Learning about this one of the beautiful archipelago will not ensure your travel experience, it will also enrich your knowledge about different things around the world. From economical, religious aspects, cultures and beliefs and the way how people live. Discover the things you should know about Philippine cultures and people living on this wonderful archipelago.

Welcome to Philippines

Before we get deeper, we must understand where the name Philippines came from. According to historians, Philippines came from name of Kingof Spain which is King Philip II, during Spanish voyage led by Ferdinand Magellan, they've found this archipelago and they became interested into it because there are rich spices on this island that Spanish can be used in different things. When Spaniards reached the island, they landed on Homonhon and meet the Datus.

There are 3 goals why Spaniards voyage into the sea, that is to find an island and conquer it. The first goal of Spaniards is Glory, during 15th hundreds Portugal and Spain is competing in finding a new island and if one of them find a resourceful island, it can bring glory to their nation. The next goal of Spaniards is to find Gold, conquerors main goal is to find treasures and gold in one island to bring back to their kingdom in order to make it the most powerful kingdom. Lastly, the goal of Spaniards in their voyage is to spread Christianity. The first mass was held on Limasawa Island in Leyte by Spanish priest, Datus together with it's people blessed and converted into Christians by Spanish priest that is why mostly Filipinos are Catholic.

Religions in Philippines

Before Spaniards came in Philippines, ancestors practicing animism by praising anything in nature like stones, high trees and anito but when Ferdinand Magellan came, Roman Catholicism became dominant in Philippines. Almost 92% of Filipinos are Christians while the others percentage are Islam, Protestant and other religion.

Mostly, Luzon and Visayas have a Catholic religion because Mindanao was never conquered by Spaniards. It is because Sultan and Datus keep fighting from Spaniards to defend their sovereignty, In Mindanao mostly people there are Islam, they have different beliefs and traditions that they need to follow.

Culture, Tradition and Beliefs in Philippines

The culture in Philippines was widely influenced by religion, people are family-oriented in which every family are eating together in one table. Also, it is culture in Philippines that Filipinos went to church every Sunday to pray and praised God.

Filipinos are very Resilient

Philippines experience many disasters such as typhoon, earthquakes and pandemics but it doesn't stop Filipinos from rising again and start a new life. It is a Filipino spirit that no one can break, Filipinos also helping each other in times of crisis and everyone is working out to solve the dilemma.

Filipinos are very respectful

Since Filipino children was born, they were taught how to become respectful to others especially to elders. Childrens are taught to say po and opo if they talking with someone elder than them. Filipinos have also culture of pagmamano, it is a practice for children and young Filipinos to lay to lay their hands and say mano po. It is a sign of respect to elders even though they are not in the blood line.

Filipino Traditions are important

Filipino Traditions are very important, it is prepared well and there's a specific date and plan on how to do it. Most common tradition in Philippines are celebrating Festival, Birthdays, reunions etc. In celebrating birthdays most Filipinos are cooking pancit because Filipinos believed that Pancit symbolize long life. Also, celebrating Festivals is one of the tradition in Philippines like Sinulog Festival which held during third Sunday of January in Cebu City to honor Sto. Niño. Ati-atihan Festival which held on Iloilo in honor also for Sto. Niño. There is also Pahiyas Festival held in Quezon as a thank you to God for good harvest and to honor the saint of farmers, Saint Isidro Labrador.

Beliefs in Philippines

Mostly, Filipinos influence by religious beliefs and they believe that God is the center of everything. They have strong faith in God and it reflects on their daily lives.

Superstitions

One famous superstition in Philippines is Don't go straight home after attending a wake (burol), it means go elsewhere before heading home to shake off the spirit of deceased person that might following. Another superstition is, the family of deceased person must not say goodbye to visitors as it symbolize dropping them into their death.

Respect the Elements

Filipino folklore is rich with a variety of elements and supernatural creatures. One of the best practices taught to Filipinos if they wondering in wild forest and unknown places is to say tabi-tabi po to warn elemental creatures present in there. It is important so that they will not be disturb and aware that there's someone entering in their territory.

If you know other superstitions in your country, your free to share it here. Thank you for reading and hope you learn something.