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           The people of the Philippines are called Filipinos. Their ancestor, who were of Malay stock, came from the Southeastern Asian mainland as well as from what is now Indonesia. From the 10th century, contacts with China resulted in a group of mixed Filipino-Chinese descent who account for a minority of the population. A small percentage of Chinese nationals  also live in he country, Spanish-Filipinos and Filipino-American may be distinguish by their fairer complexion, taller stature, and aquiline nose structure. The relatively small numbers of migrants from the Indian subcontinent added to the population's racial mixture. The aboriginal inhabitants of the islands were the Negritos, or Phymies, also called Aaetas or Balugas; they now constitute only a small percentage of the total population.    

         The Philippines has varied land forms such as plains, mountains, hill, plateaus, and swamps. There are the vast plains of Central Luzon, the soaring landscape of the Mountain Province, the green tropical countryside of the Southern Tagalog provinces, the teeming forests of Mindanao and almost everywhere, islands, surrounded by blue waters and seashores with sparkling white sands.

          The Filipino People, possesses a unique culture, customs and traditions a combinations of the eastern and western cultures.

FILIPINO WOMEN

      In A Study of Psychopathology, Filipino psychiatrist Lourdes V, Lapus writes: ‘The Filipino culture, for all the increasing signs and protests to the contrary, still has a large hangover from its ego-idea for women of many bygone years. This is the so-called Maria Clara” image of a woman who is shy, demure, modest, self-effacing, and loyal to the end. The openly provocative, sexually aggressive female who is frequently associated with the American female image is still comparatively rare in Filipino culture....'

         Filipinas generally strive to portray the Maria Clara’ image and frown on aggressive displays by women. An aggressive woman, which description includes one who is open and mixes freely with men, is considered sexually ‘loose’. Cultural norms favor the demure, modest female when it comes to personal, social or business relationships with men. Social inferiority is not implied. The Filipina enjoys equality with men in many areas, notably in professional, business and career areas.

        To understand the Filipina, one must look at the different roles she takes in society. As she goes through life, the Filipina may take he roles of daughter, sister, dalaga or young woman, wife, mother, mistress, professional, employer, employee, etc. The first few roles will be discussed in more detail as they are more firmly entrenched in tradition and probably influence the more modem roles that a
Filipina faces.

The Daughter

      Due to the importance of the family in Filipino culture, it is impressed every individual from childhood that parents are owed a debt of gratitude for bringing one into this world. (This is balanced by the belief and tradition that parents should make sacrifices for their their children because they brought them into the world.) Obedience to tents and to older siblings is taught early and enforced until adulthood, whereupon it becomes one’s sense of obligation.

Children never attain equal footing with parents; parents are Sys treated with respect and the debt of gratitude is a lifetime t Children are expected to serve their parents until their death.
rough this system the older citizens are provided and cared for. tie is no need for nursing homes or homes for the aged. In fact, putting one’s parents in such a home would reflect badly on the individual and incur hiya. One would be labeled a bad son or daughter who does not love one’s parents—probably the greatest sin the eyes of Philippine society.

        For the Filipino daughter, mother serves as the first model. She has a great impact in a society where role modeling is the main process operating in the learning of sex roles. This factor together with the cultural dynamics described above, plus the prolonged physical and emotional nurture received from the mother, creates a special bond between mother and daughter.

       Greater service is usually expected from the daughter than from the son when it comes to satisfying a mother’s needs. On the daughter’s part, mother is the first person she turns to in times of trouble and she is the first source of knowledge on household and family matters.

Ate: The Sister

      Sisters play a very important role in Philippine families, especially older sisters. An older sister is called Ate by her siblings. Ate is responsible for the younger children and she may bathe, dress and feed them. This is necessary in large families where the mother cannot look after all the children. Older children are taught early that it is their duty to help take care of younger brothers and sisters. This provides them with training and experience in housewifely and motherly duties. The oldest girl assumes this role as soon as the second or third child comes along and not necessarily when she reaches a certain age. It is not uncommon to see a small child carrying a younger brother or sister who is more than half her size.

      Her role of ‘deputy mother’ commands Ate the respect of her younger siblings who look to her for advice in personal matters. They are expected to obey her just as they do their mother, because she is there to look after their best interests. She may serve as an intermediary between them and their parents particularly in large families where some of the children are not as close to their parents or where parents are rather strict. In the event of the parents’ death, it is she who takes over the responsibility of keeping the family together.

