Pinoy Henyo: Primary Category: Pagkain (Food)

Pagkain or food is the fifth item in the five primary categories of Pinoy Henyo. It covers not only food, but also drinks. The five categories in the top hierarchy of Pinoy Henyo categories are:

1. Tao (people)
2. Hayop (animals)
3. Bagay (objects)
4. Lugar (places)
5. Pagkain (food)

Major Categories of Pagkain (Food)

Although drinks and beverages are not considered food, for the purpose of the game, it is classified as food or pagkain. Generally, food here or pagkain is anything edible that you can eat or swallow or drink.

1. Solid — Strictly speaking, food that are in solid form are fruits and vegetables and those that do not contain any form of liquid, syrup, sauce or paste. If it is a mix of solid and liquid, you respond as Puede.
2. Liquid — Liquid includes water and other forms of drinks. It also includes condiments in liquid form.
3. Dish — Dish refers to any type of food that needs preparing, cooking or mixing. It can be a main dish, ulam (popular main dish among Filipinos), merienda or snack food, street food, etc.

Minor Categories of Pagkain

1. Solid food
1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Any dish that do not contain any liquid such as siomai or puto.
4. Condiments such as salt and pepper
2. Liquid
1. Drinks or beverages including any form of concoction such as a smoothie or fruit shakes.
2. Condiments such as vinegar and soy sauce.
3. Dish
1. Any dish that contains any form of liquid such as broth, sauce or paste. Ulam falls in this category.
2. Any dish that do not contain any form of liquid such as barbecue, salad, bibingka.
3. Kakanin — An afternoon dish or merienda food common among Filipinos such as puto, kutsinta, suman, bibingka, sapin-sapin.

Pinoy Henyo: Primary Category: Lugar (Places)

Lugar or places is  the fourth of primary categories covered in the game Pinoy Henyo. Being consistent with the order of the categories is a good practice so that you don't miss any category. The five primary categories, in the suggested order are:

1. Tao (people)
2. Hayop (animals)
3. Bagay (objects other than food and drinks)
4. Lugar (places)
5. Pagkain (food and drinks)

Major Categories of Lugar (Places)

1. Philippines / Pilipinas — Places that are found in the Philippines such as provinces, towns and cities, places of interests or landmarks, and other popular places. 
2. Abroad — Places abroad such as those in Europe, Asia, America and other continents.
3. Common — Common refers to places such as parks, popular places or tourist spots, landmarks and other places of interests. It also refers to the different types of establishments.
4. Land (anyong lupa) — These are forms of land such hills, mountains, forests, etc.
5. Water (anyong tubig) — These are forms or bodies of water such as: ocean, sea, river, valley, etc. 
6. Space — Space (kalawakan) means the outer space. These are places you find in the outer space such as the sun and the moon, stars, planets, etc.

Tips

1. Instead of using the category local, use Philippines / Pilipinas instead; so that, in case the mystery word is Philippines or Pilipinas, either one you mention, you hit the word correctly. 
2. The correct term to refer to countries outside the Philippines is abroad because if you say International, it also includes The Philippines.
3. For the category land, it is easier (and quicker) to say land instead of land form. On the other hand, if you're more comfortable with saying anyong lupa, you may do so. Use whatever works well. Likewise, you can just say water instead of water form, or anyong tubig, if that works better for you.

Minor Categories Under Lugar > Philippines / Pilipinas

The very first category that you should mention under Lugar is Philippines / Pilipinas. You have to mention both Philippines and Pilipinas; so that, in case the henyo word is Philippines or Pilipinas, you hit the exact word correctly. Don't use local as a category. 

The Philippines consists of three islands: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Each island comprises different regions. Most of these regions are numbered. The best way to enumerate places in the Philippines is by starting from the top or the northern part, which is Luzon, followed by Visayas, then Mindanao. Whether the correct category is Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao, immediately proceed to the name of regions.

Tips. 

• What if the henyo word is a common place? Common places like parks and establishments can be found in any country. Therefore, if the henyo word is a common place, the answer to the category Philippines / Pilipinas is PUEDE. That gives you a hint that the place you are looking for is a common place, and not a name of a province, town, city, or popular places.
• In naming the regions, you can mention just the number (without mentioning the word region). Some regions have acronyms that help you easily recall the names of the provinces.

