Lesson in Understanding the Self and and Sikolohiyang Pilipino

1. 10 Interesting Facts about
Pilipino Culture
Prepared by:
Orlando A. Pistan, MAEd-GC
Psychology Instructor

2. The Philippines
The Philippines is a Southeast Asian
country in the Western Pacific,
comprising more than 7,107 islands.
(7, 641 NAMRIA)
Land Area: 300,000 sq. km.
Its capital, Manila, is famous for its
waterfront promenade and
centuries-old Chinatown, Binondo.
Intramuros, a walled city in colonial
times, is the heart of Old Manila.

3. The Philippines
Currency : Ph Peso
Climate : tropical
Religion : 86%
Catholicisicism
Terrain : volcanic in origin,
being part of the Pacific Ring
of Fire, and are mostly
mountainous.

4. The Philippines
Island Groups : Luzon, Visayas,
Mindanao
Regions : 16
Government : Republic
President : Rodrigo Duterte
(16th)
National Anthem : Lupang
Hinirang

5. Philippine Flag
The Philippine flag holds the
distinction of being one of
the most unique in the world.
What makes it so different is
that one can know whether
the country is in a state of
war by the way the flag is
flown. If the dominant color
flown on top is red, that
means the country is at war.
Likewise, if it is blue, then
the country is at peace.

6. Philippine Flag
Symbol
Blue Peace
Red Bravery, Patriotism
Stars Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao
Original 8 rays of the Sun Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga,
Bulacan, Manila, Laguna, Cavite,
Batangas
Equilateral triangle Equality

7. Pilipinos : Happy people
It has something to do with
the national psyche. Similar
to the French joie de vivre—a
phrase that expresses
enjoyment of life—Filipinos
have their bahala na attitude
that espouses living life to the
fullest without worrying
about the present because it
will be soon gone anyway.

8. People Power Revolution
That revolution had a
profound effect on the world,
as folks from other countries
with oppressive regimes
would go on to form their
own people power
revolutions.

9. Longest Christmas season
The Yuletide season usually begins
in September and ends in January,
making it the longest celebration of
Christmas ever. During this time,
public establishments and
individual homes would already set
up Christmas decorations and belt
out Christmas jingles.
One very odd custom is the Simbang
Gabi, or Night Mass, where Filipino
Catholics attend nine services in a
row leading up to Christmas Eve.

10. Binukot
Beautiful girls of a community
would be kept isolated by their
families until they can be married
off.
During this period of seclusion,
the girls are treated like royalty and
are forbidden from working and
being exposed to the sunlight.
Island of Panay is still practicing
Binukot.

11. Aswang Phenomenon
If there has to be a national
bogeyman, it would be the aswang.
During the Spanish period, the
image of an aswang became heavily
Westernized with horns and wings
attached to reflect the European
version of the devil.
Capiz was called- the home of
aswang.
Today, aswang has something more
to do with a concept rather than an
actual monster.

12. Querida Syndrome
Before the arrival of the
Spanish, the natives practiced
concubinage. They call it
“kalunya, kaagulo, kaapid”
The Spanish attempted to
dissuade the practice, they too
soon indulged in it, creating
terms “Kerida”.
It is been practiced for
centuries.

13. “Istambay” Phenomenon
Prevalent among Filipino people, male
and female alike.
According to sociologist Clarence
Batan, it is the lack of socio-economic
opportunities, the inability of the
government to address social
problems.
Also the closeness of a Filipino family
provides sustenance and shelter for
the istambays, allowing him to survive
his joblessness.

14. Texting capital of the World
Filipinos sent out more than a billion
test messages daily since 2008.
Being affordable and faster than the
traditional modes of communication,
text messaging quickly caught on with
the Filipino public.
It even gave rise to the co-culture known
as “Generation Txt” whose adherents
have developed their own unique
language.
Also a product of the Pinoy psyche –
HIYA.

15. Colonial Mentality
Defined as a preference for all
things foreign over our own.
Acquired from Spanish and
Americans- indoctrinated
Filipinos to have inferior culture.
Glaring examples of the colonial
mentality include patronizing
foreign, instead of local brands,
favoring foreign values over our
own, and even desiring to look
more Foreign.

16. 10 Interesting Facts about
Pilipino Culture
Thank you for
paying attention.
 http://listverse.com/2013/12/09/10-intriguing-facts-about-the-
philippines/
 http://www.filipiknow.net/modern-filipino-culture-phenomena/
 http://www.filipiknow.net/old-practices-filipinos-still-do-today/