Dalaga: The Young Woman

      The role of the dalaga or young woman, like other roles, is delineated by society. The code of ethics is learned via role modeling and by direct instructions from parents and teachers (e.g. young girls are often told girls should sit with their legs together’). Behavior is controlled by teasing, by gossip and the fear of being the subject of malicious  gossip.

     Society expects a young woman to conduct herself with decorum and to appear modest and shy, especially among men. She should never flaunt her sexuality otherwise she will be labeled a ‘flirt’ and considered sexually ‘loose’.

       Perhaps the most complicated aspect of her role is the part she plays in courtship. Courtship in the Philippines is a game which parties (young men and women) enjoy tremendously. The young lady is supposed to play ‘hard to get’; she should not show great an interest in a man, some even going to the point of ding total disinterest. How hard a time she gives her suitor increases her worth in his and in others’ eyes.

       Young men go all out in courting a girl. They send her flowers, her presents and ring her up every night. A young man’s Inn is measured by such overtures. A girl does not usually say ‘yes’ to the first invitation from a new suitor. He may have to ask several limes before she agrees to go out with him. Her first few Is are not taken as rejections but rather interpreted to mean she is playing hard to get. The disadvantage of this system is that a real ton ma) not be detected and some men are very persistent!

       The men try to outdo each other in sweet talk or bola which may best be translated as ‘bull’. Corny lines and clichés such as ‘you are the only in my life’ and’ I  dream of you every night’ flow freely.

      Since these lines are used on many different girls they lose a bit of their sincerity and when a girl is taken in by them the young man boasts to his friends that she was kagat an kagat which, loosely translated, means ‘she realty hit into it’—ie., she took the hail— hook, line and sinker.

      This sometimes backfires on a young man when he meets a girl he really cares about who warily regards his now sincere remarks as merely bola. Young ladies are thus faced with the challenge of how to tell when a guy is ‘making bola’. As with all boy-girl relationship there are many who get hurt. But it’s all a game and if you lose one round there’s always a chance you’ll win the next one.

The Wife

         The Filipino wife is a victim of double standards imposed by society. The responsibility of keeping a marriage together is usually placed on her so she does not get much sympathy if she complains of her husband’s transgressions. A wife who complains openly or speaks   will of her husband is not respected by society because family failings are supposed to be kept within the family. To speak badly of  your husband and broadcast his weaknesses is to degrade your own family, thus breaking the first rule in the Filipino code of ethics.

        In Philippine society it is not uncommon for a man to have mistress or mistresses—it is accepted and considered a symbol of masculinity. The wife is expected to tolerate this. Furthermore, she is often given the blame in such situations. One will hear people ‘It’s probably because so-and-so doesn’t fix herself properly after his needs’, etc. It is the wife’s responsibility to do something about it. Confronting the husband and/or his mistress is not ‘cry effective and does not get her much sympathy. The best strategy for her is to try to win him back by being attentive and looking her best for him. Using this strategy in earnest will also gain her the support and sympathy of the people around her. Once she obtains this, the battle is half won, for with the support of mutual friends and relatives, the husband may be pressured to give up his mistress or at least be more attentive to his wife.

      A good wife by Filipino standards is one who looks after the best interests of her husband, who gives him emotional and perhaps material support and who manage the household and children efficiently. The husband does not usually concern himself with the children until they are in their teens-whereupon he is called in to give a hand with discipline. There are no restrictions on wives working, as long as they do not neglects the duties outlined above. Most wives in Manila have some sort of business on the side and there are many who works as professionals.

      The advantage of having servants to run the household is exploited to the fullest. This is one of the great attractions living in the Philippines provides women. The lifestyle offers many good opportunities for women to fulfill themselves. Dr. Lapux, in Filipino Marriages in Crisis, states:' Despite her seemingly second-rate status in the marriage, the Filipino wife has a large sphere of influence. She is close emotionally to the children than her husband is and she is intimately involved in their growth and development-for the longest time. In crucial areas of home life,e.g. child-rearing, breadwinning, and even in deciding  the husband 's choice of friends, she subtly or pointedly wields her wifely intentions to keep husband, home, and children in good condition, and to foster family advancement, she can do almost anything.'

 Querida: The Mistress

        The role played by the mistress is essentially also that of wife and mother. In many cases the mistress is preferred over the wife because the former is a better wife to a man than the latter. There is usually much rivalry between her and the wife, not on bedroom matters, but on who cooks better and who takes better care of the husband.

