Filipino Family Reunion Struggles

Filipinos are known for having large close-knit extended families and a full-sized reunion can include about 30 people at a minimum. Reunions only happen a few times a year and everyone knows it’s a rare time when you can catch up and bond with the family . Whether it’s someone’s birthday , Christmas , New Year, an anniversary, or any other occasion, make sure you anticipate these scenarios so you know what to expect when you attend one.

Filipino parties always start late.

EVERYONE WILL BE LATE

The invitation says to arrive at this time but even beyond 30 minutes, you may probably not see anyone showing up yet. Are you in the wrong place? Of course not, and you are sure about it. We call it “Filipino time” and this is a popular custom among Filipino people when it comes to partying. However, don’t worry and be patient. Soon enough, everyone will slowly start coming in and the much-awaited fun is worth it. Don’t forget to offer ‘mano po’ (an “honoring-gesture” used in Filipino culture ) as it is a way of requesting blessings from the elders! Traditional manners are always appreciated in a Filipino gathering.

You probably CAN’T REMEMBER ALL YOUR RELATIVES

Households in the Philippines are commonly made up of extended family members, which include grandparents , aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces. We see it small but large for many!

It was mentioned earlier that 30 people could be the minimum attendees for a reunion. Some might even argue that it’s way more for a minimum. Regardless, it shows how large Filipino families are thus, comes the confusion with names and faces. In fact, your parents would often ask you to ask blessings from this random woman or man only to find out they’re an aunt or uncle . And other times, you will be asked why you are asking for blessings from them and you’ll have to introduce yourself. Sometimes all you need to mention is the name of your parents and they’ll remember you .

That’s why Filipino parents tend to be very descriptive when talking about relatives . Example: “Oh is that the cousin with the big eyes who quit nursing, became an engineer, worked in Qatar for a year but came back home last month because his girlfriend dumped him?” Although it sounds judgemental, it helps them remember relatives better.

Your TITOS AND TITAS WILL INTERROGATE you and your special someone more than the FBI does

Uncles and Aunties (Titos and Titas) are always curious about what’s going on in your life even to the extent of going too personal. They’ll ask about your studies/job, weight gain/loss (and yes, this is a normal topic among us), and love life many times. It can be kind of intrusive but it is always their normal way of catching up with you. They may have learned to use Facebook but, they are curious to hear from you personally and know what happened behind the scenes. They’re really good at getting information when talking with you or your cousins, and you’ll wonder why the FBI hasn’t offered them a job yet.

Bonus: If you bring your special someone , expect a CIA level of interrogation. However, this is because they care and that is why they want to know more about this person should they ever become a part of the family . It would be a good thing to give this person a heads up, especially if he or she is not of the same culture to prevent culture shock.

They will FEED YOU TOO MUCH

Boodle Fight – Anywhere you go nowadays, this seems to be a favorite setup for most Filipino parties.

Gatherings like these are always overflowing with food . You will have the likes of lumpia, Lechon , barbeque, “pancit” (Philippine noodles), Filipino delicacies (traditional sweet foods ) that everyone will enjoy eating. Aunts (Titas) may say you’ve gotten fat (and it is normal for them to say it, LOL) but will also tell you to eat more and forget your diet just for the night . They will initiate to fill your plate and insist that you finish it because you’d be throwing away blessings if you don’t . It’s their way of making sure you’re well-fed and, enjoying the spirit of hospitality is all that you could do. After all, lots of foods (could be your thing or not) always make an amazing Filipino party.

You’ll have too much fun , you WOULDN’T WANT TO LEAVE

You want to catch up with each other like everyone else does with family reunions but, KARAOKE and DANCE for fun will never be missed and most of the time the reason for an overnight party. These setups make Filipino family reunions super fun and unforgettable . Some may get drunk, get out of tune singing the karaoke, tumble while dancing but sure, everyone treats the moments as part of the fun . Oftentimes, you will find yourself saying goodbye only to keep extending your stay, and the next thing you realize you will still be with each other during the wee hours of the morning .

