For many years, my family has played a continuing game of watching out for witty and ingenious names for local business establishments, from all over the country. Every time one of us notices and shares a new find, we end up with a hour or so of continuous laughter, reminiscing the previous ones we’ve compiled in our minds.

Somehow we explain this protracted game as emanating from our common interest in language,  play of words, and the recognition of the fact that we Filipinos’  can reduce any situation humor.  Perhaps this humor is one of our survival tools in the face of not -so-perfect circumstances.  Laughter is still the best medicine, and no doubt, this humor has kept our country alive and vibrant, in spite of  of . . .

Here I record an initial list of witty business names. As you read through the list, I am sure you will ask the same questions that we have asked many times before, “Are these real shops and businesses?” My family and I say they are, because one or several of us have actually seen the billboard for ourselves or even patronized  the business.

Perhaps those few friends who regularly read these posts can add their own contributions. Please post your contributions as comments.

If you can’t understand the wit behind these names, you are more like a foreigner who has not stayed here long enough to appreciate the Filipinos unique (sometimes sick) brand of humor.

Cinnavon
A laundry shop in Bo. Kapitolyo in Pasig

Bread Pitt
A bakery

Maruya Carey
A fast-food place selling “turon” and “maruya” in Greenbelt, Makati

Caintacky Fried Chicken
Yes, it’s an eatery in Cainta

Mang Donald’s
A burger joint in a mall in the Naga City plaza

Candies Be Love?
Can anything be sweeter than this?

Doris Day and Night
A 24/7 eatery

Babalik Karinderia
So obvious.

Holland Hopia
owned by Mr. Ho

Poland Hopia
owned by Mr. Po. in Chinatown

Miki Mao
A noodle house (or noodle hao, hehehe)

Tapsi Turbi
A tapa house.

Cleopata’s
A manukan and bakahan

Goto Heaven
is obvious.

The Fried of Marikina
A fried chicken place

Wrap and Roll
A lumpia outlet at the Quad, Makati

Pansit ng taga-Malaboni
A panciteria on Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong.

Side-saki
A side street eatery beside Mandarin Oriental in Makati ..

Let’s Goat-Together
A kambingan-cum- beer garden.

Meating Place
A meat shop

Meatropolis
another meat shop.

JolliJeeps
are mobile food stalls in vans or jeepneys that offer inexpensive meals at the side streets of Makati business district.

Pier Carding
A tailoring shop in Pier, Manila

The Way We Wear
a boutique

Curl Up and Dye
barber shop

Goldilooks
a beauty parlor

Bote Nga Sa ‘Yo
A used bottle shop

Goldirocks
a gravel and sand store

Fernando Pe’s Box Office Hits
a video rental shop in Palawan

Leon King
a Video Rental in Las Pinas.

Memory Drug
Almost a clone of Mercury Drug

Petal Attraction
Flower shop near UP Diliman

Susan’s Roses
A flower shop, of course

Maid to Order
Employment agency

Singalong Sing-along
a karaoke bar in Singalong (you know where)

Hair.dot.comb
A beauty parlor in Fairview

SPONGE NI BOB
A car wash in Sun Valley Subd., Paranaque

Erase Your Head
A barber shop in Marikina

Kosh Kosh Ayosh
A laundry service along Tandang Sora near U.P.

0zone Aircon Repair Shop
along Sun Valley Drive in Paranaque City

Osyang Deep
A specialty eatery on the island of Alabat in the middle of Lamon Bay, Quezon Province. The specialty is empanadang sayote.

This is too much advertising. Perhaps I should charge for space. But then, the long hearty laughs is payment enough.