Filipino / Tagalog Phrases

Printer Friendly

Filipino Etiquettes - Meeting Someone

Naturally, Filipinos are hospitable people. They consider every guest special and they offer the best accommodations. In fact many in Filipino households reserved their new plates, glasses, spoons and forks, table cloth, blankets, pillowcases, towels and etc. for their guest alone. They kept it on the cabinets and they will only use it if they have visitors. When they meet someone and once they get intimate to him, Filipinos will invite him to visit their home and there they will serve him native delicacies and fresh fruits. He will be introduced to the whole family and all of them will give him a warmed welcome.

When meeting someone, Filipino often shakes hands particularly in formal sit up or will do the “besobeso” ( a smack on the face ) if both of them are female. In introducing a boy to a girl, the girl’s name will be mentioned first.

For example:

“Please meet Analiza Cruz my friend, Analiza this is Bryan Cortiz our neighbor”.

Meeting an older person also follows the same like this one:
“Please meet my teacher Mrs. Alicia Montes Mam, this is my friend Carlo Ruiz”

The boy or man is not allowed to kiss the girl or woman he just met.

In Filipino, there are words that are use in addressing older persons like Mr. Mrs. Miss. Often times they are use in formal situation particularly in first meeting. However, when closeness develops, they can be called tito (uncle) tita (auntie), kuya (brother), ate (sister) if they will permit you to do so. It is necessary to ask their approval before calling them that way.

The word “po” or “opo” is used to show respect.

For example:
” Bakit po ate?” (Why sister?)
“Opo tito” (yes uncle)
“Aalis na po ako” (I have to go)

Meeting someone in a unique Filipino way

“Harana “(serenade) is a unique way of making friends in the Philippines. Although few Filipinos are practicing this culture now, but in some rural areas which has less influence of modern lifestyle, this beautiful tradition is still practiced. The procedure goes like this, when a man wants to know a girl, he has to come to her house and serenade her with his beautiful songs. To acknowledge his effort, the girl and his family will open the window of their house. After that she will ask the man to come up stairs and introduce himself.

Due to western influences, some etiquettes and traditions were already forgotten however being polite and respectful always remains at the heart of most Filipinos anywhere in the world.

	Filipino Etiquette - First Greetings
	Filipino Dinner Etiquette

More Greetings and Basic Phrases

From: www.filipinophrases.co.uk