From sweets to greetings: Understanding the Filipino way of welcoming

To be a Filipino is to offer a seat at the table, a warm smile at the door, and, if needed, the shirt off one’s back.

Whether on the sun-drenched shores of Palawan or in bustling overseas communities from Dubai to Toronto, Filipinos carry with them an instinctive openness and generosity that has captured the world's attention seamlessly. This cultural warmth is not merely good manners — it is a deeply rooted value system passed down from Filipino ancestors who believed in pakikisama, bayanihan, and pagmamalasakit.

In fact, Filipino hospitality has become timeless — not just among travelers but even in the world stage. Who could forget the moment in 1969 when a 19-year-old Gloria Diaz, the very first Filipina to win a Miss Universe crown, charmed the judges with her wit? When asked what she would do if a man from the moon landed in her backyard, she quipped without hesitation: “Oh, just the same things I do. I think if he has been in the moon for so long, I think when he comes over he wants to change, I guess.” This iconic moment showcased not only her charm but also the distinct Filipino warmth that resonates with people across differences. It was a testament how hospitality and grace can leave a lasting impression on people.

The audience laughed, but to Filipinos, this answer felt more like instinct than imagination. Feeding someone, no matter how unusual the guest is second nature to Filipinos, especially mothers and aunties. 

That same spirit surfaced in a quiet moment inside the Sistine Chapel. During the 2025 conclave, when it became increasingly clear that Cardinal Robert Prevost would be chosen as the next pope, he began to show signs of unease, breathing heavily as the gravity of the moment settled in. Sitting beside him, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, gently offered a candy he had packed for the long day. A small gesture, perhaps, but profoundly a Filipino characteristic: to meet anxiety with sweetness, and to respond to tension with simple human care. Later, Tagle would say with a smile that it was his “first act of charity” for the future Pope Leo XIV.

It was a light moment in a solemn place, but one that quietly echoed the heart of Filipino hospitality: kindness, offered instinctively, without any hesitation.

Long before Spanish ships anchored on Philippine shores, the archipelago’s early communities thrived on kinship and interdependence. The ancient barangay, a small village led by a datu, was more than just a political unit; it was a family. In these tightly knit communities, people helped one another not out of obligation, but because it was the natural thing to do.

This value was expressed in everyday life. Homes were open, both physically and symbolically. Visitors, even if unexpected, were received with generosity and  asked by instinct, “Kumain ka na ba?” and offers, mainly foods, will be shared; mats were unrolled, and no one was allowed to leave hungry or felt left out. This simple gesture spoke volumes about the warmth and hospitality deeply rooted in the culture. It wasn't just about feeding the body, but about making people feel seen, welcomed, and cared for. The act of sharing, no matter how modest, was a reflection of genuine concern and community spirit.

The idea of kapwa, seeing others as an extension of oneself, was central to pre-colonial Filipino identity and remains a defining thread in the modern Philippines. Rooted in the belief that the self cannot exist independently of others, kapwa embodies a profound relationality that values empathy, connection, and shared humanity. This philosophy fostered tight-knit communities where cooperation, compassion, and mutual support were essential to daily life — manifested in practices like bayanihan and utang na loob. Whether through collective labor, festive gatherings, or warm hospitality, Filipinos consistently demonstrated that fulfillment arises not from individual gain but from uplifting one another.

Even the spirit world was approached collectively. Rituals and offerings to anitos were shared events, often involving food and drink that symbolized not just sustenance but solidarity. Hospitality, therefore, was not just social etiquette — it was spiritual alignment.

With the arrival of Christianity, these native values merged with religious teachings about love, compassion, and service. Biblical stories of generosity, such as the widow’s offering or the Good Samaritan, resonated easily with Filipino sensibilities. The result was a culture that could embrace the divine in both ceremony and simple daily acts like setting the table for a guest or offering candy to a nervous companion.

To this day, remnants of these traditional beliefs endure. The handa during birthdays, fiestas, and even wakes, where guests are fed regardless of status, is more than a custom; it is a testament to a centuries-old conviction: that sharing, especially in times of joy or sorrow, is a sacred duty for Filipinos.

Filipinos are known to be some of the warmest and most hospitable people in the world. A survey conducted by the Global Expat Network in 2024 revealed that the Philippines ranks second among the countries where it is easiest to find friends for expats. We are popular hosts, often treating guests like royalty, and this is especially true to our tourism sector. 

Hotel staff and service personnel put in  extra effort to make sure tourists feel comfortable during their stay, too. Restaurants offer tourists various Filipino favorites like lumpia, adobo, sinigang, halo-halo, and more. Even without asking, they will tell you all about the ingredients and the cultural value of the food the tourists eat. 

The hospitality that started in international trades in maritime shores is now evolving, and yet, it continues to have the same foundation. The exchange of knowledge between cultures is another testament to the wholesome desire Filipinos have to connect with others. We reflect a genuine interest in knowing each other’s culture and background. Oftentimes, we may ask about a person’s hometown, family, and customs, and even try to learn a few phrases in their language.

According to sociologist Ash Presto, this shows the concept of "kapwa," or treating others no differently than us. 

"Kapwa is a psychological concept. It's the feeling of treating other people as if they are part of you. So hindi sila ibang tao. When you invite them into your home, you treat them the way you would want to be treated yourself when you go into another house," Presto said.

Even in the absence of a professional transaction, hospitality can be akin to the kindness shared by two strangers on the internet. In the same way  tourists in unfamiliar territory roll their car windows down to ask people on the street for directions and attending  public forums online to ask for food and hotel recommendations. The locals would even go as far as to share faster routes and other secret travel hacks. 

The warm and accommodating quality of Pinoys isn’t just for tourists either. Filipinos are hospitable to each other too. Think of the college senior giving incoming freshman advice on campus life, terror profs to look out for, and scheduling tips on Reddit. Remember the social media influencer answering the work-related questions of aspiring creators on her Instagram story, and even the confused husband asking for lipstick recommendations to give his wife. 

This sense of community is also present in fandom culture and hobby groups. Much like in other countries, communities with similar interests bond over their shared favorites, welcoming you wholeheartedly no matter who you are or where you’re from. Whether you are part of the Saturday and Sunday Strava runners, indie Filipino cinephiles, or even the new wave of blind box collectors, there is bound to be a space for you.

In a way, hospitality is just another word for community. These acts of kindness, whether online or in-person, prove that there are just some human experiences and social interactions that a quick Google search can never truly capture. In a world where technology can provide our needs with just the click of a button, it is still the connection found in welcoming and being welcomed that feels more personal and trustworthy to us Filipinos. 

Filipino hospitality, then, is not performative. It is relational. It is deeply human. And above all, it is rooted in the enduring belief that to welcome someone is to honor their presence, and in doing so, reaffirm one’s own humanity. 

Through the various ways and places in which it manifests, the hospitality in each and every Filipino is more than just a quirky characteristic or fun fact —  it is our identity.