History & Culture

Pre-colonial history, Spanish and American eras, regional traditions, languages, and culture.

543 articles

Articles

12 min read

Malay language in the Philippines: History, Influence and Contemporary Use

The history and influence of the Malay language in the Philippines, from the Laguna Copperplate Inscription to modern linguistic ties.

13 min read

Karen Kunawicz: Poet, Editor and Cultural Figure in Philippine Pop Culture

Karen Kunawicz is a Philippine poet, writer and comic book editor known as the 'Queen of the Goths' and for her work with Mango Comics.

11 min read

Languages of the Philippines: Diversity, History and Policy

Overview of the 182 native languages of the Philippines, the history of Filipino and English, and current linguistic policies.

11 min read

Comparison of orthographies of languages of the Philippines

Analysis of prescriptive texts and written standards for Filipino languages.

14 min read

Philippine Negrito languages: Classification, Vocabulary and Extinct Varieties

Overview of Philippine Negrito languages, their classification by Lobel and Reid, unique vocabulary, and extinct varieties.

13 min read

Higantes Festival: History, Traditions and Cultural Significance in Angono

Annual festival in Angono, Rizal featuring giant papier-mâché puppets mocking Spanish colonial hacienda owners.

12 min read

Mikel Parial: Painter, Photographer and Printmaker

Profile of Filipino artist Mikel Parial, son of Mario Parial, known for printmaking and photography.

12 min read

Genoveva Matute: Life, Literary Career and Educational Legacy

Genoveva Matute (1915–2009) was a Filipino author and educator, best known for winning the first Palanca Award for Short Story in Filipino i...

15 min read

Abdon Balde Jr.: Life and Literary Career

Abdon Balde Jr. is a Bicolano writer and Poet Laureate of Albay, recognized for his work in Bikol, Filipino, and English.

11 min read

Carlo Paalam: Life, Career and Olympic Silver Medal

Profile of Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam, winner of the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

12 min read

Boholano writers: Literary heritage and notable authors

Overview of Boholano writers, from pre-colonial priestess Karyapa to modern Palanca awardees and journalists.

13 min read

Mariano Ponce: Physician, Propagandist and Diplomat

Mariano Ponce was a Filipino physician and statesman who co-founded La Solidaridad and served as a diplomat for the First Philippine Republi...

9 min read

Sexuality in the Philippines: History, Religion and Social Change

An overview of sexuality in the Philippines, covering indigenous practices, Spanish and American religious influences, and modern legal and...

13 min read

Heart Yngrid: Career and Literary Works

Filipino romance author Heart Yngrid, known for the Drop-dead Playboys series and St. Catherine University novels.

16 min read

Conrado Benitez: Statesman, Educator and Rural Reconstruction Pioneer

Conrado Benitez (1889–1971) was a Filipino statesman, educator, and founder of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement.

6 min read

Samaon Sulaiman: Life, Musical Legacy and Kutyapi Mastery

Samaon Sulaiman was a Filipino musician and National Living Treasure known for his mastery of the Maguindanaon kutyapi.

1 min read

Zean Cabangis: Life, Artistic Technique and Career

Profile of Filipino visual artist Zean Cabangis, known for emulsion transfer technique and UP background.

13 min read

Roberto Chabet: Life, Art and Legacy of the Father of Philippine Conceptual Art

Roberto Chabet (1937–2013) was a Filipino artist and architect known as the father of Philippine conceptual art.

12 min read

Yakan language: Phonology, Classification and Cultural Context

Yakan is an Austronesian language spoken in Basilan, Philippines, with 110,000 speakers and unique phonological features.

12 min read

Aklatang Bayan: History and Legacy of the Philippine Literary Society

Aklatang Bayan was a Philippine literary association founded in 1910 that advanced the Tagalog language and organized the first balagtasan.