Personal and Family
“Chini”
I am sure you’d never heard of this term or word before.
You might even think that this might be the pretty name of an adorable lady I recently met. Hey, I am very much married to fancy about some name of some pretty woman.
Before you’d wonder farther, “chini” is the terminology that my kids refer to the twenty-five cent coin, that bronze colored quarter of a 1-Peso coin. Due to a sputtering of sari-sari stores and the occasion of flighty vendors just outside our premises, my kids would often request for some pennies from me so that they could hie off and buy candies and curls outside. The minute I get home from work, or from any point in the city, the kids would soon appear before me with their hands on the open palm position, demanding for the pennies, sometimes at the barrel of the gun. I had always intimated to my wife that the kids should not be spoiled with this kind of habit and should be trained to value every penny they could have. But they could be often so raucous with their demands that in the end, I always give in to their often-extreme persuasions. I could not do anything except give in. Maybe a penny here and a penny there wouldn’t as much imbibe them towards being spendthrift and squandering attitudes. I hope so greatly.
I had always wondered how they had formed this habit and become sometimes too wary that they could become excessive in their ways, especially when they grow up. My inquiry into this matter would always lead me to their Lola Dol and their late Lolo Hussin, who had always spoiled them with money whenever they come visiting or when the kids goes visiting to them on weekends.
When I was a kid, my Lolo Unih had been so lenient to me that I had become so used with money in my pocket at a very young age. Somehow, it had inculcated in me the bad habit of being a spendthrift, buying lots of toys and chocolates, here and there. When he had suddenly passed away, the money suddenly disappeared (at least the kind that I had been having before) and I had to contend with the huge adjustment that I had to make. It’s not sane I tell you. It’s one of the most difficult phases of my life. It felt like the world came falling on me and there was a general heaviness on my gait the moment my grandfather had died.
But thanks to the Lord that such occasion is already in the distant past. The money I have now may not be that much but it sure tends to me fairly well enough.
Now, my kids could sometimes ask too much money from me, way beyond their age. For example, whenever I give them pennies in the denomination of twenty-five cents coins, the so-called “chini”, they always spurn it and wanted the 1-Peso coin instead, even if the total of twenty-five cents coins would approximate or even surpass 1 peso.
I always tell them that money is not something to take lightly and they must learn to spend them wisely. I want to inculcate in them the value of money and wise use of resources as early as now, for I fully believe that good management of wealth and resources is one elemental key to success—to their future success for that matter. Spending should be within the parameter of how much one earns. If one spends more than he or she earns, then there should be a very huge problem.
So I end up with a lot of “chinis” in my pocket since my kids doesn’t even want them. Often, whenever I am at the grocery store or at the pharmacy, and whenever the store cashier gives me loose change in the denomination of 25-cents, I often decide to tuck them into those donation boxes or jars that we often see in these sort of places. That way, my “chinis” would be of great use to some other member of our society.
Or maybe, I should have a jar myself at home and put the “chinis” into them whenever I have them. Maybe in time, there’d be so many of them that even my very demanding kids would want them.
lazarus Says —
A kid at church always asks for a peso coin everytime we meet. But I don’t have coins at my pocket most of the times. I’d give her candies instead.
I remember my childhood when we compete on the coins left by my dad on his pants pockets. I often go underneath our bamboo-floored house to look for those loose change. A peso in the 80’s is like 20 pesos today.
Made on February 4, 2008 @ 11:55 am
Major Tom Says —
To Lazarus: Kids are often similar whenever they are. I also remember how me and my siblings would always spy on our father’s pants hanging by a wall in the bedroom and perhaps get lucky once in a while.
Made on February 4, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
bw Says —
That’s an interesting name - chini
Unfortunately gone are the days when you can ride a jeepney or make a phone call for 25 centavos. Nowadays 25 centavos can’t do much - you much change centavos to pesos 
Made on February 4, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
ipanema Says —
this is the first time i’ve read ‘chini’. sounds Chabacano to me.
when i was a kid, we did the same. the first thing that i open is my mom’s bag. it’s just full of everything…lol
fifty cents was already something. i could buy a lot from it.
Made on February 4, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
Sidney Says —
What can you buy with a “chini” nowadays?
Made on February 4, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
Major Tom Says —
To BW: That makes the song about three 25 centavos for a phone call very obsolete and nonsensical.
Made on February 4, 2008 @ 6:45 pm
Major Tom Says —
To ipanema: It seems to be a most recent Chavacano slang.
I just don’t know if its so prevalently used. Perhaps the kids had gotten it from the kids from the neighborhood who come here to play with them every now and then.
Made on February 4, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
Major Tom Says —
To Sidney: Virtually nothing my friend. Maybe in the future, these very small denomination would be entirely paced-out.
Made on February 4, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
Jayred Says —
“Chini”…now that’s an interesting term. Sounds like chikanini to me. LOL.
I had lots of those chinis in my coin purse during my recent trip to Manila. They came in handy when I had to pay the tricycle (PHP6.50) or jeepney driver (PHP7.50). I didn’t use my Mom’s car so much, that’s why I had to keep/collect lots of loose change for this sole purpose.
I was never a spendthrift. I’ve always lived way below my means (I still use my old Nokia 7110 and my old Canon analog camera). Blame it on my super Ilocano Mom who had wanted us to have lots of money in the bank.
Made on February 4, 2008 @ 9:48 pm
Abaniko Says —
They should start making piso as the lowest coin value so we get rid of the smaller, almost valueless, coins. This will make our pockets lighter pa.
Wonder why your kids call the 25-centavo coin “chini”. Tell us the story.