        The Filipino mistress is really more like a second wife and is regarded as such by her partner. Often she has children by him whom he supports and considers as important as his legitimate children. Many Filipinos have two or more support them all. Of course these families are not recognized by the predominantly Catholic society but the mistress still considers herself as her partner's wife and claim rights over him which naturally gives rise to conflicts with the legitimate wife.

The Mother

Children are of great importance in family-oriented Philippine culture. They form the link that binds the wife's family to the husband's. They also present opportunities for extending kin relations through the compadrazco system. Hence, Filipinas expect and are expected to have children once they marry.

        The role of mother is probably the most important role a Filipina will assume in the course of her life. Since the mother is in charge of household matters and responsibility of the children lies mainly with her , she is in a position of power. This power is not to be underestimated considering that kinship dynamics is the central propitiating force in Philippines society, as illustrated by the prevalence of nepotism in many areas.

        Her power comes from the sense of obligation to parents instilled in children. There is also from another factor that comes into it- the sense of belonging and ownership which characterizes Filipino relationships. In Study of Psychopathology, Dr Lapuz state:' A person grows up in the Filipino culture with one paramount assumption: that he belongs to someone. When he presents his self to others, it is with his family that he is identified. He belongs to the family as a whole as well as to it's members.' She goes on to say: ' Between the parents, there is a further choice as to whom one belongs. Almost always, it is the mother. The loyalty, allegiance and the sense of obligation are stronger with her than with farther. One must never cause her hurt or displeasure . The greater attachment to the mother is , of course, inevitable not only because of biological circumstances , but also because of the prolonged  intense emotional nurturing of received from her. Here is where to belong gains the meaning of to loved ,cared for, and protected.'

        The 'ownership ' type of relationship gives the mother certain rights over the child. For example , she believes she has the right to know her children' s private thought and thus encourage the confiding of problems and secrets. While she does this with the intention of guiding their thinking and advising them properly, there may also be an unconscious or perhaps subconscious wish to make them emotionally dependent on her, thus giving her a greater hold on them. A mother also has the right to advise her children who in turn are taught to take such advice meekly because it is given in their interest.

        George M. Guthrie and Pepita Jimenez Jacobs did a cross-cultural study on child-rearing entitled Child Rearing and Personality Development in the Philippines.  They compared their findings with those of Sears, Maccoby and Levin on the patterns of child-rearing among American mothers. Some of the more obvious and important differences they report are: Filipino mothers  are more lenient and permissive about feeding intervals, weaning and toilet-training than their American counterparts; American mothers use denial of privileges, threats of loss of love, and physical  punishment to enforce obedience, while Filipino mothers are more likely to punish physically, scold, or bribe; American mothers do not as a rule share are surrounded by many adults who share in the responsibility of their upbringing.

        Some differences between the two cultures were attributed to environment but most appear to have stemmed from dissimilar cultural emphasis. For example, the child-rearing practices of Filipino mothers are directed and determined by the cultural emphasis on the importance of the family and smooth interpersonal relations. The difference in emphasis in Philippines and American culture is expressed succinctly in the following statement by Guthrie and Jacobs: "The Philippine ideal is not self-sufficiency and independence but rather family sufficiency and refined sense of reciprocity.' This was demonstrated quite clearly in their study on Philippine parental attitudes towards their children. They make the following comment in their discussion of their finding:" Parents do not express the hope that their children will be ambitious or show great achievements. There is no mention of child becoming rich or famous. On the contrary, they stress the hope that their child will heed family values.'

        Although the upbringing of Filipino children may be shared by others in the family, the main responsibility lies with the mother. While the others may play with them or help them dress, ect., it is the mother who disciplines them. Her role is acknowledged by society and consequently it is she who receives the credit when they grow up to be good members of the community , and the blame when they fail. Filipinos believe that children's behavior reflects their parents' attitudes. Hence the mother places paramount importance on the task of instilling the cultural values of the family sufficiency and pakikisama, the ability to get along smoothly with others.

        The role of the mother does not end upon the marriage of her children. Although it is diminished,  she still remains a powerful figure in the life of her children. She can influence major decisions such as choosing curtains for the kitchen or the baby's room. When grandchildren arrives she inevitably has to have a say in the baptismal celebrations or at least know everything concerning the child. This often gives rise to conflict between a wife and her mother-in-law, a situation not uncommon in Philippine society. In such situations the husband is always caught in the middle. He must never openly go against his mother  because it is his duty first and foremost to be a good son.  On the other hand he cannot ignore his wife's complaints and may often sympathize with her. Yet he is powerless to do anything and, although the wife complains to him and wants him to intervene, she knows he cannot and never will. She will also never openly defy or confront her mother-in-law.

