1. Principle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A principle is a law or rule that has to be, or usually is to be followed, or can be desirably
followed, or is an inevitable consequence of something, such as the laws observed in nature or
the way that a system is constructed. The principles of such a system are understood by its users
as the essential characteristics of the system, or reflecting system's designed purpose, and the
effective operation or use of which would be impossible if any one of the principles was to be
ignored.[1]
Examples of principles:
a descriptive comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption,
a normative rule or code of conduct,
a law or fact of nature underlying the working of an artificial device.
Cultural norms are things that are generally true for a certain culture. A culture is a group of
people that share a background and history. Norms are things that these people do as a general
rule.
Norm (social)
Of interest to most social scientists across disciplines, social norms are group-held beliefs about
how members should behave in a given context. Sociology describe norms as laws that...
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What is a Cultural Norm
A cultural norm is a behaviour pattern that is typical of specific groups. Such behaviours are
learned from teachers, peers, parents and many whose values, attitudes ...
Examples of Cultural Norms?
Some examples of cultural norms include use of friendly and morally accepted words to address
people, being courteous to one's neighbours, observing religious ...
Which concept refers to the recognized violation of cultural norms?
Norm violation experiment is an action done in a manner that is not commonly
acceptableto provoke disgust in individuals. The concept that refers to the recognised
Philippine Culture - Philippine Society
The locals of the Philippines are called Filipinos. Their primary ancestors are the Malays who
came from the southeastern Asian country or what is now called Indonesia. Before the Europeans
discovered the country, Filipinos have had connections with China that resulted to a mixed
Chinese-Filipino descent. Spanish-Filipinos came out during the colonial period and Filipino-
Americans added a few percentages as well during the American occupation. They are easily
distinguished by their fairer color, taller stature and fairly formed nose structure. A few Arab and
Indian blood added to the racial mixture of the Filinos during their trading years. Aetas- the
aboriginal group of the Philippines has a small percentage remained in the composition of the

2. country’s ethnic groups.
The Philippines is a combined society, both Singular and Plural in form. Singular as one nation,
but it is plural in that it is fragmented geographically and culturally. The nation is divided between
Christians, Muslims, and other religion-ethno-linguistic groups; between urban and rural people;
between upland and lowland people; and between the rich and the poor. Although different in a lot
ways, the Filipinos are very hospitable and give appropriate respect to anybody regardless of
race, culture and belief.
Inside their mixed society, anyone who has not seen Filipinos will be surprised how everyone
differs from each other. Their looks, their cultural practices and beliefs show a truly diverse blend
of people and customs. Because of this inconsistent homogeneity of race, the Filipinos naturally
adapt and get influenced easily. They embraced the spirituality of the Spanish during the colonial
period and surpass it with the modernity of the Americans in the recent years. Inspite of these
multifaceted customs and incongruous mixture of people, visitors, however, find Filipinos
enriched with uniqueness and variants.
The Filipino Cultural Awareness
• Bayanihan: the creation of association with neighbors and the helping atittude whenever one is
in disastrous need. Oftentimes, the Bayanihan spirit in action can be seen when a bus gets a flat
tire. The by standing or surrounding Filipinos would help the bus driver in whatever actions to get
the bus back on going.
• Close Family Ties: Filipinos are well-known for the close family ties. The primary social welfare
system for the Filipino is the family. Many filipinos live near their family for most of their lives,
even as independent adults.
• Pakikisama: Pakikisama, or harmony, in English, involves getting along with others to preserve a
harmonious relationship.
• Hiya: Hiya is shame and is a motivating factor behind behavior. It is a sense of social decency
and compliant to public norms of behavior. Filipinos believe they must live up to the accepted
standards of behavior and if they fail to do so they bring shame not only upon themselves, but
also upon their family. An example might be a willingness to spend more than they can afford on a
party rather than be shamed by their economic situation. If someone is publicly embarrassed,
criticized, or does not live up to expectations, they feel shame and lose self-esteem.
• Utang na Loob: Utang na Loob, or Debt of Gratitude, is owed by one to a person who has helped
him through the trials he had undergone. There is a local saying: 'Ang hindi lumingon sa
pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan', meaning, 'One who does not look back to
where he started, will not get to where he is going'.
o Amor Propio: Concern for self image.
o Delicadeza: Sense of honor
o Palabra de Honor: "word of honor"
Although these traits are generally positive, these practices also have the inclination to be applied
in the wrong context. A debt of gratitude is sometimes repaid by giving special favors to the other
person regardless of the moral outcome. Close familial ties can also lead to favoritism.
Folk Traditions and Belief