This is the order on how you should enumerate the categories under Lugar > Philippines / Pilipinas.

1. Luzon
1. CAR
2. Region I (Ilocos Region)
3. Region II (Cagayan Valley)
4. Region III (Central Luzon)
5. NCR
6. CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
7. MIMAROPA
8. Region V (Bicol Region)
2. Visayas
1. Region VI (Western Visayas)
2. NIR (Negros Island Region)
3. Region VII (Central Visayas)
4. Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)
3. Mindanao
1. Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)
2. Region X (Northern Mindanao)
3. Region XI (Davao Region)
4. Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)
5. Region XIII (CARAGA)
6. BARMM

For a detailed list of places in The Philippines, go to Category: Lugar > Philippines / Pilipinas.

Pinoy Henyo: Primary Category: Bagay (Objects)

 

Bagay or objects (or things) is the third category in the primary hierarchy of the game Pinoy Henyo. Be consistent when mentioning the primary categories. Always follow this order:

1. Tao (people)
2. Hayop (animals)
3. Bagay (objects or things other than food)
4. Lugar (places)
5. Pagkain (food)

Major Categories of Bagay (Objects)

1. Bahay (home, house, indoor) — objects that you commonly find inside a house such as the parts of the house and other items you commonly find in the different sections of your house such as in the living room or kitchen.
2. Labas (out, outside or outdoor, open space) — objects that you commonly find outdoor such as those in the streets, park, open market, etc.
3. School, Office, church, market, restaurants/cafe — objects that you commonly find inside a school, office, church, grocery stores or restaurants.
4. Wearables (sinusuot, damit) — objects that you wear such as clothings, footwear and accessories.
5. Belongings — objects or personal belongings that you usually carry or use personally such as your personal effects and stuff you usually carry in your bag.

Pinoy Henyo: Primary Category: Tao (People)

 

Major Categories of Tao (People)

1. Pangalan — names of personalities, either living or dead; celebrities and non-celebrities; fictional and historical figures.
2. Parte — parts of the body, either internal or external.
3. Propesyon (trabaho or gawain) — a person's profession or type of work
4. Sakit (karamdaman) — Illnesses, diseases or conditions of the human body.

Minor Categories of Pangalan ng Tao

Names of personalities are either celebrity or non-celebrity. If the answer to celebrity is NO, that only means that the name belongs to a non-celebrity. You do not have to ask if it is a non-celebrity. Remember that one good strategy to win is to have common sense.

1. Celebrity — a celebrity can be an actor, a singer, an athlete, a beauty queen, or a TV personality
2. Non-celebrity — If the answer to celebrity is NO, immediately proceed to these categories: politician, president, historical, hero, fictional.

Minor Categories of Parte ng Katawan

Let us divide and define the sections of the human body: upper, middle, lower, limbs. Note the tips mentioned in each category.

1. Full (pangkalahatan) — Full-body part refers to the part of the body that is present from head to toe such as the skin, veins and blood.
2. Up (taas) — Up (or top) refers to the upper part of the body. It covers from neck to the crown of the head. If the answer to Up is Puede, it refers to a full-body part such as the skin.
3. Mid (gitna) — The middle part comprises from below the neck down to the navel. If the answer to Mid is Puede, it means that the body part belongs to the upper limbs, which are from shoulders to fingers; or a full-body part.
1. Limbs — Limbs in the mid section include those shoulders down to the fingers.
4. Low (babâ) — Low (or down) refers to the lower part of the body. It comprises from the navel down to your feet. If the category is Low, immediately ask Limbs? so that you would know if its between your navel and groin; or from your groin to your feet. If the answer to Low is Puede, it refers to a full-body part.
1. Limbs — Limbs of the lower part of the body include from your thighs down to your feet.
5. External or internal — Each part of the body is either internal or external. If it is not internal, it is understood that it is external. You don't have to confirm if it is indeed external; that's a waste of time. Remember: common sense works well.

Tip: When defining the parts of the body, rather than wondering what you would ask next, just look at the body of your partner starting from his or her head down to his or her feet, so that you don't miss a thing.

Minor Categories of Propesyon ng Tao

The easiest way to guess the profession of a person is to recall the people you usually meet or encounter.

