Philippines President Fidel Ramos has ordered an end to the annual “kalabasa” — or squash — award that traditionally dishonored inept government officials, the Philippine Star reported on Tuesday. The edict wasn’t out of respect for the bureaucrats, however. Ramos did it for the squash, which has become one of the Philippines’ most successful exports. In Tagalog, the Philippine national language, “kalabasa” is slang for “stupid” because farmers say even the dumbest person can grow squash simply by tossing seeds on the ground. Agriculture Secretary Salvador Escudero suggested that another name be found for the inefficiency awards. “Mr. President, I don’t think kalabasa deserves this slur,” the Star quoted Escudero as telling Ramos. From now on, the award will be known as the “kulelat” prize, slang for last-place finisher.
