With the Spaniards having reigned in the Philippines for more than 3 centuries, it is normal to see some of the Spanish influences reflected in our Filipino culture. To name some, there are common Spanish words that have been incorporated in our local language like:
Whenever we ride jeepneys (which are the national public mode of transport in the Philippines) and we want to get off the said vehicle, we always say the word "para," the Spanish word for "stop."Similarly, we also commonly use the words mesa, "table" or misa "mass", Dios "God", etc....
A lot of houses are also in congruence with the Spanish architectural styles specially shown in some of our Filipino luxury houses.
Source of images: Google
And yet, the Filipino culture is unique in its hospitality. "For Filipinos, serving other people the best of what they have leave them an honor and a promise of true friendship. Arriving at your host’s house during mealtime may be awkward but if its in a Filipino house, you will be asked to sit down and share with what they have on the table. Because eating alone without asking others according to Filipino customs is considered rude. A form of hospitality that comes truly from the heart like how the country made its image as the land of true smiling people. Considering the struggling economy, political confusions and the rising poverty in the country, anyone will be surprised seeing how Filipinos handle such situations. It is like taking everything from them but not their love of joking. Joking and laughing at everything perhaps give them relief and make them see things more positively".
Source of quoted text: Camperspoint
And the word chabacano in Spanish means coarse, common or tasteless, it's funny that a language derived from this word.
ReplyDeleteAnd eating with bare hands is not considered polite nor well-mannered but I´d love it!
ReplyDeleteChabacano is a Filipino dialect with Spanish heritage particularly used in the South of the Philippines, Zamboanga in particular.
ReplyDelete