What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Philippines?

"I find the same answers interesting for the various areas around the Philippines but would like to differ when in Makati and Cebu: First, Filipinos are younger as a country, they enjoy Korean young vibe as well as the younger vibe in Japan (I understand Japan is a much older population, I'm referring to the younger population there). I say this because when it comes to clothing and dress, showing skin is a given like the belly and short shorts/dresses. in those countries by the young, young being less than 45. The Philippines has beauty contests often and this means small outfits as well. We live in Greenbelt Makati and my wife feels real comfortable wearing smaller outfits and she's a dual citizen (we are from the US) and there is never a negative vibe toward us, in fact the women keep complimenting her. My wife is from Gensan and there as well as Iloilo and much of the Philippines I understand it's more conservative but we also see that this younger population is way more eager rather than hesitant to take on more of a western look and they certainly welcome US citizens. In our condo and around Greenbelt we've noticed that other Asians, from other countries, living here as well as foreigners from Europe really don't engage with the people and we've found that simply smiling and being outwardly friendly toward Filipinos they end up going extra out of their way to be helpful and nice to you because you treat them as friends and equals, which they are. Yes, this is a very religious country and respect for all people is why we are now living here rather than the US where the Liberal ideas have ruined society," explained one expat living in Philippines.

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"One thing never ever mentioned is the Mal de Ojo supersition that YOU, as a stranger or a visitor, unsuspectingly placed a hex or evil eye to mainly a child or even an adult. As having been raised in tbe West, it is so easy to praise or coochie coo a child you meet, but do not automatically touch/pat the head/hug/even pay too much attention, etc unless the accompanying person offers the child or self for you to do so. If not, if that child or adult get sick soon after, it will be attributed to the evil eye placed on the subject, albeit unknowingly. I've had people calling me to stop by and put my saliva on the tummy or forehead of the afflicted person. I don't come across this from Westernized Filipinos but I've heard from others it may even be a superstition that can be heard from affluent people from MetroManila," said another expat in Philippines.