Tight-knit families

Filipinos have very close family ties, and it is not unusual for grandparents, parents, and children to live together or for unmarried children to live with their parents until they get married. They often include their friends in their "families" calling their friend's mother "nanay" (mommy) or a friend's sister "ate" (elder sister). Even strangers may be called "tita" (aunt). "tito" (uncle), or "lola" (grandmother).