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Just like race, Filipino culture is vast. It is made up of various ethno-linguistic cultural practices and norms. To describe it, one needs to know the different regions in the Philippines and their respective cultures. However all of these different cultures have similarities. Thus, it is safe to describe it using these similarities as springboards.

Family: The family is not only the basic unit of society in the Philippines. It is first and foremost the center of society and culture. Filipinos are very family oriented. And when you say family, it does not only mean their immediate family; it likewise includes the extended family either through consanguinity or by marriage.

Religion: Pre-colonial Filipinos were mostly animist and some were Muslims, since Muslim missionaries came to the islands prior to the Spaniards. Currently, the Philippines is predominantly Catholic. Filipinos are generally religious regardless of what faith they are practicing.

Language: The national language in the Philippines is Filipino (Tagalog). Almost all Filipino can speak and read the language. However, different regions in the country have their own language, which is their langue maternelle or what is commonly called as lingua franca. There are a number of regional languages in the Philippines namely but not limited to: Kapampangan, Tagalog (the basis of the national language), Ilocano, Visayan, Pangasinan, Hiligaynon, and others.
TRAITS: Filipinos are caring, loving and respectful. They are very understanding and accommodating. They value pakikisama, utang na loob, at pakikipagkapwa tao. They are a happy people, humorous one would say. They are not afraid of laughing at themselves (although sometimes it gets too much!), their mistakes even the trials they experience in their lives. For them there is always a "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow".

Being Filipino is likewise a question of "personal identity". Anyone who recognizes their Filipino heritage is a Filipino. If you deny it, then you are missing on a lot of things. For those who have other illusions, just take a good look of your passport or birth certificate that should tell you the truth. For others, your family tree will tell you if you have any Filipino connection.

Learn more about this author, May Virola.
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