So you're going to your first Filipino Christmas party; if you've been to a regular Filipino party this will be that x2 and if you've never been to one, you're in for a treat. There will be food, karaoke, and probably some Just Dance competition, you know, just God's gifts to humanity.
Here are some tips to help you get through the night without ending up just sitting stuck in the corner playing on your phone or worse, being convinced to be the cameraperson for the Titos who decided right now that they're going to start a Beatles cover band.
Take your shoes off.
Many cultures are like this, and there will 99% of the time be a big pool of shoes at the entrance but remember to take your shoes off when you enter. Some people are more strict than others and do what everyone else is doing but taking your shoes off is just a good way to pay respect to your host.
Greet and bless each and every Tita and Tito.
There will be a lot of them. You will know probably very few of them if any. That's okay, just introduce yourself and take their hand and touch the back of it to your forehead. Your partner can probably show you how, or you can take to Youtube to perfect your form. This is called pagmamano or 'blessing,' and you do this to show respect to elders, plus it's a nice way to show that you took the time to learn about the culture. This is a good way to gain brownie points and you will definitely be remembered.
Try all the foods, or at least most of them.
Don't be the person that comes away from the table with just white rice and lumpia shanghai. There's a reason that Filipino cuisine was one of Anthony Bourdain's favorites. There may be sinigang (sour soup), sisig (pork), pancit (kind of a lo mein), and palabok (forgive me, Filipinos, but it's kind of similar to spaghetti? With a hardboiled egg). There will also probably be some kind of fish and, of course, lumpia Shanghai or as you may know them, the small egg rolls.
Don't try to outdrink anyone.
When you arrive, some of the Titos may already be drunk but that doesn't mean you should get drunk too to try and fit in. You can drink a little if you want but it's a good idea to limit yourself a little because you are, of course, trying to make a good impression.
Watch the pamasko.
So there's this tradition of the adults giving the children gifts, in the form of $1 bills. The kids (often even college age, hi) line up one by one and go in a circle of receiving money from the adults. Now I would say to sit this out and just watch this whole spectacle because the adults probably didn't factor you in when they ordered their little envelope of $1's, but if you've played your cards right with the past steps, and they're telling you to join, do as the Pinoys do and hop on in.
I wish you all the best in your Pinoy party endeavors and Maligayang Pasko!
