Anything Filipino That Foreigners Might Find Interesting, Funny or Strange

Every country is unique and the Philippines is no exception. In case you visit the Philippines, don’t be too surprised or horrified to find some unique activities or traits. Eating ‘balut’, the fertilized duck egg, might be a nightmare but it’s common for most Filipinos. If you want to give it a try, then you are welcome.

Here’s a list of some common things you might find strange, interesting or even funny.

1. Kissing the hands of the elders
   • It is the equivalent of bowing in some countries. It is an “honoring-gesture” to the elders. The person giving the greeting bows towards the hand of the elder and presses his or her forehead on the elder’s hand.
2. Riding in jeepneys
   • After WWII, there are a lot of US military jeeps left over which are sold or given to locals. The jeeps were then modified to accommodate more passengers, added some metal roof and decorated with vibrant colors. It is now known as the King of the Road, can carry around 20 people and minimum fare is US$0.2. In the countryside, people  even prefer to ride on the roof.
3. Responding to whistle/catcall (psst!)
   • You would know a Filipino if you say “Psst!” and someone turns around. It is considered rude but somehow, Pinoys (Filipinos) respond to it. Now, there is a law that criminalizes catcalling or “street harassment” thus, victims can file a complaint.
4. Pointing something using the lips.
   • Must be the most confusing trait for foreigners. When you ask a Filipino where something is, you’ll see them pout. Don’t misunderstood. They aren’t ignoring you, or worse, don’t want to kiss you. They are pointing the direction using their lips. The thing you are looking for is indicated by the direction of their pouted lips.That’s where you’re supposed to look or go.
5. Eating avocado as dessert
   • Avocado in sushi or maki roll is really good. In Mexico, it’s a yummy guacamole dip. But in the Philippines, it’s a heavenly dessert. Yes, dessert! That sweet thing you eat after meal. It is eaten as fruit but sometimes, added with milk or cream then refrigerated, or made into ice cream, cake, smoothie and much more.
6. The way people talk in casual conversation
   • When people talk very casually, the sounds are repetitive and sounds like a bird, or to some, like Minions!
   • In an elevator
     • Person A: Bababa ba? (going down?)
     • Person B: Oo, bababa.   (yes, going down)
   • An exclamation
     • Person A: Maganda to,di ba? ( This is pretty,right?)
     • Person B: Oo,maganda. (Yes, it’s pretty)
     • Person A: Di ba? Di ba? (Right? Right?)
     • Person B: Tama. (Right.)
     • Person A: Tama? (Right?)
     • Person B: Tama! Tama! (Right! Right! also Correct!Correct!)
7. Names and Nicknames.  “What’s in the name, that which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet”._-Shakespeare
   1. The naming game is really confusing in the Philippines. Most people have two name like “Mark Angelo”, “Trisha Joy”, etc. These are names carefully chosen by the parents. Here are some ways parents choose names for their children:
      1. combining parents’ first names. example: (father)Marcelo + (mother) Lolita = (daughter)Marcelita
      2. favorite celebrity, famous personality or any popular or great person. example: Alexander (the Great)
      3. favorite fictional characters. example: Hermione (from harry Potter)
      4. nice sounding foreign words or adjectives hoping to describe their babies: example: Bella (Spanish for Beautiful), Blessing Grace, Precious Pearl
      5. bible characters. example: Mark, Abraham
      6. random and unique sounding names. example: Aeiou (pronounced Eiyoo)
   2. However, people seldom use the real names in almost every setting except in formal occasions. Nicknames vary from funny, irritating to adorable.
      • ‘moniker” – familiar or funny name for a person  instead of the real name. Example:Gentle Giant, Happy virus, Smiley
      • shortened names – instead of the long real name, people come up with shortened version or something that sounds like it. example: Marianne= Mari or Anne
      • backstory nickname –  names that were formed after an embarrassing, memorable or funny episode. Example: She sleeps a lot so everybody calls her “Sleepyhead or sleeping beauty”.
      • the repetitive names – Filipinos tend to repeat words and names such as Jan-jan, Len-len, Mik-mik, Ann-ann, Jen-jen, Cho-cho, Ri-Ri…
8. The Anti-Vagrancy drive
   1. There is a directive to prevent people from loitering and being loud around at night.Teenagers or anyone below 18 shouldn’t be outside after 10pm. Adults who drink outside or already drunk but stays outside, bystanders,  especially shirtless ones during late at night  are also rounded up. The campaign is to keep this people away from possible crimes or violence in the streets. But it is not a criminal offense, rather, once rounded up, they are brought to a safe place, fed and released the next day.

So what can you say about this list? Which one is the most intriguing for you? Are there any similar concepts in your own country? Well, diversity is what keeps the balance so let’s just say that our differences spice up our experiences.

Vocabulary

trait(n): a particular character of someone

vibrant(adj): bright

pout(v/n): push out your lower lip / the action to do so

irritate(v): make someone feel annoyed

loiter(v): stay in a place without any clear reason, hang around

intriguing(adj): very interesting because it seems strange or mysterious

diversity(n): the state including many different types of people, things, etc