Philippines Culture & People
 Culture
of the Philippines
The Customs and Traditions of the Philippines
are strongly influenced by its colonized past. The Spanish colonization
of the Philippines, actually governed from Mexico, lasted for more
than 350 years, thus there is a significant presence of Spanish
and Mexican influence in many facets of the Filipino culture. The
Filipino language, more commonly known as Tagalog, contains many
borrowed Spanish words. Most of the present celebrated religious
traditions are a mix of both Christian, Pagan and other local religious
rites. As an example, each year, towns from around the country hold
major festivities known as Fiesta which commemorate the patron saints
of each town, villages or regional districts. The festival season
is celebrated with church ceremonies, street parades in honor of
the patron saints, fireworks, 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 island of the country where the
majority of the Islam faith resides also celebrate their own customs
and traditions.
people
The Filipino is basically of Malay stock with a sprinkling of Chinese,
American, Spanish, and Arab blood. The Philippines has a population
of 76.5 million as of May 2000, and it is hard to distinguish accurately
the lines between stocks. From a long history of Western colonial
rule, interspersed with the visits of merchants and traders, evolved
a people of a unique blend of east and west, both in appearance
and culture.
The Filipino character is actually a little bit of all the cultures put together. The bayanihan or spirit of kinship and camaraderie that Filipinos are famous for is said to be taken from Malay forefathers. The close family relations are said to have been inherited from the Chinese. The piousness comes from the Spaniards who introduced Christianity in the 16th century. Hospitality is a common denominator in the Filipino character and this is what distinguishes the Filipino. Filipinos are probably one of the few, if not the only, English-proficient Oriental people today. Pilipino is the official national language, with English considered as the country's unofficial one.
The Filipinos are divided geographically and culturally into regions, and each regional group is recognizable by distinct traits and dialects - the sturdy and frugal llocanos of the north, the industrious Tagalogs of the central plains, the carefree Visayans from the central islands, and the colorful tribesmen and religious Moslems of Mindanao. Tribal communities can be found scattered across the archipelago. The Philippines has more than 111 dialects spoken, owing to the subdivisions of these basic regional and cultural groups.
The country is marked by a true blend of cultures; truly in the Philippines, East meets West. The background of the people is Indonesian and Malay. There are Chinese and Spanish elements as well. The history of American rule and contact with merchants and traders culminated in a unique blend of East and West, both in the appearance and culture of the Filipinos, or people of the Philippines.
Hospitality, a trait displayed by every Filipino, makes these people legendary in Southeast Asia. Seldom can you find such hospitable people who enjoy the company of their Western visitors. Perhaps due to their long association with Spain, Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life in a way that seems more Latin than Asian.
The Spaniards introduced Christianity (the Roman Catholic faith) and succeeded in converting the overwhelming majority of Filipinos. At least 83% of the total population belongs to the Roman Catholic faith.
The American occupation was responsible for teaching the Filipino people the English language. The Philippines is currently the third-largest English speaking country in the world.
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.
The Filipino cultural psyche
- Bayanihan: the creation of alliances with neighbors and the helping attitude whenever one is in dire need. Oftentimes, 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.
- Close Familial Ties: Filipinos tend to uphold close family ties. 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.
- Pakikisama: Pakikisama, or harmony, in English, involves getting along with others to maintain a harmonious relationship.
- Hiya: Hiya is shame and is a motivating factor behind behavior. It is a sense of social propriety and conforming to societal norms of behavior. 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: 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: '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'.
- Amor Propio: Concern for self image.
- Delicadeza: Sense of discretion
- Palabra de Honor: "word of honor"
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