Customs
Holidays
- Independence Day: Annually, on June 12, 1898, Filipinos participate in nationwide parades and spend most of their time at parks and malls to celebrate the day the Philippines gained its independence.
- People Power Anniversary: Much of the activities during this holiday occurs in Manila, where people attend church masses and concerts and wear yellow to represent the LABAN party to commemmorate the revolution that restored democracy in the Philippines in 1986.
- All Saints Day: A day when Filipinos spend a day at the cemetery to visit their relatives who passed a day and it is also a day of celebration of Christian saints.
National Anthem and Music
A Folk Tale: The Man with the Coconuts
One day a man who had been to gather his coconuts loaded his horse heavily with the fruit. On the way home he met a boy whom he asked how long it would take to reach the house. "If you go slowly," said the boy, looking at the load on the horse, "you will arrive very soon; but if you go fast, it will take you all day." The man could not believe this strange speech, so he hurried his horse. But the coconuts fell off and he had to stop to pick them up. Then he hurried his horse all the more to make up for lost time, but the coconuts fell off again. Many time he did this, and it was night when he reached home.
Cultural differences from the U.S.
- The highest value in the Philippines is the family. "Losing face" is a shame for Filipinos, especially for the family.
- Filipinos say "po" and "opo" to the older people as a sign of respect.
- Younger people show respect to older people, and address them "Sir" to a man and "Ma'am or Madam" to a woman.
- Because status and titles are more important in the Philippines, the language is formal.
- Filipinos generally avoid saying "No" to avoid confrontation. So they might say "Perhaps" and "Yes" and fail to follow through.
- When giving gifts to Filipinos, keep in mind that the more the gift is packaged beautifully, the better.
- At schools and some work places, the day starts with a flag ceremony with the students/ workers lined up outside, singing the national anthem.
- Every Sunday, most Filipinos go to church as a religious practice.
Social Activities
Popular social activities in the Philippines are fiestas, or festivals. There are tons of festivals all over the Philippines. Examples are the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City that celebrates the Holy Child of the shore, the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City that celebrates the flower season, and the Flores de Mayo nationwide, which is a parade of the town's loveliest ladies.
Resources
"All Saints' Day in Philippines." All Saints' Day in Philippines. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2013.
Cole, Mabel C. "Folktales from the Philippines." Folktales from the Philippines. N.p., 1916. Web. 31 May 2013.
"Independence Day in Philippines." Independence Day in Philippines. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2013.
"Jeepney Love Story Yeng Constantino Official Music Video." YouTube. YouTube, 05 Oct. 2010. Web. 01 June 2013.
"People Power Anniversary in Philippines." People Power Anniversary in Philippines. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2013.
"PHILIPPINE Festival." Philippine Festivals. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 June 2013.
Cole, Mabel C. "Folktales from the Philippines." Folktales from the Philippines. N.p., 1916. Web. 31 May 2013.
"Independence Day in Philippines." Independence Day in Philippines. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2013.
"Jeepney Love Story Yeng Constantino Official Music Video." YouTube. YouTube, 05 Oct. 2010. Web. 01 June 2013.
"People Power Anniversary in Philippines." People Power Anniversary in Philippines. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2013.
"PHILIPPINE Festival." Philippine Festivals. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 June 2013.