WORLD CIVILIZATIONS @worldcivilizations-blog - Tumblr Blog

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES

By: Chelsea Bagotsay

Though Roman architecture proves to have Visigothic, Carolingian, Byzantine and Islamic influences, some of its distinct features would usually be round arches, stone material, thick and heavy pillars and basilica-style plans.

One of the most common places to see this type of architecture in the Philippines would be in churches. Given that the Philippines is predominantly Catholic, it is quite evident that Catholic churches are spread all throughout the country. Examples of these said churches would be the Immaculate Conception Church in Cubao, Quezon City

Manila Cathedral

Aside from the features seen in Philippine churches, structures such as pillars in government facilities also have Roman/Greek influences.

This can be seen in structures such as the Supreme Court

and the Manila Central Post Office

Sources:

https://sannyamantecastillo.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/the-romanesque-architecture-in-the-philippines/

DO AS THE ROMANS DO

By: Ashley De Silva

Though Christianity did not originate in Rome, the Roman empire infused its own culture and strengthened it—allowing it to spread to different countries even after its fall. One of these countries is the Philippines. Despite the many issues and challenges the Church has gone through in the past years, the Philippines remains to be the top Christian country in Asia and the fifth in the world (De Guzman, 2011). Christianity in the Philippines, however, is more than just a set of beliefs. Similar to how it was in the Roman empire, a huge part of the Filipino culture was instilled in Christianity. The religion then played an important role in the development of the Filipino identity.

Before the introduction of Christianity, Filipinos were known to be animistic. They revered the spirits of nature and their ancestors. In times of illness and poor harvests, they hold rites for healing and harvest. Semblances of these practices appear in most of the festivals held in the Philippines today. The Obando Festival, for instance, is a fertility fiesta. Held from May 17 to 19 in Bulacan, aspiring parents join the dance to honor three patron saints: Our Lady of Salambao, St. Paschal Baylon, and St. Clare of Assisi (Hermoso, 2018). This dance was considered paganistic initially as it was offered to the Pagan gods, but the Franciscan missionaries replaced these deities of nature with the three saints to keep the tradition (Ladrido, 2018).

Filipinos also learned an important notion about suffering. Suffering was no longer seen as simply a source of pain or distress but as a form of indulgence—something that will make them steadfast and become closer to God. Peter 5:10 states “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” Filipinos then became more accepting of hardships and distress, even up to this day. For instance, during Good Friday, some Filipinos have themselves whipped and crucified to atone for their sins or give thanks to the Lord.

Filipinos also tried to create and spread their own understanding of God’s word. They established different sects such as Iglesio ni Cristo. Compared to beliefs of the Catholic Church, Iglesia ni Cristo believes that Jesus Christ is merely a man and never God. Its founder Felix Manalo, on the other hand, is believed to be a prophet—someone who was sent to be the last messenger of God. While Catholics believe that anyone who tried to seek God with a sincere heart but did not know the Church can be saved, INC followers believe that only those who were members of the Church receive salvation (Rufo, 2014).

From these examples, it can be observed that the Filipinos did what the Romans did. They infused their own culture and turned Christianity into something of their own which led to its success in the country. It also teaches us that there is always a mutualistic relationship between people and religion as they enrich each other. Through the people, religion is refined depending on the people’s preferences and practices. It is also the people who can spread religion and push for its survival and growth. People, on the other hand, receive a sense of spirituality through religion. They are given not just a set of beliefs, but a guide and a new mindset. In fact, it could also be an avenue where they could express and infuse their ideas. As a whole, infusing one’s culture is then essential for the growth and spread of a religion.

Sources:

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/21233/philippines-still-top-christian-country-in-asia-5th-in-world

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/05/15/obandos-fertility-fiesta-honors-3-patron-saints/

http://cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/2018/05/21/obando-festival.html

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/64045-catholic-church-iglesia-ni-cristo-differences

¿HABLAS ESPAÑOL?

By: Jorel Cortel

A primary contribution of the Spaniards when they colonized the Philippines was their language. Almost 40% of the Tagalog language today is borrowed from Spanish. It was the exclusive language taught by the friars and used as a medium of instruction. However, local languages including Tagalog were spoken to spread mass announcements.