1. Start with the profession of your family members. Begin with your parents, then your siblings, then your extended family member or anyone who lives with you in your house.
2. Recall the people you've just met or encountered on your way to the studio. 
3. Look around you (without moving your eyes and head). Moving your eyes or head is not allowed in the game. Who are the people working in the studio.
4. From your house, go to your place of work, office or school. Who are the people who work there.
5. Aside from your place of work or school, where else do you usually go? Church, market, mall, the streets? Be coherent in your thinking.

Minor Categories of Sakit ng mga Tao

The way to hit this question is also by looking at the body of your partner starting from his or her head down to his or her feet and use the technique of association. For example, if you look at the face of your partner, you see first his forehead. What condition would you associate with the forehead? Then you see his eyes. What body condition is associated with the eyes? An so forth and so on.

Memorise These Hierarchy and Order of Person Categories

• Tao > Pangalan > Celebrity. 
• If Celebrity is Yes, proceed to Singer • Actor • TV personality • Athlete • Beauty queen
• Male > Living > Local or Foreign
• If Celebrity is No, proceed to non-celebrity categories such as: Politician (President, Vice, Senator, Congress, Mayor) • Hero (bayani) • Historical • Fictional (superhero, story character)
• Male > Living > Local or Foreign
• Tao > Parte > (Full, Up, Mid > Limbs, or Low > Limbs) > (Internal or External)
• Tao > Propesyon (Follow the tips mentioned earlier).
• Tao > Sakit (Follow the tips mentioned earlier).

Pinoy Henyo: Primary Category: Hayop (Animal)

Major Categories in the Animal Kingdom

In your science or biology class, you have learned that the animal kingdom is grouped according to:

1. Domain
2. Kingdom
3. Phylum
4. Class
5. Order
6. Suborder
7. Family
8. Genus
9. Species

For the sake of Pinoy Henyo,  we are going to use a simpler methodology in grouping the different species of animals. These categories are more like hints rather than scientific or biological classifications. Their purpose is actually to lead the player to the correct and exact word.

1. Land (lupa)— animals that usually thrive on land such as dogs and cats. They also include snails and worms; and fowls like hens and ducks.
2. Water (tubig) — marine animals whose common habitats are the oceans, rivers and other bodies of water but not limited to fishes. It also includes invertebrates such as clams, shrimps and mussels.
3. Air — animals that can really fly high such as birds and flying insects as well.

Difficult Animal Categories

In the grand finals, categories are more difficult such as those that do not fall under the major categories land, water or air; or those that fall under cross-categories or multiple categories.

• Bacteria; single-celled organisms
• Sponges, corals
• Parasites such as tapeworms that live inside the humans and animals.
• Amphibians. They fall under either land or water categories.

Links to Animal Major Categories

• Land animals
• Water animals
• Air animals
• Animals: difficult and extraordinary category

Pinoy Henyo: Category: Lugar (Place): Philippines

I have noticed that Filipinos, especially the young, are poor in geography. It is understandable that they may have little knowledge about international geography; however, it is not excusable having no knowledge about Philippine geography. I can't help but wonder what teachers are teaching in schools. Well, sad to say, based on experience, my schools never taught geography.

When playing Pinoy Henyo, a strategy is to observe some rules. These rules help you avoid to experience a mental block.

• Think logically. Be cohesive. Do not reply in random. 
• The easiest to thinking logically is to visualize order. For example, when enumerating cities, visualize how the cities are positioned geographically on a map. To illustrate, to mention the 17 cities in NCR (Pateros included which is not yet a city), start with Caloocan down to Muntinlupa.
• An alternative is to mention the places alphabetically. But this may take time if you have to go through each letter in the alphabet; unless you already have an idea beforehand which letters make the names of the places.
• Mention words that are related every time.
• Association or homogeneous technique. Name places that are related or associated, either by letters or by any other means. For example, Manila and Quezon City were both made capital of the Philippines.
• Rule of three's. You will easily remember words if you mention them in 3s. Also, speak words in 3s for better auditory understanding. Pause for a sec every 3 words you mention.
• Chunk technique. Group related words in chunks instead of enumerating a long list.
• Observe common sense.
• As much as possible, limit your answers to yes or no only. If answering puede may just cause confusion, do not say it unless you want to lead your partner to the right direction. 

