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Cultural milieu

Daily life and social customs, cultural institutions.

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Philippines

Cultural life

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Philippine society is a unique blend of diversity and homogeneity . Although geographically part of Southeast Asia , the country is culturally strongly Euro-American. Forces of assimilation have constantly worked to overcome cultural differences between the various ethnic groups that are scattered—sometimes in relative isolation—throughout the archipelago. Nearly four centuries of Western rule, however, have left an indelible imprint on the Philippines, serving as a conduit for the introduction of Western culture and as the catalyst for the emergence of a sense of Philippine political and cultural unity. While the Christian churches built by the Spanish and the mosques built by the Muslims provided a spiritual anchor, the educational system established by the United States and expanded by the Filipinos has become emblematic of cultural unity and socioeconomic progress. Nonetheless, through the persistence of strong family ties, the revival of the barangay as the smallest unit of government, increased attention to Asian history and literature, and subsequent revival of dormant traditions, the Philippines has strengthened its Asian heritage without abandoning its Western cultural acquisitions.

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Life in the Philippines generally revolves around the extended family , including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins (up to several times removed), and other relatives. For Catholic families, godparents—those to whom care of children is entrusted should the parents die or otherwise be incapacitated—also figure prominently in the kinship network. Members of extended families typically gather for major life events such as baptisms and confirmations (for Catholic Filipinos), circumcisions (for Muslim Filipinos), and marriages, as well as for major religious and other national holidays. Among the religious holidays officially observed in the Philippines are Christmas and Easter, as well as Eid al-Fitr , which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan . Other major holidays include New Year’s Day, Labor Day (May 1), and Independence Day (June 12).

Whether festival fare or everyday food, major meals in most Filipino societies are built around boiled or steamed rice or rice noodles. Small amounts of meat, including chicken, pork (in non-Muslim communities), goat, or fish complement the rice or noodle core, along with an assortment of fruits and cooked vegetables. Assorted alcoholic drinks are made from coconut sap, sugarcane, and rice. Balut , a parboiled embryonic duck still in the egg, is a popular street food in the Manila area.

Although slacks, shirts, skirts, and dresses based on European designs are common throughout the Philippines, some garments are unique to particular groups or regions. The malong , a colourful woven tube of cloth that can be worn in a variety of ways by both men and women, is characteristic of Muslim communities in Mindanao . In the urban areas, many men wear an intricately embroidered shirt, the barong , for casual and formal events. On special occasions, urban women may wear the terno , a long dress characterized by broad “butterfly” sleeves that rise slightly at the shoulders and extend about to the elbow. Many of the smaller ethnic groups have characteristic attire for events of special cultural significance.

Early Spanish chroniclers testified that the Filipinos carved the images of their anitos (gods and goddesses) and ancestors in wood. They also played a variety of musical instruments, including end-blown flutes, nose flutes, jew’s harps, gongs, drums, and lutes, among others. Various seasonal celebrations (e.g., harvest) and life rituals (e.g., courtship and marriage) called for certain instrumental music, songs, and dances. For instance, in some of the Muslim communities of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago , the kulintang ensemble, consisting of a set of gongs suspended horizontally and vertically and a single-headed drum, can still be heard at festive events.

Although the community of practitioners of rural performing arts has been diminishing, efforts have been under way to revive as well as recontextualize some of the indigenous traditions so that they resonate with an increasingly cosmopolitan Philippine society. Some of the local dance traditions have been preserved or reinterpreted by contemporary performing groups such as Bayanihan (the national folk dance company of the Philippines), established in the mid-20th century, as well as by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group and Ballet Philippines. A growing number of world music artists, such as Joey Ayala, have been creating innovative syntheses of indigenous Philippine traditions—such as kulintang —and popular music form.

Many Filipino musicians have risen to prominence in the Western classical music tradition, including the composer and conductor Antonio J. Molina, the composer Felipe P. de Leon (known for his nationalistic themes), and the opera singer Jovita Fuentes. The Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Folk Arts Theater, and the restored Manila Metropolitan Theatre (all in Manila) provide homes for the performing arts, featuring local and foreign opera and ballet. To encourage the development of arts, the government gives awards of recognition and maintains a National Arts Center (established 1976), which includes the Philippine High School for the Arts in Los Baños , south of Manila.

Filipino painters have included Juan Luna, whose agitated works helped inspire a sense of Filipino nationalism in the late 19th century; Fernando Amorsolo, who is known for his traditional rural scenes; the muralists Carlos V. Francisco and Vicente Manansala; and the modernists Victorio Edades and Arturo Rogerio Luz. Among sculptors, Guillermo Tolentino and Napoleon Abueva are prominent. Rural artists from mountainous regions in northern Luzon and craftsmen living northwest of Manila and in Paete on the eastern shore of Laguna de Bay are known for wood carvings. Romblon and other nearby islands are noted for their marble sculptures. Notable Filipino architects include Juan F. Nakpil, Otilio Arellano, Fernando Ocampo, Leandro Locsin, Juan Arellano, Carlos Arguelles, and Tomas Mapua.

filipino culture essay introduction

The outspoken political novels of nationalist leader José Rizal were Philippine literary landmarks of the late 19th century, and the work of Nick Joaquin has been among the most highly acclaimed Philippine literature since the mid-20th century. The diverse cultural heritage of the country not only animates most of Joaquin’s fiction writing, but it is also central to his nonfiction work. Among the most celebrated of Joaquin’s works are his play A Portrait of an Artist as a Filipino (1966) and his biography of assassinated presidential candidate Benigno Aquino , The Aquinos of Tarlac: An Essay on History as Three Generations (1983). Spanish was the prinicipal literary medium until the end of the 19th century, before yielding to English after U.S. occupation. Since independence an increasing number of writers have been composing their works in Filipino or Tagalog .

Filipinos have a tradition rich in local and regional lore. Myths and legends deal with such subjects as the origin of the world, the first man and woman on earth, why the sky is high, why the sea is salty, and why there are different races. Other tales are associated with the Spanish conquest. On the island of Mindanao an epic known as the Darangen (“To Narrate in Song”) depicts the historical and mythological world of the Maranao community, while in northern Luzon the Ilocano epic Biag ni Lam-ang (“Life of Lam-ang”) recounts the exploits of a traditional folk hero.

The Philippines has produced a handful of internationally acclaimed films, including Himala (1982), which recounts the adventures of a young miracle worker; Oro, Plata, Mata (1982), the story of two noble families on the island of Negros during World War II; and Small Voices (2002), the tale of a teacher in an impoverished rural community who, through music, inspires her students to shed their cynicism . Despite its successes, the film industry in the Philippines has remained small, its growth hindered by escalating production costs, high taxes, uncontrolled piracy of videotapes and CDs, and the popularity of foreign films over local productions.

The National Museum in Manila, which houses a substantial ethnographic collection, is the principal government vehicle for preservation and conservation of the country’s tangible and intangible cultural property. Many of the provinces have established their own museums dedicated to local history and tradition. A few institutions of higher education—such as the University of Santo Tomas, Silliman University in eastern Negros, Mindanao State University in Lanao del Sur, and the University of the Philippines at Diliman—likewise have added museums to their campuses. The National Library serves as a repository for Philippine literary materials and supervises public libraries throughout the country.

A number of locations in the Philippines have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites . These include four 16th-century churches built by the Spanish in Manila, Santa Maria, Paoay, and Miag-ao (collectively designated in 1993), the 16th-century trading town of Vigan (1999) in northwestern Luzon, and the ancient rice terraces of the northern Luzon cordilleras (1995). Local nongovernmental organizations such as the Heritage Conservation Society and some historical groups have also sought to preserve the local heritage.

filipino culture essay introduction

How to Write an Essay about Your Culture

filipino culture essay introduction

Do you need to write an essay about your culture but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place! I’m Constance, and I’ll show you how to write an essay about your culture. I’ll guide you step by step, and we’ll write a sample essay together. Let’s dive in. 

Writing an essay about your culture includes 5 steps:

Step 1. Plan how many words you want in each paragraph.

