The Philippines A Unique Nation

The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,100 islands, with a total land area of 115,707 square miles. In terms of land area, the Philippines is almost as large as Italy, larger than New Zealand, twice as big as Greece and very much larger than Britain. The Philippines is a rugged land of mountains and plains, bays and lakes, rivers and waterfalls, valleys and volcanoes. Its irregular coastline stretches 10,850 statute miles, twice as long as the coastline of the US. A glance at the world map will show that the Philippines has a very strategic location. No wonder that foreign powers who colonized the islands at various eras became the greatest world power after their coming - and declined after their leaving. Because of its strategic location, the Philippines is destined to play a great role in the world, possibly its greatest role in the near future. The lowest spot in the world is the "Philippine Deep", situated off the Pacific coast of the archipelago. It is 37,782 feet deep, or 2,142 feet lower than the "Marianas Deep". Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, can easily be submerged in the "Philippine Deep", with 8,754 feet of space to spare. The Philippines is one of the richest countries of the world. God has given the archipelago all the ecology needed to support a great nation - fertile soil, good tropical climate; and rich natural resources. The Philippines is also one of the most beautiful lands on earth for having scenic panoramas and natural wonders which delight visitors from all corners of the world. Between Samar and Leyte is the picturesque San Juanico Strait, "the narrowest strait in the world". Manila Bay, with the historic Corregidor Island standing guard at its entrance, is one of the finest harbors in the Asian world. Terrible typhoons (strong winds and heavy rains) lash the islands of the Philippines annually, especially those close to the Pacific Ocean. The country holds the world's record for the heaviest 24-hour rainfall of over 38.5 inches, which occurred in Manila on October 17, 1967. Agriculture is the greatest industry of the Filipino people. The potential farming area of the Philippines is 18 million hectares (40,000,000 acres), of which only one-third is cultivated. Among the countries of the world, the Philippine ranks first in coconut and hemp production, second in sugarcane, and fifth in tobacco. Philippine rivers, lakes and seas teem with fish, shells, pearls, corals, seaweed and other forms of marine wealth. Both the largest and the smallest fish in the world are found in the Philippines. According to marine biologists, the world's largest fish is the whale shark (Rhineodon typus), which is 50 feet or more in length and weighs several tons when fully grown. The smallest fish in the world is Pandaka pygmaea (dwarf pygmy). Its average length is 9.66 millimeters (.38 inches), being 3 millimeters smaller than the famous sinarapan (tabyos) formerly the "smallest fish in the world." The world's rarest and most expensive shell, called "Glory of the Sea" (Connus gloriamaris), is found in the Philippines. Also found in the archipelago are Tridacna gigas, the world's largest shell which has a length of one meter and weighs 600 pounds, and Pisidum, the smallest shell in the world, which is less than one millimeter long. The world's largest pearl, called "The Pearl of Allah," was found in the Philippines in 1934 at the Palawan Sea by a Muslim diver. It is 9.5 x 5.5 inches and 14 lbs., and worth US$3.5 million. It was given by the local Muslim chief to an American from California, Wilburn Dewall Cobb, for saving his sick son's life in 1936. The country has rich deposits of gold, silver, iron, copper, lead, manganese, zinc and other metals. It is one of Asia's greatest gold-producing regions. Copper mining is another old industry in the Philippines. The greatest iron-bearing area in the Philippines is Surigao, whose iron ore deposit is estimated at one billion tons, being one of the richest undeveloped deposits in the world. In Masinloc, Zambales exists the biggest deposit of high quality chromites in the world. The world's largest deposit of nickel has been discovered in recent years in Nonoc Isle, of the coast of northern Mindanao. The Philippines perches precariously on the so-called "ring of fire" of the Pacific which means the country is rocked from time to time by earthquakes, seismic tremors, and volcanic eruptions. Now the Mount Pinatubo volcanic eruption in June 1991 is deemed as the world's worst volcanic eruption in the 20th century. Pinatubo in Zambales Province has replaced the Krakatoa volcanic eruption in Indonesia as the worst recorded volcanic calamity to date. It caused damaged to six nearby provinces and 4 cities worth over P3.3 billion. Some 250,000 families or more than 1 million people were injured or left homeless. It totally destroyed the US Clark Air force Base in Pampanga. Global dust spewed by the volcano has blocked sunlight and affected weather and ozone layer throughout the world. The Philippines abounds in animal life. Most useful of the Philippine animals is the carabao (water buffalo), the farmer's best friend. Gentle as a domestic pet and slow as a turtle, it is a reliable work-animal like the elephant and is used for tilling rice fields. More than 750 species of birds, more than those in Australia, Japan, or any other country of Southeast Asia, are found in the Philippines. The largest eagle in the world, called the monkey-eating eagle, is found in the jungles of Luzon and Mindanao. When full grown, it measures five and a half feet in height with a wing span of seven feet. As one of the endangered species of animals in the world, it has attracted the attention of conservationists. Now, it is the national bird of the Philippines. Other interesting birds in the Philippines are the kalaw, which the Spanish colonizers called the "clock of the mountains" because it makes a loud call from the mountains at noon daily; the wood-thrush, sweetest troubadour of the Philippine skies; the katala, which talks and sings like a human being; the tiny Philippine falconet, measuring only about two and a half inches long, said to be the world's smallest falcon; the Palawan peacock pheasant which struts gracefully like adagio dancer. Four unique animals in the world are found in the Philippines. They are the tamaraw of Mindoro, which looks like a dwarf carabao and is fierce like a tiger; the tarsius of Bohol, which is reputed to be the smallest monkey in the world; the mouse deer of Palawan, which is the world's smallest deer and the zebronkey, half-zebra and half-donkey, which was bred at the Manila Zoo in 1962. There are about 25,000 species of insects in the Philippines. The largest Philippine insect is the giant moth, which has a wing span of one foot. Millions of flowers of all colors and scents bloom all year-round throughout the Philippines. For this reason, many authors call the archipelago the "Land of Flowers". There are about 10,000 species of flowering plants and ferns in the Philippines. Among the beautiful flowers are the lovely sampaguita, the charming cadena de amor, the romantic gardenia, the milky-white camia, the bewitching dama de noche, and the majestic bougainvillea of various colors. The largest flower in the world is the pungapung which grows wild in the forests of Mindanao, It has a diameter of one foot. The Philippines is one of the world's most beautiful countries which God has embellished with scenic beauty and natural wonders. World famous are the Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces in northern Luzon, built more than 2,000 years ago by the hardy Ifugao farmers on the massive slopes of the mountains, these terraces rise in gigantic steps toward the clouds. If placed end to end, they would extend 14,000 miles - almost ten times longer than the famous Great Wall of China - more than half of the earth's circumference. The crowning glory of the natural wonders of the Philippines is Mount Mayon in Albay Province, Southern Luzon. Its majestic beauty thrills all beholders. It surpasses the famous volcanoes of the world in beauty, for it possesses the most beautiful symmetrical volcanic cone. Another Philippine volcano which fascinates global tourist is the tiny Taal Volcano at the center of Lake Taal in Batangas. It is reputed to be the smallest volcano on earth. The Philippines is the first Republic in Asia, being the first Asian nation to achieve independence by revolution and establish a Republic, led by General Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898-1901. The Filipinos are predominantly Christian in the Asian region. The Philippines has served as Christianity's lone citadel beneath Asian skies and the light from which the gospel of Jesus Christ has been preached to other Asian countries. Filipinos are unique for culturally assimilating four heritages - the indigenous Asian, the European, the Latin and the American heritage. Filipinos are known for their talent in languages. This is exemplified by Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine national hero, who knew twenty-two languages. According to the findings of Summer Institute of Linguistics of the University of North Dakota (headed by Dr. Richard S. Pittman), there are 55 languages and 142 dialects in the Philippines. The Filipinos are also the only nation in Asia who speak English and Spanish and have a literature written in these two foreign languages. As a matter of fact, Filipinos take pride in being the third largest English-speaking nation in the world. The Philippines is the most literate nation in Southeast Asia. The present rate of literacy in the Philippines is 89.27%, the highest among the Southeast Asian nations and also higher than the Arab nations of the Middle East. The main cause for the high literacy in the Philippines is the passionate love of Filipinos for education. As the last governor-general of the Philippines, Frank Murphy, said: "No people ever accepted the blessing of education with more enthusiasm than the Filipino." Filipino women enjoy the greatest freedom and the highest status among the women in Asia. Economically, politically, and socially, they are considered as the equal of men. They were the first Asian women to enjoy the right of suffrage - to vote in elections and to be voted into public office. Finally, Filipino women are also distinguished for their beauty. Evidently, the blending of Asian, Mexican, Spanish, American blood makes the "mestiza" type of Eurasian-Filipina glamorously lovely and talented, enabling many of them to win in various international beauty contests. Filipinos rank among the bravest peoples on earth. They valiantly resisted the Spanish, American and Japanese invaders of their native land. To them courage is a badge of manhood, and it has been shown in Filipino soldiers' service during battles and wars. More recently, millions of Filipinos armed only with their faith and courage peacefully won over tanks, armored carriers and planes during the "People Power" Revolution of Feb. 22-25, 1986. Owing to the effect of their beautiful country, Filipinos are passionately romantic and artistic. They are ardent in love as they are fierce in battle. They are highly intelligent, and according to Dr. David P. Barrows, an American educator, they have "quick perceptions, retentive memory, aptitude and extraordinary docility" making them "most teachable persons." The Filipinos are also noted for their adaptability, endurance and resiliency. Throughout the ages, they have been lashed by all kinds of suffering - invasions, revolts, revolutions, wars, earthquakes, typhoons, volcanic eruption and epidemics. Probably few peoples on earth, with the exception of the Jews, the Chinese and the Russians, have suffered as much as the Filipinos. Unlike the Polynesians of the Pacific and the Indians of the Americas, they have not vanished in contact with the Europeans. They can assimilate any civilization and thrive in any climate. Against the winds of adversities which regularly visit their land, they simply bend, but never break for they have the durability of the narra (mahogany) tree and resiliency of the bamboo.

