13 Things About The Filipino Culture You Need To Know
Exploring different cultures is always fascinating. Understanding the differences and how they perceive the world allows us to comprehend diversity. One such fascinating culture is the Philippines.
An Asian country, home to more than 100 million people, boasts more than 7600 islands. But it’s their culture that sets them apart from any other planet on Earth.
Hence, here are the top 13 things you should know about the Filipino culture.
Filipinos are artistic and love architecture.
Perhaps one of the most enthralling things about the Philippines is its architecture. At one point, you see those massive tall buildings that showcase the Philippines’ architectural vision, and on the other hand, you see these traditional and humble villas displaying the roots.
This also showcases their artistic nature, allowing them to try something new and unique.
They are very religious.
Nearly 93% of the Philippines is comprised of Christians. Other religions include Islam and Buddhism. However, the common thing among all these religions is that Filipinos are very religious.
Most Filipinos spend their Sundays in church, offering prayers and helping each other.
Filipinos are resilient.
Natural calamities are expected for Filipinos, as it is an island nation. However, every time a catastrophe hits them down, these resilient Filipinos manage to stand up and rebuild society such that nothing ever happens.
Filipinos celebrate Christmas for more than four months.
Have you ever heard of a country celebrating Christmas for four months? It sounds like fiction, right? If you visit the Philippines in August, you will listen to Christmas songs and jingles already being played in the malls and restaurants.
Yes, that’s right, Filipinos celebrate Christmas for nearly four months, which begins as early as August and lasts up to the second week of January.
Filipinos love to sing.
Irrespective of where you go, you will often hear Filipinos singing with their friends and family. This is why karaoke is so prevalent in the Philippines, as Filipinos love to sing.
For them, singing is a part of their culture and one of the ways they communicate. Hence, it is also something most Filipino children grow up doing with family and friends.
Filipinos take joy in their families.
One of the most beautiful things about Filipino culture is that the families come first for them. This is why you would see most extended families living together, especially when the concept of small families is so common.
What’s even mesmerizing is that Sometimes Filipinos even consider their close friends as their family.
Filipinos love to help each other.
Filipinos are bonded together with the concept of “bayan,” which essentially means community, town, and nation. Based on this principle of “bayanihan,” Filipinos are taught about helping from childhood without having any expectations in return.
They treat each other as colleagues because they constantly look out for each other, help each other, and simplify their lives by dividing the workload and responsibilities.
Filipinos are respectful.
While most of us learn about the concept of respect as we grow up, Filipinos have learned how to be respectful since birth. You will often see children and young adults using simple catchphrases like “po” and “opo” while addressing their elders as a mark of respect.
And don’t be surprised if you see a young child take the back of your hand and place it on their forehead because, for Filipinos, this is the ultimate sign of respect. It is also called ‘pagmamano.’
Filipinos are proud of their traditions and culture.
We already discussed the fact that for Filipinos, families are essential. Add to it, their cultures and traditions are also crucial. Filipinos set aside specific days where they spend all their time with their families, trying to catch up with each other, celebrating different festivals, and ensuring that their traditions and cultures are passed on to the next generations.
This is why most of the world is worried about future generations not caring enough about the past cultures and traditions. However, even the new generation of Filipinos have maintained the customs and are dedicated to carrying them forward.
Filipinos love to eat.
Remember when we said that for Filipinos, families come first? Well, the second place is taken by food! But what’s fascinating about Filipinos is that, apart from lunch, breakfast, and dinner, they even manage to squeeze in little meals in between.
Rice is the staple diet of the Philippines, and there is hardly any dish that doesn’t include rice in it. Also, the fact that they value their food is why they savor every bite.
Don’t be surprised if you go to a Filipino party and watch people going crazy over the buffet. Yes, that’s how much they enjoy eating! For them, food nourishes the soul.
Filipinos love to celebrate.
You’ve probably figured out that Filipinos are a lively bunch who enjoy having fun. You may not be surprised to learn that Filipinos are known for their love of partying!
If it’s a big or small accomplishment, Filipinos celebrate them equally since Filipinos believe in finding joy in minor things. Of course, a party wouldn’t be complete without some entertainment and food.
Filipinos are some of the friendliest people.
Maybe it’s the helpful nature of Filipinos and their pride in their culture that makes them so welcoming. Perhaps this is why the Philippines is regarded as one of the friendliest nations in the world.
A Symbiosis of Traditional and Modern
Filipinos indeed value their traditions; however, this doesn’t mean that they are not privy to modern culture. If you visit Metro Manila, you will see the perfect blend of contemporary Filipino culture co-existing with the traditional one in harmony.
It is a great place to spend quality time with your family, learning about different cultures and values. Contrary to popular belief, citizens of this tropical nation learn both Tagalog and English, eliminating any language barrier.
Let us know which of the above facts about the vivid Filipino culture fascinates you the most.
