CULTURE AND THE PHILIPPNE

SOCIETY

PHILIPPINE SOCIETY

The locals of the Philippines are called Filipinos. Their primary ancestors are the

Malays who came from the southeastern Asian country or what is now called Indonesia.

Before the Europeans discovered the country, Filipinos have had connections with China

that resulted to a mixed Chinese-Filipino descent. Spanish-Filipinos came out during the

colonial period and Filipino-Americans added a few percentages as well during the

American occupation. They are easily distinguished by their fairer color, taller stature and

fairly formed nose structure. A few Arab and Indian blood added to the racial mixture of

the Filipinos during their trading years. Aetas- the aboriginal group of the Philippines has

a small percentage remained in the composition of the country’s ethnic groups.

The Philippines is a combined society, both Singular and Plural in

form. Singular as one nation, but it is plural in that it is fragmented

geographically and culturally. The nation is divided between Christians,

Muslims, and other religion-ethno-linguistic groups; between urban and

rural people; between upland and lowland people; and between the rich

and the poor. Although different in a lot ways, the Filipinos are very

hospitable and give appropriate respect to anybody regardless of race,

culture and belief.

CULTURE

The Customs and Traditions of the Philippines

are strongly influenced by its colonized past. The

Spanish colonization of the Philippines, in fact

governed from Mexico, lasted for more than 350

years, thus there is an important presence of

Spanish influence in many aspect of the

Philippine culture. The Filipino language, more

commonly known as Tagalog, have many

borrowed Spanish words. Filipinos are religious

in nature; most of the present celebrated

traditions are a mix of Christian, Pagan and other

local religious rites.

The festival season is celebrated with church ceremonies, street

parades in honor of the patron saints, fireworks, and beauty and dance

contests for generations of old and new, and in some areas there are

even cockfighting tournaments. These Fiestas are also observed in

countries that had a Spanish occupational past. The Southern islands

of the country where the majority of the Islam faith exist in also

celebrate their own unique customs and traditions.

FILIPINO CULTURE

HISTORY

The culture of the Philippines reflects the country’s complex history. It is a blend

of the Malayo-Polynesian and Hispanic cultures with influences from Chinese.

Before the Spanish, there were already mixtures of cultures, the native people

similar to Melanesians and Australian aborigines a majority population of Malays

and Polynesians and small groups of people from other Southeast Asian

countries.

Philippines and Guam were the furthest colonies from Spain hence Philippines

were governed by Mexico.

LANGUAGE AND PEOPLE

Most common language is English and Filipino which is based on

Tagalog.

The majority of Filipinos are descendants from Austronesian people

who are closely related to the Chamorro people in Guam and

Mariana Islands.

The native population was related to the aborigines of Australia,

Melanesians, Chinese, Japanese and Indians.

RELIGION, ARTS, LITERATURE & MUSIC

Predominantly Roman Catholic, Aglipayan , Evangelical Christians,

Iglesia ni Cristo, other Christian denomination and Muslims.

Visual Arts- painting, indigenous art, kut-kut art, Islamic art.

Performing Arts- music and dance, cinema and television.

Hispanic influence is based on Indigenous and European tradition.

Folk dance, music and literature have remained intact in the 21st

century. These were introduced in 16th century from Spain and

Mexico.

ARCHITECTURE

From Nipa Hut (Bahay Kubo), Spaniards introduced stones as housing and building materials

Contemporary architecture has a distinctively western style although pre-Hispanic housing is still

common in rural areas.

CUISINE

Filipino cooks a variety of food influenced by the Spaniards, westerns and Asians.

Philippines are considered the melting pot of Asia. e.g.- Afritada Arroz caldo Calderata and

Pochero.

BUSINESS

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) play an integral role in the economic, political and social

development of the nation. Historically, the chamber can be traced back as early as 1890’s with the inauguration of the

Camara de Comercio de Filipinos.

In the first half of the 20th century commerce and industrial trades with other Hispanic countries declined due to the US

administration.

In 1998 marked the centennial celebration of Philippines Independence and opened a new opportunity for both Hispanic

and Filipino businesses to reconnect their historic ties as trade partners.

