Family Ties

Family plays an important role in Filipinos’ lives. Many Pinoys live with their parents and even grandparents long after they have families of their own, Christmases and holidays are always centered around close friends and expanded families, and many traditions focus on keeping ties bonded regardless of distance between parents and kids, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces, and even close friends who are considered family.

Many people say that modern times have young Filipinos disregarding the customs and traditions that have kept family ties tight and together. While this may or may not be true for you and your family, it’s important to remember what our culture holds dear in order to keep the positive traditions in our consciousness, despite the changing times.

Pamamanhikan
One of the foremost events for Filipinos getting married, pamamanhikan is a tradition that has the groom visiting the bride’s family to formally declare his intentions and plans for the bride and her family. Sometimes considered a nerve-wracking coming of age party even for couples whose families have known each other months and years before their scheduled wedding, it’s a rite of passage that is closely tied to the way Filipinos celebrate marriage.

Language
As with other Asian languages, Filipino relies heavily on giving importance to respecting elders. Whether you’re talking of older sisters and brothers with pronouns like ate and kuya, or language that can address anybody in particular such as po and opo, these words emphasize how much the elders in every family (and even outside the family) are valued. Outside of language, even the tradition of being “blessed” by an elder or pagmamano is given importance in the culture.

Holidays
It could be someone’s birthday or baptism, it could be Easter or even Christmas Eve—whatever the occasion may be, Filipinos are known for their love of parties. Family reunions are peppered throughout every Pinoy’s annual calendar, regardless of how often these celebrations may be. Whether Pinoys are in the city, home provinces or even situated abroad, it becomes a habit to gather over a simple or even a full throttle feast just to get everyone together in time for a big (or small!) occasion.

The Blue Leaf Filipinas offers guests a new venue to host parties, corporate events and intimate get-togethers for friends and family. With our modern take on classic Filipino traditions, we can help you forge new bonds and create new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Filipinas at 632-9188 or visit filipinas.theblueleaf.com.ph for more information