ASEAN Life Vol: 1 January - March 2014 | Page 18

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 WWW.ASEAN-LIFE.COM