Philippines: First Name or Title?

From ExecutivePlanet.com

First Name or Title?

When meeting your Filipino business associates for the first time, it is appropriate to address them with their title and family name. Filipinos are status conscious; therefore the use of formal titles is an important means of showing respect. People without a professional title should be addressed with courtesy titles such as “Mr.”, “Mrs.”, or “Miss”, followed by their surname (i.e., Mr. Dominguez, Major Pasamonte, Doctor Freddie). You should avoid using someone’s given name unless you have known them for a long period of time, or until they invite you to be more informal.

Many Filipinos have multiple names: Enrique Ramon, Juan Jesus, Maria Teresita. Always ask what they prefer to be called, then make a note regarding both formal names and nicknames (with proper spelling). Nicknames, some of them seemingly flippant, are common: Johnnyboy, Peachy, Babes, Junior, Booboy. In written form, the nickname is often enclosed in quotations as a middle name: Oliver "OJ" Juan, Ferdinand "Freddie" Sangers.

Filipinos also tend to say "sir" or "ma’am" to show their respect, not just to their superiors but to older people as well, until told otherwise. Colleagues are often addressed by the first name. So don’t be surprised if someone calls you “Sir (your first name)” – but you’re not expected (and should not) to do the same.