Filipino Culture Slideshow
Additional Sources on Culture
1. http://www.ipc-ateneo.org/
This website will give you information on the latest cultural events happening in the Philippines. Such as books that are being released, summer school programs, and projects going on at that current time.
2. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/philippines-country-profile.html
This source would be helpful to you if you are planning a trip to the Philippines. It goes over Filipino etiquette, the language and translations, and supplies further resources. It is also a valuable site when looking for statistics and facts about the Philippines.
This website will give you information on the latest cultural events happening in the Philippines. Such as books that are being released, summer school programs, and projects going on at that current time.
2. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/philippines-country-profile.html
This source would be helpful to you if you are planning a trip to the Philippines. It goes over Filipino etiquette, the language and translations, and supplies further resources. It is also a valuable site when looking for statistics and facts about the Philippines.
Economy of the Philippines vs the World
The above map shows the current economy in 2014 of the world. You can look at the map and see how the Philippines compares to the rest of the world. The Philippines has an overall score of 60.1, making its economy the 89th freest in the 2014 Index.
URL: http://www.heritage.org/index/heatmap
URL: http://www.heritage.org/index/heatmap
Country Demographic Data
Area:
300,000 sq km Natural Hazards: Astride Typhoon belt, struck by five to six cyclonic storms each year Coastline: 36,289 km |
Elevation:
lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m Land Use: arable land: 18% permanent crops: 17.33% other: 64.67% (2011) Philippine Archipelago: 7,107 islands |
How Has The Philippines Changed Over Time?
Population |
Economy |
Work |
The screenshots above represent how the Philippines have changed in aspects of population, economy, and work. In population, as time passed the population generally increased. This made the Philippines a growing country that was eventually able to build cities and create a university. Since the Philippines were first becoming a country, imports played a huge role in bring resources to expand the economy. Imports continue to be important through 2010 as shown on the economy graph above. After imports had been brought to the country, it made it easier to work and create jobs for the people. This percentage of total population that are employed is growing as represented above in the work graph. A variety of other categories such as health, education, and society are also reasons that come together with population, economy, and work to explain why the Philippines have changed over time.
Religion
The Start of Religion:
The first people of the Philippines practiced a form of animism in pre-colonial times. Though the majority of the Philippines are now Catholic and Christian. Christianity arrived when Ferdinand Magellan landed in the Philippines in 1521. During the Spain and United States rule, missionaries led the country to be a predominant Christian nation. Now the Philippines are about 92.5% of the population.
Role of Religions:
Religions in the Philippines played a large role in festivities and national celebrations, traditions, and customs. To give honor to saints, the people hole fiestas or local feasts. They also do a one-week Lenten season observation or Holy Week to pure themselves of sin and ask for forgiveness. They also celebrate Christmas like many other Christians around the world. Religion helps guide people and families through times of crisis and helps them face any challenges they may come across (Cruz, S).
Sacred Places:
As the Philippines is the only predominant Christian country in Asia, churches and cathedrals can be found all over the country. Some of these churches and cathedrals are considered Holy Pilgrimage sites. One of those sites is the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan. She is known for answering prayers and granting miracles. Another site is the Quiapo Church in the City of Manila. It is one of the most visited churches in the Philippines (Bermosa, N) .
The first people of the Philippines practiced a form of animism in pre-colonial times. Though the majority of the Philippines are now Catholic and Christian. Christianity arrived when Ferdinand Magellan landed in the Philippines in 1521. During the Spain and United States rule, missionaries led the country to be a predominant Christian nation. Now the Philippines are about 92.5% of the population.
Role of Religions:
Religions in the Philippines played a large role in festivities and national celebrations, traditions, and customs. To give honor to saints, the people hole fiestas or local feasts. They also do a one-week Lenten season observation or Holy Week to pure themselves of sin and ask for forgiveness. They also celebrate Christmas like many other Christians around the world. Religion helps guide people and families through times of crisis and helps them face any challenges they may come across (Cruz, S).
Sacred Places:
As the Philippines is the only predominant Christian country in Asia, churches and cathedrals can be found all over the country. Some of these churches and cathedrals are considered Holy Pilgrimage sites. One of those sites is the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan. She is known for answering prayers and granting miracles. Another site is the Quiapo Church in the City of Manila. It is one of the most visited churches in the Philippines (Bermosa, N) .
Government and Religion Connection:
The government in the Philippines generally respects the religious freedom of the people of the country. Though, there is slight discrimination against the Muslim minority by the Christian majority (State Gov). Overall, the freedom of religion in the Philippines is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Philippines. The religion of the Philippines became predominantly Christian from the ruling of Spain and the United States.
