Filipino Culture and Stages of Development

Questions and Answers

What is the primary responsibility of the datu in a barangay?

To provide agricultural training to the families

To serve as the chief executive, legislator, and judge (correct)

To collect taxes from the barangay members

To oversee trade and commerce in the community

Which social class in the barangay were considered nobles and had responsibilities to maintain laws and customs?

Maharlica (correct)

Alipin

Timawa

Maginoos

Which type of Alipin had the right to own property and was not subject to sale?

Timawa

Maharlica

Alipin Namamahay (correct)

Alipin Saguiguilid

What allows the membership of a barangay to range between 30-100 families?

The historical context of river communities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a documented source of written laws in the barangay system?

Code of Maragtas Signup and view all the answers

What significant development occurred during the Neolithic Era in Filipino culture?

Introduction of pottery Signup and view all the answers

Which materials were primarily introduced during the Age of Metals in Filipino culture?

Iron, tin, bronze, and gold Signup and view all the answers

What was a key reason for the emergence of large communities in early Filipino culture?

Extensive trade with the Arabs and Chinese Signup and view all the answers

Which role was NOT present in early Filipino religious beliefs?

Shaman Signup and view all the answers

What purpose did burial jars serve in early Filipino culture?

Respect for the dead Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following musical instruments was NOT mentioned as part of early Filipino culture?

Harp Signup and view all the answers

During which era did early Filipinos primarily use stone tools for hunting and gathering?

Paleolithic Era Signup and view all the answers

What type of early literature was NOT prevalent among early Filipinos?

Novels Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stages of Development in Filipino Culture

Paleolithic Era

Utilized stone tools for hunting and gathering found in Cagayan and Tabon caves.
Characterized by the use of rough stone tools.

Neolithic Era

Marked the New/Polished Stone Age with the transition to finely crafted artifacts.
Pottery developed, evidenced in Cagayan Valley, Palawan, and Albay.

Age of Metals

Introduction of copper, bronze, iron, tin, and gold in the Philippines.
No evidence of local metal production has been found.

Age of Contact & Trade

Arabs initiated trade in the 11th century followed by Chinese traders in the 13th century.
Emergence of large communities in port towns like Cebu, Manila, and Iloilo due to trade.
Political structures began to evolve as a result of trading activities.

Food and Agriculture

Shift from hunting to agriculture, with root crops such as taro and yam being cultivated.
Rice became a staple food, supported by the Banaue Rice Terraces in various provinces.
Advancements in planting and farming techniques due to improved stone tools.

Crafts and Industries

Pots served multiple purposes: storage, cooking, rituals, burials, and aesthetic expression.
Weaving and wood carving were common, along with vital boat building.

Burial and Early Beliefs

Beautifully designed burial jars found in regions like Cagayan, Palawan, and Albay, often containing jewelry and personal items.
Early Filipinos were pagans, worshipping anitos and diwatas.
Key roles included Maganito (sacrificer), Katalona (priest), Babaylan (priestess), and Bathala (supreme god).

Early Arts and Music

Music played an integral role in pre-colonial Philippines with instruments like bamboo flutes, guitars, and gongs.
Indigenous songs celebrated life stages, courtship, marriage, and activities like planting and hunting.
Tattoos and body painting often signified war achievements or were used for aesthetic purposes.

Writing and Literature

Writing existed before Spanish colonization on materials like tree bark, leaves, and bamboo.
Baybayin was a 17-letter script used by groups like the Mangyans and Tagbanuas.
Early literature included awit (songs), bugtong (riddles), salawikain (proverbs), myths, legends, and poetry.

Early communities, organized along rivers, formed social units called barangays, deriving from "balangay" (boat).
Each barangay consisted of 30-100 families, led by a datu (chief) with significant power as an executive, legislator, and judge.
Maharlica were nobles aiding the datu, maintaining order and customs.
Timawa assisted in promoting barangay welfare.
Alipin were divided into categories based on their status and means of being bound to servitude.

Alipin Class Structure

Saguiguilid: No property, required master's permission for marriage, could be sold.
Namamahay: Owned property, married at will, could not be sold.
Maginoos: Council of elders assisting datus in law-making.

Law Making and Judicial System

Written legal codes included the Code of Maragtas and Code of Kalantiaw, reflecting the early governance structure in barangays.