Despite the arrival of the Americans and the Japanese in the early decades of the 20th century, several Spanish terms spanning across many aspects of life have been incorporated into today’s Tagalog vocabulary.

To illustrate, the Spanish introduced terms to indicate time. Even if Filipinos today count using Tagalog numbers (isa, dalawa, tatlo, etc.), they still refer to clock hours using Spanish terms (ala una, alas dos, alas tres, etc.).

As a predominantly Catholic people, the Filipinos also borrowed the Spanish concept of Nochebuena. It is a Spanish word that describes the night before Christmas day. In English, it translates literally to “the good night.” In the Philippines, the Nochebuena is a traditional dinner regarded as the most important celebration during the Christmas season. Filipinos serve several Spanish dishes including lechon, jamon, queso de bola, and arroz caldo.

Filipinos also celebrate the eve before New Year’s Day known as the Media Noche. While it refers to as “midnight” in Spanish, Filipinos also use the term to refer to the meal that symbolizes their hopes for good fortune and prosperity in the coming year.

Another set of Tagalog borrowings would include objects and places inside a household. Kwarto, borrowed from cuarto, means room. Banyo, from baño, means bathroom. Kutsara, from cuchara, indicates spoon. Bintana, derived from ventana, defines a window.

However, some Spanish terms actually originated from the Greek language. Majority of them are related to Christianity and religious personalities. The Tagalog word anghel comes from the Greek word angelos meaning angel or messenger. Bibliya comes from biblos or bible. Katoliko and Kristo come from Katholikos and Khristos respectively. Lastly, obispo comes from episkopos meaning bishop.

Other Tagalog borrowings from the Greek language include angkla (anchor) from ankura, eksena (scene) from skene, parokya (community) from paroikia, and teknolohiya (technology) from teknologia.

Perhaps one term that has undergone a semantic shift would be the word compadre which is a term that originally symbolizes the bond between parents or godparents. The term extended to include a common relationship between friends. However, Filipinos corrupted the term and shortened it to pare which is a slang term used to call a friend.

Another semantic shift would be the word kumusta. Kumusta comes from the Spanish words “Como esta?” which means “how are you?” Filipinos today use it as a greeting as it became the term normally used to say “hello.”

The Philippines has become a crossroad for several civilizations spanning the South Asian, Chinese, Islamic, and Western civilizations. Having the largest portion of loanwords, Spanish vocabulary has indeed become a major contribution to the advancement of Tagalog. Despite this, while majority of them have retained their essence or original meaning, several terms have undergone a semantic shift. This is likely the cause of the constant adapting and adjusting of the Filipino culture after being introduced to several cultures throughout the centuries. While these contributions helped enrich the Filipino identity, it is essential to remember that Filipinos are capable of independence and originality as well.

Sources:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311927161_Language_contact_in_the_Philippines_The_history_and_ecology_from_a_Chinese_Filipino_perspective

https://journals.ateneo.edu/ojs/index.php/kk/article/viewFile/KK2017.02803/2407

QUESTION: What do you think is the most important contribution/s of the Greco-Roman civilization?

ashley-de-silva: The Roman Empire is known to lay the foundation for democracy. They had res publica wherein the next ruler is elected through senatorial votes and not through nobility. This early form of democracy, I believe, is the most important contribution of the civilization as it is what allowed our generation to enjoy freedom in many aspects of life.

jorel-cortel: Games and entertainment were highlights of the urbanized lifestyle of the Romans. Their iconic stadium for games is the Colosseo, which can accommodate over 1,000 citizens to witness gladiators slaying wild animals or even other gladiators. I believe the set up of the Roman arena to stage games or other forms of entertainment has persisted throughout the centuries. As people have become more civilized with less violent forms of entertainment, people now use stadiums to hold concerts, theatrical productions, sporting events, and film screenings. To illustrate, the miniature amphitheater located between the Yuchengco building and St. La Salle Hall building imitates the design of a traditional Roman arena.

shanei-oliveros: I would say that for me, it is the alphabet system and the citizenship. The alphabet system is for very obvious reasons — it helps people communicate and eventually to understand each other while the citizenship is because it gives a person its very identity. A root of origin, as well as rights to be able to fully enjoy and maximize one’s stay in a certain place.

chelsea-bagotsay: I strongly believe the most important contributions of the Greek civilization are their achievements in the field of Science and Philosophy which would be too many to mention in one Tumblr post. Though not the only civilization to develop these schools of thought, the Greek civilization paved the way for the world’s enlightenment all thanks to the great minds of the like of Aristotle, Plato, Pythagoras, Archimedes and so much more.