Concluding Thoughts:
The religion of the Philippines is overall fairly similar to that of the United States. I found it interesting that I could relate to the thinking of the people. It is fascinating how they take certain religions so seriously as to have festivals where they paint their faces. It is also remarkable how the country had gone from practicing animism to believing in Jesus Christ as long as having an array of other religions. The culture is decently diverse when it comes to religions a lot like the United States.
The government in the Philippines generally respects the religious freedom of the people of the country. Though, there is slight discrimination against the Muslim minority by the Christian majority (State Gov). Overall, the freedom of religion in the Philippines is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Philippines. The religion of the Philippines became predominantly Christian from the ruling of Spain and the United States.
Concluding Thoughts:
The religion of the Philippines is overall fairly similar to that of the United States. I found it interesting that I could relate to the thinking of the people. It is fascinating how they take certain religions so seriously as to have festivals where they paint their faces. It is also remarkable how the country had gone from practicing animism to believing in Jesus Christ as long as having an array of other religions. The culture is decently diverse when it comes to religions a lot like the United States.
Citations:
- Bermosa, N. (2011, August 1). Holy pilgimage sites in the philippines. Retrieved from http://nobert-bermosa.blogspot.com/2011/08/holy-pilgrimage-sites-in-philippines.html
- Cruz, S. (2012, August 31). Role of religions in government, family, and business in the philippines. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/SarahCruz2/role-of-religion-in-government-family-and
- State Gov. (n.d.). Philippines. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/171666.pdf
Cultural and Biodiversity
The Philippines is considered one of the most mega diverse countries in the world. With 7,100 islands the country has many endemic species of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater, and invertebrates (IUCN Red List, 2011). The country is also very culturally diverse with some 80 major ethno-linguistic groups that practice distinct culture traditions and are further identified by their languages and dialects (Sugguiyao, 2014).
The largest connection between culture in the Philippines and biodiversity of plants and animals is found within Filipino tribes. The Luzon tribes believe in forest spirits and are animists. To pray they perform economic activities such as dancing before and after a pig hunt. The night before the activity the women gather shellfish and perform a dance as an apology to the fish and also as a charm to ensure the catch. Similarly, the men perform a bee dance before and after gathering honey (Yan, 2012). In these ways biodiversity of plants and animals across the Philippines connect with the variety of tribes and their spiritual beliefs.
The Philippines has always been prone to natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Along with natural disasters the Philippines also suffers human-caused environmental degradation by a loss of agricultural lands, deforestation, soil erosion, air and water pollution, improper disposal of solid and toxic wastes, loss of coral reefs, mismanagement and abuse of coastal resources, and overfishing (Wikipedia, 2013). A high annual population growth has negatively affected the natural environment and culture of the Philippines. The Philippines Department of Environmental and Natural Resources are currently tracking down illegal loggers and are trying to preserve the quality of the remaining rivers (Wikipedia, 2013).
Even though the country is a biodiversity hotspot and one of the most biologically diverse, it has the most threatened ecosystem. Some of the most known natural and anthropogenic causes that has cost the country a number of species are destruction of habitat due to illegal logging, mining, or quarrying, water and air pollution, oil spills, wildlife poaching and illegal trade, introduction of invasive species including pest and diseases (IUCN Red List, 2011). This has led to 38 species of fauna and 55 flora species that are critically endangered (IUCN Red List, 2011).
Sources:
IUCN Red List. (2011). Philippine biodiversity: Status and threats. Retrieved from http://mea.denr.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=113&Itemid=205
Sugguiyao, N. (2014). Cultural diversity of the philippines: The traditions of the kalinga peoples. Retrieved from http://www.worldaffairs.org/media-library/event/1139
Wikipedia. (2013, October 16). Environment of the philippines. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_of_the_Philippines
Yan, C. (2012, April 12). Philippine tribes: Aeta. Retrieved from http://www.globalpinoy.com/gp.topics.v1/viewtopic.php?postid=4f86939b1f850&channelName=4f86939b1f850
The largest connection between culture in the Philippines and biodiversity of plants and animals is found within Filipino tribes. The Luzon tribes believe in forest spirits and are animists. To pray they perform economic activities such as dancing before and after a pig hunt. The night before the activity the women gather shellfish and perform a dance as an apology to the fish and also as a charm to ensure the catch. Similarly, the men perform a bee dance before and after gathering honey (Yan, 2012). In these ways biodiversity of plants and animals across the Philippines connect with the variety of tribes and their spiritual beliefs.
