Culture of the Philippines

The culture of the Philippines reflects the complexity of the History of the Philippines through the blending of pre-Hispanic indigenous Austronesian civilizations and the culture of Spain, imparted during Spain's 377 year colonial rule of the islands. Spanish colonization of the Philippines, governed from Mexico, lasted for more than three centuries, thus there is a significant amount of Spanish-Mexican influence in many facets of the Filipino custom and tradition. Hispanic influence are most visible in literature, folk music, folk dance, language, food, art and religion. Most of the present celebrated religious traditions are a mixture of both Roman Catholic, Pagan and indigenous religious rituals. As an example, each year, towns from around the country hold major festivities known as Barrio fiestas which commemorate the patron saints of each town, villages or regional districts. The festival season is celebrated with church ceremonies, with street parades (in honor of the patron saints), with fireworks, with beauty and dance contests (for generations of old and new), and with cockfighting tournaments. These Fiestas are also observed in most countries that had been part of the Spanish Empire. American influence are evident in the use of English language and contemporary pop culture such as fast-food, music, movies and basketball. The Southern island of the country where most of the followers of Islam are located, celebrate their own customs and traditions. While Chinese Filipinos living in the country also follow their own cultural production.

Philippine society

The Philippines is a mixed 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 religio-ethno-linguistic groups; between urban and rural people; between upland and lowland people; and between the rich and the poor.

Although these traits are generally positive, these practices also have the tendency to be applied in the wrong context. Close familial ties can also lead to nepotism. Pakikisama can lead to intolerance or even outright hostility of differences and of individual liberty. A debt of gratitude is sometimes repaid by giving special favors to the other person regardless of the moral outcome.

There is also a tying between Asian, European and Latin American etiquettes from previous external travelers and explorers who have influenced the Filipino culture as these behaviors and social norms and beliefs are found in the Filipino mainstream culture. Some of these behaviors continue over with Overseas Filipinos.

Family

It should be emphasized that the close familial ties are upheld to the highest extent. The primary social welfare system for the Filipino is the family. Many Filipinos live near their family for most of their lives, even as independent adults. A nuclear family is very common among Filipinos. When it comes to Divorce the policy in the Philippines is it is illegal.[1] President Arroyo and Cardinal Sin provide insight and believe it is "un-Filipino, immoral, unconstitutional and a danger to the Filipino family." Others point out that in the past that ancestral tribes did practice divorce and that the "reign of the Pope via the Spanish crown" to be the source of such laws.

Courtship amongst the Filipino people is heavily influenced by Spanish and Roman Catholic traditions. Many parents disapprove of girls visiting boys' homes. Usually, the boy comes to the girl's house to formally introduce himself to her parents and family. The Filipino must win the Filipina's parents approval. At home, corporal punishment is commonly practiced among the Filipino family as children are often spanked as a form of discipline. Filipinos use their belts, hands and canes to spank their children.

Amongst great distances of the family, Balikbayan boxes are transferred through vast distances as some are compelled to move to international territories.[8] These overseas Filipinos send huge boxes called the "Balikbayan box" to their families back in the motherland containing goods, gadgets and/or popular trendy items. They also bring "Balikbayan boxes" when they return to their motherland on vacation to visit their family. Sometimes their families at the Philippines return the favor and send exotic food items only found in the Philippines or indigenous property expressing Filipino workmanship. It is another way to express cultural exchange and a way of helping out their families at home.

Respect

Amongst the respect due, the use of "Po" and "opo" are common expressions of respect for one's elders. Respect in the culture between young and old is acted out though cultural ritual by taking the elders right hand and applying to the forehead of thyself. Not only is respect due to elders but also among peers. Younger siblings are expected to respect their older brothers and sisters, because Filipinos use pakikisama, or harmony in English, to maintain a harmonious relationship.

Hiya is shame and is a motivating factor behind behavior. It is a sense of social propriety and of conformity to societal norms. Filipinos believe they must live up to the accepted standards of behavior; and if they fail to do so, they bring shame not only upon themselves but also upon their family. An example might be a willingness to spend more than they can afford on a party rather than be shamed by their economic circumstances. If someone is publicly embarrassed, criticized, or does not live up to expectations, they feel shame and lose self-esteem.

Utang na Loob, or Debt of Gratitude, is owed by one to a person who has helped him through the trials he had undergone. There is a local saying that goes: 'Ang Hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay Hindi makararating sa paroroonan', meaning, 'One who does not look back to where he started, will not get to where he is going.'

There are other expressions of respect such as Amor Propio means concern for self image; Delicadeza means a sense of discretion; and Palabra de Honor and means "word of honor."

Before entering the home, some Filipinos remove their footwear. This act symbolizes respect for the home. Since many routes in the Philippines are unpaved and also since the Philippines is located in a tropical zone, shoes tend to get muddy and dirty. Removing the shoes removes the burden of from the home owner to clean. When a visitor comes to ones home, food and drinks are provided to visitors. As a part of Filipino table manners, it is considered disrespectful if someone will not accept hospitality. Filipinos may lend guests their bed for the night. Dining is part of the whole social exercise; people will not start eating until everyone is seated and has been served food.

