The culture of the Philippines reflects the intricacy of the the past of the Philippines through the combination of many varied fixed Malay heritage mixed with Spanish, American and other Asian cultures.
Pre-Hispanic, and non-Christian Philippine cultures are derived from many native civilization of the Austronesian prehistoric tribes called Malayo-Polynesian or the Malay people. The prehistoric Philippine myths and Philippine indigenous culture was later influenced by the Malay cultures of Southeast Asia, accompanied by a mixture of Western-Christianity, Eastern-Islamic, Hinduism and Buddhism tradition.
Muslim Filipinos also enjoy yourself their own background and traditions. These groups follow a Philippine Islamic culture, and other Muslim recreation such as the Kali, Kulintang and Gamelan, are used by Islamic groups in the southern islands of Mindanao and Sulu archipelago.
Spanish immigration in the Philippines lasted from 1565 to 1898. Most of that time the islands were governed from Mexico and later straight from Spain. As a effect, there is a significant amount of Spanish and Mexican influence in Philippine customs and traditions. Hispanic influences are visible in traditional Philippine folk music and dance, cuisine, festivities, religion, and language, though usually integrated with other influences. The most visible illustration of this are the Spanish names of Filipinos which were given through a tax law (see: Alphabetical Catalog of Surnames), the thousands of Spanish loanwords in native languages such as Tagalog and Cebuano, and the majority broad religion.
Later, the Philippines was a subject of the United States from 1898 until 1946. American influences are evident in the use of the English language, and in contemporary pop culture, such as fast-food, music, film and basketball.
Other Asian ethnic groups such as the Chinese and Japanese have been settling in the Philippines since the royally period and their influence is also at hand in the fame of making a bet games such mahjong, jueteng, Eskrima and other Asian cuisine
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Pinoy Hero
Dr. Jose P. Rizal (1861-1896) born in Calamba, Laguna, on 19 June 1861. Published his masterpiece Noli Me Tangere in Berlin(Germany) in 1887 and his second novel El Filibusterismo in Ghent(Belgium) in 1891. His two novels stirred the principles of his people. He contributed various literary works to La Solidaridad. For his control in the reform society and for his flammable novels, Rizal was arrested and later killed by musketry in Bagumbayan, Manila on 30 December 1896. His putting to death was the last straw for other Filipinos who called for a bloody revolution against Spain.
Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897) He founded the underground humanity, Katipunan, on 7 July 1892, to battle Spain. He was also leader of the Tagalog republic from 24 August, 1896 to May 10, 1897. Born in Tondo, Manila on 30 November 1863. He grew up in the slums and never knew the benefits of a well-off life. He married Gregoria de Jesus in 1892. He was killed on 10 May 1897, near Mount Buntis, Maragondon, Cavite
General Gregorio del Pilar (1875-1899) Hero of Tirad Pass. Born on 14 November 1875, in Bulacan, Bulacan. Died on 2 December 1899, in the battle of Tirad Pass, to enable Aguinaldo to escape from the Americans. One of the youngest and bravest generals ever fashioned by the Philippines.
General Emilio Aguinaldo (1899-1964) He officially proclaim the Philippine self-government in Malolos, Bulacan, on 23 January 1899, with him as the first leader. It was the first republic in Asia. Born in Kawit, Cavite, on 22 March 1869. Died at the Veterans monument Hospital, Quezon City, on 6 February 1964.
Apolinario Mabini (1864-1903) Sublime paralytic and the brain of the rebellion. Born in Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas, on 22 June 1864. He attached La Liga Filipina in 1892 and Aguinaldo's innovatory government from June 1898 to May 1899. He was captured by the American military in December 1899 and deported to Guam in January 1901. He died in Manila on 13 May 1903.
Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897) He founded the underground humanity, Katipunan, on 7 July 1892, to battle Spain. He was also leader of the Tagalog republic from 24 August, 1896 to May 10, 1897. Born in Tondo, Manila on 30 November 1863. He grew up in the slums and never knew the benefits of a well-off life. He married Gregoria de Jesus in 1892. He was killed on 10 May 1897, near Mount Buntis, Maragondon, Cavite
General Gregorio del Pilar (1875-1899) Hero of Tirad Pass. Born on 14 November 1875, in Bulacan, Bulacan. Died on 2 December 1899, in the battle of Tirad Pass, to enable Aguinaldo to escape from the Americans. One of the youngest and bravest generals ever fashioned by the Philippines.
