Kissing The Hands: Filipino Sign Of Respect For The Elders
By KaRoger
@KaRogerbanahaw (81)
Philippines
February 25, 2018 4:51am CST
"Mano Po" is said to be the physical gestures of holding a parents or an elderly persons hand and placing it on one's forehead while bowing down your head.
This can be compared to a gentleman kissing the hand in the West. It is a gestures of respect.
Filipinos at a young age is being thought "Mano Po". For most of us this gesture is a sign of good breeding and respect for the elders.
Respect for the elders is among the Filipino Tradition that we still cheerish and observe.
Image source: smartparenting.com.ph
10 people like this
11 responses
@crossbones27 (48417)
• Mojave, California
25 Feb 18
I like that , we always should pay respect to the elders that showed us a better way.
3 people like this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
26 Feb 18
This is a tradition that needs to live on.
1 person likes this
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
25 Feb 18
My nephew is half Filipino, doesn't do this. Idk maybe because he's only two. lol Sometimes he'll grab my hand and drag me over to his toys. He will kiss you on the cheek for near 10 mins though.
2 people like this
@KaRogerbanahaw (81)
• Philippines
25 Feb 18
I hope his mom or dad (the side that is Filipino) will be able to teach him "Mano Po".
1 person likes this
@Betxie1221 (469)
• Philippines
25 Feb 18
but sad to say.. there are some children or teens now that don't practice that anymore.. even answering the elders using "po" and "opo".. as a parent, we should be the example to our children on doing that...
2 people like this
@KaRogerbanahaw (81)
• Philippines
25 Feb 18
I absolutely agree with you. For the sake of other myLotters "po", "opo", or "ho" or "oho" are Filipino words of respect. It has no aproximate English word equivalent but for the sake of this post maybe "sir" or "mam".
@luisadannointed (4171)
• Philippines
25 Feb 18
We still implement this at hime and for the next generation to come. God bless.
@KaRogerbanahaw (81)
• Philippines
25 Feb 18
Yes and we do hope that this age-old tradition will endure forever.
@Letranknight2015 (51523)
• Philippines
25 Feb 18
Actually in the early days back in our history, Mano po was meant that you acknowledge some one of a master. As time goes by it became a gesture of respect of old people, regardless if they are related or not.
1 person likes this
@KaRogerbanahaw (81)
• Philippines
25 Feb 18
That's true as part of our colonial past.
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23233)
• Bangalore, India
25 Feb 18
Over here, it is touching the feet of elders.
1 person likes this
@junrose123 (635)
•
27 Feb 18
I think it is very rare now a days to have such kind of activity due to the modern influence of technology to our young people.
