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.

Language
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.

Culture
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.

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

Religion
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.

 
Sports
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.

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.

Meals
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.

Conclusion
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.

 
Filipino Customs and Traditions
by  Cecil Abundo  on January 13, 2015

Photo by Mommysaurus75 of flickr.com

 Mano Po

Our culture is a big reflection of our great and complex history. It is influenced by most
of the people we have interacted with. A blend of the Malayo-Polynesian and Hispanic
culture with the influence from Chinese, Indians Arabs, and other Asian cultures really
contribute to the customs and traditions of the Filipinos.

Filipino culture is unique compared to other Asian countries, and beliefs apply every
day in the life of the Filipinos and reveal how rich and blessed the culture the people
have.

Let’s review some of the popular Filipino traditions and find the similarities that bind
Filipinos to each other.

First on the list is Mano Po. When children or young people greet or say goodbye to
their elders they typically do so by taking the right hand of the elder with their right
hand and touch the back the elder's hand lightly on their forehead. It is a way of giving
respect to the elders and I believe that is also a way of receiving blessing to the
elders. 

Mano is a Spanish word for “hand” while Po is used in the end of the sentence when
addressing elders or superiors.

Next is that Filipinos are one of the most hospitable people you may find anywhere.
Foreign visitors in the country are treated with the utmost respect. This trait is usually
seen during fiestas and holidays where many  Filipinos are giving their best to
entertain their visitors well.

It is amazing to see that even the simplest home along the road opens their home to a
stranger. For Filipinos, to be able to serve others gives them honor of showing true
friendship. Filipino Hospitality is a trait you can't take away from them.

Having Close Family Ties is also one of their unique traits. It is one of the
outstanding cultural values that Filipinos have. The family takes care of each other and
are taught to be loyal to family and elders by simply obeying their authorities. This is
one of the unique characteristics of Filipinos. Having fondness for family reunions
during secular and religious holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s eve, All Saints’
Day, Holy Week, Fiestas, homecomings, birthdays, weddings, graduations, baptisms,
funerals etc. is evidence that Filipino people valued not only our cultural tradition but
the spirit of our family. As Filipinos, we are blessed to have been brought up with
strong family ties.

Bayanihan
Photo by B l a c k S w a n of flickr.com

Have you ever experienced the bayanihan in our country?  It is the spirit of communal
unity or effort to achieve a particular objective. A famous example of this is the
neighbors carrying a hut or house to a new location. People nowadays use it to
describe an outpouring of community spirit-as people give their all to the common
good, without expecting recognition or personal gain.
 
Courtship

We Filipinos are very romantic when it comes to heart affairs. Serenading or Harana in
Tagalog is one of the most popular forms of courtship to show that a man is very
serious with his intentions to a woman. A serenade would require the young man to
sing a love song in front of the young lady's house. Normally, he is accompanied by his
male friends who act as back-up singers. The man himself or his friend played the
instrument, usually a guitar, which provides the background music to his song.

They would have to wait until the young lady opened a window to listen. It would be
up to her if she wanted to invite them in for some refreshment and to chat after the
song. Even if they had been asked to come in, the suitor would not expect that he
could have the chance of a private moment with his object of affection. It was highly
likely that the parents would also be there to entertain the man and his friends.

Religion

The Philippines is one of two predominantly Roman Catholic nations in Asia-Pacific.

Their habit of going to church and often praying reflects that Filipinos have a deep
faith and belief when it comes to religion. They are very devoted to religions that
sometimes many take the risk of their lives just to touch the Black Nazarine (in Quiapo
Manila). For many, it is just a choice between their faith and fears.

Filipinos believe that having a strong devotion may lead to a better life and their
guidance to face everyday life.

Superstition

In the Philippines, superstitious beliefs have grown throughout the country. These
beliefs have come from the different sayings and beliefs of our ancestors that aim to
prevent danger from happening or to make a person refrain from doing something in
particular.

These beliefs are part of our culture, for one derives their beliefs from the influences of
what their customs, traditions and culture have dictated to explain certain phenomena
or to scare people. Some are practiced primarily because Filipinos believe that there is
nothing to lose if they will comply with these beliefs.
   
