The culture of the Philippines reflects the complexity of the history of the Philippines through the blending of the culture of diverse indigenous civilizations with characteristics introduced via foreign influences. The history of the Philippines is believed to have begun with the arrival of the first humans via land bridges at least 30,000 years ago. ...

Spanish colonization of the Philippines, governed from spain, lasted for more than three centuries, thus there is a significant amount of Spanish-Mexican influence in many facets of the Filipino custom and tradition. Hispanic influences are most visible in folk music, folk dance, language, food, art and religion. The Hispanic world The term Hispanic culture pertains to cultures found in Spain and to the cultures of any country that was colonized by the early Spanish conquistadors. ... Folk song redirects here. ... Folk dance is a term used to describe a large number of dances, mostly of European origin, that tend to share the following attributes: They were originally danced in about the 19th century or earlier (or are, in any case, not currently copyrighted); Their performance is dominated by an inherited... This article is about the philosophical concept of Art. ...

Pre-Hispanic indigenous Filipino culture had many cultural influences from India, through the Indianized kingdoms of Southeast Asia, particularly the Srivijaya Empire and the Majapahit Empire, on what is now Malaysia and Indonesia. Many customs and the Filipino psyche reflect this cultural influences. Philippine Mythology, like many Southeast Asian mythologies, have influences from Hinduism and Buddhism. Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ... The extent of Srivijayan Empire around 10th to 11th century. ... The Majapahit Empire was an Indianized kingdom based in eastern Java from 1293 to around 1500. ... Philippine mythology, and folklore includes a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. ... Hinduism is a religious tradition[1] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Buddhism is a variety of teachings, sometimes described as a religion[1] or way of life that attempts to identify the causes of human suffering and offer various ways that are claimed to end, or ease suffering. ...

The Philippines was for a long period a U.S. colony. American influences are evident in the use of the English language and in contemporary pop culture such as fast-food, music, movies and basketball. This article is about a type of political territory. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Popular culture (or pop culture) is the widespread cultural elements in any given society that are perpetuated through that societys vernacular language or lingua franca. ... For specific discussion of Western fast food chains, see fast food restaurant. ... The United States is home to a wide array of regional styles and scenes. ... The term North American cinema is generally used to refer collectively to the film industries of the United States and Canada. ... This article is about the sport. ...

The Chinese have been settling in the Philippines since pre-colonial times and their influences are evident in the popularity of noodles, locally known as Mami.

The people of Mindanao, the southern island of the country where most of the followers of Islam are located, celebrate their own customs and traditions. Philippine martial arts like Kali and Sikaran, emerged from Mindanao. The Arnis came from the Visayas. Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ...

Philippine society

The Philippines is a mixed society, both singular and plural in form. Singular as one nation, but it is plural in that it is fragmented geographically and culturally. The nation is divided between Christians, Muslims, and other religio-ethno-linguistic groups; between urban and rural people; between upland and lowland people; and between the rich and the poor. Although different in a lot ways, the Filipinos are very hospitable and give appropriate respect to anybody regardless of race, culture and belief.

These traits are generally positive but these practices also have the tendency to be applied in the wrong context. Close familial ties can also lead to nepotism. Pakikisama can lead to intolerance or even outright hostility of differences and of individual liberty. A debt of gratitude is sometimes repaid by giving special favors to the other person regardless of the moral outcome.

There is also a tying between Asian, European and Latin American etiquettes from previous external travelers and explorers who have influenced the Filipino culture as these behaviors and social norms and beliefs are found in the Filipino mainstream culture. Some of these behaviors continue over with Overseas Filipinos. In Asia, many points of good etiquette are derived from religious beliefs. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... As expectations regarding good manners differ from person to person and vary according to each situation, no treatise on the rules of etiquette nor any list of faux pas can ever be complete. ... For the Björk song, see Human Behaviour Human behavior is the collection of behaviors exhibited by human beings and influenced by culture, attitudes, emotions, values, ethics, authority, rapport, hypnosis, persuasion, coercion and/or genetics. ... In sociology, a norm, or social norm, is a pattern of behavior expected within a particular society in a given situation. ... For other uses, see Believe. ... Look up mainstream in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Language(s) Tagalog, Visayan languages, Ilocano, Tausug, other Philippine languages, English Religion(s) Predominantly Catholic; Protestantism; Iglesia Ni Cristo; Islam; Nonreligious Related ethnic groups Filipino people, Filipino American, Filipino Canadian, Filipino Australian, Filipino British, Filipino Hong Konger An Overseas Filipino is a person of Philippine origin who lives outside of...

Family

It should be emphasized that the close familial ties are upheld to the highest extent. The primary social welfare system for the Filipino is the family. Many Filipinos live near their family for most of their lives, even as independent adults. A nuclear family is very common among Filipinos. When it comes to the divorce policy in the Philippines it is illegal. President Arroyo provides insight and believe it is "un-Filipino, immoral, unconstitutional and a danger to the Filipino family." Others point out that in the past that ancestral tribes did practice divorce and that the "reign of the Pope via the Spanish crown" to be the source of such laws.

Courtship amongst the Filipino people is heavily influenced by Spanish and Roman Catholic traditions. Many parents disapprove of girls visiting boys' homes. Usually, the boy comes to the girl's house to formally introduce himself to her parents and family. The Filipino must win the Filipina's parents approval. At home, painful corporal punishment is almost always practiced among the Filipino family as children are often hit as a form of discipline. Filipinos use their belts, hands and canes to hit their children.

Among great distances of the family, balikbayan boxes are transferred through vast distances as some are compelled to move to international territories. These overseas Filipinos send huge boxes called the balikbayan box to their families back in the motherland containing goods, gadgets and/or popular trendy items. They also bring balikbayan boxes when they return to their motherland on vacation to visit their family. Sometimes their families at the Philippines return the favor and send exotic food items only found in the Philippines or indigenous property expressing Filipino workmanship. It is another way to express cultural exchange and a way of helping out their families at home. There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ...

