Salamat” (Thank you) Philippines "Salamat,” in Tagalog/Filipino which means “thank you”, should come in handy in any situation in the Philippines. Use it during a quick chat with the locals, in your rides around the country, or when eating out with friends. The word sounds a lot like Bahasa Indonesia’s “selamat” – showing how the Tagalog language is similar to that of our neighbor, Indonesia. But while the two words sound similar, they differ in meanings. Bahasa Indonesia’s “selamat” has the meaning of “congratulations.”