Ever since I married a Filipina, I've gained so much incredible knowledge about their culture and traditions. It has been a fascinating journey!

I’m a Filipino-American living in the US. On my first birthday in the US, I was not going to tell anybody at work that it was my birthday, until my boss sent out an e-mail about going out to a nearby restaurant at lunch to celebrate my birthday, the whole department of about 30+ people were invited. I was like OMG, I hope i have enough $ to pay their meals 😂. The following year, and every year on my birthday, I’ll announce my birthday at work by saying am getting free lunch today 😂.

As for the birthday party or treat. Our understanding is that, the person who celebrates birthday is the one who thanks the Lord for his existence. Thanking the Lord is the same as thanksgiving. And so expressing your appreciation means you have to do your best in a year prior your birthday. A gift from loved ones and friends is not mandatory or obligation because for us living a life on earth and the opportunity to experience life is already a gift from God.

I got a speeding ticket on my way to the comments 😂 A meal without rice is a snack 😂 When walking between 2 people they will bow down, stretch their arms at full length and put their hands together as a polite way of cutting through 😊 I fitted a tank to the house to harvest rain water and the Queen refused to shower with it because she claimed it took too long to dry😂😂 Tabo. We attended an event one night. I think between the tickets etc it cost us around 4k. There was a raffle and I won a tabo 😅. I now am the proud owner of the most expensive tabo in mindanao. I will treasure it forever. It will never see an ass 😂😂😂

When the cars stop to allow you to cross the road, raising your hand is also an act of acknowledgement or thanks with a smile, for allowing you to cross. 😊

Pasalubong have originated because when Filipinos leave their homes, their neighbors will automatically watch over your stuff and your chickens and pets...maybe even your children and spouse ....most of those neighbors are relatives and long extended family ....... they will keep you updated with what's going while you are out...Pasalubong is a type of thank you for watching out for my stuff :-) and it also proves that you really went to the place you are suppose to go :-)

other places in Philippines believed, if it's raining hard it's ok you can get wet , you don't get sick, but if it shower rain that you don't get much wet, you get sick or give you cold. So we prefer hard rain than just shower rain....❤

About getting sick from rain, it is because of the temperature. This is a hot weather, and usually your head (specifically your scalp) is hot, then rain will pour onto it which is cold. A sudden change of temperature like this "hot to cold" will make you sick. That's why people commonly say say cover your bumbunan (top of the head) when it begins to rain.

Were using water and soap to clean after pooping, we dont feel cleaned using only tissue, we also use tissue to dry our ass and hands after washing it with water

You eat bread 3 times a day same as eating rice 3 times a day .Not only Filipinos eat rice 3 times a day . Not only Filipinos uses hands to eat .

Knife usually use only for fine dining, TABO use for hygienic if you dont have bidet, traffic is common in South east asian country, were not afraid of rain were just avoid get wet if your tired of a long work or your working under the sun you surely got cold! Balikbayan box is common for o.f.w a pasalubong for theyre families, its part of our culture and Filipinos are so family oriented!

Back in the 70s when courting a girl I go to the girls house, meet her family etc. And next when she gets to know more you get to ask her for a date, for dinner or movies at Pines or Session theater or to stroll down Session rd and to be more romantic like at Burnham park or at Camp John Hay most likely she becomes your official girlfriend. Of course that' was the traditional way of Baguio-Filipino courtship, but by 77-79, that went out the window, college and the disco scene came, house parties and everything changed. Music back in those days were more romantic and it helped a lot, it did for me. Was it weird, no not at all, it was the best times in my life! When life was simple and free.

Spoon and fork - because every meal has rice and most dishes have sauce (or sarsa) and soups, it makes sense to use spoon for scooping rice, sauces and soups instead of using knife.

speaking of get sick when raining it's because of the cold rain and the weather in the Philippines is hot, it's a sudden change temperature to our body from hot to cold, common sickness are catching cold, fever, coughing and flue

Hahahaha I have to comment on this. Growing up in the Philippines, I remember you only pay for your birthday if you have a job. My understanding is that you do that to share your blessings. Your guest will either give a gift or not and it is all fine as you want to celebrate your birthday and just be very thankful. Pasalubong is just being thoughtful, in my opinion. Thank you for sharing your weird thoughts that we do but I must say fun to experience😉

I tell ya , back when I lived in the states, I went to parties to friends house that were not Filipino and was disappointed with their food options . But whenever I go to a Filipino party, I'm like in a buffet type environment. It's crazy the amount of food they prepare.

