PHILLIPINE POPULAR CULTURE

Chapter 1: Discussion
Culture:
1. the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.
2. the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other
social group.

Popular culture: Culture that are popularly enjoyed by ordinary people

Ex. Music, tv, movies, books,

Mass culture: a culture that is widely disseminated via mass media or universal influence.

Folk culture: cultural practices of small, homogenous groups living in traditional societies.
Are usually isolated and rural.

Indigenous culture: distinct social and cultural groups that share collective ancestral ties to
lands and natural resources where they live or occupy.

Cultural preservation: protection and safeguarding of cultural heritage to ensure survival.

Fusion of culture: newcomers to a culture adopts the traits and behaviors of the dominant
culture.

Diffusion of Culture: the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to
another.

Exile culture: living outside of common clture.

Diaspora culture: represent and maintain culture from those of the countries within which
they are located, often retaining strong ties with their country and culture of origin and with
other communities of the same origin in order to preserve that culture.
Ch. 2. Foreign Influences on Filipino Culture
Spain- Spanish presence in the Philippines may be circumscribed by
333 years of Spanish rule, from 1565 (the conquest of Cebu and
Manila) to 1898 (the end of the Philippine Revolution and the cession
by Spain of the Philippines to the United States). The conquest of the
Philippines was led by Miguel López de Legazpi and Fray Andrés de
Urdaneta, who succeeded in subjugating Manila and laying the
foundation of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.
Influences:
Ex.
1. Philippine territories
2. Religion
3. Economy
4. Language
5. law,
6. education,
7. family names,
8. architecture,
9. arts,
10. music,
11. cuisine,
Ref: Spain remains: The major Spanish influences in the Philippines - Manila Standard

1. U.S.A- Language: English is widely spoken and used as an

official language in the Philippines, alongside Filipino
(formerly known as Tagalog). This is due to the American
colonial period from 1898 to 1946, during which English was
introduced as the medium of instruction in schools and
government.
2. Food: American fast-food chains such as McDonald's, KFC,
and Pizza Hut are popular in the Philippines, and some
Filipino dishes have been influenced by American cuisine,
such as spaghetti with sweet sauce and hotdogs.
3. Music: American music, especially pop and hip hop, has a
significant influence on Filipino music. Many Filipino artists
also cover American songs and are inspired by American
music styles.
 4. Fashion: American fashion trends have also influenced
Filipino style, with many young Filipinos embracing American
streetwear, sneakers, and sportswear.
5. Education: The American education system has also had an
impact on the Philippine education system, with the adoption
of the American grading system and curriculum.

 Japan- A strict curfew was enforced

 Japanese currency was introduced
 Baranggays (neighborhood government systems) were cut in half
 A military government was implemented (as it was during a time of
war
 Animations
 Judo-karate

China- Between the 10th and 16th centuries and before the
Spanish colonization, Chinese traders sailed to the
Philippines. They brought porcelain and silk, in exchange for
beeswax, deer horn and trepang (sea slug). The trade with
China was the beginning of a major influence and contribution
within the FIlipino culture. One major influence that the
Chinese contributed within the culture was culinary arts.
Some culinary techniques that the Filipinos were taught
include sauteed dishes, rice cakes and noodle dishes (like
Pancit!). In addition, the Chinese way of family structure also
heavily influenced the traditional Filipino family structure. The
traditional Filipino structure is very rigid, authoritarian, and
uses Chinese-based nomenclature. The eldest son is called
Kuya, and the eldest daughter is referred to as Ate. Both kuya
and ate have authority and responsibility over their siblings.

South Korea- The Korean wave, also known as Hallyu, has a

significant influence on the Filipino entertainment industry. It has led
to a shift in consumer behavior, with Filipinos increasingly preferring
Korean products and services over local ones [1]. Factors such as
attitude, K-drama influence, K-pop influence, and product quality play
a crucial role in the buying decisions of Filipinos when it comes to
Korean products [2]. The Korean drama fad has also had a moderate
influence on the cultural practices and beliefs of Filipino millennials [3].
Additionally, the Korean wave has impacted the product evaluations
of Filipino consumers towards Korean products, with the country-of-
origin effect and perception of economic development status playing
a role [4]. The popularity of Korean pop music, or KPop, among
Filipinos is influenced by external factors and cuts across age,
gender, and backgrounds [5]. Overall, the Korean wave has had a
significant impact on the Filipino entertainment industry, shaping
consumer preferences and cultural practices.

