Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Culture and Society of The Philippines
Culture and Society of The Philippines
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
rural people; between upland and lowland people; and between the rich
and the poor. Although different in a lot ways, the Filipinos are very
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
of the country where the majority of the Islam faith exist in also
The culture of the Philippines reflects the country’s complex history. It is a blend
Before the Spanish, there were already mixtures of cultures, the native people
and Polynesians and small groups of people from other Southeast Asian
countries.
Philippines and Guam were the furthest colonies from Spain hence Philippines
Tagalog.
Mariana Islands.
Folk dance, music and literature have remained intact in the 21st
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
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
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
\FILIPINO TRAITS
Pakikisama
Utang na Loob
Bayanihan
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
Linguistic borrowings are the other way by which the Chinese culture
shoulder above everything else that Americans might have given to the
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.
intact. The respect for the family, veneration of elders, and friendliness
identity, the source of emotional and material support and the person’s
life and its ups and downs which is manifested in the Filipino’s love for
trying of times.
Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity - Filipinos have a great capacity to adjust
resourceful, adept at learning and able to improvise and make use of whatever
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.
Passivity and Lack of initiative – strong reliance on others, submissive to authority, Filipinos tend
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
History
Educational System
Religion
Mass media