THE FILIPINO RELIGION

Before the introduction of Christianity, the Filipinos were mostly pagans. They
worshipped spirits which they believed dwell in objects like trees, mountains, rivers,
ect. They worshipped nature, the sun the moon, and the stars. They also believed in
a supreme God or deity. Because of their belief in a deity and in animate or living
things their religion was called animo-delsm.
Another Filipino church and one of the true Filipino church that has originated in the
Philippines is the IGLISIA NI CRISTO which has a fast growing membership
throughout the Philippines and the world.

ABOUT THE FILIPINO FOODS.....

The food of the Filipino is simple. Rice is the chief food. Together with rice, fish or
meat and vegetables are eaten. The Filipino is fond of eating pork, chicken, corn,
fruits, and vegetables. One of the more popular foods of the Filipino on special
occasions is lechon, a whole pig roasted over charcoal fire. Adobo is another popular
dish which almost every Filipino can cook. Eating is done with the hands and for
outdoor meals, the banana leaves serve as plates. The Filipino cooks his food in clay
pots over a clay stove (kalan) using wood to build a fire.

Music, Arts and Literature

Filipinos are very fond of music. They use various materials to create sound. They
love performing dances (Tiniking and Carinosa) and group singing during festive
celebrations. Settlers from Spain introduced to them a variety of musical
instruments like the ukulele, trumpet, drums and violin. Most of their music is
contemporary and they have also learned to write their own songs based on real life
events. People are also fond of folklore, which was influenced by the early church
and Spanish literature. Jose Rizal, the country's national hero, is famous for his
literature and novels inspired from the independence story of the country.

Family Structure
The basic social unit of the country is the family, which also includes the
intermediate family members (aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins) and other
outside relations (godparents and close friends). As such, many children have
several godparents and when parents are out of the country to work, children are
mostly left to the grandparents to watch over them. It is common for members of
the same family to work for the same company, a practice which was influenced by
the first Chinese settlers in the Philippines. Filipino families live in different kinds of
house structures depending on their status or area. For families in rural areas, they
live in a nipa hut which is made of bamboo and roofed with leaves from palm trees
or corrugated metal. Filipinos that are ranked as "middle class" live in houses made
of bricks and stones.