Community

The creation of alliances with neighbors and the helping attitude whenever one is in dire need is what Filipinos called Bayanihan. Often, the Bayanihan spirit in action can be seen when a bus gets a flat tire. The bystanding or surrounding Filipinos would assist the bus driver in whatever undertakings to get the bus back on going. This can be contrasted with the individualistic attitude more prevalent in some other societies.

There are several ways that Filipinos get around by riding jeepneys, buses and cars. In urban areas, there are trains such as LRT and MRT as well as boats, taxis, and ferries. In rural areas carabaos are often used for transport. Bus transportation is used to get from one major city to another. Taxis or tricycles are used to get to place to place within the city. The driving style in the country follows that one honks the horn to warn of oncoming vehicle.

Superstition

Voodoo, Psychic surgeons and medicine men and women are commonly practised in most indigenous Filipino rituals. These spiritual-ritual practises are mostly located in the rural areas, throughout the islands.

Psychic surgeons are people who are seen using slight-of-hand operations to remove tumors and diseased tissue. These spiritual healers are seen sticking their hands into the patents body extracting bloody human flesh leaving the patient scar free. While others see this practice of as being fake, others who still accept this alternative healing method as a way to take advantage of its placebo effect. See YouTube video on "Psychic Surgery".

Caskets of Filipinos are often covered with glass. Many foreign relatives come to mourn the death of their lost ones. Deceased men are dressed in Barong Tagalogs. Death is very emotional and very expressive experience among close ones. Many people are seen wearing black. [19] Women are seen wearing black clothings and veils during a funeral. Widows are seen wearing black attires for the whole year.

Main article: Philippine mythology

Before the coming of the Spaniards and the introducing of Roman Catholicism, the indigenous inhabitants were adherents of animism, or the worship of nature. Bathala was the supreme God of the Tagalogs, represented by the araw, or sun, but not all the tagalogs believed in it. Ninuno, or the ancient ancestors, were the people who taught Filipinos/tagalogs who will be in the future; they believed in the supreme God. Also, the supreme God of the Bikolanos was Gugurang. Other Tagalog Gods and Goddesses include the buwan (or moon), tala (or stars), and objects (such as trees, shrubs, mountains, or rocks). However, they were not the real kinds of Gods and Goddesses; they were representations for some Filipinos/Tagalogs; or they were representations as gifts. As major religions began to sweep the island, most Filipinos became Christians, who only believe in one God; but some Filipinos became Muslims, especially in the southern part of the country like Mindanao. Spirits such as aswang (ghoul), tikbalang (a man having the head of a horse), kapre (a giant that is smoking tobacco), tiyanak (monster-like, vampire-esque child), santelmo (fireball), duwende (dwarves and elves), manananggal (witches who feed on fetus' blood), engkanto (minor spirits), and diwata (fairies/nymphs) are believed to pervade the Philippines. Aside from that, voodoo practices were practiced by the pre-colonial inhabitants, such as pangkukulam, or witchcraft. Beliefs such as usog (a child greeted by a stranger will get sick) and lihi (unusual craving for something during pregnancy) are also present. These beliefs were carried on up to the present generation of Filipinos, which has led some foreign authors to describe them as 'Pagano-Christians.'

Wealth and beauty

The belief that "white is beautiful" is held by Filipino women and practised by staying out of the sun to keep one from getting dark. Even at a young age, children are taught and practice this belief. Furthermore, many of these women use bleaching or whitening skin products to keep skin white, and they also use anti pimple or anti blackhead products. Bias towards favoring white skin came from influential occupations of the Spanish and Americans which many Filipinos still continue to believe today.

Fat people are considered to be healthier and better off than those who are skinny.

Rebonding and hair relaxing are popular among teenagers. Spa treatments are also famous. Indulging in various salon treatments are a common activity among well-off Filipinos which helps in the rising popularity of salons such as F Salon, Ricky Reyes and David's salon which includes famous hair stylist such as Fanny Serrano, Jun Encarnation and Ricky Reyes.

In formal gatherings, men wear Barong Tagalogs, a translucent pearl white shirt, usually made of pina (pineapple) fibers or Jusi (banana) fibers.

At home or in very casual settings, Filipinos are either barefoot or seen with slippers instead of shoes. Due to the humid tropical climate, men are often found in a tank top or even bare-chested, wearing shorts and a towel on their shoulder to wipe away the sweat.

In the rural areas of the country, some resort to bathing naked in public.Those who live near rivers take baths there; natives use river stones analogous to washcloths to scrub themselves. Since water pressure is lacking in many areas of the country, many people resort to using buckets (timba at tabo) for bathing. People are so used the routine of using the bucket bath method that they continue to use it even when water pressure is more than adequate for shower use.Places that have adequate water pressure like hotels do have running shower heads.

Communication

Some urban and rural Filipinos often call for attention by saying "hoy panget!" (meaning: Hey ugly!, in the Tagalog language) or using a rising hiss like a snake by saying "psst."

In order to greet a friend, or express "what's up," one usually whips his head upward for acknowledgment.

The use of lips to point is widely practiced. Instead of using your pointer fingers, Filipinos may point with their lips extended out to indicate the position of an object.

Telecommunications and e-mail are popular as well as the usage of cell phones. Many Filipinos own mobile phones. Sending SMS messages is a common way of communication. The Philippines is considered to be the Txt capital of the world sending millions of SMS messages a day.

Source: Wiki