CULTURE

The exotic culture

Located in south Asia and reflecting a society with diverse cultural influence and traditions, invaded by Spain and United States. Philippine today is expected to have a very modern outlook to life. But as you enter a Philippine house, you see people who still catch on to traditions and believe in the traditional family values with patriarchal system and economic dependency being the backbone.

"For me, the main characteristic of being a Filipino are the strong family ties that keep the family together and also being hospitable" says Mary Grace Lagson, An engineer.

In a conventional Filipino family, the father is the 'head' and the mother is the 'light', the manager of the house. Due to the closeness of the family, the grandparents live with the family as long as they will and close relationships are maintained up till the third cousins.

Another very important value in Filipino culture is the respect for the adults. The parents have to be the most respected and hence the children have to talk and behave accordingly. "It is a moral rule for the children to behave well, the words like 'po' and 'opo' denotes respect for the elderly." says Edi Lisa, an accountant.

Ms Sheila, an import/export manager.

The most attractive feature of the Filipino culture is the institution of marriage. "It is the most fun thing to experience, when the couple has the first dance. The elderly and the friends pin money notes on the brides dress expressing happiness and good wishes." says Shiela, an import/export manager.

Mostly the bride wears a white gown and the marriage is a deal of two days comprising the main function and the reception. The man and the woman are not supposed to marry before being economically stable. With the average age for the girls to marry being 20-25 and for the boy 25-30. "Being a working mother, I have no problem as the idea of working mother is long accepted by the Filipinos and does not create a problem" says Cherry an accountant clerk.

Ms. Cherry, an accountant clerk

The main functions of a Filipino culture are religious fest, Simbang gabi, which is about attending early morning mass every December. And araw ng mga party which is about remembering the departed ones and offering candles and prayers to the same on every first week of November.

While religious fest, a very interesting custom is followed in which the guests are entertained by playing a game called 'palosebo' wherein a person has to climb a pole which is coated with oil. The most important attribute of simbang gabi is attending early morning masses and cooking foods like bibingka and puto bongbong.

Another very important function for a Filipino is the Christmas. Filipinos are proud to proclaim their Christmas celebrations to be one of the longest and merriest in the world. The functions begin from the December 16, which means attending of the pre-dawn masses and continues till the first Sunday of the January. Feast of the three kings marks the official end of the season.

What makes the culture of Philippine distinct is their splendid climate of the tropical island, the abundance and beauty of its flowers, the lovely landscape and its multitude of the culinary delights and to top it all warm-hearted people with their true devotion to the family and faith.