If you’re an expat living in the Philippines, you would want to familiarize yourself with these common gestures to avoid any misunderstanding.
Here are a few common forms of non-verbal communication and what they mean in the Philippines.“Mano” is the Spanish word for “hand,” while “po” is a Filipino term used as a sign of respect.
It is done by taking the hand of the elder and gently tapping it to one’s forehead while saying “mano po.” This is usually done by someone younger to show respect to the elders and as a way of accepting a blessing from them.
Instead of lifting a hand or finger or arm, which uses unnecessary energy, Filipinos sometimes use their pouting lips to point at a certain object or direction instead.