LARA MAE C.

GALAROSA

Filipino Culture and How It Differs from Other Nations

Lara Mae C. Galarosa

Introduction

In many countries around the world, Filipinos are regarded as immigrant. They are
excellent at blending in with its surroundings. They thrive to remain alive. The Philippines is a
place where there is a lot of food, love, and happiness. The culture of the Philippines is mostly a
combination of Filipino and Spanish Catholic traditions, with a small amount of influence from
America and some regions of Asia. They have an excellent sense of style and beauty, and their
festivals are incredible.

Discussions

Etiquette and Customs. Since the Filipinos are quite formal in their manners, it is
essential that you take off your shoes before entering someone's home. They will provide you
slippers to wear inside their home. Other nations like South Korea and Japan operate in the
similar ways. In any conversation with elders, Filipinos typically do the "mano" and say "po and
opo," showing them the utmost respect. In South Korea, people typically bow to elders or
someone they respect. If the person is an elder, they may also lower their gaze. In both
countries, you should take off your hat while eating inside. And I believe that other countries
also experience this. Also, because Filipinos value titles, professional names should be followed
by titles like Dr. or Atty. & Engr. Also, to express respect, they frequently employ the pronouns
"sir" or "ma'am," which are commonly used in workplaces and educational institutions.

Indigenous People. According to IWGIA (International Work Group for Indigenous

Affairs) The country’s Indigenous population thus continues to be estimated at between 10%
and 20% of the national population of 100,981,437, based on the 2015 population census. Most
of the old, pre-colonial culture, structures, and livelihood methods have been preserved by the
indigenous peoples of the Philippines. They typically reside in distant regions with limited access
to basic social services, such as opportunities for education, healthcare and for political
engagement. However they have the world's commercially significant natural assets, such as
minerals, forests, and rivers, are found in their residence. Similar to this, there are indigenous
people in Africa. The hunter-gatherer forest peoples also known as "pygmies" of central Africa,
nomadic pastoralists like the Maasai and Samburu in East Africa, the San in Southern Africa, and
the Amazigh people (Berbers) of North Africa and the Sahel are just a few of Africa's numerous
indigenous peoples.

The Igorots. The Igorots of the Cordilleras are one of the indigenous peoples in the
Philippines who are exposed to continuous discrimination that is ingrained in Filipino culture.
They are well known for farming rice on terraces, their name literally translated as "people from
the mountains," Igorot or Igolot. As one may guess, they are a highland race that has adapted
well to life at higher altitudes. They have even found a means to sculpt terraces at the
mountain's flanks, which they then plant with diverse grains in order to ensure a continual
supply of produce. Igorots are skilled at gathering seasonal fruits and vegetables. They excel in
harvesting rice and root craft. They helped the Filipino population live a better lifestyle. Their
names are as distinctive as their outfits, and although their customs haven't changed much with
the new generation, they are still a tribute to the amazing cultures and traditions that define us
a Filipinos.

The Bontoc’s House and Villages. Bontoc's village is divided up into wards called ato. It
is a large, compact community with wards that was constructed among rice terraces. 15–50
houses comprise an ato. Among the residences are "fawi," a gathering place for elderly men,
"pabafunan," a dorm for young me and boys adolescents, and "olog," a dormitory for women.
Traditional bontoc homes were constructed from cotton grass or wood. Its form was pyramidal.

PHILIPPINE POPULAR CULTURE

LARA MAE C. GALAROSA

In addition to the bedroom, the original bontoc house contained another room that was divided
into several areas, including a kitchen, a room for guests, a room for gardening equipment, and
more. Levels and compartments in the Bontoc hose make it apparent what each space's purpose
is. areas where people can work, cook, sleep, and store things.

The Isneg Culture. The Isneg's primary food source is rice, which they have historically
cultivated in large quantities. Dry rice cultivation, which thrives in the semi-mountainous and
tropically vegetated terrain of Apayao, is the Isneg people's primary food source. In addition to
rice, other crops grown include corn, taro, sweet potatoes, sugarcane for basi (sugarcane wine),
bananas, yams, and fruit orchards. Since the 1960s, the two main crops of Apayao have been
tobacco and coffee. In terms of giving birth, Isneg women typically kneel and use a mushroom
as a charm to guarantee a successful delivery. The umbilical chord is severed with a bamboo
sliver, combined with the remainder of the afterbirth, tied up with ginger and herbs, and buried
in a coconut shell beneath the home. In terms of how the Isneg family is formed, courtship
rituals are the first step. The girl's parents provide permission for this to happen in their home
and in their presence. The girl's parents may consent to the suitor sleeping with her if he has
earned their approval. After having a sexual relationship that may endure for several nights, the
couple's parents will discuss the terms of their marriage, or manadug, with them. Unlike to
other groups, the Isneg lack traditional or indigenous knowledge of pottery or fabric weaving.
Instead, in exchange for their honey, beeswax, rope, baskets, and mats, they have purchased
garments, pots, and other commodities from lowland Ilocano traders.

Conclusion

There are many different cultural influences in the Philippines. Despite all of
these influences, the Filipinos' ancient Asian culture still remain and is evident in their way of
life, beliefs, and rituals. No matter where you go, whether it be to a foreign country or location,
if you encounter a Filipino, their culture will still be evident. Many Filipinos enjoy traveling to
different places with various cultures and beliefs, and it's surprising how quickly they adjust to
their new surroundings. Yet, there are still subtle cultural differences between the Philippines
and other nations.

References

Fajutag, J. (2015)- https://www.globalizationpartners.com/2015/02/20/the-philippines-culture-

and-tradition/

Mutume, G. (2007)-https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/april-
2007/%E2%80%98indigenous%E2%80%99-people-fightinclusion

Faner, C. (2013)- https://www.slideshare.net/CarlaFaner/architecture-in-bontoc

Maranan E. (2020)- https://www.yodisphere.com/2022/09/Isneg-Isnag-Apayao-Tribe-

Culture.html

PHILIPPINE POPULAR CULTURE

LARA MAE C. GALAROSA

PHILIPPINE POPULAR CULTURE