Filipinos urged to be mindful of comments during family reunions ahead of Holidays

December 16, 2025 – 11:22 AM

A family celebrating Christmas dinner (Wiroj Sidhisoradej via freepik)

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A social media post reminding the public to be more sensitive with their remarks toward relatives during family reunions has drawn attention from Filipinos as the holiday season approaches.

PEP listed common remarks often made during holiday gatherings, especially during Christmas and New Year, such as “Tumaba ka,” “Bakit wala pa kayong anak?,” “Kailan ka mag-aasawa?,” “Dumami pimples mo,” and “Magkano sahod mo?”

“These are the words we often hear at family reunions and Christmas gatherings. Sometimes, the kindest thing we can do is stay mindful and hold back words that might hurt,” the post of PEP read.

The post also included the hashtags “#HolidayKindness,” “#SpreadLove,” and “#PEPInspires.”

“This holiday season, let’s choose sensitivity and compassion so everyone can have a truly Merry and Bright Christmas,” it added.

Anne Curtis

during the

December 1 episode

of the noontime show, where she told the audience:

“If ever anything na natututunan natin dito, let’s all be a little bit sensitive, ‘di ba? If you have nothing nice to say, just don’t say it at all.”

“Kaya minsan massrap isipin mag-‘back to you.’ Tita: Tumaba ka! Me: Kayo rin po! Tita: Wala ka pa rin BF? Me: Kayo pa rin ng asawa niyong babaero? Lol,” a

Redditor

wrote.

“Kaya ako ang lagi kong tanong is, ‘Ano ang pinagkaka abalahan mo?’ This is kind, generic, walang kinukwestiyon na katayuan sa buhay, and just plainly interested with the other person. And then the conversation should flow from the answer,” another

Redditor

“Dapat mga tanungan sa reunion — bakit niyo binenta ang lupa? Bakit masyado kayong greedy? Hahaha,” a different

Reddit user

“‘Yan kasi ‘di ko maintindihan, lalo sa mga matatanda. Pwede naman kasi manahimik kung walang masabi kesa pilitin mag-small talk tapos ganyan lang din, susko. Meron ako kilala sa relatives namin na walang ibang ginawa kundi pansinin ang weight ng mga tao. As in, parang lahat chine-check kung pumayat o tumaba,” another

Redditor wrote

Psychiatrist

Kathryn Tan

“Witty comebacks would allow us to set the boundary, say our message, and at the same time, maintain that composure of being the ‘polite’ niece or nephew,” she said in an

interview