Part 2 - Significant Influences of Foreign Countries on the Philippines

Binibining Carla Henry - a typical mestiza (a melange of races and cultures)

Dr Abe V Rotor

Don’t you know that …

• about 30 percent of the Tagalog words are derived from Sanskrit, India’s ancient language?

• the early Filipinos learned to use porcelain ware, umbrellas, manufacture of gunpowder, and certain mining methods from the Chinese?

• the wearing of white dresses and the use of a white background in mourning and burial ceremonies is another Chinese influence?

• Philippine cuisine found in noodle dishes such as bihon, miki, mami, lomi, sotanghon, miswa, and panic - is of Chinese origin?

• the use of brass, bronze, copper and tin in the decorative arts and metal work of the early Filipinos is an Indian influence?

• the sarong (skirt) and the putong (turban) worn by the early Filipinos (Pinoy) and the embroidered shawls still worn by today’s Muslim Filipino women are a Indian influence?

• the sarimanok design in Maranaw decorative art has an Arabic origin, that many stories in Maranaw and Tausug literature are derived from Arabian tales?

• Balituk, the tale of the Ifugao legendary hero, is similar to Arjuna’s exploits in the Mahabharata, the great Hindu epic? So with the Agusan legend of a man named Agnio, resembles the story of Ahalya in the Ramayana, another great Hindu epic?

• the marks one sees on the face of the newly risen moon are said to have been made by the teeth of the dragon that bites it every time it can, and the Hindu god that causes eclipses by biting the moon or the sun is Rahu?

• the Bicolanos which uses a variety of spices are like the folks in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, the people in the Bicol region who use chili and coconut milk for a lot of their delicacies?

• women had minor roles in the society but were respected by men, is a influence of Spain on Filipina women?

• the Spanish culture was more enjoyed and welcomed by the Filipino-Spanish families and the wealthy Filipino families – the principalia and Ilustrado, rather than the masses?

• despite the oppressive control of the Spaniards, native Filipino Culture progressed and developed in legends, epics, folktales, riddles, country songs, among them "Darangan" of the Maranaos, “Hudhud at Alim" of the Ifugaos, "Biag-ni-Lam-ang" of the Ilocanos, and "Ibalon" of the Bicolanos?

• the Japanese caused tremendous fear, hardships and suffering among the Filipinos, which only embolden them to fight for their lost their freedom?

• American influences can still be seen in the country's system of education, literature, art, architecture, science, industry, home, food, clothes, religion, pastimes, music and dances?

• new technologies were introduced by the Americans to the country that helped the Philippines' industries and agriculture?

• the Americans influenced the Filipinos in terms of the way they eat, to love the American culture and most of all, to prioritize American products. The Americans also introduced fast food to the Philippines?

References:
Philippine Almanac (Internet)
A Short History of the Filipino People – By Teodoro Agoncillo