Is there a Filipino Culture?

Introduction
Filipinos themselves doubt about their proper answer to the question: “What is the Filipino
culture?” Writers about the Filipino culture are unanimous in their opinion that this difficulty
originates from the history of the Philippines. The country has been successively colonized by
Spain and by the United States and both brought cultural influences that until now are practiced
by the Filipinos. Filipinos do not find it difficult to identify which practices are of Spanish
influence in the same manner that Filipinos will be able to identify easily which is a practice that
is American. However, the difficulty is to which of these two influences a Filipino would identify
himself or herself more. The confusion is so deep that it would be difficult for many to say what
the Filipino culture is.

Things are so dynamically intertwined that it is difficult to determine what the Filipino
culture is finally or who is a Filipino? However, this dynamic intertwining is a Filipino ingenuity
that makes it in a sense Filipino. Some say it is Spanish-Filipino or Filipino-American. What
matters probably is that it is practiced by a Filipino who identifies himself to be a Filipino and not
otherwise.

Would it be important to delve into the question: Is there a Filipino understanding of right
or wrong? From the point of view of what has been previously discussed about cultural relativism,
it would seem that we have our sense of what is right or wrong, first, from our cultural point of
view. In the succeeding discussion, we will analyze the cultural and traditional practices of our
own.

Learning Outcomes
1. Identify common Filipino practices and traditions;
2. Express appreciation to these practices and traditions;
3. Criticize some of the present Filipino traditions and practices.

Activating Prior Learning

1. For fifteen minutes, in small groups, identify some Filipino practices and traditions; and
2. Criticize these practices by pointing out their advantages and disadvantages.
Presentation of Contents
A. Difficulties of Identifying the Filipino Culture

First, when we talk about the Filipino culture, we have a difficulty. Filipinos do not know
exactly which of the cultures they will talk about. Why, because there is not a single Filipino
culture. The Filipino culture is a combination or blend of the east and west cultures. Basically the
western influence would include Spanish and American cultures as part of the colonial past of the
Philippines. Asian influences can also be added to the list as there are Japanese, Indonesian and
even Arabic traces in the Philippine culture. Hence, the problem arises when we want to assert that
there is only one Filipino culture. Obviously, it will be a mistake to insist on the idea. From the
point of view alone of the number of languages and dialects spoken in the entire archipelago, the
more or less 170 languages and dialects spoken of which eight are considered major languages,
are signs of cultural diversity in the country.

Second, having been born in a subculture of a major culture raises a problem about to which
culture will someone identify with exactly? What is going to be his or her cultural identity? The
question has also been raised by Bulaong Jr. et al. (2018) in relation to cultural relativism. Since
cultural relativism can only work within the context of a very well defined and determined culture,
it implies the necessity of a single, definite and clear cultural identity. However, in an increasingly
open and globalized world, the notion of cultural relativism is being put into question. But whether
or not cultural relativism is tenable, for the Filipino in quest for his or her cultural identity, will
always have the problem of identifying with a specific culture.

B. Source of Cultural Identity

Cultural identity may remain evasive because of the Filipino historical and socio-cultural
cross-points, but the practices do give the Filipino his or her own cultural identity. Some of the
Filipino traditional practices from multi-cultural origin are: asking the elders’ approval before
getting married, concern, pagmamano or “Mano po Culture,”. asking God’s blessing through
kissing of hands, use of the polite expressions “Po and Opo,” hospitality, adaptability and
resiliency.

Cultural identity for the Filipino is not to be found in the manner that we define what the
Filipino culture is nor in trying to identify ourselves with a specific culture whether Tagalog, Iloko,
Ybanag, Itawes, Cebuano, Bicolano or another, but it is to be found in the practices and traditions
with which we are accustomed to and which we practice. As Filipinos we are identified with and
through how we identify ourselves with one another. Not even with the color of the skin and the
language that we speak, but in the manner that we live and deal with one another that we are able
to identify who is a Filipino and what is the Filipino culture. This manner of making sense of the
Filipino culture from the point of view of the existing practices and traditions makes the Filipino
culture boundless. Whether American, European or Spanish, if you feel like a Filipino, think like
one and eat with them, for them you are a Filipino and you share in the Filipino culture. The
Filipino cultural identity is a lived identity. The practices that one practices will be the measure by
which your being a Filipino will be measured and identified. We are identified, a little bit like what
the existentialists claim, not by some kind of essence but by being and by what we live.

