If you’re a foreigner and you wish to visit or live in the Philippines, you should learn how to properly greet people you meet there. In general, Filipino people are hospitable and approachable, and many of them understand English. However, it can go a long way towards creating respect and friendship if you learn a little Filipino or Tagalog, the language that Filipino was largely drawn from.^[1] If you wish to greet people in the Philippines in the same way that they greet each other, there are some easy ways to be polite and friendly that you can learn.

1. Remember that almost everything you read in Tagalog or Filipino is phonetic. This means that words can be sounded out. Try to sound it out the way you see it and you will most likely be close to the correct pronunciation.
2. • Vowels are harder than in American English, but softer than in a British accent. Also, all the vowels are unrounded, except for /o/.^[2]
   • There are exceptions though: ng is pronounced ‘nang’ and mga is pronounced ‘muhNGA’. The ‘-ng’, which is a single letter, is pronounced as in ‘bang’ or ‘song’

Learn a little of the language before you visit. You can learn Filipino or Tagalog by reading books, viewing television, listening to music, or watching videos. Just like other languages, it is still best if you practice by conversing with someone who knows the language.

• If you have a limited amount of time, focus your studying on common greetings that you are likely to use. Don’t try to learn all the grammar and structure of the language if you are visiting in the near future.

Learn how to say the equivalent of good morning, good afternoon, and good evening. There is no literal translation for these phrases. Instead, Filipinos greet each other by saying “beautiful” before day, afternoon, or evening.^[3] [4]

• To say good morning, say “Magandang umaga” (ma-gan-dang u-ma-ga), which literally means beautiful morning.
• To say good afternoon, say “Magandang hapon” (ma-gan-dang ha-pon), which literally means beautiful afternoon.
• To say good evening, say “Magandang gabi” (ma-gan-dang ga-bi), which literally means beautiful evening.

Try English if all else fails. Filipinos are generally accustomed to English in fact, 96.3% of Philippine population consider English as a second language and Filipinos can speak English fluently also, so you can simply say “Hi,” “Hello,” ‘Good Morning,’ etc. The person you are greeting will probably understand your basic greeting in English.^[5]

• If you get stuck and don’t know what to say, just speak in English. It is better to say something in English than nothing at all.
• However, if you want to impress those you interact with, then go ahead and study the language so you are prepared

Greet a group of friends. If you are trying to impress a new group of friends, say “Kumusta kayó” when you approach them. This is the plural form of “How are you?”^[6]

• It is pronounced /kah – mu:s – ta: ka: – yo:/.

Speak differently to elders. If you are talking to someone who is older or of higher social rank than you, always add po to your sentences. Po is usually added at the end of a sentence, for example “Salamat po” means “thank you.”

• Also, use opo to say “yes.” This is basically the equivalent of saying “yes, ma’am” or “yes sir.”

A Taste of Filipino Food: 10 Pinoy Dishes That Will Have You Drooling

When it comes to food, the Philippines is so rich with undeniably great cuisine just as it is rich with beautiful destinations. The Filipinos have a knack for combining flavors and making the most of any ingredients at their table, hence putting out a palatable and unpretentious Filipino food that everyone enjoys!

That’s why aside from being a beach destination, the Philippines is also becoming the “it” food destination.

We’ve listed the top 10 Filipino food you must try!

1. Adobo

No list of Filipino food would be complete without adobo. This ever-present dish in the Philippines is what balikbayans always miss and is a safe choice to introduce Philippines food to foreigners.

The meat (chicken, pork, or lamb) is marinated in vinegar, salt, garlic, pepper, soy sauce and other spices which is a practical way to preserve the food without refrigeration. 

2. Sinigang

If we were to describe the taste of Filipino cuisine, it would have to be mostly sour rather than spicy. And sinigang serves you that.

This Pinoy classic consists of a delicious broth soured by tamarind, tomatoes, and sometimes, kamias. Aside from the meat, sinigang has different vegetables. Popular variants are pork sinigang, beef sinigang, prawns sinigang.

3.sisig

The sisig meat is primarily chopped up parts of the pigs’ face— Filipinos don’t waste anything when it comes to food that’s why no cut of the animal goes to waste. Some sisig recipes have mayonnaise and raw egg to be mixed in while hot and give it a creamier texture. While other sisig recipes don’t have raw egg and are crispier than the usual recipe. This is served sizzling on a hot stone plate and is a favorite pulutan (food that perfectly matches with beer) among Filipinos. 

The best Filipino restaurant that serves sisig is Manam. It has several branches in Metro Manila.

4. Kare kare

Kare-kare is one of the most favorite Filipino dishes of Pinoys. The stew is made with peanut butter and grounded rice. It has oxtail and mixed vegetables. Kare-kare is best eaten with rice and bagoong (shrimp paste).

5. Lechon

This is a famous Filipino food not just to Pinoys but also to foreigners. Lechon is a whole roasted pig usually served on special occasions. It’s kind of expensive that’s why when you see lechon on an occasion, it must be grand. 

What people love about lechon is its crispy skin and juicy meat which is best paired with liver sauce. Anthony Bourdain claimed that this is the best pig ever! He wouldn’t say this for nothing right?

The famous Filipino restaurant that serves one of the best lechons is Rico’s Lechon.

6. Crispy pata Just like lechon, crispy pata is a delicious and must-try Philippines food. Crispy Pata is the pig’s whole leg deep-fried into perfection to achieve the right crispiness. It is served with a soy-vinegar dipping sauce on the side with some chopped up garlic and chilli 

7. Bulalo

When the weather becomes cooler, Filipinos usually crave a hot stewed meal— bulalo. Bulalo is made by slow-cooking beef shanks and bone marrow. Like sinigang, it also has a mix of vegetables along with the beef. 

The most famous place to eat bulalo in the Philippines is Batangas and Tagaytay. Some Filipinos who live in the metro will drive up north just to have that bulalo fix. 

8. Kansi

If you love sinigang and bulalo, you’ll definitely love Kansi, too! Kansi is an Ilonggo dish which is a combination of sinigang and bulalo. But the sour taste overpowers the soup. The meat is the same as bulalo using beef shank and bone marrow. Kansi is one of the must-try Filipino dishes in the Philippines!

9. Chicken inasal

This dish is basically a grilled chicken but this is not the ordinary grilled chicken you’ll see everywhere. If you want to taste the authentic chicken inasal, you should go to Bacolod. It’s where the dish originated. They marinate the chicken soy sauce, vinegar, and different spices that make Bacolod chicken inasal unique. They also use chicken oil to pair with rice. 

Greetings

• How one greets is determined by the age and relationship of the people.
• When greeting strangers, a soft handshake accompanied with a smile is common among men. Among women, a smile and a hand wave is the usual greeting.
• Close friends and family may accompany a handshake with a pat on the back. Females may hug and kiss to greet each other.
• Typically, people greet each other by saying, ‘kumusta kayo’ (‘how are you?’ in Tagalog).
• If the person you are greeting is older than you but within the same generation, it is expected that you will refer to that person as ‘kuya’ for males and ‘ate’ for females. These terms do not have direct translations into English.

Mano

The common gesture used to greet is known as ‘mano’, often referred to as ‘bless’ in English. Mano is performed as a sign of respect towards elders and as a way of accepting a blessing from the elder. It is usually done towards those who are older by two generations or more. For example, a niece will perform the mano gesture to her aunt. Similar to kissing a hand, the person offering a mano will bow towards the offered hand and press their forehead on the hand. Sometimes they will ask ‘mano po’ to the elder in order to ask permission to perform the gesture. It is usually performed when visiting an elder or upon entering a house or gathering. Although the mano gesture is still widely used, some Filipinos have replaced the gesture with the ‘beso-beso’ (a cheek to cheek kiss).

Tips for Healthy Children and Families

Raising a family isn’t always easy. You are busy, and so are your children. There is a lot to do in little time. But the stakes are high. Today, many kids are overweight or obese. A healthy, active lifestyle can help maintain weight. It also can prevent health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and high blood pressure.

It is important to create healthy habits early on. These will help you make smart choices for your family. Children imitate their parents, so it’s important to set a good example. The tips below can help your family be healthy and happy.

Path to improved health

Eating better (for children and families)

• Start the day with a healthy breakfast. It refuels the body and provides energy for the day.
• Let kids help plan and prepare 1 meal each week.
• Eat together as a family as often as possible.
• Take time eating, and chew slowly. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to tell the body that you are full.
• Eat more vegetables and fresh fruits. Aim for a total of 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables each day.
• Eat more whole grains. Examples include oats, brown rice, rye, and whole-wheat pasta. Try to eat at least 3 ounces of whole grains each day.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Choose water, low-fat or nonfat milk, and low-calorie beverages.
• Serve a variety of foods.
• Serve food in small portions.

Eating better (for parents)

• Reward children with praise, not food.
• Do not demand or reward “a clean plate.” Let your children ask for more if they are still hungry.
• Read nutrition labels for serving size. This information can help you select foods that fit your family’s needs.
• Bake, broil, or grill foods.
• Avoid cooking with butter or vegetable oil. Use healthier versions like olive, canola, or sunflower oil.
• Choose snacks that provide nutrients and energy. These are essential for active, growing children.
• Ask your doctor about vitamin supplements for you and your children.

Being more active (for children and families)

• Move more. Try to get between 30 and 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Short sessions of movement throughout the day add up.
• Include physical activity in your daily routine. Walk as a family before or after meals.
• Make playtime with your family fun. Be active by shooting hoops or playing tag.
• Be active in the home. For example, you can dust, vacuum, garden, or walk the dog. These activities are good ways to burn calories.
• Include activities, such as hiking or biking, when you go on vacation.
• Know your daily calorie needs. Balance calories you consume with calories you burn.
• Limit TV, computer, and video game time to less than 2 hours per day. Encourage physical activity instead.

Being more active (for parents)

• Park the car farther away at work or stores.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Get off the bus one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way.
• Exercise while watching television at home. Use a machine, lift weights, and stretch.
• Walk to do errands.
• Be a role model for your children. Do something active every day.

How active are you?

Use the examples below to measure your level of activity. Get a mix of levels and try increasing over time.ModerateVigorousMore vigorousWalkingJoggingRunningTreading waterSwimming laps (light effort)Swimming laps (heavy effort)Bicycling (10 mph)Bicycling (12 mph)Bicycling (more than 14 mph)DancingLow-impact aerobicsStep aerobicsYard work/gardeningMowing lawn with hand mowerDigging a ditchHikingPlaying doubles tennisPlaying singles tennisVacuumingMoving furniturePlaying basketball or soccerPlaying with childrenWeight liftingIn-line skating

Things to consider

Follow these additional tips to create a healthy lifestyle for you and your family.

• Keep a food journal. Track what you eat, how much, when, and why.
• Keep an activity log. Track your exercise: type, time, and level.
• Eat at the kitchen table. Avoid eating in the car or while watching TV. This helps you focus on how much you eat and can help prevent overeating.
• Put workouts on your calendar so you keep them. Set exercise clothes out the night before.
• Set goals you can achieve. For example, aim to eat more vegetables and less high-calorie foods.
• Eat only when you’re hungry. Do not eat because you are bored, tired, or stressed. Instead, create other habits. For example, take a walk, play a game, read a book, or call a friend.
• Try not to overeat. Once you aren’t hungry anymore, push the plate away.
• Shop for groceries on a full stomach. This will help you make healthier food choices. It is harder to resist impulse or poor choices when your stomach is empty.
• Be smart about what you drink. Most drinks are empty calories.
• Choose water or low- or no-calorie drink options. A 32 oz. regular soda has up to 400 calories.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink.

Questions to ask your doctor

• How many calories should my kids and I eat each day?
• What types of physical activity do you recommend?
• Obesity and weight-related conditions run in my family. Does this mean my children are at increased risk?