        There is usually a great effort on the wife's part to get along with her mother-in-law. In Filipino Marriages in Crisis, Dr. Lapuz comments:' It is a attribute, dubious perhaps, to the Filipino daughter-in-law that she continues to want to be liked by her husband's mother. ' Part of the reason for this is the power the mother-in-law wields over her son. Good relations with the mother-in-law ensures support, both material and emotional, which naturally would make life easier for the wife/daughter-in-law. It is important to understand the unique position in which the Filipino daughter-in-law is placed in a situation which occurs across many different cultures. Because of it, she mat not respond in the way her American or European counterparts would.
 

Matandang Dalaga: The spinster

             The Filipino spinster or matandang dalaga is not a liberated individual, free from responsibilities. Although she does not have her own family of procreation (husband and children), she is still tied to her family of orientation (parents, brothers, and sisters, aunts, uncles, ect.), and she has duties and obligations of them. She may live with one of her brothers or sisters, serving them in the form of assisting in household management, or she may continue to live with her parents, serving them looking after them in their old age. There is also a  position set aside for her in her local church - she is in charge  of its upkeep and maintenance. Hence she has a definite role in the family and society. In this way she feels she 'belongs' to someone and her family keeps her from getting lonely.

           There is some social stigma attached to spinsters, though. Because of the great emphasis attached to getting married and having children, most Filipinos do not understand how a women can be over 30 or 35 and still be unmarried. The only reason they can think of is that she did not receive any offers. Hence the matandang dalaga is seen as someone who was' left on the shelf'.

         Often the Filipina will be playing any number of the above roles at the same time and these ease with which she moves from one to the other as the situations for them arise is truly a skill she must be credited with. They key to it all is to always think' Family First.'

         One other role assumed by Filipino women is that of keeper of family virtues. Older Filipinas consider it their duty to keep the family’s reputation in good stead and thus have no qualms about giving their opinions on what is right and wrong regarding behavior, attitudes, quarrels and conflicts which concern or directly reflect on the family. Through them, deviant behavior is controlled and curtailed via direct confrontations and/or intermediaries.

         Finally, a note on the Filipina’s remarkable skill as an entrepreneur, Almost every Filipino wife is involved in some business ‘on the side’—whether it be a small store, a kiosk selling drinks and snacks, selling paintings through friends and contacts, a cake shop or perhaps accepting orders at home, selling ‘PX’ goods, etc what’s more, doing very well at it. Many big businesses are n by Filipino women. Filipinas figure prominently in the business world. To give some examples: the Philippine Women’s University was founded by a Filipina and is still run efficiently by Filipinas; one of Makita’s biggest and most popular department stores is owned and managed by a Filipina; the two biggest bookstore chains are owned and were built up by two Filipina sisters.

       Aside from their ability in managing businesses, Filipinas can also be powerful figures in the background, holding true the saying ‘Behind every great man is a woman’. In the case of the Filipino it is a wife or a mother. The Filipina is very adept at social maneuvers and many a husband’s career has been furthered through socialization channels, an aspect which is of unequalled importance in Philippine business. In the Philippines how well you perform at work is of less importance than how well you get along with others. So to get anywhere in the business world (or in any other area for that matter), it is imperative that you be a good socialize. That is where the Filipino wife and/or mother can be very useful and effective.

FILIPINO MEN

           Regarding the Filipino male, Dr Lapis states that ‘the ego-ideal for men is that of one who is cool, cautious, inoffensive, pleasant, relaxed to the point of being rather easygoing, incapable of anger except when his amor-propio ... is provoked. His masculinity is definitely and emphatically regarded as intrinsic to this narcissism (self-esteem). Of this masculinity he is quite conscious and proud, and will emphasize it in many subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Outside of this ego-ideal, the Filipino male may appear to some, and in particular to foreigners, as not being masculine enough. He tends to be fastidious about his appearance, particularly his hair and clothes, to have soft and graceful movements. With strangers and in some unfamiliar situations, he may tend to say very little and act even less, which is the antithesis of the American male’s tendency to quickly state his identity and give his opinion. The Filipino will be quiet and will strive to be inoffensive in situations where an American would feel obliged to be more vociferous.’