Cuisine

The Philippines is considered the melting pot of Asia. The rich medley of Chinese,
Malay, Spanish, Mexican, American, and Indian cooking are noticed in Philippine
cuisine.  Eating out is one of the favorite Filipino pasttimes. A typical Pinoy diet
consists at most of six meals a day; breakfast, snacks, lunch, snacks, dinner, and again
a midnight snack before going to sleep. Rice is a staple in the Filipino diet, and is
usually eaten together with other dishes. Filipinos regularly use spoons together with
forks and knives. Some also eat with their hands, especially in informal settings, and
when eating seafood.
Other popular dishes brought from Spanish and Southeast Asian influences include
afritada, asado, chorizo, empanadas, mani (roasted peanuts), paksiw (fishor pork,
cooked in vinegar and water with some spices like garlic and pepper), pan de sal
(bread rolls), pescado frito (fried or grilled fish), sisig, torta(omelette), kare-kare (ox-
tail stew), kilawen, pinakbet (vegetable stew), pinapaitan, and sinigang (tamarind soup
with a variety of pork, fish, or prawns). Some delicacies eaten by some Filipinos may
seem unappetizing to the Western palate include balut (boiled egg with a fertilized
duckling inside), longanisa (sweet sausage), and dinuguan (soup made from pork
blood).

Popular snacks and desserts such as chicharon (deep fried pork or chicken skin), halo-
halo (crushed ice with evaporated milk, flan, and sliced tropical fruit),puto (white rice
cakes), bibingka (rice cake with butter or margarine and salted eggs), ensaymada
(sweet roll with grated cheese on top), polvoron (powder candy), and tsokolate
(chocolate) are usually eaten outside the three main meals. Popular Philippine
beverages include San Miguel Beer, Tanduay Rhum,coconut arrack, and tuba.

Every province has its own specialty and tastes vary in each region. In Bicol, for
example, foods are generally spicier than elsewhere in the Philippines. Patis, suka,
toyo, bagoong, and banana catsup are the most common condiments found in Filipino
homes and restaurants. Western fast food chains such asMcDonald's, Wendy's, KFC,
and Pizza Hut are a common sight in the country.

A roasted pig known as the Lechón, is one of the Philippines most popular dishes.

Marriage and Wedding Customs

Photo by mkryanortega of flickr.com
 A sacred marriage

In the country, marriage is a sacred union of man and women after a period of
courtship and engagement. It is a sacrament between two people who love each
others. For many Filipinos, the eternal quality of dedication to God pervades a truly
sacred marriage.

A sacred marriage is a covenant between two who love each other in God and with
God, whose joining becomes an expression of the desire of each to love and serve God
together.

Death

Death in the Philippines is one of the most important occasions in family life. For many
Filipinos, a death of relatives is an opportunity to strengthen ties in the Family. To pay
respect and honor the relationship to the deceased, long lost relatives, friends, and
even relatives working abroad are reunited.

The Philippines is the home of some unique death rituals that are partly religious and
mostly superstitious. The mourning and the weeping are still present, but a happy and
welcoming atmosphere would usually envelop the place to help the deceased on his
journey to the afterlife.

After the death of a person, a nine-day period of having a novena of prayers and
Masses offered up to the deceased is held, although the beginning of the "Siyam na
araw" varies, but usually ends the week after the death. Another period follows after
death, the 40-day mourning period. Family members indicate their state of
bereavement by wearing a small, black rectangular plastic pin on their left breast or
breast pocket area. A ceremonial mass is held at the end of this 40-day period.
Common belief states that the soul goes to Heaven after these 40 days, following the
belief that Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven after the said period of days.

 
Society

The primary ancestors of Filipinos are Malays who came from the southeastern Asian
country which is now called Indonesia. The Philippines is a combined society, both
singular and plural in form. It is singular as one nation, but plural in that it is
fragmented geographically and culturally. The nation is divided between Christians,
Muslims, and other religious-ethno-linguistic groups; between urban and rural people;
between upland and lowland people; and between the rich and the poor. Although
different in numerous ways, the Filipinos are very hospitable and give appropriate
respect to everybody regardless of race, culture and belief.

Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas in the Philippines is considered as one of the biggest holidays in the

archipelago. We earned the distinction of celebrating the world’s longest Christmas
season with Christmas carols heard as early as September and lasting until Epiphany,
the feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9 or the Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú
on the third Sunday of January.

In one’s article, Archbishop Cruz told in his Christmas message that "the essence of
Christmas is God made flesh, God who has come among us" in an act of love "that
joins humankind to the Living God through our Lord Jesus Christ".
For many Filipinos, the true essence of Christmas for is not gift giving but sharing this
special holy day with family.
 
Fiestas

Every town and city in the Philippines has a fiesta of its own; whatever time of the
year it is, there's sure to be a fiesta going on somewhere.

Fiestas in the Philippines are held to celebrate a patron saint. It is part and parcel of
Filipino culture through good times and bad times, it must go on. The biggest and
most elaborate festival of all is Christmas, a season celebrated with all the pomp and
pageantry where the whole country breaks out in celebrations that can begin long
before December.

For individual Filipinos, fiestas can be a way of supplicating the heavens or to make
amends for past wrongs. It is a way to celebrate their blessings, commemorate their
past and observe solemn religious rituals. Celebrations may take the form of music,
dancing, feasting, beauty contests, balls, processions, sports challenges or a host of
other events.

Spanish influence is evident in the elaborate masks, makeup, headdresses and

costumes worn by the revelers; outfits which often take months of preparation.

Living with Parents

Filipinos highly value the presence of family more than anything. Adult children living
with their parents are another Filipino traditional that make them exceptional. Unlike in
the United States where children leave the home after finishing high school or college,
many Filipinos continue living with parents until they get married.
 
Eating with a Fork and Spoon

One Filipinos identity is that they are eat using a fork and a spoon. The fork is place in
the left hand while the spoon is in the right hand. Fork is used to place or push the
food into the spoon which is held by the right hand.
Since rice is the main staple of the Filipinos at almost every meal, the fork and spoon
method is ideal. It is believe that the use of a spoon and a fork is perfect for the way
Southeast Asians prepare and cook their food. Unlike the Americans who like their
meats and other food items in big slabs and humongous chunks, Southeast Asians
generally prepare their dishes in bite-sized pieces -- chopped, minced or ground -- thus
leaving no real need for a knife. 
 
Eating with Hands (Kamayan)
In addition to the use of the fork and spoon, eating with your hands or kamayan is
another common Filipino tradition. For many Filipinos, kamayan gives full taste to the
food instead of using utensils. Gather a small portion of meat or fish and a bite-sized
portion of rice on your plate. Then use all your fingers to gather the food into a small
mountain or mound. Pick up the little mound and put it in your mouth using your
thumb to gently push the food in.

Filipinos usually eat rice that has a slightly sticky consistency so making the little
mounds is easier than if you were to use a jasmine or basmati rice. Of course, this
method of eating doesn't work with soup/stew or noodles and other kinds of food but
for your basic plate of rice, meat/fish and vegetables it works quite well! Next time you
make dinner try eating kamayan.
 
Balikbayan Boxes

Some Filipinos leave the Philippines to live and work abroad. A balikbayan box is a box
of items sent by the balikbayan to their family in the Philippines. The box can be sent
or it can be brought by the sender when they themselves return to the Philippines. 
Balikbayan boxes come in all different sizes and dimensions from bulilit (small) to extra
large. It can be filled with almost anything but it is usually filled with items that cannot
be found in the Philippines or items that may be too expensive for the average person
to buy in the Philippines. Common items found in balikbayan boxes include: clothes,
shoes, chocolate, nuts, vitamins, basketballs, coffee and tea, magazines,
shampoo/conditioner, soap, body lotion, etc.
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 Tradition of Filipinos: 100 Best Things about being Pinoy
What is being a Pinoy?Here are some of the Things about being a Pinoy

1. Simbang Gabi. Nine dawn masses during the Christmas season. Attended by the
religious, the people with panata, the uzis, and the girl and boy watchers. Of course,
Simbang Gabi is not complete without the mouth-watering bibingka and puto bumbong sold
outside the church.

2. Tabô. An absolute way of identifying a kabayan in a foreign land.

3. Po at opo. Shows the importance and respect accorded to the elderly and the authority.
Children in the Tagalog areas are taught (trained?) to say po and opo before and after every
sentence.

4. Tingi-tingi. Where else can we buy one tablespoon of Star margarine, peanut butter, or
matamis na bao? Or a 10 ml shampoo and a five gram toothpaste in a sachet?

5. Sawsawan. Patis, toyo at kalamansi, suka at sili. Spices up ordinary dishes and gives one
freedom to experiment with various concoctions. What better way to stimulate the
appetite? Hmmm!