When you know the exact number of words you need for an essay, planning the word count for each paragraph will be much easier. 

For example, a 300-word essay typically consists of five paragraphs and three key elements:

  • The introductory paragraph.
  • Three body paragraphs.
  • The conclusion, or the concluding paragraph.

Here’s a simple way to distribute 300 words across the five paragraphs in your essay:

filipino culture essay introduction

You’ll get 300 when you add up these numbers. 

Step 2. Decide on what your main and supporting points will be.

First, you must take a stand, meaning you must decide on your main point. What do you really want to say about your culture? Whatever you want to say, that becomes your thesis. 

For example, “My culture is very rich.” That is enough to get started. You’ll get a better idea of how to expand or tweak your thesis after the next step.

Next, divide your topic using the Power of Three to prove the point that your culture is rich using three supporting ideas.

filipino culture essay introduction

The Power of Three effectively divides an essay’s main idea into its supporting points. It means your main idea is true because of the three reasons you will provide in the body. So, it is a three-part structure that helps produce your body paragraphs .

Let’s try it for an essay about Filipino culture!

For example, here are three supporting ideas explaining the richness of Filipino culture:

  • The Philippines has incredible food .
  • Traditional Filipino clothing reflects the country’s heritage.
  • Family values in the Philippines are essential.

Great! Now we have everything we need to write an essay about Filipino culture. We’re all set for the next step!

Step 3. Write your introductory paragraph.

Here are the key components of an introductory paragraph you need to remember in writing your essay:

filipino culture essay introduction

Our first sentence is the introduction, which should pull our reader into the world we want to portray in our essay.

And the rest of the introductory paragraph is our thesis statement. It includes our main idea and three supporting points.

Example of an introductory paragraph about culture

“Having been colonized for centuries, the Philippines boasts a vast heritage. It has a rich culture characterized by food, clothing, and family values. Filipino culture has delicious food inherited from diverse parts of the world and periods of conquest. Traditional Filipino clothing reflects the country’s history, as well. And Filipinos prize their family values probably above all else.”

Look at how the introductory paragraph goes from a general statement to specific ideas that support our main idea.

Our introductory sentence is a general statement that serves as the opening in our essay. It briefly sets the essay’s context. Next comes the thesis statement — our main idea. Finally, we have three supporting ideas for our thesis.

Step 4. Write your essay’s body paragraphs.

Again, a 300-word essay typically has three body paragraphs containing your three supporting ideas. Here’s how to structure a body paragraph:

filipino culture essay introduction

Looking back at our word count plan, we know that our body paragraphs should have roughly 70 words each. Remember your word plan as you write.

Body Paragraph 1

“The Philippines boasts a diverse food culture. It reflects indigenous flavors and foreign influences, such as American, Spanish, Indian, and Chinese. Whether it’s a typical or special day, Filipinos love eating these various dishes with rice, a staple. For example, rice goes well with curry, noodles, and adobo. It is also common to see various foods like pizza, pancit, lumpia, paella, (Filipino-style) sweet spaghetti, cakes, and ice cream at parties.”

As you can see, the first sentence in this body paragraph is a topic sentence . It gives context to the paragraph and briefly summarizes it.

The second sentence explains why the Philippine food culture is considered diverse. 

The remaining sentences illustrate your main point (topic sentence) by providing examples, starting with rice in sentence 3.

Body Paragraph 2

“Traditional Filipino clothing reflects Philippine cultural heritage. Although Filipinos now conform to current fashion trends in their everyday lives, the traditional clothing style is often used during celebrations. The traditional fashion sense exhibits influences from indigenous tribes, Chinese immigration waves, the Spaniards, and Americans, portraying the chronology of Philippine historical events. For example, the Philippines’ national costume, the baro’t saya, is an elegant blend of Spanish and Filipino clothing styles. Even some modernized forms of clothing also display other global influences.”

Just like Body Paragraph 1, this paragraph follows the same structure outlined in the diagram. It proceeds from a general statement to more specific points :

  • The topic sentence.
  • An explanation.

Body Paragraph 3

“Family values are vital in the Philippines. The daily lives of most Filipinos revolve around close and extended family, making them known for their family-oriented lifestyle even when they’re overseas. It’s common for children to live with their parents after reaching legal age; some even stay after getting married or obtaining a job. Filipinos also cherish their extended families (aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins) and hanging out or celebrating significant events together.”

Once again, this paragraph follows the body paragraph structure. Now, we’re all set for the final step — the conclusion.

Step 5. Write the conclusion.

The easiest way to write a concluding paragraph for your essay on your culture is to restate your main idea and its supporting points using different words. You can even paraphrase your introduction — a time-proven method!

Let’s write the conclusion for our essay.

“Because of its history, the Philippines has a rich, diverse culture rooted in a vast heritage. Filipino cuisine is a blend of indigenous and foreign flavors. The nation’s history is reflected in its traditional clothing. And family values display a distinct Filipino trait.”

Note that this conclusion uses different words to restate the points we’ve already made, including those in the body paragraphs. 

Hope this was helpful. Now go ahead and write an essay about your culture!

Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.

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Philippines — History and Culture

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Despite a string of largely unsympathetic rulers, the turbulent history of the Phillipines has nonetheless managed to produce a friendly, resilient, family-oriented, deeply religious and artistic population, most of whom are indigenous, Spanish or of mixed heritage.

People have lived in the Philippines since the dawn of human history. Originally, the various islands were populated by competing tribes, each with their own king or queen. In 1521, the explorer Magellan claimed the islands for Spain and colonization began in 1565. Manila was established as the capital of what was then known was the Spanish East Indies in 1571.

Spanish rule brought Catholicism to the area, with missionaries establishing churches, schools, hospitals, universities and largely displacing the previously entrenched Hindu, Islamic and Buddhist faiths. Free education was introduced in 1863, but did not take off until much later.

Residents were obligated to defend against internal revolts by indigenous groups, as well as attacks from the Dutch and Portuguese. Free trade was introduced during the 19th century which brought wealth to the population. Evidence of Spanish rule can be seen across the Philippines, particularly in the plentiful Baroque churches and the walled Intramuros district of Manila.

In 1872, three priests were executed at Bagumbayum (now Rizal Park) for sedition, which sparked a movement for political reform. Early lobbyists were executed, which prompted Andrés Bonifacio to establish a secret society for independence known as the Katipunan, in 1892. The organization gained many members, and Emilio Aguinaldo became leader. 1896 saw the execution of Dr José Rizal which prompted an uprising by the revolutionaries. The Philippines was briefly declared independent by Aguinaldo in 1898, but this was not recognized by America, as it asserted a claim to the islands as a result of the 1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American war.

The Philippine-American war between American soldiers and Filipino revolutionaries lasted from 1899-1902 and resulted in US control of the region, during which literacy increased and freedom of religion was introduced, removing Catholicism’s status as the state religion. America’s promises of independence in 1916 led to the Philippines being granted Commonwealth status in 1935.

However, the Philippines were invaded by Japan during WWII, which was a dark time when over a million Filipinos died. The nation finally regained its independence on July 4, 1946. The challenge of rebuilding was compounded by frequent challenges from rebel groups and communists. In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos was elected president. He introduced martial law to retain power in 1972, from which time he persecuted rivals and ruled by decree.

The assassination of the opposition leader, Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr. in 1983 increased political pressure for reform. Marcos called a presidential election in 1986, in which he defeated Benigno Aquino’s widow, Corazon Aquino in what was widely believed to be a rigged result. The People Power revolution followed and resulted in the defeat and exile of Marcos and his allies. Tourists can visit Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), which was the site of mass protests in support of the rebel leaders. After the departure of Marcos, Corazon Aquino was recognized as president of the Philippines.

From 1986 onwards, progress was hampered by corruption, national debt, attempted coups and ongoing insurgency by communist and Islamic groups. The economy improved between 1992 and 1997, until the East Asian Financial Crisis, internal corruption and another revolution in 2001 caused further difficulties for the nation. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo became president after the revolution but her nine-year administration was marred by scandal and corruption. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III was elected president in May 2010 and shortly after in September, secured a US $434 million agreement with the Millennium Challenge Corporation to help fund programs for infrastructure development, revenue generation and poverty reduction.

