What's On & Expat - Philippines

Fernando O. Peña
Filipino
Consul
Republic of Estonia

     Well, in my personal opinion I think we should be a little bit more open. To Filipino culture, Christmas is a time of enjoyment and I don’t think a “Merry Christmas” is something that would be construed in a negative manner. I think Christmas in the Philippines is one of the most joyful times, it being the birth month of Christ. I think we should be even more open in greeting the foreigners with a smile, as this is the happiest country in the South East Asia.

Honey Manzano-Guerzon
Filipino
International Civil Servant

     I think it is appropriate to ban NAIA personnel from greeting passengers. Aside from the solicitation nuance, not all passengers are Christians who celebrate Christmas. Perhaps sticking to the “Mabuhay!” greeting would be proper.

Matthias Pucklitzsch
German
President and CEO,
Tourist Center Corporation

     It is still early in the year to say Merry Christmas, but I like it when somebody says Merry Christmas to me when I’m somewhere else.
 

James Peddicord
American
Retired 

     When people say Merry Christmas a lot of it promotes tourism. Although, it’s not a bad idea. That’s the purpose of it. They don’t want tourists coming in to be soliciting money.

Jen Freeman
British
Resort Owner

  If you went to a pre-dominantly Muslim or Hindu country, would you be offended if you were greeted in the local way for a religious festival? I certainly wouldn’t. Friendly greetings shouldn’t be taken in another context.

Ihab Sorial
Egyptian-American
General Manager
Air France KLM


     I dont see the essence of it. I personally find it nice to have such a welcome. Unless there’s something which happened that led to the solicitation impression then in that case, it should be revisited but not radically banned.