Development of the Filipino Identity

Examine the role of culture in the development of the Filipino identity

• Show the relationship of geography, culture, and livelihood activities to the development of Filipino

identity

• Discuss the meaning of the Philippine national flag and national anthem as symbols of our country

Show appreciation for Filipino culture in various ways

Physical Characteristics

Physically, we look like other Asians. Since the time of our ancestors, foreigners had come to our country to trade. There were Chinese and Arab traders. They did not bring only their goods but also their culture. The greatest contributors to the Philippine culture were the Spanish and the Americans. We were a colony of these countries for so many years. Even the country’s war enemy, the Japanese, contributed to our culture. Living with these races resulted to the Filipinos being mestizos. The long years of intermarriages with other races make us look, think, and act the way we do today.

Geography

Our country is an archipelago. We live in different places like plains, mountains, along coastal areas, and valleys. Communities are either urban or rural. Our livelihood activities, mode of living, preferences, and leisure activities are dependent on our geography.

The climate, landforms, and water forms of a region affect the people’s ways of doing things. Clothes and how people wear these are part of the identity of the people of a specific place. Food and how people eat may also be part of the ways in a certain place. Even games and how people have fun are part of the identity of their group.

Do you wonder why people living in the mountain regions wear very little clothing? Most often, there is no indoor plumbing where they live. They have to conserve the water that they get from far places. So, they would not want to waste water just for washing. The clothes they wear need little washing. The women wear only short skirts.

Sometimes, they wear jackets. The men wear less than the women do. Yet, the climate is cold. The people have gotten used to the climate. The people eat the crops they raised on the mountainsides like camote, corn, and upland rice. They get their fish from the streams. They only eat meat on important occasions. Their homes are made of logs and cogon grass with narrow and small openings for windows or doors. Nowadays, they have adapted some of the ways of living of the lowlanders.

Ethnolinguistic Groups

The Philippines is made up of approximately 7,641 islands with only 2,773 islands named. These islands are the homes of the various indigenous peoples of the Philippines. There are more than 100 tribes who live in highlands.

They have retained most of their customs and traditions. These indigenous peoples compose the minority group of Filipinos.

The Philippines is composed of a number of ethnolinguistic groups, with the Tagalogs as the biggest.

Other groups are Visayan, Ilocano, Bicolano, Pampangueño, Ibanag, and Zambal.

Influence of the Environment

Each of us possesses different characteristics. The environment plays an important role in the formation of the Filipino character. These traits manifest differences in geographical, economic, and social conditions.

1. Tagalogs – The Tagalogs live in the Central and Southern parts of Luzon and in Mindoro and Marinduque. Because their place is blessed with rich agricultural lands, life is easy. They have strong family ties. They have more time for recreational activities.

2. Ilocanos – The unfavorable conditions of the place of Northern Luzon make living difficult for the Ilocanos. There are limited lands to be cultivated. These conditions make the Ilocanos adventurous, thrifty, industrious, and patient. Ilocanos travel a great deal. Some travel as traders. Most of them travel to find work in other places. They do this to find better ways of living, but they carry with them their tradition. They are hardworking and friendly. They always practice the habit of being thrifty.

3. Bicolanos – The Bicol region is blessed with abundant natural resources and fertile soil, but natural calamities like typhoons and volcanic eruptions often occur. They have become accustomed to these events and accept these as part of their lives. Bicolanos are pious, quiet, and friendly. Many of them love to eat foods cooked in coconut milk spiced with hot pepper.

4. Visayans – The rich natural resources in this place make most Visayans loving, carefree, and extravagant. They love music. They are also adventurous.

5. Muslims – Muslims are brave. They were never under a colonial rule when other parts of the Philippines were colonialized. They value loyalty and friendship.

The Philippine Flag

The flag is the symbol of our country.

Here are some facts about our flag:

1. It was designed by General Emilio Aguinaldo.

2. The design of our flag symbolizes the following:

a. white equilateral triangle stands for equality and fraternity

b. blue horizontal stripe stands for peace, truth, and justice

c. red horizontal stripe stands for patriotism and valor

d. eight-rayed golden sun stands for unity, freedom, and the eight provinces which started the revolution against Spain (Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna, and Batangas)

e. three five-pointed stars stand for the three islands where the revolution started (Luzon, Panay Island, and Mindanao, as mentioned in the 1898 Declaration of Independence)

3. May 28, 1898 is the date when the flag was first raised in Alapan, Imus, Cavite.

4. June 12, 1898 is the date when it was formally unfurled during the proclamation of Independence Day at Kawit, Cavite.

5. Doña Marcela Mariño Agoncillio and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad sewed the first Philippine flag.

6. It should be displayed in all government buildings, official residences, public parks, and school buildings everyday throughout the year.

7. It is flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning.

The Philippine National Anthem

1. An instrumental march composed by Julian Felipe and adapted as the national anthem of the first Philippine Republic. Its title was “Marcha Nacional Filipina.” It was first played by Banda San Francisco de Malabon.

2. In 1899, Jose Palma wrote the Spanish poem “Filipinas” and it was set as the lyrics of “Marcha Nacional Filipina.”

3. Different translations were made by different Filipino writers.

4. Below is the original Commonwealth Era English version of the Philippine Hymn (1938).

Land of the morning

Child of the sun returning

with fervor burning

Thee do our souls adore.

Land dear and holy

Cradle of noble heroes,

Ne’er shall invaders,

Trample thy sacred shores.

Ever within thy skies and through thy clouds

And o’er thy hills and seas

Do we behold the radiance; feel the throb of glorious liberty.

Thy banner dear to all our hearts

It’s stars and sun alight,

Oh, never shall thy shining fields

Be dimed by tyrants might

Beautiful land of love, O land of light,

In thine embrace ‘Its rapture to lie

But it is glory ever, when thou art wronged

For us, thy sons to suffer and die.

5. Below is the official Tagalog version.

Lupang Hinirang

(1958 revised 1960)

Bayang magiliw

Perlas ng silanganan,

Alab ng puso,

Sa dibdib mo’y buhay.

Lupang hinirang

Duyan ka ng magiting,

Sa manlulupig,

Di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok,

Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw, May dilag ang tula,

At awit sa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y

Tagumpay na nagniningning

Ang bituin at araw niya

kailan pa ma’y di magdidilim.

Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati’t pagsinta,

Buhay ay langit sa piling mo,

Aming ligaya na ‘pag may mang-aapi

Ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo.

6. The Flag and the Heraldic Code of the Philippines (RA No. 8491) specifies that:

a. Lupang Hinirang shall be sung in the national language regardless if the performance is outside or inside the Philippines.

b. It should be played during public gatherings in the Philippines.

c. It should be played during “signing on” and “signing off” of the radio broadcasting and television stations and before the first screening of films.

d. It prohibits its singing or playing for amusement or entertainment except during international competitions where the Philippines has a representative.

e. The penalty of violation of the provisions of the code. Violation of the flag law carries a fine of Php5,000 to Php20,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.