Philippine's richness in culture, tradition, and the arts is something all Filipinos can take pride of. However, the culture of the Philippines has undergone extensive cultural influence due to colonialism, making it highly complex. Amidst this, it's interesting to know that there are still many values that are exclusive to the Filipino people despite the influence of other cultures on the character and behavior of this population. It can be seen that every value and belief from precolonial era to the modern times is put into practice in people's daily lives, demonstrating how important the country's history is. Filipino culture and traditions then and now mirrors how the lifestyle of Philippine society was shaped from one generation to another. Amidst its complexity, this article will try to only enlighten you and the younger generation to learn the values, beliefs, customs, and traditions that shaped the Filipino of today. Pre colonial era
Beliefs and TraditionsThe people of the Philippines had indigenous spiritual traditions in place before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers. The beliefs and cultural mores behind these spiritual practices are based on the notion that spirits and other supernatural beings, both good and bad, inhabit the world. They are described as anito, diwata, engkanto spirits who dwells deep in the forests and are well respected by the people —thus the term "tabi tabi po" was derived as a way of giving respect to them. in Some people also worship particular deities, such as the Tagalog supreme deity Bathala, the Visayan deity Laon or Abba, and the Ilocano and Ifugao deity Kabunian. They also revere other deities like Sidapa, the deity of death, Lalaon, the god of harvest, and Idialo, the god of agriculture. Aside from worshiping deities, pre colonial communities also has high regard for female healer called Babaylan. The term "babaylan" refers to the pre-colonial Philippine tradition of women who were mystic healers and possessed a strong spiritual connection that gave them access to political and social power. In tribal communities, Babaylan women act as bridges between the spiritual and physical worlds. They play a variety of leadership roles, including warrior, healer, priestess, and sage. Social ClassesSocial classes are divisions of social order based on possession of resources, authority, and power. Inequality in terms of people's status results from this. Social stratification in the Philippines predates the arrival of the Spanish. The four classes were the Alipin (servant), Maharlika (warrior), Timawa (freeman or commoner), and Maginoo (Noble Class).
The textiles from which they were manufactured were also diverse. They were abaca, abaca embellished with colored cotton thread, cotton, cotton ornamented with silk thread, silk, imported printstuff, and an elegant abaca woven of selected fibers almost as thin as silk, in ascending order of value. Pigafetta also suggested G-strings and skirts made of bark fabric. The G-string, or "bahag," was a piece of cloth that was 4 or 5 meters long and less than a meter broad; it was consequently much longer than those used nowadays by Cordillera mountaineers or in Zambales and the Cagayan Valley. Wayaway, also known as ampis in front and pakawar in back, are the ends that hang down and are typically ornamented. A costly type of binkisi with elaborate embroidery known as gowat was termed lubitan if it had a fringe made of three-strand lubid cords. G-strings had the same hue as the fabric's original color. Men who had personally slain an enemy, however, were eligible to wear deep crimson ones. Pre colonial beliefs and traditions are still practiced even in the modern times. It is reflected in our everyday lives. Filipino's folklores, superstitions, and haunting enchanting stories are the very proof of it. Also, as stated social class conflict and inequality in the Philippines predate Spanish colonization and occurs even up until now, when there is tension in the society due to various classes. Based on their monthly income, the Philippines' social strata of Rich, Upper middle, Middle, Lower middle, and Poor still reflect this tension. Post Colonial EraAfter years of colonization and surviving the Spanish American war, the Philippines and it's people have acquired many traits, traditions, and beliefs from the colonizers and have merged it with our own culture and tradition during pre colonial era. ReligionPhilippine culture is renowned for its regionalism. It's rumored that this value was promoted during the Spanish colonial period in order to keep the Filipinos divided and make them easier to control through religious leaders. Whether this is true or not, it is obvious that Filipinos respect this belief deeply and serves as evidence of how highly the Filipinos regard their own. As a country where almost everyone are roman catholic, brazen crosses and other religious relics can be seen in every nook and cranny of a Filipino home. which is a nod to Spanish catholic traditions Every Sunday, or maybe even twice or three times a week, they attend church. Carrying the Spanish catholic traditions, Filipinos always try to cook something during fiestas as an honoring gesture to a certain patron saint. Given their strong superstitious tendency, it is not surprise that Filipinos are among the most religious people in the world. SuperstitionsPossibly the most superstitious people on the globe are the Filipinos. They frequently hold beliefs that foreigners might find irrational. However, given how deeply religious the Filipino people are, this is not surprising. Although one would expect that individuals in this day and age would be more logical, superstitions still play a significant role in the daily lives of the Filipinos. Here are some f them:
Family ValuesFamily values, a cornerstone of Filipino culture, frequently encourage close family ties. Filipinos are known for their warmth and friendliness, which is evident in both the way they treat visitors and their own family members. In the Philippines, households frequently consist of not only the immediate family but also members of the extended family. Accordingly, traditional Filipino families are made up of more than only the parents and their kids; they also include the grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and nephews. This is why Filipinos are known to the world as family oriented. Filipinos especially the younger generation are taught to have high regard towards the elders. They are trained to be respectful from the minute they are born by employing these basic catchphrases--po and opo, words that terminate sentences when addressing elders. They also have a "pagmamano" culture in which they lift the backs of their elders' palms to their foreheads as a symbol of respect. Many homes may be clustered together on the same plot of land or in the same neighborhood (family compound), allowing children from various parents to live together in one household. And while their parents are at work, they are cared for by single aunts, uncles, or grandparents. Filipino CourtshipsThe act of convincing a woman to create a love relationship with a man with the goal of marriage is known as courtship in the Filipino language as panliligaw or panunuyo. The typical dating, mailing of love letters, and performance of the harana, or serenade, are all involved in the Filipino culture. In the age-old Filipino courtship custom known as harana, a man sings a song of love to a woman while standing beneath her window at night. It is thought that the 19th century saw the beginning of harana, which took its cue from Spanish folk melodies. One of the local customs of Filipino courtship is to require a boy to work for the woman's family before marriage, a practice known as paninilbihan. The duties can include gathering water, repairing the house, plow the field, and cutting wood. Before the woman's family were finally persuaded that he is the ideal man for their daughter, it typically took months or even years. Bigaykaya, or the dowry, was always provided by the man to the woman's family before to the wedding in the Visayan culture. When they first started talking about the details of their marriage, the amount was already decided. Based on the status of the contracting filipino families, the dowry was determined. In the event that the bride's parents requested more money than usual, pasonor are given such as gifts of gold, jewels, or land. Filipino SpiritThe idea of collaboration, or bayanihan, is highly valued in Filipino traditions. It alludes to a group of Filipinos banding together for a common goal. In the past, the phrase was used to describe the home-moving custom in rural areas of the Philippines, where a group of around twenty young men would volunteer to carry the house of a given family to a new place. The term is perfect to describe the Filipino community spirit as it is derived from bayan, which is Tagalog for "country" or "community." The majority of these homes were constructed from native lightweight materials like nipa. The family would prepare meals to share with the volunteers as a gesture of thanks. The bayanihan spirit is still present today, as evidenced by the fact that many Filipinos volunteer to assist their fellow countrymen who are in need. Filipinos are able to overcome difficulties in the face of disasters and calamities. They are able to pull themselves up and smile instead of dwelling on it. Filipino culture places a strong emphasis on humor. It's not specifically referring to jokes and comedy here; rather, referring to the Filipinos' capacity to find humor and joy in the most trying of circumstances. However, Filipino comedy goes beyond these limitations. You can count on Filipinos to find humor in any circumstance, even the most dire. Typhoons, earthquakes, and even pandemics cannot break Filipino community spirit. Filipinos love for musicOver the past several centuries, arts and music in the Philippines has seen tremendous change. Folk songs that described rural Filipino life were the only genre of music available in the country. Traditional Filipino melodies frequently use gongs and chimes and have a profound link to nature. The evolution of Filipino dance followed a similar pattern, starting with traditional dances of various indigenous groups and finally advancing alongside modern society. More energetic dances were gradually introduced during the American rule in the Philippines, and the locals incorporated them into their own. However, before American dances became more popular in the nation, there were Filipino folk dances like the Tinikling (also known as the "bamboo dance"), Cariñosa, and Maglalatik that continue to reflect the country's rich cultural diversity. In the modern day, Filipino's love for music is reflected in their love for karaoke! Unquestionably, karaoke is a significant aspect of Filipino culture. Filipinos grow up in a singing-filled environment. It becomes a routine hobby for daily living. They enjoy singing as part of celebrations when there are guests at the house or when there is a special event. No matter where you are in the world, you will discover that every Filipino-owned home has a karaoke system. The Philippines may have been influenced by various cultures due to colonialism, Filipinos have remained true to their roots all the while adapting to the changes brought about by the colonizers. And out of the fight for Philippine independence came a sense of national identity and pride. Loyalties are still primarily to one's family and place of birth, nevertheless. Numerous Filipinos have a warm and inviting demeanor, and the culture is permeated with important values like friendship, respect, and acceptance. Comments are closed.
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November 2021
CategoriesAddressLowerGround Floor, Starmall, Corner Edsa-Shaw, Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
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