köken: From Proto-Central Philippine *qalsəm with elision of /l/, from Proto-Philippine *qalsəm, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qaləsəm. Compare Kapampangan aslam, Central Bikol alsom, Aklanon aslom, Cebuano aslom, Ilocano alsem, Limos Kalinga alsom (“pomelo”), Malay asam, Maranao asem, Tausug asam (“tamarind”). The sense “sex appeal” was attributed to be popularized by Madam Auring.