Although I have been married for 3 years, I did not go through the process in the traditional Filipino way. How did I do mine, you might ask? Well that’s not what today’s story is about so you just have to wait for THAT post.

Moving on. It was technically a first time for all of us (my brother, my sister and I) to formally present ourselves to the family of the girl my brother is wooing. We gathered family members and extended ones and drove to the northern part of the metro to meet them.

In the Philippines, this is called pamamanhikan (from the word panik which means to ascend or to climb a house’s flight of stairs). This is when the boy’s parents formally asks for the girl’s hand in marriage from her parents. An act that symbolizes honor and respect for parents by seeking their blessing and approval for the marriage they are planning.

There were several instances of awkwardness because my siblings and I were bumping into each other clueless as to what rituals were needed to completely define the purpose of our visit. My mom told us we were supposed to be serving the food that we had brought and we all looked at each other and shrugged. Mom! We didn’t know! - was all we could say.

Technically, we can no longer object to the marriage since everything has already been signed and sealed with all the suppliers that my brother and his fiancee has chosen.

I am happy that at least one of us in the family will experience such a traditional custom. Heaven knows it has passed over my head and my other 2 sisters are still not thinking about tying the knot. But personally, I don’t mind that the custom has waned as I believe the custom fits certain people and I am just not one of them (although my husband did formally ask my parents for my hand in marriage).

So did you and your beau go through all these? Share your rituals.