Places In The Philippines

Lugar has two major categories: Philippines and Abroad. Recently, three additional categories were added: common places, forms of land (anyong lupa), and bodies of water (anyong tubig). In this post, we list places in the Philippines. 

To narrow down your choices, break Philippines into three categories: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. For each major island, break it down to the regions it comprises.

Hierarchy of Place Categories In The Philippines

Tip. When enumerating the regions, you don't have to say the word region; simply mention the number (unless it is an acronym). 

1. Luzon
1. CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region)
2. Region I (Ilocos Region)
3. Region II (Cagayan Valley)
4. Region III (Central Luzon)
5. NCR
6. CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
7. MIMAROPA
8. Region V (Bicol Region)
2. Visayas
1. Region VI (Western Visayas)
2. NIR (Negros Island Region)
3. Seven — Region VII (Central Visayas)
4. Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)
3. Mindanao
1. Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)
2. Region X (Northern Mindanao)
3. Region XI (Davao Region)
4. SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
5. CARAGA (Region XIII)
6. BARMM

Category: Lugar > Philippines / Pilipinas > Luzon > CAR

There are six provinces in the CAR. Here listed in alphabetical order.

1. Abra (capital Bangued)
2. Apayao (capital Kabugao)
3. Benguet (capital La Trinidad)
4. Ifugao (capital Lagawe)
5. Kalinga (captial Tabuk)
6. Mountain Province (capital Bontoc)

Popular Places in Benguet

In Tagalog, popular places or places of interest can translated to a category puntahan.

The most popular place in Benguet is Baguio. Within Baguio are more places of interests. Tip. Always say Baguio / Baguio City so that either one gives you a hit. Follows is a short list.

1. Baguio / Baguio City
1. Burnham Park
2. Camp John Hay / Camp John Hay Park
3. Session Road
4. Baguio Cathedral
5. Mines View / Mines View Park
2. Mt Pulag

Popular Places in Ifugao

1. Banaue / Banaue rice terraces
2. Rice terraces

Popular Figure in Kalinga

Tip: What if the henyo word is Whang-od, the famous tattoo artist of Kalinga? Whang-od is not a place in Kalinga but she's a popular figure in that province. Whang-od falls under the category tao (a person). She's not a celebrity, yet she's a popular figure. So, if asked if she's a celebrity, you would say puede. Whang-od is a difficult name to guess. A smart way of leading your partner to the name Whang-od is to use the lugar category: 

• Philippines / Pilipinas > Luzon > CAR > Kalinga

Your responses to each category should always be Oo, puede. This is to tell your partner that you are looking, not exactly, a place but something else you can associate with Kalinga.

Places of Interest in the Mountain Province

1. Sagada
2. Marlboro Hill

Category: Lugar > Philippines / Pilipinas > Luzon > I (Region I)

There are only four provinces in the Ilocos Region. Don't confuse this with the other regions where Ilocano is spoken; otherwise, you might get confused mentioning more than four provinces under this region. These four provinces are easy to remember. If you have traveled from Manila to Ilocos Norte, recall the provinces that you passed through starting from Pangasinan. Another way to remember the provinces is by visual recalling the map of Ilocos Region. From the top or northern part is Ilocos Norte, down under is Ilocos Sur, followed by La Union, and finally Pangasinan.

Provinces in the Ilocos Region (Region I)

1. Ilocos Norte
2. Ilocos Sur
3. La Union
4. Pangasinan

Category: Lugar > Philippines / Pilipinas > Luzon > NCR

Following is the list of cities (and one municipality) in NCR listed alphabetically. There are only 17. If your strategy is to enumerate the places alphabetically, study first the list to avoid going through all the letters of the alphabet. 

First take note of the first and last letters -- which are C and V which stand for Caloocan and Valenzuela. Notice also that there are more Ms and Ps in the list; there's only one L and one N. So that you don't miss L and N, think LMN. Then enumerate the Ps. The remaining single letters are QST; just think QRST then eliminate the R. Now, practice.

1. Caloocan
2. Las Pinas
3. Makati
4. Malabon
5. Mandaluyong
6. Manila
7. Marikina
8. Muntinlupa
9. Navotas
10. Parañaque
11. Pasay City
12. Pasig
13. Pateros
14. Quezon City
15. San Juan City
16. Taguig
17. Valenzuela

Technique and Strategies to Easily Recall the cities of NCR

If you are having a hard time enumerating the cities of NCR alphabetically, try by geographic location starting from the top. It is much easier to remember all the cities.