\FILIPINO TRAITS

Pakikisama

Utang na Loob

Bayanihan

Close family ties

CULTURE AND ITS INFLUENCES

Filipino cultures blend the indigenous traditions of the Philippines with the Hispanic and

American cultures, and also have distinct cultural traits of the Chinese, the Indonesians and the

Indians.

The Hispanic influences come largely from the cultural influence of Spain and Mexico. The

Hispanic influence stands visible in the religious festivals of the Roman Catholic Church. Filipinos hold

major festivities known as barrio fiestas to commemorate their patron saints. However, what strikes

one right away is the prevalence of Spanish surnames among the Filipinos. However, this was a result

of a colonial decree for the systematic distribution of family names and implementation of the Spanish

naming system amongst the Filipinos. So, a Spanish surname does not necessarily imply a Hispanic

heritage.

Besides, some of the Chinese traits are also found in Filipino

culture, particularly in the cuisine. Noodles, for instance, are known

locally as mami and are a standing testament of the Chinese cuisine.

Linguistic borrowings are the other way by which the Chinese culture

has seeped into the Philippines.

So far as the American legacy is concerned, English stands head and

shoulder above everything else that Americans might have given to the

Filipino way of life. Basketball is very popular another American trait.

America seems to have influenced the Philippines in much the same way

as it has influenced the rest of the world– through its fast-food revolution.

Fast-food joints are ubiquitous in the Philippines.

However, despite all the influences, the native moral codes are still

intact. The respect for the family, veneration of elders, and friendliness

continue to mark a Filipino's social life. Among the national heroes,

José Rizal tops the list. He was a Spanish-speaking reformist visionary

whose writings influenced the sense of national identity and awareness

and is a respected name still.

STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTERS

Strength of the Filipino Character

Pakikipagkapwa-Tao -regard for others with dignity and respect and

deal with them as fellow human being. -manifested in a basic sense

of justice and fairness and in concern for others results in

camaraderie and feeling of closeness to one another and promote

unity as well as sense of social justice.

Utang na Loob- sense of gratitude

Family Orientation- to the Filipino, one’s family is the source of personal

identity, the source of emotional and material support and the person’s

main commitment and responsibility.

Joy and Humor – Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving approach to

life and its ups and downs which is manifested in the Filipino’s love for

socials and celebrations, in our capacity to laugh even in the most

trying of times.

Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity - Filipinos have a great capacity to adjust

and to adapt to circumstances and to the surrounding environment, both

physical and social. - Filipinos possess a tolerance for ambiguity, creative,

resourceful, adept at learning and able to improvise and make use of whatever

is at hand in order to create and produce. - This quality is manifested in the

ability of the Filipino to adapt to life in any part of the world, the ability to make

new things out of scrap and to keep old machines running, the ability to accept

change.

Hard Work and Industry -Filipinos have the capacity for hard work given

the proper conditions. The desire to raise one’s standard of living and to

possess the essentials of a decent life for one’s family, combined with

the right opportunities and incentive stimulate the Filipino to work very

hard.

Faith and Religiosity – deep faith in God

Ability to Survive- manifested in the capacity to endure difficult times

and to get by even on so little.

Weaknesses of the Filipino Character

Extreme Personalism – manifested in the tendency to give personal

interpretations to actions, to take things personally.

Extreme family-centeredness – creates an image to which the Filipino is

fiercely loyal to the detriment of concern for the larger community or

common good. It manifests in the use of office and power as a means

of promoting the interests of the family, patronage and political

dynasties and in the protection of erring family members.

Lack of discipline – casual and relaxed attitude towards time and space which manifests itself in

lack of precision and compulsiveness, in poor time management and in procrastination.

Passivity and Lack of initiative – strong reliance on others, submissive to authority, Filipinos tend

to be complacent and there rarely sense of urgency about any problem.

Colonial Mentality – 2 dimension; Lack of patriotism and actual preference for things foreign. It

manifests in the alienation of the elite from their roots and from the masses, as well as in the basic

feeling of national inferiority that makes us difficult to relate as equals to westerners.

Kanya-kanya Syndrome- crab mentality, selfish, self- serving attitude.

ROOTS OF FILIPINO CHARACTER

Environment - Home, Social, Economic and Political

Culture and Language

History

Educational System

Religion

Mass media

Leadership and Role Models