Rizal Park in Manila is one of the most politically significant sites in the Philippines. It was the location for the executions of early revolutionaries, the 1946 declaration of independence, and the 1986 rallies of Marcos and Corazon Aquino that led to the EDSA revolution.

The culture of the Philippines comprises a blend of traditional Filipino and Spanish Catholic traditions, with influences from America and other parts of Asia. The Filipinos are family oriented and often religious with an appreciation for art, fashion, music and food.

Filipinos are also hospitable people who love to have a good time. This often includes getting together to sing, dance, and eat. The annual calendar is packed with festivals, many of which combine costumes and rituals from the nation’s pre-Christian past with the Catholic beliefs and ideology of present day.

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filipino culture essay introduction

An Overview of the Filipino Culture and Traditions

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Studying and learning about different cultures helps us understand why certain groups of people see the world the way they do. If you’re studying the Filipino language, it makes sense to gain a deeper understanding of the Filipino culture, as well. Doing so will help you better appreciate every new Filipino word or expression you learn.

The Filipino culture is quite complex, having been influenced by many different cultures. Each value and belief is applied to people’s daily lives, revealing how significant the nation’s history is. Yet despite the impact of other cultures on the character and behavior of Filipinos, it’s interesting to know that there are still many values unique to this group of people. Thus the expression Onli in da Pilipins (“Only in the Philippines”).

Come with me, and together let us discover the values, beliefs, customs, and traditions that make the Filipino people who they are.

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1. Values and Beliefs

Filipino culture and traditions are founded on several shared values and beliefs, a few of which we’ll cover here.

A- Filipino Hospitality

Hospitality is a trademark of the Filipino people, and one can argue that there are no people in the world more hospitable than the Filipinos. Visit the country and you’ll be amazed at how welcoming the people are. What’s amazing is that this trait of kindness toward visitors is not confined to those who can afford to offer welcome gifts in the form of food and entertainment. Even the not-so-rich would be willing to offer their last plate of rice to a stranger visiting their little shack.

B- Regionalism

Filipinos are known for being regionalistic. It’s said that this value was promoted during the Spanish era to keep the Filipinos divided, thus making it easier to manipulate them. Whether this is true or not, it’s clear that Filipinos hold on to this value dearly, claiming that their region is better than others—or even the best in the country. This can be viewed as a negative trait, and true enough, this particular value system has caused a lot of negativity, especially when politics are brought into the picture. But if you look at it from another perspective, it’s simply proof that Filipinos value that which belongs to their fold.

C- Bayanihan

Filipino culture values bayanihan , or the concept of teamwork. It refers to a community of Filipinos coming together for a cause. The term is derived from bayan , which is Tagalog for “country” or “community.” In the past, the term was used to describe the house-moving tradition in rural areas of the Philippines, where a group of about twenty young men would volunteer to carry the house of a certain family to a new location. Most of these houses were made of nipa and other lightweight, indigenous materials. To express their gratitude, the family would prepare food for the volunteers to share. Today, the bayanihan spirit remains alive, which is evident in the way many Filipinos volunteer to help fellowmen who are in need.

Bayanihan

D- Adaptability

One cannot overemphasize the fact that Filipinos are adaptable. They can easily adjust to any culture or situation, which is evidenced by the fact that there is a Filipino community in every major country or city in the world. Send them to a foreign country and they’ll soon be speaking the language fluently. Send them to a place where no Filipino has ever set foot, and soon there will be a Filipino community flourishing. This ability to adapt helps them make do with what little they have and find joy even in the simple things. It’s because of this outstanding trait that Filipinos find it easy to make a mark in the world.

Humor plays a huge role in Filipino culture. I’m not talking about jokes and comedy per se, but the ability of the Filipino people to find joy and humor in even the direst of situations. Yes, Pinoys make jokes all the time⁠—whether among family, friends, or strangers. The jokes could be about anything, too—a new colleague, the family next door, politics. Filipino humor goes beyond those things, though. Even in the midst of a crisis, you can expect Filipinos to find ways to make light of the situation. Whether it’s a typhoon, an earthquake, or even a pandemic, no misadventure can crush the Filipino spirit.

2. Philosophy and Religion

Two of the major Filipino culture characteristics are its strong religious community and its superstitious nature. Let’s briefly look at a few common philosophies and beliefs! 

A- Hiya & Utang na Loob

The Filipino concept of hiya , translated as “shame” or “embarrassment,” has always been seen in a negative light. It’s at the core of another Filipino concept: utang na loob , or indebtedness.

Utang means “debt,” and loob means “inside,” although in this case, it refers to “inner self.” When you owe someone a favor, you feel deep inside that you need to return it someday, one way or another. And that’s where hiya comes in. Only Filipinos who carry this virtue will understand the concept of indebtedness and the importance of returning favors.

But then there is also hiya apart from the sense of indebtedness. It’s a gut feeling that you have when you’re in a certain situation and you know you’ve got what it takes to contribute and make a positive impact:

Nakakahiya naman kung hindi ko iaalay ang aking sarili para sa aking bayan.  “What a shame it would be if I didn’t offer myself in the service of my country.”

Seen from this perspective, hiya is a virtue, the act of setting aside one’s own desires for the benefit of other people. 

B- Bahala Na Mentality: A Double-Edged Sword

The pre-colonial Filipino mentality of bahala na translates to “it’s up to you” in English. It’s said that it was derived from the expression Bathala na (“It’s up to Bathala “), Bathala being the god the native Filipinos worshipped. For example:

Wala na tayong pambili ng bigas. Bahala na ang Diyos sa atin.  “We have no money left to buy rice. May God have mercy on us.”

It’s a double-edged sword in the sense that it expresses faith and trust on the one hand, and on the other it expresses mediocrity. Filipinos are creative and hardworking, but many of us sometimes choose to sit and wait for some higher power to solve our problems with us.

C- Filipino Superstitions

Filipinos are arguably the most superstitious people on the planet. They tend to believe things that would seem illogical to people of other cultures. This is not surprising, though, since Filipinos are also very religious. One would think that people would be more rational in this day and age, yet superstitions still play a huge role in the daily lives of the Filipinos:

  • Sweeping the floor at night will sweep good fortune out of the household.
  • Serving pancit (noodles) during celebrations will promote long life.
  • It’s bad luck for siblings to get married in the same year.
  • Don’t go home immediately after attending a wake to “shake off” evil spirits.

These are just some of the hundreds or even thousands of superstitions that many Filipinos still hold on to even to this day. There may be downsides to believing in superstitions, but to believers, they help promote and maintain a positive mental attitude.

D- Christianity in the Philippines

The Philippines is dubbed as the only “Christian” nation in Southeast Asia and is ranked as the fifth most Christian country in the world. It’s not because all of its people are Christians, but because 93% are. Filipinos are among the most religious people in the world, which is not surprising considering their strong superstitious nature.

Holy Family

Filipinos are a very religious people.

3. Family and Work

There are a few key Filipino cultural traits related to family and work that will help you better understand the nation as a whole. Let’s take a look.

A- Family Ties

A pillar of Filipino culture, family values tend to promote strong familial ties. The hospitality of the Filipino people is not only seen in how they treat their guests, but also in how they treat their family members. In the Philippines, it’s common for households to be made up of extended family members. This means that families are not only composed of the parents and their children, but also of grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and nephews.

In other cultures, when a person turns eighteen, they are considered an adult and encouraged to live on their own, away from their family. But in Filipino culture, living with parents until the day one gets married is considered the norm. One advantage of this practice is that elderly Filipinos seldom worry about being sent to nursing homes. A huge drawback, though, is the issue of family members meddling in each other’s affairs. For Filipinos, however, the feeling of satisfaction and security that a huge family brings outweighs any disadvantage that may come with having an extended family.

