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