Filipino Traditional Healing

Hundreds of years ago, our forefathers relied on traditional healing methods to cure maladies, heal wounds and recover from sicknesses. In every baranggay or kingdom, there exists a group of individuals who are experts in health care and healing. These fellows are very secretive and protective of their craft, thus, not everyone could understand the way how they work. To many, it seems awesome and magical, but in fact, it stems from a deep understanding of life and a developed system of manipulating the human body.

Today, the tradition still continues, but the people who once were an essential part of our societies have been replaced largely by the Western Medicine. No longer does a modern Filipino run to the local albularyo, instead, we go to a clinic or a hospital. While it is true that western medicine has shown its efficacy in resolving health problems like the most life threatening ones to minor cuts and wounds, their philosophy and system overlooks intentionally certain aspects of how the body works.

Filipinos and Natural Soaps

From philippineamericanwar.webs.com

Once upon the Spanish colonial times, hygiene has room for improvement for the normal Filipino. There's a lot of Pinoys going sick simply because hygiene was being ignored. Well, that is true on areas with dense populations, but on rural populations it could be a different story. Cholera and diarrhea are frequent, tuberculosis claims more lives than homicide, other sicknesses are very easy to transfer.

All of these seem to fit prettily in irony since we Filipinos are known for maintaining cleanliness of our bodies. Of course it can also be blamed on not so great living conditions, bad sewage system and contaminated water sources. Due to lack of written accounts, we can't really pin point what is wrong with the way we used take care of ourselves.

Filipino Culture and the Pinoys Abroad

A nice house, perhaps a car, children not going in public schools, and...working abroad. Its all part of the Filipino Dream. This article is not completely about seeing hope in the opportunities on other countries, but about what we bring there, what we lose and what we gain. A word of warning, these are collective observations of people and to our kababayans living and working abroad, nothing personal really.

Chances are, every Filipino family has relatives overseas. They could be immigrants, contract workers or overstaying tourists. A considerable percentage of a foreign workforce comprise Filipino men and women. Ever since the second half of the 20th century, our countrymen are the preferred choice when getting international manpower. We are affordable, efficient and worth the investment. Such is how we are being seen.

Filipino Culture and the RH Bill

The RH Bill is one of the most controversial, most talked about and most exposed topic nowadays. Everywhere you see it, everywhere you hear about it. People have different stands and different opinions about it. In radio, in newspapers, TV, on the internet, even in graffiti, people are taking sides whether they are pro or anti. Facts are being thrown around, experts are being consulted and their views are scrutinized. For some who do not see it, the outcome of the RH Bill journey will be one of the major turning points of our society and culture as this is expected to have an immense impact on the nuclear family, which according to the constitution, the core unit of the country and ideally the utmost priority of the government. It will have a great impact on life, the way we live it, the way we see it and the way we treat it. This may also change our way of looking at the family in the decades to come.

Pina Cloth in Kalibo, Aklan

Known as the Queen of Philippine Fabrics, Pina Cloth is one of the legacies left to us by the Spaniards during their occupation of our country. This was the prime material used in making barong tagalogs and saya in the days of our ancestors. Back then, going to mass, parties and just dressing up means donning pineapple fabrics. Making Pina Cloth is a painstakingly long process, sometimes takes months before it transforms into a wearable outfit. Since the barong and saya are "National Costumes," each barong and saya made of pina cloth are National Treasures of the Filipino Culture. Pina Cloth is very soft and luxurious despite its appearance, durable and can stand the test of time.

Pinoy International Football Legend

Long before there was Manny Pacquiao, there was already an international Pinoy sports sensation. Long before the Azkals were overrated and adored, there was already a Filipino who made it in football's Hall of Fame. Little do most Filipinos know that we have someone who not only was the first Asian to play at European leagues in the history of football, but was a superstar in his time.

His name was Paulino Alcantara, born to a Spanish father and a Filipino mother in Iloilo. His fame and legend started around 100 years ago when at the age of 15 years old, he went and played for a European football league. Paulino became more legendary after he breaks the net by scoring a goal, earning him the nickname "El Rompe Redes" or the Net Breaker. He even holds a record which no one has been able to break: 369 goals in 357 games. Recently, Paulino was named Best Asian Player of All Time by FIFA.

Mind Your Pinoy Table Manners

Browsing through an "old" February 2012 issue of the Philippine Panorama, there was an article that may spark an uncomfortable reaction from true Pinoys and many lovers of the Filipino Culture. The article by the writer talks about minding your table manners, imposing that it should be practiced by everyone, and that our local table practices are distasteful to people of other countries.

Distasteful is such a heavy word when pertaining to practices and traditions of a culture. Its the same as calling the people repulsive because they eat in a certain way. Some of these eating practices has been going on for generations and it has been part of an identity that makes people stand apart. These are simply the way things are, and respect should be duly given.