PICTURE..

Ifugao picture.

Typical houses of the Ifugao

malay indigenous people
Mangyan, a Malay indigenous tribe of Mindoro in the Philippines.

A Negrito woman is one of a few indigenous tribal groups who is completely different from the Malay population of the Philippines.

A Chavacano dance in Philippine Hispanic tradition.

The Philippine Palabuniyan Kulintang musicians performing the Kulintang instruments which is the music of the Maguindanao people.

Ancient Filipinos utilized terrace farming to grow crops in the steep mountainous regions of northern Philippines.

Indigenous peoples of the Philippines

Indigenous peoples of the Philippines The indigenous peoples of the Philippines consist of a large number of indigenous ethnic groups living in the country. They are the descendants of the original inhabitants of the Philippines who have managed to resist centuries of Spanish and United States colonization and in the process have retained their customs and traditions.[1] In the 1990s, there were more than 100 highland tribal groups constituted approximately 3% of the population. The upland tribal groups were a blend in ethnic origin like other lowland Filipinos, although they did not have contact with the outside world. They displayed a variety of social organization, cultural expression and artistic skills. They showed a high degree of creativity, usually employed to embellish utilitarian objects, such as bowls, baskets, clothing, weapons and spoons. These groups ranged from various Igorot tribes, a group that includes the Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Isneg, Kalinga and Kankana-ey, who built the Rice Terraces. They also covered a wide spectrum in terms of their integration and acculturation with lowland Christian and Muslim Filipinos. Native groups such as the Bukidnon in Mindanao, had intermarried with lowlanders for almost a century. Other groups such as the Kalinga in Luzon have remained isolated from lowland influence. There were several indigenous groups living in the Cordillera Central of Luzon in 1990. At one time it was employed by lowland Filipinos in a pejorative sense, but in recent years it came to be used with pride by native groups in the mountain region as a positive expression of their ethnic identity. The Ifugaos of Ifugao Province, the Bontocs, Kalinga, Tinguian, the Kankana-ey and Ibaloi were all farmers who constructed the rice terraces for many centuries. Other mountain peoples of Luzon are the Isnegs of northern Kalinga-Apayao Province, the Gaddangs of the border between Kalinga-Apayao, and Isabela provinces and the Ilongots of Nueva Vizcaya Province and Caraballo Mountains all developed hunting and gathering, farming cultivation and headhunting. Other indigenous people such as the Negritos formerly dominated the highlands throughout the islands for thousands of years, but have been reduced to a small population, living in widely scattered locations, primarily along the eastern ranges of the mountains. In the southern Philippines, upland and lowland tribal groups were concentrated on Mindanao and western Visayas, although there are several indigenous groups such as the Mangyan living in Mindoro. Among the most important groups found on Mindanao are collectively called the Lumad, and includes the Manobo, Bukidnon of Bukidnon Province, Bagobo, Mandaya, and Mansaka, who inhabited the mountains bordering the Davao Gulf; the Subanon of upland areas in the Zamboanga; the Mamanua in the Agusan-Surigao border region; the Bila-an, Tiruray and Tboli in the region of the Cotabato province, and the Samal and Bajau in the Sulu Archipelago. The tribal groups of the Philippines are known for their carved wooden figures, baskets, weaving, pottery and weapons.

