Filipino people consider children as innocent and that they should be loved and older people should take good care of them. Children should not be hit, however ‘palo’, as a way of discipline, can be done and is tolerable. Palo is hitting a child’s buttocks with rubber slippers or a stick, also known as spanking. To be considered as discipline, the child’s mistake should be big enough that hitting him will be tolerated. The one who disciplines should inflict pain which is tolerable- just enough that a little pain will be felt and this can be done once or twice. Most Filipinos are Christians, that’s why they believe in what was written in the Bible (literally) in Proverbs 13:24 that says, “he who spares his rod (of discipline) hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines diligently and punishes him early.
For more customs, traditions, etiquettes and myths go to www.asiancustoms.eu