CHAPTER 3 - THE ASIAN HERITAGE OF THE FILINOS

Great Civilizations of Asia

India
China
Japan
Arabia
they enriched the cultural heritage
enriched culture through
Trade and
Settlements
was not completely taken by these dominant Asian centers
Philippines was not completely taken by the dominant Asian Centers.
They were in search of
Gold
Glory
Better life
India
Indian Ocean = Indian Lake

Expansion of kingdoms

Countries
Funan = Southern coast of Indochina
Founded: Hindu Prince named Kaundinya; married Liu Yeh (Willow Leaf
Cambodia = gifted Khmer people = builders of Temples
Champa = Southern Vietnam
Phong Tuk & Khorat = Siam
Prome, Pagan, & Thaton = Burma
Pahang, Langkasuka, Kedah, Tambralinga
& Trengganu = Malay
Java, Sumatra and Borneo
Two-way process = propagation of the Indian Civilization

1. Sri Vijaja
Maritime empire from 683-1377
Also known as Sin-fo-tsi (Chinese) and Zabagin (Arabic)
Malayan nationality
Indianized in culture
Palembang was the capital
Mahayana Buddhist in Religion
Empire 1
2. Majapahit Empire
Maritime Empire from ca. 1293-1528
Malayan in nationality
Indianized in culture
Majapahit was the capital
Brammanistic (Hindu) in religion
Empire 2
Philippines was never ruled by the 2 empires
1921 - Professor Beyer has a theory that Philippines was within the political orbit
of the Sri Vijaja and Majapahit Empires

Inidian Influences in The Philippines

Religion Beliefs, Language, Literature, writings, customs etc

1. Religion
inhabitants of Sulu adored vedic deities from India.

- Indra (sky god), Agni (fire god), Surya (sun god), Vayu (god of the winds).

Bathala = Sanskrit term Bhattara (great lord).

Influence
Pagan Mandayas of Mindanao worship

trinity deities namely

1. Mansilatan (creator of universe)

2. Badla (creator of men)

3. Padaugnon (destroyer of men)

Hindu triad Brahma (creator), Vishnu (reserver), and Siva (destroyer)

Bukidnon gods - 4 cardinal points

1. Domalondong (north), 2. Ongli (south),

3. Tagolambong (east), and Mababaya (west)

originated from Hindu deities Kubera (north),

Yama (south), Indra (east), Varuna (west)

dewas and hantus

2. Literature
a. Mythology and folk literature - distinct and Indian cast e.g. Bantugan and
Lumawig

b. Epics - Darangan, Lam-ang, Ibalon, Ilim and Hudhud were inspired in Mahabharata.

c. fables - Hindu origin, monkey and the turtle, the deer and the snail, hawk and
the hen

literature

3. Customs
a. Placing of fresh flower-garland around

the neck of a visitor = hospitality and friendship

b. before marriage, a groom gives dowry to the bride's parents and renders personal
services in the house of his future parents-in-law

c. after the wedding, the guests throw rice upon the bride and the groom.

d. offering of buyo (betelnut + ikmo leaf + lime)

to a guest to show hospitality.

e. a childless couple goes to the pilgrimage to

a holy shrine, whose deity is believed to

have the power to grant fertility.

customs
4. Beliefs
a. a maiden who sings merrily before a stove while cooking will marry an old
widower.

b. a comet is a bad omen, harbinger of famine, war or calamities.

c. a pregnant woman who eats twin bananas will give birth to twins.

d. when a cat wipes off its face with paws, a visitor is coming to the house.

e. if a sleeping person dreams that one of

his teeth falls out, somebody close to

him will die.

beliefs

5. Dressing
Putong or turban for men
Sarong (lower garment) for ladies
Muslim men in Mindanao and Sulu wear tight-fitting trousers resembles indian putees
shawls for ladies are suggestive to indian art
dressing

6. Language
Sanskrit language - most enduring of india's contributions to the Filipino culture.
For Dr. TH Padro de Tevera, there are more than 340 Sanskrit words in the Tagalog
language. Dr. Jose Villa Panganiban asserts 375 Sanskrit words and Dr. Najeeb M.
Saleby, 300 Sanskrit words in their dialects.
language
Filipino king in China
Chinese influences in the Philippines
From the Chinese, the Filipinos learned the manufacture of gunpowder, gold mining,
metallurgy, the use of porcelain, lead, silver, tin and etc. Occupancies and also
various forms of gambling. The manner of dressing during early times showed the
influence of China. China also improved the culinary art and diet of Filipinos.
Many social customs of early Filipinos were of Chinese origin. China also
influenced the language of the Filipinos. About 1500 Chinese words are

included in the present Filipino vocabulary

Influence
Early relations with Japan
Japan
Trade flourished with Japan and Philippines during the 13th century.

The town of Agoo, which was located on the shore of Lingayen gulf, was a busy
center of trade with Japan and called

"Puerto de Japon"

Japanese cultural influences

Culture
The Japanese taught us the manufacture of arms and tools, the tanning of deerskins,
and the artificial breeding of ducks and fishes.
Conclusion
It is a fact that the Philippines had contacted with Asian civilizations long
before the Spaniards came to influence us. Philippine contacts with neighboring
Asian nations preceded and extended over a long period of time.