For a typical Filipina lady, family comes first and this is something you have to instill in your system to better understand her and her culture. This factor could contribute to the success or failure of your relationship or marriage. The family is considered as the basic unit of society in the Philippines and for a Filipina, faithfulness to her family take first priority. You may not believe that there are cases when a choice has to be made, the Filipina lady will choose her parents or family over you. When the children are still small, the parents do all they can to meet hardships and sacrifice to give them a better future. Thus, when the children are all grown up and are working, they are committed to their parents and they have one desire, and that is to work and make the life of their parents easier. The children are hesitant to leave home even when they are married and have kids of their own.

Frequently they would build an extension wing to the original house and the grandmother is once again taking care of kids – this time her grand children. They eat meals together, or in cases where families cook separately, they still knock on each other’s door and share their meals. Mealtimes, especially dinner is very rarely a formal setting. In fact, it s a pleasant get-together for the whole family as they swap stories about the day’s events. In a typical Filipino family, the women are brought up with the tradition that when they marry, their husbands will take care of them and they will stay as housewives and take care of the family and the children. Times are changing though as more women found independence and satisfaction in working and earning their own money.

Filipino families have high regard for integrity, dignity, honor. They show high respect for the their parents and the elderly. Children do not call their parents by their first names like western countries because for them, this shows lack of respect. Fathers are commonly called Daddy, Papa, Tatang, and Tatay while mothers are called Mommy, Mama, Nanang and Nanay. Probably nine out of 10 Filipinos would not think of sending their aged parents or even grandparents to any institution to be cared for by strangers. You must know that you have more fingers in your hands than there are homes for the aged in the Philippines. The moment you say the heavily loaded words “I do” in front of the judge or the priest, you must understand that you are not marrying only the “perfect Filipina bride” for you but you are taking a whole package for life. Do not be surprised that right after your wedding you have earned yourself 2,000 new relatives whom you do not know. Strange children will kiss your hand and call you uncle, while adults may shake your hand or pat your arm and welcome you into the family.

Many of our fruits are considered exotic and valuable in other countries, so we’re lucky to have them in our own backyard. If the only fruits you know are apples and oranges, it’s time you broadened your palate. Here are 9 of the best fruits in Filipino cuisine.

1. Mangoes

The ubiquitous national symbol of the Philippines, the mango is known for its sweet, tart flavor and juicy flesh. Guimaras mangoes are said to be the sweetest in the world, although the Davao and Zambales varieties are in close contention. If you’re not into sweets, green mangoes might be more to your tastes. Filipinos are the only people who eat mangoes raw-usually with bagoong (shrimp paste), salt, or sugar.

2. Bananas

Philippine bananas can be eaten by themselves or used in cooking, usually for snacks (turon and banana cue) or Filipino desserts recipes (banana cake, pancakes). There are several varieties, from the finger-sized senoritas to the large, spotted Cavendish. The saba bananas, more correctly called plantains, are thicker and often used with soups and meat dishes.

3. Pineapples

Like mangoes, Philippine pineapples are unrivaled when it comes to taste and quality. They’re said to be infinitely sweeter than Hawaiian or Australian pineapples, which are more popular outside the country. While it’s generally sold neatly peeled and sliced, Filipinos consider it a waste of perfectly good flesh. What they do is peel it as thinly as possible and painstakingly take out each ‘eye,’ so that all of the flesh stays intact.

4. Papaya

This is one of the most widely grown fruits in the country; many people even have trees in their own backyards. Although not as sweet as mangoes or bananas, they’re one of the old-time favorites simply because they’re there all year. Ripe papayas are best eaten fresh and chilled, while semi-ripe ones are often sold with a salt and vinegar dip. Raw green ones are used in many Filipino food recipes, such as tinola (chicken stew) and atsara (pickled salad).

5. Langka

Langka or jackfruit is far from inviting on the outside, with its large, irregular body (it’s the largest tree-grown fruit in the world) and its thick, spiky shell. Outside Asia, it’s usually sold canned and in syrup, but most locals will tell you it’s best eaten fresh. The flesh is sweet and chewy, and the seeds are soft and slightly sticky. Langka seeds are used in many Filipino recipes, often cooked in coconut milk and mixed with meat, vegetables or other spices.

6. Coconut

People like to joke that no part of the coconut tree goes to waste, from the roots to the tips of the leaves. But the fruit is no doubt the most versatile part of all-you can eat it fresh, drink its juice, recycle the husk, and cook with both the milk and the flesh. Coconut cream or gata is practically a staple in Filipino cooking recipes, particularly in Bicolano cuisine where it’s often used with chili.

7. Watermelon

Watermelons are said to be the ultimate summer fruit. The cool, sweet juice and crunchy flesh make it a popular dessert on hot days. Eat it in fresh wedges or use it to make a nice summer cocktail. Red watermelons are the most popular variety, but yellow watermelon is also remarkably sweet and definitely worth a try.

8. Calamansi

Fondly called the Philippine lemon, calamansi is often considered a vegetable because of its wide use in Filipino viands and meat dishes. It’s extremely easy to grow-most households have a calamansi bush in their garden-and can be used in practically every dish. Use it to season chicken and pork, fix quick sauces, or flavor up your tea.

9. Durian

Durian is one of those fruits you either love or hate. Many people are put off by its foul odor, but once you get past that, the sweet, chewy flesh is more than rewarding. It’s one of the most valuable tropical fruits; it’s fairly expensive even in the local market. It is usually eaten fresh, but many stores sell durian shakes, durian candy, and even durian ice cream.