Tag Archives: Culture

Culture

Popular aspects of Filipino Culture you need to be aware of

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For most, experiencing the culture of the society you grew up in becomes a little like the adage of a fish experiencing the feeling of water. The way of life that seems completely normal to you may seem quirky or unusual to those from different cultural backgrounds.

The Philippines is no exception to this phenomenon. Although, Filipino youth are still exposed to external modern day cultural influences through mass media, many still hang on to long held cultural beliefs and traditions which are passed down through their parents and relatives.

The Philippines as a nation has also endured a long history of foreign occupation, strong trade relations, and also welcoming migrants from its surrounding neighbours. All of this has had an impact on the modern day culture of the Philippines.

A large part of what the Philippines is today is due to the Malay influence in the region, coupled with the long history of Spanish occupation. Trade relationships with the Chinese, Indians, and some Arabs nations also resulted in significant cultural exchange. With many aspects of language and culture being adopted by Filipinos, including various aspects of the Hindu, and Islamic belief systems.

Now we will focus in on some prominent shared habits, and traditions in the Philippines. We will have a look at what makes them a unique nation within South East Asia, and we’ll be offering advice to help visitors better integrate into the community.

Close family ties amongst Filipino families

After spending time in the Philippines, it quickly becomes apparent that family comes first. It’s easy to see the obligation felt by Filipinos to contribute to the success of their loved ones. Due to decades of mismanagement, it has become difficult for average Filipinos to get ahead in life on their own terms.

Due to this spirit of self-sacrifice, older family members will often help younger relatives with their school and college fees. On the other hand, younger family members will give their older parents and relatives money for living expenses and medication, and will almost always look after them into their old age.

Helping family is not just limited to your siblings and parents. Whether you’re an Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, or even second cousin, it doesn’t matter, you will be looked after because you’re family.

Respect for the elderly comes from this respect for the family unit

From a young age, Filipinos are taught the gesture of “Mano Po”. When first greeting an elder, you take their hand and raise it to your forehead. It is a means of showing respect to those older than you, and asking for their blessing. 

This attitude toward elders carries on throughout life. Retirement homes and villages aren’t as prevalent as they are in western societies. In fact for some people the concept of sending away the elderly is unheard of. Many take it upon themselves to support and look after their parents, and elderly relatives throughout their old age.

The nationwide karaoke obsession

On a different note, Karaoke is a past-time which is now ingrained in the Filipino DNA. The country has a passion for singing that has swept across the nation. Whether it be a party, family gathering, or another social event, there will always be a karaoke machine in use.

I can’t emphasise enough how common it is to come across someone in the country with a breathtaking singing voice. I believe the obsession with karaoke has a lot to do with this. But you don’t need to be a pro to join in, there is no judgement, just pick up the microphone and have some fun.

Karaoke machines are also relatively inexpensive, and widely available. This makes it an accessible social activity, which brings people together to bond and have some fun. There’s something entertaining about watching your friends and family enjoy some good food and alcohol, while belting out some classic songs.

Click here to read more about the karaoke culture of the Philippines!

 

“Utang na loob” the debt of gratitude

This next concept5 of Filipino cultures ties back to the Filipinos propensity to care for their elderly parents. It’s showing a debt of gratitude. You recognise how much someone has helped you, so you feel an obligation to return the favour.

This is often pointed at as a source of rampant corruption in the country. Politicians are regularly accused of vote buying, they will hand out money to their constituents, in which the assumption is they will return the favour by voting for them.

Although this does happen, it should not cloud the spirit of “utang na loob”. This helps build strong communities around the country, as the citizens hold this culture of helping others, and performing acts of reciprocity.

Filipinos take their religious convictions seriously

A high proportion of Filipinos identify as Christians, the majority of the population being Roman Catholic. Catholicism was introduced to the Philippines by Spanish colonisers in the 16th century, and it has since been deeply ingrained in Filipino culture and traditions. Many Filipino Catholics are deeply religious and actively participate in religious practices such as attending mass, praying the rosary, and observing religious holidays and festivals.

In addition to Catholicism, there are also significant numbers of Protestants, Muslims, and Buddhists in the Philippines. Protestantism was introduced during the American colonial period, while Islam has been present in the Philippines for centuries and is primarily concentrated in the southern islands. Buddhism has also been present in the Philippines for many years, and there is a growing interest in the practice amongst Filipinos.

