Pagmamano is a Filipino custom that has survived the times and foreign

influences.  This is the practice of respect by asking for an elder’s hand and touch
one’s forehead while bowing. One usually asks by saying “Mano po” .( In return,
the elder blesses the person. The “elderly” refer to parents and grandparents or
their contemporaries (cousins, friends and colleagues).  It is usually done when one
visits a family, meets these  people outside of the homes or after a religious activity
(service, Mass or prayers).   It is also common to bring children to their godparents
during Christmas time to pay respect with this custom. Children would not only
receive their godparents’  blessing but also presents. Respect is a practice of youths
before and one of a basis is  pagmamano for elderly, using “po at opo” and so on.
We notice today that we rarely see these traits as a thread because maybe our
modern technology is changing our lives but because of this young people today
are a lot of worries that sometimes cause disrespect for the elderly. That form of
respect is a cultural identity unique to Filipinos so much so that its practice should
not be forgotten. It doesn’t take much to do it. And if I might suggest, millennials
and the generations after should instill in their children that “pagmamano” is very
much like another sign of respect in other cultures the placing of the hand on the
heart and a slight bow. Showing love for country does not have to be hating
another race or nation or even abhorring any custom that is good. It is by
cultivating the good values and keeping them as part of our heritage and please
remember this when you come to meet the parents and elder relatives like aunts,
uncles, grandfaparents of your friend, girlfriend or boyfriend, when you meet them
in their house or any place you come face to face with them.