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

GONZAGA

OMPAD

SAGARINO

CABAGNOT

If you’re planning on visiting the Philippines, tell me: are you the kind of traveler who not only likes to party but also wants to be a part of something big and significant? Well if you are, I suggest that its your time to trip in early January so that you can catch one of the grandest events that the country has.

Sinulog Festival!

What is Sinulog?

The Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival is an annual cultural and religious festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu, and is the centre of the Sr. Sto. Niño Catholic celebrations in the Philippines.
The Sinulog dance is said to originate from the adviser of Rajah Humabon. The word “Sinulog” was derived from the Cebuano adverb “sulog” which roughly translates to “like water current movement.“Thats why its dance stepping is like going back and forth.

The festival is considered to be first of most popular festivals in the Philippines, with every celebration of the festival routinely attracting around 1 to 2 million people from all over the Philippines every year. Aside from the religious aspect of the festival, Sinulog is also famous for its street parties, usually happening the night before and the night of the main festival.

What makes sinulog festival the best?

There is no other festival in the whole Philippines that can equal our Sinulog in terms of prestige, popularity, and fame. When the month of January starts here in the whole country and abroad, when Filipinos think of Cebu, they always remember the Sinulog, they remember the Santo Niño more than they remember Lapu-Lapu, Magellan, or any of our politicians. The Sinulog is always top of mind, when it comes to religious festivities. It is the one with the biggest attendance, the strongest tourist pull, and the one that brings in the most business activities.

Street parties are one of the most exciting part for teens and tourist ,especially to those who likes to dance ,mingle with others ,and enjoy the night.It is where you get wet and painted all over your body and believe me its one of the best nights on your year.

Vibrant, lively, and meaningful, the Sinulog Festival is, without a doubt, a unique experience, a must-do and a must-see! Of course as a cebuano I can’t deny the fact that its too crowde due to the millions of attendees during the grand parade. I believe that the effect will be different, and a positive one.

A must see events in sinulog:

1. Walk with Jesus dawn procession

2. The fluvial procession

3. The 9 days Novena Masses

3. Street Dancing

4. Street Party

5. The singing of “Bato Balani”

https://youtu.be/Dp44_xBGfuw

5. The Image Of Senyor Santo Niño

(Ctto)

Our members’ photo :

•After attending the Holy Mass

•The fluvial procession of the image

ONE BEAT.

ONE DANCE.

ONE VISION .

VIVA PIT SENYOR!

Group 5

Alne Jean Betania

Krisha May Anito

Rhea Sagarino

Jonna Mae Gonzaga

MaryRose Cabagnot

Aiwen Ompad

TS11A2