Basagan ng Trip with Leloy Claudio: On Filipinos’ obsession with titles

[@kimleyjoneerno2052]

Ah, this is by far my most favorite episode! I couldn't agree more with Sir Leloy. Filipinos fancy social and professional titles so much because they feel that such titles make them superior over others. Titles are somewhat socio-economic symbols here.

[@cho5379]

Wag daw Sir Leloy, Leloy o Mister lang.

[@lordmakishima2480]

@@cho5379 generic title din ang Sir. More formal lang po yung Mister.

[@musicsdrug]

Preach! People need to hear this. Applies to corporate culture as well.

[@apollopascual4067]

what titles are being used in the Corporate Culture??

[@leeannslopez87]

I'm right behind you on this!Marami talaga sa atin may sense of entitlement eh!

[@nonaab1774]

In Singapore, they do not even let me call them Miss or Mister. They treat everyone as equal. The only time we address someone by title is when we are talking to the Prof. All other doctors addresses other doctors by their first names. When I returned to the Philippines, I asked my junior colleagues and others to call me by my first name. Always reminding them though. Hindi pa sanay.

[@robenesiamike4986]

I remember my Professor when I'm college ,she don't want to call her "Prof" but she prefer to call by her name, and that's make her more approachable aside from her personality😊

[@rolandojr.antonio6855]

Kahit sa showbiz, nakakabuwisit yung naglalagay Sila ng Megastar, Superstar, Etc.

[@FramelessFrontiers]

A lot more people has to watch this, its been years pero eto pa rin talaga trip kong vid about this

[@frederickgarcia5233]

Salamat Leloy,maganda yan sense of equality.

[@carltomacruz9138]

That's why I prefer Mister. Or better yet, CITIZEN, from the French Revolution-Era Citoyen.

[@neronamae]

professor na palaaa si Mr. Leloy 🥳💖

[@tinang1111]

This is the kind of video that should go viral!

[@dar3074]

Basag ba basag talaga dyan. Matagal kasing na deprived ang mga pinoy sa pagiging alipin ng ibang lahi, kaya ng nakaanat gusto paring umangat kahit sa kapwa pinoy.

[@jrc92813]

Thanks, Sir!

[@nasugbubatangas]

I agree on some point. When someone presents himself to me as DR JUAN DE LA CRUZ or ENGR JUAN DE LA CRUZ, it sounds as if he is trying to show that he is of high stature. However, when people call someone ENGR JUAN DE LA CRUZ, as in "Kuya, ito po si Engr Juan de la Cruz", then I find no problem in that. That is how it is done in the Japanese system. The manager will present himself to his subordinates with his name. Of course, the subordinates don't want to appear disrespectful, so they would call their manager with a title. Remember that in a society like ours, titles are not only to show that we are subordinates. It shows that we know how to respect hierarchy. No one in my family would call me with my name because I am the KUYA. In a totally egalitarian society, then even the title "Kuya" needs to be removed. This is true in places like Russia where they don't even havew a word for "Mr" or "Ms". So, my point is, it is okay to address someone with a title but it is never okay to present yourself with a title.

[@chromeagnon9085]

That guy on TV “kuya Kim” will always have that leverage :)

[@nasugbubatangas]

hahaha Yes... He will always be our kuya.

[@alphaomega6365]

nasugbubatanggas- I also agree with you on some aspects. Although our language is originally not gender oriented or sensitive, it has distinctions when it comes to social status. For examples, we have individual words for family members such as anak, kuya, diko and ditse (adopted from Chinese), amain, lolo, apo, apo sa tuhod, apo sa talmapakan among others. However, our society needs to be oriented on the differences between and among titles, positions, and educational attainments . President is a position, whereas His Excellency is a title. Doctor in the field of medicine is both a position, a title, and educational attainment. However, in the field of academics, a doctor is more of an educational attainment. Title is given depending on their rank (like in UST that some are called associate professors). Ironically, I see some title like Ph.Dc referring to doctoral candidates. This is clearly a sign of being title conscious. Lastly, manager is a position, and not a title. He can be called sir (as what has been practised here), or Mr or Ginoo in Tagalog. Calling a stranger or a person in position by his first name and without a title sound disrespectful in our society. And we need to respect this social norm. However, calling a manager Manager Juan dela Cruz sounds inappropriate, as I see it. The bottom line here is that giving titles is not really a problem but it should be done appropriately.