tribe in the Philippines

The Philippine islands are inhabited by number of different ethnic groups. The majority of the population is composed of ethnolinguistic groups whose languages are Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) in origin. Many of these groups converted to Christianity, and adopted many foreign elements of culture. These ethnic groups include the Cebuano, Ilocano, Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano, and Waray. In Mindanao, there are people who practice Islam. The Spanish called them Moros after the Moors. In some highland areas of Mindanao, there are mountain-dwelling ethnic groups collectively known as lumad. These people do not practice Islam, and maintain their animistic beliefs and traditions. The Negrito are a pre-Mongoloid people who migrated from mainland Asia and were one of the earliest human beings to settle the Philippines, around 30,000 years ago.[citation needed] (The known first being that of the people of the Callao Man remains) The Negrito population are estimated to number around 30,000. Their tribal groups include the Ati, and the Aeta. Their ways of life remain mostly free from Western and Islamic influences. Scholars study them to try to understand pre-Hispanic culture. Most Filipinos are part of the Austronesian group, a group of Malayo-Polynesian speaking people often known as Malay race. Other ethnic groups form a minority in the Philippine population. These include those of Spanish, American, Chinese, Europeans, and other ethnic groups from other countries. Mixed-race individuals are known as Filipino mestizo. Many Filipinos use English in the public sphere, and also speak Filipino and other Philippine languages. Spanish was the official language in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period from the 16th century to the late 19th century. The government continued to use it as one of the official languages until 1987. Population history The first human remains discovered by anthropologists in the Philippines were that of the Prehistoric Tabon Man, found in Palawan. Archaeological evidence indicates similarities with two early human fossils found in Indonesia and China, called the Java Man and Peking Man. The Negritos arrived about 30,000 years ago and occupied several scattered areas throughout the islands. Recent archaeological evidence describe by Peter Bellwood claimed that the ancestors of Filipinos, Malaysians, and Indonesians first crossed the Taiwan Strait during the Prehistoric period. These early mariners are thought to be the Austronesian people (Malayo-Polynesian). They used boats to cross the oceans, and settled into many regions of Southeast Asia, the Polynesian Islands, and Madagascar. By the 14th century, the Malayo-Polynesian ethnic group had dominated and displaced the Negrito population in most areas. Traders from southern China, Japan, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia, also contributed to the ethnic, and cultural development of the islands. By the 16th century, Spanish colonization brought new groups of people to the Philippines. Many settled in the Philippines, and some of them intermarried with the Malay population, although intermarriage was slight. This gave rise to the Filipino mestizo or individuals of mixed Malay and Spanish descent. Far more numerous were Chinese immigrant workers, known as sangley, as many were traders. They married native women. Their children and descendants were called mestizo de sangley. The mestizo de sangleys were far more numerous than mestizos of Spanish descent. By the 19th century, the more successful among them had risen to become wealthy major landowners. They could afford to have their children educated in elite institutions in the Philippines and Europe. By the opening of the Suez Canal in the 1800s, the Spanish opened the Philippines for foreign trade. Europeans such as the British, Germans, and French settled in the islands to do business. By the end of the Spanish colonial period, the native ethnic groups of the Philippines began calling themselves Filipinos, a term that had begun as self-identification for persons of Spanish descent born in the Philippines. Following its victory in the Spanish-American War, the United States created a colonial authority in the Philippines in 1898. Military troops and businessmen made their way to the country, bringing in new ethnic groups, culture and language. In the late 19th century, some Americans proposed resettling African Americans in the Philippines, because of discrimination against them in the South, particularly. Post-American Civil War violence against the freedmen had gone on as southern whites struggled for political and economic dominance. The resettlement idea did not get implemented. The Philippines has over 180 indigenous ethnic groups, over half of which represent unique linguistic gro. Ethnic identity In the Philippines there are individuals of different languages, ethnic cultures, and ancestries. The majority of Present day Filipinos come from a group of Taiwanese aborigines who evolved into Malay people who populated a large part of Southeast Asia. KINDS OF TRIBE IN THE PHILIPPINES Indigenous ethnic groups. Bicolano Main article: Bicolano people The Bicolanos originated in Bicol, Luzon. There are several Bicolano languages, of which there is a total of about 3.5 million speakers.[3] Their language is referred to as Bikol or Bicolano. Ibanag Main article: Ibanag people The Ibanags are an ethnic group numbering around half a million people, who inhabit the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya Ilocano Main article: Ilocano people The Ibanag, Ivatan, the Ilocano people are the inhabitants of the lowlands, and coastal areas of northern Luzon.[4] Ilocano are also found in central Luzon, Metro Manila, and some towns in the Visayas, and Mindanao.[4][5] There are about 8 million speakers of Ilocano,[6] and most of these individuals are Christians. Ivatan Main article: Ivatan people The Ivatan are predominant in the Batanes Islands of the Philippines. They have close cultural links with Taiwanese aborigines. Kapampangan Main article: Kapampangan people The Kapampangan or Capampañgan (English: Pampangan; Spanish: Pampangueño or Pampango) people originate from the central plains of Luzon, starting from Bataan up to Nueva Ecija. The Kapampangan language is spoken by more than two million people. In the Spanish colonial era, Pampanga was known to be a source of valiant soldiers. There was a Kapampangan contingent in the colonial army who helped defend Manila against the Chinese Pirate Limahon. They also helped in battles against the Dutch, the English and Muslim raiders.[7]:3 Kapampangans, along with the Tagalogs, played a major role in the Philippine Revolution.[8] Moro Main articles: Moro people, Maguindanao, Maranao, Tausug people, Yakan, Sangir, Illanun, and Banguingui The Moros comprise of various ethnolinguistic groups in southern, and western Mindanao who are the same as other Filipinos, but whose religion is Islam. The largest of these are the Tausug, the Maguindanao, the Maranao, the Samal, the Yakan, and the Banguingui. These ethnolinguistic groups are different in terms of culture, religion, and have been politically independent.[9] Muslim Filipinos have an independent justice, and education system based in Cotabato City. They form about 5% of the Philippine population,[10] making them the sixth largest ethnic group in the country. Pangasinense Main article: Pangasinan people Pangasinense are the ninth largest Filipino ethnic group. They originated from the northwestern seaboard of Luzon.[11] Sambal Main article: Sambal people The Sambal are the inhabitants of the province of Zambales, and the city of Olongapo in the Philippines. Sambals currently make up a large proportion of the population in the municipalities of Zambales province north of Iba. Subanon Main article: Subanon people The name Subanon (also spelled Subanen or Subanun) means "river people", which is derived from the word "suba" or river. The Subanon, also known in the Anglicized form as "Subanen," is a tribe indigenous to the Zamboanga Peninsula area, particularly living in the mountainous areas of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental. The Subanon people speak the Subanon language. As the name implies, these people originally lived along riverbanks in the lowlands, however due to disturbances and competitions from other settlers like the Moslems, these peace-loving tribe are now found to be residing in the mountains. The Subanons regularly move from one location to another to clear more forest for fields. They cultivate crops, with rice as the most important crop, but they are also known to raise livestock including pigs, chickens, cattle, and water buffaloes. Subanon houses are built along hillsides and ridges overlooking family fields. The homes are usually rectangular and raised on stilts with thatched roofs. Tagalog Main article: Tagalog people The Tagalogs, the first settlers of Manila and its surrounding areas, are one of the most widespread groups of people in the Philippines.[12][12][12][13] The Tagalog language was chosen as an official language of the Philippines in the 1930s. Today, Filipino, a de facto version of Tagalog, is taught throughout the islands.[14] As of the 2000 census[update], there were about 21.5 million speakers of Tagalog in the Philippines, 23.8 million worldwide.[12][15] Visayan Main articles: Visayans, Cebuano people, Hiligaynon people, and Waray people The term Visayans refer to several ethnolinguistic groups living in the Visayas region. Some of these individuals are also found in some parts of Mindanao. There are various Visayan languages spoken in the Central Philippine region. They include Cebuano,[16] Ilonggo,[17] and Waray-Waray.[18] There are some ethnolinguistic groups that have languages which are classified as Visayan, but do not identify themselves as Visayan, such as the Tausug, which speak a Visayan language yet are predominantly Muslim. Some of these only use the Visayan identity to refer to those who are Christian.