Filipino Culture and Tradition in my Memory

Philippines is rich in culture and traditions. Aside from beautiful destinations and tourist spots, this is also the reason why I am proud to be born a Filipino. If there would be a time machine I will really wish to go back to times where Filipino cultures are still alive and respected.

Because as the year goes by, our cultures and beliefs were slowly colonized by other countries. We practiced their cultures and traditions more than we could do on our own. Here are some of the list of why Filipino culture and tradition are more unique than others.

1. Pagmamano

Pagmamano is a sign of respect in the Philippines. It is the action of placing the back of the elder’s hand in your forehead. Filipino children are taught with this at a very young age so that we can practice it even when we grow old. Though some still practicing it while others show their respect by kissing the elder's cheek.

There’s nothing wrong with admiring other’s cultures, but if you admire other’s cultures and traditions while forgetting ours then I think it is just not right.  

2. Bayanihan

This is also one of the Filipino cultures back in time. It is when Filipino built their houses or hut on the land they claimed as their own. They would also plant crops and harvest on that land, and when they wanted to move to another place the whole neighborhood gathers together in moving the house to the new location. Just really like a turtle who always carries his house.

As the generation is improving, the materials we use in making houses are also improving and we find it more convenient to just build the house in our own land. Most of the houses now are concretes and made of special materials unlike before so I think it is really impossible to move it anywhere even when the whole neighborhood helps, right?

3. Harana

One of my favorite in Filipino culture is Harana. It is a traditional way of courtship where the man sings a song outside of the woman’s window at night. If a man couldn’t sing, he can tag along his friends or even the best singer in town to support him. This is also a way to woo the woman’s heart. In today’s time, obviously, it wasn’t existing anymore.

4. Paninilbihan

Paninilbihan is also part of the traditional way of courtship. But here, the man will not only serve the woman he likes but also serve her whole family. It is either he will fetch water from the well, cut woods, or cook for the family. This is his way of showing that he is capable of taking care of the woman he likes and their future family. It is also a way of showing efforts and that he’s deserving for her love.

Filipino are naturally romantic. But now, this kind of effort is not existing anymore. Boys nowadays court through their mobile phones, you can’t even tell if his feelings are sincere or not.

5. Sukob

Sukob is a Filipino belief about weddings. They say that it is unlucky to get married during the same year of another family member’s marriage, same with death, or if a family member dies the same year with another family member.

I remember my cousin’s wedding last month. After the wedding, my cousins and I talked about how great the wedding is and one of my cousins said that she will also get married soon. My grandmother then said to plan and do it next year to avoid any bad luck for the newlywed and for the whole family.

It feels great that we can still practice this because others would be glad and even consider it lucky to have more than one wedding in the same year. There is nothing wrong with believing in the elders and you can’t lose anything anyway. 

6. The 6 o’clock limit

I’ve experienced this 6 O’clock limit during my childhood and even until now. It is when the Filipino children are being told to be back inside the house before 6 in the evening. Filipinos are naturally superstitious and we believe in spirits and other mythical creatures. In times, the elders believe that 6 o'clock in the evening is the time when the spirits and other creatures go out so it is better to stay inside the house during that time to avoid them.

7. Saying ‘Tabi-tabi Po’

As I say, Filipinos are naturally superstitious and we believe in numbers of spiritual being and mythical creatures so we are taught to say ‘tabi-tabi po’ or ‘tabi apo’ when we are passing by a huge tree, in a forest or hill, in a mound, in a dark alley, or even when we go to unfamiliar places. This is the Filipino way of respecting and asking permission from the spirits and mythical creatures so they will avoid you and if you happen to disturb them unconsciously.

8. Chicken Blood on Birthday

This is a tradition common in provinces. The birthday celebrant will be anointed or will be signed with a cross on the forehead by an elder with fresh chicken blood. This is the way of blessing the person or wishing bad luck away. Traditionally, this is related to a sacrificial offering for good health and prosperous life for the person who celebrated another year of existence.

I’ve also experienced this during my birthdays before but it stopped when I reached puberty because I find it weird and I sometimes celebrate with my friends.

These are some of the Filipino cultures and beliefs that are slowly dying in the new era. Let’s keep in mind that there’s nothing wrong with keeping up with times and all of the changes in the world, but our traditions and especially those ones that are deeply rooted in our hearts and values must still be practiced or else it will be all die and forgotten.