General Topic: A Cultural Practice or Activity

Specific Topic: Traditional Courtship in the Philippines

Research Questions:

1. What does “Tradition Courtship in the Philippines” mean beyond its literal definition?

2. What is the larger cultural significance of “Traditional Courtship in the Philippines?”

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of traditional courtship?

Thesis Statement:

1. “Courtship is the best part of a girl’s romance and love life”. This is the reason why in the

earlier courting practices there have been a lot of rituals involved. Thus, in those times,

before they get married they are able to enjoy the labors of a suitor for her love even if it

takes a year or more of courtship.

2.

Tentative Title:

“The Traditional Courtship of Filipinos during the Colonization in the Philippines”

Outline:

I. Introduction

A. What is courtship?

B. What is the tradition of Filipinos in courtship?

C. Importance of traditional courtship of Filipinos?

II. Different Types of Tradition Courtship in the Philippines

A. Luzon
 B. Visayas

C. Mindanao

D. Modern Courtship

III. Conclusion

A. Is “Traditional Courtship” still being practiced in the Philippines?

B. What is more advantageous? Modern Courtship or Traditional Courtship?

List at least 10 potential sources to use as examples or support:

1. The process of courting in the Philippines is fairly complicated and seems to take a whole

lot of inspiration from the nearly 400 years of Spanish occupation. Indeed, the Tagalog

term for courting, panliligaw / ligawan, are the same as pandidiga / digahan – diga in

Spanish being translated as ‘to express or tell/say” (Digame – Tell me.) In the formal

give and take of courtship, the man courting the woman is referred to as manliligaw and

the woman being courted is nililigawan.

Reference:

Traditional Courtship in the Philippines. My Philippine Dream (2018)

Retrieved from: http://myphilippinedreams.com/traditional-courtship-philippines-old-new/
Accessed last: December 10, 2018

2. Panliligaw or ligawan are the Tagalog terms for courtship, which in some parts of the

Tagalog-speaking regions is synonymous with pandidiga or digahan (from

Spanish diga, 'to say, express'). Manliligaw is the one who courts a girl; nililigawan is

the one who is being courted.

Reference:
Ligawan. Pinoy na Pinoy (2018).
Retrieved from: http://www.seasite.niu.edu/tagalog/love.html
Accessed last: December 10, 2018

3. One tradition of courtship in the Philippines is not to go out on a date. You have to visit

her at home in the evening and talk to her in the sala (living room) with her parents

watching nearby. You just chat for a few weeks. Don’t dare draw close to her or they

will think you are manyakis (a sex maniac). If her parents approve of your behavior, then

maybe they’ll allow her to go out with you if you politely ask them for permission. But

there has to be a chaperone — maybe the mother or her yaya (the paid help who raised

her) or the most trusted maid of the household who will carry the umbrella to shield her

ward from the sun. (You can only go out in broad daylight). You can walk in the park or

some other public place. Your goal here is to endear yourself to the chaperone so that

she’ll allow you some time alone with the woman of your dreams. Then maybe you could

sneak a kiss on her cheek or she’ll let you hold her hand. Maybe you could talk about

your plans to elope and escape her strict parents.

Reference:

Dating and Courtship in the Philippines. Tagalog Lang (2018).

Retrieved from: https://www.tagaloglang.com/dating-and-courtship/
Accessed last: December 10, 2018

4. Long before Spaniards claimed the Philippines (pre-1565) as their own, the early Filipino

population was already particular about courtship. In some tribes, “paninilbihan” was the
 custom of requiring the man to work for the woman’s family to get the elders’ approval

for the couple’s marriage. Common tasks included fetching water and chopping wood.

Get this, the whole courting process could last for years. Even if the woman’s parents

would finally give in because of the man’s efforts, the manliligaw still had to give a

dowry. Dowries are quite familiar to the western world, but in some areas of pre-colonial

Philippines, conditions set forth for the suitor could be outrageous.

Dating and Courtship in the Philippines. Tagalog Lang (2018).

Retrieved from: https://www.tagaloglang.com/dating-and-courtship/
Accessed last: December 10, 2018

5. In Philippine custom and tradition, courtship is more subdued, discrete and indirect

compared to Western Cultures. This practice which dated back to the Spanish time

strictly abides to conservative norms set by the society for pursuing a woman.

