Culture & Etiquette in Manila (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Almost everyone can speak and understand English, and a combination of Tagalog and English (Taglish) is the common way Pinoys communicate, so it is perfectly fine to mix a bit of Tagalog greetings with common English phrases.
Avoid showing or pointing the soles of your feet, which are considered unclean, or touching someone's head, which is considered sacred.
Filipinos are outgoing people who do not consider it rude to ask personal questions, so be prepared to be pleasantly interrogated about where you are from, why you are in the Philippines, how old you are, whether you are married, if not why not, and so on.
Instead of replying in the negative to upset you, a Filipino will typically say 'maybe' (siguro nga), 'whatever' (bahala na) or 'if you say so' (kung sinabi mo ba e).
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in the Philippines, with a 10% tip being common in restaurants if service charge is not included, taxi drivers usually appreciating rounding up fares by 10-20 pesos, and hotel staff such as porters can be tipped 20-50 pesos.
The most important Filipino values are family loyalty, hospitality, and respect for elders, including close extended family bonds, the bayanihan spirit of communal unity, utang na loob (debt of gratitude), and pakikisama (getting along).
Kissing as a greeting is inappropriate, as are pats on the back and touching the shoulder until you have developed a personal relationship.

Verbal Forms

Kamusta
Meaning
How are you, the standard greeting similar to Hello in English
Po and Opo
Meaning
Terms of respect signifying deference when speaking to elders or those in authority, similar to saying sir or ma'am

Addressing People

Ate
Usage
Means sister, commonly used to address a female person
Kuya
Usage
Means older brother, commonly used to address a male person
Manong
Usage
Used to address an older gentleman

Physical Greetings

Handshake
Context
Men and women shake hands with everyone present at a business meeting or social occasion and when saying goodbye, with friendly and informal but not limp handshakes
Eyebrow raise
Context
Raising and lowering the eyebrows while making brief eye contact is a common nonverbal greeting in the Philippines, serving as a recognition signal between people
Mano po
Context
A gentle hand placed on the forehead of an elder is a deeply ingrained sign of reverence

Sensitive Topics

Politics and Religion
Guidance
It is generally considered impolite to talk about politics or religion, as these can be highly charged topics full of strong opinions and perspectives, so it is best to avoid them altogether.
Cultural Context
While religion is a sacred subject, avoid initiating theological debates, as most Filipinos are practicing and hold deep respect for their beliefs, and even non-believers tend to approach the topic with sensitivity
Personal and Family Matters
Guidance
Discussing sensitive topics in Filipino culture such as politics, religion, and marital problems requires careful consideration and tact, and it is crucial to remember that Filipinos may feel shame, embarrassment, or discomfort when discussing personal matters in public

Gift Giving

Opening: Gifts are not opened in front of the giver.
Presentation: Gift-giving is common, and though not required a small token like regional delicacies or a souvenir is appreciated, with gifts presented with both hands or a slight bow for respect.
General Guidance: Small gifts are appreciated, especially when visiting someone's home, though avoid overly expensive gifts as they might cause discomfort.
Cost Consideration: When giving gifts it is important to choose items that are culturally appropriate and of good quality, avoiding gifts that are too expensive as people usually try to reciprocate with gifts of equal value which could be excessive

Punctuality

Traffic Consideration: While meetings are pre-scheduled and punctuality is valued, traffic in cities like Manila is unpredictable.
Social Context: In recent years the attitude towards punctuality has begun to change, but for medical or work-related appointments you need to be on time, while for social gatherings one should turn up half an hour late as it is considered impolite to be on time for a party.
Business Context: Punctuality is important in business contexts, with an expectation that Filipinos will be on time when the appointment is business-related.
Flexibility Note: Filipinos are relaxed about time, with at least fifteen minutes leeway expected before a Filipino contact arrives for an appointment, and for VIPs waiting time could be longer.

Dining Etiquette

Utensils: Avoid using your left hand for any kind of eating, especially if eating directly with your hands and not using utensils
Invitations: For social gatherings turn up half an hour late, as it is considered impolite to be on time for a party.
Gift Refusal: When something is offered, Filipinos refuse and offer the first time and even second time and accept the third time.
Dining Ritual: Filipino dining is a communal experience often characterized by sharing food from a central platter, and if invited to someone's home it is customary to accept food offerings as declining too readily can be seen as impolite, while waiting for the host or eldest person to start eating before you begin is polite.
Food And Eating: Filipinos typically arrive 30 minutes late when invited for dinner, guests are expected to eat a lot, eating heartily is regarded as a compliment, and not eating much is considered an insult.

Voice And Demeanor

Volume Control: Controlling voice volume is important etiquette in the Philippines, as speaking too loudly is considered rude and impolite while the locals prefer a softer voice as they believe that speaking too loud shows lack of respect and courtesy toward others.
Emotional Control: Losing control, raising your voice or shouting is usually considered shameful to one's family, with Filipinos often avoiding embarrassment through laughter

Religious And Cultural Sensitivity

Major Celebrations: Christmas (Pasko) is celebrated as early as September with processions, carols, and evening Masses (Simbang Gabi), making it the longest Christmas celebration in the world.
Religion Dominance: Religion plays a vital role in the daily lives of Filipinos with a predominantly Catholic population, and religious practices and rituals are deeply embedded in the culture, with attending Mass, praying the rosary, and participating in religious festivals being common practices.
Dress Code Religious: It is respectful to cover shoulders and knees while visiting any place of worship, and avoiding bright colors or flashy accessories is usually considered polite.

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this culture & etiquette research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Manila

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Culture & Etiquette in Manila

Good to know

Good to Know

Verbal Forms

Kamusta

Po and Opo

Addressing People

Ate

Kuya

Manong

Physical Greetings

Handshake

Eyebrow raise

Mano po

Sensitive Topics

Politics and Religion

Personal and Family Matters