        This description presents the outward or surface differences between Filipinos and Westerners, those noticed first. Psychological and personality differences, which are less noticeable in the first Sow interactions, are harder to recognize and grasp. To get a deeper insight into the Filipino male personality, it is necessary to look at the different roles he plays, because much of his behavior and attitudes is determined by the duties which accompany each role. Some of the more important roles he plays are described here.

The Son

      The role of the Filipino son or. more specifically, the role of a ‘good’ Filipino son is placed above all the other male role It is more important to be a good son than a good father or a good husband. Filipinos stress the importance of remembering your past, where you came from and what your parents have done for you.

      The farmer’s lad who becomes a rich and famous doctor will buy his parents a nice house in the city or, if they don’t want to move, will visit them once a week and give material support, possibly expanding the farm into a great hacienda. If his parents put hint through medical school, he owes them even more. Being a doctor he would have to personally see to his parents whenever they need any medical aid. (He also becomes the personal physician of the rest of the family—by the Filipino definition of the word, a service for which he never charges and which is often a personal inconvenience.) His great accomplishments as a doctor are nothing if he does not perform his duties as a son. First he must be a good son. Then, and only then, may he be successful.

      Unlike American and other Western cultures, where sons are pushed to early autonomy, independence is not a matter of urgency. In some cases it is not an issue at all. Sons are not expected to leave the family home, fend for themselves and find their own place in life. They are expected to help their parents on the farm or in the family business when they are old enough while continuing to live off, and with, their parents.

      It is when the son himself attempts autonomy and independence, - that commotion arises. Such a move is interpreted by the parents to mean he does not like living with them. The parents take a what’s- wrong-with-us-don’t-you-love-us-anymore attitude. They also worry that the neighbors will think they cannot support their children, marking them as parent failures. Most Filipino sons live with their parents until they get married. Where a son leaves school early to get a job, it would be because the father is unable to support the family due to illness or death, or his pay is inadequate to cover the cost involved in bringing up a large family. It is usually the eldest son who is assigned this duty.

        Note the cultural difference here: the American boy leaves home to get a job to support himself thus lightening his father’s burden; the Filipino boy leaves home to get a job in the city so he can support not only his parents but all his brothers and sisters. You will find many drivers, maids, salesgirls. etc. in Manila who are working so they can put their younger brothers and sisters through school.

       The difference in cultural emphasis—autonomy (American) vs. dependence (Filipino}—is illustrated by Dr Lapis’s example: ‘In American culture, parents force autonomy upon their offspring at an early age with early severance of dependency ties. It is not unusual, for example, to see young people with moneyed parents working in order to have money of their own. In the Philippines, if a boy has parents with money, it hardly occurs to him to work. Sons are expected to grow up loyal to their parents, look after them, help younger siblings and generally be unselfish.’

The Adolescent Male

     Young Filipinos have a long adolescence. They enjoy a long ‘period of immunity’—a time when adolescents can get away with childish, irresponsible behavior because they are not yet considered adults and therefore not expected to behave accordingly. Most Filipino boys remain dependent on their parents until they marry or at least finish their schooling, which for the majority is at the completion of law or five years of tertiary education.

     As most Filipino boys do not have to work their way through college, they have a lot of time to spend with friends. Peers figure largely in this phase. There is usually a prominent peer group called barkada to which one belongs. These cliques or bark ads are tightly knit—the members are very close to each other and go everywhere together. They develop their own slang, they have private jokes. They exercise control over the behaviour of members, mainly by teasing. There is usually no formal leader, though there may be one or two more respected members.

       The barkada can be a powerful force. It operates on the principles of group pressure and conformity. For example, the group may resent a member having a girlfriend because he is not spending as much time with them, forcing him to choose between his girlfriend and his barkada. Or a member may be pressured into drinking, smoking or doing something he would normally not approve of. Because of the Filipino need to belong to someone, the barkada is an essential part of an adolescent’s life. Not to belong to any group is to feel like an outcast—loners and individualists (those who want to be different) are considered ‘weird’ by Filipinos. The society exerts tremendous pressure to conform. Once one belongs to a barkada one is ensured support and the fun of shared experiences.

          Filipinos do not like being alone, perhaps because of the population density and the fact that from birth they are constantly surrounded by people. They do not like eating alone, they will not see a movie alone, they always have to be with someone—a friend or a relative. They do not enjoy experiences not shared wish others. They feel uncomfortable eating beside someone who is not, so they wilt always offer to share their food or cajole their companion into having ‘a bit of something The Filipino will nor try anything new alone but with his barkada to back him up, he will.

