1. An informal term for a small, low-quality bar or drinking establishment. This is the most common usage and can be understood as similar to "dive bar" in English.
2. A place or situation that is messy, crowded, or chaotic. This sense of the word conveys the idea of a place where there is a lot of activity and possibly even danger.
3. A person who is always drunk or intoxicated. This meaning is less common but still possible.
Therefore, the closest English equivalents for "alak-alakan" would be:
* Dive bar (for the first meaning)
* Shantytown (for the second meaning)
* Drunkard (for the third meaning)
It's important to note that the specific meaning of "alak-alakan" will depend on the context in which it is used.