[@nasugbubatangas]

sonny chan Exactly. The problem here is when we attach unnecessary titles to ourselves. While I don't mind anyone calling me by my name, like younger peers, many feel it awkward to simply call me with my name especially that I am 7 years older than most of my classmates. I have told them many times to just call me with my name but it is just not our culture to call an older person by name. We need to show them respect by attaching a title, i.e. KUYA. My manager also doesn't demand anyone to call her with a title. And because of the egalitarian culture in our office, I don't attach a title to her when i send her communications. But, I personally cannot call my superiors with their name. A simple "Ate" or "Miss" would need to be added. Titles are attached to us as a sign that they respect us. We don't attach titles to ourselves. By the way, attaching titles like "Engineer" is not exclusively Filipino. Chinese and Japanese people also do that. When I talk to my Taiwanese friend who is a teacher, I call him "Laoshi" or "Xiansheng" even if he never became my teacher. To these cultures, titles like these are not only "social". It is also a term of endearment.

[@alphaomega6365]

nasugbubatangas But I have observed that giving titles to people in position has been a practice by Asian countries since time immemorial. We have high respect for teachers and call thrm master in the past. In other Asian countries like Malaysia and Thailand, they give special ceremonies for teachers and bend over when they meet them. Not giving titles and calling them by their first name is a western concept and if we insist that idea and apply in our culture seems inappropriate to me. Until now as a Filipino I can't call my thesis advicer back in college Cecil cuz that's disrespect for me. What do you think? Should we westernisethe way we address other people?

[@ichantv832]

This is one of favorite episode so far..

[@donnettemorns2786]

On point!

[@Lucille-ki4ng]

Thank you Leloy yes thats true in this country theres always humility, Frau Meyer at Herr Meyer lang tawag o kung ano man apelyido mo, lahat ay pantay pantay, thanks for the sharing. Be bless😇👍🙏🌈😊

[@andrewvelasco6224]

Couldn't agree more

[@icrisologo]

I like how in European universities you can just call your teacher or supervisor by their first names, which puts you on a somewhat equal level with them at least during conversations. Eliminating the titles subconsciously allows you to speak your mind, give comments and suggestions, and point out mistakes, without fear of disrespecting them.

[@chromeagnon9085]

Thus this generation of snowflakes. Respect is earned, achievements are earned, titles are earned; not entitlement. Speaking your mind is ok, but thinking your professor/manager equal is arrogance.

[@icrisologo]

@melvin That's why I said on a conversational level (particularly professional conversational level (i.e. meetings)). I was citing the fear of pointing out mistakes and making suggestions because some people with a "higher rank" think that speaking up equates to rudeness. Like you said, respect is earned, but it's not earned in the same way as other achievements and titles. Higher rank / higher salary does not directly mean deserving higher respect.

[@chromeagnon9085]

It never held me back to voicing out my opinions. Giving credit where/who the credit is due does not make you submissive. Since you’re pointing out the west, it is also true that some parents allow their children to call them by their first name. Now this generation is so entitled, thrilling everything has to be handed out to them. Claudio maybe ok with this by now, a teacher in his 20’s being addressed by the same age group, believe me it will not be the same when a 60 Claudio will be addressed in class by a 16 year old as Leloy.

[@chromeagnon9085]

Thinking******* .

[@bongbingbong8089]

Filipinos have a penchant to call almost everyone Sir and Ma'am. I think this is a symptom of a still "feudal" society. And the obsession with professional titles is just an extension. However, this "respect" for authority and seniority is not always good. When misplaced, it can lead to fatal accidents: www.cnbc.com/id/100869966

[@lyanbv]

Then there's the far out cousin to this problem: job titles that qualify as job descriptions. Only in the Ph too.

[@vaniesamaeaboy9641]

hahaha... totally agree...

[@katherinewilwayco]

Mabuhay po kayo Sir Leloy

[@mikojavier2435]

Love it!

[@philinvestor7790]

Same goes with Sir when used subtly as a title. Nagkikicringe ako pag iniintroduce si "Sir" Gary Valenciano etc.. Nung mey interview ako for a job abroad, advise nung hiring manager is to lose the "Sir" when addressing people whatever their position is. It worked for me.