6. San Miguel Beer. Considered to be one of the world's best. Para sa Pinoy, iba ang may
pinagsamahan.

7. Kakanin. Puto, kutsinta, sapin-sapin, suman sa ibus, bibingka, puto bungbong, maja
blanka, bico, atbp. What would fiestas, Pasko, Bagong Taon, at Pista ng Patay be without
these native delicacies?

8. Kutkutin. Butong pakwan, kalabasa, kornik, at mani. Sa lamayan, sa handaan, sa inuman,

o sa kuwentuhan, kutkutin ang kailangan.

9. Parol. The Pinoy symbol of the Star of Bethlehem. Bright and colorful, the parol adorns
every household during the Christmas season. Parol

10. Pambahay. Ang isang Pinoy, naka-amerikana man sa opisina o kaya'y naka-uniporme sa
eskuwela, ay siguradong magpapalit sa duster, puruntong, o kaya'y t-shirt pag-uwi ng
bahay. At 'di tulad ng mga dayuhan na ang tsinelas ay sapatos pa rin, ang tsinelas ng Pinoy
ay Spartan, bakya, o kaya'y abaca.

11. Song translations. Foreign song hits translated to Filipino to become more
madamdamin.

12. Dirty Ice Cream. Well-loved by Filipino children, the dirty ice cream is pedalled from one
household to another. This ice cream comes in the usual cones and sometimes, on bread
bunwiches. It costs cheap and has a variety of flavors
- cheese, mango, avocado, chocolate. Name it and the Mamang Sorbetero has it!

13. Balut, penoy. Balut is the luscious embryo of ducks. Penoy, on the other hand, is also
duck egg but without the baby duck. Both are Pinoy delicacies and both are very nutritious.
As they say, "Ang balut at penoy ay pampalakas ng tuhod".

14. Choc-nut. Who could ever forget Choc-nut, the sweet mini peanut butter bars which
give everyone, young and old alike, delight? As they say, once you get to taste it, there's no
stopping your asking for more!
15. Sabong. The Filipino term for cock derby, sabong is a favorite Pinoy past time,
especially in the rural communities. It has its own mechanics and rules which make the
game more exciting.

16. Ninoy Aquino. A model of bravery and self-sacrifice, he is certainly one Pinoy whom we
can be truly proud of. He has uttered the words "A Filipino is worth dying for" and has thus
proven this by offering his life for the Filipino people.

17. Sing-a-long. This is a clear proof of the Filipino's love for music.
Everywhere you go, may it be in bars, in small restaurants or even in carnivals, you'll
always find a sing-a-long machine (which can be considered as the modern version of juke
box stations). Just drop a coin or two and pronto!!!
- you'll hear the latest songs on play.

18. Christmas season. We are the folks to observe the longest Christmas season. And why
not? The spirit of giving and sharing is in our hearts.

19. Soap operas. Flor de Luna, Gulong ng Palad, Anna Luna, Mula sa Puso. Long before the
telenovelas became hits in t.v., these soap operas captured the interest of the Filipino
viewing masses. With themes tackling the ups and downs of life, these programs continued
to touch and influence the lives of many.

20. Pinoy Komiks. Aliw, Hiwaga, Liwayway. Long before international magazines like
Glamour, Vogue, Teen, etc. came out in circulation, these Pinoy publications were printed
and suited for the needs of the Filipino masses.

21. Ano, kuwan, eh. These are the expressions Filipinos use when they find themselves at a
loss for the words. It is common to hear a Filipino saying "yung ano" or "yung kuwan" at
the middle of a conversation. Amusing, isn't it? These 'word-gap-fillers' certainly work.
What's amazing is that we manage to
understand each other even when we're not certain about what the other is talking about!

22. Halo-halo. A very delicious refreshment that offers a variety of native sweets. Halo-halo
is more than just a desert, it is a meal in itself.

multo, kapre, tikbalang...

23. Multo, kapre, tikbalang, manananggal, tik-tik, duwende. Spooky creatures that added
spice to our childhood adventures. Stories about these grotesque creatures never fail to
amaze us.

24. Jeans. Comfort is a very important factor to consider when we're expressing our fashion
statement and there's no doubt, we find comfort in jeans.

25. Hilod. Long before loofah invaded the Filipinos bathrooms, hilod was the available
"scouring pad" of our bodies. It just proves that we Filipinos value personal hygiene.

26. Darna, Dyesebel, Cap't Barbel, Lastik Man, Kenkoy. They are the Filipino superheroes
who were created by the imaginative minds of Filipino cartoonists and artists. Initially
introduced in print media, these characters also appeared in television when special
cartoon shows and movies were created for them.

