Why Filipinos are Hospitable?

I used to be scolded by my mom when I was a kid every time I stayed in the living room when there are visitors coming in the house. I didn't understand why she was always upset when my relatives from the city visit us in the countryside and there I am with my brothers and sisters play toys around. My grandfather told me that it is "Hospitality".

What is hospitality?

Merriam said:
"it is a generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests ; the activity of providing food, drinks, etc. for people who are the guests or customers of an organization"

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In the Philippines, hospitality is a common denominator in the Filipino character. It is not just a mere generosity or friendliness but it is part of the Filipino culture. It is a gesture that we accept anyone and we hold them with high regards. It is part of the lives of all Filipinos. It runs through the veins of every people. It is something to be proud of, something that we should take honor to the next generations.

Scientifically, the hospitality of Filipinos originated from different cultures. As Filipinos may know, we were colonized by many countries with different backgrounds that taught us these things. For example, can you still remember when your mom usually uses the cheap kitchen utensils every day but when visitors came, she'll get the "babasagin na plato at baso" (glass wares) for the visitors? Isn't funny?

I remember my mom always has these things kept somewhere that only her knows where these are "ONLY FOR VISITORS". LOL! This trait is said to be from the Spanish people.

Another example, remember the time when you only have "tuyo at gulay" (dried fish and vegetables) on the table for lunch on that day and your mom tells you that she's out of budget when suddenly visitors came in, then she cooks "tinolang manok" (chicken soup) and you're like (yaaaayyy! the dried fish becomes tinola!) but to your surprise, you only get the neck of the chicken and the wings but the visitors get the "pitso" (the most meat part) and the legs!!!

"Mom? Am I your real daughter? Of the all the parts, why the neck?" :'(

This characteristic is said to be from the Chinese people. These people usually compete who's better at cooking when visitors come.

One more example, when we have visitors like fiesta, birthdays, anniversaries (wedding or death) or any celebrations that visitors are present, our moms tell us not to go anywhere because we will serve the people that we don't even know of. This attribute is from the Japanese people. They are known as good servers especially to their visitors.

Therefore, being hospitable is a recollection of cultures that Filipinos make it their own. We want to show people what we are capable of so we make our brand for them to remember us the way we want us to be remembered. We are a little bit of all the cultures put together.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! :)