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Malakas = Strong (Absurd Tagalog 43)

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This chapter takes a somewhat different approach from what you may be accustomed to, as it involves revisiting a word that we have previously discussed. The term in question is “my luck as,” which, in this context, signifies “strong” or “powerful.” In earlier lessons, we explored a different form of this expression—namely, “luck ass”—which also conveyed a similar meaning. However, I believe that repetition can be quite beneficial, as it allows us to deepen our understanding of the various ways this term can be used and interpreted. Therefore, in this chapter, we will examine both “luck ass” and “my luck as,” paying particular attention to how each form functions within different contexts. The word “my luck as” means “strong”.

It’s important to note that the phrase “my luck as” originally would be pronounced with a “ma” sound at the beginning—making it “ma luck as”—which aligns with the proper pronunciation of “ma” rather than “my” in certain dialects. Nonetheless, for the sake of simplicity and ease of remembrance, we will continue to use the form “my luck as” throughout this discussion. The reason for this choice is that, conceptually, when you are a person of great strength, you tend to have a considerable amount of good fortune or luck. Consequently, the phrase “my luck as” can be understood as “my luck as a strong person,” thereby linking strength with good luck.

With that brief introduction out of the way, I believe we have laid a sufficient foundation to grasp the general direction of this story. Once upon a time, there lived a man who was undeniably the unluckiest individual imaginable. He resided in a neighborhood that could easily be described as one plagued by misfortune, an area where bad luck seemed to cling to every street and alley. This man had neither a stable job nor a proper home—his life was marked by hardship and constant setbacks. So unlucky was he that everything he touched appeared cursed, as if his mere contact carried a dark enchantment that brought misfortune upon whatever it was. In fact, one might even say that he possessed a peculiar “gift”—a gift for unintentionally cursing anything within his reach. This curse of bad luck followed him relentlessly wherever he went, making it impossible for him to shake off its grip.

His attempts to improve his circumstances were met with failure. He enrolled in a technology college, hoping to acquire skills that might help him find stability, but he was unable to complete his studies. He tried to secure employment at the local fish market, but the entire establishment burned down before he could even get started. He made some friends at a social club, only for all of them to tragically die the very next day in a car accident. These series of unfortunate events led him to a point where he began to feel hopeless about his future. To avoid causing further harm to others, he increasingly isolated himself, spending most days alone. The library became his sanctuary—a safe space where he could be by himself, reading books in peace without risking further misfortune.

One day, as he sat contemplating his bleak outlook, he had a sudden, intriguing thought that might just alter the course of his life forever. He reasoned that perhaps his misfortune was linked to his physical weakness. Maybe, just maybe, his bad luck was a consequence of his lack of strength. This idea fascinated him; he had been reading about successful people, and it struck him that many of them seemed to possess physical power. Could it be that building his strength through exercise might also increase his luck? Motivated by this newfound hypothesis, he decided to visit a gym that very evening. The gym’s fees were reasonable, and he believed that transforming his physical condition could be the key to transforming his entire existence.

He immediately started working out, doing his best to build muscle and endurance. Being unaccustomed to such strenuous activity, he faced some initial challenges in adapting to the workout routine, but he persisted. That evening, as he walked home from the gym, he noticed a black cat crossing his path. A common superstition suggests that a black cat’s crossing might bring bad luck, and he thought that perhaps his streak of misfortune was about to continue. On his way home, he stopped at the local newsagent’s shop, expecting that misfortune might follow him there as well. Yet, surprisingly, the opposite occurred. A customer at the shop had purchased a lottery ticket and unexpectedly hit the jackpot—their winnings were enormous. The word “my luck as” means “strong”.

This unexpected turn of events served as a powerful affirmation in his mind that his new approach was working. He declared aloud, “My luck as a strong person is strong,” and also said, in a more colloquial and streetwise manner, “Ma luck as a strong person is strong.” Although this latter phrase deviated from formal pronunciation, it conveyed the same essential idea—that strength and luck are intertwined. The man, feeling increasingly optimistic, continued his journey home. Upon arriving, he noticed that everything around him seemed to align perfectly: his dinner was cooked flawlessly, his neighbor was in an exceptionally good mood, and the dog belonging to the neighboring household was perfectly well-behaved. Even the traffic appeared ideal—just right for his perception of harmony and order. Repeating his phrase, “My luck as a strong person is strong,” he felt a renewed sense of confidence.

He then took a moment to smell his underarms, noticing that he still had a strong scent due to his recent workout. Recognizing that he was still sweaty, he decided to take a refreshing shower. After cleaning himself thoroughly, he felt revitalized and, importantly, much luckier. Now smelling fresh and clean, he repeated his phrase once more, affirming that “my luck as a strong person is strong.” This time, he was certain of the truth—his strength was indeed strong, and his luck was equally robust. However, he also acknowledged that his scent was no longer overpowering, now replaced by a pleasant, floral aroma after his bath.

He reasoned that perhaps the sweat and scent were temporary and a natural part of the effort involved in building strength. To reinforce his good fortune, he prepared a healthy dinner—featuring a fresh steak, vegetables rich in nutrients, and a delicious piece of fruit for dessert. He believed that nourishing his body would further boost his strength and, consequently, his luck. As he sat down to enjoy his meal, he felt his luck ascending, reaching new heights.

Later that evening, he settled in front of the television, eager to see if his fortunes would continue to improve. As the lottery numbers were announced, he watched intently, holding his breath. When he checked his lottery ticket and saw that his numbers matched, he could hardly contain his excitement. He leaped up, shouting “Jackpot!” with joy. The announcer—a well-dressed woman—called out “Bingo,” confirming his victory. This moment made him feel as if she had somehow read his mind, leading him to wonder whether, perhaps, if he were truly extremely lucky, he might even possess the extraordinary ability to read other people’s thoughts. Though he couldn’t be entirely sure, he decided it was better to act as if he could, just to maintain the appearance of being fortunate.

Now, faced with a sudden windfall of twenty million dollars, he began to ponder what he would do with all this newfound wealth. The first step, he decided, would be to secure a gym membership—an investment in his strength and, by extension, his luck. He knew that if he ever became weak again, he might lose everything—his fortune, his health, or even his safety. He was aware of the risks of losing his good fortune and believed that maintaining his physical strength was essential to preserving his prosperity. Therefore, he extended his gym membership to ensure ongoing access, hoping that this would help him sustain his good luck.

Throughout this journey, he developed a personal theory: perhaps luck is like a limited resource—a container that only allows a certain amount of fortune to be distributed over a lifetime. If one is weak for a long period, then perhaps the luck that was temporarily withheld might be stored up and released once strength is regained. In his mind, strength and luck were intricately connected; by becoming stronger, he could access the portion of luck that had previously been inaccessible. This idea became his guiding principle, and he resolved to stick with it from that moment forward. The word “my luck as” means “strong”.

In summary, the phrase “my luck as a strong person is strong” encapsulates the belief that strength begets luck. The variant “my luck as,” in this context, signifies “strong,” and with proper pronunciation—preferably “ma luck as”—it can be even more effective. Nonetheless, it is advisable to learn the phrase in its initial form and refine one’s dialect later in life. With this understanding, the story concludes, emphasizing that cultivating strength is a powerful pathway to enhancing one’s luck and, ultimately, one’s destiny.