Questions About Philippines Culture
Dean Cortez | Jan 24, 2012 | Comments 0
Laura asks…
Is the Philippines culture more Hispanic or Asian?
Give details supporting answer.
Dean Cortez answers:
Well Filipinos are Mestizos, unless they are Ati. The Philippines has a diverse culture. I would say Asian, but it is also very heavily influenced by Spanish culture (e.g. Fiestas, SOME food, etc.). I’m not saying Filipinos are Hispanic, but only that the culture is heavily influenced by the Spanish culture. The Philippines was governed by Mexico (known as New Spain back then) under Spain for over 3 centuries, and during that time, the Philippines was practically assimilated into the Spanish culture (e.g. Names, education, religion, etc.). You can still see some Hispanic-influenced architecture in places like where my dad is from, Ilocos Sur (images of some architecture in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur –> http://image40.webshots.com/40/3/95/84/310239584SDdbdg_ph.jpg and http://www.filipinasoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/vigan-heritagevillage-02-flickr-jayedawa.jpg *note that Vigan City was bombed by the Japanese during World War II, but it managed to survive and stay in tact). In terms of language, not a lot of Filipinos speak Spanish anymore, most only having it as a third language. But, there is a Spanish creole language that the Filipinos have, and it is called, “Chavacano”… You’ll find most Chavacano speakers in Zamboanga, Philippines (video on the Chavacano language –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E-M4ML5SLg).
To me, I believe the Philippines has it’s own culture with many different heavy influences. Just like Mexicans do not consider their culture “Spanish”, but “Mexican”, the Filipinos consider their culture as their own – as “Filipino”.
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gardener girl: READ THE QUESTION. It’s asking what the CULTURE is more like – Hispanic or Asian. Oh and since you obviously are completely oblivious to the fact, I’ll tell you now. HISPANIC IS NOT A RACE. Anyone can be Hispanic. Hispanic simply refers to ANYONE of ANY RACE and COLOR who carries Spanish as a first language (usually it’s Latino(a)s who are more diverse in race/color compared to the Spanish). I have relatives who are Filipino, but were born and raised in Mexico – making them HISPANIC, but they are still ASIAN in race.
Richard asks…
what is the influence of england period throught eh culture of the philippines?
what is the influence of England period through the culture of the Philippines
Dean Cortez answers:
Very little. The english were in the philippines for only two years, and half the time the poor chaps were complaining about the hot and humid weather which pretty much ruined their afternoon tea and rounds of golf. Also they didn’t really develop a liking for the native cuisine (except for the chicken adobo the recipe of which they brought back to london) and alcoholic drinks that were too strong for their taste. That’s why they didn’t stay long, thus they had no significant influence on philippine culture.
Only a few cared to learn the english language and then only the conjugation of common verbs, since spanish was already deeply ingrained in society. This is partly the reason why little contribution was made in music: we learned only a few obscure nursery rhymes and lullabies (e.g. The beatles “golden slumbers” was based on one) and the songs “happy birthday to you” and “auld lang syne” (which was heard only twice in new year’s 1763 and 1764) but that’s just about it. Besides the english had no real flair for music at that time. We didn’t learn any new dance steps from them either since they were lousy dancers themselves.
Some homesick english soldiers intermarried with native ladies giving rise to children with english surnames, but after three generations these names disappeared (in part they were dropped due to spanish decrees).
In short order, however, they were able to establish the department of animal-drawn vehicles headed by william, duke of wales, to generate income for the throne. He immediately charged for driver licenses, imposed a registration fee for all karitelas and calesas, and decreed that they should travel on the left side of the road, with maximum speed limit set at 1 meter/second on weekdays. It proved beneficial to local merchants and tourists as well. Although in effect and unchanged for more than a hundred years even after the spaniards regained their rule, however, these restrictive measures were removed when the americans arrived and took control at the turn of the century.
Steven asks…
Where can I get the latest information on the Culture of the Philippines (Pangkat Etniko ng Pilipinas)?
I have a project on Social Studies and i can’t get informations on the “Pangkat Etniko ng Pilipinas”. We have to search for informations and images on the topic. Examples of “Etniko” are Negrito, Malay and Indones. This is based on the culture of the Philippines.
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