The unique blend of east and west has cultivated the Philippines both in appearance and culture. The Filipino character is a fusion of different cultures that create an interesting and fascinating society. The spirit of kinship or bayanihan is said to have come from their Malay ancestors, the piousness from the Spanish influence, and the close-knit family relations from the Chinese.
Filipino society is very conservative and places great importance on family values. Although geographically a part of Southeast Asia, the country has strong European and American cultural ties. This means that many aspects of the culture will be familiar to Western expats and it will not take long for them to feel at home.
This diverse blend of cultures is sure to be foreign to most Westerners, and expats will probably experience some degree of culture shock in the Philippines. However, with a little time and effort, expats will soon see and appreciate the Filipino people’s distinct character and positive outlook on life. Other nationalities have commended the Filipinos for their hospitable nature and they are very welcoming, particularly with foreign visitors.
Language in the Philippines.
The two official languages used in the Philippines are Filipino and English. Filipino is the national language of the country, while English is widely used as a medium of instruction in higher education and formal business settings.
Aside from English, Spanish is another foreign language spoken fluently by many Filipinos, along with Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. There are also eight major Filipino dialects: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango and Pangasinense.
Communication in the Philippines.
Filipinos often use their eyes, lips, and hands to convey a wide range of messages. Raised eyebrows and a smile indicate a silent “hello” or a “yes” in response to a question. Fixed eye contact between men is considered aggressive. The proper method to summon somebody is with a downward wave.
Filipinos place great emphasis on polite language and gentle conversation. Tone of voice should always be soft and gentle, and direct questions should be avoided.
As a sign of respect, Filipinos address people much older than them with po and opo. They do not call elders by their first names, but use words such as Kuya, Ate, Manong or Manang that denote their superiority and greater wisdom. They also practice the gesture of kissing the hands of the elders and the peculiar gesture of letting the front of the hand of an elder touch their foreheads.
Dress in the Philippines.
In the Philippines people generally dress for the weather. In the business world, dress is quite formal and conservative. Men wear dark business suits with a tie and women go for a business suit or a skirt and blouse.
Women in the Philippines.
Interestingly, the Philippines is a matriarchal society and women are highly respected within family life. Women have the same social and political rights as men and often hold high positions in the political and business worlds.
Religion in the Philippines.
With a myriad of foreign influences, the spiritual aspect of the Filipinos has also been diversified. The two primary religions in the Philippines are Islam and Christianity. Today, most of the population are Roman Catholics. Islam is concentrated at the southern end of the archipelago.
Social customs in the Philippines.
Expats in the Philippines are often forgiven for their lack of knowledge of gestures that can be insulting to the locals. It is recommended to do some reading regarding Philippine customs and courtesy, but Filipinos are usually happy to explain local gestures to foreigners.
In Asia, generally speaking, saving face is among the most important issues. Public displays of anger, trying to prove someone wrong in front of others, or disrespect of one’s rank or position goes against the concept of saving face. When in an embarrassing situation, Filipinos may laugh or try to change the subject to hide the awkwardness.
Dining in the Philippines.
Like the French, the Filipinos love to eat and drink. During time in the Philippines, expats will likely be invited to meals and banquets. Filipino eating habits are very similar to those of the Spanish and the Chinese.
Most restaurants and families serve each person their own plate of food. In some restaurants however, it is common to order a variety of food and everyone will share what is on the table. Filipinos regard food very highly, so if a guest in a Filipino home and food is offered, expats should take some and tell them it tastes delicious. Filipinos will take it as an insult and lack of respect if their guest doesn’t eat the food offered to them.
Most Filipinos in the rural areas are still accustomed to eating with their hands, or what is called kamay or kamayan. The four fingers are used as the spoon and the thumb is used to push the food into one’s mouth. Expats attempting this method of eating should not put the food on the palms of their hands, as it may resemble lack of respect for the food.