Introduce yourself

Filipinos are known to be friendly and approachable. Most of the time, foreigners don't have to speak first to get to mingle with the Filipino people they're with. Filipinos are easy to be with and most of the time are curious of the foreigners that visit their place. This is more evident to remote places where foreigners are not always seen around. But even if you draw much attention as a foreigner, it would be nice if you know how to speak Filipino like a pro.

Here are ways to introduce yourself. Let's pretend that your name is Joe and you're in front of a woman. Instead of saying, "Hi! I'm Joe," you may say, "Magandang umaga! Ako si Joe."

Magandang umaga if it is morning

Magandang tanghali if it is noon

Magandang gabi if it is evening.

Notice that "ako si" means "I am". In this modern world, many are doing the taglish, or combining English and Filipino. You may say, "Hi! Ako si Joe." 

Of course, introducing yourself is not a one-way road. You should also know who you're talking to. After introducing yourself, if there is no reply, it is not wrong to ask her name. You may say, "Ano'ng pangalan mo?" It means "What is your name?". If you want, you may say, "'Puwede ba kitang makilala?" It means, "May I know you?"

After knowing her name, you may add another greeting. When you're in the Philippines, there are two ways of saying your greetings. The formal one is, "Kumusta? Ikinagagalak kitang makilala," for "How are you? I'm glad to meet you." You may say it in a polite way like this, "Kumusta po? Ikinagagalak po kitang makilala."

"Ho" or "po" is added when you want to emphasize your respect to the one you're talking to. It is used when you're with someone older that you or with a person of higher authority or office.

Now, you can introduce yourself to a Filipino speaking person. Go on, seize your moment! Let them know that you can speak Filipino like a pro.

The next blog will be about introducing your family and your friends.