Girls also have barkadas which perform the same functions as those described above, the only differences being due to differences in sex roles. Often, barkadas of opposite sexes will go out together and this is the usual social avenue for young people to meet.

The Husband

        The role of the Filipino husband is mainly that of breadwinner. This is the only duty he is really expected to fulfill and his performance in this area is what determines his success or failure as a husband (and a father). A husband who has a mistress or querida is accepted and tolerated by society if he can support both his wife and mistress. A man who can support two or more families is regarded with amazement and admiration, not disgust, and earns a reputation for being macho. However, the playboy who goes around getting girls into trouble and then leaving them to fend for themselves is considered irresponsible and a coward.

             In A Study of Psychopathology, Dr Lapuz says: ‘The usual cultural norm for masculinity is firstly, the ability to perform sexual intercourse and secondly, freedom from marital controls in a man’s activities.’ The first criterion is measured by the number of children a man has, which is why large families are preferred in the Philippines. A large number of offspring is evidence of a man’s virility. It also explains why a man will have children by his mistress.

           The second norm is one that every Filipino husband strives to give an impression of, for fear of being called ‘under the saya’— henpecked. This threat is real because Filipino wives are very dominant and, though they may appear quiet and submissive before others, are very skilful in manipulating their husbands to get what they want. Because the wife runs the household, she considers it her territory and the husband does not have much say in household issues. He gives his opinion only when consulted and even then his recommendations may not be followed. Thus, the Filipino husband concentrates on being a good provider for his wife and children.

The Father

          The breadwinner role played by the husband is extended to his rote as a father. The father’s main duty is to provide for his family as well as he can. It is a proud father who can say he put all his children through school and an even prouder one who can boast of seeing his children through college. Education is considered the best gift parents can give their children.

            Many Filipino fathers also see it as their role to build up a business to ensure their children a place in life when they grow up and join the workforce. It is seen as an inheritance they can leave to their children upon their death. It is important to Filipinos that lie leave something to their children—through this they eel they an continuing to provide for their children even when the latter are able to provide for themselves. Parents think it is their duty to give their children a better life than the one they had. This is how the present dynasties in the Philippines were built—a family business passed from generation to generation with each generation improving and expanding it. In leaving his children more than he received, a Filipino feels he has been a good father.

           The Filipino father is a ceremonial figurehead. He is the head of the family, but in many cases, in name only. He is treated like royalty at home—the children must be quiet when he is asleep, they bring him his slippers when he gets home, cater to his whims and needs and take pains not to get in his way or arouse his anger because he works hard all day and needs to rest and relax. Hence they do not usually consult him about their problems. As a father he does not usually have much to do with the children’s upbringing. That responsibility is designated to the mother.

The father is a disciplinary figure used by the mother to threaten the child into obedience, e.g. she might say ‘stop teasing your sister or your father will belt you when he comes home’. This sometimes results in the children growing up in fear of their father and never getting to know him as a person. The Filipino only plays the role of father when his children are in their teenage years, whereupon he becomes more aware and more controlling of their activities, His role as disciplinarian is even stronger now because the wife seems to feel less capable in this area once the children are older. This is due to the disciplinary methods she uses (threats and bribery) which become less effective when the children get older. But the Filipino father’s most important role or duty is still that of provider and the role is a lifetime one.
 
Lolo: The Grandfather

         Elders are respected and revered. The grandfather heads the hierarchy in the family structure and may be likened to an old tribal chief. His advice and opinions on a wide variety of matters are sought by the younger family members. He takes great interest in his grandchildren and may sponsor a favourite grandchild through college in Manila or even abroad. The role of ceremonial figurehead is maintained, hut this time over a larger fiefdom.

Bakla: The Homosexual

       Homosexuals are accepted and tolerated by Philippine society. In fact, they have their own functions and roles to perform. The term ‘homosexual’ as used here does not distinguish between different types of homosexuals. Most prominent are the male homosexuals but gay females are also accepted and tolerated. The bakla or male homosexual who acts like a female is a figure of fun in movies and television shows. But the important role they assume in society is that of arbiter of taste. They are the couturiers, interior decorators, architects, hairdressers and make-up artists. Women look to them for setting the trend in fashion and design, often trusting their judgment more than their own.

They are thus very much a part of Philippine society and one will encounter them everywhere. They have their own language, swardspeak, their own way of speaking and their own mannerisms, different to those of females. They are fun-loving, entertaining and are many a girl’s best friend as they sometimes play the role of confidante to women. Even the men banter with them, teasing and making fun of them, though with no malicious intent.