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Michitomo EguchiRepostFacebook33
Oct 5

A question for Filipinos ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ
I'm curious how 'po' is used in different regions.

In Manila and Luzon, I often hear 'po' used as a sign of respect.

But I've heard mixed things about Cebu, the Visayas and Mindanao.

If you're Filipino, please tell me:

Where are you from, and do you use 'po' in everyday conversation?

I'm curious how it differs by region. There's no right answer โ€” I just want to hear real experiences.

Salamat po! ๐Ÿ˜Š

Reactions20 of 159 original comments
A Tagalog thingVisayan honorificsAll of Luzon?Language breakdownPo between spousesVisayans use it too
A Tagalog thing
Felicity Selim5

As far as I know it's mostly in Tagalog-speaking areas.

Visayan honorifics
Brian Kav5

In Bisaya they say Ate or Kuya, or ma'am/sir. A lot of the time it's 'ma'amsir' as one word, whatever the gender.

All of Luzon?
Sean Terris2

You hear it everywhere in Luzon, but hardly ever in Mindanao.

Language breakdown
BreathtakingWallaby39495

There are a lot of languages and dialects in the Philippines. Po and opo come from Filipino, which is the official language besides English, and it's mainly spoken in Metro Manila. So you hear it a lot in Luzon, especially in the NCR. In the Visayas and Mindanao you rarely hear it, because they have their own languages and dialects. Instead of po and opo, they show respect by calling you kuya, ate, auntie, uncle, or whatever their own language uses for someone older. So don't be offended if someone calls you kuya/ate even when they're obviously older than you โ€” calling someone by their first name is seen as somewhat 'disrespectful' here, unless of course you prefer it. And if they call you 'hoy', that's obviously rude. But most people, especially the older generation, call every white person 'Hey, Joe', and it's not meant as disrespect. It's their way of making friends or getting acquainted. So if someone doesn't use po and opo with you, it doesn't mean they're being rude โ€” it's just not their language.

Po between spouses
Jan David Narkiewicz3

It's used more with older people, or when you really want to thank someone. 'Thanks so much' becomes 'thank you po'. My wife and I use it when we're trying to talk each other into something. She'll say 'Ramon po?' and I'll answer 'Mexican po?'

Visayans use it too
Noel Royan2

The Visayas do NOT use po or opo. But you do use it when you're in Luzon. So it's not nationwide.

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