Conclusion

After we have conducted this project, we have realized how much we value the Filipino culture, and how proud we've become as we were trying to picture out the things and ideals that are uniquely Filipino. We may have been colonized by many countries, and they may have left us so many things that we have totally embraced, but the true Filipino culture stands out among all of those.

We think what we possess in the past are still evident in our present, and we believe that it will still be, many years from now. It will not fade. It cannot be taken away from us.

Whatever the archeologists, or future researchers might see and find out about our culture and our everyday living, we are going to be proud about it. Yes, there are also flaws in our culture and present condition, but we know that every country has that, and so, that is nothing to be ashamed of. What they will find, is the genuine Filipino culture. Nothing more, nothing less.

They can say whatever they want to say, but being a Filipino is fulfilling enough to make us stand as one, and be proud of who we are.

Hand-in-Hand

Filipinos have been used to having helpers around their house. Often times, the helpers are asked to do the dishes, the laundry, cleaning the house, and taking care of the family's personal needs.

In the US, not every family has helpers. Some just hire nannies to take care of their children, or take them to day care centers when they're out working, but here in the Philippines, despite the fact that we're a third world country, hiring of yayas and helpers are widely known.

What's also good about it, is that Filipinos are very hospitable and kind. They sometimes create a bond with their helpers-- a bond that is true and honest, which makes them close to all of the members of the family, and it helps building the trust.

Don't Believe In Superstitions, You Will Have Bad Luck.

In comparison, the western culture is cognitive, while the eastern is emotive. We Filipinos believe in superstitions despite their lack of scientific explanations. Our belief in superstitions has been a vital part of the Filipino culture.

Here are some of the most popular superstitions:

1. The bride must not wear her wedding gown before the wedding. It has been believed that once this is done, the wedding will not push through.

2. During a woman's monthly period, they should not take a bath because if they do, it is believed that they will go insane.

3. Eating pancit on one's birthday is believed to give that person long life.

4. On New Year's Eve, children are asked to jump to improve their height.

5. When a person has dreamt that he/she lost a tooth, it means that a relative will die. Filipinos believe that a fallen tooth might represent a loss of someone you have an intimate relation with.

6. Black cats are evil. In ancient Egypt, the Goddess Bast, was a black female cat. Christian priests wanted to wipe out all traces of other religions so convinced their ignorant followers to destroy the evil demons that were black cats. While they were at it, they destroyed the kindly little old ladies who cared for the cats believing them to be witches. Filipinos believed that you should spit after seeing a black cat to prevent accidents from occuring.

7. Usog. It is believed that some people have an unfortunate gift whenever they compliment a child. It has been said that to prevent the child from getting sick, that person must form a cross using their saliva across the child's tummy.

8. We cover our mouths when we yawn because it was believed that evil spirits could enter our bodies via our mouths.

9. We say "God Bless You" when someone sneezes because it was believed that your soul could escape from your body during a sneeze, and saying "God Bless You" immediately after someone sneezed would stuff it back in.

10. Dropping silverware causes company. Drop a spoon and the company will be female, drop a fork and the company will be male. Dropping a knife will break the spell.

Pasalubong ha?

The Filipinos love pasalubongs, and to prove that, is the Balikbayan Box.

When one of the family members is working abroad, it has been a tradition to bring a balikbayan box whenever they are coming home to the Philippines. It usually contains food, clothes, shoes, bags, and other imported items that Filipinos cannot purchase within the country.

They even send their list of mga padala beforehand if they want something in particular.

A Family Is What You Make It

By Jim Rule

I used to believe that a family
Was a mom, and a dad, and 2 or 3 kids,
and a great big station wagon or a mini van
And a house and a dog and a cat.
But now that I've seen lots of families,
I know it's not always like that,

Chorus: Because a family is what you make it.
It's you and your loved ones, whoever they are.
You've got to give and take it.
With understanding and love, your family's gonna go far.
With understanding and love, your family's gonna go far.

I used to believe I was normal
Now I don’t know what that means.
‘Cause if your family keeps you cozy and warm all right
and fits you like a pair of your favorite jeans
That’s what’s important.
That makes it right,
Snug as a bug on a cold winter’s night.
Someone to love you and someone to fight for your right to be just who you are.
With understanding and love, your family's gonna go far.
With understanding and love, your family's gonna go far.

Sing Loud And Sing Proud!

Basically, Filipinos love to sing. Even when some are out of tune, they still manage to entertain people.

The Karaoke, or the Magic Sing, is never forgotten on birthdays, family reunions and especially on inuman sessions. It brings not only families together, but also friends and aquaintances.

Happy Fiesta!

Filipino families gather during town fiestas. Everyone skip houses in their town vicinity to eat food prepared for anyone who come to their houses.

This is also the time where families from Manila come home to their ancestral houses in the province to celebrate with their other relatives.

Parents also bring their children to the fiestas so that they would become aware and involved with the traditions of their province.

Give Love Everyday

Charities from the Philippines never fail to remember to donate clothes, canned goods and other stuff considered necessary for the children or other families who’ve experienced mishaps for example; donations are given most especially during Christmas and other special occasions.

Those Mid-Afternoon Snacks We Love!

Other cultures may be satisfied with the standard three-meals-a-day practice, but not the Pinoys. Four is the average number of meals consumed on a daily basis: breakfast, lunch, merienda or mid-afternoon snack, and finally, dinner. The family can attain satisfaction when merienda time comes. Time for little chats and family bonding time.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Filipinos tend to laugh even at the silliest jokes told. The sillier it is, the more people find it hilarious. It is where the bonding starts, in parties or in reunions of friends and loved ones.

What More Can We Wish For?

This Christmas, Jollibee uniquely captures a very special and intimate bonding experience --- the happiest moment of a Filipino family celebrating the season of sharing, thanksgiving and togetherness. This heart-warming Christmas commercial is entitled "Coming Home," This breakthrough ad features the entire Muhlach family, sharing the different kind of joy brought about by being a complete family during Christmas. It also shows another Filipino trait, and that is bringing pasalubong for our loved ones when we're coming home.

Suportahan Ta Ka

This PLDT commercial shows us that the parents' love for their children is truly unconditional, that even though they want what's best for their kids, they still consider what their children really want, and they fully understand and accept that.

Keep Holy The Sabbath Day

The Filipino family always goes to church together on sundays. It has been a tradition ever since Magellan influenced us with his Christianity. There has also been a saying that "The family that prays together, stays together." The Filipino family is also very religious. They also pray the rosary together.

Sunday is also "Family Day" for most of the Filipinos. After church, they usually eat out and go to malls just to spend time and have fun with the whole family.

Keep in touch, ha?

The Filipino family is known to value communication. So this OFW sim by Globe is indeed helpful to the Filipino families whose other members are working abroad. It keeps them connected through texting and calling at any time of the day, to help them lessen the loneliness they feel knowing their loved ones are away.

A Bond That Is Beyond Memory

This commercial has touched every Filipino that has seen it. It depicts the relationship between the grandfather and his granddaughter. Even though sometimes, our grandparents seem to have lost their memory, they never forget our special bond with them which makes it truly unforgettable.

Eating As One

The Filipino family usually spends time eating together, whether at home or outside. This is the time where they catch up about each other's daily experiences. We, as Filipinos, do believe that spending time with the family is essential in keeping the children from smoking, alcohol, and drugs.