Philippines Local Customs

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Greeting elders and other local customs

by nixca316

When greeting elderly people: Bow a little, get the elderly person's right hand with your right hand & let his/her knuckle touch your forehead. It is called "Mano po" (Mano is hand; po is a form of respect to an elderly person or someone who is older than you)General: We Filipinos often use our eyes, lips, & hands to convey a wide range of messages. Raised eyebrows & a smile indicate a silent "hello" or a "yes" in answer to a question. Fixed eye contact between men is considered an aggressive gesture. The proper method to summon somebody is with a downward wave. We Filipinos place great emphasis on polite language and gentle conversation. Voice tone is always soft & gentle, & direct questions should be avoided. When one raises his or her voice people will ask, "Galit ka?" (Are you angry?)We Filipinos value our self-esteem, so never criticize or argue with us publicly, most especially...

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Videoke Addicts!

by DarleneCMF

Filipinos like to sing - videoke in particular. You can liven up any party with only a videoke machine. IT doesn't even matter too much that you can carry a tune, any effort is appreciated. Usually there's some 'berating' that happens, especially in a group, but it should not be taken seriously. It's all good fun. :)

Time to Celebrate!

by edwinic

Filipinos are one of the happiest people in the world. They always find time to have a good time and celebrate the following;Defeat (Fall of Bataan)Death (Rizal Day and All Souls Day)Longest Christmas (September to January)Death of Jesus (Holy Week)Change of Weather (Summer Sale, Rainyday Sale)Holidays of other countries (July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, Trick or Treat)Sexual Intercourse (Feb 14)Rest (on Labor Day!)Commercialization of Family (Father and Mother Day)Chinese New Year (many becomes Chinese during these time)Not to mention the individual yearly, monthly, weekly and daily anniversaries prevalent among young and not-so-young lovers.

Laughter, not the best medicine

by edwinic

Filipinos laugh a lot, for a good foundation and motive. They could find reason to laugh despite calamities and sorrows that befell them.But their laughter could turn vicious and arrogant. Filipinos laugh at people who are physically handicapped, those who are cross-eyed, those who stutter and stammer, people afflicted with Down Syndrome, people whose accent are Visayan (central Philippines), those who are fat or very thin.Callous and despicable local television programming encourages, persuade and dictate how much an individual may laugh.

On Eating, again

by edwinic

I will bet that you are kind, well-mannered and lucky if it happened you be invited by a Filipino family to a lunch or dinner. Do not decline unless you have a compelling reason not to eat their food -- religious reasons, allergy or doctor’s order, for example.Filipinos see it as an insult and loses his face if you beg to be excused from a table invitation.It would help to bear in mind that while Westerner dine to be entertained and luxuriate, Filipinos eat because they are hungry – a differentiation that is easier said than done for them to take hold of and agree to.

Rags-To-Riches

by edwinic

Some of the world’s richest men are Filipinos. A number of them are old money (dating back to close ties with Spanish colonialist), while a few are product of great Chinese monopoly sweat.But Filipinos love rags-to-riches story. That is why the life of Nora Aunor is revered till now by many of its citizen. From a humble beginning by selling bottled water in the countryside to the toast of the society rubbing shoulders and body with the leaders of the land, people followed Nora Aunor up to her detention for drug-related charges in the United States.Nora Aunor is seen as a source of inspiration and encouragement to the many toiling poor section of the Filipino people. Sorry to say, many of them hope the same fortune come about to their life.

The New Queens and Princess

by edwinic

In the Philippines, religious procession is a big event everywhere. These usually take place around the festive month of May. In many instances it is a community-wide activity. Its success matters most to the organizers. They would remember it lovingly for many years to come.These gala is the time of the year when the loveliest and most attractive Filipino women participate by becoming queen, princess, dames and damsels of the parade. It is the time for parents to display the beauties of their daughters. Recently, homosexuals have made their own version of the parade in a more riotous and multicolored display of femininity and glitter.

