Pak Ganern

Pak Ganern, also known as Pak! Ganern, is a famous Filipino catchphrase.

Origin

There is no definite origin of the term "pak ganern". According to Felipe Jocano Jr., an anthropologist and professor from University of the Philippines Diliman, the word "pak" may came from Tagalog word "tumpak" (English: correct) or may just be an onomatopoeia for explosions, and "ganern" came from Tagalog word "ganoon" (English: like that).

Uses

The catchphrase has many purposes. It can be used to express a range of emotions such as happiness, excitement, amazement, and shock. According to Jocano, the term "pak ganern" can be used as a pun. It also acts in speech as a space filler, a cue for sarcasm, and "a way to downplay one's self so as to avoid being thought of as vain or proud." According to Mhawi Rosero, a linguist and researcher, the term can be used in its root form or with affixes.

Tagalog examples

Sentences	Original sentences	Notes
"Nasa Diyos ang pak, nasa tao ang ganern."	"Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa."	Without affixes
"Ang hindi pumak sa pinanggalingan, hindi makaka-ganern sa paroroonan."	"Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makakarating sa paroroonan."	With affixes

English examples

Sentences	Original sentences
"Birds of the same feather, pak together ganern."	"Birds of the same feather, flocks together."
"Pak of the same feather, ganern together."	"Birds of the same feather, flocks together."

Pak Ganern Challenge

The clapping game Pak Ganern Challenge, based on the catchphrase, appeared to have originated from a group of high school kids in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. A Facebook user named Louigie Utleg uploaded a theater video on Facebook of him and his friends playing the game. It's Showtime hosts Vice Ganda, Billy Crawford, Jhong Hilario, and Vhong Navarro then introduced the game on It's Showtime segment, Tawag ng Tanghalan on August 17, 2016. Vice Ganda described it as a ' laro ng tunay na lalaki ' or 'game of real men'.