SOCIETY
The Culture Of The Philippines
The culture of the Philippines is influenced by both the east and the west.
Carved indigenous carvings from the Philippines.
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The Philippines
The Philippines is commonly referred to as a melting pot of western and
eastern cultures. The traditional culture of the Philippines is heavily
influenced by the traditions of the indigenous Austronesian people. The
cultural landscape also features Spanish, American, Japanese, Arabic, and
Indonesian influence. The major religions in the country are Christianity
and Islam which have played a significant role in shaping the culture of the
Philippines.
7. Social Beliefs And Customs
The social beliefs and customs practiced in the Philippines are primarily
influenced by the religion and demographics of the region where they are
practiced. The traditional customs of the indigenous Filipinos are based on
the beliefs of the Austronesian inhabitants of the Philippines.
6. Religion, Festivals, And Holidays
The Constitution of the Philippines provides for the freedom of religion.
The Philippines is one of the few Asian countries to have a Christian
majority. About 90.07% of Philippines residents identify as Christians with
80.58% of the population being followers of the Roman Catholic Church
and about 11% being other Christian denominations. Islam is the second
largest religion in the country with about 5.6% of citizens identifying as
Muslim. The majority of the Muslim Filipinos are Sunni Muslims, but there
is also a small number of Ahmadiyya Muslims. The cultural diversity in the
Philippines is showcased in numerous festivals, locally known as fiestas,
which are celebrated in the country. All of the festivals have religious or
cultural significance. Due to the predominance of the Roman Catholic faith,
most cities and towns in the Philippines have patron saints who are
honored through festivals. For instance, the Silmugi Festival (held in honor
of Saint Sebastian), the Sinulog Festival (held in honor of Santo Nino de
Cebu), and the Kuraldal Festival (held in honor of Saint Lucy). While most
festivals are only observed in particular regions or towns, some are public
holidays which are celebrated all over the country. Some public holidays
observed in the Philippines include New Year’s Day (observed on January
1st), the Holy Week (observed between March and April), Independence
Day (observed on June 12th), Christmas Day (observed on December 25th),
and Rizal Day (observed on December 30th).
5. Music And Dance
The music composed in the Philippines is influenced by all the cultures in
the country. The traditional folk songs are primarily inspired by the
indigenous customs and beliefs. Some notable composers of Filipino folk
music include Lucio San Pedro from the National Artist for Music as well as
Antonio Buenaventura, a renowned patriotic music composer. The music
composed in the urban regions of the Philippines, particularly targeted to
the youth is known as original pinoy music or Philippine pop music.
Popular musicians from this genre include Christian Bautista, Sarah
Geronimo, Yeng Constantino, and groups such as True Faith, Yano, The
Teeth, and Neocolours among others. Other popular genres include jazz,
hip hop, reggae, and Latino music. Dance in the Philippines ranges from
traditional indigenous-inspired dances to modern “western-inspired”
dances. Tinikling is an example of a traditional dance with nationwide
appeal.
4. Literature And Arts
Ancient Filipino literature was primarily made up of legends and folklore
which were the main forms of literature before the Spanish colonization of
the country. These folktales were based on specific themes and aimed to
pass down traditions and cultural beliefs through generations. While most
of these folktales existed as oral literature, written publications did exist
particularly during the Spanish colonial era. One such publication is the
“Ibong Adarna,” a story written by Jose de la Cruz. Other famed writers of
this period include Francisco Balagtas, famed for his publication “Florante
at Laura” as well as Jose Rizal. The earliest form of art is traced back to
5000 BC through pottery discovered in the Sanga-Sanga Cave. Ancient
Filipinos were also gifted tattoo artists who decorated their bodies in multi-
colored pigmentation with environment-inspired designs. The tattoo work
on these ancient Filipinos was done so well that Portuguese explorers
called them the “Painted People” or the “Pintados.” Modern artists in the
Philippines include Damian Domingo, Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and
Elito Circa who is known world-wide for painting using his blood. There are
numerous museums in the Philippines which showcase the artistry in the
country which include the National Art Gallery as well as the Metropolitan
Museum of Art located in Manila.
3. Cuisine
An excellent way that the cultural diversity in the Philippines is portrayed
is through the local cuisine. The cuisine in the Philippines is influenced by
local and foreign cultures. Rice is the staple meal in the country and is
usually prepared through steaming and is served together with other foods.
Rice is also ground to rice flour which is used in the preparation of pastries
and sweets. The abundance of fish in the country makes seafood another
common food item in most households with tilapia, clams, mussels, cod,
squid, and catfish being salted, fried, and served with rice and vegetables.
Other popular food items in the Philippines include lechon (roasting of a
whole pig common during festivals), mechado (larded beef with tomato
sauce), and afritada (pork or chicken prepared with vegetables and tomato
sauce) among others. The country is also home to many “western” fast food
franchises including Pizza Hut, KFC, and McDonald’s.
2. Clothing
The Maria Clara is a traditional dress worn by Filipino women. The
traditional attire gets its name from a famous character known as Maria
Clara in the epic 19th-century narrative, “Noli me tangere” written by Jose
Rizal. The Maria Clara is made of four components namely; the saya (a long
dress), the tapis (a knee-long skirt), the camisa (a collarless chemise), and
the panuelo (a stiff scarf). In recent years, the Maria Clara has been
modernized to produce a modern version known as the terno which was
popularized by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who wore the terno
during the 2008 State of the Nation Address. Another traditional garment
of the Philippines is the Barong Tagalog normally worn by men during
special occasions. Also known as the Baro, the Barong Tagalog features a
formal long shirt decorated with embroidery. The attire was popularized by
President Ramon Magsaysay who wore the Baro in most state functions.
1. Sports
The national sport in the country is Arnis, a type of martial arts. Boxing is
one of the most popular sports in the Philippines with the country
producing global superstar boxer and the only eight-division champion in
the world, Manu Pacquiao. Another popular sport is basketball with the
country producing international basketball players such as Robert Jaworski
and Carlos Loyzaga.
What is the Culture of the Philippines Like?
The Philippines is often referred to as a melting pot of eastern and western cultures.
The culture is also heavily influenced by indigenous populations. The culture also
has Spanish, American, Japanese, Indonesian, and Arabic influences.
Updated On: 2018-07-24 15:11:08
By Benjamin Elisha Sawe
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Culture
The culture of the Philippines comprises a blend of traditional Filipino and Spanish Catholic
traditions, with influences from America and other parts of Asia. The Filipinos are family
oriented and often religious with an appreciation for art, fashion, music and food.
Filipinos are also hospitable people who love to have a good time. This often includes
getting together to sing, dance, and eat. The annual calendar is packed with festivals, many
of which combine costumes and rituals from the nation’s pre-Christian past with the Catholic
beliefs and ideology of present day.
