By Abad Macabanding
Philippines is a country located in the southeastern most part of Asia comprising about 7,107 islands. These islands are separated into three sovereign states, namely Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Philippines has a population of more than 100 million people with different traditions and cultures. The Philippines has more than a hundred ethnolinguistic languages but everybody is using Filipino and English as the main official languages of the country. Although English and Filipino are considered the main languages, the Madaris schools of Muslims located in Mindanao still teach Arabic. It takes, however, eight to ten years to attain a complete course in Arabic. Its main capital is Manila, one of the densest cities in the world and the second largest city in the Philippines.
Since the Spanish colonization era, Philippines is known to be Asia’s largest Catholic country. This is where “Philippines” came from. The country was named the Philippines in honor of King Philip II of Spain. Aside from that, America and Japan also colonized the Philippines.
Religion: Being Asia’s largest Catholic country, most of the Filipinos embraced Christianity as their religion. About 85% of its population were Christians, mostly Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Iglesia ni Cristo while about 10% of its population are Muslims and Lumads. Lumads are indigenous people usually living in the southern part of the Philippines called Mindanao.
Traditions and behaviors: As a Filipino, we observe traditions and behaviors that we considered as a part of our rich Filipino culture. Mano Po, hospitality, using po or opo and kamayan are some of the most common traditions that we practice up to this day. Mano Po is a way of showing respect to the elders by taking the right hand of the elder and touch the back of the right hand lightly in the forehead of the child. Hospitality is when visitors are treated with utmost respect. It is usually shown by having festivals and entertaining them with handaan or so-called “tiny celebration.” Moreover, using po or opo is probably, if not, one of the most important behaviors that we are practicing. Children should add po or opo to their statements as a sign of showing respect to the elders. Lastly is the Kamayan. It is a tradition of Filipino by eating with your hands instead of spoon and fork. Filipinos believe that kamayan gives full taste to the food.
Festivals and tourist spots: Philippines is home to many festivals and tourist spots. Millions of foreign visitors came to our country every year to experience our warming and relaxing view of our nature. Boracay Island is one of the most visited beaches in the Philippines. Other tourist attractions include Banaue Rice Terraces, Puerto Princesa Underground River, and Chocolate Hills. If you do like shopping, then Philippines can be one of your top places to visit. Philippines is home to three of the largest malls in the world. So what are you waiting for, try to search it on Google to witness its pulchritude and beauty!
Abad Macabanding is a student at Lanesboro High School. He is one of seven area students participating in the Journal Writing Project, now in its 19th year.
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