The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country in the Western Pacific, made up of more than 7,000 islands. The capital of the Philippines is Manila. Is famous for its own waterfront promenade and centuries-old Chinatown, Binondo. Intramuros is a walled city in colonial times and it is the heart of Old Manila. It’s home to the baroque 17th-century San Augustin Church as well as Fort Santiago, a storied citadel and military prison

Chinatown, Binondo Manila

Manila’s Walled City of Intramuros

Culture

The culture of the Philippines is a combination of cultures of the East and West. Filipino’s identity was created primarily as a result of pre-colonial cultures, colonial influences and Chinese traders intermixing together; gradually evolving Filipino identity. The traditional culture of the Philippines is heavily influence by the traditions of the indigenous Austronesian people. The cultural landscape also features Spanish, American, Japanese, Arabic, nad 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.

Festival

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 primary of the Roman Catholic faith, most citues and towns in the Philippines have patron saints who are honored through festivals.

Folk Dance

All throughout the Philippines, many folk dances were discovered, presented and preserved depending on the cultural background of each group. Among the best and known folk dances of Luzon are Abaruray, Cariñosa (the National Filipino Dance), Maglalatik, and Sayaw sa Bangko. Visayas however pride son Ku rats a, Tinikling, Kuradang, Itk-Itik and Pandanggo sa Ilaw. Mindanao is known for Singkil, Dugso, Sagayan, Karasaguyon and Asik.

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.

Gesture

Mano or pagmamano is an “honoring-gesture” used in Filipino culture performed as a sign of respect to elders and as a way of requesting a blessing from the elder. Similar to hand-kissing, the person giving the greeting bows towards the hand of the elder and presses his or her forehead on the elder’s hand. Usually performed with the right hand, the person showing respect may ask “Mano po” to the elder in order to ask permission to initiate the gesture. Typically someone may mano to his or her older relatives upon entry into their home or upon seeing them.

The word “mano“ is Spanish for hand while the word po is often used in Filipino culture and language at the end of each sentence as a sign of respect when addressing someone older. Put together, mano po literally translates to [your] hand please as the greeting initiates the gesture of touching the back of the hand of an elder lightly on one’s forehead. An identical tradition is followed in neighbouring Indonesia and Malaysia called salim and salam respectively, suggesting that the Mano po tradition dates to precolonial times.

Tourism in the Philippines

Philippines is an archipelagic country composed of 7,641 islands with 82 provinces divided in 17 regions. The country is known for having its rich biodiversity as its main tourist attraction. Its beaches, heritage towns and monuments, mountains, rainforests, islands and diving spots are among the country’s most popular tourist destinations. The country’s rich historical and cultural heritage, including its festivals and indigenous traditions, are also one of the attractions of Philippines. Popular destinations among tourists are El Nido in Palawan, Davao, Boracay, Siargao, Cebu, Manila and many more.

Currently, there are Six UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered in nine different locations: Vigan, Santa Maria Church Complex, Paoay Church Complex, San Agustin Church Complex, Miagao Church Complex, Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras. Five different rice terrace clusters, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Underground River of Puerto Princesa, and Mount Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctaury. Two UNESCO World Heritage Cities: Vigan and Miagao. One UNESCO Creative City Baguio. Three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves: Palawan Biosphere Reserve, Albay Biosphere Reserve, and Puerto Galera Biosphere Reserve. Seven Ramsar Wetland Sites: Las Piñas-Parañaque, Lake Naujan, Puerto Princesa, Tubbataha Reefs, Olango, Agusan Marsh, and Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands. Eight ASEAN Heritage Parks: Mount Apo National Park, Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park, Mount kitanglad National Park, Mount Makiling National Park, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Mount Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary, and Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok National Park in the Philippines.

You can do many things in the Philippines either visiting the tourist spots, churches, and the people. You can easily adopt the Philippine culture because it is easy and you can also learn our language.

It’s more fun in the Philippines

*ctto of the pictures

GROUP 5

ANITO

BETANIA

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OMPAD

SAGARINO

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