C. Being critical about our practices

Filipinos should not remain unperturbed about their traditions and practices. It is not
because they are traditions that they are forever true and remain unquestionable. The significance
and meaning of traditions might have changed positively or negatively overtime.

For instance, a very important Filipino tradition is the one related to strong family ties. It
symbolizes the unity and strong bond in the family. The tradition gives a sense of support and
security for all the members of the family or even for the entire clan. In times of crisis and difficult
moments, one can always rely on this tradition and family members will not hesitate to rescue
someone in trouble. However, the same tradition can be abused by any member of the family and
it may lead to perpetual dependence of a family member. Someone from the family might have his
or her own family, but remains dependent on the parents for every need like finances, in terms of
decision making and for every other need that arises.

Another trait we easily associate to us as Filipinos is that of being religious. The Filipino
reliance on divine providence is extraordinary. It is expressive of the Filipino faith in the power of
the Omnipotent and All powerful God. Our deep sense of religiosity can give us hope and from
which we draw strength and courage and it can redefine our direction and sense of fulfilment.
However, it is sometimes misconstrued to mean that everything will have to come from God and
that God will always intervene on our behalf. We have forgotten that we have to do our part to
make things come true. We tend to forget that God helps those who help themselves. Faith does
not justify laziness, indecisiveness and lack of initiative. Religiosity cannot be taken also as a
substitute for good work.

Summary
We have learned from our exposure to the different cultures that much of what we have
considered uniquely Filipino cultures are in fact shared with other people of other cultures. We
have so often considered, for instance, hospitality as a strongly and uniquely Filipino trait only to
find out that the same attitude is very much alive in others and perhaps more alive in them. People
for instance are always welcome to come at any time of the day and can dine with the family.
Filipinos have no problem at all with that and that is very Filipino. When your hosts know that you
have come from afar they will always offer you something to eat. That is hospitality for the
Filipino.

The Whiteman might not entertain you immediately and asks you to wait until he or she is
finished or done with something she is busy about or won’t invite you to dine with him or her. And
we say, the Whiteman is not at all hospitable. “We were not entertained immediately and we were
made to wait.” This is the usual reaction that Filipinos have when not given attention as soon as
possible by their hosts.
 Filipinos have no sense of formality. They are gatecrashers, they may come at anytime.
The Whiteman needs to be informed and an appointment is very important for him or for her. He
or she doesn’t want to be caught unaware. However, if you are invited or made an appointment
with the Whiteman, you need to consider that very seriously. If you get invited for a meal at home,
you are there for half a day or maybe during the whole day. When Europeans invite you, they
really mean it. They will try to foresee every need to the last detail to make you most comfortable
during the entire duration of your stay. A meal can mean all the nice words upon arrival that
naturally continues with an aperitif with more stories and continues at table for the “plat de
resistance” that goes on and on at least for the next two or more hours. Next you have the dessert
and later the post cafe and another cup of coffee. That is the Whiteman’s hospitality. It is a serious
thing which means that when you are invited, you have to take it seriously as well and must really
give time for it and nothing else. Their hospitality is unbelievable. After you have left you
remember the event long after the invitation. But for Filipinos, you might have encountered each
other so often, but have no idea exactly why you had to see each other.

“Palabra de honor” or being a person of one word reveals that it is also not only Filipino
but is shared with others. The terms themselves reveal that they are of Spanish origin. Filipinos
have their own version of “Palabra de honor.” We can be proud to note that in history. It is a known
fact that the early Filipinos have always respected their promises to Chinese traders transacting
with them. The Chinese trader goes back to China and comes back after many months and the
Filipino costumer waits for his return. No written contracts, only promises were at stake. But that
shows at the same time the Chinese “palabra de honor” indicating that is not uniquely Filipino.
The point is, if certain values are shared by different nationalities, it is in the manner that these
values are practiced where differences are found.

Rachels (2003) explained that Eskimos also practiced hospitality but in the manner unique
to them expressed by offering their wives to their male visitors at night. In the same manner, the
way we practice the same values as Filipinos gives form to them and makes them unique. There is
a uniquely Filipino culture in terms of the practices through which we express the same values
shared with other people of other nationalities.

Assessment
Write an article that could be published in an international magazine promoting the unique
Filipino culture and identity and discouraging the not so pleasant or acceptable Filipino culture
or practices/traditions to you. Back up your arguments with authorities. (Use at least 250 words)

Reflection
Have I not been complacent with my own culture? Have I always been defending my own
culture even when it is sometimes obviously unreasonable? Do I take the initiative to encourage
positive attitudes even when the majority consider them old fashioned?