Best answer to the question "How are you doing?"

[carpediem]

or Kumusta? from not so close friends, or acquaintances, or colleagues.

and how to avoid the awkward silence that may ensue.

[govelson]

still here .. 

[angelo]

tell them how much you really feel.

answering, im okay or okay lang seems to be in the middle and depends on the tone when said.

[Luc]

"heto ... payat pa rin, ikaw ba? xD"

[ctan]

Good and going better.

[joshgroban]

k lang....

[eLgimiker0]

eto. good looking pa din 

[bajuy]

doing good tnx for asking and hope ur doin the same way!   

[pinoybrusko]

surviving 

[joshgroban]

fine ....fine

[maykel]

Ito madalas kong sagot:
Heto, humihinga pa din.

A preacher said that answering "OK lang" in that question is mediocre.

[joshgroban]

mabute te

[angelo]

i think mas "malalim" ang dating ng kamusta ka na?

americans use it very loosely. they dont really care, compared to filipinos.
parang "uy" lang yun sa mga noypi.

[joshgroban]

still living by faith everyday.. o lalim na yan hehe

[vortex]

I'm doing great, thank you for asking. How about you? hahahaha...Masyadong formal.