3. Before the coming of the Spaniards and the introducing of Roman Catholicism, the indigenous
inhabitants were believer of animism, or the worship of nature. As in Roman Catholicism, their
pre-Hispanic beliefs consisted of a hierarchy of gods, goddesses, and spirits which bear similarity
to that of Roman Catholicism, which is why the latter has been accepted easily by the inhabitants.
Bathala was the supreme God of the Tagalogs, symbolized by the araw, or sun. The supreme God
of the Bikolanos was Gugurang. Other Tagalog Gods and Goddesses include the buwan or moon,
tala or stars, and even objects, such as trees, shrubs, mountains, or rocks. The spirits consist of
aswang (ghoul), tikbalang (a man having the head of a horse), kapre (a giant that is smoking
tobacco), tiyanak ( vampire feeding on children's blood), santelmo (fireball), dwende (dwarves and
elves), ik-ik (witches), and a lot of engkanto (minor spirits) and diwata (fairies/nymphs). Aside
from that, voodoo practices were practiced by the pre-colonial inhabitants, such as pangkukulam,
or witchcraft. Beliefs such as usog (a child greeted by a stranger will get sick) and lihi (unusual
craving for something during pregnancy) are also present. These beliefs were carried on up to the
present generation of Filipinos, which has directed some foreign authors to describe them as
'Pagan-Christians'.
Filipino Traditions and Customs
When I think about filipino traditions I want to write about so called formal traditions--similar to
celebrating Christmas Eve with a turkey and all the fixings. However, I find that it’s the
everyday customs and traditions that are deeply ingrained that reveal more about Filipinos and
the Philippines. Let's look into some of the most popular filipino traditions including Mano Po,
using the word Po, eating with a fork and spoon, balikbayan boxes and why it seems that all
filipinos are related to each other.
Mano Po
When children or young people greet or say goodbye to their elders they typically do so by
taking the right hand of the elder with their right hand and touch the back the elder's hand lightly
on their forehead. This act is called Mano Po. It is a way to give respect to elders and I've also
understood it to be a way of accepting a blessing from the elder. Mano is spanish for 'hand' while
the word Po is often used at the end of a sentence when addressing elders or superiors.
My parents did not teach me to do mano po. Instead, I was instructed to always greet and say
goodbye to my elders with a kiss on the cheek. In fact, I still do this today and I am 36 years old!
At every family gathering I greet ALL my elders with a kiss and give them a kiss goodbye as
well. I think mano po and greeting elders with a kiss are two of the most popular filipino
traditions. Learn how to mano po.
Po
The word Po is often used when speaking with an elder or to a superior. Typcially, it is added to
the end of a sentence. For example, thank you would be thank you po. In tagalog, salamat means
thank you. To an elder you would say salamat po. The word po doesn't really have a meaning

4. but adds formality as a sign of respect.
My mom, who is in her 70's, doesn’t really like the filipino tradition of saying po. She tends to
get a little frustrated with always hearing po after every exchange in a conversation. She made all
of my cousins laugh by telling them to stop staying po all the time.
Filipinos are All Related to One Another
It seems Filipinos are all related to one another. Our bloodlines certainly intersect somewhere but
this so-called family relation is due to two things: 1) Our classification of family members is
very simple, and 2) We refer to people that are not related to us as family members as a sign of
respect. Let's look into this filipino tradition a little further.
My mother has a first cousin. His name is Nelson. My mom and Nelson's mom are sisters.
Nelson is my first cousin once removed. I, however, consider Nelson to be my Uncle because he
is of the same generation as my mother. Because he is of my mom's generation I call him Tito, or
Uncle.
Now, my mom's best friend from nursing school is Landa. Landa is a few years younger than my
mom but still of my mom's generation. I call my mom's best friend Tita Landa or Aunt Landa.
We are not related but I still call her and consider her to be my aunt.
Additionally, Filipinos tend to use Lolo/Lola, Tito/Tita, Kuya/Ate as signs of respect for elders.
For example, my mom introduced me to her coworker, Tessie. Tessie is clearly younger than
mom but also older than me. I would never call Tessie by her first name alone. Instead, I call her
Ate Tessie referring to her as an older sister. Clear as mud, right?
Living with Parents
Adult children living with their parents is another commonplace filipino tradition. In fact, I
would have to say it is actually the norm. Unlike in the United States where children leave the
home after finishing high school or college, Filipino children often continue living with their
parents until they are married or even after they are married.
Eating with a Fork and Spoon
Filipinos usually eat with a fork and spoon. The fork, usually in the left hand, is used to place or
push the food into the spoon which is held by the right hand. The spoonful of food goes into your
mouth.

