Polite Expressions, Conversation Strategies, and Official Correspondence

This set covers Filipino polite expressions, conversation management strategies, and the formal components and rules of official correspondence based on Roberto T. Añonuevo's guide.

Pakiusap

Used for politely asking for help or things, such as in the example 'Pakiabot po ng papel'.

Paggalang sa Nakakatanda

Showing respect to elders or people in authority through the use of terms like 'Po' and 'opo' or 'Ho' and 'oho'.

Paghingi ng Paumanhin

Expressions like 'Pasensya na po' or 'Paumanhin po' used for asking for forgiveness or admitting a mistake.

Paghingi ng Pahintulot

A polite way of asking for permission or starting a conversation, such as using 'Maaari po bang…' or 'Ikinagagalak ko pong…'.

Pagpapasalamat

Using phrases like 'Maraming salamat po' to show gratitude.

Aktibong Pakikinig (Active Listening)

Paying attention to the speaker without interrupting, using eye contact, nodding, or verbal cues like 'Tama po' or 'Nauunawaan ko po'.

Paghihintay ng Tamang Oras Bago Magsalita

A strategy of not interrupting while someone is speaking and respecting the flow of the conversation.

Pagbibigay-daan

Giving respect to others' opinions before presenting one's own view, often signaled by 'Ikaw muna po ang magsalita'.

Paggamit ng mga Pormal at Inklusibong Wika

The use of formal and inclusive language in conversation, such as 'Sa aking palagay po…' or 'Kung maaari pong idagdag…'.

Pagpapakita ng Malasakit

Showing concern to help facilitate a calmer conversation and aid in resolution, such as saying 'Nauunawaan ko po ang inyong saloobin'.

Liham o Sulat

A written message containing knowledge, news, feelings, or information sent by an individual or group via postal mail or e-mail.

Patnubay sa Korespondensiya Opisyal

The book by Roberto T. Añonuevo (Fifth Edition) that serves as the basis for the rules on official correspondence.

Ulong Sulat o Pamuhatan

The letterhead, usually printed or computer-generated on $A4$ size stationery for agencies.

Patunguhan

The inside address consisting of the name, position, and office of the recipient, with a comma separating the street number, name, city/municipality, and zip code.

Bating Panimula

The formal salutation or greeting of a letter, such as 'Mahal na Tagapangulong Dela Cruz:'.

Paksa (Subject)

An optional letter part that helps the reader immediately identify the purpose or content, usually placed $2$ spaces after the salutation and written in bold.

Katawan ng Liham (Body of the Letter)

The main part of the letter that should flow from macro to micro, stating the purpose in the first paragraph and details in the second, ending with a positive tone.

Active Voice in Correspondence

The preferred tone for sentences in an official letter (e.g., 'Hinihiling ng komite…' rather than the passive 'Napagpasiyahan ng komite…').

Spacing in the Body of the Letter

Following Farol ($1987$), use $1$ space within a paragraph and $2$ spaces between every paragraph.

Pamitagang Pangwakas

The complimentary close, which varies based on rank: 'Sumasainyo' for equals, and 'Magalang na sumasainyo' or 'Lubos na gumagalang' for those with higher authority.

Kalakip (Attachment)

A list of documents mentioned in the body, found at the bottom-left part under the signature, usually in a smaller font.

Notasyon ng Binigyan Sipi

The copy notation indicating the number of recipients, signaled by the symbol 'cc' or 'c'.

Inisyal ng Pagkakakilanlan

Also called a 'tracer,' this serves as a future reference for official correspondence (e.g., JIC:pst).

Reperensiya (Reference)

A permanent part of official correspondence used for filing, typically placed on the right side and consisting of two initials followed by a number.