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FILIPINO
CULTURE, CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
The Filipino people is
rich in customs and traditions. Many of these are in
connection with their family life such as DATING,
MARRIAGE and BURIAL, RELIGIOUS and many more........
ABOUT DATING
Women during the
Spanish regime were generally shy, refined and
inhibited. Their behavior was strictly monitored by the
family to maintain their good reputation. A girl was not
seen alone with a man; he did not touch them, not even
her hands when talking to each other they were always an
arm's length apart. A man got to know a woman only by
being a friend of the woman's trusted friend who would
help in case he wanted to have the opportunity to see
the "girl of his dreams." He did not directly approach
the woman; that was impolite. On the other hand, the
woman did not face a man alone; to exchange glances with
the man was unbecoming.
A man who had the
courage to ask for a date had to pass several tests.
First, he got the permission of the girl's parents to
visit their daughter. Once he was permitted, his formal
visit was in full attendance of the older members of the
family who also participated in the conversation. The
hardest test was how to convince the girl to say "yes"
because the woman played hard to get. She kept putting
off her answer. When the man finally succeeded, the girl
was strictly chaperoned during their date so that he was
not even able to whisper romantic words.
ABOUT MARRIAGE.......
MARRIAGE is a
sacred to the Filipinos. One becomes the butt of jokes
if he or she remains single. A bachelorette is
considered a potential competitor for the attention of a
husband.
Parents train their
sons and daughters in the proper choice of a mate. Both
are reminded that if they marry, they had to get along
well not just with one another but with their in-laws as
well.
Before marriage, the
boy's parents seek the approval of the girl's parents
for MARRIAGE with their daughter. This called pamanhikan.
The man's parents often take along someone whom they
believe is highly respected by the girls parents. This
was especially when they fear that the girl's parents
would say "no". The grandparents of the man also join
the pamanhikan. They first engage into discussions
regarding the latest happenings and when the proper
climate is establish, the man's father states the
purpose of their visit, which is to ask for the girl's
hand in marriage. The girl's parents are not expected to
agree immediately. They will first talk about the
shortcomings of their daughter. If the future in-laws
persist the parents of the bride give their consent. The
details of their marriage are discussed and agreed upon
during the next visit of the future parents-in-law.
The wedding reception
is held in the bride's home. Members of the community
volunteer to help bridegroom in one way or another by
either contributing some money or by offering their
services in the preparation of the wedding feats.
ABOUT THE ART......
Filipinos are lovers of art. Their art is reflected in
the things they do and way they believe in daily life.
Our ancestors passed their time singing awaits and
corridos and reading stories about the bravery of
legendary heroes. For stage dramas they performed the
Zarzuela and the moro-moro, forms of art which depicted
the life of the people.
The best examples of
architecture of the sixteenth to the nineteenth century
are the churches built by the Spaniards with the help of
the Filipinos. They are structures built in Baroque
style with elaborate curved arches, altars and images of
saints.
Filipinos love music
in any form. This is evident in the presence of various
string and wind musical instruments in almost all
communities even before the coming of the Spaniards, the
skill of the Filipinos in playing musical instruments
can gauged when one listens to a number played by a
rondalla. A rondalla is composed of musicians that play
stringed musical instruments such as the guitar and the
ukulele.
The idea of organizing
a rondalla must have been born during the latter part of
Spanish rule in the Philippines when the guitar was
introduced. Added to the guitar were other string
instruments that pre-Spanish Filipinos played and nine
other instrument that were added much later. All
together these instruments formed the nucleus of the
rondalla. The rondalla was popular entertainer in almost
all sorts of gatherings like baptisms, wedding, fiesta,
and funerals. It also rendered accompaniment to vocals,
violins and other instruments, solos, and choral
ensembles. The rodalla thus became an essentials part of
social gatherings.
The Filipinos also
love to sing and dance. Their songs range from folk to
pop; classic kundiman to modern operas. They sing to
their souls content. The Philippines has contributed its
share of the world famous opera singers such as Jovita
Fuente, Isang Tapales, Conchita Gaston, and Aurello
Estanislao.
Dancing is the
moving spirit among many Filipinos. Their skill on the
dance floor is superb. Early indigenous dances
represented nature. Other Filipino dances reflected
Malay, Muslim, Spanish, and American influences.