General Emilio Aguinaldo (1899-1964) He officially proclaim the Philippine self-government in Malolos, Bulacan, on 23 January 1899, with him as the first leader. It was the first republic in Asia. Born in Kawit, Cavite, on 22 March 1869. Died at the Veterans monument Hospital, Quezon City, on 6 February 1964.
Apolinario Mabini (1864-1903) Sublime paralytic and the brain of the rebellion. Born in Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas, on 22 June 1864. He attached La Liga Filipina in 1892 and Aguinaldo's innovatory government from June 1898 to May 1899. He was captured by the American military in December 1899 and deported to Guam in January 1901. He died in Manila on 13 May 1903.
Pinoy Food
Philippine Food consists of the foods, preparation methods and eating customs found in the Philippines. The style of cooking and the foods associated with it have evolved over several centuries from its Austronesian origins to a mixed cuisine with many Hispanic, Chinese, American, and other Asian influences adapted to indigenous ingredients and the local palate.
A traditional Filipino breakfast time might include pandesal (small bread rolls), kesong puti (white cheese), champorado (chocolate rice porridge), sinangag (garlic fried rice), and meat—such as tapa, longganisa, tocino, karne norte (corned beef), or fish such as daing na bangus (salted and dried milkfish)—or itlog na pula (salted duck eggs). Coffee is also commonly served above all kapeng barako, a variety of coffee bent in the mountains of Batangas noted for having a strong flavor. Dishes range from the very simple, like a meal of fried saline fish and rice, to the complicated paellas and cocidos created for fiestas. admired dishes include lechón (whole roasted pig), longganisa (Philippine sausage), tapa (cured beef), torta (omelette), adobo (chicken and/or pork braised in garlic, vinegar, oil and soy sauce, or cooked until dry), kaldereta (meat in tomato sauce stew), mechado (larded beef in soy and tomato sauce), pochero (beef in bananas and tomato sauce), afritada (chicken or pork simmered in a tomato sauce with vegetables), kare-kare (oxtail and vegetables cooked in peanut sauce), crispy pata (deep-fried pig's leg), hamonado (pork sweetened in pineapple sauce), sinigang (meat or seafood in sour broth), pancit (noodles), and lumpia (fresh or fried spring rolls).
Certain portmanteaus in Filipino have come into use to portray popular combinations of items in a Filipino breakfast. An example of such a mixture order is kankamtuy: an order of kanin (rice), kamatis (tomatoes) and tuyo (dried fish). Another is tapsi: an order of tapa and sinangág. Other examples include variations using a silog suffix, habitually some kind of meat served with sinangág and itlog (egg). The three most commonly seen silogs are tapsilog (having tapa as the meat portion), tocilog (having tocino as the meat portion), and longsilog (having longganisa as the meat portion). Other silogs include hotsilog (with a hot dog), bangsilog (with bangus (milkfish)), dangsilog (with danged (rabbitfish)), spamsilog (with spam), adosilog (with adobo), chosilog (with chorizo), chiksilog (with chicken), cornsilog (with corned beef), and litsilog (with lechon/litson). Pankaplog is a slang term referring to a breakfast consisting of pandesal, kape (coffee), and itlog (egg).An company that specialize in such meals is called a tapsihan.
A traditional Filipino
Certain portmanteaus in Filipino have come into use to portray popular combinations of items in a Filipino breakfast. An example of such a mixture order is kankamtuy: an order of kanin (rice), kamatis (tomatoes) and tuyo (dried fish). Another is tapsi: an order of tapa and sinangág. Other examples include variations using a silog suffix, habitually some kind of meat served with sinangág and itlog (egg). The three most commonly seen silogs are tapsilog (having tapa as the meat portion), tocilog (having tocino as the meat portion), and longsilog (having longganisa as the meat portion). Other silogs include hotsilog (with a hot dog), bangsilog (with bangus (milkfish)), dangsilog (with danged (rabbitfish)), spamsilog (with spam), adosilog (with adobo), chosilog (with chorizo), chiksilog (with chicken), cornsilog (with corned beef), and litsilog (with lechon/litson). Pankaplog is a slang term referring to a breakfast consisting of pandesal, kape (coffee), and itlog (egg).An company that specialize in such meals is called a tapsihan.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Philippine Cuisine
Filipinos cook a variety of foods influenced by Western and Asian cuisine. The Philippines is considered a melting pot of Asia.
