7 Unique Customs in the Philippines: A Culture Guide
The Philippines embodies a unique and beautiful sense of culture. These traditions date back over a century and still live strong.
If you’re ever considering visiting the Philippines you need to understand these special customs. There are quite a few customs in the Phillippines that will amaze you.
This short guide will showcase 7 unique customs in the Philippines.
1. Saying No to Requests
Unlike other foreign traditions, the Philippines consists of not only compassionate but a very patient kind of people. It may confuse foreigners how certain individuals refuse to say ‘no’ to certain requests.
This is partly centered on the refusal to engage in confrontation. Instead of a rude decline, they may offer a hopeful gesture to an invitation: “I may make it out to your dinner“.
2. Superstition & Religion
The Philippines is a country rich in spiritual tradition. The mixture of belief systems introduces various religious traits and superstitions.
Two separate family members may not marry within the same year, or else it may follow superstitious tidings.
This also ties into the recognition of foreign divorce. The Filipino community follows strict religious roots but understands the diversity of relations.
3. Use of Utensils
In Filipino culture, it is rare to use unnecessary utensils for certain dishes. If you are cutting rough meat, you may have an occasional knife.
But, if you are eating a rice heavy plate, you will mainly use the spoon to eat. The fork is seen as a way to form the rice onto the spoon for easy access.
4. Last Name Usage
Many Filipinos use last names as a form of respect. When speaking to elders this is particularly important. ‘Op‘ and ‘Po‘ may substitute phrases when directing speech to elders.
Different family members and figures of authority are given unique titles. But, more importantly, the age will reflect the formality of usage.
5. The Long Length of Christmas
The celebration of Christmas in the Philippines is a long event. In Filipino culture, it’s an event that lasts for months.
It begins on the 1st of September and continues until the last until Christmas Day. It’s no wonder this is such a serious event. Certain individuals will begin decorating their homes as early as August.
6. The Power of Karaoke
Filipino Karaoke is one of the many commonplace traditions in the Philippines. The people of the Philippines love to enjoy themselves in one of the many Karaoke bars in the country.
Each bar holds a large collection of tunes. Many Filipinos have grown up with certain songs their whole lives! It’s an essential part of the culture.
7. Community & Customs in the Philippines
Of the many unique customs in the Philippines, the community spirit is high in priority. Filipino culture is deeply rooted in building the community.
This is why the Filipino root word in “Bayanihan” stems from the word meaning community. The enrichment of the spirit is the enrichment of the community itself.
The Magic & Beauty of the Philippines
The Philippines has a long history of rich traditions.
The community-oriented spirit is by and large a great reason why these traditions continue to thrive.
A deeper understanding of the customs in the Philippines allows everyone to enrich their family lives. The selfless acts and traditional roots of the Philippines allows communities to evolve into more diverse populations.
You can find more educational tips on the Philippines from our blog posts! Check them out today!