QUESTION: Which among the contributions of the Greco-Roman civilization is most visible in your homes today?

ashley-de-silva: Growing up, I was exposed to many children’s books. However, the book collecting Aesop’s fables grew to be one of my favorites. With fables such as The Hare and the Tortoise, The Lion and the Mouse and The Boy Who Cried Wolf, I learned important values such as persistence, honesty and mutual dependence.

jorel-cortel: My literature classes in high school fueled my interest in Greek mythology. In fact, we were required to read Edith Hamilton’s Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes which introduces the gods and goddesses of Mt. Olympus and the events before, during, and after the Trojan War. Unlike my other school textbooks and despite being an academic requirement, Mythology still remains on my bookshelf waiting to be read again for creative inspiration.

shanei-oliveros: Personally, for me I think it’s the fact that the padre de pamilya is still the representative of the home in the wider society and also, the close, very close family ties since even people whom we are not blood related are also always welcome in our home. Which makes the concept of engagement and pamamanhikan very important in our family tradition. A couple must be engage first before getting married and the man has to ask for a woman’s hand in marriage from her father or any superior or entitled man in her family.

chelsea-bagotsay: I believe the most visible contribution of the Greek civilization in our home is the prioritizing of education. Though my family is not like the Greek elites who are wealthy and just study all day, my family still made learning a priority, regardless if the family member is male or female. This contrasts one negative mindset I have noticed in a few Filipino families wherein the daughter is not as pressured to give much priority to her education because she will eventually just marry and stay at home to take care of her future family. Like the Greeks, my father and mother urge me to focus on my education, not only for myself but for the betterment of society’s future.

The Philippines As We Know It

By: Kyle Shanei Oliveros

In terms of culture and traditions, there is no denying that the Greek Civilization is very rich of it. As a matter of fact, until today, there are a lot of practices that are seen in the country which came from this particular civilization.

The concept of having a democratic government actually came from the greeks. In Merriam-Webster, this kind of government is defined as a situation where “the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.” Until today’s government in the country, at least at this period, since after Martial Law, we have been practicing a democratic system. But the difference is, in our society, we use “representative democracy” by letting the citizens freely vote than the Greece’s direct democracy where people make every decision for themselves.

The alphabet system, although we have our own system of writing, we still, most importantly in professional fields where they communicate with foreign countries, use the alphabet from the Greek civilization which was actually derived from the earlier Phoenician alphabet.

Olympic games was actually rooted from the ancient Greece, particularly in the city of Olympia where the polis (city states) of the ancient Greece compete with their colonies. This tradition were held every four years in honor of the king God, Zeus wherein they fight for fame and glory. Until present times, we still participate in Olympic games still, for honor, and glory. It came be held locally or internationally.

Ancient athenians were said to have shape the concept of citizenship. In order to achieve this citizenship, a person has to qualify and have certain qualities such as born to Athenian parents, complete military service and participate in judicial service. In today’s society, just like before, we still practice and give people the right of citizenship. Similarly, we also have a set of qualifications in order to pass as a Filipino. But in modern times, things have changed throughout the course of this conceptualization. Today, a person is allowed to have more than one citizenship as long as that person qualifies in the different requirements of citizenship in different countries.

In terms of family relationship, patriarchy is also dominant from ancient Greece’s time. The man is the “representative” of the family outside the home. Also, their society, like ours is composed of close-knit families wherein even the social organization members treat each other as family. In our society, we treat our neighbors and ka-baranggays and friends the same way as we treat our own families because just like during the Greek civilization, the word family in our country does is not only limited to those who are blood related nor to those who live under one roof.

The celebration of Easter is also one of the most important celebrations in the Greek civilization, Christmas then comes second. In our country though, in our opinion, maybe we celebrate Christmas a little more than we should for we rejoice more in the birth of Christ rather than in His death and suffering and resurrection.

