
Alinsunod sa ordinansa, bawal magtinda sa bangketa. Alas-diyes ang clearing, at walang exemption.
Under the ordinance, selling on the sidewalk is prohibited. The clearing is at ten, and there are no exemptions.
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B
Kaugnay po niyan, nakasaad din sa ordinansa na dapat silang bigyan ng lugar. Nasaan na po 'yon?
On that point, the ordinance also says they have to be given a place. So where is it?
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A
Ginagawa pa ang relocation site. Hindi ko kasalanan kung mabagal ang kontratista.
The relocation site is still being built. It's not my fault the contractor is slow.
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B
Hindi rin po nila kasalanan. Habang wala pa iyon, saan po sila kukuha ng pambili ng bigas?
It's not their fault either. Until it's ready, where are they supposed to get money for rice?
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A
Paano naman ang mga naglalakad, sa kalsada na lang dadaan? May karapatan din sila sa bangketa.
And pedestrians, they just walk in the street? They have a right to the sidewalk too.
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B
Paano po kung sa gabi lang, pagsara ng mga tindahan, mga alas-sais?
What if it's only at night, once the shops close, around six?
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A
Puwede 'yan, pero kailangang nakasulat: anong oras, saang kalye, ilang puwesto.
That could work, but it has to be in writing: what time, which streets, how many stalls.
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B
Isulat na po natin ngayon. Blangko naman po ang likod ng abiso ninyo.
Let's write it now. The back of your notice is blank.
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A
Isulat mo: "Iminumungkahing pahintulutan ang pagtitinda mula alas-sais ng gabi." Pero tuloy pa rin ang clearing mamaya.
Write this: "It is proposed that vending be permitted from six in the evening." But the clearing still goes ahead later.
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