What is "Mano Po" means?

pinoy 12:01 AM

Some young Filipinos right now especially those who grew up abroad might have limited idea what the “Mano Po” means. “Mano Po” is actually a Filipino tradition wherein elders give blessings to the younger person. The one who is receiving the blessing would bow their head, take the right hand of the elder (of their right hand as well), and place it on their forehead. It’s a sign of respect as well to the elder persons when someone younger than them asked for their hands to “Mano”.

Image: wacom-asia.com

"Mano po" literally means can I ask for your blessing?, and the elder may respond, “God bless you” or "May the Lord have mercy on you". Mostly “Mano Po” is done when someone is leaving or arriving in the place, or sometimes in a wedding ceremony where the groom and the bride would ask for their parents’ blessings.

When I was a kid, we usually “Mano” on our parents, grandparents, uncles, aunt, and godfather and godmother (ninong, ninang). When we arrived from school and especially from the church after attending the mass, we would do this gesture to “mano”.

Nowadays, this tradition is still in existence in the Philippines, and even those who are living abroad most parents would show their children how to value this tradition. But of course there are also some instances where some younger generations don’t practice this tradition anymore due to change of culture when they moved to another place.

But we Pinoys are always kind at heart and full of love and care to our elders, that’s why I believed that this tradition must not be forgotten by many and we must push to continue its legacy to the newer generations.

12 Comments

UnknownJuly 18, 2016 at 10:14 PM
Niiice
UnknownJuly 18, 2016 at 10:15 PM
Niiice
AnonymousDecember 24, 2016 at 10:21 AM
do you do this to your teacher or your 2years older cousin?
Jack BurtonApril 19, 2017 at 10:59 PM
It was good seeing the younger generation still following this in my wife's hometown last month.
AnonymousMay 29, 2017 at 9:56 AM
Thanks, this helped for my project.
scott.mitchellMay 30, 2018 at 8:47 PM
This is not a sing of respect at all. It's a sing of submission and it has a huge impact on the whole Filipino society. The Filipino society is primitive and backward. When a child reaches about 2 years old, the parents stop showing him/her all physical sings of love and affection. No more kisses, no more hugs, no more nothing except this stupid sing of submission that puts a wall between individuals. Just like servants were submitted to their Kings and Lords during the medieval time. The Philippines mentality is still very comparable with the medieval time in many aspects. Filipinos will never admit it because of their fake pride but this is the root of most social problems and inferiority complexes in the Philippines. People have a low esteem of themselves. They see themselves as slaves or sometimes it's the opposite and they act like bums and bullies. The education plays a very big role in every societies. The Filipino societies is inferior (and not just a bit) mostly because of the way people raise their kids is inferior but hey, forget all this and pretend you did not read that. I know you're great at it. Just keep raise your kids the good old fashion style. Monkey see, monkey do. Pinoy Pride forever bro!! Isn't it so cute to see this little boy who doesn't look too brown being totally submitted to this old hag no matter how immoral she is. Make him useful and send him in the gold mine for $4 a day!!
UnknownOctober 18, 2018 at 4:17 PM
Clearly Scott knows nothing of philippino culture traditions or any philippino people.
I was in Don Carlos Bukidnon a week ago visiting my girlfriend and family. I performed mano po to the elders of her family who were not only surprised I was aware of this respectful greeting but honoured to receive the respect from me.
I was also flattered that my girlfriend's niece's and nephews greeted me with mano po every time they met me.
I have found all the people I've met in the Philippines very polite, respectful, honourable and yes humble to. It's a shame that many in the West don't share the same respect for our elders.
UnknownNovember 16, 2018 at 5:51 AM
I agree. I've always found mano to be a very affectionate tradition amongst mrmbers of our race. Respect toward elders is one of the practices I hold dear to me. And I feel honored to have the blessings of my elders. I say this and I was born and raised in the US, where respect holds very little place in the culture. All there is is flse respect which everyone is "entitled". I am extremely insulted by Scott's comment. He is obviously trying to get a rise out of us with his racist speech. All I can say: my sympathies, Scott. You were probably raised in a toxic environment.
UnknownJanuary 24, 2019 at 8:18 AM
whi is the arthur of hits article
UnknownJanuary 1, 2020 at 4:32 PM
One known Filipino tradition is the kissing hands of the elders as a sign of respect them. This gesture from a Catholic custom of kissing the prelate's ring or priest's hand as an act of reverence.the custom started in Sebu when pintados saw Spaniards doing such to the friars and began imitating them, even to elder non-clerical Spaniards.This is widely practiced in the colonial era as part of courtesy to Filipino seniors. The custom was modified due to hygienic reason,so instead of kissing the hand,the junior would touch the elder's knuckle to the former's forehead. The practice has been done even to this day. (Cf. Juan de Medina, OSA,"historia de la orden de san agustin de estas islas filipinas, "in the Philippines island 1493-1803,vol.23)
Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen... For the custom of the people are vain.(Jeremiah 10:2-3)
UnknownMarch 10, 2022 at 10:43 AM
I have Filipino friends at work who are younger than me and they always greet me with Mano preceding my name. I am not filipino but I want to respond correctly. How do I do that? What do I say?

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