[19][19][19] Ethnic groups include the Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Waray, Romblomanon, Masbateño, Karay-a, Aklanon, Cuyonon, etc. Chavacanos Main articles: Zamboangueño, Caviteñ Chavacano People, Ermiteñ Chavacano People, Ternateñ People, Cotabateñ Chavacano People, and Castellano Abakay People The Chavacanos are an ethnic group numbering around a million people, who inhabit the provinces and cities of Cavite(the Cacviteño Chabacano), Zamboanga City(Zamboangueño or Chavacano), Zamboanga Provinces(Zamboangueño), Basilan (Zamboangueño), Sulu (Zamboangueño), Tawi-Tawi (Zamboangueño) Ternate(Ternateño Chabacano), Ermita(Ermiteño Chabacano), Cotabato(Cotabateñ Chavacano), Davao(Castellano Abakay) and Malaysia(Zamboangueño). Tribal group Main article: Tribal groups of the Philippines There are more than 100 highland, lowland, and coastland tribal groups in the Philippines. These include: Badjao The Badjao are found in the Sulu Archipelago. Igorot The Igorot (Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Isneg, Kalinga, Kankana-ey, Kalanguya), live in the highlands of Luzon. They are primarily located in the Cordillera Administrative Region.[20] Ilongots The Ilongot are a headhunting ethnic group found in the Caraballo Mountains. Lumad The Lumad of Mindanao includes several tribes such as the Manobo, the Tasaday, the Mamanwa, the Mandaya, and the Kalagan. They primarily inhabit the eastern parts of Mindanao such as the Caraga, and Davao Regions. Mangyan The Mangyan are found in Mindoro. they are 13% in the population. Negrito groups The Negrito, Aeta, Batak, and Mamanwa live in remote areas throughout the islands. Palawan Tribes The tribes of Palawan are a diverse group of tribes primarily located in the island of Palawan and its outlying islands. These tribal groups are widely distributed to the long strip of mainland island literally traversing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Palawan is home to many indigenous peoples whose origins date back thousands of centuries. Pre-historic discoveries reveal how abundant cultural life in Palawan survived before foreign occupiers and colonizers reached the Philippine archipelago. Today, Palawan is making its best to preserve and conserve the richness of its cultural groups. The provincial government strives to support the groups of indigenous peoples of Palawan. Batak The Batak is a group of indigenous Filipino people that resides in the northeast portion of Palawan. Palawan The Palawans are tribal people found in Southern Palawan particularly Quezon, Palawan. Kagayanen The Kagayanen are from the municipality of Cagayancillo in Palawan province. There are about 36,000 Kagayanen in the Philippines. Molbog The Molbog (referred to in the literature as Molebugan or Molebuganon) are concentrated in Balabak island and are also found in other islands of the coast of Palawan as far north as Panakan. The word Malubog means "murky or turbid water". The Molbog are probably a migrant people from nearby North Borneo. Judging from their dialect and some socio-cultural practices, they seem to be related to the Orang Tidung or Tirum (Camucone in Spanish), an Islamized indigenous group native to the northeast coast of Sabah. However, some Sama words (of the Jama Mapun variant) and Tausug words are found in the Molbog dialect. This plus a few characteristics of their socio-cultural life style distinguish them from the Orang Tidung. Molbog livelihood includes subsistence farming, fishing and occasional barter trading with the Sulu Bangsa Moro and nearby Sabah market centers. In the past, both the Molbog and the Palawanon Muslims were ruled by Sulu datus, thus forming the outer political periphery of the Sulu Sultanate. Intermarriage between Tausug and the Molbog hastened the Islamization of the Molbog. The offsprings of these intermarriages are known as kolibugan or "half-breed". Tagbanwa The Tagbanwas are found in the western and eastern coastal areas of central Palawan. Their name means "people of the world". They are concentrated in the municipalities of Aborlan, Quezon and the City of Puerto Princesa. Two other ethnic groups called "Tagbanwa" (i.e. the Central Tagbanwa and the Calamian Tagbanwa) are from a different family of languages and should not be confused the Tagnbanwas discussed here. These are found Coron Island, Northern Palawan, Busuanga Island and the Baras coast. The Central Tagbanwa language is dying out as the younger generations are learning Cuyonon and Tagalog. The Tagbanwas speak the Tagbanwa language and has several sub-dialects. They are able to comprehend Tagalog, and, depending on their proximity to neighboring groups, Batak, Cuyonen and Calamian languages. They usually dress like the non-tribal lowlanders. However, elder men prefer to wear G-string while tilling or fishing. Houses are built from available forest materials. Bamboo and wood are used for the house's frame anahaw leaves are used to create walls and the roof and bamboo slats are used as flooring. Their basic social unit is the nuclear family which is composed of a married couple and their children. Taaw't Bato The Taaw't Batos' name means "people of the rock". They are not actually a separate language or ethinic group, but rather a small community of traditional S.W. Palawanos who happen to reside in the crater of an extinct volcano during certain seasons of the year, in houses built on raised floors inside caves though others have set their homes on the open slopes. They are found in the Singnapan Basin, a valley bounded by Mount Mantalingajan on the east and the coast on the west. North of them is the municipality of Quezon and to the South are the still unexplored regions of Palawan. As of 1987, their population was about 198. Note that the common-seen spelling "Tau't Bato" or "Tau't Batu" is a misspelling based on the Tagalog word for "human" (tao). The Palawano word is "taaw." The men of the tribe wear G-strings while the women cover their lower bodies with bark or cloth that is made into a skirt. The upper half is left exposed although some now wear blouses that are bought from the market. The people practice agriculture with cassava as the major source of carbohydrates. They also plant sweet potatoes, sugarcane, malunggay (Moringa oleifera), garlic, pepper, string beans, squash, tomatoes and pineapples. Others practice fishing, hunting and industrial arts. Their social organizations are based on family (kin ties), band (type of substinence activity) and settlement (geographic location). Tumandok The Tumandok people are an indigenous group who live between Capiz and Lambunao on Panay island. They are the only Visayan group to have fully retained their pre-Hispanic way of life and customs into the modern day, mostly due to their isolation in the mountainous interior of Panay. Non-indigenous ethnic groups The Philippine Statistics Department does not account for the racial background or ancestry of an individual. The official number of all types of Filipino mestizos who reside inside and outside of the Philippines remains unknown. Hispanic See also: Filipinos of Spanish descent and Mexican settlement in the Philippines Filipinos of Hispanic ancestry form a minority in the Philippine population. Their official population is unknown. Most of these are descendants of the Spanish and Mexican settlers who settled in the islands during the Spanish colonial period. Most were of either pure Spanish ancestry or Amerindian-Spanish ancestry (The term 'Mestizo' originated in Latin America). The first groups of Hispanics sailed in 1565 with Miguel López de Legazpi from New Spain, in what is now Jalisco state, Mexico to conquer the Philippines islands. Chinese Main article: Chinese Filipino Filipinos of Chinese ancestry form a minority in the Philippine population. Most migrations of Chinese to the Philippines started even before the Spanish colonial period, when foreign trade with other countries were opened to the Philippines. The ethnically Chinese Filipinos comprise 1.3% (1.1 million) of the population.[25] American Main article: Filipinos of American descent Filipinos of American ancestry form a minority in the Philippine population. Some of these multiracial individuals are descended from Americans who settled in the Philippines during the United States colonial period, and others from tourists who have settled in the Philippines in the contemporary period. As of 2011[update], the U.S, State Department estimated that there are an estimated four million Americans of Philippine ancestry in the United States, and more than 300,000 American citizens in the Philippines. Arab Main article: Filipinos of Arab descent Arabs form a minority in the Philippine population. Their official population is unknown.[citation needed] Indian Main article: Filipinos of Indian descent Indians form a minority in the Philippine population with an estimated population of 38,000 people, the majority settling in Manila. Most of them belong to either Sindhi or Punjabi ethnic groups, and are largely businessmen and traders. A smaller population of Indians belonging to the Marathi ethnic group form part of the clergy of Roman Catholic dioceses in the country. Japanese Main article: Filipinos of Japanese descent People of Japanese descent form a minority in the Philippine population. According to the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Japan, there are 12,913 Japanese nationals residing in the Philippines as of October 2005. However, some estimates put the number of Japanese residing in the Philippines at around 120,000. Japanese have been settling in the Philippines for centuries, therefore there has been much cultural and genetic blending. The Ryukyu Kingdom (Okinawa, etc...) also had heavy trade and mixing in the Phillipines, particularly in Northern Luzon. Jewish Main article: Jews in the Philippines Jews form a minority in the Philippine population. Their official population is unknown. Korean Main article: Koreans in the Philippines As of 2007, approximately 72,000 Koreans are living in the Philippines. Most of them are transient students and expatriates. Most are tourists or students studying in the Philippines. Other Other ethnic groups and/or nationalities include various European ethnicities, Brazilian, Canadian, Australian, New Zealander, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese, and other ethnic groups from other countries.

