By Afredo & Grace Roces

1. Birthday parties are seldom sit-down affairs. Food is generally served buffet style.

2. Such parties seldom consist of friends only; they include kin.

3. People mix freely but tend to group according to generation.

4. Youngsters greet older relatives (titos, titas, lolos and lolas) with a kiss on the cheek (forehead if very old), a Filipino greeting. Older relatives acknowledge the greeting but do no return it.

5. Presents are not opened in front of guests. They are put aside in another room to be opened when the guests have left.

6. If you bring a driver, let someone know. The host is expected to feed your driver unless the party is an after-dinner one, in which case your driver should have his meal before you go to the party.

7. Close friends are given pabaon (some food to take home).

8. Dress is party attire.

*** Reprinted from Culture Shock! Philippines, A Guide to Customs and Etiquette.  September 10, 2001, emanila*pilipino

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