The topmost city of NCR is Caloocan; the southernmost is Muntinlupa. With that in memory, you are preparing your mind that you would be enumerating the NCR list of cities from top to bottom.

After Caloocan, mention the cities by the bay which are: Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela. So, here's how you are going to say it. (Note that the cities are listed alphabetically.)

Lugar: Philippines > Luzon > NCR > Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela.

Then, add to the list the two cities that were once capital of the Philippines: Manila and Quezon City. Thus, you say:

Philippines > Luzon > NCR > Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela | Manila, Quezon City

Cities that were formerly part of Manila

Four cities used to be part of Manila namely: San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay. It is easier to remember these four cities geographically rather than alphabetically. Examine the map. These are the cities you pass by riding the MRT via EDSA. Just think of the MRT stations: Ortigas, Crossing, Ayala, Taft.

Thus, your list goes like this:

Philippines > Luzon > NCR > Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela | Manila, Quezon City | San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay

Note how the list is chunked into smaller groups as denoted by the vertical bar. It is easier to recall the list if you chunk them in smaller groups.

Cities in NCR that were formerly part of the province of Rizal

And lastly, add to the list the cities and town that were formerly municipalities of the province of Rizal, namely: 

1. Marikina
2. Pasig
3. Pateros
4. Taguig
5. Parañaque
6. Las Piñas
7. Muntinlupa. 

You can name this alphabetically or geographically. If alphabetically, start with the 3 Ps – Pasig, Pateros, Parañaque. Then the 2 Ms – Marikina and Muntinlupa. And finally the remaining singles: LT – Las Piñas, Taguig.

In some cases, you may have to mention City. For example, if Pasay is correct but not quite, then it must be Pasay City. If Pasay City is neither exactly correct, then it must popular places in Pasay City which are, there are only a few: NAIA, Cultural Center of the Philippines, PICC, (part of) Roxas Boulevard, (part of) Manila Bay, Villamor / Villamor Airbase, Cartimar, Leveriza, Libertad, Nichols, Tramo.

It is unlikely that long names such Cultural Center of the Philippines will be asked. Unpopular roads are also unlikely to be asked.

Finally, this is how your list should go:

Philippines > Luzon > NCR >

1. Caloocan (top most)
2. Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela (cities by the bay)
3. Manila, Quezon City (capitals of the Philippines)
4. San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay (formerly part of Manila)
5. Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, Parañaque, Las Piñas (formerly part of Rizal)
6. Muntinlupa (bottom most)

Recalling the Cities of NCR via Main Thoroughfares

Another way to remember the list of the cities so that you do not miss a thing, imagine you are traveling from Bulacan to Laguna via NLEX, EDSA then SLEX.

As you leave Bulacan, the very first city in Metro Manila that you will pass by is Valenzuela. As you enter the Balintawak Toll Plaza, you would have reached the lower part of Caloocan. (The upper and lower Caloocan are separated by a portion of Valenzuela).

As you pass by the Eternal Gardens, across is the entrance to Malabon. Adjacent to Malabon is Navotas, which is nearest by the bay. 

Once you reach the Balintawak Clover Leaf, you have reached Quezon City. Unless you take the Metro Manila Skyway route, you are bound for Manila; otherwise, ply the route via EDSA riding the MRT. You will be passing by five MRT stations in Quezon City.

As you exit the Santolan MRT station (sandwiched by Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo), you would be passing by San Juan, then Mandaluyong as you approach Ortigas station. Once you are introduced to the site of Megamall, just behind it is Pasig.

As you cross the Pasig River, you are now entering the city of Makati.  There are four MRT stations in Makati, the fourth of which is Magallanes.

Now off to SLEX. As you pass by the Villamor Airbase, you are now passing through Pasay City. Opposite the Villamor Airbase is what is now Taguig, the claimed portion of Makati. As you pass by the Bicutan Exit, you are now traversing Parañaque, and then to Muntinlupa. You would know you are in Muntinlupa once you have reached Alabang.