Click here to read about Cebus Taoist Temple, a testament to the countries religious diversity

There are also many indigenous religious practices in the Philippines, often referred to as “animism,” which involve the worship of natural and ancestral spirits. These practices are typically integrated with other religious beliefs and are particularly prevalent in rural areas.

To see the religious devotion that runs through the country on display, you can attend any of the annual festivals held in the nation’s capitals. Sinulog, or the Feast of the Black Nazarene, are perfect examples where millions of Filipinos take to the streets to observe these religious festivals.

Filipinos show resilience in the face of many difficult circumstances

This is a common joke amongst Filipinos, you haven’t to be tolerant and push through to maintain your sanity. On a daily basis they deal with the effects of incompetent self-serving politicians, frequent natural calamities such as earthquakes and typhoons, difficulty finding work to cover their living expenses, amongst many other things.

Despite all this, they maintain a friendly, positive attitude. They still have a positive outlook for the future, with many Filipinos rising above the circumstances and achieving great things.

Many Filipinos have become very adaptable and strong people due to their circumstances. This means many are more likely to take action and deal with their situation. These traits have made OFWs a desirable class, employers know Filipinos are adaptable, hardworking people which make them ideal employees.

 

Food

Balut, The Philippine snack like no other.

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Balut is one aspect of a vibrant array of food eaten in the Philippines. Across the countries seven thousand islands, you will find local communities, all with their own unique delicacies. You will regularly find people enjoying sea urchin, worms, and chicken organs. This style of food can be purchased from street food vendors, and markets found across the country.

Within this street food scene, is where you will find Balut. It is often spoken about as a delicacy, though in modern day Philippines, it belongs more in the street food category. Delicacy implies luxury food items like truffles or caviar. Though it once could have been in that category, you will now find Balut being sold in places like the streets of Manila. The locals love the egg to be nice and hot, and love to wash it down with a cold beer. 

So, let’s continue to see what this famous Filipino dish actually is.

So, what exactly is Balut?

Balut is a chicken or duck egg which is boiled or steamed. You then crack open the top of the shell, then pour some salt and vinegar to the top, some people add other toppings like chilli sauce to the egg.

Now, what makes Balut interesting is the egg is fertilised. The embryo is left to grow in the egg for around sixteen to twenty-one days. The egg is then cooked and served to customers with not only the yolk present inside, but also the embryo.

I know it doesn’t sound alluring, eating a half developed embryo isn’t everyone’s idea of a delicious snack. A lot of foreign tourists are put off by the sight of the egg. But many people do try it when they visit the country.

Most “first timers” will opt for an egg that is around the 16-week mark, as the embryo is less developed, the appearance is a little less intimidating. Although it looks off-putting, the taste of the hot egg with the salt and vinegar is actually quite nice.

Besides the large amounts of salt added to the egg, the dish isn’t completely bad for you. It contains all the usual health benefits from egg, as well as being rich in vitamin C, protein, calcium, and beta-carotene.

Where did Balut originate? 

Balut began to emerge in the Philippines starting in the 16th century. The Chinese population in the country were primarily responsible for the adoption of the food in the Philippines. Before refrigerators were created, the Chinese use the fertilised duck eggs as a means of extending the shelf life of the eggs.

The global influence that comes with high levels of migration from south-east Asian nations can also not be ignored. The initial spread of Balut came from Chinese migration to nations such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. Now with high levels of migration into western nations, you can now easily find Balut almost anywhere. It’s as easy as paying a visit to your local Asian supermarket.

Balut holds a particular cultural importance in Philippine history, now reaching the position of being the countries “national street food”. This demand for these fertilised eggs has helped strengthen the farming industry in the country. Ducks have become one of the most profitable livestock in the farming industry.

A lot of sociocultural factors dominate Balut market. These factors are different from the nutritional values. as it is a good source of protein and calcium. But that is not the primary reason why it is loved by Filipinos.

The home to this vibrant industry at one point was found in the nation’s capital of Manila. More particularly Pateros, a municipality within Manila.

Pateros held an estimated 400,000ducks, meaning this was the primary source of income for the residents in the area. During the 50s and 60s, this region was teaming with life due to the duck industry. The local makers had developed their own methods of creating Balut, and salted egg. This started from the careful selection of the egg through to the incubation and cooking process.