Filipino Traditions

What is the advantages of tradition in Filipino? Well, the Filipino tradition is very colorful, respectful, and friendly. One of the tradition is bayanihan, people help their neighbors and others like helping to move their house (or hut perhaps). It shows being friendly and helpful. What are different Filipino wedding tradition? Before the wedding, the man asks for the lady's hand from her parents. He goes to their home with his parents in tow. This is called "Pamanhikan". It's like an engagement party but with only two families present. The arrangements for the wedding are decided on that occasion. In some regions, dowry is discussed and negotiated. What are traditional Filippino values? Respect your elders, be responsible, listen to your elders. What are some filipino traditional games? Among the games, the popular ones are Patintero, Tumbang Preso, Siyato, Sipa, Piko, Turumpo, Chinese Garter, Luksong Tinik, Luksong Baka. Amidst the modern age of high tech and computer gadgets, these games are still very much alive and played in the Philippines. The Filipino games are inexpensive to play, with less materials; and it promotes physical activity. They are labelled "Traditional" games because they are passed on from one generation to another. Most of the games started at the turn of the 20th century. These are the games of our forefathers (mga ninuno). As such, it is called Heritage Games ("Laro ng Lahi"). Children who play the games learn to love things that are Filipino. Even adults who once played the games feel proud that they once played it, ergo, being part of the heritage. The traditional Filipino games promotes the Filipino spirit in a fun way. By and large, it is part of the Filipino culture. It is a cultural treasure that every Filipino should cherish, and continue to pass on the new generation, and to their children's children.

history of the phillipines

Philippine History

Early History -The Negritos are believed to have migrated to the Philippines some 30,000 years ago from Borneo, Sumatra, and Malaya. The Malayans followed in successive waves. These people belonged to a primitive epoch of Malayan culture, which has apparently survived to this day among certain groups such as the Igorots. The Malayan tribes that came later had more highly developed material cultures.
In the 14th cent. Arab traders from Malay and Borneo introduced Islam into the southern islands and extended their influence as far north as Luzon. The first Europeans to visit (1521) the Philippines were those in the Spanish expedition around the world led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Other Spanish expeditions followed, including one from New Spain (Mexico) under López de Villalobos, who in 1542 named the islands for the infante Philip, later Philip II.


Spanish Control - The conquest of the Filipinos by Spain did not begin in earnest until 1564, when another expedition from New Spain, commanded by Miguel López de Legaspi, arrived. Spanish leadership was soon established over many small independent communities that previously had known no central rule. By 1571, when López de Legaspi established the Spanish city of Manila on the site of a Moro town he had conquered the year before, the Spanish foothold in the Philippines was secure, despite the opposition of the Portuguese, who were eager to maintain their monopoly on the trade of East Asia.
Manila repulsed the attack of the Chinese pirate Limahong in 1574. For centuries before the Spanish arrived the Chinese had traded with the Filipinos, but evidently none had settled permanently in the islands until after the conquest. Chinese trade and labor were of great importance in the early development of the Spanish colony, but the Chinese came to be feared and hated because of their increasing numbers, and in 1603 the Spanish murdered thousands of them (later, there were lesser massacres of the Chinese).
The Spanish governor, made a viceroy in 1589, ruled with the advice of the powerful royal audiencia. There were frequent uprisings by the Filipinos, who resented the encomienda system. By the end of the 16th cent. Manila had become a leading commercial center of East Asia, carrying on a flourishing trade with China, India, and the East Indies. The Philippines supplied some wealth (including gold) to Spain, and the richly laden galleons plying between the islands and New Spain were often attacked by English freebooters. There was also trouble from other quarters, and the period from 1600 to 1663 was marked by continual wars with the Dutch, who were laying the foundations of their rich empire in the East Indies, and with Moro pirates. One of the most difficult problems the Spanish faced was the subjugation of the Moros. Intermittent campaigns were conducted against them but without conclusive results until the middle of the 19th cent. As the power of the Spanish Empire waned, the Jesuit orders became more influential in the Philippines and acquired great amounts of property.


