Filipino Style
Philippine Lifestyle in GeneralIf you have spent time in the Far East, then you will relate to many of the things I will say here. If you haven't, this will be a look at a culture far different than anything in the States.
Let's start with simple gestures. If you ask a Filipino for directions (and they understand enough english to talk with you), then you have to watch their face for answers. They will not point with their hands, as that is considered rude. So they will point with their chin or their eyes. If you're not watching for this, you won't see it happen, and you will most likely consider them rude. If you ask them a question that has the word "yes" for an answer, again watch the face for your reply. Many of them reply with their eyebrows. If "yes" is the answer, they will raise both eyebrows quickly together. They may not answer verbally. This is their way. Many foreigners consider them rude at first, simply because they don't know these things, and think they are being ignored. Their word for yes is "O-O", or sounds like "Oh-Oh". Their word for no is "hindi". You've just learned how to communicate with a local.
Next is eating. Of course, Filipinos eat with a knife and fork, just like everybody else. But if they are comfortable, they will use their hands to eat with, and to hell with the fork. So, of course, finger food and pulutan (evening snack food), are very popular. The P.I. has some great food, and of course, from an American point of view, some very gross food. It is considered very impolite here if you have a visitor, and you do not offer him/her something to eat. It does not matter if they have never met you before, or don't even like you. It is basic Filipino! It's in their blood. They will ask you to eat even if they don't even have enough to feed their own family. I've seen it happen hundreds of times. Also, to turn them down is a bit insulting. It's like saying that you're too good to eat like they eat, or eat with them. So if you feel a bit guilty, then just take a few bites, and it's enough to show courtesy. The good stuff to me are lumpia (type of egg roll), both vegetable and cheese. Sinigang, which is a soup that can make you very healthy (many variations of this). Adobo, both chicken and beef, which is chunks mixed with a stew, put on rice, and my favorite. My wife does mine American style, which means she adds chopped potatoes. They also have Pancit, which is their style of noodles and comes in different flavors and textures. Pancit Canton, Pancit Bihon are examples. Just good noodles mixed with veggies or seafood.
There are many types of desserts made here; many are typical to asian society, and many are strictly Filipino. A lot of them are made with fresh coconut. Their fruit salads include cococut, papaya, watermelon, mangos, and other tropical fruit. They make numerous steamed deserts, as well as rice and sugar treats. My favorite is called puto, which is a small, steamed sweet muffin. Another great treat is pandicoco, which is a fresh bun stuffed with a sweet coconut mix. Many Filipino's like to make what they call here halo-halo, which is a glass filled with milk, crushed ice, sugar, and gelatin chunks or fruits. Halo-halo actually means mix-mix. There are many double words in the Filipino language. There is lack of sweets to eat here. And most are hand made.
Please be sure to read the section on "My Personal Project" if you will.