The concept of “engagement” also came from the Greeks. Although it was not very visible in the Athens and other large cities, it was practiced in the small towns and villages. Before getting married, a couple must be engage and then in this stage must the groom ask for the bride’s hand in marriage from her father.

Source: https://www.novinite.com/articles/115027/Greek+Culture+and+Traditions+-+Where+the+West+Meets+the+East

#GreekCivilization

MORE THAN A GUIDE

by: Ashley de Silva

Though Christianity reigns supreme in the Philippines, 6 million Filipinos practice Islam today—making it the second most practiced religion in the country. This number, however, is expected to significantly increase in the coming decades. In fact, The Pew Research Center predicts that by 2050, the Muslim population could be equal to the Christian population worldwide.

Just as how Christians have rules and prescriptions to follow, Muslims observe the Five Pillars of Islam, a set of obligations they must do to live a faithful and responsible life. The first pillar is the shahada, their profession of faith. Muslims must recognize Allah as their one and only God, and Muhammad as His prophet. Filipino Muslims follow this faithfully, even naming exceptional discoveries after Allah. One of which is the 34-kilogram Pearl of Allah, the world’s largest pearl found in Palawan.

The second pillar is salat, the daily prayer. Filipino Muslims, especially during Ramadan, pray five times a day. When praying, they are expected to detach themselves from earthly matters and concentrate on Allah. Those who do fail to do this are frowned upon as the Qur’an says “So woe to the praying ones, who are unmindful of their prayers, who do [good] to be seen (Surah Al-Ma’un 107:4-6).

The third pillar is zakat which is almsgiving toward the poor faithful or charity work. The Qur’an and the Sunnah prohibits hoarding of savings. Instead of putting them aside, Islam teaches its people to use them for “rightful consumption or for fostering the common good through welfare contributions or productive investments” (Panda, 2005). Filipino Muslims practice this especially during Eid al Fitr, the end of Ramadan. In fact, Muslim Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) save a part of their salaries to provide funds for the Eid celebrations at mosques in Manila and other provinces. They also set aside money to buy a ticket home for at least one of the many jobless Filipinas in Dubai (Ruiz, 2012).

The fourth pillar is sawm which is fasting during Ramadan, the most sacred month of the year for Muslims. From dawn to dusk, they are not allowed to eat food or drink water. Gossiping, sex, smoking and chewing gum are also prohibited. While it is a month spent for increased prayer, contemplation and charity work, it is also considered as a great time for family gatherings for Filipino Muslims. Some families invite their Muslim friends to a daily iftar, the meal eaten by Muslims on a fasting day. In Iligan City, swimming resorts are usually fully booked during the Eid season (Gutoc, 2015).

The fifth pillar is hajj or the pilgrimage to Mecca. At least once in their life, every adult Muslim who are financially, physically and emotionally capable must visit Mecca and the other holy cities. This obligation prompts many Filipinos to fly to Jeddah or Medina. Some of those who do not have the financial capability, however, may still have a chance to go on a pilgrimage because of sponsorships. For instance, in 2013, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sponsored the flight and lodging expenses of 47 Filiipinos for their 10-day trip to Mecca. Aside from free tickets and accommodations, they also received gifts such as the Ihraam, a sacred white garment Muslims wear for the pilgrimage (Quismundo, 2013).

Though these five pillars were primarily created as a guide, they went beyond prescribing and obliging Muslims to live a faithful and responsible life. As can be seen from the Filipino Muslims, these five pillars became a significant way of unifying or bringing Muslims together. Because of the five pillars, Filipino Muslims were able to spend more time with their families, help their Muslim brothers and sisters in need regardless of the location and nationality, and celebrate one god. Indeed, the Muslims’ five pillars of faith signify Islam’s goal of unity and harmony.

Sources:

https://www.rappler.com/science-nature/society-culture/88803-muslim-christian-population-study

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/24/16/worlds-largest-pearl-emerges-in-palawan

https://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/dps/pidsdps0507.pdf

https://www.thenational.ae/uae/filipinos-eid-feast-for-the-less-fortunate-1.442212

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/05/16/1815739/muslim-fasting-month-ramadan-start-thursday

https://businessmirror.com.ph/close-to-6000-filipino-pilgrims-to-perform-2018-hajj-in-mecca/

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/87787/filipino-muslims-fly-to-mecca-for-hajj-on-saudi-tab

ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES

By: Chelsea Bagotsay

At present day, though Philippine culture is predominantly visible to have Spanish and American influences, another place where some of our culture gets its inspiration from is the Middle East. Home to the religion of Islam, the Muslims of the Middle East dominated the Philippines for a while, and with their domination, came the spread of their culture in the country. Also, alongside the spread of their Islamic culture came Islamic influences on our architecture.

