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Family traditions are important in every individual because it strengthens the connections between each member and it bridges the gaps between them. The family, being the simplest unit of the community, is united by these traditions to start in their homes the essence of leadership, love, respect, commitment and sacrifice for the welfare of each individual that comprises it.

I grew up in a Filipino family and we are known to have many traditions that were passed through generations. One of the best family traditions in the Philippines is called "bayanihan." The best motto that would describe bayanihan is "All for one, one for all." When children grow up, it is a usual scenario in Philippine homes that they still live under their parent's house. The reason is not solely on economic instability of some of these children but the fact that they do not want to leave their family. The bond between family members is really tight that they help each other, and they would feel incomplete in the absence of a member.

You could also witness unity and togetherness of families even in situations that may seem unlawful. Blood is thicker than water when it comes to issues that would concern families. I have noticed in some families that if a member would break the law and is submitted to charges by the court, the family would still be on their member's side. In case of the issuance of the warrant of arrest, some would even try to hide the member because they do not want him to suffer in jail. This tradition has commenced during the time of our ancestors. There is such a thing as clans and communities and when communities have feud, the leaders would do everything just to protect the members from threats of the other groups.

It is also a tradition in the Philippines that families gather together during occasions like birthdays, fiesta, Christmas day and anniversaries. Filipinos are known for their hospitality that some even would borrow money just to have some food to prepare for both the family members and visitors during occasions. In cases when the children in the family are working away from their homes, they would usually go back to their families and spend vacations and holidays that makes traffic situations and reservations in all sea, land and air transportations really ugly. Family members find time to go home if given a chance because they lived with that tradition eversince they were kids. There is really no place like home in Filipino families.

Respect to the elders and parents is one of the family traditions that will always be a trademark in Filipinos. Even from childhood to grown ups, children would kiss or mano (a sign of respect wherein a younger person would hold the hand of an elder and make the dorsal part of the hand touch his forehead) to their parents, elders and godparents. Aside from these gestures, they use the words "po" and "opo" when talking their elders. They use terms such as "kuya" (older brother) and "ate" (older sister) as a sign of respect to their older siblings.

Sunday is family day. During this day, the shopping malls, movie theaters and parks are full-packed with happy families spending time together and doing different strategies to enjoy bonding moments. A family day is a good stress-remover from the tiring week of work for the parents and school for the kids. I remember when I was a child. My father would usually take us to the pier near our house in the province and we would do fishing there. It was not an expensive leisure but the bonding moments I had with my family was way better than those expensive getaways.

A home for the aged is never an option to families in the Philippines. It is a responsibility of the children to take charge of their parents during their old age. The parents would usually stay in one of their children's house to have someone to look after them. No matter how hard life is, the children are there to provide the needs of their parents during their golden years.

Death is also a scenario where family traditions would matter. I haven't experienced the sorrow of death in my immediate family but I know how family members act in cases of death. Once a family member dies, the whole family and their immediate relatives would gather to share the sorrow as well as to comfort those who were left. They chip in some amount of money to provide for the finances needed during the wake up to the burial. They usually prepare food during the last day of the wake and they hold a mass or a service during the last day as a tradition. Death anniversaries is also a reason for them to gather again with the aim not just to reminisce the death of their loved one but also to strengthen the ties between those who were left.

I remember when my father had an accident and he almost died. His siblings, even those from far provinces, gathered to provide moral and financial support as well as comfort to us. This had made big help in the fast recovery of my father for he felt how much he is loved. During that time, I saw how the members had voluntarily provided help and had showed their love and compassion to each other.

Family traditions are special ingredients in uplifting the spirit of unity in each member. These traditions are ways on how families show the essence of being a member of this unit by promoting love, respect and comfort despite the individuality among members. I know that as long as I live, the traditions that my Filipino family instilled in me will remain and will be passed to my children and my children's children.