"Face" is very difficult for us to understand.
The odd thing is that "face" can be lost or gained in front of complete strangers; it makes little difference.
In connection with "face", western guide books and suchlike very seldom dwell on the very numerous similarities between Filipino and Chinese culture.
Often Filipinos are themselves unaware of these, unless they have worked in Hong Kong.
(By way of example, both cultures have a superstition about a mother who has just given birth not washing for thirty days...yikes.)
I am no expert, but here are some things I have found out over the years - not that I have always complied with them...
Rule One - never ever raise your voice, espescially not in public.
Rule Two - never put someone in a position where they have to choose (hence the "it's up to you...")
Rule fifteen or so... don't open a present in public or expect a present to be opened whilst you are there - this is to avoid the risk that disappointment might show in the recipient's face, thereby causing the giver to lose face..
Others can add to these...
