History & Culture

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

88 articles

Articles

3 min read

Sibuguey: Pangutaran Sama dialect of the Philippines

Sibuguey is a dialect of the Pangutaran Sama language spoken in the Philippines.

10 min read

Lenore RS Lim: Printmaking and Artistic Legacy

Profile of Filipino-Canadian-American artist Lenore RS Lim, her printmaking techniques, international exhibitions, and foundation.

13 min read

Erlinda K. Alburo: Scholar of Cebuano Language and Culture

Erlinda K. Alburo is a prominent Cebuano scholar, former director of the University of San Carlos Cebuano Studies Center, and prolific autho...

14 min read

Tillie Moreno: Career and Legacy of Manila's Queen of Soul

Tillie Moreno is a Filipino R&B and soul vocalist known as 'Manila's Queen of Soul', with a career spanning from the 1970s to the 2010s.

10 min read

Philippine kinship: Terminology, hierarchy and social structure

An overview of the Philippine kinship system, its generational terminology, and the cultural emphasis on age and respect over biological tie...

15 min read

Pinoy pride: Definition, manifestations and critical reception

An analysis of Pinoy pride as a Filipino nationalist philosophy, its cultural manifestations and academic critiques.

11 min read

Bamboo cannon: History, operation and cultural impact

Bamboo cannons are traditional homemade firecrackers using calcium carbide or kerosene, popular in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

11 min read

Timeline of Philippine history

A chronological record of important legal, territorial, and political events in the Philippines and its predecessor states.

13 min read

Culture of the Philippines: History, Diversity and Traditions

An overview of the diverse culture of the Philippines, shaped by indigenous roots, Spanish and American colonialism, and regional ethnic tra...

13 min read

Ukay-ukay: History, Etymology and Cultural Impact of Philippine Secondhand Retail

Explore the history, etymology and cultural significance of ukay-ukay stores in the Philippines, from Baguio City origins to national retail...

8 min read

Fashion and clothing in the Philippines

History of Philippine fashion from pre-colonial baro to modern trends, including barong tagalog, terno, and regional attire.

17 min read

Philippine mythology: Indigenous beliefs, deities and regional traditions

Overview of Philippine mythology, including indigenous creation myths, deities, heroes, and mythical creatures across Luzon, Visayas, and Mi...

7 min read

Betel nut chewing: History, culture and health impacts

Origins in the Philippines, Austronesian spread, cultural rituals and health effects of betel nut chewing.

11 min read

Cultural impact of Darna in the Philippines

Analysis of Darna's influence on Philippine media, academia, and popular culture since 1950.

12 min read

Mark of the Four Waves: History and Cultural Impact

Overview of the Mark of the Four Waves, a transnational Filipino diaspora collective preserving ancestral tattooing traditions since 1996.

12 min read

Padrino system: Patronage, politics and social structure in the Philippines

Analysis of the padrino system in the Philippines: origins, political impact and reform efforts.

11 min read

Archaeology of the Philippines: History, Sites and Discoveries

Comprehensive overview of Philippine archaeology, from H. Otley Beyer's early surveys to major discoveries like Callao Man and the Laguna Co...

9 min read

Filipino martial arts: History, weapons and training methods

An overview of Filipino martial arts (Arnis, Eskrima, Kali), their history, weapons, and tactical systems.

8 min read

Firecrackers in the Philippines: History, Regulation and Cultural Impact

History of paputok in the Philippines, from Bulacan's industry to national safety regulations and health impacts.

14 min read

Balikbayan box: History, logistics and cultural significance

The balikbayan box is a corrugated package sent by overseas Filipinos, evolving from a customs privilege into a major cultural and economic...