27. Kamag-anak. A Filipino has hundreds of kamag-anak. Filipinos value kinship so much
that we acknowledge even the "pamangkin of the pinsan of the bayaw of the kapatid...."

28. CJ de Silva. If da Vinci or Van Gogh were still alive, they would truly hail this very young
painter who is, well, a Pinay.
29. Sarao jeepney. A showcase of the Filipino ingenuity, the jeepney is the assembled
remnants of World War II. You have to agree with us , it's much more economical to ride
jeepneys, especially in these days of economic slump.

30. Tricycles, sidecars, pedicabs. Thank God for these vehicles which can squeeze in at even
the narrowest "eskinita" in our country and for the pedicab drivers who furiously pedal to
bring us to our destinations.

31. Philippine Eagle. This magnificent, royal, and endangered bird is Filipino, too. Now, if
only we could save them from extinction.

32. Terno, baro't saya, Barong Tagalog. One of the unique and best ways of representing
the Pinoys abroad.

33. Paeng, Akiko, Lydia, Bea, Onyok, Eric, etc. They make their fellows Pinoys and Pinays
gleam with pride and hope that we will soon be recognized as champions in the Olympic
games.

34. Resilience. Spanish colonization, American rule, Japanese invasion, earthquakes,

typhoons, Martial Law, coup d'etats, El Niño-we have seen them all, we have survived them
all.

35. Padala. This is the Filipino system of delivery or door-to-door

remittances. It is usual to hear an OFW asking a companion to drop an item or two for his
family back at the Philippines.

36. Nora at Vilma. Celebrities who have the largest circle of LOYAL fans. We should thank
them for gracing the Philippine cinema and stage with their charisma, extraordinary
talents, and unique beauties.

37. Dolphy. The greatest Filipino comedian of all times. Pidol is the longest living, too.

38. Sarsi. You're not a Filipino if you haven't had a gulp of this
sarsaparilla. Known to many as the Filipino root beer, Sarsi has a distinctive Filipino taste.

39. Jollibee. The Filipino version of McDonald's, this food chain has captured the taste of the
Filipinos with its specialties like the Yum, the Champ, and the palabok fiesta. Tayo nang
magpunta sa Jollibee at langhapin ang sarap dito!

40. Divisoria. Divisoria offers a variety of items to choose from at very, very low price-
shoes, shirts, bags, textiles, candles, toys. Name it and Divisoria
has it!

41. Bahay-Kubo. The traditional humble homes of Filipinos in the provinces. This structure,
which is made from materials like pawid, kugon, and nipa, manifests the ingenuity and
resourcefulness of Filipinos.

42. Siesta. When the sun is at its peak, what else can one do? Well, we ordinarily spend our
afternoons taking a break from school or office work or even from household chores by
snoozing. We have devised a way of elluding the heat of the noonday sun. Thank heavens,
there's such a thing as siesta!

43. Balikbayan Box. They say that Filipinos are inherently generous, especially when it
comes to giving pasalubong and other presents. Well, this is one of the clear proofs that we
surely are generous! Balikbayans come home with 2 x 2 x 2 ft boxes filled with corned beef,
shampoos, and bars of soaps which are to be given to their relatives and friends.

44. Pasalubong. Ang ina-abangan ng lahat-ang pasalubong. Pumunta man sa ibang bansa,
sa kabilang barrio, o sa kabilang kanto, kailangan may dalang pasalubong.
45. Pagmamano. Respect for the elders can be shown in various ways. Pagmamano is THE
Filipino way.

46. Bayanihan. Put simply. It's pagtutulngan sa oras ng pangangailangan.

47. San Lorenzo Ruiz. The first Filipino saint, he is an exemplar of courage and martyrdom
for the Catholic faith. Thank heavens we have him for a saint. At least now, we can be
assured that someone up there is praying for the Filipino people.

48. Kapit-bahay. He lives outside of your house, he's certainly not an outsider to your
family. He's someone you frequently chat with when you have nothing else to do at home.
You share your blessing with him, even your family's viand for the day. Yes, that's your
friendly neighbor.

49. Filipino folktales. Who could ever forget the intrepidity of Lam-ang, the struggles of
Malakas at Maganda, and the salient idleness of Juan Tamad? Well, these are the stories
Filipino children grew up with. Passed on from generation to another by word of mouth,
these folk tales continue to enrich the heritage of the Filipinos.

50. Bagoong. Who could ever say no to manggang hilaw topped with mouth-watering
bagoong? Well, I can't.! Bagoong, one the Pinoy's specialties, is made from small fishes or
shrimps. Despite its not so attractive appearance, bagoong simply is irrisistible. Tropical
fruits 51. Tropical fruits. Mangga, saging, dalanghita, lanzones, siniguelas, papaya, tis-an
unending list of fruits to choose from. This is certainly one of the best things we can offer
especially to those foreigners who never had a taste of these succulent fruits.

52. U.P. The Philippines' premier state university, U.P. is known for producing intellectual,
vigilant, and patriotic citizens.

53. Kapwa. A word that can't be translated because this is unique to Pinoy's culture. We
don't treat others as strangers but as people we can identify with, as people who in some
ways all connected with us.

54. Magsasaka. Being an agricultural country, farming is the foundation of the Philippines'
economy.

55. Filipino dances. Tinikling, Pandanggo sa ilaw, Itik-itik. These Filipino dances exhibit the
innate gracefulness of the Filipino.

56. Samalamig. Sago't gulaman, melon juice, buko juice. Siguradong pamatid uhaw.

57. Mayon volcano. Considered as the eight wonder of the natural world, Mayon Volcano
has a perfect cone shape and smooth slope.

58. Streetfoods. Fishball, isaw, kikiam, banana Q, maruya, turon, adidas, bituka, dugo,
laman-loob. These are the foods that can be seen along the streets. Tasty and delicious,
these are truly Pinoy.

59. Filipino singers. Lea, Regine, Monique, Pilita, Ka Freddie. The Pinoys are very musically-
inclined. And these world-renowned artsists are the proofs of it.

60. Filipino actors and actresses. Nora Aunor, Philip Salvador, Vilma Santos, Albert
Martrinez, Lea Salonga. Though we only have a few internationally-acclaimed actors and
actresses, their awards still show how talented we Filipinos are.

61. Jose Rizal. Some say he is the greatest Filipino ever. He fought with his pen and not
with his strength, which is far, far more powerful.
62. Larong Pinoy. Patintero, sungka, piko, tumbang preso, sipa, chatô. These games show
the creativity of the Pinoy mind. Long before arcade games came into being, these games
were already played and enjoyed by our lolos and lolas.

63. Pilots and seamen. Pinoy pilots and seamen are the best in the world. I, for one, would
not hesitate to trust my life with them.

64. Lupang hinirang. The Philippine national anthem. The march that shows the love of
every Filipino to their mother country.

65. Ate, kuya, tito, tita, lolo, lola, manong, manang. We use these words although the
people we address to are not our relatives. These show how much respect we give to
elders.

66. Turo-turo. Turo-turo are food stands that are seen along the streets. Their menu of
homecooked meals are on display and customers point (turo) to the food they want to eat,
thus the name. Fods in these establishments are cheap and delicious.

67. Chicharon. Chicharon is anything that is deep fried, very crunchy, and dipped in vinegar.
Pinoys are very fond of this delicacy.

68. Sinigang. According to one writer, sinigang is the best viand to represent the Pinoy.
Sinigang is a blend of spiciness and sourness that will certainly make mouths water.

69. All Saints' Day. The celebration of the Pista ng Patay in the Philippines is very festive.
People spend days in the cemetery. This tradition manifests the respect the Filipino has for
the dead.

70. Banaue Rice Terraces. Banaue rice terraces is one of the best sights in the Philippines
and is considered to be the eight wonder of the modern world. The rice terraces showcases
the perseverance ingenuity of the Pinoys.

71. Fiestas. Fiestas are celebrated in respect for the town's patron saint, usually thanking
the saint for a prosperous harvest. Everyone is welcome in every house and there's no limit
to what you can eat.

72. Basketball. Basketball is a very popular game in the Philippines. Fans would kill and be
killed for the sake of its favorite team.

73. Lambanog. Why drink tequila when there's a cheaper, not to mention, tastier
alternatives available?

74. Hospitality. Pagiging magiliw sa bisita is a Pinoy trait that can be easily observed.
Everyone is welcome and very much taken cared of.

75. Paglalamay. Filipinos pay their last respects to the deceased as they spend sleepless
nights praying for and watchng over him/her.

