Philippine Culture and Heritage Comprehensive Notes

Philippine Culture and Heritage

Understanding the Filipino Culture

  • Filipinos are ethnically diverse people primarily of Malay descent from Southeast Asia (Indonesia).

  • Contemporary Filipino society includes various culturally and linguistically distinct ethnic groups.

  • Significant groups include:

    • Cebuano (Visayan Islands): About one-fifth of the population.

    • Tagalog (Luzon): About one-fifth of the population.

    • Hiligaynon/Ilongo (Panay & Negros, Visayan Islands): Roughly one-tenth of the population.

    • Ilocano (Northern Luzon): Roughly one-tenth of the population.

    • Bicol (Bicol Peninsula) and Waray-Waray (Samar & Leyte, Visayas): Jointly one-tenth.

    • Kapampangans/Pampango (South-Central Luzon) and Filipino mestizos: Small percentages.

  • Remainder of the population: Smaller groups of indigenous and immigrant peoples.

  • Indigenous people: Negritos (Aeta, Ita, Agta), a small percentage of the population.

  • Core Filipino value: Kapwa (shared inner self), fostering a sense of common identity and consciousness.

  • Emphasis on social acceptance and harmony at individual and community levels.

  • Social behavior is influenced by social approval and concern for others' opinions.

Common Filipino Traits and Values

  • The Family

    • Strong family ties are prevalent. Extended families often live together.

    • The family is central; children typically live with parents until marriage.

    • Couples often live with or near their parents.

    • Elderly care is a family responsibility, avoiding retirement homes.

    • Importance of family care is reflected in Filipino caregivers and nurses working abroad.

  • Humor and Positivity

    • Optimism, humor, and positivity are common traits.

    • Filipinos enjoy festivities and celebrations with many national and local holidays.

    • Quality time is spent with family for birthdays, Christmas, etc.

    • Encouragement to find the good in challenging situations.

    • Adaptability to natural calamities (typhoons, Pacific Ring of Fire) fosters humor and positivity as a survival mechanism.

  • Flexibility and Adaptability

    • “Bahala na” (whatever happens, happens) embodies adaptability and quick thinking.

    • It reflects belief in a higher power and submitting to uncontrolled elements.

    • Viewed positively as encouragement to face problems.

    • Negatively, it can be seen as excusing oneself from responsibility.

  • Faith and Religion

    • Spirituality is deeply embedded in Filipino culture.

    • The Catholic Church influences some laws.

    • Towns celebrate fiestas honoring patron saints.

    • Religious holidays are commemorated.

    • Religion shapes values and principles significantly.

  • Filipino Hospitality

    • Warmly welcome guests regardless of origin or familiarity.

    • Hosts provide food, entertainment, and local tours.

    • Offer pasalubong (souvenirs like delicacies) to visitors.

Other Positive Traits

  • Respect for the elderly: Mano po (taking elders' hands) shows respect.

  • Industrious attitude: Resourceful and hardworking to achieve goals despite challenges.

  • Generosity: Naturally generous and helpful to family and even strangers, evident in numerous charity drives and foundations.

Cultural Heritage Tourism in the Philippines

  • Cultural heritage (UNESCO definition): Artifacts, monuments, buildings, sites, and museums with symbolic, historical, artistic, aesthetic, ethnological, anthropological, scientific, and social significance.

  • Includes tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

  • Preserving cultural heritage keeps cultural practices and identities alive.

  • Tangible and intangible heritages are intertwined and work in partnership.

Tangible Cultural Heritage

  • Physical artifacts, monuments, or collections transmitted intergenerationally.

  • Examples include buildings, landscapes, books, works of art, and artifacts.

  • World Heritage Sites in the Philippines (DOT List):

    • Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Palawan):

      • Natural wonder with distinctive geological features.

      • One of the longest subterranean rivers flowing into the sea.

      • Focus of scientific investigation.

      • Vast rainforest with endemic and threatened flora and fauna.

      • Home to mouse deer, Calamian deer, Palawan bearcat, porcupines, skunks, wild pigs, flying squirrels, rats, bats, and monkeys.

      • Cave-inhabiting reptiles, birds, and mammals are endemic to Palawan.

