A KISS OF RESPECT

One of the famous gesture we are used to do is the act of kissing or bowing on the hands of our elders.
MANO PO is the traditional gesture of kissing or bowing on the hands of respected persons. It is the younger generation’s way of honoring the elderly, the clergy, and educated mentors.
The bus has began to slow down for a stop. Belle and Hazel picked up their suitcases and walked with my husband, Jolly, to the door of the Victory Liner bus.
“At last, we’re in Isabela with our grandparents,” they hollered.
“For eight hours of traveling, we had a good time on the bus watching a lot of beautiful scenery. But for sure we will have more fun when we arrive at our grandparents’ house,” Belle quickly added.
As the bus stopped, my two daughters ran down the steps into my parents’ arms. I heard them say, “Hi, Lolo! Hi, Lola! Mnao po.”
As they kissed my parents’ hand, I could see eagerness and reverence sparkle in their eyes. My parents, however, were more excited to see , kiss, hug, and carry them. “We’re happy to see you! We thank God for keeping you safe on your travel,” my parents said.
Our house was full of expectant people, happily awaiting us. My daughters and I kissed the hands of my aunts, uncles, and some relatives who were eagr to see us and partake of our pasalubongs. Jolly followed suit after putting down our suitcase. He kissed the hands of all the adults sitting on our veranda, just to make sure, because he didn’t know who among them were my relatives.
After our kumustahan, Belle told her grandparents, “Lo, La, I want to go to your barn and see the animals.”
“Me, too, Lolo, Lola. I WANT OT SEE THE CHICKENS AND THE DUCKS. I want to feed them!” said Hazel.
“Oh, really? Okey, let’s go,” said Lolo. Lola stopped us, however, and said,” Wait, I’ll get the feeds.”
“Yeheeeeey!” the girls shouted.
In the barn, Lola instructed the two children to throw some feeds on the ground.
Belle and Hazel did as told. A mother hen and a mother duck instantly came running and began scratching the ground where the feeds had fallen. Little chicks and ducklings rushed at once to feed themselves.
As the children watched, Belle noticed how obedient the chicks and ducklings were to their mothers.
“What lesson can you learn from the mother hen and the mother duck, and their siblings?” asked Lola.
“They take good care of their siblings. In turn, they always come when their mothers call them,” answered Belle.
“Lolo, I saw the chicks and ducklings kissing their mothers, as if saying ‘thank you for the food, Ma!” added Hazel.
“Oh, really!” Lolo exclaimed, laughing.
Later at launch, one of our male helpers cried and shouted, “I’m now ready to die! For the first time in my life, somebody kissed my hand! At last, somebody respected me!” His wife and children abandoned him years ago. We were shocked. Jolly asked, “What’s the matter? Why did he cry?” Belle quickly answered, “Because, Papa, nobody loved, honored, and respected him before!” “And now, meron na!” Hazel volunteered.
Jolly just smiled.
“Mama, I think his children won’t have a long life on this earth,” Hazel added.
“Why?” I asked, amazed with my daughter’s pinion.
“Because, according to the Bible, children who don’t respect their parents will not have a long life. They will die early,” Hazel answered.
“They didn’t follow Jesus’ command that we should follow and obey our parents in the Lord, for this is right,” added Belle.
That night, my parents my showed my children our family album, including my pictures when I was still a little girl like them. They laughed and giggled. After listening to stories from their grandfather, my mother asked them, “In Manila, what do yu do before going to bed?”
“We kiss Papa and Mama!” Hazel quickly answered.
“And pray to Jesus!” Belle exclaimed.
“And why do you kiss our hands, and your parents’ hands?” asked Lolo
“Kasi po, pagmamano is a sign of respect. It is a way of expressing your love and concern,” Belle said.
“And Jesus will be bless you abundantly if you do so,” Hazel stressed.
Giving respect to others is simply telling that you also want to be respected.