SANTOS, COLEEN A.

Culture psychology
What is the Culture of the Philippines?
It was taught to us back then as a child of what the culture of Philippines is,
but as we grew old it become less of what we have known to what we are seeing
and experiencing now as time goes by. Let us all admit that we rarely see Filipinos
with such characteristics of what we have known Filipinos are nowadays. It is
because our culture is very diverse. Many countries have influenced Philippines
such as Spain, United States, China, Indian and Arabs. These countries’ cultures
would be seen in Filipino cultures even before up until now.

Wherever you go, you can always find something interesting to learn and know
about. Our country, as we can observe, consists of different and various traditions
and cultures that is due to the different influences of the different colonizers. That
even our language has a mix or is derived from foreign words. We all know that
Spaniards brought Spanish language in our country. I watched this Spanish series
and that is where I have learned that the words I have been using my whole life
that I taught was from us were actually a Spanish word. Yes, they really indeed
invaded us for the longest time. They even brought Catholicism and fiestas.
Americans influenced us in speaking English, which has become our second
language now and the Arabs and Indian Islam in the Philippines and taught us their
traditions. Lastly, the Chinese that influenced and brought trade and commerce in
the Philippines and they also taught us the importance of family and respect.

However, even these countries that I have mentioned influenced a lot of

culture and traditions to us Filipinos. Let us now forget that we have our own and
unique culture and traditions too.

Malays are our primary ancestors, which they called now as Indonesian. As a
Filipino, we are very known for being hospitable and how we pay respect regardless
of what race, culture and beliefs one individual is. Filipinos are not only hospitable,
but has a pleasant demeanor towards each other that helped them live
harmoniously with their neighbors. One famous Filipino tradition is the Bayanihan.
It is a tradition where neighbors helped carry their neighborhood’s nipa hut. It
symbolizes helping one another in times of needs. Unlike any other countries,
Filipinos have close family ties, which makes them live together or live near their
family even as an independent adults.

Fiipinos are also known for using “po” and “opo”, and taught as early as possible as
a way of paying and showing respect to their elders. Another one is kissing or
touching their elders’ hands to their foreheads and say “mano po” as a way of
greeting.

Philippines is an agricultural country which makes us rich in minerals as we have

many beautiful islands, and we are also known for being resourceful. We can see it
in various provinces how Filipinos are good at handicrafts and different arts. How
we celebrated fiestas in the most traditional ways. We are also deeply religious
people. The majority of people are Christians and mostly Roman Catholics. The
most practiced rituals are the customary Muslim and Christian rituals although
there are some people that believe in the traditional faith healers.

Even though we are in the modern generation now, we still value wearing “Barong
at Say” in any traditional occasions or events. I also see Filipinos now learning and
practicing writing in bay-bayin. Some have it tattooed on their skin, which is one of
Philippines’ traditional arts, and we have the longest “mambabatok” alive, which is
Apo Whang Od that was featured in different countries, and proudly bring pride to
our traditional cultures.

If would just try to still practice and appreciate all of our own cultures, we would
see how our country is uniquely beautiful from all other countries around the globe.
There is nothing wrong in idolizing other country’s culture, but let us not forget ours
and be proud of where we came from, because I believe Philippines has so much
more things to be proud of not just our naturally beautiful islands which many
tourists love to go back to.

Reference:

Philippine Culture. (2017, Jan 28). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/philippine-culture-3-essay