Respect

Among the respect due, the use of "Po" and "opo" are common expressions of respect for one's elders in Tagalog culture (especially true among those living in Luzon). Grandparents and the elderly are also given a gesture of respect by the placing of the back of the senior's hand (at the fingers) against one's forehead, called "mano". Not only is respect due to elders but also among peers. Younger siblings are expected to respect their older brothers and sisters, especially by addressing them with the proper honorifics. Filipinos use pakikisama, or camaraderie in English, to maintain a harmonious relationship. An honorific is a word or expression that conveys esteem or respect and is used in addressing or referring to a person. ...

Hiya is shame and is a motivating factor behind behavior. It is a sense of social propriety and of conformity to societal norms. Filipinos believe they must live up to the accepted standards of behavior; and if they fail to do so, they bring shame not only upon themselves but also upon their family. An example might be a willingness to spend more than they can afford on a party rather than be shamed by their economic circumstances. If someone is publicly embarrassed, criticized, or does not live up to expectations, they feel shame and lose self-esteem. For other uses, see Shame (disambiguation). ...

Utang na Loob, or Debt of Gratitude, is owed by one to a person who has helped him through the trials he had undergone. There is a local saying that goes: 'Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan', meaning, 'One who does not look back to where he started, will not get to where he is going.' If you're at the top-most part, don't be too high because someday you"ll have a great fall.

There are other expressions of respect such as Amor Propio means concern for self image; Delicadeza means a sense of discretion; and Palabra de Honor means "word of honor." As a part of Filipino table manners, it is considered disrespectful if someone will not accept hospitality. Table manners are the etiquette used when eating. ...

Community

The creation of alliances with neighbors and the helping attitude whenever one is in dire need is what Filipinos called bayanihan. Often, the bayanihan spirit in action can be seen when a bus gets a flat tire. The bystanding or surrounding Filipinos would assist the bus driver in whatever undertakings to get the bus back on going. This can be contrasted with the individualistic attitude more prevalent in some other societies. Bayanihan (pronounced as bah - yah - nee - han) is a Filipino term taken from the word bayan, referring to a nation, town or community. ... For articles with similar names and topics, see Individual (disambiguation). ...

There are several ways that Filipinos get around by riding jeepneys, buses and cars. In urban areas, there are trains such as LRT and MRT as well as boats, taxis, and ferries. In rural areas carabaos are often used for transport.^[1] Bus transportation is used to get from one major city to another. Taxis or tricycles are used to get to place to place within the city.^[2] The driving style in the country follows that one honks the horn to warn of oncoming vehicle.^[3] Jeepneys are a popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. ... Autobus redirects here. ... CARS is a four-letter acronym that can stand for: Cable television relay service station Canadian Aviation Regulations Childhood Autism Rating Scale‎ Customer Access and Retrieval System Citizens Against Road Slaughter Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy Consortium for Advanced Radiation Sources, a cooperative effort of the University of Chicago and... This article is about trains in rail transport. ... A Yellow Line train stopping at a station Third generation Yellow Line train heading to EDSA Station The Manila Light Rail Transit System, popularly known as the LRT, is the main metropolitan rail system serving the Metro Manila area in the Philippines. ... MRT Train approaching Ayala Station. ... A boat, like a ship, is a buoyant vessel designed for the purpose of transporting people and possibly goods across water. ... The Pride of Burgundy, a P&O Ferries car ferry on the Dover-Calais route A ferry is a boat or a ship carrying passengers, and possibly their vehicles, on a relatively short-distance, regularly-scheduled service. ... Rural area in Dalarna, Sweden Sheep eating grass in rural Australia Rural areas are sparsely settled places away from the influence of large cities and towns. ... Binomial name Bubalus bubalis (Linnaeus, 1758) Trinomial name Bubalus bubalis carabanesis The carabao (Filipino: kalabaw; Malay: kerbau) or is a domesticated subspecies of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) found in the Philippines, Guam, and various parts of Southeast Asia. ... For specific countries see Taxicabs around the world. ... Antique tricycle 19th century tricycle used in Iran A tricycle (often abbreviated to trike) is a three-wheeled vehicle. ...