Fifty years ago,
every school program was a literary-musical program of
Filipino songs, dances, dramas, and poems. Now, with
school programs consisting of modern dances and plays,
pop and jazz music., how can we expect our youth to be
proud of the Filipino culture? What can be done before
it is too late.
ABOUT THE GAMES....
Children of
yesterdays played games that no longer familiar to the
children of today. Their games were played either
indoors or outdoors in involving little active
participation .
Some games were
imitations of what the elders did. The bahay-bahayan,
lutu-lutuan were imitations of mother's household
activities which the girls enjoyed playing. Other games
were replicas of daily happening in the rural areas.
A typical example was
the game Pusa at Aso. In a circle, sticks, slippers, and
wooden shoes were placed to symbolized the bones of the
dog' which was "IT". The "CATS" who were the other
players tried to get into the circle to steal the bones
without being caught became the dog. This was repeated
as many times for as long as the players are not tired
of the game.
A more exciting game
called Juego de anillo involved "knights" on bicycles
trying their best to hook a ring dangling from a ribbon.
Hulugang panyo reminded one of the days when ladies
dropped their hankies to call the attention of the
gentlemen.
A game popular to
boys and adults is playing with the trumpo or top. The
trumpo is a conical-shaped wood made from guava branches
with a pointed nail at the tail of the cone. The trumpo
spins on the iron-nail. In an outdoor game called podigo,
one players would try to split another boy's trumpo
placed in the middle of a drawn circle after spinning,
he becomes the next taya or "it".
Luksong tinik and Piko
are moderately active games which are usually played by
girls. Piko involves hopping on one or two legs through
a series of rectangle drawn on the ground. Luksong tinik
is played by two player who are seated facing each other
and stretching their bare feet are in contact.
Touching the toes are
their fingers, one above the other is spike form. The
othjer players jump over the feet; then over the feet
and one hand, and so on until all the hands are spread
over the feet. A player may continue playing as long as
he does not touch aqny of the formal spikes; the moment
he touches them, he becomes the "it".
Quite games at
siesta time can either be the siklot or sungka. Siklot
uses sigay shells, sampaloc seeds, or pebbles. The
player gently tosses the shells and catches them back
with her hand. The shells that fall to the floor are hit
one by one by the forefinger. When the player succeeds
in catching and hitting everything, he gets a prize. The
game continues until all the shells have been captured.
Sungka like siklot,
also needs shells sigay or tamarind seeds. The game hole
carved in it. Each hole to begin should contain seven
shells. One player drops one shell onto each hole. He
picks the other shells in the hole where he drops his
last shell, then continues dropping a shell in each
hole. He continues playing as long as he has shells to
drop. Should he drop his last shell into an empty hole,
then his chance to play ends. It is now the other player
turn.
THE FILIPINO RELIGION
Before the
introduction of Christianity, the Filipinos were mostly
pagans. They worshipped spirits which they believed
dwell in objects like trees, mountains, rivers, ect.
They worshipped nature, the sun the moon, and the stars.
They also believed in a supreme God or deity. Because of
their belief in a deity and in animate or living things
their religion was called animo-delsm.
It was not long after
the Spain colonized the Philippines that the Filipinos
become Christians. Today, majoruty of the Filipinos are
Catholics. But a group of Filipino Catholics headed by
Mr. Gregorio Aglipay founded the Philippines Independent
church. This splinter, nationalistic group does not
recognize the Pope as the head of the Catholic church.
But their beliefs and doctrines are the same as of the
catholic. This group are called Aglipayan after their
founde.
Another Filipino
church and one of the true Filipino church that has
originated in the Philippines is the IGLISIA NI CRISTO
which has a fast growing membership throughout the
Philippines and the world.
According to
"Encyclopedia Britanica" Macropaedia page #246 Volume 6
IGLISIA NI KRISTO is the largest entirety indigenous
Christian church in the Philippines. Its members assert
that the early church was restored in GOD'S chosen
nation, the Filipinos when Brother FELIX Y. Manalo
launched this church in 1914. Rapid growth after 1945
produced some 600,000 members by the late 20th century,
imposing chapels throughout the nation, and wealthy
centralized organization under Bishop ERANO G. MANALO,
the son of FELIX. Strong discipline from the leaders
dictates a literal interpretation of the BIBLE and
suggest individual contribuitions and the casting of
votes, making the church a substantial political power.
Unitarian in theology and Philippines in its language,
liturgy, and music it represents a popular anti-Western
movement for spiritual independence.