Eating out is favorite Filipino pastime. A typical Pinoy diet consists at most of six meals a day; breakfast, snacks, lunch, snacks, dinner and again a midnight snack before going to sleep. Rice is a staple in Filipino diet, it is usually eaten together with other dishes. Filipinos regularly use spoons together with forks and knives. Some also eat with their hands, especially in informal settings, and when eating seafood. Rice, corn, and popular dishes such as adobo (a meat stew made from either pork or chicken), lumpia (meat or vegetable rolls), pancit (noodle dish) and lechón (roasted pig) are served on plates.
A roasted pig known as the Lechón, one of the Philippines most popular cuisines.
Other popular dishes include: afritada, asado, chorizo, empanadas, mani (roasted peanuts), paksiw (fish or pork, cooked in vinegar and water with some spices like garlic and pepper), pan de sal (bread rolls),pescado (fried or grilled fish), sisig, torta (omelette), kare-kare (ox-tail stew), kilawen, pinakbet(vegetable stew), pinapaitan, and sinigang (tamarind soup with a variety of pork, fish or prawns). Some delicacies eaten by some Filipinos but may seem unappetizing to the Western palate include balut (boiled egg with a fertilized duckling inside), longanisa (sweet sausage) and dinuguan (soup made from pork blood).
Popular snacks and desserts such as chicharon (deep fried pork or chicken skin), halo-halo (crushed ice with evaporated milk, flan, and sliced tropical fruits), puto (white rice cakes), bibingka (rice cake with butter or margarine and salted eggs), ensaymada (sweet roll with grated cheese on top), polvoron (powder candy) and tsokolate (chocolate) are usually eaten outside the three main meals. Popular Philippine beverages include San Miguel Beer, Tanduay Rhum Masters, lambanog and tuba.
Every province has its own specialty and tastes vary in each region. In Bicol, for example, foods are generally spicier than elsewhere in the Philippines. Patis, suka, toyo, bagoong and banana catsup are the most common condiments found in Filipino homes and restaurants. Western fast food chains such as McDonald's, Wendy's, Pizza Hut are a common sight in the country.
The Positive and Negative Attitudes of the Filipino
Positive:
1. Hospitality
2. Helpful to others/Bayanihan
3. Respectful(mano,po and opo,halik sa kamay)
Negative:
1. Crab Mentality
2. chismosera/o
3. Trickery/panlilinlang sa kapwa
Pilipino values
Values may be defined as those standards of which a group or society judges the desirability and importance of persons, ideas, actions and goals. Values are shared convictions or beliefs in what are considered contributory to the welfare of the group. From these definitions, we can clearly see how values are affected by society and, in turn, how society can be affected by the values held by its members.
Two of these traits are positive traits and show the strengths of the Filipino character: Katapatan andPakikipagkapwa-tao. The other two seem to hinder the advancement of the Filipinos. These are the"Bahala na" attitude and the "Kanya-kanya" syndrome.
Pakikipagkapwa-tao and Family Orientation: This indigenous Filipino trait is the regard for the dignity of others and being with them. It consists of all levels of interaction with one's fellowman in times of crisis, like illness and death. This is embodied in the concept of neighbourliness like mutual visiting and exchange of food. Pleasant attitudes are also exhibited towards relatives and friends such as extending moral and emotional support. This is also evidenced in the insertion of many light scenes wherein there is light-hearted bantering, jokes among friends and kin.
Because of the Filipino's collective nature, they have a deep sense of concern for one's dignity and respect. This pakikipagkapwa-tao is manifested in their sensitivity to other people's feelings. This is often evidenced in the relations among the characters. Polite language, soft pleasing voices and meek manners are employed to avoid open disagreement with others. Personal relationships are likewise almost always important in any transaction among the characters.