B- Filipino Children as Retirement Plans

This is not something Filipinos should be proud of, but unfortunately, it’s a common mindset of many Filipino parents today that one of the purposes of bearing children is to have someone to take care of them financially when they grow old. This is based on the philosophy of hiya and utang na loob . This wasn’t always the case, though. In the past, Filipino parents would opt to have dozens of children, not primarily as retirement plans, but as assurance that someone would continue the family business when they’re gone.

C- Pride and Modesty at Work

Filipinos, like most Asian people, value the concept of “saving one’s face,” which means they’ll go out of their way to make sure people won’t think bad about them. This is very evident in the workplace, where the Filipino worker would do his best to avoid embarrassing situations and to make sure his reputation is not compromised.  

Filipinos also take pride in their work, but above all else, they value relationships. This is why they prefer work environments that are welcoming and friendly.

D- Crab Mentality

Crab mentality is not unique to the Filipino people, but this kind of mindset has been associated with Pinoys over the past few decades, particularly among communities of Overseas Contract Workers. The concept is derived from the instinct of talangka (“crabs”) to pull their fellows down with their claws while trying to get out of the bucket with which they were caught.

This culture of infighting often prevents Filipinos from achieving unity. You’ll hear unfortunate stories of Filipinos working abroad scamming and betraying their fellows in their desire to stay ahead of them.

E- Sipag at Tiyaga

Despite all the negative values associated with the Filipino worker—such as being tamad (“lazy”) and palaging late (“always late”), or their love of tsismosa (“gossip”)—there is no question that Filipinos are among the most hardworking people in the world. That is because they value sipag at tiyaga (“hard work and perseverance”). They’re also dependable and responsible, traits that can be attributed to their having a sense of filial obligation (the responsibility to take care of people who depend on them).

A Hardworking Man

Filipinos place a huge value on sipag at tiyaga (“hard work and perseverance”).

In Filipino culture, art reflects the nation’s diversity. The Malays, Chinese, Indians, Muslims—all these cultures have had a huge influence on Filipino art. 

A- Music & Dance

Music in the Philippines has evolved so much in the last several centuries. Before the Spanish came, Filipino music was limited to folk songs, which reflected the life of rural Filipinos. Many of the traditional Filipino songs also have a strong connection with nature and are often accompanied by gongs and chimes.

Filipino dance has evolved in the same way, beginning with indigenous dances of different ethnic groups and eventually evolving with modern society. The era of the Americans in the Philippines has seen the gradual introduction of more dynamic dances, which the Filipinos incorporated into their own. Before the rise of American and European dances in the country, however, there were the Tinikling (“bamboo dance”), Cariñosa , and Maglalatik , folk dances that continue to show the diverse culture of the Philippines.

B- Visual Arts

The earliest Filipino paintings can be found in pre-Spanish ritual pottery, such as the Manunggul jar, a burial jar excavated from the Tabon Caves in Palawan. Early Filipinos, such as the Pintados (tattooed indigenous Visayan tribes), also manifested their talent in painting through tattoos. In the sixteenth century, artistic paintings were introduced to the country when the Spaniards arrived. A century later, Filipinos started producing paintings in the European tradition using a mixture of landscape, religious, and political inspirations. 

Damian Domingo created various religious paintings, while Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo were both known for their political art pieces. Fernando Amorsolo, on the other hand, utilized postmodernism in his paintings, which depicted Filipino culture.

20181227_153916

Many of Fernando Amorsolo’s sketches are on display at the Philippine National Museum of Fine Arts .

C- Architecture

Before any other culture arrived in the country, Filipino architecture was limited to the bahay kubo (nipa huts) built using indigenous materials like bamboo and coconut. The bahay kubo was gradually replaced by the bahay na bato (stone houses) when the Europeans came. Only the nobles could afford this more expensive architecture, though, and the peasants remained in their nipa huts.

Today, most of the historic structures you’ll see in the country have not only Spanish influences, but also Austronesian, Chinese, and American influences. Looking at the architecture of old and new Catholic churches in the country, however, it’s clear how much influence the Spaniards have had in Filipino architecture.

Filipino culture and food go hand in hand. Food culture in the Philippines has been heavily influenced by Westerners, but Filipinos have still been able to preserve important culinary traditions.

Eating Like a True Filipino

The typical Filipino eats five times a day. There’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and snacks referred to as merienda , eaten in-between the three main meals. Rice is the main ingredient in any Filipino meal. And unlike in Western cultures, the courses— kanin (“rice”), ulam (meat or seafood eaten with rice), and sawsawan (“dip”)—are served simultaneously.

The Filipinos have adopted the Western way of eating, that is, with spoons, forks, and knives. Still, the Filipinos have never forgotten the practice of eating with their hands. This practice is often associated with poor families who can’t afford to buy utensils, but the truth is, all Filipinos whether rich or poor understand that nothing is more appetizing than eating with your bare hands.

Cooked Rice Inside A Rice Cooker

In the Philippines, rice makes the world go round. No. In the Philippines, rice is life.

6. Traditional Holidays

The Philippines is heavily influenced by Roman Catholic traditions, with 86% of its people belonging to the said religion. There are holidays based on major events and celebrations that are non-religious in nature, but most of the holidays in the country are related to religion. The Ati-atihan , Dinagyang , and Sinulog festivals, for instance, are all celebrated in honor of the Santo Niño, a Spanish term Roman Catholics use to refer to the Christ Child.

A-  Ati-Atihan

The Ati-atihan is held every January and is observed in several towns in Aklan, Panay. The term means “to imitate the Ati,” with Ati referring to the local name of the Aeta people who are believed to have been the first settlers on the island. The festival was given a Christian meaning later on, with the people incorporating the Santo Niño into the festivities. During the main day of the festival, dance groups wearing body paint and colorful costumes march on the streets, dancing to music produced by marching bands. Ati-atihan is referred to as “The Mother of All Festivals” in the Philippines, having influenced other festivals in the country (including Dinagyang and Sinulog ).

B- Dinagyang

If Ati-atihan is the Mother of All Festivals, Dinagyang is “The Queen of All Festivals.” That’s because even if it was only inspired by the Ati-atihan festival, it has become more successful in building a reputation for itself as a tourist attraction. Perhaps it’s because the festival is held in Iloilo City, the most urbanized city on the island of Panay. During the week of the festival, over 200,000 tourists—including local celebrities and politicians—visit the city. 

Just like Ati-atihan , Dinagyang is celebrated every January, particularly during the fourth Sunday of the month. The three-day affair consists of religious processions, too, but its highlights are the street dance competition and the food festival.

Sinulog is another major festival held in honor of the Santo Niño, this time in Cebu. Just like the Ati-atihan and Dinagyang , it’s celebrated every January and attracts up to two million people from over the country. The religious aspect is to be expected of the festival, but aside from that, what makes this a much-celebrated event are the street parties and the Sinulog dance competition.

D- Masskara

The Masskara festival is a major festival held every October in Bacolod City. The term is a pun on the word maskara , which is Filipino for “mask.” It’s also a blending of the English word “mass,” referring to a large group of people, and the Spanish cara , which means “face.” The government started the festival in 1980 to encourage its people during a time of economic crisis. Today, the Mardi Gras-like festival is one of the most popular festivals in the Philippines, with its street dances, live music, and food fests witnessed by thousands of locals and tourists.

E- Panagbenga Flower Festival

The Panagbenga Flower Festival is held every February in Baguio City. It was started as a tribute to the flowers of the city, as well as a way to encourage the people to rise up from the tragedy of the devastating Luzon earthquake in 1990. The term Panagbenga is of Kankanaey origin, and means “A time of blossoming” or “A season of blooming.” The Panagbenga Flower Festival is a month-long festival celebrated with colorful costumes, native dancing, and parades.

F- Lenten Season

The Lenten Season is the most significant religious observance in the country. It starts on Ash Wednesday, which is forty days before Easter Sunday. It’s on this day that you’ll see Catholics returning from church with their foreheads marked with a cross made of ash. The highlight of the season is the Holy Week, referred to as Semana Santa , which begins on Palm Sunday and culminates on Easter Sunday. 

