Although most of my life was spent in the U.S.A.

, my parents & elders made sure that I remembered my Filipino Heritage. Because I was surrounded by my Filipino parents and relatives, I could not escape being a witness to the Filipino customs and quirks that make us unique. Below are a few unique customs seen in most Filipino interactions depending on how 'traditional' the Filipinos are that you encounter. 1. "Mano po" "Mano po" (pronounced mah-noh poh) refers to a physical gesture of taking the hand of an elder and bringing it towards your forehead. This is a sign of respect for the elder and is usually done at the point of greeting or farewell. Children are expected to perform this gesture towards adult relatives & adult family friends. Failure to perform "mano po" would be considered as disrespectful. 2. "Kuya" or "Ate" The Filipino culture is very big on respect. The older an individual is, the more they call for respect. The term 'kuya' (pronounced koo-yah) refers to an older male person; it means 'big brother.' Its verbal usage indicates that you respect the older male and recognize the difference in age. The feminine form is 'ate' (pronounced ah-teh) which is directed towards an older female person; it means 'big sister.' Children are encouraged to use these terms with their older siblings. Adults can use these terms to address friends or co-workers regardless of whether or not they are truly related. It simply demonstrates a form of respect for the older individual. 3. The power of the eyebrows. In American culture, the eyebrows usually conveys emotion via a variety of facial expressions. In Filipino culture, raising your eyebrows can also communicate a positive affirmation of "yes" when a yes/no question has been asked. So, should a Filipino fail to verbally answer your question, look at their eyebrows before feeling like you were being ignored. In reality, they may just be answering you non-verbally through the raising of their eyebrows. Raising your eyebrows accompanied with strong eye contact can also serve as a greeting or farewell to an individual you can not physically touch. 4. The lips give direction. Again, a non-verbal expression performed by Filipinos. By puckering their lips and facing a certain direction, they are using their lips to point to communicate a certain

direction. Instead of wasting physical energy by lifting their arm/hand to point, they conserve energy by using their puckered lips. 5. Food at every gathering. Whether it be a grand party or just an informal meeting, Filipinos express their hospitality & friendship through the serving of food. The more grandiose the cuisine, the more 'love' they are trying to convey to those at the gathering. Instead of asking, 'how are you?' Filipinos will ask, "have you eaten yet?' 6. Take your shoes off when entering a Filipino home. By taking your shoes off when entering a Filipino home, you are conveying utmost respect towards the owners of the property. You are showing them that you care about their property and have the desire to maintain its cleanliness. More modern Filipinos who have tile or wood floors may not expect you to take your shoes off because of the coldness of the floor, however, if you do adhere this custom, then you will surely make a favorable impression. 7. Hellos and Goodbyes cannot be taken for granted. You must greet everyone "hello" at every meeting and say "good-bye" at each farewell. For anyone present, you can either offer a 'mano po,' a kiss on the cheek, or offer eye contact coupled with raising your eyebrows to those you are unable to physically reach or those you do not know very well. Failure to offer a greeting or farewell would indicate that you are disrespectful, and a snob. So, be attentive to those present as you do not want to offend anyone. Filipinos communicate less verbally than their American counter-parts and it is clearly demonstrated in the Filipino quirks discussed here. The minimal verbiage in Filipino Culture could be best explained through a silent adherence to the common expression: "actions speak louder than words."

Etiquette & Customs

Gift Giving Etiquette . If you are invited to a Filipino home for dinner bring sweets or flowers to the hosts. . If you give flowers, avoid chrysanthemums and white lilies. . You may send a fruit basket after the event as a thank you but not before or at the event, as it could be interpreted as meaning you do not think that the host will provide sufficient hospitality. . Wrap gifts elegantly as presentation is important. There are no colour restrictions as to wrapping paper. . Gifts are not opened when received. Dining Etiquette If you are invited to a Filipino's house: . It is best to arrive 15 to 30 minutes later than invited for a large party. . Never refer to your host's wife as the hostess. This has a different meaning in the Philippines. . Dress well. Appearances matter and you will be judged on how you dress. . Compliment the hostess on the house. . Send a handwritten thank you note to the hosts in the week following the dinner or party. It shows you have class. Table manners . Wait to be asked several times before moving into the dining room or helping yourself to food. . Wait to be told where to sit. There may be a seating plan. . Do not start eating until the host invites you to do so. . Meals are often served family- style or are buffets where you serve yourself. . A fork and spoon are the typical eating utensils. . Hold the fork in the left hand and use it to guide food to the spoon in your right hand. . Whether you should leave some food on your plate or finish everything is a matter of personal preference rather than culture-driven.

