In Davao City, greetings can vary based on the context and the formality of the situation. Here’s a guide on how to greet people in Davao:

How to Greet People in Davao

1. Basic Greetings

• “Hello” / “Hi”
  Use “Hello” or “Hi” as a standard greeting. It’s informal and widely understood.
• “Good Morning” / “Good Afternoon” / “Good Evening”
  “Good Morning” (Magandang Umaga), “Good Afternoon” (Magandang Hapon), and “Good Evening” (Magandang Gabi) are polite greetings for different times of the day.

2. Local Greetings

• “Kumusta?”
  A common and friendly greeting that means “How are you?” in Filipino. It’s often used in casual conversations.
• “Kamusta ka?”
  Another variation of “How are you?” that can be used to ask someone about their well-being.

3. Respectful Greetings

• “Po” and “Opo”
  These are expressions of respect, often used when speaking to elders or in formal situations. “Po” is used to show respect at the end of sentences, while “Opo” means “Yes” in a respectful manner.
• “Salamat Po”
  Means “Thank you” in a polite and respectful way.

4. Traditional Filipino Greeting

• “Mano Po”
  A traditional gesture of respect where you take the hand of an elder and gently press it to your forehead. It’s a sign of respect and is commonly practiced in Filipino culture.

5. Informal Greetings

• “What’s up?”
  An informal way to greet friends or younger people, similar to asking “What’s going on?”
• “How’s it going?”
  Another casual greeting to check in on someone’s current situation or mood.

6. Regional Specifics

• Davaoño
  People from Davao City are often referred to as “Davaoño” or “Davaoeño.” Using this term can show that you are familiar with local culture.

7. Greetings in Other Languages

• Cebuano
  Davao is located in a region where Cebuano is commonly spoken. “Maayong buntag” (Good Morning), “Maayong hapon” (Good Afternoon), and “Maayong gabii” (Good Evening) are Cebuano greetings.
• Maguindanaon
  In areas with a significant Maguindanaon presence, you might hear “Assalamu Alaikum” (Peace be upon you) as a greeting in Muslim communities.