Unfortunately, this did not last. With the increasing pollution of Metro Manila came the downfall of the local duck industry. Through the 70s the industry began to move out to more environmentally friendly regions like Laguna.

Click here to read more about exciting Filipino cuisine.

What is involved in preparing Balut?

Balut is prepared in a cautious and controlled manner. The technique used will determine whether or not you get the best flavours. All the techniques used have been traditionally learned by the local makers.

The fertilised eggs are first taken and incubated under the heat of the sun, or they may be buried in layers of sand. Then they are placed in bamboo baskets to sustain the warmth to help preserve the egg. After a period of nine days, the eggs are finally revealed to a light source to see the embryo inside.

The various stages of maturation of the egg and different controlled temperatures play a significant role to accentuate all the characteristics a good egg would have. The egg changes colour during the maturation period also.

Now, you may be wondering when is the egg ready to eat?

Well, the time of incubation of the egg before they are boiled depends on the locals, which vary from 14 to 18 days. After cooking, the eggshell is cracked open, this is were you will familiarise yourself with the primary parts of the dish.

First you’ll notice a mix of the embryo and the egg yolk peering through the crack in the shell,if you then tip the egg, you’ll find the broth inside that everyone loves to drink. Then at the end you’ll find the hard rubbery part known as the rock. The whole process of making and consuming Balut is in itself an experience.

So when visiting the Philippines, it will be hard to avoid trying Balut. You can find it everywhere these days. Most of it you will find is the mass-produced style, these are made at large commercial farms where the ducks receive a generic feed.

Some of the exotic restaurants which cater to tourists have their own version of the Balut where it is had with a lot of spices and salts. This Balut is often sourced from more boutique farms, where they pay special attention to the kind of food they give their ducks to ensure they achieve the highest quality egg.

So, as you can see, the simple act of enjoying Balut is a means to immerse yourself in the local culture of the Filipinos and have a first-hand experience of their traditions.

The preparation techniques of Balut have evolved in modern day life, and I’m sure will continue to develop into the future. This makes Balut one of Philippine’s widely sought after dish; now you can try one too.

Click here to learn more about the vibrant culture of the Philippines!

Culture

The Jeepney Love Affair

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Upon arrival to The Philippines, you will quickly notice that the primary form of public transport looks a little different to what you are used to. This small bus like vehicle which you will no doubt come across are known as the Jeepney.

Their unique paint scheme and flamboyant accessories would make someone start wondering how these became part of the Philippine culture? What caused Filipinos to begin to modify these vehicles and use them as public transport?

Origins of the Jeepney in the Philippines

The Jeepneys were made from the US military jeeps, left over from the Second World War. The Americans had been using the jeeps during the several years The Philippines had been occupied by the Japanese. After the war, there were tens of thousands of jeeps littered across The Philippines. Once the time came for the Americans to leave, they would either sell or give the jeeps to the Filipinos.

After the Filipinos had attained the jeeps, they stripped them down and then added more seats to increase the number of individuals it was able to accommodate. Due to their widespread use, a need for a roof over the jeepneys became necessary to operate in the harsh weather conditions. The need to provide comfort for the passengers pushed the jeepney owners to make roofs a standard feature on jeepneys.

In addition to these changes, some decorations were added to make it more attractive and appealing to the potential passengers. Ornaments and bright colours were used to decorate the Jeepney in order to attract more customers.

The above changes made to the jeeps to convert them to the Jeepney were preparatory steps to have them in public transport service. There was a need to re-establish a public transport system that would no longer be expensive as the previous public transport system which was in place before it had been destroyed during the Second World War.

Jeepneys become a public transport staple

The rate at which the use of Jeepneys in the public transport sector kept on increasing as time went by. When the government of Philippine realised this, they enacted some regulations to guide the operation of the Jeepney. Those people who were driving Jeepney were now required to have licenses to operate on public roads. Apart from licenses, the drivers were also designated regular routes and established fixed prices for transporting people along these routes.

There is no doubt that a time came when there were no more jeeps to be converted to the Jeepney. To continue supplying the Jeepney, factories were set up to produce Jeepneys from scratch. It is now still possible for a person to get a new Jeepney from these factories. This also ensured a continued use and expansion of the use of Jeepneys.