Yes, pasalubong is like a must. My parents even my in-laws, would always tell me to bring pasalubong. I live in the city and whenever we go visit our folks or relatives in the province, you have to bring something even breads will do. It means your thinking of them and small things means a lot.😊 well, that's our culture and it also feels good to see the smile of appreciation on their faces.

As for tabo, some of the homes have bidets but when it broke we usually resort back to tabo. You see Filipinos is not satisfied with just tissue paper wiping our ass of poo. It still stinks and the so called skid marks on your underwear, we don't have that. If your mom found skid marks on your underwear be ready to be yelled at or you will wash your own underwear to understand your lesson. So we clean it first with plenty of water using tabo or bidet then we lather it with ample amount of soap then rinse with water. That is also the same when peeing especially girls but they use feminine wash.

Just because it's different from Western ways doesn't mean it's weird. Western ways aren't the basis of how a life should be lived. Western ways aren't the perfect way of living. So it's not weird. It's just a different way of living in a different culture.

I've been saving a month worth of salary when it's almost my birthday to treat my co-workers at lunch and my family at home for dinner... Also it's not a regular lunch/dinner it should be a feast...

Raising the hand to stop an oncoming vehicle is like a "jedi power".

we need part 2... - balato (from winning) - pointing direction through their lips - despedida (when departing for long period) - sin to give bread only (should come with spread/coffee) - retaining the plastic cover of their "new" gadgets or appliances - when you come across someone eating, common gesture to offer you some, but sarcastic if you take it - wait a minute or one moment but actually prolong period of time - giving tip is not common (even for personalize service) - untouch last piece of meal (when eating with someone) waiting who would take the last bite

Ha ha "Tabo" we are ahead of the game during the pandemic. While people are lining up for tissue paper....we did not even care...yes there is the tabo! It is almost an art. To be able to clean yourself without a drop of water on the floor is the ultimate mastery 😂. You don't get a waft of undesirable downwind from those who mastered the art of tabo. Yes, it is learned at an early age. My American born niece was so happy that we taught her the art of tabo use especially during the pandemic. She said I thought that was just a weird Filipino culture, but it has its place. Go learn the art of tabo....your wallet will thank you since tissue paper are so expensive nowadays.

THANK you for such good OBSERVATION. @ Rice is a carbohydrate and your body needs more energy, because the moment you move in a tropical country your body perspire a lot, that needs more energy, unlike in the west that the weather has quite good to cool temperature , even you move you perspire less and need to eat carbs like potato and bread in moderation. @ Filipinos are using fork and spoon, just because all the dishes are prepared and cook from, minced, ground, cutlet, sliced, shredded. but not in CHUCNK preparation, like in the west that need knife. Rice is a grain food, that needs spoon to scoop. @ For personal hygiene we use TABO/ dipper instead of napkin. @ For camaraderie and unity of a community we use banana leaves on a table and eat together with friends using hands to pick up food.

There’s this study published about “pasalubong”. According to that study, giving pasalubong is a way of expressing “I remembered you during my trip, and I thought youll love this”. Or something like that. They also said that filipinos are not very verbal so we express our love better through these small gestures.

Nice vid. Thanks for being a CEo in the Philippines. Hope you prosper more. Please continue to make vids like this.

The knife (for dining) was banned during the Spanish era in the Philippines for fear of murder and assassinations ..... Filipinos worked for a bunch of rich Spaniards and they did not allow helpers especially in the kitchen to have any knives small enough to be hidden in their clothes...

Maybe I can explain some reasoning behind most of these things. Birthdays are mostly personal so as far as I know, it's usually the celebrant who invites hence he/she spends for the celebrations. Raising hands while crossing is actually the hand sign for stop just like what most traffic cops or enforcers do when stopping traffic. For me personally, the sign of cooked meat is when I can cut it using the edge of my spoon. 😂 Getting sick in rain is valid as the country is a tropical country with high humidty and heat, prolonged soaking in rainwater after a hot a humid weather will bring cougjs or colds. Eating with bare hands is actually a cultural thing in southeast asia.

Just because it's different to what you're used to, it doesn't necessarily mean it's "weird".

Pasalubong has been a Filipino tradition since pre-colonial times. It is more of a token to somewhat to share a little bit of your experiences in your travels back home.

Listening here dear...newbie

The spoon is used to scoop the rice and the soups and sauces because you can't do it with a knife. The meats and other food are usually cut into small chunks but they can be cut with the edge of the spoon if the meat is held down with a fork. So avoid soft plastic spoons that will break when used for slicing food.