THE CATHOLICS CELEBRATIONS AND PRACTICES
In spite of the
diverse religious groups in the Philippines each with
its particular practices; the Filipinos believe in only
one God who is almighty and omnipotent. Religious
practices show concern and love for one's neighbors.
Among the Catholics, the Ten Commandment's set the
standard of behavior. They keep images of their saints
at home and every church has a patron saint.
THE
FIESTA CELEBRATIONS
Fiestas are held on
the birthday of the patron saint celebrated with the
holding of a novena, a nine-day devotion of masses
followed by special prayers of praise to the patron
saint. The plaza around t5he church is decorated with
colorful buntings. On the ninth day which is the feast
day of the saint, a high mass is celebrated by one or
several priests. Suddenly the plaza is transformed into
a mini-market where ready-made clothes, toys, fruits,
and native delicacies are sold. A brass band plays after
the mass and then makes a round of the immediate
vivinity playing popular Filipino songs, marches and
kundimans. This sets a happy, festive mood in the
community with residents going on splurge entertaining
relatives and friends from other towns.
The town fiesta is an
event that the residents look forward to. Three or four
months before the fiesta the family takes good care of a
piglet and chickens earmarked for the fiesta. Of course,
the fiesta is an occasion when friends and relatives can
be together, enjoy each other's account of the past
year's experiences and partake of the palatable dishes
prepared for a day. Children living out-of-town make a
special effort to come home and be with their parents,
relatives, and friends for the fiesta.
The fiesta is a
Filipino heritage that has been handed down from
generation. It has its advantages as well as its
disadvantages. Must we continue pertrating it as it is?
Can it be perpetuated with certain modifications?
THE
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
As soon as December
sets in, everyone in the Philippines, young and old
alike are busy preparing for the biggest religious
activity on December 25. Houses are cleaned, painted and
decorated with new colorful curtains, Christmas
decorations and multicolored lights. Lanterns of
different Christmas tree and a Belen are placed in the
living rooms of the most homes.
The nine-day masses or
Misa de Gallo, celebrated at dawn when the cock starts
to crow begin on December. These masses are
well-attended in spite of the fact that those who attend
wake up as early as three o'clock in the morning. As one
walks to the church, one will notice the streets lined
with small stores selling puto, bibingka and puto
bumbong.
The climax of the
Christmas celebration is a midnight mass on Christmas
eve, December 24. The family makes an effort to go this
mass. On Christmas day children dressed in their best
attires visit ninongs, ninangs, relatives and friends.
They kiss the hands of the elders as a sign of respect.
In return the elders give them money gifts or native
delicacies. Christmas is for everyone and at no other
time of the year is the family more complete. Even
married children who are abroad make a special effort to
be home in the Philippines for Christmas.
THE
HOLY WEEK (CATHOLIC)
CELEBRATION
The Lenten season is
as significant to the Filipinos as Christmas. Christian
Filipinos commemorate the passion and death of Jesus
Christ with as much sincerity and seriousness as His
birth.
On Ash Wednesday, the
faithful go to church were a sign of the cross is
imprinted with ashes on the forehead of every season.
Chanting of the Pasyon (Christ's suffering before His
death) in the native tongue of the region begins on Holy
Week and is held at certain hours of the night. On Holy
Thursday, the chanting goes on the whole day and night
until the following morning. By Good Friday, the whole
town is deep in meditation on the passion and death of
Christ on the Cross. In Church one can observe
individuals as well as families praying the Stations of
the Cross.
Good Friday is a day
of fasting and penance to atone for one's sins. A
penance quite common in the barrios is for a penitent to
cover his face with a black cloth and walk down the
streets beating his back with thin bamboo sticks until
blood oozes out of his wounds. In afternoon the devotees
flock to church for sermon on the Seven Last Words of
Jesus as he hung on the cross.
Easter Sunday is a
memorable day. The faithful wake up early for the
salubong, a re-enactment of the Risen Lord's meeting
with His Mother at dawn.
There are many more
religious celebrations and festivities observed by the
Catholics in the Philippines which vary from community
to community and all of which give honor and glory to
Jesus Christ this is according to all Catholics
believers.
Other Religions like
the INC, the Baptist, Jehovas Witness, Born Christians
and some Biblical in teaching do not celebrate the so
called celebration.
ABOUT
THE BURIAL.........
The loss of a member
of the a family was an occasion for bayanihan. Friends,
relatives and neighbors came to condole with the
bereaved family. Flowers, and food and money were
offered as tokens of sympathy.
