Filipino Culture
The F i l i p i no i s o f M alay and Indonesian descent with Chinese and Spanish influences . The character of the Filipino is an amalgam of other cultures . The bayanihan or sense of camaraderie that Filipinos are known for is believed to have come from the Malays . The closely knit family ties are b e l i e ved t o b e C h i neseinfluenced . The people ' s religiousness is from the introduction of Christianity in the 16th century by the Spaniards . The festive culture and gusto for life can also be attributed to the Spaniards . The American colonization introduced education . The distinguishing characteristic of hospitality is a natural F i l i p i no c h aracter . Filipinos are among the few people in Asia who are highly proficient in English . The Filipinos are beautiful people . They are resilient ; laughter dispels their problems ; singing keeps them happy and a smile is always present on their faces . Filipinos may not forget , but they can forgive .
The Filipinos have regional groups distinguished by certain dialects and traits . From the north are the strong and thrifty llocanos ; the diligent Tagalogs from the plains in central Luzon ; the laid-back Visayans of the middle islands and finally , the religious Muslims and colorful tribesmen of Mindanao .
Philippine cuisine or Lutuing Pilipino or Pagkaing Pilipino is the style of cooking . Much like the culture , Philippine cuisines are a combination of Malay , Chinese , Indian , Spanish , and American cuisine adjusted to the Pinoy palate . Probably the most famous Pinoy food is adobo . It ' s a combination of pork or chicken braised in oil soy sauce , vinegar , peppercorns , and lots of garlic . This is believed to have started when the locals wanted to preserve their food to avoid spoilage .
Vacation destination
Boracay has consistently been cited by multinational travel publications as among the world ' s best beaches , and a go-to for water sports . The country ' s diverse landscape also presents awesome natural sights like the perfectly conical Mount Mayon in Albay , the Chocolate Hills of Bohol , and the smallest volcano in Taal . But let ' s focus on the cultural and natural UNESCO Heritage Sites spread out over the islands .
Baroque C hurches o f t he Philippines : The Spaniards built these churches in Miag-ao , Paoay , Santa Maria and Intramuros in the latter part of the 16th century .
The Historic Town of Vigan : This well preserved locale is considered as Asia ' s best example of a planned colonial Spanish town . The cultural elements from different areas in the Philippines were embodied in its architectural style .
Rice Terraces of the Philippines : They are exemplary of a developed , cultural landscape tracing back to the country ' s pre-colonial period . The terraces are tucked in the distant parts of the Cordillera Mountains north of Luzon .
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park : It boasts of its breathtaking limestone karst formations in Palawan ' s west coast . Its diverse ecosystem shields some of Asia ' s most valuable forests . The highlight is the underground river with a length of 8 kilometers . The river is beneath a ceiling of stalagmites and stalactites that have formed along the cave ' s full length .
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park : This nature park is in the midcentral part of the Sulu Sea . It occupies a length of about 33,000 hectares . The nearest neighbor is Puerto Princesa in Palawan . It houses a richly diverse marine life comprising over 400 fish species and 3 00 c o ral s p e c i e s a nd i s internationally recognized for having the world ' s highest level of biodiversity .
The entire Philippine archipelago is teeming with natural riches . Vacation and tourist destinations offer a variety of attractions and plenty of surprises . Come and visit and explore the islands on your own .
Sunset Boulevard by Carlo San via freeimages . com ASEAN Life • MAY 2016 | 7