Business · Philippines

Address people by their title and surname

In Philippine business settings, greet people formally with their title (Dr., Engr., Atty.) and surname until invited to use first names — respect titles, especially for elders.

Philippines BusinesscasualUpdated September 26, 2026

In Philippine business and formal social settings, address people by their proper title and surname: “Mr. Santos,” “Dr. Reyes,” “Atty. Cruz,” and so on. Don’t move to first names until the person signals it’s welcome — and with older or more senior colleagues, it may never come, which is fine and normal.

Professional titles like engineer and attorney are used proudly and should be honored. When unsure, err on the side of formal: over-formality is a minor awkwardness, while premature first-name use can read as a lack of respect.

Titles convey earned respect, not mere formality — using them correctly is a signal of social competence.
Follow the other person’s lead; if they introduce themselves by first name and invite it, matching that is fine.

Why it matters

Philippine professional culture is formal and title-conscious. People are typically addressed by a courtesy or professional title — Dr., Engr., Atty., Prof., or an honorific like Mr./Ms./Mrs. — with their surname, until they explicitly invite you onto a first-name basis. Titles carry weight, especially when the person is older or holds seniority. Using someone's first name too early can feel presumptuous and undercut the respect that underpins Philippine relationships.

Source: Filipino Business Etiquette – BizASEAN

Address people by their title and surname

Why it matters

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