Before the burial,
there was a lamayan a vigil attended by all who wished
to come. People at the wake participated in some
activities such as gambling, telling stories, or playing
mental games, to keep them awake through the night.
For as long as the
deceased was in state, sweeping the floor and taking a
bath in the house were forbidden. The bereaved were also
cautioned to keep their tears from dropping in the
coffin.
The general practice
was for the bereaved family to bury the deceased member
within 24 hours after his death. Close relatives and
friends accompany the corpse to church for the religious
rites then the funeral procession headed by the band of
musicians proceeds to the cemetery.
ABOUT
THE ALL SAINTS DAY
(PANGANGALULUWA)
(practice by the catholic religion)
November 1 is a day
for remembering the dead. According to the catholic
belief though it is not biblical. Tradition has it that
the immediate members of all the deceased go to cemetery
a few days before All Saints Day to clean and white-wash
the tombs of their dead. On the day itself, the family
attends a mass before going to the cemetery bringing
with them flowers, drinking water and food to last till
midnight. The cemetery becomes a busy and crowded place.
Candles are lighted during the day and all through the
night to the wee hours of the next day.
Another custom during
ALL SAINTS DAY called pangangaluwa, is based on the
belief that the suffering of souls in purgatory would be
lessened if the living would pray for them and material
help is given to the living, this is according to the
catholic believers.
At about 10:00 in the
night until the early morning hours, men and woman went
singing from one house to another representing the souls
in purgatory and asked for alms. Later, however, barrio
folk did not entertain these " souls" anymore because
instead of aski8ng for alms, the mangangaluluwa stole
things underneath the houses and picked fruits on trees
in the yards. They would then least on all these stolen
goods.
ABOUT THE FILIPINO FOODS.....
The food of the Filipino
is simple. Rice is the chief food. Together with rice,
fish or meat and vegetables are eaten. The Filipino is
fond of eating pork, chicken, corn, fruits, and
vegetables. One of the more popular foods of the
Filipino on special occasions is lechon, a whole pig
roasted over charcoal fire. Adobo is another popular
dish which almost every Filipino can cook. Eating is
done with the hands and for outdoor meals, the banana
leaves serve as plates. The Filipino cooks his food in
clay pots over a clay stove (kalan) using wood to build
a fire.
ABOUT THE FILIPINO CLOTHES....
Our ancestors, both men
and woman wore two-piece clothes; a collarless,
short-sleeved jacket and strip of cloth wrapped around
the waist and in between the legs. The women wore the
baro, a wide-sleeved jacket and a skirt of cotton cloth
wrapped about the waist. The Filipina wardrobe was later
modified. The says, the tapis and the enagua comprised
the ladies wear. Do you know how these looked like?
They says is a long
skirt which touches the floor. It has a kola or train
which mean the woman holds to keep it clean she moves.
Printed satin is the usual material used for the says;
brocade for gala use.
Over this says, a
tapis with tassels on the edges is worn. Beneath the
saya and tapis is the enagua, a slip with lace edging.
The elegant clothes
of the Filipino women are properly taken cared of. Women
give special attention to their clothes especially those
made of fibers such as fina or sinamay.
ABOUT
THEIR MANNER OF DRESSING
The washerwoman would
sort out the white from the colored ones. the plain from
the printed, the cotton and satin from those made of
fibers. Dirt was removed using a wooden palu-palo or by
trampling upon the clothes laid out on smooth rocks.
Round sabon intsik or Chinese soap and blue tina were
essential washing materials.
After washing, some
clothes were starched. The starch used was made from
rice lugaw pressed with a wooden sandok or ladle form a
cheesecloth duyan (hammock) tied tto the clothes line at
four points. below this was a wooden batya or basin to
catch the starch. This was then gently patted on the
barong tagalog and butterfly sleeves of the women's baro.
The starched clothes were later stretched into shape and
dried on the flat galvanized iron sheets.
Stains are removed
from the clothes by dropping calamansi juice on the
stained spots after which the clothes are bleached in
the sunlight.
Starched clothes were
sprinkled with water before pressing with a flat iron
filled with glowing charcoal.
ABOUT
THE FILIPINO HOUSES
The houses vary in the
same style depending on their location and social status
and taste of the family. Houses of the Filipinos are
usually made of wood and nipa. Later galvanized iron
replaced nipa for roofing.