One of the Filipino customs is the money dance. Thats one of the traditions you do at a Filipino wedding. The bride and groom dance to a Filipino love song or folksong and while they are dancing, the guest will put money in the brides mouth. The person who gives the money brings the couple's heads together as if kissing. Sometimes people throw money on the floor or pin the dollar bills on the bride and groom's clothing. Sometimes the money is placed in an envelope and put into the bride,s mouth. The money dance has become a tradition at Filipino weddings in Hawaii. The idea of this is to help contribute to the wealth and happiness of the couple.

Music and dancing are an important part of Filipino culture. At Filipino gatherings you often see the tinikling (Bamboo Dance) or the wine dance in which young girls dance with filled glasses on their hands and heads. Just as there are many different languages in the Philippines so are there different styles of dance. For example, the Igorot dances come from a Filipino mountain tribe. Their instruments are mostly drums and flutes. The customs of these people resemble the bright, woven cloths of Indian tribes. There are the Muslim dances which come from the south where some people dress like those living in Arabia. The music of the Filipinos coming from the island of Luzon, which is where many of Hawaii's Filipinos come from, is similar to the Spanish or Mexican music played during fiestas.

(Filipino) and Traditions

Customs

Most Filipinos marry before they are 30 years old. The groom and his family pay for the wedding ceremony and reception. The bride often does not see her bridal gown until the day she is married. Grooms often wear a barong, an embroidered shirt that hangs over the trousers, made of pineapple fiber. At the reception, during the newlyweds' first dance, relative may take turns clipping money to the groom's shirt or the bride's gown.

Loyalty to the extended family is fundamental, as is the concept of mutual support and self-sacrifice when the family or a member of it needs help. The close-knit network of relationships even extends to honorary kinships, usually referred as a kumpadrehan or

godparenthood. Particular respect is shown more to more senior members of the family. Traditionally, the nuclear family has been large, often with four or more children, but today, particulary in urban areas, people are having fewer childre. Many Filipinos work overseas to earn money for the extended family at home.

Eating
Rice is the dietary staple of the Filipinos, prepared in a variety of ways and included in desserts as well as main meals. The primary source of protein is fish, and pork and poultry are the most common meat. Garlic is used liberally. A typical meal might consist of boiled rice, fried fish, a vegetable, and fruit for dessert. Fruit is also often eaten for breakfast. Beacuse the Philippines has been influenced by many diverse cultures, the cuisine is also diverse.Adobo is a stew of chicken or pork in garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar. Meats are often roasted and served on skewers. Kare-kare is a stew of meat and vegetables served in peanut sauce. A favorite snack is halo-halo, a drink made from sweetened beans, milk, and fruits serve in colorful layers with crushed ice. At large celebrations, the lechon, a stuffed pig, is often roasted over a charcoal fire. Filipinos usually eat three meals a day, with snack periods(merienda) between meals. Families in rural areas usually eat meals together, while families in urban areas eat breakfast and dinner together on weekdays and all meals on weekends. When guests are present, they are seated nearest the head of the home and are always served first. no one eats until after the guest has had a bite or two. It is proper to keep one's hands above the table. Conversation is informal during meals. Although compliments are welcomed, the best way for a guest to show appreciation of the cooking is to eat heartily. A small portion is left on the plate to indicate that the person has had enough to eat.

Socializing
Initial greetings are informal and friendly in the Philppines, and are usually accompanied by a handshake. If people shake hands and wish tp show additional respect or enthusiasm, they place the free hand on top of the handshake or use it to pat the other person's shoulder. Common Filipino greeting included Kumusta ka na? ("How are you?"), Anong balita? ("What's new?"), and Ayos ba tayo 'dyan? ("Is everything all right?"). Just are common

are the English greetings "Hi" and "Good morning." Young people are taught to show respect to adults and to address them by a proper title. If a professional title (Doctor, Manager, etc.)is not appropriate, then "Sir", "Ma'am," or a familial title is used. It is common for young adults to address older adult strangers as Tita (Auntie) orTito (Uncle). The elderly might be called Lola (Grandmother) or Lolo(Grandfather). Numerous other such titles exist in most languages. Among equals in age and status, first names or nicknames are used in addressing each other.

Recreation
Filipinos spend their leisure time socializing with relatives and neighbors or watching films; the Philippines is the world's 4th largest producer of films, a number of which has strong religious themes. Films from the United States, including low-budget films, are also shown. Sundays are big days for sports; basketball, baseball, and soccer are all played. Filipinos love to bet in horse races and cockfights, and playing mah-jong, a Chinese table gameplayed with tiles.
-Interactive World Atlas