kwento

Kwento is the Filipino word for story or narrative. It refers to any account told by a person or group, including personal experiences, anecdotes, legends, myths, and works of fiction. In everyday language, kwento can describe both spoken and written stories.

Etymology and spelling: The term kwento comes from the Spanish word 'cuento' and is used in Filipino with the orthographic form kwento. An alternate spelling kuwento is also encountered in Filipino texts and educational materials.

Forms and genres: Kwento encompasses a wide range of narratives, from oral folk tales and legends to modern short stories (maikling kwento) and novels. It also refers to personal anecdotes shared in conversation or online. In academic settings, students may study structural elements of a kwento, such as setting, character, and plot.

Cultural use: Storytelling—kwento—plays a key role in Filipino culture, used to entertain, teach moral lessons, transmit family histories, and preserve memory across generations. In media, kwento may appear in profiles, interviews, or feature pieces that emphasize personal experience.

See also: Filipino literature; Oral tradition.