In some towns,
barrios, and cities, houses made of nipa and bamboo are
still to be found. Some have sawali walls and cogon
roofings. Most of the houses especially the older ones
are situated high above the ground for better
ventilation and reduced humidity. In the past, building
a houses was fast and inexpensive. Houses were built
then through the help of friends and neighbors.
Today there are only
few bamboo houses. Most houses are already built of
strong materials like hollow blocks, wood, galvanized
iron and glass windows.
Modernity has not
entirely changed the architecture of the Filipino
houses. The batalan is stall a part of the houses in
Luzon and is used as an open bathroom, a place for water
jars or tapayan and a place for washing. The modern
batalan is made of concrete and is still adjacent to the
kitchen.
The banguerahan, a
storage shelf and drainer before the dish rack was
introduced, is still a part of a few modern houses. The
modern banguerahan is no longer enclosed with bamboo
spikes but is screened.
The old house of before
were not painted. The present ones are painted in varied
colors and built styles. The old houses were built high
on the ground and the space below calle4d silong was
fenced with bamboo to keep pigs, dogs, and chickens out.
Chairs, tables, beds
and other furniture are found in most hours. Many
Filipinos, particularly t6he Tagalogs, still prefer to
sleep on bamboo or wooden floors instead of on beds.
Some years ago
kerosene lamps were used in most houses. Now electricity
has found its way in almost all houses. The old kalan or
native stove has been replaced by electric ranges; the
palayok or native pot by aluminum pots and pans.
Firewood and charcoal are still used by some Filipino
housewives especially now that gas and electricity have
become very expensive.
The verandah or porch
is still a part of today's houses. Pots of ferns and
flowering plants surrounded the wall kept verandah. The
artistic touch of the Filipino is still evident in his
house. In a one-room house, you can see curtains hanging
on the walls and windows, and a family picture and a
saint prominently displayed in one corner of the room.
The Filipinos also
displays neatness and cleanliness in keeping their
houses. The Filipinos housewife uses different kinds of
brooms for cleaning. There is the salary or soft broom
for sweeping the floor; a smaller one for dusting wall
carvings and picture frames; the walis-tingting or stiff
broom for cleaning and stone floors; and the plumero, a
broom made from chicken feathers for dusting. Buckets,
wooden scrub brushes with thick bristles, bunot or
coconut husk, dustpans, bar soap, gugo or native
shampoo, is-is leaves, banana leaves, kerosene and
coconut oil are also used for cleaning the houses.
Floor wax was prepared
by homemakers from candles, atsuete and kerosene melted
from glowing embers. In some homes, hardwood floors were
swept from scrubbed with is-is before wax was applied.
When the sticky wax was dry, the floor was scrubbed
again until it became very shiny. The furniture, window
sills, staircases and walls were also scrubbed with
is-is leaves or polished with wax. Kitchen tables were
cleaned with is-is leaves, water, sand and ash. Those
made of zinc were wiped with kerosene.
LUZON
TERRITORY
Luzon- is the largest
and most important of the Philippine islands, with an
area of 40,420 sq. mi. (104,688 sq. km.). It is the site
of Manila, the nations capital and major metropolis, and
of Quezon city. Located on the northern part of the
Philippine archipelago, it is bounded by the Philippine
Sea (east), Sibuyan Sea (south), and the South China Sea
(west). To the north, the Luzon Strait separates Luzon
from Taiwan.
Most of the island, a
roughly rectangular area, lies north of Manila two
peninsulas, Batangas and Bicol, extend south and
southeast, giving Luzon its regular shape. Luzon's
coastline more than 3,000 mi. (5,000 km) long, is
intended by many fine bays and gulfs, including Lingayen
Gulf and Manila Bay on the west and lamon Bay and
Lagonoy Gulf on the east. Luzon (meaning "big light")
represents 35 percent of of the land area of the
Philippines, and its greatest dimensions are 460 by 140
mi. There is a predominant north-south trend in its
rivers and relief features. The important ranges are the
Cordillera Central in the north; the Sierra Madre,
following much of the east coast; and the Zambales
Mountains on the Central western coast. Mt. Pulog (9,612
ft) is the highest peak. Isolated volcanic cones such as
the near-perfect and still active Mayon Volcano (8,077
ft) and on Bicol Peninsula. Taal Lake is a crater lake,
and Laguna de Bay is the largest (344 sq mi) lake in the
Philippines. The major rivers are CAGAYAN, ABRA, AGNO,
PAMPANGA, AND BICOL.