One of the most renowned structures of Islamic Architecture are Mosques. These are structures wherein large numbers of worshippers are accommodated and are enabled to pray together comfortably. Since there is an evident population of Muslims in the Philippines, it is not surprising to see these structures around the country. Mosques such as the Golden Mosque of Cotabato and the Golden Mosque in Quiapo are a few of the more famous Muslims structures.

With the characteristic of having a dome-shaped roof to the structure being very much associated with the Islamic religion, this characteristic has apparently been adapted by Catholic churches as well. An example of this would be the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

This only proves architecture is appreciated by all and cannot be limited to race, nationality nor religion.

“ALAM NIYO PO BA…”

By: Jorel Cortel

Since the arrival of Islam in the 14th century, Filipino Muslims have incorporated several traditional Arabic terms into their daily vocabulary. Muslims came to our archipelago primarily to trade, and they introduced us to the Arabic language upon exchanging goods.

Most Tagalog borrowings from the Arabic language have undergone only a slight semantic shift. A particularly notable Tagalog term that persists in our vocabulary today is salamat. This term may have originated from the Arabic word slamah which is used either to tell another to be safe or to welcome a person home. It may also have come from the Arabic word salam (meaning peace) which is also the root word of Islam. Today, Filipinos commonly use the term to say thank you.

Additionally, alam comes from alham which means knowledge and understanding, while hiya is derived from hayaa, describing shame. Lastly, hukom comes from hokum which means judgment.

The 14th century was the peak period of the Ottoman Empire (founded in 1250), and it was known for its increase in Muslim intellectuals, artists, and craftsmen despite their militaristic lifestyle. Perhaps the first Muslim traders to reach the Philippine archipelago already embraced Ottoman Empire’s cultural sophistication and awareness. This included their linguistic influences on the Tagalog language as indicated by complex terms such as hiya (shame), hukom (judgment), and alham (knowledge). These words show how advanced their levels of thinking, processing, and analyzing were during the time they traded with the early Filipinos.

Sources:

https://journals.ateneo.edu/ojs/index.php/kk/article/viewFile/KK2017.02803/2407

• http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-cultural-communities-and-traditional-arts-sccta/central-cultural-communities/the-history-of-the-muslim-in-the-philippines/

• http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/eng/list_of_loanwords_in_tagalog

MUSLIM MOTIFS

By: Jorel Cortel

Despite the long and violent rivalry with the Spanish and American colonizers in the Philippines, Muslims were still able to insert themselves into the gradual development of Filipino culture especially in the arts.

The Maranao’s Sarimanok is a legendary bird that has become the symbol of the arts and good fortune. It originated from the legend of a Sultan’s daughter named Princess Sari who encounters a beautiful rooster that transforms into a handsome man. Others believe that it came from the legend of Prince Radia who, while bathing in a perfumed well, disappears after asking a golden bird from his treasury to be brought to the moon. These legends both characterize the bird as a celestial and supernatural being of the bird, leading it to be regarded as the “Divine Messenger” by early Muslim Filipinos.

Today, the term Sarimanok has undergone a slight semantic shift. It came from the words sari (a colorful garment and the Princess from the legend) and manok (chicken). Its wings are drawn in spiraling strokes to emphasize the beauty and elegance of the bird, strengthening its status as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. Furthermore, the Sarimanok was known for its use in the logo of the local network ABS CBN in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In line with the bird’s symbolic representation, this feature was done perhaps to characterize the network’s enduring popularity among Filipinos around the world.

The Maranao people also treasured the Muslims’ Okir design. This pattern uses elaborate geometric flowery strokes (also applied on the Sarimanok) and is commonly found in furniture and on handwoven garments. The design is most especially evident on roofs of the Maranaoan torogan houses. Supported by tree branches and walled by dried coconut leaves, these houses were elevated to represent the high status of the sultans that dwelled inside.

