It is an Ilongo term that may mean weapon. It could mean a gun, a knife, or instrument carried by a human male for use against an opponent. Yes, the word usually refers to weapons, but it could mean something else—depending on whom you ask and how one propounds the question.
If you were asked the question: “May kargada ka?” (Do you have a “kargada?”) — more likely, you will understand it that he wants to know whether you are armed or not. In such a case, you have to answer with either a “Yes” or a “No.” However, if somebody would ask you: “Sa diin ang kargada?” (Where is the “kargada?”) – I’m sure you will be confused how to answer such an unusual question.
When we were in the elementary grades, the location of the kargada was the most important information that we children should not forget especially when we were given the chore to bring Tatay’s clothing material to the tailor. Before going to the tailoring shop, Tatay would repeat the question that is sure to be asked by Manong Gil Teruel (his personal tailor): “Diin ang kargada na ka dya?” To which, I was expected to answer: “Sa wala” (“On the left”). I am sure I’ll never be able to hear that dialogue again. First—because Tatay has long gone by now: Second: because of the invention of the gartered Brief.
Yes, that brief—or jockey—or whatever you call it — that thing finished off the kargada question. In the days before the onset of the Brief, the males had to be content with wearing the carsoncillo. As we now know, the brief has the capacity to hold that THING in place no matter how the body moves or no matter how excited IT gets. When wearing the brief, the Thing has no other option but to be always entrenched in the center, slightly upward, and always pointing upwards.
During the time of the carsoncillo, the THING had more freedom: IT can position itself wherever it wanted. It can choose to go LEFT, RIGHT, or even UP or DOWN depending on the smells, sights and sounds monitored by the nose, the eyes, and the ears, respectively. One thing about the carsoncillo—it cannot hold the Thing in the center because of its nature and shape. It is only intended to provide cover and concealment. So, the choice has to be made to go either Left or Right.
One might wonder how our males may have appeared to an interested observer under the circumstances. What if HE got excited while his Thing happened to be in a very awkward position, will IT not bulge up? Well, it seemed that that question was not much of a worry. The tailors took care of that concern. And all they needed was that they be informed of where the KARGADA was.
When the tailor asked about the kargada, he was actually asking which side his client prefers his Thing to be positioned. With that info, special adjustments will be made such that the bulge (in case it shows itself) is hidden and made to look as if it were just a protrusion of some sort. Some call it tailor’s magic. Probably it has something to do with illusion that would make any bulge appear negligible, however big it actually is. If you have watched a magic show, try to figure out how many pigeons or rabbits the magician placed inside his suit. These did not cause any noticeable bulge, did it? If a tailor can hide a bulge made by several moving rabbits and pigeons, there is no reason that he cannot manage to hide a single bird that does nothing but sit and stay on its Left and Right eggs. Indeed, tailors are magicians, too.
In this age of mass production, the kargada-adjusted pants have become almost obsolete. The tailor no longer asks you about your kargada. Maybe he presumes that all his customers have long ago disposed that cool, comfortable, and good old-fashioned carsoncillo in favor of the modern, tight-fitting, and sexier-looking brief that firmly holds a man’s most important ‘package’ in place and in position come what may. With this modern garment, the kargada is sure to be up front… boldly, in the center and always pointing UP! Hahaha!
If you were asked the question: “May kargada ka?” (Do you have a “kargada?”) — more likely, you will understand it that he wants to know whether you are armed or not. In such a case, you have to answer with either a “Yes” or a “No.” However, if somebody would ask you: “Sa diin ang kargada?” (Where is the “kargada?”) – I’m sure you will be confused how to answer such an unusual question.
When we were in the elementary grades, the location of the kargada was the most important information that we children should not forget especially when we were given the chore to bring Tatay’s clothing material to the tailor. Before going to the tailoring shop, Tatay would repeat the question that is sure to be asked by Manong Gil Teruel (his personal tailor): “Diin ang kargada na ka dya?” To which, I was expected to answer: “Sa wala” (“On the left”). I am sure I’ll never be able to hear that dialogue again. First—because Tatay has long gone by now: Second: because of the invention of the gartered Brief.
Yes, that brief—or jockey—or whatever you call it — that thing finished off the kargada question. In the days before the onset of the Brief, the males had to be content with wearing the carsoncillo. As we now know, the brief has the capacity to hold that THING in place no matter how the body moves or no matter how excited IT gets. When wearing the brief, the Thing has no other option but to be always entrenched in the center, slightly upward, and always pointing upwards.
During the time of the carsoncillo, the THING had more freedom: IT can position itself wherever it wanted. It can choose to go LEFT, RIGHT, or even UP or DOWN depending on the smells, sights and sounds monitored by the nose, the eyes, and the ears, respectively. One thing about the carsoncillo—it cannot hold the Thing in the center because of its nature and shape. It is only intended to provide cover and concealment. So, the choice has to be made to go either Left or Right.
One might wonder how our males may have appeared to an interested observer under the circumstances. What if HE got excited while his Thing happened to be in a very awkward position, will IT not bulge up? Well, it seemed that that question was not much of a worry. The tailors took care of that concern. And all they needed was that they be informed of where the KARGADA was.
When the tailor asked about the kargada, he was actually asking which side his client prefers his Thing to be positioned. With that info, special adjustments will be made such that the bulge (in case it shows itself) is hidden and made to look as if it were just a protrusion of some sort. Some call it tailor’s magic. Probably it has something to do with illusion that would make any bulge appear negligible, however big it actually is. If you have watched a magic show, try to figure out how many pigeons or rabbits the magician placed inside his suit. These did not cause any noticeable bulge, did it? If a tailor can hide a bulge made by several moving rabbits and pigeons, there is no reason that he cannot manage to hide a single bird that does nothing but sit and stay on its Left and Right eggs. Indeed, tailors are magicians, too.
In this age of mass production, the kargada-adjusted pants have become almost obsolete. The tailor no longer asks you about your kargada. Maybe he presumes that all his customers have long ago disposed that cool, comfortable, and good old-fashioned carsoncillo in favor of the modern, tight-fitting, and sexier-looking brief that firmly holds a man’s most important ‘package’ in place and in position come what may. With this modern garment, the kargada is sure to be up front… boldly, in the center and always pointing UP! Hahaha!
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