Luzon leads the nation
both in industry (concentrated near Manila) and in
agriculture (rice, corn, coconuts, sugarcane, mangoes,
bananas). A central plain stretching 100 miles (160 km)
north of Manila is the Major grain-producing region.
Farther north are the spectacular rice terraces of the
Ifugao mountainers. There are extensive coconut
plantation on the Bondoc and Bicol peninsulas. Iron,
gold, manganese, and copper are minned. Forest areas
yield excellent hardwoods.
In addition to Manila
and Quezon city, the main cities are Cabanatuan, Legaspi,
Baguio, Batangas City and Laoag. About 50 percent of the
Filipino population lives on Luzon.
The Luzon territory
and community consists of Luzon, Mindoro, and other
nearby islands. It is divided into Northern Luzon,
Central Luzon and Southern Luzon. The community is
inhabited by a larger number of Tagalogs, Ilocanos,
Bicolanos, and other ethnic groups.
THE
TAGALOGS CUSTOMS AND TRADATIONS......
The "bayanihan" spririt
pervades among the tagalogs. This spirit is best shown
during their wake for dead.
In Marikina, Metro
Manila right after a person breathes his last, his
neighbors would build a shed of canvas or split bamboo
in his yard or on the street fronting his home, and put
long wooden benches for all condolers. Throughout the
several days of the wake, those who stay with the family
of the deceased are served lunch. In the evening, they
are served coffee, rice cakes or sandwiches. The
immediate family members of the deceased do not do
anything during this time. Everything is done for them
by their relatives, neighbors and friends, including
monetary contributions to help the family.
Much work in the
community is often accomplished through Bayanihan, such
as building a nipa hut, house repairing, moving a small
nipa house from one barrio to another planting rice and
harvesting palay, and preparing food for feast. Willing
friends and relatives whose services have been engaged
are not paid but are given free lunch and snacks. Free
service is extended hoping that when they need help,
they can readily ask those they had previously helped.
ABOUT THE ART.....
Tagalog art is shown in
literary pieces usually in verse. Plays like the pagbati,
karagatan, tagayan, pananapatan, sabalan and tibaw are
staged accompanied by songs and dances for different
occasios. The karagatan was a debate in verse which
later became the balagtasan.
The dances and songs of
the Tagalogs developed at almost the same time as the
plays. The balatong dalit, hilaw, kutang-kutang, bulay,
indullanin, kumintang, salampati, tagulaylay, subli,
barimbawi , and tagayan are Tagalog music-and-dance
examples.
The needle work of the
"dalagas" of Luzon is a fascinating work of art.
Handkerchiefs, centerpieces, tablecloths, blouses, and
the barong tagalog have artistic designs. The women
spend their leisure hours in embroidery, sewing darning,
knitting, crocheting or lace making.
Embroidery is used for
decorating pillows, fine linen and children's and
ladies'wear. Lace is handmade and used to decorate
undergarments, clothes and handkerchiefs.
Other ethnic groups
inhabit Central and Southern Luzon like the lhelengs-proud,
violent and passionate people. The peace loving Dumagats
live in Nueva Ecija, Quezon and Bulacan.
Mindoro is the habitat
of the Mangyans. They are by nature shy and
peace-loving. Well developed is their sense of
belongingness and ownership.
THE
TAGALOG REGION AND THE TAGALOG.....
The Tagalogs are found
in Central and Southern western Luzon in the provinces
of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Bataan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite,
Batangas, Quezon, Marinduque, Mindoro, Metro Manila and
in some towns of Tarlac.
Most Tagalogs live in
urban areas, specifically in Metro Manila. This is
probably the reason why very often they fell superior
over other Filipino groups.
The Tagalog families are
close-knit. Very often a Tagalog prefers to stay with
their family in his country even if all other friends
leave for greener pastures. It also customary for the
married children to live with their parents and other
married brothers and sisters. Can this be the reason why
some people say the Tagalogs have tendencies to be
indolent?
"The tagalog code of
ethics is strict and their pride fierce; they are
willing to die for their honor"-according to our
historian Teodoro A. A goncillo author of the book
HISTORY OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.
The Tagalogs are
lovers of music. As they work in the fields, they sing
to the accompaniment of guitar. They do not mind the
long hours of work under the heat of the sun when they
plant rice as long as they are able to sing as they put
their children to sleep of when selling goods in the
market.
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