Aside from artistic designs, most of the dances of the Maranao people were influenced by Muslim culture. These dances include the Magigal-Paunjalay, Malong-Malong, and the more common Singkil. Performed usually during royal celebrations, they are characterized by intricate hand movements and vivid costumes or props as people danced to the beat of a kulintang. A kulintang is an instrument composed of small gongs lined up in a row.

Traditional Muslim dances were considered to be sophisticated entertainment for the noble classes, and it is remarkable to see how they resisted a major cultural change throughout time. As dances are usually considered inessential to the survival of Islam in the country, their persistence perhaps indicates the relative stability of Islam despite their conflicts with the Spanish and American forces. This may also show that Filipinos respected art and traditional entertainment as these dances are still being performed in several Muslim regions in the country.

Sources:

• http://dice.missouri.edu/docs/austronesia/maranao.pdf

• http://opinion.inquirer.net/71820/tales-of-the-sarimanok

Images:

• http://mythology.wikia.com/wiki/Sarimanok

• https://www.flickr.com/photos/jperthllave/3300093488

QUESTION: Which among the contributions of the Islamic civilization is most visible in your homes today?

ashley-de-silva: As can be seen from the sculptures and mosques of the Islamic civilization, Muslims have mastered the art of intricate designs. They use repetitive details which usually come in colors ochre and blue. This attention to detail and colors, I believe, influenced my mom to decorate our house with a few hints of turquoise and orange to contrast the neutral colors of our living room.

jorel-cortel: Following the Five Pillars of Islam, Muslims practiced Saiah which is to pray five times a day and Zakah which is their form of charity work and almsgiving toward the poor. In our household, our family always makes it a point to pray in the morning and at night because it strengthens our relationship with God and allows us to reflect on our actions. We also hold outreaches every Christmas in my dad’s rural community in Guagua, Pampanga together with my cousins. Reaching out to make families happy especially during the holidays allows us to take part in reaching a common societal good which Muslims value as well.

shanei-oliveros: The most evident tradition in our home is the idea of having a very extended and close family ties with everyone. In our family, we do almost everything, together. We go to the malls together, we eat dinner and other meals together. We basically do everything all together. The concept of the family having a say in everything, is the backbone of our family. My family always tends to think that they do have a say in everything that each one who belongs in the family does.

chelsea-bagotsay: Though my family does not share the same religious views as the Islam civilization, nor do we had Islamic influences in the design of our home, I believe my family has the same dignity as the Muslims in the Philippines. Just like how the Muslims stood by their religion during the time of colonisation and are still quite proud to have retained their original religion compared to the rest of the country that had become very much westernised, my family and I are proud to be Filipinos anywhere we go, even in countries where we are considered as minorities.

#IslamicCivilization

QUESTION: What do you think is the most important contribution of the Islamic civilization?

ashley-de-silva: Contrary to popular belief, the concept of peace is given much emphasis in Islam. In fact, the Islamic civilization teaches us that conquering lands and resorting to war were never a priority for Muslims as the Qur’an reiterates that an ideal society is one where there is peace. This concept and mentality, I believe, is important as it prevented many conflicts in the past. However, in light of today’s current events, I believe it must be reminded or taught to many individuals today who seem to only see violence as a means to achieve their goal.

jorel-cortel: Muslims were the first to establish the concept of a university where students can gain access to pioneering and provoking ideas of their time including philosophy, mathematics, science, medicine, and astrology. Paper, printing, and book-binding also progressed under the Islamic civilization, spearheading the process of individual and collective learning by allowing ideas to be copied and passed on in the form of text. Without the university, the spread of information and innovation would be much slower, and the world would not be as advanced as it is today.

shanei-oliveros: For me, it would be the process of child-rearing which is the Christening for Christians. It is very important since it implies the importance and significance of a certain member of the society, religiously speaking. It also shows the important role of God for this particular set of religion. The very idea of this being practiced until today shows how important this tradition is to be able to reach more generations and from the looks of it, will last for a very very long time maybe even centuries from now.

chelsea-bagotsay: Aside from being places of worship, Muslim mosques also served as libraries that contained books on religion, philosophy and science. Being that the Mosques were open to the public, reading and sharing information became common. I believe this jumpstarted the concept of public libraries. Even though at present day, public libraries are no longer as popular as they were before due to the accessibility of literature on the internet, public libraries played a globally and incredibly important role before the internet.

