Perspectives on Philippine Culture

• The text provided is a PHILPOP reviewer outlining multiple perspectives on Philippine culture, exploring trends in contemporary society, and detailing foreign cultural influences.

Perspectives on Philippine Culture

• Culture is the way of life of an entire society, derived from the Latin "cultura" meaning to cultivate.
• It includes manners, language, religion, rituals, arts, beliefs, and institutions.
• Culture encompasses human activity and symbolic structures.
• Edward Tylor defined culture as the complex whole of society including knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, and customs acquired as a member of society.
• Culture is like an iceberg, having visible and subtle aspects, with observable behaviors representing only a fraction.
• Sociologists view culture as instrumental in shaping social connections, influencing our understanding, and molding our actions.
• Culture plays a significant role in producing social order, which is the stability of society based on collective agreement to rules and norms.
• Non-material culture is the shared values, beliefs, language, and customs of a group, influencing actions and behaviors.
• Material culture encompasses cultural products made and used by humanity, including buildings, technology, fashion, films, music, and literature.
• Sociologists believe material and non-material aspects of culture are intimately connected.
• Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist, saw both aspects as valuable in holding society together, providing a shared sense of purpose and collective identity.
• Karl Marx posited a small group controls the way we think and believe, maintaining an unfair position for the majority.
• A common belief that hard work leads to success in capitalist societies is challenged by the reality of long hours in low-paying jobs.
• This belief is promoted by those in power to maintain the current system.
• Marx and contemporary theorists recognize culture's role in shaping societies, acknowledging its potential for oppression, control, creativity, resistance, and emancipation.

Characteristics of Culture

• Culture is acquired through learning (enculturation) and shared among members of a group (communal).
• Cultural sharing does not imply uniformity.
• Culture is based on symbols with culturally specific meanings within agreed-upon contexts.
• Culture is characterized by integration, forming a cohesive whole (holism).
• Culture is dynamic, subject to interaction and transformation over time.

Exploring Trends in Contemporary Society

• Pop Culture refers to vernacular or mainstream culture with continual modification.
• It prevails within a society, encompassing interactions, fashion, language, and media consumption.
• Pop culture is dynamic and influenced by societal trends and technological advancements.
• It enables diverse masses to find collective identification and inclusivity.
• It strengthen individuals' sense of belonging and elevates their status through consumption.
• Folk Culture emphasizes tradition and is based on regional traditions.
• High Culture is reserved for the elite and often requires specialized appreciation.
• Pop Culture provide opportunities to challenge prevailing sentiments and behavioral norms.
• Serving as a unifying force and providing avenues for personal fulfillment.
• Urbanization creating a dynamic environment and individuals converging in cities.
• Industrialization revolutionized structures and a mechanized production process.

Foreign Cultural Influences

• Spanish Influences are evident in law, religion, education, language, family names, architecture, the arts, music, cuisine, and customs.
• The Philippine languages incorporate many Spanish words and Chavacano has prevailed in Zamboanga City.
• Spanish cuisine includes adobo, afritada, and embutido, as well as desserts like lecheflan and ensaymada.
• The American rule influenced government, social institutions, and musical tastes.
• A free, secular school system with English instruction was established.
• The Americans helped establish provincial and municipal elections.
• American clothing as well as Western fashion became more common.
• Surplus U.S. Willys jeepneys led to the creation of the Jeepney.
• The "to-go" concept synonymous with eating on the run.
• Japanese culture including anime, manga, music, have gained a global following.
• The rise of anime, manga, J-Pop has captivated young Filipinos.
• Chinese immigrants introduced culinary techniques such as stir-frying.
• Korean influence is showcased by the "Korean Wave" (Hallyu) phenomenon, K-pop, Korean dramas and movies.