PHILIPPINE CIVILIZATION

Submitted by:
Irish Nicole Dela Cruz Glenda Marie Sabado Benedict Mallillin Kyra Chermibelle Dumrique

Philippine Civilization (Pre-Hispanic Times)

The true Philippine Civilization has been dominated by colonial influences. Almost all the traditional art we are familiar with are derived from foreign influences. The admirable culture and traditions we once had have truly been forgotten and replaced by foreign ways of living. It is disappointing to consider our ethnic groups who have retained historical conventions primitive, ignorant, and uncivilized. In fact, the practices, a way of living, and the kind of culture they keep possession of are the traditions we must be most proud of. They have shown a strong resistance against forcible change. The traditional bahay na bato, mostly seen in provinces and along some parts in Manila where pueblos during the Spanish era were established, brought a fascinating contribution in Philippine architecture for its originality and genuine details in design because it does not resemble that of Spanish houses in Spain. It has been regarded as a significant feature of Filipino culture. Many years before the Philippines undergone the obligatory process of reduction, the bahay kubo (nipa hut) was the home for Filipino families. It has been designed to endure the tropical climate we have. Its details completely signify the type of location where it had been built. They are usually built with long posts to support the house and provide a higher elevation from the ground or on tree tops in forests and ilaya regions (mountain top). That serves as protection for the residents against wild animals. While in lowlands or ilawud regions, they are usually built in lower elevation from the ground. Convenience on storage of harvests and other supplies from plantations is one of the possible reasons why Nipa huts in this region had been built in low elevation. The Nipa hut includes traditional Filipino furniture, made from rattan and abaca, which are still popular materials for furniture manufacturing, and potteries. Rattan and abaca are abundant raw materials in the Philippines that have been mostly exported to different countries. Among the notable contributions of the indigenous influences weaving fabrics. They were used as ornaments necessary for sacred rituals and ceremonies and are mostly adorned with beads and bright tones of dyes and traditional textiles. The fabrics usually feature geometric shapes and tribal designs that add to their aesthetic significance. One example of popular woven fabrics is the Tnalak. It is a sacred cloth of the Tboli tribe made from abaca and the traditional Tboli textile. This is used in marriages wherein counterparts exchange cloths, and births wherein infants are wrapped. Tboli women are known as Dreamweavers. There has been a legend in their tribe on how the Tnalak came to be. Fu Dalu, a goddess of the Tboli tribe, taught women how to weave through their dreams. This is one reason why the Tnalak is consider ed

sacred. The process of making this needs sensitive handling. Abaca fibers are carefully chosen and men are not allowed to touch the fibers until the weaving is finished for it can easily be damaged during the process. There are many other notable influences from the indigenous people in our country. Among these are the cultural dances, music and musical instruments, cuisine, techniques in martial arts, education, and many more that we can find in every single province here in the Philippines.

The Banaue Rice Terraces

They are part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, ancient sprawling man-made structures from 2,000 to 6,000 years old, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Native boats and outriggers as depicted in The history and conquest of the Philippines and our other island possessions; embracing our war with the Filipinos by Alden March, published in 1899.