Superstition

Main article: Philippine mythology

Before the arrival of the Spaniards and the introduction of Roman Catholicism in the 1500's, the indigenous inhabitants of the Philippines were adherents of a mixture of animism, Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism. Bathala was the supreme God of the Filipinos, represented by the langit, or sky, but not all the Filipinos believed in it. The Ninuno, or the ancient ancestors, were the people who taught Filipinos/Tagalogs who will be in the future; they believed in the supreme God. For the Bikolanos, the supreme God was Gugurang. Other Filipino Gods and Goddesses include araw (sun), buwan (the moon), tala (the stars), and natural objects (such as trees, shrubs, mountains, or rocks). However, they were not the Western kinds of Gods and Goddesses; they were representations for some Filipinos/Tagalogs; or they were representations as gifts. As the Abrahamic religions began to sweep the island, most Filipinos became Christians, who only believe in one God; but some Filipinos became Muslims, especially in the southern part of the country (such as Mindanao). Spirits such as the aswang (ghoul), the tikbalang (a creature with the head of a horse and the physique of a man), the kapre (a giant that is seen smoking tobacco), the tiyanak (monster-like, vampire-esque child), the santelmo (fireball), duwende (dwarves and elves), the manananggal (witches that can split their bodies at their torsos and feed on baby's blood), engkanto (minor spirits), and diwata (fairies/nymphs), are believed to pervade the Philippines. Aside from that, voodoo practices were practiced by the pre-colonial inhabitants, such as pangkukulam, or witchcraft. Beliefs such as usog (a child greeted by a stranger will get sick) and lihi (unusual craving for something during pregnancy) are also present. These beliefs were carried on up to the present generation of Filipinos, which has led some foreign authors to (incorrectly) describe them as 'Pagano-Christians.' Philippine mythology, and folklore includes a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... The term Animism is derived from the Latin anima, meaning soul.[1][2] In its most general sense, animism is simply the belief in souls. ... Hinduism is a religious tradition[1] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... A mandala used in Vajrayana Buddhist practices. ... According to Philippine mythology, Bathalang Maykapal, or Bathala for short, was the Supreme God of the ancient Tagalogs and King of the Diwata. ... Bicol Region is one of the regions of the Philippines occupying the Bicol Peninsula at the southeastern end of Luzon island. ... This article is about the religous people known as Christians. ... This article is about the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... A Muslim is a believer in or follower of Islam. ... Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. ... Title: Aswang Description: Philippine ghoul Gender: Male/female Region: Western Visayas Equivalent: Tik-tik, Wak-wak An Aswang (or Asuwang) is a ghoul in Filipino folklore. ... The Tikbalang, in one artists interpretation. ... Kapre is a Philippine mythical creature similar to that of the Bigfoot creature, but with more human characteristics. ... Philippine mythology, and folklore includes a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. ... Philippine mythology, and folklore includes a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. ... Philippine mythology, and folklore includes a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. ... A manananggal in Filipino folklore or penanggalan in Malay folklore is a mythical creature . ... Philippine mythology, and folklore includes a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. ... In Philippine mythology, a diwata or encantada is a mythological figure similar to fairies. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Usog, is a superstition where an affliction or psychological disorder in the Philippines is attributed to an evil eye hex. ... Lihi is a condition in the Philippines in which a pregnant mother-to-be craves for something strongly: typically, sour mango with bagoong. ...

Voodoo, psychic surgeons and medicine men and women are commonly practiced in most indigenous Filipino rituals. These spiritual-ritual practices are mostly located in the rural areas, throughout the islands. In Tagalog, the people who casts spells and lays curses are called mangkukulam, the people who curse their enemies by putting insects inside their bodies are called mambabarang, and in contrast to these two, the healers of these curses are called albularyo. Voodoo is a religious tradition originating in West Africa, which became prominent in the New World due to the importation of African slaves. ... Psychic surgery is a procedure performed by self-styled psychic doctors or psychic surgeons, chiefly in the Philippines and in Brazil. ... Medicine man is an English term used to describe Native American religious figures; such individuals are analogous to shamans. ...

Psychic surgeons are people who are seen seeming to remove tumors and diseased tissue by sticking their hands into a patient's body and extracting bloody human flesh, leaving the patient scar free. Some see this practice of as being sleight of hand fakery, others accept it as true, still others accept it as an alternative healing method and a way to take advantage of the placebo effect. See YouTube video on "Psychic Surgery". Sleight-of-hand, also known as legerdemain, is a technique of close-up magic in which small items are concealed in and around the performers hands, sometimes by the use of misdirection, to enhance the illusion being performed. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Placebo. ... YouTube is a popular video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips. ...

Wealth and beauty

The belief that "white is beautiful" is held by Filipino women and practised by staying out of the sun to keep one from getting dark. Even at a young age, children are taught and practice this belief.^[4] Furthermore, many of these women use bleaching or whitening skin products to keep skin white, and they also use anti pimple or anti blackhead products.^[5] Bias towards favoring white skin came from influential occupations of the Spanish and Americans which many Filipinos still continue to believe today.^[6] Look up Pimple in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the skin condition. ...

Fatness may also be associated with wealth, while being too skinny may be seen as a sign of poverty.

Rebonding and hair relaxing are popular among teenagers. Spa treatments are also famous. Indulging in various salon treatments are a common activity among well-off Filipinos which helps in the rising popularity of salons such as F Salon, Ricky Reyes and David's salon which includes famous hair stylist such as Fanny Serrano, Jun Encarnacion and Ricky Reyes. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Like in other Asian countries, most Filipinos are myopic (nearsighted).^{[citation needed]} This contributes to the large scale Philippine optical industry, which includes famous eyewear stylist Dr. Vivian Sarabia.

In formal gatherings, men wear Barong Tagalogs, a translucent pearl white shirt, usually made of piña (pineapple) fibers or jusi [hoo-si] (banana) fibers. But in informal settings such as at home or at picnics, Filipinos are either barefoot or wearing slippers. Due to the humid tropical climate, men are often found in a tank top or go barechested, wearing shorts and a towel on their shoulder to wipe away the sweat.^[7] A painting of Ramon Magsaysay, the first Philippine President to wear a barong in an official portrait A barong Tagalog (or simply barong) is an embroidered formal garment of the Philippines. ... Walking barefoot Going barefoot means not wearing shoes, socks, or other foot covering. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Sleeveless T-shirt. ... Going bare chested refers to a man wearing no clothes above the waist, exposing the torso and arms. ... For other uses, see Shorts (disambiguation). ...

In the rural areas of the country, some resort to bathing naked in public.^[8] Those who live near rivers take baths there; natives use river stones analogous to washcloths to scrub themselves. Since water pressure is lacking in many areas of the country, many people resort to using buckets (timba at tabo) for bathing.^[9][10] People are so used the routine of using the bucket bath method that they continue to use it even when water pressure is more than adequate for shower use.^[11] Places that have adequate water pressure like hotels do have running shower heads. Children bathing in a small metal bathtub Bathing is the immersion of the body in fluid, usually water, or an aqueous solution. ... Nude redirects here. ... For other uses, see Shower (disambiguation). ...

