Culture

STUDENT EXAMPLE

Intercultural Communications

MWF 10:00-10:50

Terri’s comments:**This was a “C” outline – it has the basic components but it is not developed enough – sections are all very short and shallow – needs much more information!

The Philippines

• Why did I choose The Philippines?

  • Have prior knowledge from time spent living there

  • To better understand the culture and some of my experiences had there

Geography

• Archipelago

  • Made of 7107 islands

  • Only 2773 have names and only 1190 are inhabited (Gonzalez, 2001, 6)

  • Total area of land is comparable to the state of Arizona (Tope, 2002, 7)

• Seasons

  • Tropical climate experiences both wet and dry seasons

  • Average number of typhoons every year is 21 (Tope, 2002, 13)

    • Wet/typhoon season occurs in the northeast from December to May while occurring from June to November in the southwest (Wee, 26, 1999, )

    • Heavy rain and winds contribute to flooding and mudslides

• Climate

  • Hot and humid in the low lying areas

  • Milder cool temps in the mountains.

Population

• The population is expected to reach over 130,000,000 in July of 2012 (Central Intelligence Agency)

  • Multiple ethnic groups under the classification of ‘Filipino’

    • Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3%

  • Nearly 11.5 million people live within the City of Manila (Central Intelligence Agency)

Government

• Full name is The Republic of The Philippines (Wee, 1999, 8)

  • Government type is Republic, but not always so

    • The Philippines have been ruled by many nations which have led to a very mixed pot of cultures.

    • Was under Japanese occupancy during WWII (Wee, 1999, 8)

    • In 1946, gained full independence and maintained a Republican government until 1964.

    • Communist insurgents take over; in 1972 Ferdinand Marcos assumes presidency and dictator for the nation.

    • In 1986 Marcos is beat out for the presidency and flees the nation; freedom ever since.

• Local districts are called Barangays and are headed by a mayor (Tope, 30, 2002)

  • Implements policies at the township level (Tope, 30, 2002)

  • Supports the youth with scholarships for the poor (Tope, 30, 2002)

Religion

• First and only ‘Christian’ Nation in Southeast Asia

  • The most commonly practiced religion is Roman Catholicism

    • Catholicism was introduced by the Spaniards in the 16th century by Ferdinand Magellen. (Wee, 1999, 55)

    • 83% of the population is Catholic (Wee, 1999, 55)

• Many cults have risen in popularity over the years

  • Iglasia Ni Christo

  • Jehovah’s Witness

  • The Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

• Islam was introduced to the Philippines over 200 years before Christianity (Wee, 1999, 57)

  • Predominately contained in the southern regions of Mindanao (Wee, 1999, 57)

  • Population is only at about 4% Muslim (Wee, 1999, 57)

Holidays

• Lent and Holy Week are major celebrations

  • During the Lenten season, numerous Passion Plays are performed (Mendoza, 1999, 12)

  • Holy week is celebrated for an entire week rather than just Good Friday to Easter Sunday.

  • It is not uncommon to see shirtless men beating themselves as an act of panata (Tope, 2002, 108)

• Christmas celebrations

  • Not unlike North American celebration of Christmas

  • Mass at 4 am for the 9 days leading up to Christmas day (Mendoza, 1999, 20)

  • Gifts are exchanged with friends and family (Mendoza, 1999, 20)

  • Feast of the Three Kings held post Christmas (Mendoza, 1999, 23)

• Colorful Fiestas

  • Ati-Atihan celebrates friendship between the Negritos and Malay datus. (Wee, 1999, 88)

    • 3 day celebration of Ati-Atihan, Santo Nino, and the harvest thanksgiving (Wee, 1999, 89)

    • Colorful headdresses are worn and ‘warriors’ cover themselves from head to toe in soot (Wee, 1999, 90)

  • Feast of the Black Nazarene (Wee, 1999, 90)

    • Every January 9th, male devotees carry a life-sized statue of Christ out of the Quiapo Church in Manila (Wee, 1999, 90)

    • The statue is believed to have miraculous powers and people try to touch it as it passes by.

    • At the end of the day, the statue is returned to it’s shrine in the Church (Wee, 1999, 91)

Bibliography

Books:

Wee, J. (1999). Major World Nations: Philippines. Pennsylvania: Chelsea House Publishers.

Mendoza, L. (1999). Philippines. Wisconsin: Gareth Stevens Publishing.

Tope, L.R.R, & Nonan-Mercado, D.P. (2002). Cultures of the World: Philippines. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation.

Gonzales III, J.L. (2001). Countries of the World: Philippines. Wisconsin: Gareth Stevens Publishing.

Online:

Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook. Retrieved February 23, 2012, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rp.html

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