MA’AM MIA (PHILIPPINE POPULAR CULTURE)

GREETINGS!

PRELIMINARY ACTIVITY:

What can you observe with the pictures?

TOPIC: CULTURES IN THE PHILIPPINES

 ASPECTS, CHARACTERISTIC, ELEMENTS AND LEVELS OF CULTURE

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

 EXPLAIN WHAT CULTURE IS.

 PROVIDE EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT CULTURES IN THE PHILIPPINES
 APPRECIATE THE CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Aspects of Culture
1. Material Culture
- Refers to physical or technological aspects of our daily lives
- Tangible in our environment
Explanation: These materials are man-made) and intended for
human survival, convenience, or cultural expression.
- Food items, tools, buildings, factories, dresses, artworks
2. Non-material Culture

Refers to the beliefs, values, traditions, languages, and customs that

shape society’s way of life

They are intangible

- They are more resistant to change.

(Non-material culture is harder to change because it is tied to
identity, emotions, traditions, and deeply held beliefs- changing
values and traditions requires time, education, and social
acceptance)
EXPLANATION: Unlike material culture, these aspects do not have a
physical form but influence social behavior, relationships of people
Best examples: Divorce remains illegal in the Philippines due to the
strong influence of Catholicism.

3. Culture Lag
 - Period of maladjustment when the non-material culture is
adapting to new material conditions.

Explanation: This occurs when technology, inventions, or innovations

evolve faster than the society’s values, norms, or laws, leading to
conflicts, debates,

Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage – While other countries have

adapted to LGBTQ+ rights, the Philippines still faces debates due to

strong religious and cultural beliefs.

Traditional vs. Online Education – The sudden shift to online learning

during the pandemic caused adjustment difficulties for students,
teachers, and parents.
Culture is a complex and dynamic system that shapes how people think,
behave, and interact within a society. It is not just about traditions or
artifacts; it influences every aspect of life, from language and customs to
technology and beliefs. Understanding culture involves recognizing that it is
shared, symbolic, integrative, adaptive, changing, and all-encompassing.

Characteristics of Culture

1. Culture is Learned

Culture is not inherited; it is acquired through socialization and

education from family, peers, schools, and media.

Explanation: People learn cultural practices, traditions, and

behaviors from birth through interaction and observation.

✅ Examples:

1. Bowing slightly or doing “mano” – Children are taught to take

an elder’s hand and place it on their forehead as a sign of
respect.
2. Eating with hands (“Kamayan”) – Many Filipinos learn from
their parents or community to eat using their hands, especially
during boodle fights.
 2. Enculturation

The process by which an individual learns their native culture

through experience, observation, and instruction.

Explanation: It happens naturally as people grow up within a society

and absorb its values and traditions.

✅ Examples:

1. A child growing up in a Muslim Filipino family learns to observe

Ramadan and daily prayers.
2. Indigenous Ifugao children learn to build and maintain rice
terraces as part of their heritage.
 3. Culture is Shared
Culture is not personal; it is common to a group of people,
allowing them to connect and function as a society.

Explanation: Shared cultural practices unite communities and create

a sense of belonging.

✅ Examples:

1. Filipinos celebrate fiestas together, strengthening community

bonds.
2. The Bayanihan spirit (helping neighbors move houses or
recover from disasters) reflects shared Filipino values.

4. Culture is Symbolic

Culture uses symbols, such as language, gestures, and artifacts, to

represent meanings and ideas.

Explanation: These symbols carry deep meanings and help convey

traditions, beliefs, and values.
✅ Examples in the Philippines:

1. The Barong Tagalog and Terno symbolize Filipino identity and are
worn during important occasions.

2. The "mano" gesture symbolizes respect for elders when greeting

them.

5. Culture as a Symbol

Culture itself acts as a representation of identity, values, and

traditions within a group.

Explanation: The way people dress, speak, and celebrate represents

their cultural identity.

✅ Examples in the Philippines:

1. The Philippine flag represents national identity, with each color
symbolizing different values (e.g., blue for peace, red for bravery).

2. The "Harana" (serenading) tradition symbolizes courtship and

romantic expression in Filipino culture.

6. Culture is Integrative

Culture connects different aspects of society, such as language,

religion, economy, and government.

Explanation: All cultural elements work together to form a society’s

way of life.

✅ Examples in the Philippines:

1.Filipino Language – The Filipino language integrates words from

Spanish (“mesa”), Chinese (“siopao”), and English (“computer”)
into daily conversations.

2. Filipino cuisine integrates various influences, combining Chinese,

Spanish, and American flavors (e.g., Lechon, Lumpia, and Siomai).

Lechon – The tradition of roasting a whole pig comes from Spain but
has been uniquely perfected in the Philippines.

Lumpia – Inspired by Chinese spring rolls, but adapted with Filipino

flavors and sauces.
7. Culture is Adaptive

Culture adapts and adjusts to changes in society, environment, and

technology.

Explanation: People modify traditions to suit or match the modern

needs while still preserving their identity.