Death customs in the Philippines

Death in the Philippines is one of the most important occasions in family life, as attested to by a humorous statement that families have large reunions only during "Binyag, Kasal at Libing" ("Baptisms, Weddings and Burials/Funerals"). Once a Filipino dies, it is traditional to hold a wake. Deceased men are dressed in the traditional Barong Tagalog while women are dressed in either black dresses or in their best dress. Relatives that are closer to the deceased are customarily dressed in black, while women use black veils, similar to their Latin American counterparts. Caskets of Filipinos are often covered with glass, with the inner part of the lid containing ribbons with the names of the deceased person's immediate family. The casket has a crucifix between two candles (nowadays "candles" with electric bulbs) behind it. Flowers are often given in condolence to the family, with a message from the donor written on a ribbon attached to the flowers. Family members keep vigil, pray, eat, talk and socialize with guests. It is traditional, as with the other aspects of Philippine culture, to be hospitable to the guests; this is done by offering food and refreshments to those mourning with the family. After the death of a person, a nine-day period of having a novena of prayers and masses offered up for the deceased is held, although the beginning of the Pasiyam varies, but usually ends the week after the death. Another period follows after death, the 40-day mourning period. Family members usually indicate their state of bereavement by wearing a small, black, rectangular plastic pin on their left breast or breast pocket area. A 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. The 1st year death anniversary is also a bit significant, as well as the subsequent birth anniversaries of the deceased.^[12] Relatives from foreign lands would also come home to mourn for the deceased. ^[13] Women are seen wearing black clothings and veils during a funeral. Widows are seen wearing black attires for the whole year.^[7] A painting of Ramon Magsaysay, the first Philippine President to wear a barong in an official portrait A barong Tagalog (or simply barong) is an embroidered formal garment of the Philippines. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... This article is about the article of clothing, or a religious item. ... Alternate uses: see widow (typesetting). ...

Communication

Some urban and rural Filipinos often call for attention by saying "hoy!" (meaning: Hey!, in the Tagalog language) or using a rising hiss like a snake by saying "psst."^[14] Tagalog (pronunciation: ) is one of the major languages of the Republic of the Philippines. ...

In order to greet a friend, or express "what's up," one usually whips his head upward for acknowledgment.^[15]

The use of lips to point is widely practiced. Instead of using your pointer fingers, Filipinos may point with their lips extended out to indicate the position of an object.^[16]

Telecommunications and e-mail are popular as well as the usage of cell phones. Many Filipinos, even those who live in poverty, own mobile phones. Sending SMS messages is a common way of communication, as it is a cheaper way compared to making a call. The Philippines is considered to be the Txt capital of the world sending millions of SMS messages a day. Copy of the original phone of Alexander Graham Bell at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris Telecommunication is the assisted transmission of signals over a distance for the purpose of communication. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Cellular redirects here. ... A stylised representation of a mobile phone A mobile phone is a device which behaves as a normal telephone whilst being able to move over a wide area ( cordless phone which acts as a telephone only within a limited range). ... SMS may refer to: Short message service, a form of text messaging on cell phones Sega Master System – an 8-bit video game console from the 1980s Seiner Majestät Schiff, His Majestys Ship in the German Kaiserliche Marine and the Austro-Hungarian Navy SMS (comics), a British comic... Look up txt in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... SMS may refer to: Short message service, a form of text messaging on cell phones Sega Master System – an 8-bit video game console from the 1980s Seiner Majestät Schiff, His Majestys Ship in the German Kaiserliche Marine and the Austro-Hungarian Navy SMS (comics), a British comic...

Celebrations

Main article: Public holidays in the Philippines

Holidays in the Philippines // New Years Day, or Araw ng Bagong Taon is celebrated with the family in or outside the house. ...

National Holidays

• February 25 - E.D.S.A Revolution
• April 9 - Araw ng Kagitingan
• May 1 - Labor Day
• June 12 - Independence Day
• August 28 - National Heroes Day
• November 30 - Bonifacio Day
• November 1 - All Saints Day

is the 56th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 240th day of the year (241st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Native Holidays

• January 1 - Bagong Taon (New Year's Day).
• January 9 - The Black Nazarene procession in Quiapo and Manila.
• Third Sunday of January (date varies) - The Fiesta del Santo Niño de Cebu (Festival of the Child Jesus of Cebu); Sinulog in Cebu; Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan.
• Lent; March or April (date varies) - Semana Santa (Holy Week).
• May - Flores de Mayo. Summer-starting festivities when the rain starts pouring back, after a blistering hot summer that begins around mid March, these festivities may have been rooted to the celebrations of the farmers as they welcome back the fertile season. Celebrations around towns showcase crops, food and delicacies. One famous festivity is the "Pahiyas", a colorful celebration in Lucban, Quezon where houses are decorated mainly with dried rice papers in different shapes and colors. Crops also accentuate these houses in artful shapes and styles.
• Third Saturday and Sunday of September (date varies) - The Peñafrancia Festival in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. During the festivities, people attend church services, followed by parades on the streets, fireworks, and feasting in honor of the Roman Catholic faith and native culture, and are attended by hundreds of thousands of Filipinos each year. The Peñafrancia Festival is also highlighted by a fluvial procession in the Bicol River.
• November 1 through 2 - "Araw ng mga Patay" (Day of the Dead, All Saints Day and All Souls Day). Also known as Undas, taken from the fact it is held on November 1. During All Saints/Souls Day, it's traditional to visit the cemeteries and pay homage to their dearly departed. The usually solemn cemetery takes on a party atmosphere, with much merry-making rather than a solemn celebration.
• December 24 - Noche Buena (Christmas Eve).
• December 25 - Araw ng Pasko (Christmas day).
• December 31 - Bisperas ng Bagong Taon (New Year's Eve).