The highlight of the week is Good Friday, which is a solemn day that both Catholics and Protestants consider to be a day of much prayer and fasting. Superstitious Catholics, in particular, believe that Jesus Christ is actually dead during this time of the year and warn people against getting hurt. Any wounds acquired during Good Friday, according to them, will never heal. Some say you will have to wait until the next Holy Week for it to heal.

G- Christmas Season

The Christmas season in the Philippines officially starts on December 16, the first day of Simbang Gabi , a nine-day series of masses occurring as early as three o’clock in the morning. For most Filipinos, however, Christmas unofficially starts on the first day of September (the first month on the calendar that ends in – ber ), and ends on January 6 (the day of the feast of the Three Kings, otherwise known as the Epiphany). 

Starting September 1, you’ll see many houses decorated with Christmas lights, Christmas wreaths, and what is known as the Christmas Parol , a star-shaped lantern. During the week of the Simbang Gabi , Catholic churchgoers can be seen flocking to the churches at dawn. It’s also during this time that the famous Puto Bumbong (purple rice cake steamed in small bamboo tubes) will start being sold outside of churches.

In the Philippines, Noche Buena is the most exciting part of Christmas. It’s Spanish for “Good night,” but in the Philippines, it’s the night before Christmas. This is a time when family members gather and share a meal after hearing the midnight Mass.

H- Feast of the Black Nazarene

The Feast of the Black Nazarene is the ultimate symbol of religiosity in the Philippines . Every year on January 9, millions of devout followers of the Poong Itim na Nazareno (Almighty Black Nazarene) gather in the streets of Manila to join in the procession of a life-size black Jesus statue carrying the cross. The procession usually starts at Rizal Park and ends at the minor basilica in Quiapo. Few religious celebrations worldwide can match the Feast of the Black Nazarene, with millions of devotees doing all they can to get a hold of the statue, believing that it can perform miracles, such as granting petitions and healing terminal diseases.

Feast of the Black Nazarene

Traditional Filipino festivals, such as Dinagyang, Sinulog, and Masskara are celebrated in Mardi Gras fashion.

7. Gain a Deeper Understanding of Filipino Culture with FilipinoPod101

We’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg with this Filipino culture overview. There’s still a lot more you can learn about how Filipinos think about and perceive the world, and one good place you can start is FilipinoPod101.com .

FilipinoPod101 is one of the best places to learn the Tagalog language online, and in addition to our free resources and our grammar lessons , we also offer all you need to better understand and appreciate Filipino culture .

Sign up today and enjoy a number of exclusive learning materials, including our Premium PLUS MyTeacher feature where you can have one-on-one interactions with your personal Filipino teacher. He or she will provide you with ongoing guidance and assessment as you continue enhancing your Filipino skills.

That’s all for this post! Don’t think twice about dropping a comment below should you have any questions about what we’ve shared here or if you have any additional insights!

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The Philippines: Culture and Tradition

Filipino people are known as settlers in many parts of the world. They are like the chameleon who easily adapts to different environments. They thrive to survive. Survival of the fittest is their banner.

The Republic of the Philippines was named to honor King Philip II of Spain in 1543. Filipinos are originally from the southern part of Asia. People from countries like China, India, the United States and Spain married Filipinos resulting in a great deal of stock blending. 79 indigenous ethnic groups compose the Filipino people. According to Wikipedia, the last five hundred years of eventful history of the country added an impact to the cultural blend of the Asian and Western population. The colonial reign of the Spaniards in 1570-1898 as well as the Americans in 1903-1946, resulted in the expansion of Christian values, which gave an identity to every Filipino. And the interaction with other countries’ cultures, like the ones from China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, gave a specific Asian touch to the cultural heritage of the Philippines.

GPI_filipino_Culture

There are 175 estimated languages spoken in the Philippines.  Almost all are classified as Malayo-Polynesian languages. Among those languages, there are 13 indigenous languages with nearly 1 million speakers.

For more than three centuries Spanish was the official language under Spain’s colonial rule.  It was spoken by 60% of the population as either a first, second or third language in the early 20th century.  However, the use of Spanish began to decline after the United States occupation in the early 1900’s.  In 1935 the Constitution of the Philippines named English and Spanish the official languages.  In 1939 the Tagalog language was named the national language.  The language was renamed “Pilipino” in 1959 and finally “Filipino” in 1973.  The present Constitution names Filipino and English as joint official languages.

The Philippines is a country that has varied cultural influences. Most of these influences are results of previous colonization, deriving mainly from the culture of Spain and the United States. Despite all of these influences, the old Asian culture of Filipinos has been retained and are clearly seen in their way of life, beliefs and customs. Wherever you go, Filipino culture is very evident and has largely been appreciated and even applauded in many parts of the world.

GPI_filipino_Culture2

Music, Arts and Literature

Filipinos are very fond of music. They use various materials to create sound. They love performing dances (Tiniking and Carinosa) and group singing during festive celebrations. Settlers from Spain introduced to them a variety of musical instruments like the ukulele, trumpet, drums and violin. Most of their music is contemporary and they have also learned to write their own songs based on real life events. People are also fond of folklore, which was influenced by the early church and Spanish literature.  Jose Rizal, the country’s national hero, is famous for his literature and novels inspired from the independence story of the country

The majority of Filipino people practice the Christian religion. Spain highly influenced the people to the extent that the Philippines became one of the two predominantly Christian nations in the Asia Pacific, the other being East Timor. According to Wikipedia, Christianity is the religion of about 80% of the Philippine population (mostly Catholics) while Islam is the religion of 11%, and other religions and beliefs comprise the 9% of the rest of the population.

Celebrations

Christmas is one of the most loved celebration by Filipinos. Families and relatives gather on the 24th of December, to celebrate food prepared for “Noche Buena,” a Spanish term which means “midnight meal” to greet Christmas Day. New Year is another celebration that gathers the Filipino families. Wearing dotted clothes and preparing round fruits on the table, which symbolize prosperity, is one of the many customs of the Filipinos.

Filipinos are not only skilled when it comes to industry but also in sports. The national sport of the Philippines is called arnis, a form of martial arts. Filipinos love watching American games like basketball, football and recently boxing which made the Philippines more famous all over the world.  Filipino sport star, Manny Pacquiao, has been put on a pedestal due to his skill in boxing and more Filipinos have risen to stardom in the sports arena.

GPI_filipino_Culture3

Family Structure

The basic social unit of the country is the family, which also includes the intermediate family members (aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins) and other outside relations (godparents and close friends). As such, many children have several godparents and when parents are out of the country to work, children are mostly left to the grandparents to watch over them. It is common for members of the same family to work for the same company, a practice which was influenced by the first Chinese settlers in the Philippines. Filipino families live in different kinds of house structures depending on their status or area. For families in rural areas, they live in a nipa hut which is made of bamboo and roofed with leaves from palm trees or corrugated metal. Filipinos that are ranked as “middle class” live in houses made of bricks and stones.

Filipinos are big eaters, even though it is not obviously seen in their petite bodies. The Philippines is known as Asia’s melting pot because of the uniqueness and variety of their food. Filipinos can’t go a day without including rice in their meals. They love plain rice matched with salted fish, chicken and meat.  They serve rice first followed by the various viands they have grown to eat and cook.  Filipinos have a very regular eating schedule: morning, mid-morning, lunch, afternoon (merienda) and dinner.

They enjoy a variety of sweet foods adopted from other countries which encouraged them to make their own desserts like “mahablanca” a dessert made of coconut milk, corn, sugar, or “puto” and “palitaw” which are also made of coconut milk. They also enjoy eating “halo-halo” for their afternoon snack which means “mixture,” a popular dessert that consists of layers of cornflakes, ice cream, small pieces of gelatin, milk and shaved ice.

During special occasions like a town’s big event in celebration of their saint’s feast, a favorite food called “lechon,” a suckling pig that has been roasted until the skin turns crusty is served. Some street foods are also common in the country like the famous “balut,” a boiled duck egg with an embryo, and fish and squid balls on a stick that are dipped on spicy and sweet sauces.