Made on February 4, 2008 @ 10:58 pm
Major Tom Says —
To Jayred: Frugality is such a virtue I must say and like the Ilocanos or Chinese people belief, it’s one good habit for success and financial security.
Made on February 5, 2008 @ 7:41 am
Major Tom Says —
To Niko: I can’t tell the specific story since I myself didn’t know it’s roots so well. The kids just started using the term one day; must be from the kids in the neighborhood. Maybe, I do some research on this.
Made on February 5, 2008 @ 7:43 am
snglguy Says —
During the early, early 70’s when a dollar was equivalent to 7 pesos, my daily “baon” was twenty five centavos. With it, I can already buy a bottle of softdrink and a small empanada in our school’s canteen. These days, you’d be hard pressed to find an item that cost a chini, haha.
Made on February 5, 2008 @ 9:11 am
Jayred Says —
Well, Major Tom, my Mom is the one who’s frugal, not me.
I’m not really a Scrooge, if you know what I mean.
I do let money work for me, when needed (for necessities and not for luxuries, mind you). However, I do scrimp on some things (e.g. gadgets not needed) to be able to, say, fund an important project or help out a friend in need.
Ideally, one should strike a balance somewhere when it comes to finances (well, in all areas of our life, too). My Mom was just way too Scrooge-like for comfort.
You know, I have a tin can full of “chinis.”
Made on February 5, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
Major Tom Says —
To snglguy: That’ll be next to impossible. I remember how in the past, 25 cents buys me three pieces of caramel candy or a stick of banana cue.
It’s funny how things have changed so radically.
Made on February 5, 2008 @ 8:25 pm
Major Tom Says —
To Jayred: Oh that tin can must be worth something now. I wonder if it could buy you a brand new cellphone.
Made on February 5, 2008 @ 8:28 pm
Schumey Says —
So that’s how it’s called now. I collect those coins in fact, you would be amazed at how much you’ll be able to save. I use what I save for the Christmas goodies we give out to the poor.
Made on February 5, 2008 @ 9:24 pm
verns Says —
You’re a very good father Major Tom…I’m pretty sure you’re kids will grow up well with you and your wife’s guidance.
Not being righteous or something but when I have money and I shop for clothes or shoes…I always feel guilty that more often than not, I would end up buying stuff for my sibs and my parents also. I think it has something to do with the fact that I grow up seeing my parents make both ends meet all the time. You know, when you have that kind of childhood, you learn the value of sharing and thinking not only of yourself. I don’t know but maybe some rich people don’t really feel guilty when they buy super expensive bags and clothes…
Made on February 6, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
Jayred Says —
Sure, Major Tom. Gimme a Nokia N95!
Made on February 7, 2008 @ 2:32 am
bingskee Says —
you are a doting father, major tom, and i noticed that fathers always cant say no to their kids.
when the kids were still very young, i tell them this when they wanted to buy something you think is not needed - “next time when we have money” - that way it will come to their minds that we have money all the time. that can be applied with the chinis, too.
Made on February 7, 2008 @ 11:24 pm
bingskee Says —
that we dont have money all the time, is what i mean he he
Made on February 7, 2008 @ 11:26 pm
barrycade Says —
awwww, such a doting dad you are, major tom. can’t resist your kids’ requests. haha.
ayaw daw mang-spoil ng kids pero bumibigay din naman hahahaha.
oh well, your kids are lucky to have a dad like you.
Made on February 8, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
bambit Says —
ahhhh, now i remember why that sounds familiar. i had nephews and nieces in cebu who called the 25 centavo coin “beintsingi” like a kiddie word for beintesingko. sometimes it would be shortened to “chingi”. Hi Major Tom! I’m alive again
Made on February 9, 2008 @ 2:04 am
Major Tom Says —
To Jayred: Now, that’s a fine piece of a gadget.
Made on February 9, 2008 @ 6:20 pm
Major Tom Says —
To schumey: It’ll be very useful that way.
Made on February 9, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
Major Tom Says —
To verns: That’s so kind of you. If I earn enough money, I’d be doing that also. Blessings should be shared to those who are closed to our hearts.
Made on February 9, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
Major Tom Says —
To bingskee: That’s good lesson for the kids. Somehow, even at a very young age, they must learn some economics—like teh supply of money isn’t like water where one just opens up the faucet whenever one needs it.
Made on February 9, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
Major Tom Says —
To barrycade: It’s a huge dilemma; somehow you wouldn’t want to accede to their yearnings, but somehow, it’s the only way to stop their being disruptive, especially when I am so busy with some paper works.
But I feel I can improve on the situation. The money involved is not as huge naman, like a peso here or there and sometimes, on the 5 peso level. But at their very young age, they might learn some bad habits that are hard to reverse.
Made on February 9, 2008 @ 6:33 pm
Major Tom Says —
To Bambit: Hello Madame–yes, I’ve noticed and I was in fact so delighted with your new site design. It’s so fluid and modern. I like it much.
Now, now—maybe, that’s probably where the term “chini” had evolved from. Thanks for this info. Now, the puzzle seem to be well-pitted.
Made on February 9, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
tutubi philippines travel Says —
i have a collectionof those chini at home.can’t use them but i know i have to return them to the economy
Made on February 9, 2008 @ 6:56 pm
Toe Says —
Haha… cute… chini!
My lolo would always give us kids his green wallet full of coins. I would always get that nice pretty ones… the mameras. My older siblings would give me all the mameras… little did I know that it was worth the least of all the coins. 
Made on February 13, 2008 @ 12:50 pm