#IslamicCivilizations

QUESTION: What do you think is the most important contribution of the Chinese civilization?

ashley-de-silva: In my opinion, the concept of meritocracy is the most important contribution of the Chinese civilization. As can be seen from their history, nobility does not guarantee effective and efficient leadership. Having examinations therefore is a good approach to ensure that all public officials are capable and well-informed. Unfortunately, in the Philippines, there are officials in the Congress and in the Senate who are inept, misinformed and elected only because of the families they belong to. I then hope that COMELEC sees the need for a stricter qualifications in becoming a government official to ensure that all those in position are competent and able to serve the public.

jorel-cortel: The Taoist’s belief in the Tai Chi (the yin yang), which describes a balance, is probably a principle that has reached across different civilizations unconsciously. Regardless of religion, perfecting a balance with nature allows people to realize that true happiness does not come from an overindulgence of worldly treasures. Rather, it comes from the satisfaction in harmony and peace with other people and nature.

shanei-oliveros: For me, I would say that it would be the celebration of the Chinese New Year because it symbolizes how flexible and adaptable people would be. Well, generally, it would be instilling “chinatowns” in most if not all countries but the celebration of the Chinese New Year itself implies that people are open to new concepts outside their comfort zone.

chelsea-bagotsay: I believe the most important contribution would be the invention of paper and printing. Without paper and printing, most historical records would not have been kept, our idea of money would not be the same and access to global communication would have taken much longer.

#ChineseCivilization

QUESTION: Which among the contributions of the Chinese civilization is most visible in your homes today?

ashley-de-silva: At home, I believe it is the Chinese’s reverence to the elders that is most practiced. Although my brothers and I are given much freedom to express our opinions on a certain matter, my parents always taught us to respect the elder’s judgment and sentiment. This is most practiced when eating meals together—we are expected to let them share their opinions on a particular issue first so that they will feel respected and honored.

jorel-cortel: Confucius’ concept of filial piety and cardinal relationships is a Chinese contribution practiced diligently at home. My cousins and I grew up close to our elderly relatives, and it is through this practice that we deepened our appreciation for their efforts and time with us. Growing up in this environment allowed me to realize the significance of filial piety introduced by the Chinese civilization. As this sign of respect is also practiced by Filipinos toward each other around the country, our national identity has often been associated with this characteristic of respect and hospitality.

shanei-oliveros: Both of my parents work in the vicinity of the country’s Chinatown (Binondo and Quiapo) and therefore, at home, we usually see or practice some beliefs. In terms of religion, we light incense to protect us from evil spirits, we also practice Feng Shui at home and technically celebrate Chinese New Year with our Chinese friends. We love eating tikoy and use ang pao on several occassions.

chelsea-bagotsay: The ancient art and science of Feng Shui has played an influential role in the design of our home. From the positioning of certain doors, to the figurines and ornaments scattered all around the house - my parents truly believe in this custom.

#ChineseCivilization

LUCKY RED

by: Shanei Oliveros & Ashley de Silva

Though not many people follow it today, wearing red is one tradition the Chinese people passed on to Filipinos. During New Year, people are advised to wear red to invite happiness, energy and good luck. This belief in red as a color of good fortune, however, is said to be rooted in a Chinese legend.

Nian, a half bull with a lion head beast, was said to terrorize villagers on New Year—eating crops, livestock and children. Villagers later learned that the beast was afraid of fire, noise and the color red. From then on, the Chinese wore red on Chinese New Year to drive away bad luck and misfortune.

Source:

https://www.rd.com/culture/color-red-chinese-new-year/

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KUNG HEI FAT CHOI!

by: Shanei Oliveros

CHINESE NEW YEAR is celebrated all over Philippines in different ways. The dragons, for instance, are believed to represent great power, wisdom, fertility and auspiciousness.

Until today, in Binondo, business owners hang red envelopes (ang pao) in their storefronts to be snapped by the dancing dragon as they dance their way to the streets. This is said to symbolize the offerings made from the shop to the dragon in order to bring prosperity and to be able to be protected from evil spirits.

