Culture is defined as the way of life of a people that is learned and transmitted from generation to generation. It is also defined as the sum total of man’s achievements in arts, sciences, and technology that will satisfy human needs. The cultural pattern of Philippine population that will be discussed here includes languages, religion, and education.

LanguageValuable mixing process and the

topographic features of the country resulted in language complexity.

87 languages or dialects for each of which there exist vocabularies and some literatures.

Ethnic groups and brought about the development of different languages and dialects. The variety of languages also reflects a variety of cultural traits that distinguish the ethnic groups.

The linguistic root of these languages and dialects in Indonesian and Malaysian, the regions where the main ancestors of the Filipinos came from. The different languages have much in common so much that, if they are critically studied, they may serve as the bases of a national language acceptable throughout the length and breadth of the Archipelago.

1960 census, the ten leading languages spoken by the greater number of Filipinos are as follows:1. Cebuano – spoken by about

24.5%2. Tagalog – spoken by about

21.0%3. Ilocano – spoken by about

11.7%4. Hiligaynon – spoken by

about 10.4%5. Bicol – spoken by about 7.8%

6. Samar-Leyte – spoken by about 5.5%

7. Pampango – spoken by about 3.2%

8. Pangasinan – spoken by about 2.5%

9. Maguindanao – spoken by about 1.3%

10. Tausog – spoken by about 1.1%

CebuanoSpoken not only in

the Central Visayan Provinces but also in Western Leyte and in Northern and Eastern Mindanao. It is the most spoken language in this country.

TagalogMore widespread around

Manila and in South-western and Central Luzon. Filipino, which is Tagalog-based, was proclaimed the national language of the Philippines and became one of the official languages of the country on July 4, 1946.

Ilocano

Spoken not only in the Ilocos region but also in many parts of the country because the Ilocanos migrated to different regions of the Archipelago.

Pampango and Pangasinan

Are two closely-related languages that have developed in adjacent regions in Central Luzon. Southeastern Luzon and northern Masbate is two home of the Bicol-speaking Filipinos

Hiligaynon

Principal language of the island of Panay and Negros Occidental. This is one of the reason why Negros Occidental is usually grouped with Eastern Visayas

Samar-Leyte or Waray-Waray

Based in Samar and Eastern Leyte.

Maguindanao and Tausog

Are included among the first ten widely spoken languages. Maguindanao is widespread in northern Cotabato while Tausog is spoken in Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan.

Maranao

Though not among the first ten, is widely spoken in the regions around Lake Lanao.

English and SpanishAlso contributed greatly to the culture of the

Filipinos.

SpanishWhich was introduced to the Islands by the Spaniards, is widely understood but hardly spoken today by the masses.

English First taught to the Filipinos by the American teachers who arrived in Manila in 1901 aboard the U.S.S. Thomas (hence, they were called the Thomasites.)

English and Spanish continue to be the official languages of the Philippines.

Philippines is the third largest English-speaking country in the world.

1973- Philippine Constitution has an important provision regarding the development of a national language which is found under Article XV, Section 3, quoted here as follows:

“Sec. 3(1) The constitution shall be officially promulgated in English and in Pilipino, and translated into each dialect spoken by over fifty thousand people, and into Spanish and Arabic. In case of conflicts, the English text shall prevail.”

“(2) The National Assembly shall take steps towards the development and formal adaptation of a common national language to be known as Filipino.”

“(3) Until otherwise provided by law, English and Pilipino shall be the official languages.”

EnglishShall, however, remain

as the international language of the country although the medium of instruction in schools, colleges, and universities may be bilingual.

ReligionIs a great unifying

force in the Philippines. Reflecting its historical Spanish orientation, the Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia. About 93% of the population are Christians and 84% are Roman Catholics.

Roman Catholics – 84%

Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayans) – 5%

Iglesia ni Cristo – 1%

Protestants – 3%

Islam – 5%

Buddhist, Pagans, and others – 2%

Roman CatholismTends to the people religiously and culturally

with the Western World. Provided the basis of interaction between the

Filipinos and Spaniards, other European nations, and America.

The introduction of Christianity, as evidenced by the existence of several churches in Luzon, Visayas and Northern Mindanao, is the most important contribution of Spain to Philippine culture

Aglipayan and Iglesia ni Cristo

Both are derivatives of the Roman Catholic Church under Filipino leadership without allegiance to the Pope.

Islamic religionWas brought to the southern

Philippines slightly ahead of the Roman Catholic. Today, the Muslims are dominant in Lanao del Sur, Tawi-tawi, and Sulu. A large number of Muslims are also found in Zamboanga del Sur, Cotabato, and Lanao del Norte.

Pattern remains regional but it is active socially and politically. It tends to tie up the Muslims with Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Middle East

The influence of the Christian missionaries and the progress in education have cause the decline of the pagan way of life. The Buddhists do not number significantly, although all the provinces excepting Batanes have resident Buddhists.

Education

Education in the Philippines during the Spanish regime was basically elitist and colonial in nature. Only the sons of the Spaniards residing in the Philippines and the local ilustrados were admitted.

19th CenturySpain started to establish the rudiments of a

public school system whereby elementary and secondary education as well as a normal school were organized.

1611 Colegio de Sto. Tomas was founded which became the University of Sto. Tomas in 1645 by order of King Philip IV of Spain. This educational institution is the oldest university in the country; its founding is even ahead of that of Harvard University in the United States.

AmericansBrought into

the country a public school system accessible to the greater mass of the population

English The use as the

medium of instruction and the study of American history, language, and culture was part of the curriculum of the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education

The government gave free primary education, and since entrance to the government service required a certain amount of educational background, may Filipinos were encouraged to pursue secondary and higher education.

Some early workers in the government were sent as pensionados to the United States where they were given college training to enhance their qualifications for the civil service of the country.

The education system and the democratic form of government are the most important contributions of America to our culture.

1898After the

proclamation of Philippine Independence, that the Universidad Literaria de Filipinas, seat of the highest learning of the Republic, was established in Malolos with Dr. Joaquin Gonzales as the first president.

This is the forerunner of the University of the Philippines which was created in 1908 as the apex of the educational system of the country.

1972It became the University of the Philippines

System with an autonomous university at Los Baños, Laguna.

The educational system of the country is constantly being improved so as to gear it towards national development.

Latest recommendations for educational reforms, made by the Presidential Commission to Survey Philippine Education and now being implemented, are as follows:

1.Reorientation of the educational system through the restructuring of the national development plan

2.Development of a comprehensive, long-range educational plan where the goals of education are defined in operational terms with emphasis on human resources development.

3. Adoption of the policy of improving the quality of higher education through a system of admission that will channel qualified students to academic programs with higher manpower priority and through a system of accreditation and standards in higher instructions of learning

4. Provisions for a vocational/technical set and an academic set in the last years of secondary education to open two avenues of training in the secondary level.

Philippines has the highest literacy rate in Southeast Asia and one of the highest in the world.

A literate person is one who can both read and write simple message in any language or dialect.

A literate population means alertness and political consciousness, and this may bring about more stability and economic development

1970 – the literacy rate of the Philippines had reached 83.4 percent.

End of Presentatio

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