There's one city that you would not be crossing; and that's Las Piñas. Las Piñas is in the western part of Parañaque and Muntinlupa. You would also not passing by Pateros, which is the only municipality in NCR. Pateros is bounded by Pasig, Makati and Taguig.

What if it's not a city

What if the player said Yes to one of the cities you mentioned but not exactly the correct answer. This means that you are looking for a famous place or destination in that city. It could be a famous landmark, a district or a highway.

Famous districts in Manila and famous destinations

1. Binondo (Escolta, Ongpin, Jones Bridge)
2. Ermita (Luneta, Rizal Park, Quirino Grandstand, Liwasang Bonifacio, Lawton)
3. Intramuros (Manila Cathedral, Fort Santiago)
4. Malate (Roxas Blvd, Manila Zoo, Rizal Memorial Stadium)
5. Paco (Plaza Dilao, Paco Park)
6. Pandacan
7. Quiapo (Plaza Miranda)
8. Sampaloc (University Belt, Dangwa)
9. San Andres
10. San Miguel (Mendiola, Ayala Bridge, Malacañan Palace)
11. Santa Ana
12. Santa Cruz (Rizal Avenue)
13. Santa Mesa
14. Tondo (Divisoria)

Famous destinations in Manila crossing multiple districts

1. Roxas Blvd
2. Quezon Blvd
3. Taft Avenue

Other popular destinations in other cities in NCR

1. MUNTINLUPA: Alabang
2. QUEZON CITY: Cubao, Diliman, Eastwood City, EDSA Shrine, Quezon Memorial Circle, Tomas Morato
3. SAN JUAN:  Pinaglabanan
4. MANDALUYONG: Crossing, Kalentong, Shaw Boulevard
5. MAKATI: Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, Buendia, Guadalupe
6. PASAY: NAIA, MIA
7. PASIG: Ortigas
8. TAGUIG: BGC

Popular destinations across NCR

Some places can be found across adjacent cities in Metro Manila.

1. EDSA
2. SLEX
3. NLEX
4. Pasig River

Famous Bridges in NCR

1. MacArthur Bridge (in Manila)
2. Jones Bridge (in Manila)
3. Ayala Bridge (in Manila)
4. Guadalupe Bridge (in Makati)
5. Nagtahan Bridge (in Manila)

There are other bridges but they are not popular; so they are unlikely to be asked.

Categories: Lugar > Philippines > Luzon > North

If the place is not in NCR, then it could either be in Northern Luzon or Southern Luzon. For the purpose of the Pinoy Henyo game, NORTH refers to places or mainly provinces north of NCR. There are only 4 regions in the NORTH of Luzon. 

1. Region 1 (Ilocos Region)
2. Region 2 (Cagayan Valley)
3. Region 3 (Central Luzon)
4. Cordillera Administrative Region or CAR

If you could imagine the map of the Philippines. at the topmost (northern part), in the West or left side of the map is Region 1 – that's the Ilocos Region where you find Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. On the right side is Region 2, the eastern part – that's Cagayan Valley. Between Regions 1 and 2, is the mountainous part of northern Luzon which is called the Cordillera where you find Benguet, the famous city of which is Baguio. Below these 3 regions is the Central Luzon or Region 3 where you find Pampanga, Bulacan, etc.

Provinces in Region 1

Provinces in Region 2

Provinces in Region 3

Provinces in CAR

Start Here: Tao Hayop Bagay Lugar Pagkain

The 5 Major Categories of Pinoy Henyo 

Currently, there are 5 major categories given in Pinoy Henyo. These are:

1. Tao (a person)
2. Hayop (an animal)
3. Bagay (an object other than food)
4. Lugar (a place)
5. Pagkain (food)

Tip

When enumerating these 5 major categories, be consistent with this order so that you can develop a strategy in order to save time. For example, if the word is a place (4th order), you can respond ahead in this way: hindi hindi hindi oo. This is to signify that you are looking for a place.

No need to confirm if it was actually a place. That would be eating time. Instead, immediately enumerate a list of places or ask a minor category to narrow down your choices.

Tao: Minor Categories for Persons

This can be a name of a person or a part of the body.

Pangalan (Name of a person)

If it is a name of a person, you can narrow it down to these sub-categories.