January 9 is the feast of Black Nazarene The Black Nazarene is a life-sized, dark-skinned statue of Jesus Christ that a priest bought in Mexico, and carved by an Aztec carpenter. ... Quiapo is a well known district of old Manila and a place which offers cheap prices on items ranging from electronics to native handicrafts. ... For other meanings of the word, see Manila (disambiguation). ... An image of the Santo Niño de Cebu can be commonly found in many Filipino homes. ... The Sinulog festival is one of the grandest and most colorful festivals in the Philippines. ... Nickname: Map of Cebu showing the location of Cebu City Coordinates: 10°17 N 123°54 E Country Region Province Cebu (capital) Districts 1st and 2nd districts of Cebu City Barangays 80 Incorporated (town) 1565 Incorporated (city) February 24, 1937 Government  - Mayor Tomas D.R. Osmeña (BO-PK/Lakas... The Ati-Atihan festival is named after the Ati, the indigenious natives of the island before the arrival of the Malay in the 10th century and the Spanish in the 16th century. ... Kalibo is the capital municipality of the province of Aklan in the Philippines. ... Aklan is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas. ... For other uses, see Lent (disambiguation). ... Holy Week (Sp. ... For the 1958 novel of the same name by Louis Aragon, see La Semaine Sainte. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Day of the Dead (disambiguation). ... This article is about the Christian holiday. ... All Souls Day by William Bouguereau All Souls Day (formally, Commemoratio omnium Fidelium Defunctorum or Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed), also called Defuncts Day in Mexico and Belgium, is the day set apart for the commemoration of the faithful departed. ... Castle Ashby Graveyard Northamptonshire A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. ... is the 358th day of the year (359th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about a traditional custom in Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines. ... Nativity of the Lord redirects here. ... is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Arts, culture and music

The Filipino cultural arts cover variety of forms of entertainment. The Music in the Philippines features several styles. Some are contemporary such as Filipino rock and Filipino hip hop. Some are traditional such as Filipino instruments and Filipino folk music. The Cinema of the Philippines has produced many comedies, accounts of hardship, action films, and love movies. Some box office movies includes Ang Tanging Ina which stars Ai-Ai de las Alas; Sukob by Kris Aquino and Claudine Barretto. Filipino entertainment also includes Filipino television shows. Filipino music is quite diverse, as the indigenous people are spread across hundreds of islands and among 140 ethnic groups. ... Pinoy Rock, or Filipino Rock, may be regarded as the brand of Rock music produced in the Philippines or by Filipinos. ... Filipino hip hop can be divided into two main categories: hip hop as performed and followed in the Philippines, and hip hop performed and followed by people of Filipino descent overseas, mostly among Filipino Americans in the United States. ... Traditional Music in the Philippines, like the traditional music of other countries, reflects the life of common folk, mainly living in rural areas rather than urban ones. ... The cinema of the Philippines has a history that can be traced back to the early days of filmmaking in 1897, when a theater owner named Pertierra screened imported moving pictures. ... Ang Tanging Ina is a 2003 Filipino comedy film, starring Ai-Ai de las Alas. ... Ai-Ai de las Alas Ai-Ai de las Alas (born 1964), is a Filipino comedienne and film actress. ... Sukob (titled The Wedding Curse internationally) is a 2006 Star Cinema film starring Kris Aquino and Claudine Barretto. ... Kris Aquino (born Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino on February 14, 1971 in Quezon City) is a television and movie personality in the Philippines. ... Claudine Margaret Castelo Barretto Santiago or Claudine Barretto , the Optimum Teleserye Queen (born July 20, 1979 in Manila, Philippines)is a popular tv and movie actress in the Philippines today with numerous movie and teleserye hits under her belt. ... This is a list of television shows and television programs that are produced in the Philippines. ...

Arts

Main articles: Arts of the Philippines and Literature of the Philippines

Weaving is popular in the northern mountain Filipinos. Pottery was also common in pre-Hispanic societies. Ornate carvings are found in the southern Philippine islands. Similarly, wooden art is also quite popular and is displayed in various parts of the home. Art in the Philippines is influenced by the traditions of Europe, America and native Malay cultures. ... The literature of the Philippines started with fables and legends of pre-colonial Philippines down to the Mexican (New Spain) and Spanish influences, but there was a pre-hispanical writing system. ...

Artistic paintings created by Filipinos began in the 17th century during Spanish colonial times and continued until the present, with such revered artists as Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Zobel. Other popular artists include Hugo C. Yunzon reflecting an earthy style that touches on indigenous Malay culture in pieces such as Early Risers and Mariang Makiling,^[17], Nestor Leynes with Mag-ina Sa Banig, and Tam Austria with Mag-Anak. Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (May 30, 1892 - April 26, 1972) is one of the most important artists in the history of painting in the Philippines. ...

Filipinos have unique folk dances like tinikling where assistants take two long bamboo sticks rapidly and rhythmatically clap sticks for dancers to artistically and daringly try to avoid getting their feet smashed between them. Also in the southern part of the Philippines, there is another dance called singkil using long bamboo poles found in tinikling; however, it is primarily a dance showing off lavish Muslim royalty. In this dance, there are four bamboo sticks arranged in a tic-tac-toe pattern in which the dancers exploit every position of these clashing sticks. Dancers can be found trying to avoid all 4 bamboo sticks all together in the middle. They can also try to dance an entire rotation around the middle avoiding all sticks. Usually these stick dances performed in teamwork fashion not solo. The Singkil dance is identifiable with the use of umbrellas and silk clothing.^[18] See YouTube tinikling video and YouTube singkil video. Folk dance is a term used to describe a large number of dances, mostly of European origin, that tend to share the following attributes: They were originally danced in about the 19th century or earlier (or are, in any case, not currently copyrighted); Their performance is dominated by an inherited... Tinikling is a Filipino folk dance, often dubbed the Philippine National Dance. ... Singkil Singkil (or Sayao sa Kasingkil) is a famous Philippine dance of the Maguindanao people, but was popularized by the nearby Maranao peoples of Lake Lanao and later the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company. ... Tic-tac-toe, also called noughts and crosses and many other names, is a paper and pencil game between two players, O and X, who alternate in marking the spaces in a 3×3 board. ...

