II.

Changes in the Filipino Tradition, Culture, and Beliefs

All traditions, cultures, and beliefs are always changing as time pass by. This is
because we are being influenced by other cultures that other foreign countries introduce
to us. In addition, many Filipinos tend to practice and cultivate more of their traditions,
cultures, and beliefs, well because they think that it is better than our own nation’s
heritage.

“A culture is always changing because new ideas and new techniques are added
and old ways are constantly being modified or discarded.... The degree of change and
the rate of change may vary enormously. Change is slow in a primitive, isolated society
and rapid in a contemporary industrialized society, but nowhere does the culture of a
group remain static.” (Hunt, et al., 1987)

Generally speaking, our tradition, culture, and beliefs have the right cause to
change. Filipinos have the mindset that cultures grow over time for the effective culture
to develop and prevail our life. (Puangco, 2014)

According to Anime Pilipinas (2014), they said that we have to take a look in their
shoes (foreign countrymen) that they are just like us, trying so much to adapt to the culture
and traditions that we like so much that we forget our own identity, our own brand as a
Filipino.

This means that Filipinos need to have the realization that every one of us that is
adapting other culture and tradition, tend to forgot our oneness, the identity that we are
known for the beautiful ways of living as a Filipino inherited originally from our ancestors.

The progress of our lives and by the technology have a huge impact on the way it
affects this all of kinds of change in tradition, culture, and beliefs.

A. Filipino Tradition

One example of the change in Filipino tradition is the way of Filipino clothing. Our
ancestors, both men and women wore two piece clothing, short-sleeve jacket and strip of
cloth around the waist and in between the legs. On the other hand, women wore their
baro, a wide-sleeved jacket and a skirt of cotton cloth wrapped around their waist. We
can see that Filipino clothing is very particular for each one of them. (Living in the
Philippines)

But on this day, we can clearly realize that the clothing of every Filipino is un
comparable to the old way of our ancestors do.

Talking about the historical places that our ancestors passed down to us, it is still
necessary to have the help of the organization that preserves and restores this places full
of historical value. For example, Banaue Rice Terraces, the Spanish houses in Vigan and
the famous Intramuros. This places will bear the modernization of our country somehow
possess and sooner than later, it will be buried into oblivion and be forgotten because it
was no longer visible and be eventually unheard of by the next generation.

B. Filipino Culture

In the changes in Filipino culture, the common issue about the situation in courtship
is between the old fashioned way and the new way of courtship. The reason of this is in
this day, the girl makes the first move rather than the boy who does all of the courting. In
the old fashioned way, the boy always do something first to his loved one while the girl
always receive all the gifts, flowers and other way of affection from the boy. But for the
other way and in fact, the girl also have the ability and the right to make the first move to
win the man’s heart. ( Eugenio, 1995)

When talking about behavior and the expressions that most Filipinos use now, here
are some relatable examples, particularly for the youth Filipinos:

“”Edi wow.””Ikaw na.””Big word.””Daming alam/kuda.” These are just some of the
most common retorts Filipinos use in responding to statements and pronouncements that
in time date[sic] them. They’re a defense mechanism meant to make light of said
statements and pronouncements so as to soften their blow. After all, when you joke about
something or someone, you take away (some of) their legitimacy.” (2016)
 Many Filipinos adapted the expression “bahala na” attitude or for more famous
among the young, “bahala na si Batman” way of thinking. From the western influence, we
also adapted the “YOLO” (you only live once) way of thinking. But throwing everything to
the wind is not good way of thinking especially when you have goals that need to be
achieved. (Macasaet, 2012)

Furthermore, a group of Filipino people in a community that helps each other is a

beautiful thing. This means that there are sense of community in the area. But there are
many places around the Philippines especially in Manila, were it is lack of sense of
community. Because of this, they tend to be as an individual in a community and don’t
care of their surroundings. It is believed that sense of community is necessary and needed
to be restored in Filipino culture.

Helping one another or “bayanihan” and realizing that all Filipinos are connected
is important for our progress and the improvement of the quality of Filipino lives.
(Macasaet, 2012)

C. Filipino Beliefs

Up to this day, Filipino beliefs, especially superstitious beliefs introduced by

ancestors is still being influenced in every situation. For example, when there is a black
cat crossing your path, disallowing the bride to try on her wedding dress, combing hair at
night, bringing salt, rice, and water when moving to a new house, etc. All of these are told
by our ancestors even up to this day, and it is on our perspective if we will or still believe
that kinds of beliefs. It also depends on the progress of the next generation if it will be
remembered and still be practiced.