• Babae? Lalaki? (female or male)
• Celebrity?
• Actor or singer?
• Local or international?
• Newscaster? TV host?
• Veteran (50s or older)? Classic? Bata pa (young, 20s-40s)? Teens? Child?
• Bayani (Hero)? Politician?
• Dead or alive?
• Fictional?
• Superhero? Cartoon?

Parte (ng Katawan; part of a body)

It saves time if you will just ask: parte? rather than parte ng katawan? The shorter, the better because it saves time.

Classify the body into major sections:

1. Head (that includes the neck). Alternatively, ask: itaas or top.
2. Torso (this includes the upper torso, i.e. the torso above the navel; and lower torso; the torso below the navel). Alternatively, ask: gitna or middle.
3. Limbs (this covers the arms and legs down to fingers and toes)

Then, narrow it down further to:

1. External? 
2. Internal?
3. Excretion?

Hayop: Minor Categories for Animals

1. Land? Farm? Pet? Wild? Amphibian? Reptile? Pest? Insect?
2. Water? Mammal? Fish? Non-fish?
3. Air? Bird? Insect?

Bagay: Minor Categories for Objects

This category does not include food, which has a separate category.

1. Bahay (house)? Parte (ng bahay or section of the house)? Living or sala, dining, kitchen or kusina, banyo or CR, bedroom or kuwarto, laundry
2. Furniture? Fixture? Appliance? Gadget? Decor? Gamit?
3. Sasakyan (vehicle)? Land? Water? Air?
4. Puno (tree)? Halaman (plant)? Flowering? Namumunga (fruit tree)?
5. Damit or kasuotan (apparel)? Panloob (underwear)? Panlabas (outerwear)?
6. Accessories? Alahas (jewelry)?
7. Kolorete (toiletries)?
8. School? Office? School or office supplies?
9. Hardware?
10. Medical?
11. Panlinis (housekeeping tools)?

Lugar: Minor Categories for Places

You must be good in geography in order to win this category. It is also important that you are familiar with the geographical locations of each country. If not, enumerate the countries alphabetically. Unfamiliar and unpopular places such as cities and landmarks are not usually mentioned unless these places went viral in the news or social media.

Lugar or Places category is further subdivided into continental regions. Make sure that you always mention the categories in this order.

1. Asia
2. North America
3. South America
4. Europe
5. Africa
6. Asia-Pacific

Sub-categories under Asia

If Asia is the correct category, follow it immediately with Philippines. If Philippines is not correct, start enumerating the different parts of Asia in the following order. These minor categories are listed from East clockwise. This requires good geographical imagination. Start with what's on top of the Philippines which is East Asia, then South-East Asia, etc.

1. East: China, Japan, Korea, South Korea, North Korea, Mongolia followed by the territories and popular cities of these countries such as: Hongkong, Taiwan, Taipei, Macao, Osaka, Nagasaki, Seoul, Gangnam, Busan.  
2. South-East: Philippines, Indonesia, Timor-Lester, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia; (then you go to the west of the Philippines), Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar. Hint: These are countries where people look like Filipinos.
3. South: Start with India, then imagine the countries whose people look like Indians, and these are, from top: Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives.
4. Central: These are countries that end in -an such as: starting with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan.
5. Middle East (only those that are part of Asia): Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus, Turkey/Turkiye, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE/United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen.

Notes

There is only one country in North Asia, and that is Russia which is also categorised as Eurasian. However, Russia is more associated with Europe, so for the purpose of this game, it is excluded from Asia. As much as possible, limit the responses to yes or no only. It is a strategy to quickly narrow down your choices. The rule is, associate the word with the most likely category.

Though Pakistan is not part of Central Asia, might as well include it under Central Asia with countries ending in -an for easy memory recall. 

Middle East is actually Western Asia.

For the list of other countries in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and the Pacific, see the individual posts.

Pagkain: Minor Categories for Foods

Start with foods that are more concrete such fruits and vegetables.

1. Prutas (fruit)? Gulay (vegetable)? Ugat (roots)? Nuts? Grains? Spices?
2. Ulam (dish)? Breakfast? Main course (which is either served in lunch or dinner)? Merienda (snacks)? Street food? Fast food? Bakery? Soup based? Saucy?
3. Drinks?
4. Condiments?

Instead of asking lunch or dinner, main course is more ideal. Also omit categories like solid or liquid because there are foods which are a mix of something solid and liquid such as soup.