Architecture

Pre-Hispanic architecture is usually characterized by using indigenous woody materials. The bahay kubo is the mainstream form of housing. It is characterized by the use of indigenous materials such as bamboo and coconut as the main source of wood. Cogon grass and Nipa palm leaves are used as roof thatching, although coconut fronds are also used. Most are usually on stilts due to the frequent floods and rainwater during the wet season. Regional variations include the use of thicker and denser roof thatching in mountain areas, longer stilts on coastal areas especially if the structure is built outright on the water. The architecture of some tribes in other regions are characterized by very angular wooden roofs, bamboo in place of leafy thatching and ornate wooden carvings, especially on Mindanao island. Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrica) is a kind of grass in the family Poaceae. ... Binomial name Nypa fruticans Wurmb Nypa fruticans , known as the Attap Palm (Singapore) and Mangrove Palm or Nipah palm (Malaysia), is the only palm considered a mangrove. ... Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. ...

The Spanish introduced stones as housing materials. The introduction of Christianity brought western style churches and subsequently became the center of most towns. Colonial era architecture still survives in Intramuros and Vigan. Intramuros circa 1920s Walls of Intramuros, located along the southern bank of the Pasig River, is the oldest among the districts of the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. ... Vigan is the capital city of the province of Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. ...

Contemporary architecture usually favors western style structures although pre-Hispanic housing is still largely common in rural areas. American style suburban gated communities are popular in the cities, especially Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces.

Heritage

Cuisine

Main article: Filipino cuisine

Filipinos cook a variety of foods influenced by Spanish, and Asian cuisines. Filipino Cuisine is a unique blend of Asian and Western influences, especially from China, Spain, and the United States, which are the countries that have greatly influenced the culture of the Philippines. ... Asian cuisine is a term for the various cuisines of South, East and Southeast Asia and for fusion dishes based on combining them. ...

A typical Filipino meal consists of at least one viand (ulam in Tagalog) served with boiled or fried rice (kanin), which is eaten much like Westerners eat potatoes. Filipinos also regularly use spoons together with forks, as opposed to knives and forks in Western culture. They also eat with their hands, especially in informal settings and when eating seafood. Accompanying rice, popular dishes such as adobo (a meat stew made from either pork or chicken), lumpia (meat or vegetable rolls), pancit (noodle dish), and lechón (whole roasted pig) are served on plate. For other uses, see Rice (disambiguation). ... Chicken Adobo. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Pancit Palabok Pancit or Pansit is stir-fried noodle dish, common in the Philippines, though of Chinese origin. ... Lechón being roasted Lechón (Tagalog: Litson and Cebuano: Inasal) is the Spanish word for suckling pig. ...

Other popular cuisines or dish include: afritada, asado, chorizo sausages used in pancit or fried rice, empanadas, mais (corn), mani (roasted peanuts), paksiw (fish or pork, cooked in vinegar and water, some spices like garlic and pepper), pan de sal (salted bread rolls), pescado (fried or grilled fish), torta (omelette). Indigenous Filipino and regional cuisines include: dinuguan, kare-kare (ox-tail stew), kilawen, pinakbet (vegetable stew), pinapaitan, and sinigang (tamarind soup with a variety of pork, fish or shrimp). Some delicacies eaten by the Filipino people but are reprehensible to some western cultures include balut (boiled egg with a fertilized duckling inside). Another is longenisa a sweet sausage Asado is cuts of meat, usually beef, which are cooked on a grill (parrilla) or open fire. ... Chorizo (in Spanish; IPA: [tʃoriθo] or [tʃoɹɪso]) or Chouriço (in Portuguese) is a term encompassing several types of pork sausage originating from the Iberian Peninsula. ... Some of the many varieties of Sausages A sausage consists of ground meat and other animal parts, herbs and spices, and possibly other ingredients, generally packed in a casing (traditionally the intestines of the animal), and preserved in some way. ... Pancit Palabok Pancit or Pansit is stir-fried noodle dish, common in the Philippines, though of Chinese origin. ... In South America, particularly Argentina, and Spain, an empanada is essentially a stuffed pastry. ... This article is about the maize plant. ... Pan de sal (literally, bread of salt) is a staple of Filipino breakfast. ... Pescado frito, or fish (usually cod) deep-fried in vegetable oil, is a traditional Shabbat dish amongst Spanish and Portuguese Jews. ... Typical Mexican Torta A torta is a Mexican sandwich, served on an oblong 6-8 inch firm, crusty white sandwich roll, called a bolillo or telera. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Kare-kare is a Philippine stew or curry. ... True pinakbet from the Ilocos region with shrimp Pinakbet or pakbet is a popular Ilocano dish, from the northern regions of the Philippines, although it has become popular throughout the archipelago. ... Sinigang is a Philippine dish famous for the variety of ingredients one can use as well as for its taste. ... A partially shelled balut egg, ready to be eaten. ...