Using spoon and fork for eating is not that strange as most Filipino food is cut into bite size pieces - meat is tender enough to be 'cut' with a spoon or fork. Even our Filipino bistec (steak with onions) is cut into thin, small pieces and is cooked until tender.

I'm M67 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA. Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, my parents were always very concerned about going out in the rain getting you sick. I remember having an argument with my father about it on one occasion (he was inconsistent.) My father insisted I stay home on a rainy Saturday because he didn't want to pay for the doctor when I got sick. I tried to use the logic that he still goes to work and I still go to school when it's raining, but he wasn't having any of it.

If it is your birthday in the Philippines, you are paying. YES.. Why???? Because it is an act of giving back.. God gave you another year of your life and that is a blessing.. Paying and treating others on your birthday means sharing the blessings you received to the people you love..

Im retired filipinoswedish citizen soon 65 yrs...its not only filipinos there, in my country its a normal/culture for a feast simplier or grandier celebration if you have invited usually people bring presents/gifts for you. While in the Phils. neighbors, friends usually will visit of course ,drop by..and say Happy Birthday depends your situation, where and filipinos normally serve something to a visitor.

We filipinos were not satisfy to just use napkin or toilet papers after we used the bathrooms. Thats why we use TABO with soap and water of course. 😂

Why you called it weird when it is part of their custom and tradition?

Yes that is right, although a stop hand signal works most of the time, it doesn't work all the time when crossing the road. The secret is if the vehicle slows down then you are clear to proceed, but if not and instead honks back at you just stay put and let it pass by before crossing.I hope this will be of help the next time. 🙂😜🇵🇭

Regarding the rain, I used to doubt it since I grew up in the province without a lot of industrial air pollutants so I never minded getting wet in a drizzle. But when I transferred to Manila……..it became more obvious to me that the belief was not baseless as getting mildly wet in a drizzle would always be followed by a viral upper respiratory tract infection, at least in my case.

The culture of eating with bare hands, it’s an Indian cultural influence. The Philippines was historically part of the “Indosphere” - countries that were indirectly influenced by India during ancient times. India’s influence on the Philippines was much stronger than China. Hence why we don’t use chopsticks and why have many Sanskrit/ Indian loanwords in Filipino- GURO (Guru) SAMPALATAYA (Sampratyaya) BUDHI (bodhi) BATHALA (Bhattara)

Tabo is water dipper. Back when there was no tap, it was the most practical way of transporting about a liter of liquid in short distances.

It's natural for we Filipinos we were so polite,and most we were known for our hospitabilty we done as a habitual😊

I have evolved from using hands to stop a car to just simply glancing them to stop a car

"Pasalubong" boxes lined up at a foreign airport, best sign as to where PAL ticketing booth is at 😅.

Lol. That's cute. The list could go on and on, including halo- halo (ice cream soup) and pig's blood. As for the birthday thing, you're so right - and remember, if you're white, you treat for your birthday AND their birthday. 😂

It’s not so much that they ask for pasalubongs, it is mostly just a thank you gesture to bring something home to your loved ones that is a little souvenir from your travel. We think always of others when it comes to sharing our blessings.

Palubong is one way of saying think of me. When you buy pasalubong for a friend is like saying, i think of you... That is why recieving pasalubong no matter how big or small is overwhelming because someone thinks of you. 😊

Philippines is a country that have a multicultural diversity that I love and proud of it as a Filipino.. that I will not trade in any cultures have around the world.. because I grown up with it.. If you questioning as being "Weird" will that is your problem not ours.. I don't questioning your culture or American culture that do you have but just be careful selecting a word to describing Filipino cultures..

passing two people who are talking together and the only way is the way where they arw without bowing or saying excuse is kinda like disrespectful. It was like disrupting a conversation which was disrespectful as we are taught when we were young to never disrupt a conveesation. So we say sorry or excuse me and bow our head to say sorry for distyrbing the conversation. Wait, I think my grammar is mess up so i'm sorry. Just try to understand it😂😂

In the Philippines, the one who will be celebrating a birthday is the manager of all expenses. This is to show to the people you love that you arrived in this world on that day and must give thanks to the Lord by having a party for family and friends. Some kind people who were invited would buy gifts or additional food or give money to the birthday celebrant.

