PHILIPINE CULTURE AND TRADITIONS

The Philippines is commonly referred to as a melting pot of western and eastern cultures. The traditional culture of the Philippines is heavily influenced by the traditions of the indigenous Austronesian people. The cultural landscape also features Spanish, American, Japanese, Arabic, and 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.

Social Beliefs And Customs

The social beliefs and customs practiced in the Philippines are primarily influenced by religion and demographics of the region where they are practiced. The traditional customs of the indigenous Filipinos are based on the beliefs of the Austronesian inhabitants of the Philippines.

Religion, Festivals, And Holidays

The Constitution of the Philippines provides for the freedom of religion. The Philippines is one of the few Asian countries to have a Christian majority. About 90.07% of Philippines residents identify as Christians with 80.58% of the population being followers of the Roman Catholic Church and about 11% being other Christian denominations. Islam is the second largest religion in the country with about 5.6% of citizens identifying as Muslim. The majority of the Muslim Filipinos are Sunni Muslims, but there is also a small number of Ahmadiyya Muslims. 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 predominance of the Roman Catholic faith, most cities and towns in the Philippines have patron saints who are honored through festivals. For instance, the Silmugi Festival (held in honor of Saint Sebastian), the Sinulog Festival (held in honor of Santo Nino de Cebu), and the Kuraldal Festival (held in honor of Saint Lucy). While most festivals are only observed in particular regions or towns, some are public holidays which are celebrated all over the country. Some public holidays observed in the Philippines include New Year’s Day (observed on January 1st), the Holy Week (observed between March and April), Independence Day (observed on June 12th), Christmas Day (observed on December 25th), and Rizal Day (observed on December 30th).

Music And Dance

The music composed in the Philippines is influenced by all the cultures in the country. The traditional folk songs are primarily inspired by the indigenous customs and beliefs. Some notable composers of Filipino folk music include Lucio San Pedro from the National Artist for Music as well as Antonio Buenaventura, a renowned patriotic music composer. The music composed in the urban regions of the Philippines, particularly targeted to the youth is known as original pinoy music or Philippine pop music. Popular musicians from this genre include Christian Bautista, Sarah Geronimo, Yeng Constantino, and groups such as True Faith, Yano, The Teeth, and Neocolours among others. Other popular genres include jazz, hip hop, reggae, and Latino music. Dance in the Philippines ranges from traditional indigenous-inspired dances to modern “western-inspired” dances. Tinikling is an example of a traditional dance with nationwide appeal.

Philippines is a great place!