Popular snacks and deserts indulged are chicharon (deep fried pork or chicken skin), halo-halo (crushed ice with condensed milk, flan, and sliced tropical fruits), puto (little 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 eaten outside the three main meals. Local liquors such as lambanog, tuba, and basi are served on cup. Filipino tsitsaron in foil Chicharrones is a popular dish in Andalusia, Spain, and Latin America and is part of the traditional cuisines of Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Colombia, Brazil (where it is called Torresmo), the Philippines and others. ... Look up Halo-halo in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Puto in banana leaf liner This article is about the Filipino food. ... Bebinca, also known as Bibik, is a dessert from Goa, India. ... Ensaïmades The Mallorcan ensaïmada is a pastry product with great tradition on the island, which has been continuously made and eaten on Mallorca for a very long time. ... For other uses, see Chocolate (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Palm wine (disambiguation). ...

World Heritage Sites

Several sites in the country have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and these are the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, The Far Eastern University Art Deco Complex, Historic Town of Vigan, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Banaue Rice Terraces, and Tubbataha Reef Marine Park. There is also a Filipino Heritage Site and society in Tampa, Florida totally dedicated with its own FilFest (Filipino fest). Elabana Falls is in Lamington National Park, part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia. ... For other uses, see Baroque (disambiguation). ... For the Forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU), see Forty-foot equivalent unit. ... Vigan is the capital city of the province of Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Panoramic view of the Banaue Rice Terraces The Banaue Rice Terraces are 2000-year old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the Batad indigenous people. ... Tubbataha Reef is a atoll coral reef located in the Sulu Sea, 98 nautical miles southeast of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines. ... Tampas skyline For alternate meanings, see Tampa (disambiguation) Tampa is a city located in Hillsborough County on the west coast of Florida. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ...

Native games and sports

Sipa is the national sports in the Philippines. Other popular recreational sports include boxing, patintero, billiards, basketball, chess, ten-pin bowling and football. Boxing, billiards, basketball and soccer are popular among Filipinos. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) was founded in 1975. Dodge ball or mistakenly called as "touch ball" is also a favorite sport of those who play in schools during break time. Sipa is the Philippines national and traditional native sport which dates backs to the Pre-Hispanic period. ... For other meanings of these words, see boxing (disambiguation) or boxer. ... This article is about the various cue sports. ... This article is about the sport. ... This article is about the Western board game. ... Ten-pin bowling. ... Soccer redirects here. ... For other uses of PBA, see PBA. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is a professional basketball league in the Philippines founded in 1975. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The sports where the Filipinos have gained international successes are boxing, billiards (notably nine ball), ten-pin bowling, chess and football (soccer). Notable champions include Paulino Alcántara, Francisco Pancho Villa, Manny Pacquiao, Mansueto Velasco, Flash Elorde, Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, Rafael Nepomuceno and Eugene Torre. For other meanings of these words, see boxing (disambiguation) or boxer. ... This article is about the various cue sports. ... A correct nine ball rack: the 1 ball at the apex centered over the foot spot, the 9 ball at center and all balls touching. ... Ten-pin bowling. ... This article is about the Western board game. ... Soccer redirects here. ... Paulino Alcántara Riestrá (born October 7, 1896, Iloilo City, Philippines - died February 13, 1964, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain) was a former Filipino / Spanish football player and manager who spent most of his playing career at FC Barcelona. ... Francisco Pancho Villa Guilledo Francisco Pancho Villa Guilledo, (b. ... Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, (born December 17, 1978 in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines), simply known as Manny Pacquiao or Pac-Man, is a Filipino professional boxer. ... Mansueto Onyok Velasco (born June 26, 1972) is a Filipino boxer from Bago City, Negros Occidental. ... REDIRECT Gabriel Elorde Category: ... Efren Reyes (born August 26, 1954) is a Filipino professional pool player from Angeles City. ... Francisco Django Bustamante makes the front page of Inside Pool magazine, issue 8, 2002. ... Rafael Paeng Nepomuceno (born January 30, 1957 in Manila) is a Filipino bowler has won the World Cup in bowling four times in three decades: In Tehran, Iran on November 19, 1976 In Jakarta, Indonesia on November 1, 1980 In Le Mans, France on November 8, 1992 In Belfast, Northern... Eugenio Torre (born November 4, 1951) is a chess Grandmaster. ...

The Palarong Pambansa, a national sports festival, has its roots in an annual sporting meet of public schools that started in 1948. Private schools and universities eventually joined the national event, which became known as the Palarong Pambansa in 1976. It serves as a national Olympics for students, with victors from competitions at the school, province, and regional level emerging to participate. The year 2002 event included the following sports: soccer, golf, archery, badminton, baseball, chess, gymnastics, tennis, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, track and field, and volleyball are starting to gain great public interest in the country. The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ... Soccer redirects here. ... This article is about the game. ... Archery is the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. ... This article is about the sport. ... This article is about the sport. ... This article is about the Western board game. ... Gymnastics is a sport involving the performance of sequences of movements requiring physical strength, flexibility, balance, endurance, gracefulness, and kinesthetic awareness, and includes such skills as handsprings, handstands, split leaps, aerials and cartwheels. ... For other uses, see Tennis (disambiguation). ... Softball is a team sport popular especially in the United States. ... Swimmer redirects here. ... Ping Pong redirects here. ... Taekwondo (태권도; IPA: ) is a Korean martial art and Chinese combat sport. ... Athletics, also known as track and field or track and field athletics, is a collection of sport events. ... For the ball used in this sport, see Volleyball (ball). ...

There are also many styles of traditional Filipino Martial Arts known under various names over the years. Kali, also called Arnis by westerners, has varying sources of origin depending on the island and/or tribe of origin. It is difficult to ascertain a single originating or "pure" Filipino martial art due to the lack of written historical record. There is considerable controversy on this subject. Filipino Martial Arts The Philippines The Martial Culture from the Philippines. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For alternative meanings for The West in the United States, see the U.S. West and American West. ...

