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, tallerstature 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 countrys 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 Beliefs
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'
If you are going to be doing business in the Arab world you have to understand the culture. Unfortunately most Westerners really don't understand
it. This is largely because of misconceptions that they have about Islam. In truth if you take the time to learn about the important characteristics
of Arab culture you will find that it is an easy culture to live and work in.
The main characteristic of Arab culture is the role that Islam plays in their life. Religion affects almost every aspect of life in the Arab world. This
is something that you will quickly notice as the whole country shuts down to pray several times a day. Islam also puts serious restrictions on the
things that people can do which also affects the culture. If you are going to do business in the Arab world you have to understand the role that
religion plays in the culture.
Another important aspect of Arab culture is the vitally important role that family plays. Family is much more important than it is in the west. In
fact you will often see several generations living together. In most Arab families the children will continue to live at home until they get married.
Even then they will likely move into a home that is near the rest of the family. A lot of the things that in the West we would hire somebody to do
are done by other members of the family in the Arab world like child care. In the Arab world family is the most important thing and it will affect
the way that business gets done.
One thing that surprises a lot of people about the Arab world is the sense of community that exists. It is common to help out other people for
example, in fact it is expected. This is something that you don't see nearly as much in the Western world. To Arabs charity is important they
virtually all contribute what they can. Because of the importance of community in the Arab world building a consensus is also more important.
Doing things for individual gain is frowned upon, Arabs are normally expected to keep the good of the community as a whole in mind.

Because of the importance of the community in the Arab world respect for other people is also an important part of the culture. This means that it
is generally not acceptable to publicly disagree with somebody. This creates some issues for a lot of Westerners who don't understand this. To an
Arab openly disagreeing somebody in public is seen as very disrespectful and is something that they won't do. Arabs can usually tell based on body
language if there is an actual agreement or not. Westerners usually don't pick up on this which leads to no end of confusion to them.
Basic Arab Values
A persons dignity, honor, and reputation are EVERYTHING and if lost (especially honor) will ruin him or her.
Its important to behave well and leave a good impression.
Loyalty to family is greater than loyalty to ones nation or self.
Social class and family background will determine your status and treatment by society. One can improve ones status through
professional position and wealth, but the persons origins will always be remembered.
Family issues are not to be discussed outside of the family. If a person opens up to a non-relative about family issues, he or she will
be frowned upon and criticized (again related to honor).
Basic Arab Religious Attitudes
Everyone believes in God and has a religious affiliation.
Humans are not in control of all events; some things depend on fate (This is why Arabs often say InshaAllah (if God wills) )
Religion should be a deciding factor in all parts of life, including government and education. For example, in Saudi Arabia, Islam is a
mandatory class to be taught in all schools beginning in first grade. Government ruling is also based on interpretations of Islamic
laws.
Liberal interpretations of religion which seem threatening must be rejected.
Basic Arab Self-Perceptions
Arabs are generous, polite, and loyal. (Regarding generosity, its true. Ive never had an Arab be stingy with me.)
Arabs have a rich cultural heritage. Just take a look at their contributions to religion, philosophy, literature, medicine, art,
mathematics, and sciences (some of which were made by non-Arabs living within the Islamic Empire)
Arabs are a clearly defined cultural group, and Arabs are members of the Arab Nation Al-Umma Al-Arabiyya. (often Arabs wont
state which country theyre from, and if asked, reply with Im a citizen of the Arab world.)
The Arab people have been victimized by the West. The obvious example: Israeli occupation of Palestine.
To imitate Western culture will corrupt Arab society.
Arabs are misunderstood by Westerners. Many people in the West are basically anti-Arab and anti-Muslim.
Arabs feel that they are often portrayed in the Western media as wealthy, irrational, and violent and that there is never any focus on
ordinary people who live and work on a middle-class scale. Just the other day in class, my teacher and class-mates took the
opportunity to jump into a cultural/political discussion of Arabs vs. Westerners because in the satirical essay A Modest Proposal by
Jonathan Swift, the term American meant barbaric. My teacher said, See, even back then Americans were viewed as
barbaric, just as they are today. To be fair, I have to say she did give a balanced lecture of Arabs self-perception and how they dont
treat each other equally, often giving more rights to foreigners than to themselves. In these situations, Ive learned not to get
offended from peoples sometimes rude, culture-bashing comments, be it of the Western or Arab culture. Instead, I now take these
comments as an opportunity to understand different points of view and as a chance to voice my opinion.
My conclusion always boils down to this: Arabs have created a stereotype of the West, just as the West has created a stereotype of
Arabs. Both Westerners and Arabs feel criticized and misunderstood, and as a result get defensive of their culture and easily
offended from even innocent comments. Therefore, problems arise, and people shut their eyes and ears to what they dont want to
see and hear. This cycle will never be broken, and the world will continue to head in a negative direction unless people begin to
respect their differences and unite based on their similarities. THE END.

Church, chapel, cathedral, basilica,

Place of
home bible study, personal
worship
dwellings.

Mosque/masjid, any place which is

considered clean by Islamic
standards.

Prayer, sacraments (some

branches), worship in church,
reading of the Bible, acts of charity,
Practices
communion.

Five pillars: Testament that there is

one God and Muhammad is his
messenger (shahadah); prayer five
times daily; fast during Ramadan;
charity to the poor (zakat);
pilgrimage (Hajj).

Though the Old Testament of the

Bible says certain meats should not
On be consumed, Christians usually
Food/Drink feel this information does not apply
to them (in the New Testament)
and so eat what they want to eat.

Muslims are only supposed to eat

foods that are considered halal.

God in human form, "Son of God,"

savior. Death by crucifixion. Most,
though not all, of Christians believe
View of Jesus rose from the dead, was taken
Jesus up into heaven, and will return
during an apocalypse.

Prophet from Allah whose message

has been misinterpreted or
corrupted. In Islam, Jesus did not
die, but was taken into heaven. A
disciple died instead. Some believe
Christ will return in an apocalypse,
but the significance of his return
varies.

Christian Bible (includes Old and

New Testaments). What is
considered canon may vary slightly
Sacred
by sect/denomination. Some
Texts
groups, like Mormons with the
Book of Mormon, have other
important books, too.

While the Qur'an is the only holy

text of Islam, the Hadith, which is
said to be the sayings of
Muhammad, is also highly revered.