If you come to the Philippines, you must be aware of not only of our basic customs and traditions. More so, you need to have a good grasp of what an ordinary Pinoy do, our habits, expressions and body languages. It’s your compass to a more hassle-free stay. If you don’t take time in understanding our one-million-and-one ways of doing things, it’s either you might offend your host or worse, you might offend yourself which is exactly why I don't want to happen to you. (Remember, HelloPhilippines loves you!)

To help me with this mini lecture is a post from the Internet written by a non-Pinoy entitled “You’re a Filipino if…” Take note that I only included those statements, which I think are worth an explanation.

YOU’RE A FILIPINO IF…

You nail all photographs on your walls in the living room

Don't expect ordinary Pinoy households to have portraits and posh paintings hanging on their walls. Instead, just enjoy ogling at these "nailed photos." These snapshots remind us of happy memories spent with our loved ones even those who already passed away. As a family, we believe in the values of "strong families ties." This is how we prove that not even time and space can set us apart. They serve the same purpose as portraits but they’re more practical and sentimental.

You put up your knee while eating
You eat kanin and ulam using your (bare) hand

My lola would say that these habits make our dining experience more pleasurable. I couldn’t agree more. I eat with my bare hand sometimes when nobody is looking. But of course we wash our hands before and after we eat for hygienic purposes. If you eat with us with your bare hand, we’d think you’re humble. But don't get me wrong, this doesn't apply to everyone. You should try it sometimes just for the kicks.

You say “comfort room” instead of “restroom”

Don’t confuse yourself. In ordinary households, that’s how we call it. But in hotels and other business establishments, it’s labeled as “restroom.” But come to think of it, you don't go to the "restroom" to rest but definitely you'd go to the "comfort room" to relieve yourself and feel comfortable so the latter expression makes sense.

You point with your lips

True, but we only do that during casual conversations or if we’re too busy to point you to something using our hands. But since you’re a polite guest asking for help, we'd use our hands or anything appropriate to give directions or instructions.

You say “open” or “close” the lights

Not every Tagalog word has a direct English translation and vice versa. In our language to turn the lights on is expressed as: "buksan ang ilaw." Buksan means to "open" and ilaw means "lights." Now since we feel that "open" is a more direct translation, we use it often than the more correct expression, which is to "turn the lights on." But nonetheless it doesn't matter so long as the thought is the same.

You [smile and] nod upwards to greet someone

For some reason, this is our way of saying "hello" to someone we bumped in. I have no explanation why but again, this gesture is very downright friendly and casual much like a "wink."

You eat under-developed duck eggs

This delicacy is called “balut.” But Cambodians and Vietnamese also eat this kind of food. So I don’t think it’s that weird and shocking. Balut is a high-energy snack sold usually by vendors at night.

You say “kodakan” instead of take pictures

“Kodakan” is taken from the Kodak brand name. Pinoys really have this habit of inventing new vocabulary words. But it’s not only that, sometimes we go to the store to purchase “colgate” by that we mean “toothpaste.” I think it shows that we sometimes get too loyal and attached to a brand.

You do “mano po” to older people in the house you’re about to enter

To make “mano” is an expression of respect. This is basic Pinoy custom. If you’re going to visit or meet somebody who is a lot older than you are, you make “mano” to inspire good impression.

You have a Last Supper quilt tacked on your dining wall
You hang a rosary on the rear view mirror of your car
You have a Santo Niño shrine in your living room

Most Filipinos are Catholic and basically these habits are some of the ways to which we express our love for God and commitment to our faith. The Santo Niño shrine in the living is where we usually say at prayers at specific times of the day.

You didn’t hear or understand something and your first expression is “ha?”

Actually the complete expression is "ha, anong sabi mo?" In English it means "what did you say?"

You are chismosa

"Chismosa" means a gossiper. I think everybody loves to talk about gossips and rumors but it's fun conversing with a Pinoy about anything because we are very animated. But this is not the only thing we do in our free time.

You turn around when you hear somebody say “psst”
You say “hoy” to get someone's attention

Whoever wrote this must've spent several hours observing some bystanders. But yes, it's true and it's probably a modified form of the "hey" expression.

You make “para” on a bus

"Para" means to pullover in English. This is how we signal the bus driver to make a stop. I think para came from the word "parada or pumarada" [to park] that is used to describe a car that is pulling over in a short while when a passenger jumps off.

You have a “barrel man” in your house (you know… the wooden man, when you lift up the barrel – schwing!!!)

The “Barrel Man” is a souvenir item from Baguio City, the Summer Capital of the Philippines. These are hot selling tabletop wooden sculpture of a man inside the barrel. When the barrel is lifted off, the man’s twang pops out. Aside from that, Baguio also sells an ashtray decorated with a phallus obtruding from the rim over the ashtray at a forty-five degree angle. (Stop giggling Pie!)

You wash your clothes by hand

Although it’s a lot more convenient to use a washing machine, washing by hands is more effective in removing stubborn dirt on clothes. Pinoy mothers are so meticulous and they don’t trust that machines could always get the job done.

You’re the plane passenger with the largest handcarry luggage

A "balikbayan" [returnee] is expected to bring home "pasalubong" [gifts] bought from the states that’s why they have to carry huge luggage.

You put your hand together and point them in the direction you are walking to pass between other people

Not only that, while passing between people we say “makikiraan lang po” [Please let me pass]. This is a gesture of respect

You bring “baon” to work everyday

Some Pinoys are really very practical. These packed lunch helped us save money for other purposes. But some Pinoys would bring “baon” because their wives, husbands, children or parents told them so. It’s a thoughtful gesture.

You have a parol hanging outside your house during the Christmas holidays

“Parol” came from the Spanish word “farol” which means lantern in English. In my country, lighting a parol is an expression of faith and hope. Visit MyParol.Com for more information.


You eat rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner

If you come to a Pinoy home, don’t expect us to serve you with mashed potato or hamburgers. “Kanin” or rice is my people’s staple food that’s why we prefer to serve them during important meals.

Wheew! What a list! I hope by know you have a better picture of what it's like an ordinary Pinoy. If there are other habits that I wasn't able to discuss, don't hesitate to contact me! pcardano@gmail.com

See you around!

Photo Links/Credits: Bare-hand eating, Comfort room, Mano Po, Altar, Barrel Man, Baon and Parol.

Credits: Yahoo, Flickr, Bob Ong Pinoy, wonderful men and women of Flickr for their masterpieces.

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