Across our network, we are very fortunate to have a team of remote professionals that add immense value to our everyday working lives. To celebrate Harmony Week and the diverse nature of our OBrien network, we have asked some of our remote staff based in the Philippines to share some of their traditions, experiences and customs.
Luzy Samia - Berwick, Cranbourne & Narre Warren
What is one of your favourite customs in your culture?
One of my favourite customs is how we always gather around food. As a Filipino, especially being Kapampangan, meals are never just about eating, they’re about bonding. Whether it’s a simple lunch or a big celebration, everyone sits together, shares stories, laughs, and of course, eats a lot.
What is special about your culture?
Filipino culture is very family-centred. We have strong family ties, respect for elders (like saying po and opo), and we always make guests feel welcome. Being Kapampangan is extra special because we’re known as the culinary capital of the Philippines; cooking is truly part of who we are.
What is your favourite food from your culture?
I love so many dishes, but Kapampangan food like sisig is always a favourite. I also love classic Filipino dishes like adobo and kare-kare etc.
I also have to mention buro, our Kapampangan fermented fish and rice. We usually pair it with steamed vegetables, and when eating it, you wrap it in mustard leaves with fried fish. Not everyone understands it, but if you’re Kapampangan, you know. It’s bold, flavourful, and something we truly grow up loving. I always say it’s like the samgyupsal of Korean, it’s best enjoyed shared with family around the table.
Are there any special events that you love to celebrate?
I love celebrating Christmas. In the Philippines, it’s such a big and joyful season. We also enjoy fiestas and birthdays because they always mean lots of food and precious family time.
What are some traditions that you practice at home?
We always prepare a big meal for birthdays and special occasions. We show respect to our elders, and family time is very important to us. Even ordinary Sundays can turn into a mini celebration when everyone cooks and eats together.
Do you have a favourite restaurant that makes food authentic to your culture?
We don’t really have a specific go-to restaurant because our family loves cooking at home. But if we’re craving something quick and nostalgic, we’ll happily go to Jollibee, it’s a Filipino classic that everyone enjoys.
Camille Dabu - Berwick, Cranbourne & Narre Warren
How do you connect with your cultural roots?
I connect with my cultural roots by practicing our family traditions at home, like doing Mano po to elders and saying Po and Opo to show respect.
Are there any special events that you love to celebrate?
We love celebrating family birthdays together. We also enjoy our town fiesta, which is a special local celebration with parades, street decorations, traditional food, music, and dances.
What are some traditions that you practice at home?
At home, we practice Mano po, a Filipino gesture of respect where you take an elder’s hand, touch it to your forehead, and say “Mano po” whenever you’re leaving or arriving. It’s a way of showing respect, gratitude, and asking for blessings from older family members.
Zarah Mangune & Geno Capulong - Corporate
What is one of your favourite customs in your culture?
One of our favourite customs is “mano po”, a traditional gesture of respect where you take the hand of an elder and gently touch it to your forehead. It’s such a simple act, but it really shows respect and gratitude to our elders.
What is special about your culture?
Filipino culture is incredibly family-oriented and warm. No matter where you are in the world, Filipinos make everyone feel like part of the family. Our hospitality and close-knit communities are something I truly cherish.
What is your favourite food from your culture?
My (Zarah) favourite Filipino dish is SINIGANG, a sour tamarind-based soup usually with pork or shrimp and lots of vegetables. It’s tangy, comforting, and always reminds me of home-cooked meals with family.
How do you connect with your cultural roots?
We connect with our roots by celebrating Filipino festivals, cooking traditional dishes, and spending time with our family while practicing our customs. Listening to Filipino music and speaking the language with loved ones also keeps us connected.
Are there any special events that you love to celebrate?
We love celebrating Fiestas and Christmas. Filipino Christmas celebrations are long, joyful, and filled with lights, music, and family gatherings. It’s such a special time of year.
What are some traditions that you practice at home?
At home, we always have Sunday family meals together. We also celebrate birthdays with food like pancit which they say is for long life.
Are there any traditions that most people would be surprised to know about?
One of our favourite Filipino traditions is a Boodle Fight. It’s a communal meal where food is spread out on banana leaves, and everyone eats with their hands. I love it because it’s not just about the food. Tt’s about sharing, laughter, and celebrating camaraderie with family and friends. It’s messy, fun, and full of energy, just like Filipino gatherings!
Gail Manalac - Corporate
What is one of your favourite customs in your culture?
Growing up in Pampanga, December has always felt magical to me. As soon as the Christmas season begins, we start seeing colourful lanterns, 'parol', hanging outside homes and along the streets. For us Kapampangans, lantern making is more than just a decoration for Christmas; it’s a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. I’ve always admired how people in our community patiently build these lanterns using bamboo frames, paper, and bright lights, turning simple materials into beautiful works of art.
Are there any special events that you love to celebrate?
One of the things I look forward to the most every year is the celebration in San Fernando during the Giant Lantern Festival. In the months leading up to December, different barangays start preparing for the community competition. Teams work together for weeks, sometimes months, designing and building huge lanterns that can be several meters wide. Everyone wants to create the biggest and most beautiful lantern.
When the festival finally arrives, I can really feel the excitement in the air. People gather together at night to watch the lanterns light up the sky with colourful patterns and dancing lights. Each lantern shines in its own unique way, and you can see the pride of every community that worked so hard to build it.
For me, this tradition isn’t just about the competition. It’s about the creativity, teamwork, and the joy of celebrating Christmas together. Every lantern that lights up the night reminds me how special our culture in Pampanga truly is.
Angelo Manalac - Corporate
What is one of your favourite customs in your culture?
One of my favourite customs is the "boodle fight", a communal feast where large quantities of simple grilled or fried dishes are spread on banana leaves along a long table and eaten together with bare hands. It’s a lively, fun custom that promote camaraderie and brotherhood through shared food.
Do you have a favourite restaurant that makes food authentic to your culture?
For favourite restaurant, I don’t have a single restaurant I prefer for authentic Filipino food; but I like carinderias, they're small diners that serve affordable, homey meals. Since I was a student and even now, they’ve been a dependable options when I need a quick meal or couldn't cook anything myself.
We are very fortunate to be able to connect with our remote professionals and learn about their cultures and experiences, however similar or different. The support, generosity and energy we receive from our remote professionals strengthen our business and allow OBrien Real Estate to thrive.