5. When cutting meat you should pierce it with the fork and use the edge of the spoon to cut. Since
rice is a staple at almost every meal the fork and spoon method is ideal. Every grain of rice can
be placed easily onto a spoon instead of hoping the grains don’t fall through the tines of a fork.
I love practicing this filipino tradition because you can prepare the perfect spoonful of food
everytime. A little rice, a bit of meat, some sauce (or sabaw), and a little bit of vegetable in every
bite.
Eating with Hands (Kamayan)
In addition to the fork and spoon method, eating with your hands or kamayan is another common
filipino tradition. Gather a small portion of meat or fish and a bite size portion of rice on your
plate. Then use all your fingers to gather the food into a small mountain or mound. Pick up the
little mound and put it in your mouth using your thumb to gently push the food in.
Filipinos usually eat rice that has a slightly sticky consistency so making the little mounds is
easier than if you were to use a jasmine or basmati rice. Of course, this method of eating doesn't
work with soup/stew or noodles and other kinds of food but for your basic plate of rice, meat/fish
and vegetables it works quite well! Next time you make dinner try eating kamayan.
Balikbayan Boxes
It is very common for Filipinos to leave the Philippines to live and work abroad. A balikbayan is
a filipino who is returning to the Philippines from living or working abroad. A balikbayan box is
a box of items sent by the balikbayan to their family in the Philippines. The box can be sent or it
can be brought by the sender when they themselves return to the Philippines.
Balikbayan boxes can be filled with almost anything but it is usually filled with items that cannot
be found in the Philippines or items that may be too expensive for the average person to buy in
the Philippines. Common items found in balikbayan boxes include: clothes, shoes, chocolate,
nuts, vitamins, basketballs, coffee and tea, magazines, shampoo/conditioner, soap, body lotion,
etc.
My parents sent balikbayan boxes throughout the year but always sent them to arrive in time for
Christmas. We find out what the family needed/wanted and put everything in the balikbayan box.
Our family LOVES getting the boxes. I suppose its just like Christmas Eve waiting and
wondering what is in the box. My cousins would always tell me they savored the smell of the
box right when it was opened- the smell of America. In February I continued the filipino
tradition and sent a box to my mom. The box contained some gifts for the family and some of the
belongings that my mom couldn't in her luggage when she left. In March it arrived and I was in
the Philippines when it did. I opened the box and sure enough it smelled like home- like
America, as they all said

6. Filipino Values and Social Norms
The Filipino society could be understood by looking on the people’s common and shared thought
of social standards and a deeper sense of values system which set by its kahalagahan, kagalingan
and kabuluhan that a social being should be able to follow to find him/her accepted in the
collective group.
I personally believe, that norms and values system of a society is a changing standard. Why so,
because the consciousness of the people depends on their social practice. The determinants of
Halaga: Katangian, Kagalingan and Kabuluhan varies a lot on what social class looks at it and
what prevailing culture affects mainly the ruling and middle class.
In the early communal times Filipinos used to pray to the “anitos” and “bathala” who lets nature
give them abundant supply of food for their well-being and sustenance, for their protection and
guidance. During the time that we still don’t have doctors for the barrio, the albularyo’s and
babaylan heal us by a mixture of herbal medicines and prayers to the gods and beings. In a
communal society, babaylan and albularyo who prays to the “anitos” and “bathala” for the well-
being of a person or a group’s endeavor is given a high social regard. They also play an
important role to the society while their authenticity is challenged by how effective their healing
process and prayers were.
The people of cordillera the “kalinga” have a strong valuing system of life. They consider a
wound by an evil doer to his victim as a threat to the life of the person. This evil doer is dealt
with by the tribe accordingly; to kill or attempt to kill a member of the tribe will involve the
tribesmen killing the villain to obtain justice. Life valuing of the Kalinga basically evolves in
about life by respecting your own and that of others. The people of cordillera also have a high
regard to their ancestral land being the land of their ancestors and the land where their children
were raised and their people lived in. The valuing of ancestral land seems to be universal as this
practice is not only seen in the practice of Filipino indigenous people but as well as of other races
in some parts of the world too.
During the Spanish colonization, Filipinos were forcibly subjected to accept a foreign culture
even a foreign god. The Spaniards baptized, dressed and made us talk and understand español.
Babaylan’s were murdered and condemned as they introduce to us a new religion: Catholicism:
the holy family and the saints. A Filipino woman who used to dress in baro’t saya is made to
wear European dresses. They were made to embody the characteristics of the Virgin Mary who
was depicted to be meek, obedient, silent, prayerful and forbearing. The Spanish culture of
“sugal” such as card games, mahjong and cockfighting as well as siesta permeated the culture of
those who cannot and refuse to resist.
Then presently we have the Americans, our valuing system was affected by what is in and
acceptable in the American culture. The American standards influences as not only physically
but psychologically and politically too. American music: pop, rock, ballad, r and b, and rap,
.

7. American food: chocolates, apple, oranges, grapes, canned goods etc. The concept of beauty
became someone who possesses a white skin, high bridged nose, blue eyes, long legs and other
Barbie doll characteristics. Truth has become so colored Filipinos can no longer define by
himself what and who he really is. Sovereignty is jaded by the scare that we are a terrorist hotbed
and a militarily weak country so we need to keep up Uncle sam’s help. Sovereignty is
sovereignty with uncle sam’s thumb meddling on our internal affairs such as the case of Nicole
whose American rapist Daniel Smith was convicted by the Manila tribunal court but was rejected
by the Supreme court through the aid of political pressures from the US of A.
Today, we only have a few remnants of original and good Filipino values and norms. The large
and overarching understanding of us as a people has become badly permeated by the culture of
another posing Supra country. Making our true culture a subculture of another will affect the
social practice and consciousness of a people thus, the norms and values system too. It has been
terribly affected to show a social norms and values system detached from reality. To understand
the norms and values system of the current generation, we must first consciously struggle to
decolonize our minds. Look around, our alignment to the global competition has affected even
the beggars; drop a coin and he’ll say thank you instead of salamat while I write about my
people’s norms and valuing system in a foreign tongue.