The Philippines has a very unique culture due to the influences of colonization and the surrounding countries. Filipino people are very hardworking and strive to make life better for the next generation of their family.  The melting pot theory that is evident in this culture makes this country a vibrant, exciting and diverse place to live and visit.

Further Cultural and Localization Resources

You may also find some of the following articles and links useful:

  • Creating Culturally Customized Content for Website Translation
  • When There Are No Words: “Translating” from the Heart
  • It’s all Greek to me: A personal look at the multilingual, multicultural experience

For more information or help with your next website translation project, please do not hesitate to contact Globalization Partners International via e-mail at [email protected] , or by phone at (866) 272-5874, or by requesting a free web translation quote for your next website translation project.

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UNDERSTANDING FILIPINO VALUES, A WINDOW FOR MISSION

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Carole Diamante

filipino culture essay introduction

Jeremiah Lasquety-Reyes

The Filipino concept of hiya, often translated as ‘shame’ or ‘embarrassment’, has often received ambivalent or negative interpretations. In this article I make an important distinction between two kinds of hiya: (1) the hiya that is suffered as shame or embarrassment (a passion) and (2) the hiya that is an active and sacrificial self-control of one’s individual wants for the sake of other people (a virtue). I borrow and reappropriate this distinction from Aquinas’ virtue ethics. This distinction not only leads to a more positive appraisal of hiya, it also leads to a new understanding of associated concepts that are often confused with hiya such as amor propio, pakikisama and the infamous ‘crab mentality’. Defending hiya as a virtue is part of an even wider philosophical project, the move from ‘Filipino values’ to a ‘Filipino virtue ethics’, which I already introduced in a previous article in this journal.

Leah Azañon

About 76 million people live in the Philippine archipelago where more than 70 mutually unintelligible languages and dialects are spoken. The national language is Tagalog, originally the Luzon dialect; but the English language was introduced to the islands by American occupiers in the early 1900s. Despite an increasing preference for the local language (Lopez, 1998), Filipinos are still educated in English and Tagalog, thereby comprising one of the largest English-speaking countries in the world. Augmenting the westernization initiated by a distinctly Spanish heritage, Americanization has penetrated deeper into the Pinoy (local colloquialism for 'Filipino') society than into any other Asian country. 'The influx of American ideas and social patterns in a broad range of institutions and the Filipinos' receptivity to them are well-known' (Arce and Poblador, 1977: 6). Consequently, the Philippines stands unique as a Christian, English-speaking democracy in Asia (Lopez, 1998; Engholm, 1991). The purpose of this article is first to identify and describe the essence of human resource management (HRM) practices in the Philippines. The intention is to highlight the enduring and distinguishing features of Pinoy HRM and its determining circumstances. This is important since the Philippines was not included in recent research which studied variations in HRM in Asian countries (cf. Bae, Chen and Lawler, 1998). Neither can much be found in the international academic literature on HRM in the Philippines. This article aims to rectify that shortcoming. Drawing on a multitude of mostly domestic sources for secondary data, the article attempts to provide a generalized picture of HRM practices in the Philippines. The analytical framework utilized in doing so includes three determining forces. First, the substantial cultural influence on Pinoy HRM through the prevalence of indigenous core values is discussed in detail. These values remain central to how modern Filipinos think, believe, feel and act (Jocano, 1989, 1997). Second, the specific economic/political situation in the Philippines is examined as the restricting context to Pinoy HRM. Third, the forces of globalization, not least in the form of multinational corporations operating in the country, are highlighted. The enduring resilience of Pinoy HRM is indicated by demonstrating to what extent foreign multinationals in the Philippines have adjusted their HRM

This is an introduction to a Filipino virtue ethics which is a relationship-oriented virtue ethics. The concepts to be discussed are the result of the unique history of the Philippines, namely a Southeast Asian tribal and animist tradition mixed with a Spanish Catholic tradition for over three-hundred years. Filipino virtue ethics is based on two foundational concepts in Filipino culture. The first is loób, which can easily be misunderstood when literally translated into English as “inside” but which is better translated as “relational will,” and the second is kapwa, which is literally translated as “other person” but is better understood as “together with the person.” These serve as pillars for a special collection of virtues (kagandahang-loób, utang-na-loób, pakikiramdam, hiya, lakas-ng-loób/bahala na) which are not individualistic virtues in the same way as most of the cardinal virtues of the Western tradition (i.e., prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude) but are all directed towards the preservation and strengthening of human relationships. This introduction to a Filipino virtue ethics is articulated and organized through a dialogue with Aristotelian-Thomistic virtue ethics.

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Angelita Asuncion

Angelie Butalid

Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino psychology) refers to the psychology born out of the experience, thought and orientation of the Filipinos, based on the full use of Filipino culture and language. The approach is one of ''indigenization from within'' whereby the theoretical framework and methodology emerge from the experiences of the people from the indigenous culture. It is based on assessing historical and socio-cultural realities, understanding the local language, unraveling Filipino characteristics, and explaining them through the eyes of the native Filipino. Among the outcomes are: a body of knowledge including indigenous concepts, development of indigenous research methods and indigenous personality testing, new directions in teaching psychology, and an active participation in organisations among Filipino psychologists and social scientists, both in the Philippines and overseas.

Liane Alampay

Princess Marie Cassandra Tasic

This is a preliminary study that explores the conceptual content of one domain of emotion in Tagalog, the domain of anger or galit, its supposed equivalent emotion word in Tagalog (Santos 1978). To do this, two aspects of the Tagalog language, namely its lexical aspect and metaphorical aspect were examined. Data from Tagalog dictionaries, books as well as novels that were published within the 1980s to 2010s were gathered, categorized and analyzed using two frameworks: Natural Semantic Metalanguage Theory (NSM), and Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT). In addition, conceptualizations based on the two frameworks were compared and mapped onto existing knowledge about the Tagalog culture. The first chapter presents the fundamental concepts used in the study, as well as relevant works of other authors. In the second chapter, the researcher explores the emotion word galit, through the lens of the Natural Semantic Metalanguage framework. The first part presents the devised explication for galit. The second part discusses the feeling of galit in detail and in relation to the explication. Galit is established as a social emotion, resulting from one’s assessment of a person whom he or she was interacting with (note that it can even be the self). This evaluation relies on whether a person that one interacts with has done something harmful to him, wherein the definition of harmful is affected by the social and cultural context that one is involved with. Galit is also analyzed as having intensity and duration. Lastly, the third part discusses the responses of a person when he or she is feeling galit. It is established that for the Tagalog galit, there is a tendency to suppress and conceal the said emotion. However, when it reaches past a threshold level, galit can be revealed intentionally or forcibly, and expressed through various methods, including the use of verbal and nonverbal expressions. The third chapter focuses on metaphorical expressions in Tagalog related to galit, as analyzed using the Conceptual Metaphor Theory. Three major conceptual metaphors were established. These are 1) GALIT IS AN OBJECT IN A CONTAINER, 2) GALIT IS INSANITY and 3) GALIT IS A PLANT. Each conceptual metaphor is discussed, citing texts that utilize figurative expressions from corpora. The first conceptual metaphor is divided further into seven metaphorical entailments. The fourth chapter attempted to tie the conclusions drawn from the previous two chapters, presenting overlaps in the two distinct analyses of galit. Furthermore, these overlaps are backed by cultural and other disciplinary studies that focus on the Tagalog culture. Here, the relationship of language, emotion and culture is highlighted. To conclude, the researcher presents research trajectories regarding Tagalog emotions and the domain of galit and explains that there should be more linguistic studies focusing on Tagalog emotions, as this can shed light on their collective emotional experience.

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This paper examines the state of contextualisation in the Philippines: (a) The indigenisation of the churches: Paying particular attention to those that claim to be Filipino. (b) The inculturation of the message: | Attempts to "express the faith in terms of the surrounding religious and philosophical environment" (c) Contextual theologies: Particularly socio-political ones. (Written in 1985)

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In: Judith Schlehe / Evamaria Sandkühler (eds.), Religion, Tradition and the Popular. Transcultural Views from Asia and Europe. Bielefeld: Transcript, 2014, 75-111

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11 Things You Should Know About Filipino Culture

Geraldine Sy /

What is it about the Philippines that makes it different from the rest of the world? Well, for one thing, it is all about their culture and their local traditions. Here are 11 things you should know about Filipino culture that sets them apart from any other nation on the planet. These should not be taken as stereotypes, but rather as individual characteristics that are common amongst the Filipino people.