Traditionally, a man cannot just approach a lady and ask for her name or address. If a

man sees a woman she likes, he should seek the help of a mediator or “tulay” in Tagalog,

to ask the permission of the girl’s father if he can visit her in their house. “Harana” or

serenade, sending love letters and “paninilbihan” or servitude are just some of the

traditions being practiced by traditional Filipinos.

Reference:

Dating and Courtship in the Philippines. Tagalog Lang (2018).

Retrieved from: https://www.tagaloglang.com/dating-and-courtship/
Accessed last: December 10, 2018
 6. In the olden times in the province of Ilocos, one of the modes of their courtship is the so

called “rooster courtship” which involves the rooster. An old man with a rooster is

delegated to serve as go-between. The procedure consists of his visiting the prospective

bride’s house with an ubiquitous rooster in tow. To probe into the purpose of the visit, the

prospective bride’s father inquires from the visitor what he is going to do with the

rooster. Whereupon, the old man answers: “I want to make it crow here, if you please.”

Then he is asked again about the pedigree of the rooster, whether it is domestic or wild.

“Domestic” as an answer signifies “one of us,’ or a prospective bridegroom belonging to

the place, while “wild” denotes something foreign or not coming from the same place;

one that belongs to a different ethnic group like Pampango, Pangasinese, Bicolano,

Ilongo, Cebuano, Batangueno, Chavacano or any other. An elaboration of this leads to

the identity of the prospective bridegroom. Tradition requires the old man to leave rooster

with the prospective bride’s father when the match is encouraged.

Reference:

Rooster Courtship. Anima (1975).

Retrieved from: https://www.kasal.com/rooster-courtship
Accessed last: December 10, 2018

7. There is only one way or practice for most Filipinos aside from those who belong to a

tribal group. The traditional courtship is Philippines is described as "far more subdued

and indirect" compared to those of Western countries and cultures. It involves phases and

stages. At first the Filipino male suitor expresses his interest to the girl she likes in a

discreet and friendly manner. The Filipino way of teasing may begin in a process called
 "teasing" or "pairing off" by peers or adults. The Filpina woman is often shy and

secretive about her feelings to the guy. The admirer often overcomes his shyness if he

asks someone , a friend maybe to do things for him and asks as a "tulay" or "bridge" for

the admirer and the girl. After the "teasing phase" it moves unto what we call as " serious

phase". There is also called as group dates or chaperoned dates.

Reference:

Dating and Courtship in the Philippines. Tagalog Lang (2018).

Retrieved from: https://www.tagaloglang.com/dating-and-courtship/
Accessed last: December 10, 2018

8. Of all social events, perhaps none is more elaborate than a wedding. And of all Filipino

weddings, perhaps none is as full of color, splendor and pageantry as a Tausog wedding.

On the eve of the affair, a cacophony of native percussion instruments–“agong“,

“kulingtang“and “gabbang” announce the impending wedding. Everyone in the village,

young and old, are invited. The ceremony proper is performed by an “Imam” or Muslim

priest. After readings from the “Koran“, the groom puts his “fingerprint” on the forehead

of the bride. This gesture formally seals the marriage. Like all weddings–lavish feasting,

singing, dancing and marry making ensue. And the entire tribe celebrates the joy and love

and life.

Reference:

Tausug Courtship. Weddings at Work (1975).

Retrievedfrom:https://weddingsatwork.com/courtship-and-marriage-rites-in-philippine-
provinces/
Accessed last: December 10, 2018
 9. It is apparent that today, old styles of courtship have been replaced by the modern

lifestyle of the 20th century. The twentieth century has greatly influenced the country

with the use of the cellphone since its arrival into the country for almost 10 years. The

country’s status in cellphone use especially in texting as GMA quotes it from Joy Weaver

“texting is a way of life”. It’s maximization for communicating with anyone anywhere

has also reached to creating a custom of courtship in the Philippines through texting.

Reference:

Courtship in the Philippines Today. Tagalog Lang (2018).

Retrieved from: https://sarahgats.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/courtship-in-the-philippines-today/
Accessed last: December 10, 2018