Firecrackers are also something that we have inherited from the Chinese. They believed firecrackers can scare away evil spirits. In fact, the louder and flashier the fireworks display is, the better.

In the Philippine context, we usually set off fireworks not only during New Year, but also during special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, election victories, or sometimes even for aesthetic purposes (e.g. MOA fireworks during weekends!). However, last 2017, President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 28 which limits the use of firecrackers to fireworks display in households due to the substantial number of injuries and casualties recorded annually.

Another is the clearing and paying off debts before the start of the year. Our belief that we should be debt-free by the start of a new year came from our Chinese friends. It has been said that for them (and probably for us as well) it is very important to pay off all outstanding responsibilities to be able to start the year on a clean slate.

The practice of eating tikoy during Chinese New Year was also brought to our culture by the Chinese. For them, it is considered as good luck to eat Tikoy on New Year’s Eve since its Mandarin term, “Nian Gao” pretty much sounds like the one for “higher year.”

Sources:

http://www.euronews.com/2018/02/17/celebrating-the-chinese-new-year

http://thesmartlocal.com/read/chinese-new-year-ang-pow-guide

http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/multimedia/infographic/06/22/17/dutertes-firecrackers-ban

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LINGUISTIC LEGACIES

by: Jorel Cortel

3% of Tagalog is borrowed from the Chinese language. These borrowings are either of Hokkien or Cantonese origin, and most of them are related to the culinary arts.

As our cultural elements are overshadowed by the contributions of the Spaniards, many Filipinos tend to overlook the significant influences by the Chinese. While 3% (or approximately 163 words) is few compared to our borrowings from the Spanish language, these terms play a huge role in the lifestyle of Filipinos because they are still being applied today.

Household terms especially in the aspect of cookery have been retained in the Tagalog language. For instance, batchoy comes from the Hokkien bah-chui which describes pork cutlets in soup. Mami comes from bah-mi, a combination of meat and noodles. Pancit is derived from pianesit, describing noodles with sauce, and sotanghon comes from sotanghun, meaning cellophane noodles.

These terms are still commonly used among the masses, shown by their usage in local products including Lucky Me! Pancit Canton Noodles and Nissin Cup Noodles.

While Nissin is a Japanese company, its local division infused cooking and flavoring styles popular among Filipinos. This includes our preference for Chinese-style noodles such as the batchoy and sotanghon flavors.

Borrowings for manners of cooking include miswa (flour based), ukoy (fried), siopao (boiled and steamed), and mami (soup).

Terms for vegetables such as sitaw (string beans), toge (bean sprouts), and petsay (cabbage) are also influenced by the Chinese languages and have retained their original definition.

Perhaps one borrowing that has undergone a semantic shift is taho which, in Hokkien, means a cooked soybean. However, Filipinos adapted this term and used taho to identify a well-known Filipino dessert made with cooked tofu, sweet brown syrup, and tapioca balls.

The use of certain terms that indicate respect for our older relatives are borrowed from the Chinese language as well. Filipinos commonly refer to these persons as ate or kuya, followed by their name. These words come from the Hokkien words achi and kehya which describe the eldest sister and brother respectively. This sign of respect is still being practiced in households today, and these terms have been adapted colloquially when people address each other on the street, on public transport, and in other informal settings. On the other hand, the Tagalog word apo, which means grandchild, comes from the Hokkien word akong.

Additionally, the Chinese also introduced other terms such as ditse and sanse which describe the second and third eldest sister respectively. These, however, are not applied as widely on the street as compared to ate and kuya.

Despite the long period of Spanish colonization, the retention of these words in the Tagalog language only shows the significant amount of interaction Filipinos had with the Chinese. These borrowings refined our culture, allowing us to explore our skills in cuisine. Furthermore, these familial terms did not simply contribute to household vocabulary, but they have enriched our identity as Filipinos as we have become known for our deep respect for others even outside our families.

Sources:

http://www.academypublication.com/issues/past/tpls/vol02/03/19.pdf

Images:

https://www.angsarap.net/2011/12/16/taho/

https://www.ramennoodlist.com/2017/06/nissin-cup-noodles-batchoy-flavor-philippines/

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