Filipinos value tradition and culture.

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traditional filipino meal, rice served on large banana leaf with fried fish and vegetables, Mabalacat - Magalang Road, Mabalacat, Philippines

For Filipinos, traditions in their home and in their family are important. They usually set aside a specific day for a certain celebration like festivals, birthday parties, reunions, etc. And of course, every gathering is dedicated to keeping up with each other over sumptuous food. If, like us, good food is what makes you get up in the morning, then you might be interested in our gourmet destinations such as Bologna and Puglia , bookable now through Culture Trip.

Filipinos love art and architecture

Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines

Just look at the massive and tall buildings everywhere. Filipinos have a penchant for bringing art and architecture to a whole new level. They love to design creatively, to think intuitively, and have a passion for anything different and unique. Talking of which, so do we. So much so in fact, that we’ve created a collection of small-group getaways that celebrate the unexpected – from street food, to local customs and traditions.

Filipinos are very religious

In all corners of a Filipino house, you can find brazen images of crosses and other religious paraphernalia. It is a common Filipino custom to go church every Sunday, or sometimes even twice or three times a week.

Filipinos love to party

Yes, Filipinos love to hold celebrations and fiestas. Bacolod has its MassKara Festival, Davao has its Kadayawan Festival, and Marinduque has its Moriones Festival.

Filipinos love to eat

Aside from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Filipinos manage to squeeze in a little meal in between, too. Whether they eat every hour or every three hours, they savour every bite. Oh, and they do love going to buffets!

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Filipinos are very resilient

In times of calamities and catastrophes, Filipinos always manage to rise above the challenge. Instead of wallowing, they manage to pick themselves up and smile. You can often find them saying beautiful Filipino words to each other and motivating each other.

filipino culture essay introduction

Filipinos take pride in their families

In the Philippines , it is family first. So whether you are part of the immediate family or you belong to the third or fourth generation, you are treated as a family member. Sometimes, even the closest of friends are considered family, too.

filipino culture essay introduction

Filipinos are very respectful

From the moment they are born into this world, they are already taught how to be respectful by using these simple catchphrases— po and opo , words that end sentences when addressing elders. They have a culture of pagmamano , which is where they raise the backs of the hands of their elders to their foreheads as a sign of respect. When it comes to what not to say in the Phillippines you should definitely consider wether your words are respectful to the Filipino people, especially since they have a deep language history.

Filipinos help one another

More popularly known as bayanihan , Filipinos help one another—without expecting anything in return—so that undertaking their tasks and responsibilities become much easier. Sometimes this is called “community spirit.”. So if you learn some travel phrases to get around the Phillippines, they will extend their effort and do their best to help you.

Filipinos have the longest Christmas celebrations—ever

Local and major traditional events are a must experience in the Phillipines. Even as early as August, you can hear Christmas songs and jingles being played in the malls or in the restaurants in the Philippines. The mood becomes festive, with many people shopping and in good spirits. Christmas celebrations last until around the first or second week of January. We love the yuletide time of year, and the Christmas festival is one of the many Filipino festivals that are worth experiencing once in your lifetime.

Filipinos love to sing

This is the reason why karaoke has become so prevalent. As part of their recreation, Filipinos spend some quality time with their families or friends singing or belting out new and old songs.

Overall there are few places to avoid in the Phillipines, as the Filipino people are very respectful and welcoming to tourists.

Learn more about the local culture with our guide to Filipino superstitions and indigenous tribes, or brush up on the most famous Filipino artists .

filipino culture essay introduction

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — National Identity — I Am Proud To Be Part Of The Filipino Culture

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I Am Proud to Be Part of The Filipino Culture

  • Categories: National Identity Philippines

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Words: 997 |

Published: Sep 19, 2019

Words: 997 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Table of contents

What is it like to be a part of filipino culture, final thoughts, works cited.

  • American Heart Association. (2017). What is High Blood Pressure? Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/why-high-blood-pressure-is-a-silent-killer/what-is-high-blood-pressure
  • WebMD. (2017). High Blood Pressure: Causes of Hypertension.
  • Briones, R. (2012). Alcohol and the Filipino Culture. In Health Aspects of Alcohol and Filipino Drinkers. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4074553/
  • De La Cruz, L. (2019). The Filipino Diet: Filipino Food Pyramid and Healthy Eating. In The Filipino American Kitchen: Traditional Recipes, Contemporary Flavors. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6712222/
  • Haas, J. S., Lee, L. B., Kaplan, C. P., Sonneborn, D., Phillips, K. A., Liang, S. Y., & Pasick, R. J. (2005). The Association of Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Health Insurance Status with the Prevalence of Overweight Among Children and Adolescents. American Journal of Public Health, 95(4), 660–667.
  • He, F. J., & MacGregor, G. A. (2009). A comprehensive review on salt and health and current experience of worldwide salt reduction programmes. Journal of Human Hypertension, 23(6), 363-384.
  • Palaganas, R. T., Eusebio, R. A., Lu, K. V., Labrague, L. J., & Ulep, V. G. (2019). Influence of Filipino culture on health-related quality of life of Filipino immigrants in New Zealand: a mixed-methods study. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 17(1), 120.
  • Santos, R., & Hu, F. B. (2004). Prevention of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Comparison of Lifestyle Factors in Westerners and East Asians. Journal of Hypertension, 22(5), 963-970.
  • Yusuf, S., Hawken, S., Ôunpuu, S., Dans, T., Avezum, A., Lanas, F., ... & Gerstein, H. (2004). Effect of potentially modifiable risk factors associated with myocardial infarction in 52 countries (the INTERHEART study): case-control study. The Lancet, 364(9438), 937-952.

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filipino culture essay introduction

robert john o. robas

Social insights, the filipino language and culture.

(An Extended Definition Essay)

At present, the academic debate is kept on growing regarding the importance of Filipino language (Puro, 2014). This debate started after the decision of Commission on Higher Education in 2013, under CHED Memorandum (CMO) No. 20, abolishing the Filipino subject in tertiary level and relegating it to secondary and primary school.  The issue of debates focus on the essence of Filipino language as a nationalistic identity versus its importance to global competitiveness. The idea in studying English language over Filipino is to become globally competitive in finding job opportunities abroad. Hence, more than the value of language in a global standard for job employment of the Filipino abroad, this essay is an attempt to define language as a reflection of culture and identity.

 Language is a cultural identity; it can be viewed locally and internationally, and most especially, it bridges the gap between ethnic differences.

According to Klainerman (2008), language is a symbol of nationality, of the people, of its suffering, its destiny, its grandeur, its triumphs; the primary instrument of conception, expression, assimilation and communication of these experiences therefore ends up being considered as their very sum and substance.

Even in the Philippines, the Filipino language is a manifestation of long struggle for nationhood. President Manuel L. Quezon, the father of Filipino national language, initiated a proposal for the possession of distinctive national language that will hallmark symbolism of freedom by the Philippines for any foreign control. More so, the national language is intended in order for the Filipino to be united and to have a common language that is functional in communication, in able to bridge the difficulties brought by dialectical ethnicity in the Philippines.  As a result, the Republic Act 7356 is enacted into a law which shows the role of language in the promotion and development of Philippine culture (Cruz, 2014).

 The understanding of language varies locally and internationally. The former viewed language as nationalistic identity that defines the nationhood of the people. The latter see it as a ways in order to be globally competitive in the idea of international competency.  The depressing story is the fact that only in 1930’s is when the Philippines possess a language of its own, beforehand, the national language of the Philippines is Spanish in the time of Spanish colonization and English in the time of American occupation.