✅ Examples in the Philippines:

1. From "Harana" to Online Dating – Courtship traditions have

shifted from serenading to chatting on social media.

2. From Traditional Baybayin to Modern Filipino Alphabet – The

writing system has evolved to match modern communication needs.
8. Culture is Changing

Culture is dynamic and constantly evolving due to innovations,

external influences, and generational shifts.

Explanation: Culture is not static, over time culture may change.

Changes occur internally (through local innovations) or externally
(through globalization and foreign influence).

A. Internal Changes / Innovations

Changes that happen within a society due to new ideas or practices.

✅ Examples in the Philippines:

1. Evolution of Filipino clothing – The Barong Tagalog now comes in

short-sleeve and colored variations to fit modern fashion.

2. The modernization of jeepneys to electric vehicles for

environmental sustainability.

B. External Changes / Cultural Diffusion

Changes brought by interaction with foreign cultures through trade,
colonization, or media.

✅ Examples in the Philippines:

1. The influence of Korean pop culture, with Filipinos embracing K-

dramas and K-pop music.

2.Filipino fast food influenced by American culture – Jollibee, a local

brand, adopted the concept of burgers, fries, and fried chicken from
McDonald's.

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9. Culture is All-Encompassing

Culture influences every aspect of human life, including language,

traditions, beliefs, customs, social norms, and even modern trends.

Brief Explanation:

Culture is not just about traditions or rituals; it includes daily

habits, food, clothing, communication, and technology. It shapes
how people interact, work, and live, making it an inseparable part of
society.

-Filipino Greetings and Respect: The practice of saying “po” and

“opo” and performing “mano po” to elders

reflects how culture shapes communication and respect.

Food Habits – Eating rice in almost every meal and using hands to
eat in traditional settings (e.g., “boodle fight”)

show how culture influences dining customs.

Religious and Social Practices – The observance of Simbang Gabi

during

Christmas and the widespread devotion to religious festivals (e.g.,

Sinulog, Pahiyas) highlight how culture influences spirituality.

QUIZ:

Directions: Read each question carefully and choose the correct

answer by selecting the letter that corresponds to your choice.

1. Which of the following best defines culture?

A. The study of human behavior and society

B. A set of beliefs, customs, practices, and material traits of a group

of people

C. The legal system that governs a nation

D. A scientific method used to analyze societies

Answer: B

2. Which of the following is an example of material culture in the

Philippines?

A. Respect for elders through “po” and “opo”

B. The practice of Bayanihan

C. The Barong Tagalog and Terno

D. The concept of utang na loob (debt of gratitude)

Answer: C

3. Which of the following is an example of culture lag in the

Philippines?

A. The delayed implementation of laws regarding online privacy and

cybercrimes

B. The quick adoption of social media trends among Filipinos

C. The rise of K-pop influence in Filipino entertainment

D. The preference for rice over bread in Filipino households

Answer: A
 4. How is culture learned?

A. Through genetic inheritance

B. Through education, family, and social interactions

C. Through instinct and personal experience only

D. Through government policies and laws

Answer: B

5. Which of the following shows that culture is integrative?

A. The use of Western clothing alongside traditional attire

B. The strict separation of indigenous and modern practices

C. The rejection of foreign influences in Filipino culture

D. The refusal to modify traditional dances and songs

Answer: A

6. Which of the following is an example of an external cultural

change?
A. Filipinos developing new local street food like “kwek-kwek”

B. The influence of Korean dramas on Filipino entertainment

preferences

C. The practice of harana (serenading) evolving into online courtship

D. The creation of new Filipino dialects over time

Answer: B

7. Which element of culture refers to shared beliefs about what is

good, right, and desirable?

A. Norms

B. Values

C. Language

D. Laws

Answer: B

8. What is an example of cultural relativism?

A. Accepting and respecting indigenous tattoo practices in the

Cordilleras

B. Judging another culture as inferior to one’s own

C. Rejecting foreign influences in Filipino customs

D. Believing that only modern cultures are correct and advanced

Answer: A

9. What is an example of maladaptive culture in the Philippines?

A. Using modern farming techniques to improve rice production

B. Over-reliance on jeepneys, causing heavy traffic and pollution

C. Practicing both Catholicism and indigenous beliefs

D. The integration of indigenous weaving in modern fashion

Answer: B

10. What level of culture includes Filipino traditions that are

also found in other countries?

A. National culture

B. International culture

C. Subculture

D. Regional culture

Answer: B
ESSAY:

Why is it important to appreciate the different cultures in the

Philippines?

Appreciating cultural diversity is crucial because it promotes

inclusivity, strengthens national identity, and fosters mutual
respect. When Filipinos recognize the value of different traditions,
they create a society that is united despite differences. Embracing
diversity does not mean losing one’s own culture; rather, it enriches
the Filipino identity and allows it to thrive in a globalized world.

ASSIGNMENT

Take or collect pictures of three cultural elements in your

community (e.g., traditional food, clothing, or festivals). Write a
short description of each and explain its significance. Write your
answers on a short bond paper.