Ninong & Ninang Thank You Messages (Bilingual)
Table of contents
- 1.The Filipino tradition of binyag and the role of sponsors
- 2.Essential Tagalog phrases for the thank-you card
- 3.6 bilingual messages for Ninang (godmother)
- 4.6 bilingual messages for Ninong (godfather)
- 5.4 messages for secondary sponsors
- 6.Pabaon: what parents give back to Ninong and Ninang
- 7.Continue reading
1. The Filipino tradition of binyag and the role of sponsors
The Filipino Catholic baptism (binyag) is one of the most important sacraments in a family's life. Sponsors — Ninong (godfather) and Ninang (godmother) — are not just witnesses at the font; they become part of the family circle for life, addressed as "Ninong" and "Ninang" by the child for decades, expected at first communion, graduation, debut, and wedding.
Because the bond is lifelong and extends beyond the parents, the thank-you note carries more weight than in other traditions. It is not unusual for a Filipino baptism thank-you card to be kept and framed by Ninang or pasted into a family album for grandchildren to read decades later.
2. Essential Tagalog phrases for the thank-you card
- Maraming salamat po — Thank you very much (respectful).
- Salamat sa inyong pagmamahal — Thank you for your love.
- Salamat sa pagiging Ninong/Ninang ni [BABY] — Thank you for being [BABY]'s godfather/godmother.
- Pagpalain kayo ng Diyos — May God bless you.
- Mahal namin kayo — We love you (plural/respectful).
- Inaanak — Godchild. ("[BABY] is your inaanak from this day.")
- Pabaon — A small parting gift from the parents to sponsors at the reception.
- Kumare / Kumpare — The mutual term used between parent and godparent of the same gender after the baptism (literally co-mother / co-father).
3. 6 bilingual messages for Ninang (godmother)
- Dearest Ninang [NAME] — Maraming salamat po for the gold cross necklace and for standing as [BABY]'s godmother yesterday. Salamat sa pagiging Ninang ni [BABY]. She will grow up knowing the steady love of her Ninang. With our love, kumare.
- Mahal naming Ninang [NAME] — salamat po for the beautiful gown, for the cash gift, and for the way you carried [BABY] during the rite. Pagpalain po kayo ng Diyos. Love, [PARENTS] and your inaanak [BABY].
- Dear Tita / Ninang [NAME] — Thank you for travelling all the way from Manila for the binyag. Walang katumbas ang inyong pagmamahal (your love is beyond measure). [BABY]'s baptism gown will be passed down with her own children one day. Maraming salamat po.
- Dearest Ninang [NAME] — Salamat sa inyong pagmamahal and for the engraved rosary that will be [BABY]'s for life. You are now her Ninang forever. With love and gratitude, kumare.
- Dear Ninang [NAME] — Thank you for the silver photo frame and for the prayer you whispered over [BABY] at the font. Salamat sa lahat po (thank you for everything). Mahal namin kayo.
- Mahal naming Ninang [NAME] — Becoming [BABY]'s godmother completes our family in a way we cannot fully say. Pagpalain po kayo ng Diyos. We look forward to many years of family milestones together.
4. 6 bilingual messages for Ninong (godfather)
- Dearest Ninong [NAME] — maraming salamat po for the engraved gold pendant and for being a steady presence at the binyag. [BABY] is fortunate to have a Ninong like you in his corner. With our love, kumpare.
- Mahal naming Ninong [NAME] — salamat po for the savings bond and for the toast at the reception. Walang katumbas ang inyong kabaitan (your kindness is beyond measure). Love, [PARENTS] and your inaanak [BABY].
- Dear Tito / Ninong [NAME] — Thank you for accepting the role of [BABY]'s godfather. The leather-bound Bible with his name engraved on the cover will travel with him through his confirmation and beyond. Maraming salamat po.
- Dearest Ninong [NAME] — Salamat sa pagiging Ninong ni [BABY] and for the generous gift. We are honoured to call you kumpare from this day forward.
- Dear Ninong [NAME] — Thank you for travelling from California for the binyag. [BABY] held your finger the entire time you carried him from the font, and we will not forget it. Mahal namin kayo.
- Mahal naming Ninong [NAME] — salamat sa inyong pagmamahal at sa inyong gift. [BABY] now has a godfather who is also a brother to his father. Pagpalain po kayo ng Diyos.
5. 4 messages for secondary sponsors
- Maraming salamat po Ninong / Ninang [NAME] for being a secondary sponsor at [BABY]'s binyag. We are honoured to count you among the family that surrounds her from day one.
- Dear [NAME] — Thank you for accepting the role of secondary sponsor and for the cash gift slipped into [BABY]'s hand at the reception. We are grateful for your presence and your blessing. Salamat po.
- Dearest Tita [NAME] — Thank you for standing with us at [BABY]'s baptism. The pillow with all twelve sponsors' names embroidered on it will hang above her crib as a reminder of her village. Mahal namin kayo.
- Dear Tito [NAME] — Salamat po for being a sponsor and for the engraved silver spoon. We look forward to many years of milestones with you in [BABY]'s life.
6. Pabaon: what parents give back to Ninong and Ninang
A distinctive Filipino touch: parents prepare pabaon for sponsors — a small parting gift handed out at the reception or sent home with the godparents. Common pabaon includes:
- Personalized rosary or wooden cross with [BABY]'s name and baptism date
- Engraved keychain or refrigerator magnet with the binyag photo
- Bilingual thank-you card with a small printed family blessing
- Edible pabaon: jar of polvoron, box of barquillos, or local pasalubong
- Mini-frames with a photo from the day, often distributed weeks later
The pabaon is symbolic, not extravagant. It is the gesture that matters — and the message that accompanies it.
Frequently asked questions
Ninong (godfather) and Ninang (godmother) are the principal sponsors of the baby at the binyag (baptism). In Filipino Catholic tradition, sponsors are not limited to one couple — families often have 6 to 12 sponsors in total (principal sponsors plus secondary sponsors), each with a defined role at the ceremony and in the child's life.
Catholic Church canon law requires at least one principal sponsor (and at most two, one of each gender). Filipino tradition adds secondary sponsors — typically 4 to 10 — who are honored at the ceremony but not entered in the parish baptismal register. Most Filipino-American baptisms today have 6 to 8 sponsors total.
Three things: (1) a handwritten card with both English and Tagalog phrases, (2) a small pasalubong-style gift (sometimes pabaon or a souvenir from the binyag), and (3) inviting them to milestones throughout the child's life (first communion, debut, wedding). Filipino tradition treats godparenthood as a permanent extended-family bond.
Yes — traditionally Ninong and Ninang give cash (any amount) plus a small gift to the baby. In Filipino-American families the cash gift ranges from $50 to $300 per sponsor. The cash is often slipped into the baby's hand or pinned to a sponsor pillow at the reception.
"Maraming salamat po" is the polite Tagalog phrase for "Thank you very much, sir/ma'am." The "po" particle is the marker of respect used toward elders and sponsors — it is essential when thanking Ninong and Ninang. "Salamat" alone is for friends and peers.
Bilingual is ideal. Use Tagalog (or Taglish) for the salutation and closing phrases that show respect (po, opo, kayo), and English for the main message. This honours the tradition while remaining readable for younger Filipino-Americans and non-Filipino sponsors.