I think weird is not the word. Culture or our own way of life just happened to have had differences. Something that makes everyone in this life unique. When I was teaching English in Lao People's Democratic Republic, I learned that touching people on the head is not accepted. So, I had to abide by that. When I came back home, I would rub children on the head when I'm happy with what they do, etc. Our uniqueness makes people appreciate things and makes people even friendlier.

We use that hand sign when crossing the road, when there are a lot of traffic which some cars and bus' would now be in a hurry; we do that so we'll not get into an accident. Also, not all roads or streets in some places would have street lights or pedestrian lanes. (Logically, you'll use that hand gesture if you're just going to cross your destination but the road/street doesn't have a pedestrian lane)

Filipinos pick up things with their toes. Filipinos point to an object with their pointed mouth. Filipinos say yes by moving eyebrows up and down.

When I first came here, I would take a shower with the kabo. I dripped it on me slowly because of the heat. I wanted to enjoy the cool water. Filipinos will toss the whole thing throwing water across the whole bathroon (CR). Turn signals mean anything. Left signal might mean a left turn, passing a stopped car or moving over to the right. After loving in the bed, underwear is needed to prevent panohot, a general sickness that can mean almost anything. Pointing with the lips instead of the index finger. Raising your eyebrows instead of nodding the head in the affirmative. Wait until your car breaks down or your roof seriously leaks instead of doing preventative maintenance. When you speak their language instead of complementing you they will turn to their friends and comment about you in front of you. Complements to you being so handsome or young even though you know otherwise (this is my favorite).

It is the way of thankgiving ..facing another year of happiness and good health with family and friends🙏❤️

Actually, some people would get colds and coughs (due to the rain's coldness) if they're in the rain. What we also mean by it if you would spend almost a long time, you'll get a headache (due to the rain's coldness) or a fever.

pasalubong is basically a souvenir as well as unintentional advertising when going to a different place to give away to close friends and families. They recieve the "Pasalubong" and if they really like it along with the stories to tell, they might go there in the future & if not they will just keep the Souvenir, remember the friend's adventure there might plan to go there but with other people

Using ' kubyertos ' (which is the pair of a spoon and fork) Are all Spanish influences brought in the Philippines from Spain, because indigenous Filipinos only eat with their bare hands (which is also practiced today by some of us) We also have knives in the kitchen for cutting garlics, onions, ginger, vegetables and meats, and bread; of course. Also, we can just cut with our forks and spoons when eating, even without a knife.

Pasalubong means you remember someone, its a way of showing affection, its a way to show you care for them, not only within your family, clan, even to neighbors, or even the whole village or barangay.

In terms of using a knife, you can use it in the kitchen. in cooking, you will think that the meat can be smaller so when it comes to the dining table, you will no longer use a knife. In fried pork, if you notice that the knife used is only in separate food table itself, that is to prevent accidental injury.

If a parent goes out, the pasalubong is what the kids may expect like Jolibee food. But if you go to another province where the food or stuff that is famous over there and rare on your local, you may ask for pasalubong. Thank you for this video.

Giving a pasalubong (gift) to family and friends upon your return from a trip is serious business. That is why one finds PASALUBONG COUNTERS at the airport or seaport, to make sure you don't forget to buy a little something, usually food, candies or even a tshirt, upon your return.

It was like that here in the Phils. because Its always a blessing that you are alive and well and was able to reach that age ,so as a thanks giving to God Filipinos pay forward the blessing thet freely received from God by treating their love one's and friends to a hearty meal❤😊

None of this is really that weird: 1. Paying on your birthday - I invite people out to celebrate with me, so I pay. I can afford it. I am a vegetarian but I don't impose my choices on others. A gathering of friends and family expects lechon, so they get it. 2. Rice - it's the fundamental feature of Filipino life. I spent a few days in Europe with my wife, during which time she had no access to rice. She turned into a monster, so we hit the Asian (Vietnamese) Quarter in Paris where she received her ration and the monster was appeased. 3. I've lived in Asia since I was in my 20s. Tabo isn't weird. I find it both hygienic and practical. 4. Cutlery - pretty much the same all through South-east Asia. 5. Using your hands to eat, again not an issue. 6. Traffic - I just walk out with my hand held up. The same in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, etc. 7. Simply being polite. 8. Yep, I agree about rain. One would think that Filipinos melt in the rain. Pretty strange given that the Philippines is in the tropics yet they appear to be scared of getting wet in a downpour. 9. Pasalubong is fairly universal. Our family and friends get pasalubong if we take a trip, especially overseas, and while it is not expected but is welcomed. On our last trip to Europe we stuffed a suitcase with candy for the kids and knick-knacks for the family, stuff they wouldn't otherwise get in the Philippines. The only thing I find weird is the obsession with face. My wife gets pissed off if I have a few beers with the guys at the trike stand, because apparently it loses her face, even though we are very wealthy, owning our own business and properties and not needing to work. Having said that, she is more than prepared to have a stand-up swear fest in the street with the neighbours if they somehow piss her off but that doesn't constitute a loss of face.