Revolution, War, and U.S. Control - It was the opposition to the power of the clergy that in large measure brought about the rising sentiment for independence. Spanish injustices, bigotry, and economic oppressions fed the movement, which was greatly inspired by the brilliant writings of José Rizal. In 1896 revolution began in the province of Cavite, and after the execution of Rizal that December, it spread throughout the major islands. The Filipino leader, Emilio Aguinaldo, achieved considerable success before a peace was patched up with Spain. The peace was short-lived, however, for neither side honored its agreements, and a new revolution was brewing when the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898.
After the U.S. naval victory in Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, Commodore George Dewey supplied Aguinaldo with arms and urged him to rally the Filipinos against the Spanish. By the time U.S. land forces had arrived, the Filipinos had taken the entire island of Luzon, except for the old walled city of Manila, which they were besieging. The Filipinos had also declared their independence and established a republic under the first democratic constitution ever known in Asia. Their dreams of independence were crushed when the Philippines were transferred from Spain to the United States in the Treaty of Paris (1898), which closed the Spanish-American War.
In Feb., 1899, Aguinaldo led a new revolt, this time against U.S. rule. Defeated on the battlefield, the Filipinos turned to guerrilla warfare, and their subjugation became a mammoth project for the United States—one that cost far more money and took far more lives than the Spanish-American War. The insurrection was effectively ended with the capture (1901) of Aguinaldo by Gen. Frederick Funston, but the question of Philippine independence remained a burning issue in the politics of both the United States and the islands. The matter was complicated by the growing economic ties between the two countries. Although comparatively little American capital was invested in island industries, U.S. trade bulked larger and larger until the Philippines became almost entirely dependent upon the American market. Free trade, established by an act of 1909, was expanded in 1913.
When the Democrats came into power in 1913, measures were taken to effect a smooth transition to self-rule. The Philippine assembly already had a popularly elected lower house, and the Jones Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1916, provided for a popularly elected upper house as well, with power to approve all appointments made by the governor-general. It also gave the islands their first definite pledge of independence, although no specific date was set.
When the Republicans regained power in 1921, the trend toward bringing Filipinos into the government was reversed. Gen. Leonard Wood, who was appointed governor-general, largely supplanted Filipino activities with a semimilitary rule. However, the advent of the Great Depression in the United States in the 1930s and the first aggressive moves by Japan in Asia (1931) shifted U.S. sentiment sharply toward the granting of immediate independence to the Philippines.


The Commonwealth - The Hare-Hawes Cutting Act, passed by Congress in 1932, provided for complete independence of the islands in 1945 after 10 years of self-government under U.S. supervision. The bill had been drawn up with the aid of a commission from the Philippines, but Manuel L. Quezon, the leader of the dominant Nationalist party, opposed it, partially because of its threat of American tariffs against Philippine products but principally because of the provisions leaving naval bases in U.S. hands. Under his influence, the Philippine legislature rejected the bill. The Tydings-McDuffie Independence Act (1934) closely resembled the Hare-Hawes Cutting Act, but struck the provisions for American bases and carried a promise of further study to correct “imperfections or inequalities.”
The Philippine legislature ratified the bill; a constitution, approved by President Roosevelt (Mar., 1935) was accepted by the Philippine people in a plebiscite (May); and Quezon was elected the first president (Sept.). When Quezon was inaugurated on Nov. 15, 1935, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was formally established. Quezon was reelected in Nov., 1941. To develop defensive forces against possible aggression, Gen. Douglas MacArthur was brought to the islands as military adviser in 1935, and the following year he became field marshal of the Commonwealth army.


World War II - War came suddenly to the Philippines on Dec. 8 (Dec. 7, U.S. time), 1941, when Japan attacked without warning. Japanese troops invaded the islands in many places and launched a pincer drive on Manila. MacArthur’s scattered defending forces (about 80,000 troops, four fifths of them Filipinos) were forced to withdraw to Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island, where they entrenched and tried to hold until the arrival of reinforcements, meanwhile guarding the entrance to Manila Bay and denying that important harbor to the Japanese. But no reinforcements were forthcoming. The Japanese occupied Manila on Jan. 2, 1942. MacArthur was ordered out by President Roosevelt and left for Australia on Mar. 11; Lt. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright assumed command.
The besieged U.S.-Filipino army on Bataan finally crumbled on Apr. 9, 1942. Wainwright fought on from Corregidor with a garrison of about 11,000 men; he was overwhelmed on May 6, 1942. After his capitulation, the Japanese forced the surrender of all remaining defending units in the islands by threatening to use the captured Bataan and Corregidor troops as hostages. Many individual soldiers refused to surrender, however, and guerrilla resistance, organized and coordinated by U.S. and Philippine army officers, continued throughout the Japanese occupation.
Japan’s efforts to win Filipino loyalty found expression in the establishment (Oct. 14, 1943) of a “Philippine Republic,” with José P. Laurel, former supreme court justice, as president. But the people suffered greatly from Japanese brutality, and the puppet government gained little support. Meanwhile, President Quezon, who had escaped with other high officials before the country fell, set up a government-in-exile in Washington. When he died (Aug., 1944), Vice President Sergio Osmeña became president. Osmeña returned to the Philippines with the first liberation forces, which surprised the Japanese by landing (Oct. 20, 1944) at Leyte, in the heart of the islands, after months of U.S. air strikes against Mindanao. The Philippine government was established at Tacloban, Leyte, on Oct. 23.
The landing was followed (Oct. 23–26) by the greatest naval engagement in history, called variously the battle of Leyte Gulf and the second battle of the Philippine Sea. A great U.S. victory, it effectively destroyed the Japanese fleet and opened the way for the recovery of all the islands. Luzon was invaded (Jan., 1945), and Manila was taken in February. On July 5, 1945, MacArthur announced “All the Philippines are now liberated.” The Japanese had suffered over 425,000 dead in the Philippines.
The Philippine congress met on June 9, 1945, for the first time since its election in 1941. It faced enormous problems. The land was devastated by war, the economy destroyed, the country torn by political warfare and guerrilla violence. Osmeña’s leadership was challenged (Jan., 1946) when one wing (now the Liberal party) of the Nationalist party nominated for president Manuel Roxas, who defeated Osmeña in April.