As a nation with long struggle for democracy, establishing national identity through national language is vital. Filipino language is like a person, it is essential to have a name of its own.  We should not set aside, the national identity and pride as a Pilipino people which is the primary purpose is to transmit and share next generation.

Akin to national identity, without human language, human culture would not exist. Language plays a crucial role in the maintenance of human social relationship (Budani, 2014). Today, people are just thinking that we study language in order to land in a good job and to be globally competitive. In the Philippines, as pointed out by Studios (2011) speaking English will make you intelligent and educated. In the sense that, common people in the Philippines are amazed when they saw a person speaking in English language, most specially, those people in lower socio-economic status. However, in other countries, speaking in English will only make you a good communicator. Studying English language allows us to become versatile and proficient as a language requirement in job interviews and work environments in the Philippines and overseas. In lieu, English is considered the international language and we cannot deny its importance. In 2014, Eskwela explicated the reality that, we cannot use Tagalog, Filipino or any of our dialects to communicate with people from different parts of the world. But English is used and understood in many countries all over the world, and people all over the world understand each other through it. The countries that use the English language cover almost half of the total land area of the world (pg 42). Likewise, it should not take into account that Filipino language is less important.

The truth is that, Filipino language is a manifestation of cultural identity that embraces all dialects in the Philippines. The studies of Regional languages and provincial dialects are important because they remain the lingua franca (common language) outside of Metro Manila. If you live in the province, it is the language you use at home. At the same time, learning Filipino and Regional language may be the key to national development, but preserving the different dialects is the key to preserving our heritage. This includes native songs and dances, folktales, beliefs, traditions and others. All efforts must be made to preserve our heritage by translating them in Filipino and propagating them through the different parts of the country (Eskwela, 2014).

The valuing of ethnic differences is necessary to settle the barriers set by dialectical differences – the value in understanding the feelings of each other.  Having said that, the worth of studying Filipino language is the value of understanding ourselves as a Filipino people.

Moreover, National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera is cognizant that, we could not remove the fact that English is used because of international prestige. This is because we were brought up and taught that we were occupied and our foreign colonizers instilled in us that we have a lower level of civilization, thus, we never stop aiming to be equal to other countries (Umil, 2014).  

Language is a tool that can be used to harness the intellectual and humanistic development of people. The language influences our culture and even our thought processes (Culture, 2014). To paraphrase a philosophy, language transcend to the humanistic values of the people that gives a life changing lesson. Essentially, the language and proper usage shapes our development as a human within the context of our environment.

 For the words of National Artist Lumbera, the Filipino language is not just a symbol of our nationhood. The Filipino language that is being taught in universities shows the value that we give to our life as a nation, which is anchored on the use of our own language to shape the way of thinking of the youth, as well as adults who are responsible for running our education system (Umil, 2014).

To summarize, language is not just a means of communication, but a symbol of our identity as a people. Language is not just a story of being globally competitive but a story of sharing our culture and understanding others. Language binds, not to separate people together.

References:

 Budani, P. (2014). Culture and language . Lecture paper from Anthropology class, Delaware State University. Retrieved from    http://www.udel.edu/anthro/budani/Culture%20and%20Language.pdf

CHED (2013). CHED memorandum (CMO) no. 20, series of 2013 .  Retrieved from http://www.ched.gov.ph

Cruz, A.,C. (2014, Aug 2 ). Language and culture. [National Commission for Culture] .  Retrieved from www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and- arts/articles…c…/article.php ?

Culture, (2014). Culture’s influence on perception. Retrieved from         http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/45975_Chapter_3.pdf

Eskwela (2014). A language of our own. Retrieved from http://eskwela-        apcnstp.wikispaces.com/file/view/A+Language+of+Our+Own.pdf

Klainerman, L. (2008). Influx & intervention: the appeal of english lexical     borrowings in France & Italy . Unpublished manuscript. Princeton    University. Retrieved from         http://idiom.ucsd.edu/~lklainer/Papers/Influx.pdf

UMIL, A.M. (2014). Educators, students form alliance to defend Filipino       language, subject . Retrieved from        http://bulatlat.com/main/2014/06/25/educators-students-form- alliance-to-defend-filipino-language-subject/#sthash.w1P8DaLb.dpuf

Puro, G. (2014). Filipino vs. English as a medium of instruction compilation. Retrieved from www.academia.edu .

Studios, M. (2011, Dec 6).  Language is culture: English vs. Filipino.    Retrieved from http://molybdenumstudios.wordpress.com

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Filipino Food Essay

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Philippine food culture is a reflection of the country’s complex past featured by three centuries of Spanish colonization and fifty years of the American rule. Moreover, it felt the influence of trade with China and Malaysia because the country was an important meal and trade route. In addition to it, Philippine cuisine was affected by its geographical location and climate. For this reason, Philippine cuisine is a mixture of three cultures – Spanish, Asian, and American – impacted by tropical and subtropical climate and sea proximity. However, it is what makes it even more fascinating.

Philippine culture is a culture of festivals known as fiesta. One of the specificities of these festivals is that each city has its local fiestas. Together with the fact that the country comprises of more than 7,000 small islands, it means that every day is a fiesta somewhere across the state. Except for these local feasts, there is also one overall fiesta, which takes place on Christmas. Other spectacular festivals are flower fiestas, fruit harvest festivals, hot-air balloon festivals, masquerade feasts, animist and various religious and farmers fests ( Festival guide to the 10 most awesome fiestas of the Philippines, 2014).

Philippine cuisine is rich with rice, fruit, fish, and seafood. However, because of the Spanish and American influence, meat, especially pork and chicken, are also served. That said, traditional dishes are sinigang, fish or shrimps with fruit, which best reflects the love for sour-sweet taste of food, adobo , pork or chicken cooked with garlic and vinegar, pancit, noodles with meat, fish, vegetables or any other ingredients, and lumpia, spring rolls with diverse fillings served either fried or fresh (Magat, 2002).

Primary cooking techniques include steaming, boiling, and frying for rice and vegetables, salting, drying and frying (both pan-frying and deep-frying) for fish and seafood, and frying for pork and chicken (“Philippine cuisine” , 2012). Because of such variety of cooking techniques used, the ways of eating and serving food also differ. However, what is common is that food is served with dipping sauces and is eaten with both forks and spoons, which are traditional for Western people, and fingers (Hamlett, n.d.). Dishes have a distinct tropical flavor because of a variety of tropical fruits and a sour-sweet taste. Main seasonings are soy sauce, vinegar, and fish sauce (“Philippine cuisine” , 2012).

The Philippines is a coffee-consuming country. That said, Filipinos traditionally serve and consume coffee, kape , with a great variety of desserts from rolls to cakes. Tea is not a popular beverage, even though there are some people, who prefer it to coffee because of growing health concerns and influence of caffeine on human organism. Except for coffee and tea, they also love different fruit drinks, especially served cold, such as fruit shakes and coconut juice. As of alcoholic beverages, beer, coconut vodka, tuba, and rice wine, tapuy, are common.

Climate and geographical location determine not only traditional dishes but also food items produces. That said, Philippine agricultural sector specializes in growing bananas, pineapples, rice, coconuts, maize, sugarcane, mangos, etc. ( Country profile – the Philippines, 2012). In addition to it, Filipinos also grow pigs and fowl.

So, Philippines is a country of festivals and a diversity of traditional dishes and beverages. Even though primary ingredients are rice, seafood, and fruit, a great variety of cooking techniques makes the Filipino food culture rich, so that everyone can find what he or she loves.

Country profile – the Philippines . (2012). Web.

Festival guide to the 10 most awesome fiestas of the Philippines . (2014). Web.

Hamlett, C. (n.d.) Food culture in the Philippines . Web.

Magat, M. C. (2002). Cuisine – Philippines. In K. Christensen & D. Levinson (Eds.), Encyclopedia of modern Asia (pp. 208-209). New York, NY: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Philippine cuisine. (2012). Filipino Reporter, p. 38.

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Home / Essay Samples / World / Philippines / Discovering My Identity: Embracing Filipino Values and Traits

Discovering My Identity: Embracing Filipino Values and Traits

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