TABLE FOUR

PRESENTATION…
“GESTURE OR NON VERBAL
COMMUNICATION IN THE
PHILIPPINES”
• In Filipino culture, the use of body language
and hand gestures are very common in
daily communication. 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.
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES
 .

1. MANO OR PAGMAMANO

“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. Mano is also unofficially
called “bless” by some Filipinos.
2. LIP POINTING
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. Many foreigners find
this funny and confusing, but this
gesture is very common and
unique to Filipinos. When you
see a Filipino do this, don’t
confuse it with an invite for a
kiss!
3. NODDING AND RAISING
EYEBROWS WITH A SMILE

This is one way of how

Filipinos greet each other
in a casual and quick way,
acknowledging that you
saw that person. This
gesture is sometimes
followed with a friendly
tap in the shoulder if they
are within reach.
4. ARMS EXTENDED WHILE
LOWERING THE HEAD

These gestures are

commonly done when
passing in front of two people
talking to each other or
crossing a room when
someone’s watching a TV.
Followed by an “excuse me,”
this gesture is seen as a sign
of courtesy and respect.
 5. DRAWING A RECTANGULAR
OR SQUARE SHAPE IN THE
AIR USING THE HANDS

This is commonly done by

the Filipinos in restaurants
when asking for the menu or
bill. To get the waiter’s
attention, Filipinos tend to
make a square shape in the
air with their hands high in
the air to ask for the menu
and a rectangular shape for
the bill.
 6. SILENT LOOKS
Usually, when Filipino
parents give this fiery-eyes-
silent-look to their child, it
automatically means that the
child should stop whatever
he/she is doing. This is one
way of Filipino parents to
warn or control their children
in public without negatively
catching many people’s
attention.
7. EYE CONTACT
occurs when two people look
at each other's eyes at the same
time.[1] In human beings, eye
contact is a form of nonverbal
communication and is thought
to have a large influence
on social behavior.
 8. SMILING
Filipinos always smile – they smile
when they are happy, they smile when
they are embarrassed, they even smile
when they are angry. To a westerner
all this smiling makes it difficult to
know exactly what Filipinos mean
when they smile at you. Your first
interpretation will usually be correct –
that the smile is one of friendship –
but sometimes you will have to judge
the smile in light of the situation.
9. HEAD SHAKING

Shaking head
(horizontal) left to
right means "no” a
bit confused or "I
don't know"
gesture.
10. HEAD NODDING

Nodding head up and down

(vertical) or at times tango only,
means
"yes" or consent.

However, there are times when

Filipinos make this gesture to
someone insistently in asking for
something. If this is the case "yes"
means "no" or "fed up."
11. FLASHING
EYEBROW AND EYE
WINKING
FLASHING EYEBROW AND EYE
WINKING: These are demonstrated
together or at
different times. They both mean "I have a
crush on you; “I like you;” or "masama
ang tama," (flirting).

“ Winking eye” also means an understanding

that two individuals have a secret to keep.

Depending on the situation, this may look so

rude to someone of status. This can also be
an aggravating gesture.
12. WRINKLED
EYEBROWS

In some gatherings,
someone might be
confused about something
and would wrinkle his/her
eyebrows. Sometimes it is
followed by a slight head
shake and a funny face.
13. HEAD TILTING
Another gesture used to
point at an object.
"Come this way" (head
tilted to a certain
direction/point).
14. OBJECT
TOUCHING/POINTING

At times we touch the

object we prefer to buy
or to get.
"The one I touch is what
I like." "Buy it for me
dad."
15. CHIN RESTING
ON ONE HAND

A gesture
expressing "loss in
business" (nalugi).
16. POUTING WITH
A SAD FACE
An angry gesture
demonstrating disagreement or
just being "moody. (Usually
shown by young children who
don't want to obey.) If
demonstrated by an adult,
observers would make a
comment like, “Mukhang
Biyernes Santo" (Good Friday
Face). Watch Out! You could
get in trouble for no reason.
17. WHISTLING
"pssssst" is oftentimes used
to call attention of not
only children but also of
anybody. Some people
make a tune out of it
especially if it's used to call
a teenager's attention
(flirting).
18. WAVING HAND
Palm down moving the
fingers back and forth
means "Come Here" or
"Good Bye."
19. SIGN OF THE CROSS

This gesture is given to anybody who

kissed the hand of an elderly.
It is also made by people leaving the
house or passing by a church as well as
before and after eating in giving thanks
to God for grace. Depending upon
usage of this gesture a left-handed priest
uses his right hand when blessing the
people. *Note: See FOREHEAD
RUBBING.
20. SHRUGGING SHOULDERS

This means "I

don't know;” "I
could care less."
21. HANDSHAKING
A very friendly gesture
commonly used by
businessmen. "I'm glad to
meet you." "How are you?"
"Kumusta ka?" (Casual)
22. FOOT STAMPING

(DABOG, DAMBA): Children in

disagreement or anger with (usually)
their parents would release this bad
feeling by stamping their feet. The
harder they stamp their feet, the better
they feel. This gesture is almost always
coupled with pouting
 THANK’S FOR
WATCHING AND
LISTENING 