Katapatan: The Filipino virtue of righteousness in thought and deed. In a person, this virtue strengthens him against cheating and lying. It results in the cooperation and trust among neighbors, friends and co-workers. This positive character trait is dominantly displayed in Philippine movies and television by its leading characters. Viewers are attracted to the character and story because righteousness is considered a rare trait nowadays and the expression of this in the leading protagonist gives them hope in siding with the good.
Bahala na: Extreme reliance on higher force or fate. Bahala na is a common expression among Filipinos which rests on the fatalistic outlook and strong dependence on spirits. It literally, the Bahala na means "Leave it to God." The abundance of superstition can further encourage the superstitiousness of the Filipinos. This can promote the lack of initiative among Filipinos. Rather than relying on one's own effort and industry to solve problems, one leaves his fate to gods or "spirits". This trait also encourages the Filipino to be matiisin or being too patient for long suffering.
Kanya-kanya: A negative Filipino trait is a selfish and self-serving attitude. This is often elicited when one's peer has gained honor or prestige. Most if not all of the conflicts in the Filipino stories are a result of envy and jealousy. This "crab mentality" that characterizes many Filipinos is counter-productive.
Certain negative behaviors may be picked up by the youth if they are consistently exhibited and are not shown in the end to have negative consequences. At the same time, an understanding of the strengths of the Filipino character would help in recognizing the traditional and positive Filipino values that should be perpetuated.
Buhay OFW provides tips and information regarding the Philippines. Filipino products and goods are also sold as donation efforts to help underprivileged Filipinos |
Pasko sa Pilipinas
Ang Pasko sa Pilipinas, isa sa dalawang bansang may malawak na paniniwala saSimbahang Katoliko saAsya, ay nangunguna sa pinakamalaking pista ng taon. Ang Pilipinas ay natatangi sa buong mundo bilang may pinakamahabang pagdiriwang ng Pasko na kung saan ang mga awit pangpasko ay naririnig mula Setyembrehanggang sa sumunod na taon sa araw ng Pista ng Epifanio
Ang Pasko sa Pilipinas ay ang pinaka-importanteng selebrasyon para sa mga Pilipino at ang tanging panahon na makikita ang tunay ispirito ng pagkapilipino. Walang mang winter snows o pine trees sa Pilipinas sa Disyembre, pero ang Pilipinas ay subok na makikita at ang oras na dumadami ang bilang ng mga turista dahil sa kakaibang experiensya ng Pasko. Ang tunay na Paskong Pilipino
Pagsapit ng alas-10;ng gabi ng bisperas ng Pasko, nagsisimba ang lahat para sa huling Simbang Gabi bilang pasasalamat sa biyayang binigay sa nagdaang taon at para ipagdiwang ang kaarawan ni Jesus. Ang mgaPilipino, tulad ng ibang nagdidiwang ng Pasko sa buong mundo, ay nagsasalo pagsapit ng alas-12;ng hating-gabi sa tradisyonal na Noche Buena. Ang tipikal na handang Pilipino ay ang queso de bola (English: edam cheese), inumingtsokolate, hamon de bola (English: Christmas ham), at ibang handa na impluwensya ng Kanluran (Spaghetti, Macaroni) at Silangan (Lumpiang Shanghai, Pancit). Pagkatapos ng kainan ay binubuksan na ang mga regalo.
Sa ilang probinsya sa Pilipinas ay may prosisyon bago ang huling Simbang Gabi. Sinasadula nila ang panunuluyan ni Jose at Birheng Maria hanggang makita ang sabsaban.
Ang araw ng Pasko ay tradisyonal na gawaing pampamilya. Ang misa sa umaga pagkatapos ng huling Simbang Gabi ay tinatawag na Misa de Aguinaldo.
Pagkatapos ng misa, ang mga pamilyang Pilipino ay bumibisita sa kanilang mga kamag-anak, ang iba sa mga ninong at ninang. Sinisimulan ito sa pagmamano bilang respeto sabay ng pag-abot ng regalo na kadalasan ay perang bagong imprenta ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Pagkatapos nito ay nagsasalo ang buong angkan sa tradisyonal na tanghalian. Sa hapon, ang ibang pamilya ay umuuwi na o pumunta sa pampublikong lugar tulad ng parke, mall, sinehan at tabing dagat. Mula 1975, naging tradisyon na ng mga sinehan sa Maynila, at ngayon sa buong Pilipinas, na hindi magpalabas ng pelikulang banyaga at ito ay tinatawag na Metro Manila Film Festival. Isa ring kakaibang tradisyon ay nagpapaputok ng rebentador, kwites at iba pa sa araw ng Pasko.