Looking at the calendar again to know when the next family reunion is? Host one if you really can’t wait and you can be very sure the family won’t hesitate to come over for some Karaoke and Dancing time again.

Learn Tagalog

everyone knows - alam ng lahat

aunt or uncle - tita o tito

name of your parents - pangalan ng mga magulang mo

remember you - naalala ka

talking about relatives - pinagusapan ang mga kamag-anak

learned to use - natutong gumamit

know what happened - alam kung ano ang nangyari

wonder why - magtaka kung bakit

part of the family - parte ng pamilya

overflowing with food - sagana sa pagkain

gotten fat - tumaba

making sure - nanigurado

saying goodbye - magpaalam

really can't wait - hindi na makapaghintay

won't hesitate - hindi mag-alanganin

1. everyone knows - alam ng lahat

2. aunt or uncle - tita o tito

3. name of your parents - pangalan ng mga magulang mo

4. remember you - naalala ka

5. talking about relatives - pinagusapan ang mga kamag-anak

6. learned to use - natutong gumamit

7. know what happened - alam kung ano ang nangyari

8. wonder why - magtaka kung bakit

9. part of the family - parte ng pamilya

10. overflowing with food - sagana sa pagkain

11. gotten fat - tumaba

12. making sure - nanigurado

13. saying goodbye - magpaalam

14. really can't wait - hindi na makapaghintay

15. won't hesitate - hindi mag-alanganin

Learn Cebuano

everyone knows - nahibaw-an sa tanan

aunt or uncle - tiya o tiyo

name of your parents - pangan sa imo ginikanan

remember you - makahinumdum nimo

talking about relatives - magsturya parte sa parente

learned to use - nakat-on og gamit

know what happened - kahibaw unsay nahitabo

wonder why - mahibong ngano

part of the family - apil sa pamilya

overflowing with food - nag abunda sa pagkaon

gotten fat - nanambok

making sure - nanigurado

saying goodbye - manamilit

really can't wait - dili jud kahuwat

won't hesitate - dili magduha-duha

1. everyone knows - nahibaw-an sa tanan

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2. aunt or uncle - tiya o tiyo

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3. name of your parents - pangan sa imo ginikanan

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4. remember you - makahinumdum nimo

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5. talking about relatives - magsturya parte sa parente

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6. learned to use - nakat-on og gamit

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7. know what happened - kahibaw unsay nahitabo

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8. wonder why - mahibong ngano

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9. part of the family - apil sa pamilya

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10. overflowing with food - nag abunda sa pagkaon

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11. gotten fat - nanambok

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12. making sure - nanigurado

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13. saying goodbye - manamilit

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14. really can't wait - dili jud kahuwat

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15. won't hesitate - dili magduha-duha

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Learn Ilocano

everyone knows - ammo ti amin

aunt or uncle - ikit wenno uliteg

name of your parents - nagan dagita nagannak kenka

remember you - malagip ka

talking about relatives - pagsasaritaan dagiti kabagyan

learned to use - nasursuro nga usaren

know what happened - ammo no ania ti naaramid

wonder why - masdaawak

part of the family - parte ti pamilya

overflowing with food - aglablabunusan a makan

gotten fat - limmukmeg

making sure - siguraduen

saying goodbye - agpakada

really can't wait - haan nga makauray

won't hesitate - haan nga agdudua

1. everyone knows - ammo ti amin

2. aunt or uncle - ikit wenno uliteg

3. name of your parents - nagan dagita nagannak kenka

4. remember you - malagip ka

5. talking about relatives - pagsasaritaan dagiti kabagyan

6. learned to use - nasursuro nga usaren

7. know what happened - ammo no ania ti naaramid

8. wonder why - masdaawak

9. part of the family - parte ti pamilya

10. overflowing with food - aglablabunusan a makan

11. gotten fat - limmukmeg

12. making sure - siguraduen

13. saying goodbye - agpakada

14. really can't wait - haan nga makauray

15. won't hesitate - haan nga agdudua

A medical student who is passionate about writing and loves to travel in her free time.

Next Read: Let’s Sing: A Guide to Karaoke in the Philippines »

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