ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the syncretic nature of Philippine culture that absorbs and adapts influences from the rest of Asia and the world to create a unique blend that can be called “Filipino culture.” While all cultures engage in syncretic adoption, the Philippines’ geographic position in the maritime crossroads of Southeast Asia and its history as a colony of two Western powers whose impacts were profound and long-term, has exacerbated this process. It is to the country’s credit that its culture has been strong enough to absorb these outside influences and retain its autonomy. Since a detailed examination of the totality of Philippine culture is beyond the scope of a single chapter, three key representative components were chosen to illustrate the culture’s syncretic nature. These components are family and gender, cuisine, and music which represent different cultural areas: personal values, lifestyle, and the arts. All three components are analyzed in their historical and social-political contexts to explain their development over time and cultural relevance as representative of what it means to be Filipino.