Pinoys Greatest Inventions
Fe del Mundo, the first Asian to have entered the prestigious Harvard University's School of Medicine, is also credited for her studies that led to the invention of incubator and jaundice relieving device. Del Mundo, an International Pediatric Association (IPA) awardee, is an alumna of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine. Since 1941, she has contributed more than 100 articles to medical journals in the U.S., Philippines and India. In 1966, she received the Elizabeth Blackwell Award, for her "outstanding service to mankind". In 1977, she was bestowed the Ramon Magsaysay Award for outstanding public service.
Filipinos consider Eduardo San Juan as the inventor of the Lunar Rover, or more popularly known as the Moon Buggy. The Moon Buggy was the car used by Neil Armstrong and other astronauts when they first explored the moon in 1969. Eduardo San Juan, a graduate of Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), worked for Lockheed Corporation and conceptualized the design of the Moon Buggy that the Apollo astronauts used while in the moon. As a NASA engineer, San Juan reportedly used his Filipino ingenuity to build a vehicle that would run outside the Earth's atmosphere. He constructed his model using homemade materials. In 1978, San Juan received one of the Ten Outstanding Men (TOM) awards in science and technology.
Gregorio Zara of Lipa City and a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology invented the videophone and developed the Zara Effect or Electrical Kinetic Resistance.
Edgardo Vazquez won a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) gold medal in 1995 for developing a modular housing system. Such a system called Vazbuilt is reportedly capable of building within weeks a house with prefabricated materials that can withstand typhoons and earthquakes. Ironically, Vasquez is not getting enough support from the Philippine government to propagate his technology, which could help provide shelter to some five million Filipino families without their own homes. Vazquez is the national president of the Filipino Inventors Society.
In 1996, Rudy Lantano Sr., a scientist from the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST), won the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) gold medal for developing Super Bunker Formula-L, a revolutionary fuel half-composed of water. The mix burns faster and emits pollutants 95 percent less than those released to the air by traditional fuel products. The inventor said his invention is a result of blending new ingredients and additives with ordinary oil products through agitation and mixing, which is a very safe process. The initial plan was to commercially produce two million liters of Alco-Diesel, two million liters of Lan-Gas and an unlimited quantity of Super Bunker Formula-L each day for customers in Luzon.
A Filipino inventor has developed a technology, which could revive a busted lamp (pundido) and give it more years of functional life than those of new ones. Acclaimed by the Filipino Inventors Society as timely and revolutionary, the Nutec system can prolong the life of fluorescent lamps up to seven years. Nutec was developed by New World Technology, headed by president Eric Ngo and chosen as the "Product of the Year" at the Worldbex 2000 Building and Construction Exposition held at the Manila Hotel. Engineer Benjamin S. Santos, national president of the Inventors Society, called Nutec a timely invention.
In 2000, Rolando dela Cruz developed an ingenuous formula that could easily remove deeply grown moles or warts from the skin without leaving marks or hurting the patient. His formula was extracted from cashew nut (Annacardium occidentale), which is common in the Philippines. The formula won for dela Cruz a gold medal in International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design and Technology Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur in September 2000. In March 1997, dela Cruz established RCC Amazing Touch International Inc., which runs clinics engaged "in a non-surgical removal of warts, moles and other skin growths, giving the skin renewed energy and vitality without painful and costly surgery."
Dr. Virgilio Malang won a gold medal for his invention "Psidium Guajava Effervescing Gynecological Insert", a silver medal for his "Patient Side-Turning Hospital Bed", and three bonze medals for his inventions "external vaginal cleanser", "light refracting earpick", and "broom's way of hanging" at the Seoul International Fair in held South Korea in December 2002. There were 385 inventions from 30 countries that joined the competitions.
Francisco Quisumbing, a Filipino chemist, invented Quink pen ink which he sold to Parker for international consumption. The ink cleans the pen as it writes, dries quickly on paper, and remains liquid inside the tube.
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