[@enchantedeyes3137]

Tutoo yang obsession na yan nating mga Pinoy. Nung araw meron kaming natanggap na wedding invitation. Walong pares ng ninong at ninang. Sobrang yabang nung ama nung babae at pinalagyan ng 'Engr' ang mga ninong na walang professional titles. May pagka-sexist din at ang mga ninang na walang professional titles, Mrs/Ms lang ang inilagay. Yun nga lang, kailangang kilala mo yung mga pinaglalagyan ng titulo para mailing at matawa ka sa taas ng ihi at katarantaduhan nung tatay nung babae. Siya mismo (tatay) hindi nakatapos ng kolehiyo. hay....

[@apollopascual4067]

pnalagyan ng Engr kht hnd Engr? nkklk

[@neronamae]

ANGGG GALING MO TALAGA MR. LELOY 💖

[@zoeyblancaflor4435]

Yon din ang nakakatawa sa ibang public official na kung tawagin ay "honorable" na alam naman ng lahat na gambling lord or di kaya drug lord at dami pang kabit, in short, corrupt din. Titindig talaga balahibo ko sa word na "honorable" na ang life ay hindi naman.

[@jens009]

I somewhat disagree. In the US it's very simple. If you have an M.D. or Ph.D people can call you Doctor and you reserve the right to place the title at your signature in emails and official documents. The Philippines is weird in that it calls every college teacher a professor, which is a very restricted term in the U.S. The Professor title is more respected than a Doctor title because a Professor in the US typically implies that they perform high-quality research at a University and teach. Someone being called a Doctor means that they just have the M.D o Ph.D degree. In fact, college teachers without a PhD in the US are often referred to as Lecturers only. The Professor title is restricted to those with a PhD and teaches at a University.

[@benjaminvallejostschannel1463]

Anyone can be a "doctor" but very few can be tenured and be called "professor".

[@michelleeusebio3623]

Yep, professor title is only reserve to academic gods!

[@geneaso]

Wow, very informative. Medyo childhood ruined hahhaa

[@119080509]

I agree to this but it would be more respectful if we called others ma'am/sir, kahit anu pa ang trabaho nila maski sa fastfood or saleslady/salesman pa yan, teacher, accountant, office staff, janitor. I think Ms and Mr is reserved (but not limited to) for introductions, invitations, letters, etc. But we have our different opinions i guess.

[@gconsulta]

Hanggang dito sa Amerika, maraming kababayan ang napaka-conscious sa social titles. Engineer day yun pala technician lang. Nurse daw, CNA pala...etc...

[@audessaquirante5001]

I think if a man earns it, fine-If he did great contributions, You and i cannot be equal in talent. For me, everyone is interesting & unique, & will never be equal, we can only open our eyes, & respect one another..

[@andivlogs]

I agree.

[@CelCreates]

How about the titles Sir and Ma’am? It seems that Filipinos have been using these titles not just for teachers but for other social relations as well.

[@joemarieparmisana108]

One of the distinctive characteristics of the ADMU graduates

[@mohammadmarohomsalic7359]

You should upload this to your Facebook account!!! U reach a lot of people there!!!! Great Series!!!

[@michelleeusebio3623]

Only in the Philippines you get demoted when you have a Ph.D.

[@benjaminvallejostschannel1463]

Next time, Leloy, basagin mo yung "trip" na kailangan tawagin ang ilan na "sir". Wala po tayong mga caballero at maghigpit na ipanagbabawal ng saligang batas ang mga "titles of nobility".

[@ramoncapina2480]

ser pag tinawag guro doon kalang kung ano talaga kung anung tinapos mo tayong mga nag aaral ng kurso hindi talaga tayo nakatapos buong buhay natin laging may uusbung na.pang yayari at pag aaral na naman natin yon

[@denzguir567]

How about calling your professor ms/mr? Kasi my classmate used to call our prof. Ms. then pinagalitan sila dapat daw ma'am.

[@rowenadinsmore1]

That is true. I don't get when they call Assec or Ussec!

[@Mkaela90]

tamaaa!

[@chrispbacon7533]

I think obsession with titles stem from the Spanish era where a mans worth was based from his profession. Could it be possibly from the inferiority complex educated Filipinos faced that time to match with the Spanish colonizers. Heck even in the book of Rizal Noli me Tangere it showed the Filipino obsession with titles. Example: La Doctros Victorina de los reyes de Espedana In this case she used the title doctor because her husband was a doctor or quack doctor. Notice how she “de” twice to signify her lineage coming from a high society.

[@bodyloverz30]

In the US, attorneys have J.D. after their name, for Juris Doctorate, but Do Not get to use Dr. in front of their names. The same for Nurse Practitioners.