Lastly, you may be interested in where the term Jeepney actually came from. Well, Jeepney is a combination of two words namely jeep and knee. The word jeep was used because a Jeepney came into existence because of the refurbishment of the jeeps. The knee part results from the crowded seating in which an individual will be forced to sit knee to knee.

Culture

Sinulog: Festival of the Santo Ninyo

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As I’m sure most of you are aware, The Philippines is host to a wide variety of festivals. These festivals are usually in place as an expression of thanksgiving and honour to a patron saint.

You have the MassKara festival in Bacolod City, Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City, and Kadayawn Festival in Davao City to name a few.

Then there is Cebu, which is home to the internationally renowned festival – Sinulog.

Now, for a quick recap:

In the era before Spanish colonisation, the island of Cebu was once known as Zubu. It was primarily inhabited by pagans and Islamic tribes. These tribes established a history of trade with other Asian countries long before the Spanish colonial era.

Sinulog Festival history: Origins of the Santo Niño

Historical records suggest the wooden statue of the baby Jesus was a gift from Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of Rajah Humabon. This was Cebu’s chieftain at the time of Magellan’s arrival to Cebu. The wooden statue, known as the Santo Niño, is still found on the island of Cebu to this day.

It’s kept in a secure location inside the Santo Niño and San Nicholas De Tolentino church. The Santo Niño became the symbol of friendship and the natives’ conversion to Christianity.  The Sinulog festival of the Cebuano’s symbolises their unending devotion to the baby Jesus.

In Cebu, it is during Sinulog that the Cebuano’s honour the feast of Child Jesus, Santo Niño. It is believed the Child Jesus protects the whole province from natural calamities and other disasters. The Cebuano’s show their gratitude to Santo Niño through their faith and devotion, especially during its feast day.

The Sinulog experience: Cebu comes to life

While there are about a hundred major festivals in the country, Cebu’s Sinulog is one of the biggest. Filipinos from across the country look forward to this event. Locals work hard to prepare for the much awaited Sinulog Festival and the multitude of tourists that come with it. These tourists travel to Cebu to witness the grand annual celebration set for the 3rd Sunday in January.

The festivity on this premier island in the Central Visayas is divided into two parts – the religious practice and the celebrations.

A nine-day novena kicks off the Sinulog celebration. Millions of Santo Niño devotees from across the country attend the religious activities of the event. In fact, the authorities make it a point that all pilgrims who are struggling financially are accommodated in the Devotee City. It should be noted that most city hotels at this time are fully occupied. Thus, tourists planning to join the Sinulog fun must make their bookings early.

On the first Saturday of the celebrations, devotees wake up early for the Fluvial Procession. Then later in the afternoon the Solemn Procession is held. It is good to know both activities are always well attended despite their early start.

Children celebrating Sinulog festival on the island of Cebu in The Philippines

Cebu immersed in celebration

The streets are crowded with parties all over the city. Celebrities and politicians visit Cebu to be a part of the parade and further celebrations. The event runs for a month with the Grand Parade featuring the street dancing as the highlight.

You may be asking – What makes the Sinulog Festival so Successful?

A significant factor is the faith of the Cebuanos. While, yes, Cebuanos are in the mood to party during Sinulog. But still, the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño is full during the celebration. This means Cebuanos do not forget the real essence of celebrating the feast in the birth of Christ.

Credit should be given to the Sinulog organisers for their efforts in lining up all activities. They take care of security and crowd control – a crucial part of the entire event. The contingents too deserve appreciation for continually improving on their dances, especially considering this is the main feature of the grand aprade.

But really any time of the year, the vibrant culture and scenery of the Philippines is always available for tourists and other visitors. For tourists, to be in the Philippines means to experience a vacation in a land which many call paradise. The country will surely entertain everyone. Especially those who have a love for excitement and adventure.

The country is culturally diverse, with many residents having Spanish, American, Chines4e, and Malay blood. The Philippine seas and beaches are indeed havens of white sands and charming beach houses or villas. The underwater landscapes are enough to captivate every fan of diving and snorkelling. The Philippines is a must-visit tourist destin ation for any keen traveller.

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Sinulog festival for the first time, read the summary of my experience here.