Tourist on Motorcycle?

by edwinic

If you are in Manila and its outlying areas, you may happen to become aware of a numbers of Indian nationals plying the street on a motorcycle. No, Manila is not a popular target for Indian tourists. They come here for the business of lending money at a very expensive profit.While loan sharking is unlawful in the Philippines, the authorities appear not to lift a finger. Surprisingly, small Filipino entrepreneur patronizes these Indians and respect business dealings with them (Indians).

The Authentic Filipino Time

by edwinic

Many observed that Filipinos are infamous when it comes to punctuality. 30-60 minute lateness in a meeting is usual and tolerable. This attitude was brought about by the outlook “everyone else will be late, why should I be early?”(Show of) keenness is a manner not commonly appreciated in the Philippines. It is almost/always equated to stinginess.It is, however, a different affair when attending job interviews, watching parades of movie stars, and queuing for calamity dole-outs. If you are a visitor/tourist in this country, it helps to be direct on your time prerequisite. Express your desire that both party to be on time. More often than not, most Filipinos will act in accordance with your wish. You will find that most will come on time; while those who are late will blame the perennially-pestering vehicular traffic.

"I Lost My Face!!"

by edwinic

If you are in Manila and lost while looking for a particular place, do not ask from the next man on the street.Most Filipinos do not want to lose face, so much so that if you ask him for a direction, he will try his best to come up with an answer, even if he has no exact idea of what you are looking for.Not many will reply, "Sorry, I dont know" Not knowing is losing face (Napahiya-in local term)

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Local traditions and culture in Philippines

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Local Customs: Cities in Philippines
  1. Manila Local Customs
  2. Boracay Island Local Customs
  3. Cebu City Local Customs
  4. Baguio Local Customs
  5. Tagaytay Local Customs
  6. Makati Local Customs
  7. Puerto Galera Local Customs
  8. Subic Local Customs
  9. Bohol Local Customs
  10. Davao Local Customs
  11. Cebu Island Local Customs
  12. Pagudpud Local Customs
  13. Coron Local Customs
  14. Puerto Princesa Local Customs
  15. Vigan Local Customs
  16. Panglao Island Local Customs
  17. Sagada Local Customs
  18. El Nido Local Customs
  19. Caramoan Local Customs
  20. Corregidor Island Local Customs
  21. Baler Local Customs
  22. Lucban Local Customs
  23. Paranaque Local Customs
  24. Nasugbu Local Customs
  25. Malapascua Island Local Customs
  26. Banaue Local Customs
  27. Antipolo Local Customs
  28. Alabang Local Customs
  29. Guimaras Island Local Customs
  30. Bacolod Local Customs
  31. Bantayan Island Local Customs
  32. Samal Island Local Customs
  33. Laiya Local Customs
  34. Kalibo Local Customs
  35. Alaminos Local Customs
  36. Coron Island Local Customs
  37. Donsol Local Customs

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Popular Regions in Philippines

City of Manila Local Customs  Province of Aklan Local Customs  Province of Palawan Local Customs  Province of Rizal Local Customs  Province of Bohol Local Customs  Baguio City Local Customs  Province of Zambales Local Customs  Province of Batangas Local Customs  Province of Laguna Local Customs  Province of Quezon Local Customs  Province of Cebu Local Customs  Province of Cebu Local Customs  Tagaytay City Local Customs  Davao City Local Customs  Province of Ilocos Norte Local Customs  Province of Pangasinan Local Customs  Province of Mindoro Oriental Local Customs  Quezon City Local Customs  Puerto Princesa City Local Customs  Province of Cavite Local Customs  Province of Ilocos Sur Local Customs  Bacolod City Local Customs  Cagayan de Oro City Local Customs  Province of Bataan Local Customs  Province of Camarines Sur Local Customs  Mountain Province Local Customs  Province of Cagayan Local Customs  Iloilo City Local Customs  Angeles City Local Customs 

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Questions and Answers

analex27 profile photo

Q:  Hi everyone, I have visited the Philippines many times, but never in August. I'm just wondering if it's the typhoon season? If so,... 

thital27 profile photo

A: Hi Alex!Late August usually is typhoon season, so expect unpredictable weather by that time and hopefully no typhoon. Why not take a direct flight from Manila to Cebu... 

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