makahiya = grass

Makahiya is a type of grass. May bulaklak ang makahiya, but that does not mean that it's a flower all-in-all. Tama si Mam Raquel, isa siyang tunay na teacher (though she pronounced CAT as "ket," wahahaha).

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The Makahiya.
Once there lived a rich couple,Mang Dondong and Aaling Iska.They had a twelve-years-old daughter whose name was Maria.They loved their daughter so dearly.Maria was a dutiful and obedient daugther.Industrious and kind,she made herself endeared to everybody.But shyness was also one of Maria's distinct characteristics.She was so shy that talking to people posed a great burden to her.In orde to avoid encountering people,she usually locked herself in her room .Maria had a flower garden.The flowers were beautiful and known all over the town.She took care of the plants patiently and tenderly.For the flower plants were her source of enjoyment and happiness.One day news spread that group of bandits raided a nearby village.The bandits killed every man they found and took the money of the residents.The next day the bandits came to the village where Mang Dondong and Aliing Iska and their daughter Maria lived.Mang Dondong noticed once the arrival of the bandits.Fearing for Maria's safety,he dicided to hide Maria in the garden,which he did.Aling Iska hide herself in the house.She tremblemd with fear when she heard the bandits forcing their way to the gate.Then she prayed, preparing herself for whatever would happen. "Oh,my god!" prayed Aling Iska."Save my daughter."Suddenly the door opened.The bandits entered the house and hit Mang Dondong on the head.Mang Dondong lost consciousness and fell on the floor.Aling Iska tried to escape but was also hit on the head.The bandits ransaked every place in the house.After taking the money and jewelry,they searched for Maria.But Maria was nowhere to be found.So the bandits left the house to plunder another village.When Mang Dondong and Aling Iska regained consciouness,the bandits had left already.They quickly ran to the garden to look for Maria.But Maria was not there.Again and again,they searched every corner in the garcden but poor Maria could not be foun "My poor daughter! They took my poor daughter!" wept aling Iska.All of sudden Mang Dondong felt something that pricked his feet.To his surprise,he saw a tiny plant quickly closing its leaves.It was the first time he saw that kind of plant.He knelt on his knees and took a close look at the plant.Aling Iska did the same.After looking at the plant for a long time,the couple came to belief that the plant was Maria.For endeed Maria had been transformed by God into a plant to save her from the bandits.Aling Iska wept uncontrollably and Mang Dondong's amazement,every tear was transformed into a small and round rosy flower of the new plant they found.Since the Mang Dondong and Aling Iska tended the plant with utmost care.They knew that the plant was in,in reality,their child Maria.And, like their child,the plant was very shy.So they called the plan" "makahiya."because it showed an important characteristic of Maria _shyness_ which in Tagalog means "makahiya."
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Poor Cass. She does not even know how to pronounce "Cool-Off." "Kol-Of" daw. Naman! Parang Chie. Sabi nga ni Emer, it's pronounced as Che. Whahaha.