Influences in the development and evolution of Filipino Martial Arts includes that of the Indian, Indonesian, Chinese and Spanish.

The distinguishing characteristic of martial arts originating from the Philippines is most commonly the emphasis in curriculum of teaching weapons before or simultaneously with the empty-hand forms and also for the curriculum concept of "angles of attack."

Native toys and games

Main article: List of traditional Filipino games

Filipinos play card games styles such as pusoy and pusoy dos. These games use poker suits. Pusoy is described to be the 3-5-5 or good-better-best variant of the game.^[19] Pusoy dos is described to be variant where one tries to get rid of all his cards by choosing poker hands wisely.^[20] The origin of pusoy came from Chinese pai gow blended with poker^[21] and the origin of pusoy dos came from coastal China around 1980^[20]. Pusoy Dos, is a variation of Big Two that is popular in the Philippines. ... Pusoy Dos, also known simply as Pusoy, is a variation of Big Two that is popular in the Philippines. ... A set of Chinese dominoes. ... For the domestic fireplace tool, see fireplace poker. ...

Filipinos play sungka, a board game consisting of small sea shells which players try to take all shells but the winner is determined by who has the most shells at the point were all small pits become empty. This is an Asian game that westerners first observed in 1894.^[22] Congklak, also called Dakon, Congkak, or Sungka, is a mancala game played in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. ...

Filipinos are creative in that they have made toys using insects such as tying a beetle to string and sweeping it circular rotation to make an interesting sound. Salagubang gong is a toy is described by Harvard entomologist Charles Brtjes in his trip to Negros illustrating a toy using beetles to create a periodic gong effect on the kerosene can as the beetle rotates above the contraption.^[23] Harvard University is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and a member of the Ivy League. ... Entomology is the scientific study of insects. ... Map of the Philippines showing the location of Negros. ...

Filipino games can also include piko, patintero, jack-en-poy, bang!, bahay-kubo, nanay-tatay, and many more. Many children enjoy these games.

The yo-yo is often credited as having been invented in the Philippines centuries ago. The name yo-yo may have been derived from the Filipino word 'tayoyo' which means to spin.^{[dubious – discuss]} The yo-yo is a toy consisting of two equally-sized discs of plastic, wood, or metal, connected with an axle, around which a string is wound. ...

Tribal groups

Main article: Indigenous peoples of the Philippines

Certain indigenous groups such as the Negritos, Mangyans, and Manobos who live in remote areas of Luzon, the Visayas, and Palawan have largely retained the pre-Hispanic beliefs of their ancestors. Having been somewhat isolated from mainstream society, their cultures differ greatly than that of the majority of Filipinos. Another minority, the more than 100 upland tribal groups, in 1990 constituted approximately 3 percent of the population. ... Map of the Philippines showing the island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. ... Map of the Philippines showing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao Visayas is one of the three island groupings in the Philippines along with Luzon and Mindanao. ... Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the Mimaropa region. ...

Negrito photographed by Ken Ilio Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Ati woman Negrito refers a dwindling ethnic group which is now restricted to parts of Southeast Asia. ...

Tawbuid photographed by Derek Daniel Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Other cultural production

Homosexuality groups

The homosexuality subculture was a product of the 1960s. Gay people express themselves in occupations such as barbershops or beauty professions or in clothing design.^[24] They also have their own style of linguistic communication. Homosexuality in the Philippines is widely accepted and viewed as part of normal life, though it is still met with some discrimination because of the nation's dominant macho population. However, due to the country's strong Roman Catholic affiliation, gay marriage nor even civil unions are prohibited. Homosexuality refers to sexual interaction and / or romantic attraction between individuals of the same sex. ... In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a set of people with a set of behaviors and beliefs, culture, which could be distinct or hidden, that differentiate them from the larger culture to which they belong. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Gay rights in the Philippines. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... Same-sex marriage is marriage between individuals who are of the same legal or biological sex. ... A civil union is one of several terms for a civil status similar to marriage, typically created for the purposes of allowing homosexual couples access to the benefits enjoyed by married heterosexuals (see also same-sex marriage); it can also be used by couples of differing sexes who do not...

See also

• Cultural pluralism
• Hispanic culture in the Philippines
• Contemporary culture of the Philippines
• Indosphere

Main articles: Pluralism and Multiculturalism Cultural pluralism exists when all groups within a larger society maintain their unique cultural identities. ... The British historian Arnold J. Toynbee once asserted in one of his works that the Philippines is a Latin American country that was transported to the Orient by a gigantic marine wave. While it’s impossible to deny the many Hispanic contributions made to the culture of the Philippines, Toynbee... Dark blue: the Indian subcontinent, Light Blue: Other countries culturally linked to India, notably Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia, Purple: Regions not included in Indosphere, but with significant current or historical Indian cultural influence, notably Afghanistan, Tibet, Yunnan and Baluchistan region. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• How Filipino Are You? — This test covers mannerisms and peculiarities of the Filipino people.
• Pinoy Stereotypes- Part I — Covers subgroups of Filipinos in the point of view of a Filipino-American
• The Best Things About Being Filipino — This site covers interesting peculiarities and widely held cultural properties from the point of view of Filipino-American people.
• Pinoy Pre-Wedding Rituals in Modern Times
• Everyday life in the Philippines
• All Filipino news, views and videos

Further reading

• The debut — Movie exhibiting a gamut of Filipino cultural values and conflicts between Filipino traditions and American cultural values from perspective of a Filipino-Americans.
• Ignacio L. (Director) (2003). Pangarap ko ang ibigin ka [VHS Tape]. Philippines: Viva Films. — Sharon Cuneta film exhibiting some courtship customs between pinoy and pinay.