 India- Sanskrit language influence

o Before the arrival of the Castillas, a large part of our
vocabulary was of Sanskrit origin, some of which
are still present in Philippine languages today, like
Tagalog:
 Mukha - Face
 Dukha - Destitute
 Guro - Teacher
 Pantas - Wiseman / Scholar
 Suwarna (Modern: Ginto) - Gold
 Raha - King
 Laksamana - Admiral
 Katha - Fiction / Creation
 Vaya (Modern: Yaya) - Nurse
 Bathala - God / Chief Deity
 Hindu-Buddhist Religion
o Most people in what is now Philippines were Hindu-
Buddhists, even the calendar system was directly
influenced by Hindu Astrology, as per Laguna
Copperplate Inscription (900 CE)
Watch: ASEAN Heritage & History on Facebook Watch
Highland tribes and those of Northern Luzon remained
Animists.
 Caste Hierarchy and Politics
o Before the unification of many tribes which then the
colony under Spanish rule, way before the concept of a
nation-state was invented, the most common system of
government in the Philippines is the Mandala system,
 where a collection of largely independent “fiefdoms” or
“baranggay” are bound by blood pacts, marriages,
conquest and alliances, yet the leader of such system
had usually no real power outside his own domain (e.g.
other co-members of such system).

Tondo, Sugbu, Butuan are examples of such a system.

o Depending on the tribe:
 Lakan or Rajah were the “paramount”
leaders / rulers.
 Datu serving the (equivalent to local lords)
 Both of Lakan and Datu are of Maginoo Class
(equivalent to nobility).
 In turn served and defended by Timawa class
(Fiefs, warriors, debt-free men)
o The “alipin” or “uripon” class is separated by:
 Namamahay (Servants with their own house)
 Saguiguilid (Servants serving and living on a
lord’s house or palace)
 Horohan (Laborers and war levies)
 Cultural Influences
o Maranao’s epic of Darangan was considered a localized
version and inspired by Ramayana
o Maranao’s Singkil is usually misattributed by Europeans
as a “Muslim dance” but the interpretation and legends
depicted by the dance was inspired by Darangan, in
turn Ramayana
 Roots of the Singkil, a traditional Filipino
Muslim dance
o Ilonggo epic of Hinilawod
o Writing! Baybayin, a pre-hispanic Abugida writing
system, traces its roots all the way from Pali script of
India. Kawi was being used during 9th century which
was also descended from Pali of India.

Ch.3. Evolution of Fashion and Music

1. 1920’s Flappers
Extreme freedom movement: short dress, no bra, shorter shorts for men, almost naked
2. 1950’s Teen pop
-semi-formal attires, loose pants, presentable outfit
3. 1960’s MODS
- Promoters of modernists; as it aims to promote changes and
revolutions in fashion.
4. 1960’s Hippies
-tie dye motifs, bold floral prints, crafty accessories crochet, fringe and bell bottom
jeans
5. 1970’s Punk
 -is all about individuality and freedom, middle finger culture, exotic outfits such as;
metal bracelets, leather jackets, dyed hair and extreme piercings

6. 1970’s glam rock

-special effects of the 70’s, sci -fi development
7. 1980’s goth
-all black attres, theme of horror, dark makeovers, advocating the darker side of life
8. 1990’s grunge
-as. With rebellion to the system because of feelings of discrimination, frustration and
isolation
9. 1990’s hip hop
-street dance by teenagers in aesthetic attires, breakdancing, rap, dance troops, hiphop
as a mainstream: specific style of clothing: baggy pants, underwear peakers, adidas
suits, oversized jersys, bucket hats and gold necklaces and accesories
10. 2010’s EDM
-tiny bikinis, glowing wings, ufo pants, leg fuzzies
11. 2020’s gender blending
-cross dressing fashion, exchange of attires, unisex attires

Ch.4. Gender Culture and Deviance

Social institutions:
Family
School
Church
government

Ch.5. The Filipino Family

The constitution explains the sense of family value to the Filipino society as stated;
ART. 15 sec.1, The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation.
Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development.

Ch. 6. Social Changes

On June 12, 1898, the Philippines was the first nation in Southeast Asia to gain independence
from colonial rule. Though this was short lived with the coming of the Americans six months
later, the country's hope for progress was not aborted. Instead, it gave the country more and
better opportunities to build the basic foundations to become Asia's most famous home for
democracy. The United States, after having established the necessary political institutions, form
of government and economic system, declared the country's second independence on July 4,
1946. The country moved on towards modernization and industrialization as it continued to gain
world recognition, as well as the support and patronage of its colonizers. It had become the
most progressive developing country in the Asia-Pacific region after World War II, but more
recently, the Philippines is one of the world's most desperate countries, saddled with huge
foreign debt, insurgency attacks and low economic performance. Territorial, cultural, economic
and social affinities, along with common historical origin and political aspirations, 2 alternately
sustain common pride in the achievement of a! nation on one hand, and its tragedies, on the
other. (Romulo, 1965:56)
 Ch. 7. Cultural systems

The culture of the Philippines comprises a blend of traditional Filipino and Spanish Catholic
traditions, with influences from America and other parts of Asia. The Filipinos are family
oriented and often religious with an appreciation for art, fashion, music and food.

Filipinos are also hospitable people who love to have a good time. This often includes
getting together to sing, dance, and eat. The annual calendar is packed with festivals, many
of which combine costumes and rituals from the nation’s pre-Christian past with the Catholic
beliefs and ideology of present day.