Lesson 1
Culture of Our Province
and Our Region
Unlock Words
Here are the important words with their meaning that you
will encounter in the discussion.
Material - something that
you can see and touch Tradition - are customs
that are passed down to the
Non-material - something next generation
that you cannot touch, but
may see or feel Kris - a sword with a
half-wavy blade
Customs - are accepted
and expected behaviour in a
society
In the previous lessons, we learned that each
province has its geography and history. Aside from its
unique natural resources and its rich history, there is
more to know and explore like its unique culture.
It is the way of life of groups of people or the way they
do things. To describe the culture of a community, we
have to look at its material and non-material
characteristics.
Material Characteristics
Objects or Tools
These are items that describe the culture and way of living of a
certain group of people. One example is the Kris or a sword used
in Mindanao. It became an essential and symbolic weapon used
by the Moros in Mindanao.
Material Characteristics
Clothes
These are garments that people in the community wear to show their
culture. T’nalak is the traditional cloth used by T’boli tribe in Lake
Cebu, South Cotabato. It is hand-woven and made from abaca fibers.
The design inspiration came from the weavers’ dreams. Only women
can weave, they are also called “dream weavers”.
Material Characteristics
Food
It is an important part of a culture that not only nourishes the body,
but also strengthens the connection among people. An example is the
Lechon, a popular food in Luzon and Visayas that is usually served in
gatherings. It was first known in Cebu and La Loma in Quezon City.
Dishes like sisig, paella, and tocino made the province of Pampanga a
center in food industry.
Material Characteristics
House
The place where people live tells a lot about
their culture. The old Spanish houses in
Vigan, Ilocos Sur remind us of the time of
the Spanish rule in the province. Another
example is the traditional houses in Ifugao
which are unique in that area. People in
other places cannot simply copy these
houses because these homes are made to
fit the ways people live in that community.
The material characteristics of culture are things
that can be seen and touched. These are present in the
community and differ from one culture to another
because of the location or the geography of the
community and the non-material characteristics, or the
things that cannot be touched.
Non-Material
Characteristics
Customs and Tradition
Customs are ways that people are expected to do
that are accepted in the community. It is a
custom for people in the community to greet
others by shaking hands, bowing, and kissing, as a
way of greeting others. The use of po and opo is
also a custom used to show respect when talking
to someone older or someone with authority.
In the Philippines, we follow the
tradition of pamamanhikan or the
traditional way of asking for the
blessing of the parents before a
couple gets married. The family
members of the couple meet to
plan the marriage ceremony.
Beliefs and Values
Beliefs are a set of ideas that people in the community follow.
Muslim Filipinos observe Ramadan or the holy month of fasting.
Christians have All Souls and All Saints Days to remember the
ancestors and the dead loved ones.
Values are the set of attitudes shown by the
people in the community. For example, the Ivatans
or the people of Batanes are known for their
honesty that when you lost an item, you will find it
where you left or lost it.
Aside from these, the laws, language, and arts are
all part of culture that sets one community apart
from the others.
Remember
• Each province has its unique culture.
• The culture of the community can be
described by material and non-material
characteristics.
Lesson 2: Way of Life in
Our Province and Our Region
Unlock Words
Here are the important words with their meaning that you will encounter
in the discussion.
Climate - the weather Temperature - the
conditions happening in an hotness or coldness of a place
area over a long period or object
Way of life - a set of
important activities that
show how people live
The way of life of people differs
from every community, and this is
because of many factors. Let us
find out the two things that affect
the life of the people in a
community.
Location or geography
The location or geography may influence the way people live
in a community. The livelihood or the type of work that
people do, for example, depends on their location. Those who
live in the cities often work in factories and offices. While in
the rural areas or the countryside, most people are into
farming, fishing, and other agricultural activities.
The wide plain of Central Luzon is a good place to
produce rice and vegetables. While the hilly parts of
Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas are good for fruits and for
raising animals. Island provinces are supplying seafood to
different markets in the country. Those living in
mountainous areas, in Cordillera, are into vegetables,
coffee farming, and even mining.
The clothes that people wear also depend on where
they live. If you are living in the highlands of Bukidnon and
Northern Luzon, thick clothing and jackets are a must
because of the cold temperature. But if you live in urban
areas, you have to wear cool and comfortable clothes.
Climate
The climate is the type of weather in an area for a long time.
It also affects the way of life of people. It influences the
environment and the types of products made in a province. If you
are living in an area with limited rain, you can produce coconut,
rice, and abaca.
Climate
On the other hand, if you are in an area with occasional rain, you
can produce sugar cane. Aside from livelihood, the climate also
affects the type of houses, clothes, and activities of the people.
For example, people who live near the water build their houses
on stilts, wear thin and comfortable clothes, and usually swim
dive, fish, and ride boats.
Let us take a look at how people in Batanes
interact with its location and climate.
Northernmost part of the country Along the typhoon
highway and in
the Pacific
Low houses built with rocks
and kogon
Fishing
Root crops and cow raising
Ivatans wear vakul
Remember
• Location and climate affect people’s way of life.
• The livelihood and products, homes, clothing,
and activity are influenced by and are suitable
for the province’s location and climate.