The Republic of the Philippines - Manuel Roxas became the first president of the Republic of the Philippines when independence was granted, as scheduled, on July 4, 1946. In Mar., 1947, the Philippines and the United States signed a military assistance pact (since renewed) and the Philippines gave the United States a 99-year lease on designated military, naval, and air bases (a later agreement reduced the period to 25 years beginning 1967). The sudden death of President Roxas in Apr., 1948, elevated the vice president, Elpidio Quirino, to the presidency, and in a bitterly contested election in Nov., 1949, Quirino defeated José Laurel to win a four-year term of his own.
The enormous task of reconstructing the war-torn country was complicated by the activities in central Luzon of the Communist-dominated Hukbalahap guerrillas (Huks), who resorted to terror and violence in their efforts to achieve land reform and gain political power. They were finally brought under control (1954) after a vigorous attack launched by the minister of national defense, Ramón Magsaysay. By that time Magsaysay was president of the country, having defeated Quirino in Nov., 1953. He had promised sweeping economic changes, and he did make progress in land reform, opening new settlements outside crowded Luzon island. His death in an airplane crash in Mar., 1957, was a serious blow to national morale. Vice President Carlos P. García succeeded him and won a full term as president in the elections of Nov., 1957.
In foreign affairs, the Philippines maintained a firm anti-Communist policy and joined the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization in 1954. There were difficulties with the United States over American military installations in the islands, and, despite formal recognition (1956) of full Philippine sovereignty over these bases, tensions increased until some of the bases were dismantled (1959) and the 99-year lease period was reduced. The United States rejected Philippine financial claims and proposed trade revisions.
Philippine opposition to García on issues of government corruption and anti-Americanism led, in June, 1959, to the union of the Liberal and Progressive parties, led by Vice President Diosdado Macapagal, the Liberal party leader, who succeeded García as president in the 1961 elections. Macapagal’s administration was marked by efforts to combat the mounting inflation that had plagued the republic since its birth; by attempted alliances with neighboring countries; and by a territorial dispute with Britain over North Borneo (later Sabah), which Macapagal claimed had been leased and not sold to the British North Borneo Company in 1878.


Marcos and After - Ferdinand E. Marcos, who succeeded to the presidency after defeating Macapagal in the 1965 elections, inherited the territorial dispute over Sabah; in 1968 he approved a congressional bill annexing Sabah to the Philippines. Malaysia suspended diplomatic relations (Sabah had joined the Federation of Malaysia in 1963), and the matter was referred to the United Nations. (The Philippines dropped its claim to Sabah in 1978.) The Philippines became one of the founding countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967. The continuing need for land reform fostered a new Huk uprising in central Luzon, accompanied by mounting assassinations and acts of terror, and in 1969, Marcos began a major military campaign to subdue them. Civil war also threatened on Mindanao, where groups of Moros opposed Christian settlement. In Nov., 1969, Marcos won an unprecedented reelection, easily defeating Sergio Osmeña, Jr., but the election was accompanied by violence and charges of fraud, and Marcos’s second term began with increasing civil disorder.
In Jan., 1970, some 2,000 demonstrators tried to storm Malacañang Palace, the presidential residence; riots erupted against the U.S. embassy. When Pope Paul VI visited Manila in Nov., 1970, an attempt was made on his life. In 1971, at a Liberal party rally, hand grenades were thrown at the speakers’ platform, and several people were killed. President Marcos declared martial law in Sept., 1972, charging that a Communist rebellion threatened. The 1935 constitution was replaced (1973) by a new one that provided the president with direct powers. A plebiscite (July, 1973) gave Marcos the right to remain in office beyond the expiration (Dec., 1973) of his term. Meanwhile the fighting on Mindanao had spread to the Sulu Archipelago. By 1973 some 3,000 people had been killed and hundreds of villages burned. Throughout the 1970s poverty and governmental corruption increased, and Imelda Marcos, Ferdinand’s wife, became more influential.
Martial law remained in force until 1981, when Marcos was reelected, amid accusations of electoral fraud. On Aug. 21, 1983, opposition leader Benigno Aquino was assassinated at Manila airport, which incited a new, more powerful wave of anti-Marcos dissent. After the Feb., 1986, presidential election, both Marcos and his opponent, Corazon Aquino (the widow of Benigno), declared themselves the winner, and charges of massive fraud and violence were leveled against the Marcos faction. Marcos’s domestic and international support eroded, and he fled the country on Feb. 25, 1986, eventually obtaining asylum in the United States.
Aquino’s government faced mounting problems, including coup attempts, significant economic difficulties, and pressure to rid the Philippines of the U.S. military presence (the last U.S. bases were evacuated in 1992). In 1990, in response to the demands of the Moros, a partially autonomous Muslim region was created in the far south. In 1992, Aquino declined to run for reelection and was succeeded by her former army chief of staff Fidel Ramos. He immediately launched an economic revitalization plan premised on three policies: government deregulation, increased private investment, and political solutions to the continuing insurgencies within the country. His political program was somewhat successful, opening dialogues with the Marxist and Muslim guerillas. However, Muslim discontent with partial rule persisted, and unrest and violence continued throughout the 1990s. In 1999, Marxist rebels and Muslim separatists formed an alliance to fight the government.
Several natural disasters, including the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on Luzon and a succession of severe typhoons, slowed the country’s economic progress. However, the Philippines escaped much of the economic turmoil seen in other East Asian nations in 1997 and 1998, in part by following a slower pace of development imposed by the International Monetary Fund. Joseph Marcelo Estrada, a former movie actor, was elected president in 1998, pledging to help the poor and develop the country’s agricultural sector. In 1999 he announced plans to amend the constitution in order to remove protectionist provisions and attract more foreign investment.
Late in 2000, Estrada’s presidency was buffeted by charges that he accepted millions of dollars in payoffs from illegal gambling operations. Although his support among the poor Filipino majority remained strong, many political, business, and church leaders called for him to resign. In Nov., 2000, Estrada was impeached by the house of representatives on charges of graft, but the senate, controlled by Estrada’s allies, provoked a crisis (Jan., 2001) when rejected examining the president’s bank records. As demonstrations against Estrada mounted and members of his cabinet resigned, the supreme court stripped him of the presidency, and Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sworn in as Estrada’s successor.
Macapagal-Arroyo was elected president in her own right in May, 2004, but the balloting was marred by violence and irregularities as well as a tedious vote-counting process that was completed six weeks after the election.

colture of the philippines

Philippines is a really beautiful country that sees a mix of diverse cultures. The culture of Philippines has seen various influences in the past. This beautiful country consists of around 7,107 islands with a large settlement of mostly Malay people. The Filipinos, as the people over here are known, are distinctive in many ways and have preserved their rich traditions and culture. Here, we shall take a look at the finer aspects of the culture of Philippines.