76. Festivals. The fun-loving nature of the Pinoys is manifested in the different festivals for
which they spend much time, effort, and money celebrating.

77. Panliligaw. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, and live happily ever after, right? …Not
quite! In panliligaw, it's boy meets girl, he serenades her, brings her flowers, chocolates,
and the like, serves her family, confesses his love for her… What happens next is up to her.

78. Tuba. The all-time favorite of manginginom in lands where coconut trees abound.

79. Kalesa. A very romantic mode of transportation, the kalesa was introduced by the
Spanish.
80. Yoyo. Not only children but also adults play the yoyo. There are competitions where the
players display their expertise by walking the dog or rocking the baby.

81. Beaches. Want to go to a place where the sun, sky, sand, and sea come together in
perfect harmony? Look no further… beaches in our country offer all these and more.

82. Tuyo. A very popular food for breakfast. Much more delicious than bacon especially
when eaten with sinangag and kape.

83. Tiangge. The best thing about tiangge is the tawad, thus one can get her desired item at
a lower price. It is a department store out of the mall.

84. Kamayan. If the Europeans have spoon and fork, the Chinese and the Japanese have
chop sticks, we Pinoys have our hands.

85. Pamilya. One of the amazing things about the Pinoy is the importance we give to our
families, be it our family of orientation or our family of procreation.

86. Education. Filipinos value education very much that parents prioritize their children's
education. Kahit na magkabaon-baon sa utang basta makapag-aral lamang ang mga anak.

88. Pagtuturo sa nguso. People it's rude to point but there's no rule about using one's
nguso, is there?

89. Tsismis. Pinoys know that they belong if they're being talked about OR they talk about
others, i.e. if they make tsismis about one another.

90. Pan de sal. Flour plus salt equals the best tasting bread in the planet.

91. Walis tambo at walis tingting. Cleaning materials that has lots of uses. Not just for
sweeping the floors and dusting but also as pambambo for naughty kids.

92. Pakikisama. Because of our kapwa concept we Filipinos deal with each other in a special
way. It is more than just joining or conforming to somebody or something, it is adjusting
our lives in order to establish mutual trust.

93. Merienda. Having a five or six meals a day could really be called a feast. Because Pinoys
like meriendas so much, many delicious "short order foods" were created like the kakanin,
champorado, a variety of lugaw, a variety of mami, and a variety of refreshments.

94. Original Filipino Music. The Filipino music is very rich and very unique, very Pinoy.

95. Philippine Airlines. The Asia's first airline, and being the first means being the first best.

96. Yaya. It is undeniable that a Pinoy yaya and her alaga enjoys a deep emotional
attachment. Often, yayas serve as second mothers.

97. Filipino Artists. Luna, Amorsolo, Manansala. Filipino artists are heroes for their arts are
used not only for the public's entertainment but sometimes, also to express patriotism.

98. Damayan. Admittedly, the Filipinos has a very low voting rate. Some say the Pinoys are
apathetic about the state of the country. But come earthquakes, typhoons,
volcanoeruptions, and you will see Pinoys helping their kababayans.

99. Gayuma, agimat, anting-anting. Filipinos just love stories about the supernatural. So is
it any surprise that many believe in agimats, anting-antings, and gayumas?

100. Bahala na. In contrast to what others believe, Bahala na is not mere fatalism, it is a
"come what may" attitude which means that a Pinoy will face whatever problems he might
encounter.
10 Filipino Traditions We Hardly
Perform Anymore
BY INDY N ·
The Philippines in rich in history and tradition. As we became colonized, traditional
traits and beliefs mixed into Spanish culture and Christianity forming new traditions
that some of us still observe today. However, as globalization takes over our colonial
past, these traditions are slowly dying down.

Below are a few Filipino traditions that are hardly being performed in the modern
times.
Tabitabi Po
Being that we’re a very superstitious nation and that we believe in a number of
spiritual beings and mythical creatures, many of us were taught as kids to say “tabi
po” or “tabi-tabi po” when passing by a huge tree, an anthill or termite mound, or
even a dark ally. This is to ask permission to the spirits and mythical creatures that
you’re passing by and so they can avoid you. We grew up listening to stories of how
people who don’t pay their respects to the spirits are cursed and get sick, vomit or
urinate black bile, spit out insects, and experience swelling or pain on any part of the
body.

