Filipinos take pride in their ancestral culture
Dr Abe V Rotor
Filipinos wearing Badjao costume
The Filipino culture in the past was valued and developed even before the colonizers. The rich culture of Philippine forefathers is evident in their social classes, home, manner of dressing, body accessories, education, music and dance, science, arts and literature, even their way to courtship and marriage, burial and mourning. Filipino forefathers valued education. The early Filipinos in the past had their own beliefs and ways of burying the dead, mourning and getting married.
Early Filipinos were hospitable. This was shown in situations like receiving guests and strangers. They offered the visitors food an entertainment. They were also conscious of cleanliness. They took a bath daily in the river. They cleaned their teeth with fruits. They used perfumes for their bodies. They put "gugo" in their hair. Even their houses were kept clean and orderly.
Early Filipinos were trustworthy and honest. They paid their debts on time. Likewise, they kept their promises.
The Philippines in contemporary society – a mélange of influences
Many countries shared with us many beautiful things about their culture as the world became more and more accessible by communication and transportation. All corners of the world today have been brought together into a global village, and the Philippines has tremendous impact in this social transformation. This time it is not only a one-way direction of change or a relationship designed in favor of one in expense of the other. Here in this present global trend is a homogenization of all aspects of life.
The Philippines can be felt and seen – admired and awed - in the many expressions of everyday life in all parts of the world. And in the US, India, Middle East, Europe, and Asia, where once upon a time gave us imprints of their culture. For which we can only say, there is only one universal culture that binds humanity. ~
Take pride in the Filipino culture and all the influences that we had over time. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be who we Filipinos are today.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how ubiquitous the Filipinos are all over the world, the
ReplyDeletecharacteristic of being “hospitable” is still carried on by us no matter how
influenced we are by other cultures, other countries and other religions. We are
still able to pass this unique kind of characteristic to the generation. Because
of this, we are also able to influence other countries and are able to lure them
to visit and love our country. Because of this, the number of our tourists
increased thus making our economic statistic incline. Continuing the Filipino
culture that was started by our forefathers is a great way of making become more
aware and appreciate the culture that we have.
Though we were able to carry on the good characteristic of a Filipino as
“hospitable”, the characteristic of being “trustworthy” and “honest”, to be
honest, greatly diminished. Filipinos of today have mastered the art of lying
especially when it comes to our government. The image of today’s politics and
politicians became bloody, dirty and corrupted. Today, we are greatly influenced
by foreign countries which is one reason for the decline of the economic status
of our local entrepreneurs. Continuing the Filipino tradition and culture is one
way of luring Filipinos to the beauty that this country have.