The Culture of Philippines: Family and Lifestyle
With over 70 million people, the Republic of Philippines has a mixed crowd that consists of different religions and people from various regions. One can see a mix of Christians and Muslims. The Chinese, Americans and Spanish lot are also spotted and Christianity is widely practiced out here. The Filipinos hold family ties in high regard. Discipline is instilled in the blood of young Filipinos at an early age. Nuclear families are a common factor out here although many Filipinos do stay close to each other. Families are rather conservative in their outlook and it is considered inappropriate when a female visits the house of a male. The people of Philippines are bound together by strong values.

The Culture of Philippines: Cuisine
The cuisine of Philippines is as varied and diverse as the culture in itself! One can see an array of food items being prepared apart from the traditional flavor of Philippines. The Chicharon is a popular snack in the Philippines. This is deep-fried pork or chicken dish. Apart from this, the bibingka which is a rice cake and the ensaymada which is a sweet roll is also popular as a snack item. The lechon which is a whole roasted pig is also a popular food dish in the cuisine of Philippines. Filipinos love to gorge on pescado - a fried fish dish, pinakbet - vegetable stew, puto-rice cakes and pan de sal - salted rolls of bread.

The Culture of Philippines: Music and Dance
The various forms of music also are an indication of the different cultures that exist out here. There is a fine blend of native compositions and modern tunes. The music styles seen here have European and American influences. From hip-hop to pop music, it's all popular out here. The Spanish people have left a distinct mark even in terms of music. With their influence, came the use of guitars and the zarzuela. Filipino rock and Filipino reggae also have a major fan following. The dance of the Filipinos is seen in various forms and styles. The Filipinos also have certain distinct forms of folk dance. Here, bamboo sticks are used in accompaniment with the steps being performed. Such dance forms are known as the tinkling and the skilling. All such folk dances of Philippines are only done in groups. There are many interesting legends associated with these dance forms as well. These dances are mainly visible being performed for religious occasions and weddings.

The Culture of Philippines: Art
Apart from music and dance, traditional forms of paintings are also very much predominant in the culture of Philippines. The painting style that began in the 17th century is continued even today. Other forms of art and craft such as weaving and pottery are also common amongst certain groups of people. A peek into the homes of many Filipinos would reveal the popularity of wooden art that is used for display. History also reveals the association of creative poetry with the people of Philippines. Tanagas are short poems that are typically without any title. Originally, Tanagas were always written in Tagalog, but today, many aspiring poets are using the basics of this form to write creative verses.


These are some of the basics aspects.It only reflects the wide influences and the wonderful blend that has formed with the traditional culture of Philippines.



The culture of the Philippines reflects the complexity of the history of the Philippines through the blending of many diverse traditional Malay^[1] heritage mixed with Spanish,^[2] American and other Asian cultures.
Pre-Hispanic, and non-Christian Philippine cultures are derived from many native traditions of the Austronesian people called Malayo-Polynesian or the Malay people. The prehistoric Philippine Mythology 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.
Spanish colonization in the Philippines lasted from 1565 to 1898. Most of that time the islands were governed from Mexico and later directly from Spain. As a result, 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 example 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 Catholic religion.
Later, the Philippines was a territory 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 even before the colonial period and their influence is also present in the popularity of gambling games such mahjong, jueteng, Kali and a variety of Asian cuisine.
Muslim Filipinos also celebrate their own customs 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.

kinds of tribe in the phil.

Tribes in the Philippines
Let's try to understand the culture and traditions of some of the numerous tribes of the Philippines.

• B'laan: One of the many tribes in the Philippines, the B'laan people come from the Saranganai region, the southeastern part of Davao. People of this tribe are also identified by names such as Bira-an, Baraan, Vilanes and B'laan. These people are known for the beadwork, n'talak weave and brasswork. They wear embroidered costumes and jewelry made from brass.
• Bontocs: The tribes living in the Mountain province of Philippines and falling in today's Bontoc municipality are known as Bontocs. The Bontoc region today, is divided into 16 subdivisions called barangays and its total population is 24,798.
• Ibaloi: The Ibaloi is an agricultural community, which cultivates rice in terraced fields. One of the communities living in the mountains of the Cordillera Central, the Ibaloi people are 55,000 in number today. The Ibaloi people practiced mummification in the olden days. The process of mummification involved dehydrating the dead body completely, with the help of smoke. The Ibaloi language they speak comes under the family of Austronesian languages.
• Lumad: These people come from southern Philippines. In the Cebuano language the word Lumad means 'native'. Lumads are further subdivided in 18 ethnolinguistic groups.
• Mangyan: It is a common name used to refer to eight ethnic tribes in Philippines. The Mangyan people come from the Mindoro islands and their population is around 100,000. The Mangyan people practice subsistence agriculture and they cultivate a number of varieties of the sweet potato along with taro and rice. They follow a religion called Animism.
• Maranao: Primarily known for their sophisticated weaving and artwork, the Maranaos come from the island of Mindanao. They are also known as the 'People of the Lake', since, they inhabited the region around the Lake Lanao. Maranaos come under a bigger group of Filipinos, the 'Moros' who follow the Muslim religion. To put it in a nutshell, all Muslims in Philippines are Moros. An ancient form of instrumental music, the 'kulintang' holds great importance in Maranao culture.
• Negrito: The term Negrito is a Spanish word, a diminutive of the word Negro. In this case, Negritos refers to a large group of indigenous tribes in Philippines. It includes the subgroups called the Agta, Aeta, Ati, Ayta, Dumagat and 25 more tribes from the Philippines. Although the Negritos of the Philippines possess some physical similarities with the pygmies of Africa, they are completely unrelated in terms of genetics.
• Tagbanua: Inhabiting the northern and central region of Palawan, Tagbanua is one of the oldest tribes in Philippines. Tagbanuas live in tiny villages that are compact with only 45 to 500 people living in a single village. They speak the Palawano language and worship four deities, known as 'Nagabacaban' or 'Mangindusa', 'Polo', 'Sedumunadoc' and 'Tabiacoud'. The family structure of Tagbanuas is a 'nuclear' one. They live in houses made of bamboo.
• Tausug: One of the indigenous tribes in the Philippines falling under a larger ethnic group, Moro, the Tausug community comes from the Sulu Archipelago. The Sulu Archipelago is a group of islands in the southwestern parts of Philippines. Earlier, the Tausug people governed a bigger kingdom known as the 'Sulu Sultanate', which covered the modern-day provinces of Palawan, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.