Getting to Know Filipino Culture

I have visited many places and seen so many faces, but I have never seen smiles so sweet as the ones from Filipino people. The amazing thing is that Filipinos are so happy and colourful, even though these

Filipino families have gone through so much, perhaps it is just a part of their culture as it seems most Filipino traditions are happy; most Filipinos are happy by nature. They are the people who you can still see smiling even on their lowest days. This is why I became curious about Filipino culture. How did the Filipino people become this happy and optimistic?

Well, the first thing that I noticed about Filipinos is that they are filled with arts. Whether it is visual arts or performing arts, the Filipino people have got a lot to offer. They also have wonderful architecture that they have taken from the Spanish and the Chinese who colonized them. But Filipinos have their own kind of architecture to be proud of as well. Do you know what a Nipa hut is? The Nipa Hut is the common housing of the olden Filipino people. They are made out of bamboo and coconut rather than different kinds of wood. For the roof of the Nipa hut, cogon grass, coconut fronds, and Nipa palm leaves are used. They are built in stilts too, as there are many places in the Philippines that are prone to flooding. The thing is that even with just these materials, these Nipa huts are very strong. If you want to see a more complicated Nipa Hut, visit the Coconut Palace. It is found at the heart of the capital, Manila. As the name implies, this is a huge nipa hut – hence the name. This is also the office and residence of the Vice President of the Philippines.

Filipino culture also includes food and in this they are also very rich. In fact, the Philippines is called the melting pot of Asia. This is because you can find quite a variety of food here. There are some dishes that are inspired by the Spaniards such as the chorizo, empanadas, pescado frito (fried fish or grilled fish), and kare kare (ox tail stew) among others. But just like many other countries, the cuisine of the Filipino culture also contains “exotic” food. This includes the infamous balut (boiled duck egg which most of the time includes a fertilized duckling), longganiza (sweet sausage) and dinuguan (pork blood stew). Indeed, when you visit the Philippines, you can ask anyone of the Filipino people about these dishes and delicacies and they will be more than happy to guide you for as to where you can buy them.

Sports are also a very important part of Filipino culture. In fact, there are a number of Filipino traditions that include playing sports. Arnis is the national sport of the Philippines. It is a form of martial arts that is characterized by using a stick. However, sadly, not many Filipino families are able to introduce Arnis to the youngsters of the family.  There are many other sports that comprise the sports of the Philippines. For sure you have heard of Manny Pacquiao, the boxer. Recently, the Filipino people have been going crazy about their boxing idol.

Filipino culture is rich in festivities and traditions as well. In a year, there are so many Filipino traditions that are celebrated. The Filipino people have at least 10 regular holidays and 6 special holidays in a year. Most of these holidays are connected to fantastic Filipino traditions. Everywhere you go in the Philippines, you will get to experience these Filipino traditions that are really something to remember. That is why when you are in the Philippines, check out their traditions and you will surely be able to maximize the enjoyment of your stay.  The Filipino people will make you feel welcome. The whole world knows how friendly and happy Filipino families are naturally. This is another reason why many people from all over the world enjoy Filipino culture. They know that aside from being able to learn a lot, they will also be able to have fun in all these Filipino traditions.