History & Culture
Pre-colonial history, Spanish and American eras, regional traditions, languages, and culture.
88 articlesArticles
Filipino values: Core principles, social harmony and cultural identity
An analysis of Filipino values, focusing on kapwa, hiya, and utang na loob as drivers of social harmony and cultural identity.
Zarzuela: History, Forms and Cultural Legacy
Overview of zarzuela, the Spanish lyric-dramatic genre, its history, forms, and cultural impact in Spain and the Philippines.
Spanish influence on Filipino culture
Overview of Spanish colonial impact on Philippine language, religion, surnames, and traditions.
Capital of the Philippines: History, Planning and Proposals
History of the Philippine capital from Manila to Quezon City, Burnham plans, and modern relocation proposals.
Filipino nationalism: History, ideology and political evolution
History of Filipino nationalism from Spanish colonialism to modern political identity and independence movements.
Fire piston: Southeast Asian origins, physics and cultural history
History and physics of the fire piston, an ancient Southeast Asian tool for kindling fire via adiabatic compression.
Filipinization: History, Politics and Cultural Assimilation in the Philippines
An analysis of Filipinization as a nationalist process of cultural assimilation and political inclusion in Philippine history.
Tingi culture in the Philippines
Analysis of tingi culture: purchasing goods in small quantities, its socioeconomic roots, and environmental impact.
Patriotic Oath (Philippines): Text, History and Legal Controversies
The Patriotic Oath is one of two national pledges of the Philippines, recited in schools under Republic Act No. 1265.
Funeral practices and burial customs in the Philippines
Overview of indigenous, Christian, Muslim, and regional funeral customs in the Philippines, from pre-Hispanic jar burials to modern wakes.
National symbols of the Philippines: Legal status and legislative history
Overview of the 12 official national symbols of the Philippines, their legal basis, and the legislative history of proposed symbols.
Filipino naming customs: History, structure and cultural practices
Overview of Filipino naming customs, including Spanish, indigenous, Chinese, and Moro influences, nicknames, and historical evolution.
Juan dela Cruz: The National Personification of the Philippines
Juan dela Cruz is the national personification of the Philippines, representing the Filipino everyman and collective psyche.
Drinking culture of the Philippines
History and practices of Filipino drinking culture, from pre-colonial tuba to modern inuman traditions.
House of Salalila: History and Legacy of the Kingdom of Lusong
The House of Salalila was the ruling dynasty of the Kingdom of Lusong from 1500 to 1571, descending from Rajah Salalila and intermarrying wi...
Filipinology: The Academic Study of the Philippines and Its People
An overview of Filipinology, the interdisciplinary academic field dedicated to the study of Philippine history, culture, society, and politi...
Tugging rituals and games: UNESCO heritage practices in Asia
Overview of tugging rituals and games in Cambodia, Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam, inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage i...
Tabo: History, Usage and Cultural Significance of the Philippine Hygiene Tool
The tabo is a traditional Southeast Asian hygiene tool used for bathing and toilet cleansing, reflecting Filipino cultural practices and wat...
Carinderia: History, Cuisine and Cultural Role in the Philippines
Explore the history, cuisine and cultural significance of the carinderia, a staple Filipino eatery influenced by British Sepoys.
José Rizal: Life, Works and Legacy of the Filipino Nationalist
Biography of José Rizal, Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath (1861–1896), author of Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo.