Barong Tagalog

Q. What is a Barong?

A. Barong is actually short for Barong Tagalog, which describes the formal men’s wear of the Philippines. It is properly referred to as the ‘Baro ng Tagalog’ (dress of the Tagalog). Contracting the first two words

Barong Tagalog sa Pilipinas

produces ‘Barong,’ which literally means ‘dress of.’ So, if we want to be correct, we wouldn’t say just ‘Barong.’ But, the slang way of referring to one of the beautiful formal shirts is simply Barong. Yes, the Barong Tagalog is a dress, a garment, a coat in itself. It is not merely a ’shirt’. If it were, then it would need a coat or a jacket over it to qualify as formal wear and would have to be worn tucked inside the trousers.

‘Baro’ = Word for ‘dress’ in the Philippines, Tagalog dialect
‘Baro ng Tagalog’ = ‘dress of the Tagalog’ describes the formal ‘dress’ or upper garment for men in the Philippines
‘Barong Tagalog’ = contracted form of the above
‘Barong’ = literally means ‘dress of’ – but commonly used to refer to the formal men’s wear in the Philippines

Q. How the Barong Tagalog Evolved In History?

A. As the Philippines’ national dress, the Barong Tagalog enjoys a distinction all its own. Its fine needlework or hand-painted designs in cool cotton or handwoven pina or jusi have given it a flair that has won international recognition and acceptance.

President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who has worn the Barong Tagalog with such impeccable grace and searing devotion, underscored its prestige when he issued in 1975 a decree proclaiming Barong Tagalog Week (June 5-11) and more significantly, officially designating the Barong Tagalog as “the national attire”. The presidential act was meant to focus nation-wide attention on the Filipino national dress to wider use and enhance its export potential. As it is, both the wide use and export potential of the Barong Tagalog have been explored , its full impact just a matter of time.

What deserves another look is the manner the Filipino national costume has evolved and grown, picking up and shedding features fashion-related or otherwise in its journey from pre-Hispanic native wear to national dress. But first, a few things have to be straightened out. Barong Tagalog is properly referred to as the “Baro ng Tagalog” (dress of the Tagalog) and it cannot be contracted to simply “Barong” since that would be equivalent in English to saying “He is wearing a dress of”. The word “Barong”, one realizes, means “dress of”. If one wishes to shorten the phrase, then it would be “Baro” or “dress”. Yes, the Barong Tagalog is a dress, a garment, a coat in itself. It is not a “shirt”. If it were, then it would need a coat or a jacket over it to qualify as formal wear and would have to be worn tucked inside the trousers. The Earliest Baro The earliest known fact on the “Baro ng Tagalog” discloses that the natives of Ma-I (the Philippines as it was called before the Spaniards re-discovered the archipelago), and in particular, the Tagalogs, who lived in the island of Luzon, wore baro.

November Events

MALITA TO MATI MT. BIKING
November 00 | Davao-Davao del Sur-Davao Oriental
Adventure challenge for adventure crossing the various destinations of Davao del Sur and Davao Province and Davao Oriental

TIKHAW AND MAJAWJAW
November 00 | Mayoyao, Ifugao
An ethnic celebration featuring traditional songs, dances, arts & crafts

HARANA SA MAKATI
November 00 | Makati City
A “harana” competition participated in by different highschool corale group from public and private school of Makati.

SUROY SA KAPITOLYO
November 00 | Provincial Capital, Surigao del Norte
A guided familiarization tour of elementary pupils to the different buildings and facilities in the provincial Capitol Compound.

LAVANDERO FESTIVAL
November 00 | Mandaluyong City
Features street dancing which is a tribute to the good laundrymen and women of Mandaluyong. Exciting activities/sideshows are held by the banks of the famed and legendary Pasig River.

IMPAKABSAT
November 00 | Manila
Trade exhibit showcasing the Cordillera’s crafts, special skills, resources, and attractions

BANAAG FESTIVAL
November 1 | Anilao, Iloilo
A dance-drama competition using light and all its forms as a medium . This “dance of lights” is the first of its kind in the region.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
November 1- January 2 | Center Island of the National Highway, Kidapawan City
Light-A-Tree Contest, a pine tree decorated with 100′’s of Christmas lights.

HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
November 1 | Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
This event adds color to the All Saints Day celebration. There is a contest on the most macabre costume participated in by children. After the contest, the children can disperse and visit houses for the “tricks or treats” games.

IWAG KALAG SA TIGKALALAG
November 1 | Pulupandan, Negros Occidental
“Iwag Kalag sa Tigkalalag” is an Ilonggo tongue of the celebration held at the Municipal Cemetery.

TIGKALA-LAG FESTIVAL
November 2 | Isabela, Negros Occidental
The most peculiar festival of Neg. Occidental . . .

PULUPANDAN BELEN MAKING CONTEST
November 2- December 31 | Pulupandan, Negros Occidental
A contest using indigenous and recyclable materials participated by the twenty barangays of the municipality.

FEAST OF ST. CHARLES BORROMEO
November 4 | San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
A religious festivity honoring the patron saint, San Carlos Borromeo, featuring fluvial parade, processions, sports exhibitions, body painting contest, concerts and various activities.

SAN CARLOS CITY FIESTA
November 4 | San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
A three-day religious festivity honoring the patron saint, San Carlos Borromeo, featuring Pintaflores Festival, fluvial parade, processions, sports exhibitions, body painting contest and concerts.

NEGROS DAY
November 5 | Negros Occidental
A historical festival that commemorates the victory of the Negrenses’ bloodless revolt against the Spaniards in 1898.

PINTAFLORES FESTIVAL (HONORING ST. CHARLES BORROMEO)
November 5 | San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
The emerging festival of San Carlos City, highlighs the traditional fiesta celebration in honor of its patron Saint San Carlos Borromeo on the first week of November. It features street dancing by “tribes” dressed in colorful ethnic-inspired costumes, their bodies painted with flower designs reminiscent of the tattoed Visayans of the Pre Spanish Negros

EL CINCO DE NOVIEMBRE
November 5 | Bago City, Negros Occidental
November 5, 1898 will be remembered by the Negrenses as a day of bloodless revolts against the Spanish colonizers. This patriotic event is celebrated with an annual cultural festival.

ANGONO ARTS FESTIVAL
November 5- November 25 | Angono, Rizal
The festival aims at creating awareness and appreciation of Philippine Art and Culture; and promoting arts and culture as vital attraction for local and foreign tourists. Rizal has the potential of becoming a tourist destination particularly in the field of arts and crafts. It is known as the home of various national artists, musicians, and other equally creative artists.

FEAST OF SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA
November 6- November 7 | Pulupandan, Negros Occidental
Annual fiesta of Brgy. Zone-7.

TINABUAY FESTIVAL
November 8 | Murcia, Negros Occidental
A 9-day religious-cultural folk festival depicting the town’s market day and highlighting its agricultural products

HELOBONG FESTIVAL (T’BOLI)
November 11 17 | Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
One of the prettiest places in the Philippines becomes even more attractive this month, as its native residents celebrate a week-long cultural fiesta.See the T”Boli culture in its colorful best through the natives” traditional songs, dances and crafts.

SANDUROT FESTIVAL
November 11 17 | Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Derived from the Visayan “pakig-sandurot” for the offering and enjoyment of hospitality. Begins with a beach ceremony welcoming the various cultural stains that enriched the city’s character. Street dancing follows.

SANDUGUAN FESTIVAL
November 11 15 | Calapan City, Mindoro Oriental
Re-enactment of the first historical, cultural contact between the natives of Ma-I (Mindoro) and traders from the ancient kingdom of China.

VISAYAS-MINDANAO DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS
November 11 17 | Mindanao Area / Cagayan de Oro City
Drum and bugle competition from different schools / civic organizations from the Visayas and Mindanao.

TAW-ANAY GUGMA
November 11 | Dumalag, Capiz
A cultural and fiesta celebration.

SKIMBOARDING/ KAYAKING COMPETITION INVITATIONAL
November 11 17 | Opol, Misamis Oriental
An open competition on skimboarding and kayaking (open sea category) to increase awareness of tourism aqua sports in the area

FEAST OF SAN DIEGO DE ALCALA
November 12 | Poblacion, Valenzuela City
Celebration of the feast of the oldest church in Valenzuela City, which includes annual boat racing, street dancing and different fabulous activities of the festival.

PUTONG POLO FESTIVAL
November 12 | Polo, Valenzuela, Metro Manila
As part of the San Diego de Alcala Feast Day, it is one of the unique food festival in the country which features the famous Putong Polo, the small but classy “kaka in” which was originally created in the town of Polo, Valenzuela.

SAN DIEGO FESTIVAL
November 13 | Silay City
The day opens with a concelebrated mass with the bishop as the main-celebrant at San Diego Pro-Cathedral

PAINIT SA PASKO
November 16- December 24 | Surigao City
A display of Surigaonon native delicacies at the Rizal Park for Mass goers during the Misa de Gallo.

URUKAY FESTIVAL
November 16 17 | Anini-y, Antique
It is inspired by a local custom whereby a wedding feast is observed no matter how poor or humble the bride and groom are in this celebration.

LA UNION SURFING INVITATIONAL/SURFING FESTIVAL
November 17 19 | Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
An all Filipino managed surfing competition. A community based tourism activity where surfers from around the Philippines are invited to compete and have fun at one of the best surfing destinations in the country

P’YAGSAWITAN FESTIVAL (ECO-TOURISM)
November 17 25 | Maragusan, Compostela Valley
The municipality of Maragusan, Compostela Valley celebrates its foundation day with a trip to the outdoors—quite literally—as its residents highlight their hometown’s ecotourism potential.

KAHILWAYAN FESTIVAL/CRY OF STA. BARBARA
November 17 | Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
Anchored upon the Cry of Santa Barbara Celebration, Kahilwayan Festival is a cultural festival in a dance-drama form which is a reenactment of sort of the struggle for freedom by our very own local folks led by the heroic Gen. Martin G. Delgado. Aptly dubbed as Kahilwayan Festival, Kahilwayan being an Ilonggo/Hiligaynon word which means Freedom or Liberty, it highlights the quest of the Ilonggos to attain freedom through their fierce independent spirit.

BAGUIO ARTS FESTIVAL
November 18 | Baguio City
An exhibit of the different artworks and art pieces of the various Cordillera artists in different art media.

PAGODA SA ILOG & SAYAW SA KALYE
November 18 | Barangay Ugong, Pasig City
A fluvial parade and streetdancing in celebration of the “Pista ng Ugong.”

WAY KURAT MOUNTAIN BIKING COMPETITION
November 18 24 | Maragusan, Compostela Valley Province
An adventure tourism activity designed to showcase the various eco-adventure potentials of the province through mountain biking.

EXHIBIT: SETTING THE CORDILLERA NICETIES PHOTO EXHIBIT & COMPETITION
November 19- December 11 | Baguio City
Exhibit of Cordillera Fashion and Cordillera Tourist Attractions including the selection of Best Cordillera Photos.

GRANDEST CORDILLERA FESTIVAL
November 19 27 | Baguio City
A showcase of the best Cordillera festivals featuring ethnic songs, dances, arts & crafts and trade fair

PASUNDAYAGAN FESTIVAL
November 20 26 | Surallah, South Cotabato
Annual celebration of the foundation anniversary of the Municipality of Surallah. Activities are street dancing, agricultural trade fair.

INILUSAN
November 20- November 25 | Mambusao, Capiz
A cultural and fiesta celebration

LAPU-LAPU CITY FIESTA
November 21- November 22 | Lapu-lapu City, Cebu
Join in colorful rites to honor the Virgin of the Rule, patron of Lapu-lapu City.

KALIMUDAN FESTIVAL (TRIBAL FIESTA)
November 21 22 | Isulan, Sultan Kudarat
It is another tribal fiesta down in Mindanao, with just about every major ethnic group joining in the fun. Cultural sharing is the theme here, its message clearly displayed in the timeless songs and dances of these native folks. One need not be a Manobo, Tiruray or T’boli to take part in the fun—all you need are the right clothes, the right moves, and a genuine desire to go totally tribal!

PAWIKAN FESTIVAL
November 22- November 27 | Morong, Bataan
Pawikan Festival in Brgy. Nagbalayong, Morong was organized to intensify the information campaign and generate public awareness on the importance of endangered baby Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys Olivacea are the smallest in the world) in our eco-system

DJANGO FESTIVAL
November 23 | Gattaran, Cagayan
The local government unit of Gattaran and the local parish worked together to highlight the culture of Gattaran town by featuring the Djanggo Festival.

HIGANTES FESTIVAL
November 23 | Angono, Rizal
Angono’s joyous fiesta in honor of San Clemente whose image, resplendent in papal vestment

BENGUET FOUNDATION DAY
November 23 | Benguet
The Ethnic Igorots make their presence felt once again in Benguet as they hold a grand canao (the local word for “party”) at the Benguet provincial capital grounds. Ritual sacrifices are made, followed by a series of chants and prayers made in the native language. Tribal performances come next. No touristy stuff here, just a healthy dose of of traditional Cordillera culture.

WOW PHILIPPINES CORDILLERAS BEST
November 24- December 3 | Baguio City
A grand Cordillera cultural Festival featuring a myriad of Cordilleras best to include chants, songs, ethnic dances, sports competitions, cultural performances, arts and crafts, trade & agri-exhibits

LANUZA SURFING FESTIVAL
November 25 30 | Lanuza, Surigao del Sur
An annual surfing festival participated by different surfers around the country.

FIL-AM INVITATIONAL AMATEUR GOLF TOURNAMENT
November 25- December 8 | Baguio City
The 55th biggest amateur golf tournament played in the fairways of Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club.

ILONGGO SARSUELA FESTIVAL
November 25 30 | Silay City
The best Ilonggo sarsuela scripts written by Silaynon playwrights are produced by independent theater groups, school-based drama clubs, and barangay cultural ensemble.

QUEEN CITY INTERNATIONAL RUN
November 25 | Cebu
More fun and funky than Olympic in effort. Runners from all
over the world join the 13-kilometer marathon. A $1000 prize awaits the first to cross the finish line.

KABKABAN FESTIVAL
November 25 30 | Carcar, Cebu
The festival is not just a religious fanfare in honor of the town’s patroness, St. Catherine of Alexandria, but a cuLtural catalogue of the town’s historical periods and industry like shoemaking, as well as their arts that is showcased through street dancing and parade

BUDYAS FESTIVAL
November 25 30 | Amlan, Negros Oriental
A seaside folk ritual invoking good fortune on fishermen, followed by fluvial procession of elaborately decorated sea crafts and street dancing

SUPER NINDOT BARANGAY DAYGON CONTEST
November 26- December 8 | Entertainment Plaza, SM City, Cebu City
Choir competition participated by the different barangays in Cebu.

FEAST OF SANTA CATALINA
November 26 | Mansalay, Mindoro, Oriental
Palarong Lahi, an array of games very native to Mindoreños and Filipino, joined in by all games enthusiasts.

BAGUIO TOSSED SALAD FESTIVAL
November 26 28 | Baguio City
A record breaking attempt to showcase the heaviest tossed salad and served to the public

PANANGEDAYEW
November 27- December 2 | Dagupan City
Panangedayew, Pangasinan word meaning to uplift. Acitvites include garden show beside the Dagupan Astrodome, trade fair of Pangasinan’s pride like Bonuan bangus, bagoong, peanut brittle, quilted products housewares and locally made Christmas decors.

ANNUAL PINATUBO TREK (A MARCH TO PEACE AND TRANQUILITY)
November 30 | Bgy. Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac
An annual event to commemorate the world-famous eruption of Mt. Pinatubo heralded the world over as the biggest geologic upheaval of the 20th century.

KUNSIERTO SA CIUDAD
November 30 | Kidapawan City
Live band competition featuring local and regional artists.

BONIFACIO DAY
November 30 | San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
A program to pay tribute to Gat Andres Bonifacio, which usually culminates with a flower offering at the foot of his monument.

Philippine Culture

Philippines Culture
By Richard Romando

The culture of the Philippines is based mainly on the various native religious groups, which have different cultural backgrounds and traditions. These groups include the Tagalogs, Ilokanos, Bikolanos, and others. The culture of the Philippines is greatly influenced by the Chinese and American cultures as well as those of other countries. The Hispanic influence on the Filipino culture is the result of the Mexican and Spanish cultures as a result of colonial rule.

Every year the citizens of the Philippines host major festivities that are known as the Barrio Fiesta. This fiesta honors all the patron saints of different towns, villages, and regional districts and is celebrated by ceremonies that are held in the church followed by street parades in honor of the saints. There are various contests that include dancing and singing, and cockfight tournaments before the grand finale of the fireworks.

The Chinese also influence the Filipino culture to a large extent, and this is clearly evident in the Filipino cuisines. The locals here have termed the famous Chinese noodles as Mami. Other dishes like meat and other foodstuffs also reflect the influence of the Chinese cuisine. The influence of the Chinese culture in the Philippines is reflected in the fact that citizens occasionally use Chinese surnames, and some are proficient in speaking the language as well.

Over a century ago, the American culture began having a relative influence on the Philippines. The frequent use of the English language in the Philippines is due to the American culture influence. The American culture has also increased the demand for fast food and its chains have spread all over the Philippines. Filipinos have also started listening to the latest American music, taken to watching American movies, dancing to the American tunes, and also started fancying Hollywood actors. The basic principal of the Filipino people is to follow their moral values and to respect their elders and family members. These qualities help them grow into better human beings and have a friendly and pleasing personality.

Philippine Mythical Creature Part 1

Amalanhig
Hiligaynon believe in a certain being called Amalanhig. They are Aswangs who failed to transfer their monstrosity causing them to rise from their graves to kill humans by biting their necks. In order to escape from the Amanlanhigs, you need to run in zigzag direction since they can only walk in straight direction due to the stiffness of their body. You should also climb trees or high platforms enough for you be out of their reach. You can also run into lakes and rivers since Amanlanhigs are scared of deep bodies of water.

Bungisngis
Bungisngis is a one-eyed giant. This Philippine folklore giant lives in forest and woods. It is a happy and a playful cyclops.

Aswang
Aswang is a Filipino version of the vampire. They are human-like by day but transform into different monstrous forms to harass and eat awake humans at night, especially pregnant women who are about to give birth.[1] Aswangs can change from a human to an animal form, usually as a bat, a pig or a black dog. Some aswangs can change form at will, others through the use of foul oils concocted by evil magicians. Aswangs appear at night to prey upon unwary travellers or sleeping people. It is said that they have a peculiar liking for the taste of human liver. The myth of the Aswang is popular in the Visayas, especially in provinces such as Capiz, Antique, and Iloilo. Aswangs also have a peculiar liking for the fetus of pregnant women and are said to find their quarry by the scent of the mother, which to the aswang smells like ripe jackfruit. Upon finding the house of the pregnant mother, the aswang alights on the roof from where it stretches its tongue until it is as thin as a thread and uses it to enter the womb and feast on the fetus.

Bathala
Bathala, Diyos or Apo is the creation god in Filipino myths.

Diwata
Diwata, engkantada (from Spanish: encantada, “enchantress, charmed”) or engkanto (from Spanish: encanto, “spell, incantation, charm”) are fairies, nymphs, goddesses or enchanted persons who are believed to guard natural creations such as forests, seas, mountains, land and air. Diwatas are said to reside in large trees, such as acacia and balete. They are the guardian sprits of nature, bringing blessings or curses upon those who do good or harm to the forests and mountains. One famous diwata is Maria Makiling, guardian of Mount Makiling in Laguna province. Engkanto (sometimes spelled Encanto) is an umbrella term for most supernatural beings. The common connotation is that they are fairies who reside primarily in the forests and the sea. They can also be called encantado (male) or encantada (female).

Duwende
Duwende are goblins, hobgoblins, elves or dwarfs (Spanish: duende “golbin, elf, charm” < “duen de (casa)”, owner of the house).
They are little creatures who can provide good fortune or bad fate to humans.In the Philippines, duwendes frequently live in houses, in trees, underground, termite like mound or hill, and in rural areas. They are known to be either good or mischievous, depending on how homeowners treat them. They usually come out at 12 noon for an hour and during the night. Filipinos always mutter words (“tabi-tabi po” or “bari-bari apo ma ka ilabas kami apo”) asking them to excuse themselves for bothering the Duwendes. Filipinos usually leave food on the floor, so that the duwende residing (or guarding) the house would not be angry with them.

Ekek
Ekek are creatures who are bird-like humans. They are winged-humans who at night search for victims. They hunger for flesh and blood.

Juan Tamad
Juan Tamad is a lazy man who was buried under the soil by monkeys. The monkeys thought he was long dead because of his laziness. He is described as the laziest man on earth.

Kapre
Kapre is a filthy, dark giant who likes to smoke huge rolls of cigars, and hide within and atop large trees, particularly the balete and old acacia or mango trees. A Filipino bigfoot, it scares away little children who play at night. If you’re stuck in a place and you keep going around in circles, you’re said to be played around by a Kapre. To escape its control, you must remove your t-shirt, and wear it inside-out.

Malakas and Maganda
Malakas and Maganda (literally, Strong One and Beautiful One)
are Filipino version of Adam and Eve. They are said to have sprung from a large bamboo tree pecked by a Sarimanok known as Magaul.

Mambabarang
Mambabarang (summoner) is a witch who uses insects and spirits to enter the body of any person they hate.A Mambabarang is a kind of a mangkukulam. Mambabarangs are ordinary human beings with black magic who torture and later kill their victims by infesting their bodies with insects. They are different from Mangkukulams – the latter only inflict pain or illness. Mambabarangs use a strand of hair from their chosen victim and tie it to the bugs or worms which they will use as a medium. When they prick the bug, the victim immediately experiences the intended effect.

Source : Wikipedia

Pandanggo sa Ilaw

Pandanggo sa Ilaw is commonly liked dance of grace and balance from Lubang Island, Mindoro Occidental. The term pandanggo is derives from the Spanish word fandango, a dance described by lively sterps and clapping that changes in rhythm in three-fourth time. Pandanggo sa Ilaw consists of three tinggoy, or oil lamps, balance on the head and the back of both hands.

Ossiwas is a dance characterized by swinging and circling a lighted lamp. In Pangasinan, it means swinging. Being the only one of its kind, this colorful dance needs skill in balancing an oil lamp on the head while circling in both hands a lighted lamp enclosed in a fishnet or porous cloth. The waltz-style music of this dance is having qualities in common to that of Pandanggo sa Ilaw. Waltz is a dance in which couples glide to music having three beats to a measure.

Maglalatik

Maglalatik or Magbabao is a war dance representing in a picture a battle between the Moros and the Christian over the latik, the remainder left after the coconut milk has been boiled. At sometime in the course of Spanish rule, with coconut shells as tools, the people of the barrios of Loma and Zapote in the town of Biñan in the province of Laguna danced the Maglalatik.

The Palipasan and the Baligtaran, the first two portions of Maglalatik, reveal the hot combat between the Moros and the Christians. The Paseo and the Sayaw Escaramusa display the reconciliation between the legend, the two groups. As stated by the legend, the Moros won and got enviously wished latik. The dissatisfied Christians sent a representative to the Moros to offer peace and baptism to them.

During the town fiesta of Biñan, Laguna, the Maglalatik dancers are carrying out this dance from house to house for money or a gift in the daytime, and in the evening, they perform Maglalatik in the religious procession as it goes from one place to another along the streets as a sacrifice to San Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint of the farmers.

Binasuan

Binasuan is a dance full of life from Bayambang, a town located at the southern part of Pangasinan province. This dance having remarkable color displays proudly the balancing skills of the dancers who turn rapidly in circles move by turning over and over on the floor, and maneuver carefully with movement free of discomfort the drinking glasses half-filled with rice wine.

In Pangasinan, Binasuan means “with the use of a drinking glass”. It is frequently performed as amusement at social gatherings such as birthdays, weddings and fiestas where it becomes a competition among dancers and also among non-dancers as to who can display the most adventurous and expert balancing movement.

Bahay Kubo

Bahay Kubo Lyrics

Bahay kubo, kahit munti
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari.
Singkamas at talong, sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw, bataw, patani.

Kundol, patola, upo’t kalabasa
At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa,
sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya
sa paligid-ligid ay puro linga.
(sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga.)

Funerals

Funerals consist of two aspects: social and spiritual.
On the social side of the coin, relatives and acquaintances will gather at the funeral home and socialize with the deceased’s family and with each other.
This socializing may involve food, drink, cards, and considerable merriment. It is the duty of friends and relatives to show up and keep the deceased and his/her family company during the wakes. On the spiritual side of the coin, prayers – novenas – will be said as long as the body lies in the chapel of the funeral home, which can be as long as a week.
When showing up at the funeral home, don’t wear red – as the deceased may likely have a few Filipino-Chinese relatives who may be present. If you are certain Chinese blood is involved, wear white. Color is more important than form; even a tee-shirt and jeans will do, as long as the clothes are white, or at least non-red. After greeting the family members, be sure to view the body. This is considered important.

On the day of the actual funeral, those concerned – the English word would be mourners, but they may not look at all as if they are in mourning – will trudge behind the funeral cortege to the cemetery, often covering many miles on foot in the hot sun. The affluent classes will undertake this journey by car; usually a barangay or municipal vehicle will clear the road and the mourners’ vehicles will follow in a single line, hazard lights flashing, sometimes blocking up traffic for miles.

It is customary for passersby to throw coins at the funeral procession, which family members collect.

Source : http://www.wayblima.com/cebu-society-occasions.html

An Introduction to Filipino Cuisine

An Introduction to Filipino Cuisine

(Excerpted from Filipino Cuisine: Recipes from the Islands
by Gerry G. Gelle)

Filipino cuisine is a blend of the exotic and familiar. Just as the Filipino people are part Malay, Chinese and Spanish, so is the cooking of the Philippines. And more recently other cultures have influenced Filipino food. These influences have come from the Americans, Japanese, and Germans.

Spanish additions to the Filipino cuisine predominate. It has been said that about 80 percent of the dishes prepared in the Philippines today can be traced to Spain. The Spaniards introduced tomatoes and garlic along with the technique of sauteing them with onions in olive oil.

Another significant addition to the Filipino cuisine by the Spanish was many baked goods and desserts, among them Pan de Sal (a crusty dinner roll), Flan, (an egg custard), Ensaymada (cheese buns), and many, many other delicious foods.

The most significant influence of the Americans came after World War II, with the widespread distribution of canned goods. One of the results is Filipino fruit salad, which consists of American canned fruit cocktail, mixed with native sweet preserves of buko (young coconut), kaong (palm nuts) and bits of langka (jackfruit), giving it a Filipino taste and mixture.

The coastal and mountainous region around the northern tip of Luzon Island is rugged and so is life. The people tend to be thrifty and live simply, traits well reflected in their style of cooking. This region is populated mainly by the Ilocanos and Pangasinans along with minority groups such as the Ifugaos, Bontocs, Ibanags and Kalingas.

The Ilocanos like their vegetables steamed or boiled and flavored with bagoong, a permented paste derived from shrimp or fish. And to give their vegetables extra flavor, pork or a broiled fish is added, as in such Ilocano dishes as Pinakbet, Dinengdeng or Inabraw.

In the central part of Luzon, including the area directly surrounding the capital of the Philippines, Manila, the combination of an abundant and stable food supply and the influences of foreign peoples, particularly the Spanish and Chinese, has resulted in the most sophisticated cuisine in the Philippines. The Rellenong Manok (stuffed chicken), for instance, the carcass of a chicken is removed from the intact skin. The skin is then stuffed in such a way that at the center is a sausage, often chorizo de Bilbao, surrounded by a layer of carrots, celery and eggs encased in a mixture of chicken, ground pork, raisins, peppers and spices. This is then stuffed back into the skin, sewn back up, steamed and baked to a golden brown. It is served with a spicy, tangy red sauce, creating a sweet and savory dish satisfying not only to the different tastes and textures of the mouth but to the senses of sight and smell as well.

The Philippines is the only country in Asia that is predominantly Christian, particularly Catholic. The only exception is western Mindanao. Because of the Islamic edicts against eating pork, which is used extensively in the rest of the Philippines, the people of Mindanao have taken advantage of the cattle and fish grown in this area.

Mindanao cooking has borrowed from Indonesia and Malaysia the use of hot chilies and spices used to make curry, as in Tiola Sapi, a spicy boiled beef, Pirna, a fish entree heavily spiced with hot chilies, and Lapua, blanched native vegetables seasoned with salt and vinegar and guinamos.

As you can see, what makes the cooking of Mindanao distinct from the other regions of the Philippines is how it has been heavily influenced by Malaysia, Islam and the food products that are grown or gathered in the area. Being so close to the Equator, both the food and temperature in Mindanao are hot.

As there are differences in regional cooking, there are differences in the attitudes toward food. Of the foods used as staples, most Filipinos on the island of Luzon prefer rice. Visayans on the islands of Cebu, Leyte, and Samar use corn extensively. People of Luzon and some in the Visayas will eat root crops such as sweet potatoes, hams and cassava as a dessert or snack. But to eat them as a staple in these regions would indicate to others that one is desperately poor; whereas in Mindanao, cassava, or paranggi, is the staple crop.

Bicolanos and Tagalogs of Southern Luzon, where coconut trees grown abundantly, use lots of coconut in their recipes.

Many varieties of hot chili peppers are found in the Philippines, the hottest and most popular being the siling labuyo. While they are available. While they are available throughout the Philippines, only the people of Bicol at the southern tip of Luzon and the Muslims of western Mindanao use hot peppers extensively in their cooking.

The most popular meat for most Filipinos is pork. Other popular meats are beef and poultry. The tagalogs and Pampanguenos eat frogs as a delicacy, but the rest of the people of the Philippines rarely touch them.

Fish is also very popular and readily available. Visayans prefer saltwater fish like sardines, tuna, bonito and mackerel, which abound in the waters surrounding the Philippines. Tagalogs, Pampanguenos, Ilocanos, and Pangasinans prefer freshwater fish caught in the rivers, lakes and streams that are located within these areas. In Pangasinan and Pampanga, there is a system of fish farming or aquaculture in which bangus, mudfish, catfish, carp and tilapia are raised in artificially created ponds and rice paddies.

Traditional Filipinos rarely use cutlery for eating. Instead, they eat with their fingers and hands. The technique is called kamayan and the word for “to eat” is kumain. In this technique, small balls of rice are formed with the fingers while pressing them against the plate. Small pieces of fish, meat and vegetables can also be incorporated into this ball of rice. Then they are brought to the mouth with the finger tips and pushed in from behind with the thumb.

The western influence introduced forks, knives and spoons to the Philippines. In the West, the knife and pork are the primary pieces of cutlery, but in the Philippines, it is the spoon and fork. Here, the fork is held with the left hand and the spoon in the right. The fork is used to spear and hold the piece of food while the spoon is used to cut or tear off small pieces. The smaller pieces of food is then placed in the spoon, and the fork is used to push rice into the spoon. The piece of food and rice are then brought to the mouth with the spoon and eaten.

In the West, dinner is sequential, starting with a soup and/or salad, an antipasto or appetizer, followed by the entree and finished off with a dessert. Planning a Filipino menu is based on contrasts of taste and texture rather than different courses. The taste sensations of sweet, sour, bitter and salty are introduced into the menu along with a variety of textures such as smooth, silky, crispy, crunchy, chewy. Rather than serving the individual components separately, they are all brought to the table at one time, and is it is up to the guest to decide what combination they want to create. Dining at a Filipino table is more like eating at a buffet than a traditional western-style sit-down dinner.

At the heart of any Filipino meal is a bowl of rice, short, long or medium grain. There are dozens if not hundreds of different varieties of rice, each of which gives a different “mouth-feel” and taste.

Served with the rice is a meat, fish or poultry, broiled, fried or roasted, giving the meal a crispy and chewy texture. Another way to include that texture is with some fried lumpias, or egg rolls. Both the meats and lumpias are then flavored with something salty, such as a soy sauce, bagoongs (fish or shrimp paste) or patis (fish sauce). These salty sauces are then flavored with something sour such as kalamansi, lemon juice, or vinegar just before being served. A bowl or cup of soup, such as sinigang, is also served, to add a smooth and silky taste and texture to the meal.

Many Filipinos also add a noodle dish, such as pancit, or a stew-like dish such as adobo or caldereta for an added savory taste.

Since the Filipino style of cooking lends itself to individuality, the cook who wishes to can choose dishes with an eye to richness and in content. By varying recipes, the emphasis can be placed on healthy cooking. There are many products on the market now that contain reduced fat content and low-fat coconut milk is also available.

No Filipino meal would be complete without dessert, whether it is simply fruit, like bananas, mangoes, papayas and melons, or sweets like matamis na kamote (sugar-glazed sweet potatoes) and kaong (palm nut) or true desserts like flan (egg custard) and native cakes like biko or bibingka made from rice and coconut milk. The dessert isn’t served just at the end of the meal–it is not unusual to eat it as part of the meal, for not only extra texture but the sweetness needed to counteract the salty, sour and sometimes bitter taste that are part of the meal.

As you can see, the cooking of the Philippines is a blend of traditional, native cooking and the best aspects of foreign influences. Recipes and techniques have been adopted and then adapted to the Filipino taste. Filipino cooking is tasty without being too spicy, simple but not sparse, different but not strange, and satisfying without being overwhelming. As Filipinos go out to the rest of the world and as the rest of the world visits the Philippines, new ideas will be brought to the Filipino kitchen. It is this meeting of the East and West with a steady and constant evolution of traditional dishes that is Filipino cuisine.