Treating people on your birthday is like when you're having a birthday party which invited guests are being treated at the buffet (Also, it depends on different people because there are other people that treat the actual birthday celebrant like surprises and gifts)

As a Filipino, I 100% agree with you. I mean, what's the deal of when it's your birthday you treat others? Makes zero sense to me too.

For crossing the street, it means you are giving praise to the person driving the car. You pray for them when they're driving. So, they stop and pray with you.

Filipinos Have An Inner Self Being Shared To Others. We Practice Sharing and Cooperation.

In Native Indigenous American way, we have a potluck style bday. But we also have a tradition that we gift people pertinent in our lives... mother, father, grandparents. It is to show thanks and gratitude of respect for the ones who are the eeasons we are here. And many times traditional ceremony is a part as well.

The rain CAN make you sick, but NOT because it's acid rain. It's because the cold environment can make your body chilled from longer exposure, just like how people get sick when there's snow in the US. Unlike showering, you can dry yourself off. Longer showering with just the usual temperature of tap water (much colder in the Philippines, and you can't change the temperature unless you can afford the heating or have time to boil water to mix with your cold water) can make you sick if exposed longer. Even though Philippines is very hot and humid place, under the rain or night can be very chilly. That is why most homeless people seek shelter or a place that has a roof with other items such as cardboard, a blanket, or any flat of fabric that can act as a blanket.

Birthday person spends the money for treating friends----Spanish tradition similar to Spain

Thats awesome.❤

here's another weird thing... taking a leak in the bush, tree or mound in the province, filipinos would say "tabi po nuno" excuse me dwarf like nature spirit (nuno), can you move aside so i don't pee on you. and you have to say it over and over until you're done relieving yourself. take note of the "po" ... you have to express respect to it. haha hilarious

Filipinos actually often get sick especially when it's a mild rain. We often catch cold

Raising hand to cross the road. I think to notice the driver that you will going to cross the road. Thats why they will notice you and they going to slowdown😅 and if your birthday if you had a job you will treat your friends family etc. to share your blessing but if you have dont have money and job. If your friends family know it. they will treat you so the party continue😅😂 one thing saying "po and opo" showing respect to the elders

Yup, EVERY meal HAS to have Rice. I was like “what?”, I mean, I'm actually used to it. But like, I was just so weirded out. (I was from the Philippines and it's weird af)

we don't have to use knife because it will add to the dishwashing time and energy resourcesl😅

once a year our birthday comes it doesn't matter if you want to celebrate with your friends, or you buy some foods to eat with your friends and relative. and its not weird if you dont want to celebrate, what matters is that you are happy,

Just a little bit of history regarding the use of spoons. Way back when the Philippines was colonized by the Spaniards, when they were teaching the native Filipinos dining etiquette knives were removed from the dining table because they were afraid that the locals would take the knives and use them as weapons. So Filipinos had to adjust with the use of the spoon .

I like your smile when you say the Filipino word thank you!😊

It always stressed me out when my birthday is coming knowing that family and friends are expecting you to treat them 😅

oh and yeah on sunny days Filipinos use umbrellas which is so different in the US they will look at you and think why is she/he using umbrellas it's not even raining..hahaha

This is like the opposite of my weird things when I moved to North America. lol. Weird is a matter of context I guess. For birthdays, I "treat" my co-workers usually by bringing food, but my family treats me. There's also the tradition that if you can afford it, you volunteer to pay the bill at a restaurant. If you can't afford it, you say ahead of time that it's KKB--kanya-kanyang bayad or each pays for their own meal. Sometimes there are "fights" over the privilege of paying the bill. The tabo is useful because there are places where you only get water for a specific time, so you need to draw/store water in a drum or something, and you use the dipper to use it for anything else.

No , you are not required to bring a gift when you come home for a visit. But they do that to make their siblings or parents happy .

1. Birthdays, we dont forced friends to spend for there birthdays. Its just optional. 2. Rice to Asians is life- I think you have eaten rice even once in your lifetime. Its just that you’re not used to eat it everyday. 3.Just like what you said, we are smarter than others. We dont feel like dying if groceries run out of toilet paper. It happens in Cali during pandemic. We have tabo, bidet to clean our anus and we wash our hands thoroughly. 3. In Canada they use fork. In US they provide knife. Asians, Arabs, Indians can eat using a washed clean hand. . We also know how to use spoon, fork and knife if needed. 4. Theres not a lot of Ped Xing on the streets so,. do what folks do, raise your hands and look at the incoming cars while crossing the street to avoid getting hit. 5. Bow, cross between 2 people talking and give an apologetic gesture to them is a sign of respect. 6. When raining we use umbrella to avoid rainwater that will make us sick. But once we get wet we take a bath rightaway to prevent cold and cough. In Cali it seldom rain thats why Whites dont care getting wet when it rains or drizzel. But here we have abundant rain, storms, typhoon etc. 7.Pasalubong depends on your budget. You bring home pasalubong to your family and close friends and not the whole community. You buy things or foods that is common in the place where you go and share it to them as a remembrance a token or souvenir but we are not obliged to do it all the time. Mr. Cali Expat, stay a little bit longer and sooner or later you will inherit/ embrace those weird Filipino traits and culture. More fun in ghe Phils. Ha ha ha !

The usage of: " Tabo " dates back during the indigenous times of the Philippines, as to save water and time that's made from coconut shells or bamboo for cleansing, bathing, cleaning, watering and putting outside house entrances to wash a guest's feets. Until the Spaniards arrived, they also have the same ' tabo ' as but was called ' sartin ' from the Spanish word: " Sartén " And " Tabo " is still used today

Nice to hearbit from you

Rain does not make us sick but the change in body temp. after being soaked in the rain can negatively affect our immune system and were more likely to catch a cold. So its not a weird filipimo thing.

Yun hand gesture na sinabi nya sa road, may point sya oo nga bakit nga ba need pa natin mag taas ng kamay para lang hindi kaagad umandar sasakyan kung nasa tawiran naman talaga tau tumatawid bakit di mag give way ang motorista without hand gesture pag tumatawid kahit nasa pedestrian lane naman lalo yang mga naka motor na yan, singit ng singit pati trycicle ganun din.

Rice is the staple food of my countries. Of course everyone wants to eat more viand than rice but are forced to eat more rice which is cheaper than the viand. Imagine a construction worker with half empty stomach. For spoon vs knife, spoon is mainly for the rice and soup. Knife is seldom used considering that most meat dishes are prepared in small pieces and do not need to be cut or to soft which van be cut with pork and spoon. Only in houses of rich people and restaurant are where large steaks are served which you need knives. For middle income like us, we have knives but not usually placed when the table is prepared. Since we do not have a setting as formal as the rich, if I have a steak, I have it cut in a chopping board before serving.. Thank you for your post.

I was with my American, Aussie, Kiwi, and South African churchmates one time and I told them about viande. And none of them understood it. I thought all along that it's an English word that everyone knows. It turns out it's a Philippine made up word to translate ulam. Viande is the meat portion that you partner with rice in every meal.

BITHDAY PARTY IN THE PHILIPPINES IS SHOWING THANKSGIVING TO GOD AND TO THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE THAT GOD BLESSES YOU AND ADDED YOU AN ADDITIONAL YEAR OF YOUR LIFE THROUGH TOUGH TIMES AND GOOD TIMES THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU

it's not weird it's a generous and friendly unique culture in the philippines ir's vert different in western culture, even you visit your filipino friend in time of lunch they will share with you their food but in amerika its opposite before you visit your friend in time of lunch you must tell them that you come to their home to make you lunch with them if not you are not invited in their lunch

In our workplace before, we would all chip in and give the birthday celebrant a birthday party .

It's normal in the Phils.wè prepare for party.if there's extra food we send something as bringhouse.

there's a saying for just about everything here. one thing I have yet to get used to is the way they hang their mouth when shocked or when they don't understand what is said

Spoon and fork because of the rice. Those small grains need a scooper, ergo the ubiquitous spoon in our meals.😊

we use spoon because of the rice and soup dishes. knives are on the side or only when needed. not all eat large assed steaks too. and also, our meats are pre-cut, and so whenever we cook meat-based dishes, they are already bite-sized and no knives are needed.

Not weird at all to treat people on your birthday because it’s a blessing that you are able to celebrate another birthday so why not share with others 🎉 That’s how Filipino’s are very kind and grateful