Back home in the Philippines, there’s a word for treating your friends, family, or colleagues when you eat out: manglibre. It’s more than just picking up the bill. It’s an act of generosity, a way of saying you care, and sometimes, it’s an unspoken expectation—especially if you’ve just returned from abroad or a big city.… Continue reading From Treating Everyone to Splitting the Bill – How Two Dining Cultures Shaped Me
Tag: Filipino traditions
Life in the Barangay: The Beauty and Bitterness of Knowing Everyone
In the Philippines, many people live in rural areas called barangays—small communities where neighbors aren’t just neighbors. They’re family, friends, and sometimes… your toughest critics. If you grew up in one, you know exactly what that means. These barangays, whether they’re nestled in the mountains, spread across fields of rice, or lined up along coastal… Continue reading Life in the Barangay: The Beauty and Bitterness of Knowing Everyone