    • Banaue Rice Terraces (Ifugao Province):

      • Located high in the Cordillera Mountain Range.

      • Terraces carved into steep mountain slopes.

      • Connects man with nature, showcasing human-shaped landscapes for rice cultivation.

      • Significant national symbol.

    • The Historic City of Vigan (Ilocos Sur):

      • Established in the 16th century, it is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.

      • Third most important city after Manila and Cebu during the Spanish era.

      • Center of Spanish colonial power in Northern Luzon.

      • Buildings reveal the town's story (religious, political, wealth, modest means).

      • Living testament to the Spanish colonial era, blending foreign influences into a unique style.

    • Baroque Churches of the Philippines:

      • Four Roman Catholic churches built between the 16th and 18th centuries.

      • San Agustin Church (Intramuros, Manila), Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur), Saint Augustine Church/Paoay Church (Paoay, Ilocos Norte), Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church/Miagao Church (Miagao, Iloilo).

      • Distinctive architectural style: European Baroque reinterpreted by Chinese and Philippine artisans.

      • Squat, enormous appearance resembling fortresses due to pirates, marauders, and seismic conditions.

      • Excellent site planning following Ley de las Indias (Laws of the Indies) enacted by Philip II in 1563.

    • Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park:

      • Located in the middle of the Sulu Sea, including Tubbataha and Jessie Beazley Reefs.

      • Wide diversity of marine life (whales, sharks, dolphins, turtles, Napoleon wrasse).

      • Supports more than 360 coral species and nearly 700 fish species.

      • Protects one of the region's few remaining colonies of breeding seabirds.

    • Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary:

      • Forms a mountain ridge along the Pujada Peninsula in Eastern Mindanao.

      • Critical habitat for plant and animal species.

      • Haven for endangered and endemic flora and fauna.

      • Eight species found nowhere else, including threatened trees, plants, Philippine Eagle, and cockatoo.

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

  • UNESCO definition: Traditions or living expressions inherited from ancestors and passed on to descendants (oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge, practices concerning nature, skills to produce traditional crafts).

  • Examples in the Philippines:

    • Buklog Ritual of the Subanen (Zamboanga Peninsula):

      • Inscribed in UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding (December 2019).

      • Largest and most sophisticated ritual of the Subanen people.

      • Appeases spirits and shows gratitude for recovery from sickness, bountiful harvest, or new leader.

      • Lasts several days with various rituals.

      • Tall structure with a flexible platform for rituals and community dance.

      • Powerful cultural symbol of Subanen identity and uniting force.

    • Piña Handloom Weaving (Aklanon of Panay Island):

      • Woven by the Aklanon in Aklan, Western Visayas.

      • Made from pineapple leaf fibers using a handloom.

      • Procedure remains almost unchanged.

      • Finest among handwoven textiles, valued for quality, rarity, and is considered an heirloom.

      • Produced through conventional means, facing decreasing practitioners.

    • Igal, Traditional Dance of the Sama People (Tawi-Tawi):

      • Performed for various occasions and in many variants.

      • Shared heritage among the Sama and other groups in western Mindanao (Pamansak in Yakan, Pangalay in Tausug).

      • Characterized by graceful movements, imitating natural motions.

      • Uses finger extensions called janggay.

    • Lepa and Other Watercraft and Boat-Building Practices (Sama People of Tawi-Tawi):

      • Sama people are famous for making boats, especially the lepa.

      • Used for fishing, traveling, and serves as a house for the family.

      • Boatbuilding is passed from father to son and elders to the younger generation.

    • Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia (Naga City, Bicol Region):

      • Centuries-old image of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia.

      • Strong devotion in Bicol, where she is the region's patroness.

      • Millions of devotees flock to Naga City every September.

      • Reverence marked by prayers, masses, and fluvial processions.

    • Using Mud as a Mordant (Ifugao of Northern Luzon):

      • Ifugao weave textiles by hand using back-strap looms.

      • Textiles are dyed using the ikat technique and natural dyes from plants and mud.

      • Mud acts as a mordant to fix colors.

      • Iron-rich mud is collected from rice paddies or ponds with reverence.

    • Traslacion of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo, Manila):

      • The Black Nazarene inspires intense adoration.