[@bodyloverz30]

In the US, you can't be a Full Professor, unless your a Ph.D., less than that the highest you can be in an Instructor.

[@vurnardo]

Kaya hindi ako nagpapatawag ng prof. sa mga students ko

[@claudinevillanueva3488]

May tumatakbong konsehal ng bayan dito sa amin... nakalagay sa kanyang poster, VOTE Dr----PhD. Akala ko, doctor of medicine, hindi pala, 2 daw pala ang kanyang doctoral course/degree... ah kaya pala doble doble 😅 yabang neto 😡😤

[@luisdeleon9819]

It annoys me this Filipino obsession with titles. And if there is no professional title, it becomes ma'am this or Sir that. Then there is Kuya or Ate.

[@rosecolouredglasses]

To be fair, not all Western societies are that egalitarian. In Germany one can be Prof. Ing.-Dr. Hans Zimmer

[@Hecky-Alright]

I am a pro Duterte but I like your topics here. Very informative. I disagree with some info though.

[@neronamae]

are you still pro Duterte?

[@Hecky-Alright]

@@neronamae pro Duterte and pro BBM

[@ryan-smith]

Well sa panahon ngayon, magrereklamo yung mga self-entitled LGBT kapag nagkamali kang tawaging Miss yung isang tao na ang gusto niyang itawag mo sa kaniya ay Mister. Vice versa, pag tinawag mong Mister yung isang itsura naman talagang Miss. Normally sila yung mga transgenders na hindi successful yung transformations nila na tayo yung mukhang kontrabida kapag nagkamali tayo ng tingin at gamit na title/pronouns. So siguro dapat magkaroon nalang ng gender neutral na tawag kagaya ng -san sa Japanese. Sa Tagalog meron naman dating gender neutral na honorific which is yung "ginoo". Naging panlalaki lang yung "ginoo" nung nabahiran na ng Spanish yung local languages natin kaya nagkaroon ng "ginang" na pambabae. Pero originally yung "ginoo" ay puwede yun sa lalaki at babae.

[@josiahtejeros4896]

It seems like sounding your own trumpet

[@embouy2850]

I disagree on the part that pag tawagin attorney ang isang abodago ay mayabang agad ang dating. First of all western culture should not be the basis on how one should address someone let alone how a person should act and behave in society. Our Civil Code and along with a litany of decided cases by the Supreme Court has ruled that when there are no specific laws that would dictate how an individual should act the prevailing customs and traditions are to be followed. Since there are no existing laws that makes it unlawful to address a lawyer by his prefix Atty. Calling a lawyer Atty. should not be equated as pagiging mayabang, but should be regarded as a privilege. I don't think we should change the way how people have been accustomed of calling lawyers attorney in order to assimilate the norms of the western society. My grandfather was a lawyer. Together with three other, they were the only laywers in a small rural community in Misamis Oriental during the 1950s. He was loved and respected by the people. Apart from litigating in court, he would act as a mediator in out of court disputes in the community from petty quarrels to serious land disputes. Whenever there are problems regarding the community, his advise and opinion is sought. He was fondly called Atty.Tatay,. Attorney becuase he was a lawyer and Tatay because he was regarded as a father of the townspeople. Such title was not impose by him but because of the respect, admiration and love of the people. My grandfather has long since died and our family has settled in the City. The ancestral home is still kept by my relatives, and when I come and visit the town, the decendants of the people whom he helped back in the day would ask me if I am the grandson Atty. Tatay and I would proudly say yes. Hindi po lahat ng nagpapatawag ng ATTY ay dahil mayabang sila. I may be bashed by contrary opinion but I shared my opinion, sana respetuhin din. ^_^

[@gel8067]

embouy i agree with another user's comment here. If that title was imposed to your grandfather by other people, then it doesnt sound 'mayabang' naman. Some people just insist the use of their titles kahit sa mga instances na di naman kailangan. For example, may mga taong magfifill up lang ng time-in blue book sa ibang bldg pero ilalagay pa yung titles nila para lang makapagyabang

[@embouy2850]

My view may not be applicable to others, kasi iba ang karanasan nila at family upbringing. I agree with you Juliette that some do inappropriately misuse the social title para lang magyabang. Pero at the end of the day its their life and if that helps them sleep better at night then pabayaan natin sila. What I vehemently reacted is yung part lang sa video na pag nagpapatawag ng Atty. ang isang abogado mayabang na agad. Kung yun ang tawag sa nagiisang abogado sa pinagtatrabahuan then it makes it alot easier to identify such person. Anyways my opinion is but another opinion. I'm glad you empathized with my view.

