CULTURE
Mano Po, Pakikisama
at Utang na Loob
right hand and bow until their forehead
(meat cooked in soy sauce, vinegar and
touches the hand. “Mano” as described
peppercorns) and sinigang (sour broth with
in contemporary dictionary is to “kiss the
meat and vegetables) served with plenty of
hand” and is the Spanish word for hand.
steaming white rice are staple, they are not
“Pakikisama” has a very deep meaning.
averse to eating burgers, pizzas, spaghettis
It means comradeship; getting along
and other food served at fast food joints
with others. Its origins are sama (to go
and restaurants. They either eat with their
with), kasama (companion) and paki
hands or use a spoon, knife and fork.
(please). From these words, “pakikisama”
More than 80% of the people remain
truly means “getting along with others,”
as Roman Catholics and are tolerant of
stretched to getting others out of a scrape
other religions like Islam and various
or helping save face.
other Christian religions. Patintero (tag),
“Utang na loob” is a debt of gratitude.
tumbang preso (downing the opponents’
It can be an endless debt starting from the
can), piko (hopscotch) and luksong-tinik
first generation and end in the very last
(jumping over thorns – fingers or a stick)
generation. It is a tradition also practiced in
are traditional children’s games.
other East Asian countries such as China,
T
he Filipinos have a very rich
culture that is best shown in
the county’s dances, festivals,
Filipino hospitality is widely known. You
can visit a poor family and still get the best
Japan and Korea.
Filipinos are musically and artistically
treatment they can offer. You can come at
is
lunch or dinner time unannounced and still
religious observations and manners in
kundiman (serenade), modern Filipinos are
get invited to share in whatever the family
and out of the home. Their tradition is
belting out Asian and Western songs with
is having. It is all right to make a thumb’s
influenced by several cultures, particularly
class, earning them worldwide accolades.
up sign to say you are okay, but you are
Malay, Spanish, Chinese, American and
They excel in music, films, politics,
not allowed to point an index finger at
other Asian and Western countries.
literature, publishing, broadcasting and
someone. However, you should watch their
Majority of the Filipinos speak very
fashion.
lips or the raising of their chin to indicate
inclined.
While
traditional
music
good English, compared to other Asian
Filipinos speak over 170 regional
neighbors. Traditional Filipino customs,
languages most of which belong to the
While the wealth of Filipino culture is
beliefs and way of life may not be too
Austronesian language family from the
deep and wide, one thing is certain: The
evident in the large urban capitals but a
Western
language
family is still the focus of Filipinos and
trip to the provinces will open your eyes
group while Filipino and English are the
familial ties remain tight. It is part of the
(and your mind) to the richness of Filipino
official languages.
Filipinos’ culture to be friendly, venerate
culture.
Malayo-Polynesian
direction.
Filipinos have traditional dances like
elders and have respect for the family.
“Mano po” is what the young ones
Tinikling and Cariñosa, but Filipinos are
Despite hardships, the resilient Filipinos
say to an older person when they ask
very adept at dancing the latest dance
still manage to greet people with a sweet
for their blessings. They take the elder’s
craze. They love to eat and while adobo
smile and engaging laughter. v
18
JAN-FEB 2014
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