PUP vs. UP

It started when I sent everybody on my phone list a personal melodramatic general message.

I gawk at the ceiling. Waiting for something magical would happen...

I'm depressed. I'm suppressed. Can't wait 'till the day end..

So it goes..

I received a reaction on the said gm from my friend, my former classmate. Let's peek
a little information about his history...

RESTY JOHN PRADO is one of my fellow friend on our so-called barkada TENDOCERES CLAN. I've known him for years. Since I was transferred my sophomore year on the pilot section on Pateros National High School. He is really smart. And he speak well on public. He has strong features that makes everyone feel insecure about him. Well, I know many people that hated him so much but I suppose they don't know him that well. He is a good leader. A good friend. A good student. He graduated with honors. And his personality was a mark he left behind in our Alma Mater. He's a half famous. And now he is studying at UP taking up Human Ecology...

...and now, HE BECAME MY CRITIC.


He texted: "Di ba Prul noun yung GAWK? :)"

I hurriedly checked my dictionary.

So I replied: "Huh? Gawk is a verb. It means to stare stupidly. Why?"

HIM: "Hindi, noun yun. It means simpleton."

I checked the word simpleton.

ME: "Simpleton? Wait. I thought we were talking about the word gawk? Gawk is a verb, different from simpleton which is noun. Well, I have here the word gawky, that means simpleton. Wait, I think there's something wrong here."
HIM: "Huh? Don't you get it? Mahirap bang tanggapin na noun yung gawk? Well, we don't need an argument pwede rin namang maging verb yung noun. Depende na lang sa grammar structure and verb usage."
ME: "Sorry, I just think that I have to justify whatever I am saying. It's funny our dictionaries contain different meanings of words."
HIM: "Dictionaries are not wrong. So as on what I am using. Unless yung sa'yo yung hindi reliable."
ME: "Mine's reliable. I'm using it for years, thanks for sharing your knowledge and well I found it challenging."
HIM: "Sorry Prul, but I asked a fiend of mine (UP Philosophy graduate). He said you can't use gawk as a verb."
"I am sorry to say this, but you should check ur gtxts first before sending it to everybody."
ME: "I am not offended at all. Thank you very much. I'll take your word but this is not the end of it. I am telling you I'm sticking with it until I checked it wrong tlaga myself."
HIM: "Don't be offended, it's one way of the learning process in vernacular usage of language. We could do this again sometime if you want. Be safe :)"

I possessed 3 dictionaries...
The 2 of my dictionaries define gawk as a verb
the other 1 define it as a noun
Well, I think it can be both.. :)

I heave a sigh. I need to be careful with my words, same with my grammar.