[@nasugbubatangas]

I agree with this one. In my town, we simply call the people with title as a term of endearment. In my own family, we call our member with professional titles not because we want to be humble but because we find it "sweet" to do so. It is the society that imposes that title on us. But I doubt that your grandfather went around town and forced everyone to call him "Atty". So, that's another story.

[@tinang1111]

you have a point, good exchange of ideas here.

[@marizbergarsha70]

Ikaw na Leloy!!!!!!!

[@raulsarmiento1554]

look up to you, I know you won't mind if I just call you Leloy

[@binot1687]

I wish sa huli sinabe niya this is doctor leloy clavio from lasalle

[@skriniii]

Watching this video makes me realize that I always call ppl mr,ms or ate and kuya to many ppl lmao

[@binot1687]

How about yung mga my name is ….. from canadaaa. Or from los angelesss..

[@rj12783]

Well said sir oops Leloy

[@ivanmagadia9208]

sa mga pari at madre rin. professional titles naman din yun di ba?

[@toopieare]

I don’t like it when we point out that something is “wrong” with our culture by using the West as the standard. It reinforces an idea that their values are superior to ours - even if the speaker may not have intended this. And this idea is already very pervasive. I think it can be a mild annoyance that I need to call people engr., arch., atty., prof. but I wouldn’t call it wrong. It seems to me very arbitrary that doctor is ok. I do not feel less than them by calling them such.

[@JonathanBaldonoJr]

Mr. Claudio also mentioned Japan. How is that?

[@djwabe3938]

Eh paano yung mention ng Japan?

[@donice4835]

I am a registered engineer, but i work in a bpo in the customer service field. Please don't call me engineer.

[@jofftiquez]

Samin yung 'San tawagan naming mag pipinsan yan. Uy san! Musta?

[@coradayag6781]

3 years old video. ?! 🤔

[@rogerturner8170]

how to catch you how to catch you can

[@PURPLEPANTHERGIRL]

How about Sir Percival, Sir Gawain, Sir Lancerlot. Knights of the round table. This is what I think of when "Sir" is used before a name. They were all knighted as a result of something they have done or accomplished. Sir Leloy? As if he were knighted? What did Sir Leloy do to get knighted or earn that title? I agree with this professor that you should stop being obsessed with titles because it just does not translate well and just sounds wrong. It is not only weird but it makes the person calling him "Sir + name" subordinate to the individual spoken to without any other interaction with the person. So preface the conversation with the message "I am less than equal to you?" What method of madness is this? People ARE equal so you have to stop the "I am lesser than you" attitude in communication. If they treat you as less than equal it is because you have treated yourself as less than equal with an invitation for them do the same. Stop this please. And please help me out with "He thinks as if he is somebody." Huh? What about one's ability to reason and have independent thought. Does that not make him "somebody" already? It extends beyond the Doctor, Professor titles. In the US we do not say Engineer anybody or Attorney somebody. We are equals. No one implies "master" to anyone. It is offensive. Anyone expecting this sort of treatment we call a "blowhard." Or worse, we just think it.

[@josiahtejeros4896]

Titles means credentials?

[@turischan]

May Insuravest na ba kayo?

[@ferdinandleano4153]

Polynomials. Luv it hahaha

[@riderinthesky2265]

just discovered Prof Leloy. His cool. ayos lng po. but (oops sbi nya di na klangang nito, whatever..) Nope. no prob if he wants to be called Prof atbpa. Jz dat waist of time thiscussing titles. sbi nga "alang basagan ng trip." hehehe

[@ffkffkffk]

Gusto kong makipag-usap sa taong ito, kaso baka di ko mai-level ang katalinuhan niya lol

[@oriyakamura4771]

Criminologist it is a professional. Being a licensure passer?

[@crissalinas8380]

Basag...

[@jamirimaj6880]

So Mister and Miss lang kasi sa US "ganito at ganyan" at dahil "nayayabangan" ka? Paano kung basagin ko rin trip mo, na dahil sa pagpasok ng US just a hundred years ago, may "san" at "mister at miss" din tayo na equivalent sa kultura?

[@Jun-JunStaAna]

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