The Filipino culture is an exuberant story that tells of the nation's journey through the centuries.

Customs reflect
the people's faith, their oneness with others, their affinity with nature, and their celebration of life.
The Filipino's charm lies in their smiles, in the numerous religious festivals that venerate nature, the Divine and the
cycles of life and in the virtue of pakikipag-kapwa tao that treasures relationships, with friends and strangers alike.
The concept of kapwa(others) is at the core of the Filipino soul. A Filipino scholar says of the Filipino: the joy of his
being is in being with others.
The nation's charm is in the diversity in ways of life across the archipelago, the resplendent colors of its folk arts
and the cacophony of foreign influences that have found roots in the Filipino languages, customs and traditions.
And so there are the bright Santacruzan festivals in May, with pagan origins but portraying strong Christian
symbols, and an extended romance with Christmas in December. There are the passionate Hispanic tempos in the
dances of the plains of Luzon, the elegant Muslim dances for wars and weddings from Mindanao, and the ancient
strains of indigenous music in the highlands. The country has quaint town squares that remind the spectator of its
colonial past, light breezy huts with fences decked with bougainvillas along the country lanes, sprawling malls,
high-rises and frantic city avenues, houses made of stones in typhoon-strewn islands in the North and houses on
stilts in the South.
Another writer observes that the Filipinos tendency towards passionate profusion and unrestrained exuberance in his art
stems from his exposure to nature's lush, magnificent landscapes around him the whole year through. Thus the richly
embroidered Barong Tagalog (national dress), baroque architecture in the 19th century and the flaming spectrum of
colors in jeepney passenger cars, ice cream carts, Christmas lanterns, kalesa (horse carriages), fiestas and religious
processions.
Filipinos worship devoutly in their cathedrals and mosques (the busy urban dwellers attend religious services inside
shopping malls and al fresco, in parks and plazas). They can sing and recognize good singing when they hear it. They smile
at strangers and babies, and through queues, rainshowers and traffic. They socialize in parties and discotheques, as well
as in markets and community dances. They make and keep friendships over food, over lambanog (coconut wine), over
mobile phone text messaging. They are sentimental and devoted to their families. They have profound respect for elders
and show self-effacing hospitality for guests. They speak over 100 local languages and dialects, of which the Tagalog-
based Filipino is the lingua franca, as well English, with an accent. They are basketball fans. They love Hollywood films and
television dramas. They are pedestrians who chat while walking and they are the passengers in the ubiquitous jeepneys.
They love laughing, at themselves, their politics, their game shows. They are cosmopolitan in their views but their values
are rooted in their faith, their family and their community.
The Filipinos' temperament is as warm and constant as their sunshine. Their way of life is rich, diverse and rooted. They
are in harmony with others and face the world with an engagingly courageous spirit. They are the 73 million Filipinos
 The culture of the Philippines is a combination of cultures of the East and West. Filipino identity was created
primarily as a result of pre-colonial cultures, colonial influences and foreign traders intermixing and gradually evolving
together. In pre-colonial cutures,colonial influences and foreign traders intermixing and gradually evolving together. In pre-
colonial times, the Philippines was a divided set o nations, islands and tribes being ruled by their own
ings,chietains,lakans,rajahs,datus and sultans. Every nation has its own identity and some are even part of a larger empire
outside of what is now the Philippines.Manila,or example, was once part of the Islamic Sultanate of Brunei,and the Sulu
Archipelago was also part of the Hindu Majapahit.The advent of colonial rule in the islands marked the beginning of the
Philippines as an entity,a collection o Southest Asian countries united under Spanish Empire.
Chinese influence has been felt throughout Southest Asia through trade, special by the Ming dynasty and other
earier dynasties from as earl as the 9th century.The blending of indigenous, colonial and eternal influence is very evident in
the historic arts and traditions of the country.
The Philippine archipelago was first settled by Negritos;today,although few in numbers,they preserve a very
traditional way of life and culture.After them,the Austronesians arrived on the archipelago.The Austronesians culture is
stongly evident in the ethnicities,languages,cuisine,music,dance,and almost every aspect of culture.These Austronesians
engaged in trading with other Austronesians,particularl in the neighboring nations in Maritine Soutest Asia.The aso traded
with the Mainland Southest Asia,as well as Japan,China,the Indian subcontinent and Arabia.As a result,some of these
cultures marked their influences on Filipino culture. This gradually evolved with indigenous belief system and developed
into Anitism,which became the dominant religion for more than a millennium.
§ The culture of the Philippines comprises a
blend of traditional Filipino and Spanish
Catholic traditions, with influences from
America and other parts of Asia. The
Filipinos are family oriented and often
religious with an appreciation for art, fashion,
music and food.
§ Filipinos are also hospitable people who love
to have a good time. This often includes
getting together to sing, dance, and eat. The
annual calendar is packed with festivals,
many of which combine costumes and rituals
from the nation’s pre-Christian past with the
Catholic beliefs and ideology of present day.
 Filipino Customs an Traditions
§ Mano Po § Death
§ Hospitable
§ Society
§ Having Close Family Ties
§ Christmas in the Philippines
§ Bayanihan
§ Courtship § Fiesta
§ Religion § Living w/ Parents
§ Superstition § Eating with fork and spoon
§ Cuisine § Eating w/ hands
§ Marriage and Wedding Customs § Balikbayan boxes
 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.
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.
 Hospitable
Ø 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.

Ø It is amazing to see that even the simplest home along the

road opens their home to a stranger.
Ø 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
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.
Religion
 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).
 Cuisine
– 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 &Wedding Customs

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 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. http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Philippine_