Paaso
This is a practice commonly done in the Visayas and Mindanao. Paaso is the ritual of
burning sweet-smelling herbs or incense which supposedly appeases the spirits. This
brings good luck and well-being to the family. The pile of herbs or incense is often
burned in front of the grave or tomb. Some use grass, just so to produce smoke. Those
who visit the grave must pass by the smoke before leaving the graveyard. Passing
through smoke while still within the cemetery or by the gates of the cemetery is also
said to untangle the spirits of the dead from the bodies of the living.
Bayanihan
Back in the days where land titles weren’t a thing, people in the provinces simply built
a hut on a small piece of land that they claimed as their own. They ether farmed on the
land or went to town to work while their wives stayed to care for their children. If they
wanted to move, they took their whole house with them since it was mainly made with
light material like bamboo and palm. Bayanihan is the act of the whole neighborhood
getting together and helping to move the house to the new location. Thesedays,
bayanihan is synonymous to our trait of national helpfulness, and that we should help
our fellow Filipinos in times of need.
Harana
As the song goes, Uso pa ba ang harana? (Is harana still popular?). Harana is a
traditional form of courtship where in the man would sing and woo woman outside
her window at night. In the old days, there was a  set of protocols, a code of conduct
and a specific style of music when performing harana. An acoustic guitar was used
and Spanish-influenced songs were sung. It’s not uncommon for the man to bring his
friends along, or even the best singer or haranista in town, to help. Thus, the harana
wasn’t always a solitary endeavor, in fact some considered it as a social event.

Paninilbihan
Another traditional courtship practice, this is when the man “serves” the woman’s
family by doing manual labor (cutting wood for cooking, fetching water from the
well). This is to show that he is capable of taking care of her and their future family.
Now, this is not that applicable to modern times, but courtship back then involved 
“phases” or “stages”  that the man had to pass through before he could get married
with his sweetheart. Courtship was never easy, and you had to win not only the girl’s
affection, but her family’s as well.
Sukob
This is a traditional belief in weddings. Sukob is a belief that it’s unlucky to be
married during the same year of another family member’s marriage or if someone in
the family dies within that year.  You’re better off rescheduling your wedding or bad
luck will follow your marriage. These days, brides and grooms are not really that
concern about this belief, some families even consider it lucky to have two weddings
in the same year.
6 O’Clock Limit
Whether you grew up in the province or in the city, your mom would always tell you
to be back inside the house before 6 in the evening. There’s a Filipino belief that
spirits and creatures of the night come out during after 6PM, so you’re better off
staying out of trouble and out of their way. Whether it’s the spirits or your mom’s way
of making sure you’re home early, we we’re always told to come home before the
Angelus. Anyways, kids these days spend more time inside the house with their
computers and gadgets.

Chicken Blood On Your Birthday

This is a tradition that was more commonly done in the province. During someone’s
birthday, the whole household is usually busy preparing a big meal to celebrate. As
tradition goes, the birthday celebrant will be anointed with fresh chicken blood by an
elder on their forehead. This is a way of blessing the person, as well as ward off any
bad luck. This is similar to the idea of a sacrifice for prosperity, and the chicken is
usually served along with the birthday meal.

Pukpok
Getting circumcised has always been seen as a Rite of passage for male Filipinos.
traditional circumcision or “pukpok” involved using a subokan, which is a piece of
wood used for circumcision. The method of pukpok does not use anesthesia, nor does
the person performing the task have any medical training. Boys that undergo this
method are given guava leaves to chew on which help them bear the pain. After,
they’re their wounds are simply wrapped in white cloth for healing. Since the practice
is unhygienic, medical professionals discourage the practice. However, pukpuk is still
being done in very rural areas in the country.
Pag-mano
Lamano or mano is the action of placing the back of an elder’s hand on your forehead
as a sign of respect. Kids were taught to do this as a way to greet those who were
older than them, which included their grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts, and
even their parent’s friends. These days, we see the younger generation beso or kiss the
cheeks of their elders instead of pag-mano. However, this practice is still very much
alive in the rural areas.

Keeping up with the times is important and all, but some traditions, especially those
that are deeply rooted to our values, should still be practiced. What other traditions do
you know of is slowly being practiced less and less? Leave us a comment below and
don’t forget to share this article
There are various origins and fields of tradition; they can refer to: the forms of artistic heritage
of a particular culture. beliefs or customs instituted and maintained by societies and
governments, such as national anthems and national holidays, such as Federal holidays in the
United States.