      • Traslacion reenacts the transport of the replica image from Intramuros to Quiapo Church in 1787.

      • The original statue was brought to the Philippines in 1606.

      • Held annually on January 9, commemorating the first journey to Quiapo Church.

      • Attracts millions of devotees who pray, touch, and help carry the image.

    • Mask Making for the Moryonan Lenten Tradition (Marinduque):

      • Unique Lenten penitential rite in Marinduque involves wearing moryon masks.

      • Moryonan: Week-long religious practice where penitents wear Roman soldier costumes with wooden masks.

      • Masks are sculpted from wood by traditional artisans.

      • Concentrated in Mogpog, where the most conventional form of moryonan is practiced.

Festivals

  • Great way to see and experience authentic culture.

  • Most celebrations are rooted in Christianity due to Spanish colonial rule.

  • Commemorate the lives of Saints or honor baby Jesus.

  • Festivals were influential in spreading Christianity.

  • Some festivals commemorate historical events, honor seasons or pay tribute to survivors of tragedy.

  • Characterized by frenzied dancing, loud music, feasts, costumes, and alcohol.

  • Famous Festivals in the Philippines:

    • Sinulog Festival (Cebu City, 3rd week of January):

      • One of the largest festivals, honoring Sto. Niño (Holy Child Jesus).

      • Features a dance ritual indicating pagan past and conversion to Christianity.

      • Parade participants wear multi-colored costumes and dance to trumpets, drums, and gongs.

    • Dinagyang Festival (Iloilo City, 4th Sunday of January):

      • “Dinagyang” means merrymaking or revelry (Ilonggo term).

      • Commemorates Santo Niño and the arrival of Malay settlers.

      • Features Dagyang Tribes Dance Competition with body paint, folkloric scenarios, props, costumes, and parade.

    • Masskara Festival (Bacolod City, October):

      • Month-long street-dancing, drinking, and merrymaking.

      • Began in 1980 during an agricultural crisis to lift spirits and called the "City of Smiles".

      • Masskara means “many faces,” developed from “mascara” (mask).

      • Performers, dancers, and onlookers wear smiling masks.

    • Ati-Atihan Festival (Kalibo, Aklan, January):

      • Philippines’ oldest festival and the “Mother of all Philippine Festivals.”

      • Inspired most Philippine festivals.

      • Celebrated for over 800 years in honor of the Holy Child Jesus.

      • Ati-Atihan named after the Ati people (short, dark-skinned).

      • Originally pagan, turned into a Christian event by the Spaniards.

      • Features street parties and dancing competitions.

    • Pahiyas Festival (Quezon Province, May):

      • Harvest celebration.

      • “Pahiyas” means to decorate.

      • Houses are adorned with farm crops like fruits, vegetables, and kiping.

      • Traces back to the 15th century when farmers presented crops at church to honor St. Isidore the Laborer.

      • Farmers display harvests at their houses for the priest to bless.

    • Panagbenga Festival (Baguio City, February):

      • Yearly flower festival, lasting over a month.

      • “Panagbenga” means “season of blooming” (Kankanaey term).

      • Reflects history, traditions, and values of Baguio and the Cordilleras.

      • Showcases floral float parades, street dances, and food streets.

    • Moriones Festival (Marinduque, Holy Week/April):

      • Yearly religious event to remember St. Longinus.

      • Longinus was healed by Jesus' blood, converted, and became a monk.

      • “Morion” refers to Roman soldier helmets.

      • Re-enacts the search for Longinus and the “Passion of the Christ.”

      • Men wear masks, Roman armor, tunics, helmets, and spears.

    • Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival (Tacloban, June):

      • Celebrated since 1987 to showcase the tattooed tribespeople of Samar and Leyte (Pintados).

      • Cultural-religious festival that draws travelers to Tacloban.

      • Features street dancing with vibrant costumes and body paint resembling tribal warrior armor.

    • Giant Lantern Festival (San Fernando, Pampanga, December):

      • Christmas Capital of the Philippines.

      • Traces roots to lubena (nightly procession of lanterns during masses leading up to Christmas).

      • Participants craft giant Christmas lanterns.

      • Lanterns are paraded around each barrio on Christmas Eve.