The Philippines has always been prone to natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Along with natural disasters the Philippines also suffers human-caused environmental degradation by a loss of agricultural lands, deforestation, soil erosion, air and water pollution, improper disposal of solid and toxic wastes, loss of coral reefs, mismanagement and abuse of coastal resources, and overfishing (Wikipedia, 2013). A high annual population growth has negatively affected the natural environment and culture of the Philippines. The Philippines Department of Environmental and Natural Resources are currently tracking down illegal loggers and are trying to preserve the quality of the remaining rivers (Wikipedia, 2013).
Even though the country is a biodiversity hotspot and one of the most biologically diverse, it has the most threatened ecosystem. Some of the most known natural and anthropogenic causes that has cost the country a number of species are destruction of habitat due to illegal logging, mining, or quarrying, water and air pollution, oil spills, wildlife poaching and illegal trade, introduction of invasive species including pest and diseases (IUCN Red List, 2011). This has led to 38 species of fauna and 55 flora species that are critically endangered (IUCN Red List, 2011).
Sources:
IUCN Red List. (2011). Philippine biodiversity: Status and threats. Retrieved from http://mea.denr.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=113&Itemid=205
Sugguiyao, N. (2014). Cultural diversity of the philippines: The traditions of the kalinga peoples. Retrieved from http://www.worldaffairs.org/media-library/event/1139
Wikipedia. (2013, October 16). Environment of the philippines. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_of_the_Philippines
Yan, C. (2012, April 12). Philippine tribes: Aeta. Retrieved from http://www.globalpinoy.com/gp.topics.v1/viewtopic.php?postid=4f86939b1f850&channelName=4f86939b1f850
What People Eat
People in the Philippines may not have as many famous dishes as their neighbors in Vietnam but they have plenty of delicious dishes of their own. Within the 7,000 islands there is an abundance of seafood and tropical fruits. Some of the most famous dishes are adobo (meat cooked in a variety of spices), lechon (an entire pig spit-roasted over coals), and sisig (pork's cheeks, head, and liver in a sizzling dish). They also eat a lot of vegetables and rice. Homemade coconut milk is also a favorite, along with maja blanco (coconut cake).
Chicken Adobo Recipe
Ingredients
Marinade:
1 cup white wine vinegar
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup light brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, crushed
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 dried bay leaves
12 chicken drumsticks
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons arrowroot
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 2 large limes)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
Lime wedges
Directions
For the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves. Whisk until the sugar has dissolved.
Arrange the chicken in a single layer in a 9-by-13-by-2-inch glass baking dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for 2 hours, turning the chicken over halfway through.
Place the chicken and marinade in a large, high-sided skillet or Dutch oven and add the chicken broth. Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 45 to 50 minutes, turning the chicken every 20 minutes, until cooked through and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the liquid and arrange on a serving platter. Discard the bay leaves and garlic cloves. Whisk the arrowroot and lime juice into the liquid and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour the sauce over the chicken or serve alongside as a dipping sauce. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or cilantro, if using, and garnish with lime wedges.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-adobo-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Marinade:
1 cup white wine vinegar
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup light brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, crushed
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 dried bay leaves
12 chicken drumsticks
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons arrowroot
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 2 large limes)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
Lime wedges
Directions
For the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves. Whisk until the sugar has dissolved.
Arrange the chicken in a single layer in a 9-by-13-by-2-inch glass baking dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for 2 hours, turning the chicken over halfway through.
Place the chicken and marinade in a large, high-sided skillet or Dutch oven and add the chicken broth. Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 45 to 50 minutes, turning the chicken every 20 minutes, until cooked through and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the liquid and arrange on a serving platter. Discard the bay leaves and garlic cloves. Whisk the arrowroot and lime juice into the liquid and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour the sauce over the chicken or serve alongside as a dipping sauce. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or cilantro, if using, and garnish with lime wedges.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-adobo-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Food and Religion
One holiday celebrated in the Philippines is Undas, or All Saints Day and All Souls Day. This is a Catholic holiday that is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November in the Philippines. On these days the dead are honored and remembered as families lay out flowers, light candles, and say prayers over the graves of their departed loved ones. This holiday is known as a joyous occasion where families gather in a cemetery and have picnics. Undas is only one of the many Catholic holidays celebrated in the Philippines. The Spanish had a heavy influence on celebrations in the Philippines and they are often festive including song, dance, and banquets of food. The food was also introduced from Spanish origins including ingredients like tomatoes, potatoes, and corn and methods such as sautéing with garlic and onions.
Source:
https://www.remithome.com/newsletter-november-2012.html
Source:
https://www.remithome.com/newsletter-november-2012.html
History of Filipino Food
Food in the Philippines primarily comes from the Spanish influence starting during the Spanish era in the 16th century. This is an example if diffusion in the country. The Filipinos also adopted many customs and holidays from the Spanish. The top four crops cultivated in the country are coconut, corn, maize, and sugarcane.