By Giel Eduard Acot Orillosa
Culture is beautiful. It shows the heart of a country. It tells us where we came from and what we value. But sadly, some cultures are slowly fading. As someone who has lived in both Thailand and the Philippines, I have seen the big difference in how people, especially the youth, show respect and preserve their traditions.
In Thailand, respect is still alive in everyday life. When Thai people meet someone older, they always do the wai — a hand gesture where palms are pressed together like praying, then raised to the face with a slight bow. It is simple, but it means a lot. It shows respect and good manners. In the Philippines, we also have a beautiful gesture called “mano po”, where younger people take the hand of an elder and place it on their forehead. But today, this is rarely seen. Teenagers often forget or ignore it. Some even think it is old-fashioned.
Another example is seen on the roads. In Thailand, I have watched students cross the pedestrian lane. They always bow left and right before crossing, saying thank you to the drivers. It is a small act, but it shows great humility. In the Philippines, many just walk across without looking or saying thank you – as if they expect drivers to stop for them.
In Thai schools and homes, I always hear the words “Krup khun krub” or “Krup Khun Ka”, which mean “thank you.” Thai children say these words often, whether at school, in restaurants, or even when leaving someone’s home. In the Philippines, it is sad that some young people don’t even say goodbye. They just leave quietly without saying thank you or showing any appreciation.
Another thing I admired about Thailand is how they love their music and clothes. In many public places, you can still hear Thai folk songs playing. Teenagers not only know these songs – they also sing them. On Fridays, students proudly wear their traditional Thai dress to school. It shows how proud they are of their culture. In the Philippines, I once asked a young person to name one Filipino folk song. He could not name any. Filipino costumes are rarely worn by teenagers unless there is a school program contest.
I often ask myself, “Why is our Filipino culture slowly dying? Is it because of too much Western influence? Is it because of social media? Or are we slowly forgetting to teach the younger generation how important our traditions are?”
Culture is not just food, language, or clothing. It is about values. Respect for the elders, love for country, and pride in who we are – these should never disappear. It’s time we go back to the roots. We don’t have to be perfect, but we must try. Start by saying “po” and “opo” doing the “mano po,” singing our folk songs, and wearing our Filipino dress with pride.
Because if we forget your culture, we forget who we are.