research about culture in the philippines

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

Local Studies Centers: Transforming history, culture and heritage in the Philippines

This paper is an exploratory study of the specialized information centers, referred to as local studies centers, in three regions of the Philippines, namely, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and MIMAROPA. It aims to identify and describe the nature, practices and status of these centers and to explore their innovative and transformative role in the fields of history, culture and heritage studies in the Philippines. It examines the impact of their programs, projects, services, and activities on the study, development and promotion of these three fields. Some of the outstanding features of local studies centers in the Philippines that were identified include: 1) they collect materials pertaining to ethnic groups, and make the materials available and accessible to potential users, mostly in one center; 2) their holdings include library materials, archives and museum artefacts; 3) they conduct research and publish books, relating to history, culture and heritage of the localities they serve and the Philippines. This paper may provide insights for the management (or future establishment) of local studies centers not just in the Philippines, but also in other countries. This paper received the IFLA LIS Student Paper Award 2012.

Related Papers

Special Library Administration, Standardization and Technological Integration

Martin Julius V Perez

Local studies centers are specialized information centers combining a library, an archives and a museum in terms of the range of the collections, and serving one purpose of preservation of knowledge about a certain locality defined in all facets. In the Philippines, these local studies centers were established as early as 1975 and from there, different local studies centers were established. This chapter aims to present an introductory text to the local studies centers in the Philippines. It describes and identifies what a local studies center is based on the structure and characteristics of existing local studies centers in the Philippines, specifically: organization and administration; collection; and services and programs. Further, this chapter intends to present select established local studies centers in the Philippines.

Community-based approach to museum development in Asia and the Pacific for culture and sustainable development

Ana P . Labrador

This is one among ten articles from community-based museums in the Asia Pacific region outlines different approaches made to enhance the role of museums in the service of community development. Their successes and the challenges that are ever present are described in these examples, in addition to the activities of the community-based museums that provide further insight into their development and various management styles that have been applied since their inception. In the Philippines case, the challenges of getting an academic program off the ground, using the framework of community museum development were difficult but not insurmountable. Labrador cites several museums in communities that helped in creating a new concept for museum practice. Any museum studies program would only be relevant using a consultative process from the ground up.

The Journal of History

Erlinda Alburo

Raising awareness of local heritage for its preservation is part of the program of the local governance of Cebu. The town history project of the province has forced local historians to review the natural, tangible and intangible heritage items of their place that they felt should be included in the histories. At the same time, these same heritage icons have been reinvented in response to the tourism thrust of the province. This paper wants mainly to review the representations of the three forms of heritage in the local histories, showing how the original reports in the 1953 Historical Data Papers have been used. A secondary aim is to see how recent developments have influenced such representations.

The SAA Archaeological Record

Stephen Acabado

September 2020 • The SAA Archaeological Record 33 n the Philippines, rapid urbanization has made archaeology a difficult process; many potential excavation sites have been covered with concrete pavements or other aspects of the modern built environment, and even when sites are visible, locals are understandably skeptical of researchers infringing on these spaces. 1 Utilizing indigenous epistemologies within these local ethnic communities would foster positive research and support the maintenance of tradition and heritage. By collaborating with community stakeholders and developing models of support, archaeology can both uncover and help sustain important places of heritage. In this article, we provide case studies from different areas of the Philippines: Rizal, Kalinga, and Camarines Sur, Bicol (Figure 1). Archaeology work in Kalinga Province was revitalized due to important finds pertaining to Philippine hominin ancestry (Ingicco et al. 2018). These recent developments were critical for bringing in new resources to the community so that additional future research could be accessible to and conducted by local stakeholders. Meanwhile in Bicol, recent excavations at colonial Catholic churches facilitated a new partnership between researchers and the Catholic Church. This is reflective of the strongly religious nature of the region, which was subject to a strong Spanish presence in the sixteenth century. The case studies are each reflective of the dynamic histories that have shaped each region, and the many individuals who have risen to the challenge of sustaining their heritage.

Leodinito Cañete

The paper reviews the cooperation agreement in cultural affairs between Cebu Normal University (CNU) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). In the summers of 2011 and 2012, CNU's College of Teacher Education, as authorized by the CNU Board of Regents, implemented the NCCA-designed two-summer 24-unit post-baccalaureate program which offered foundation and major courses to enhance the participants' understanding of the basic theories, processes and applications of arts, culture, and heritage in the culture-based teaching of the basic education curriculum. It was evident that through this unique program, CNU contributed to ensuring the widest dissemination of artistic and cultural products of the Philippines. The spatial relationship between CNU and NCCA in the governance structure of cultural affairs in the Philippines was a legitimate means of advancing, preserving and developing the culture and the arts of the country through the training of Filipino educators that is responsive to the multicultural needs of the Filipinos to improve their quality of life.

Alon: Journal for Filipinx American and Diasporic Studies

Alana J Bock

Br. Bela Lanyi

This research analyzes the history, statutes, and opportunities of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission for Cultural Heritage of the Church (CACCHC) to increase its efficiency. As the representative of the Archbishop of Cebu, the Commission carries the responsibility for the quality and quantity of architectural conservation activities of the Archdiocese which are still dominated by amateurish approaches. The Archdiocese is seriously interested in heritage conservation but ignorance and lack of resources create obstacles. This study's main objective is to analyze the reasons of inefficiency and to offer an updated operational model. The results and findings of the study may contribute to the making of an efficient Commission that promotes knowledge on the history of architecture in Cebu and understanding the Filipino cultural identity through a better state of sacred heritage. The study's scope includes objective and subjective factors of the Commission's efficiency and the ...

International Summer Academy Cottbus; Understanding Heritage (ISAC)

What exactly constitutes and how do we define "Filipino identity"? Given the Philippines' rich history -- its precolonial/colonial past up to its current issues -- the question of identity has become the subject of ongoing discussion and debate. This issue is naturally tied up to questions on Philippine Heritage -- what forms our heritage and what is there to protect and conserve? Without a proper understanding of our identity and heritage and the proper analysis and transmission of data related to these concepts, we fail to maximize knowledge that may contribute to the country's economic growth and unite us as a nation. Tuklas Society (Discover) seeks to address this problematique. Tuklas is a group of young enthusiasts aiming for heritage literacy for Filipino children and communities. Using public archaeology to engage people and promote stewardship of cultural resources, we move from an activity-based perspective towards an alternative education approach. This research will discuss the legal aspect of heritage valuation and how it is reflected in the Philippine education system. It will study the limitations of the existing organisation and demonstrate how a combination of design and progressive educational approaches enables an effective and holistic experience in studying Philippine heritage for the proper utilisation of both tangible and intangible resources.

Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints

Renato Lucas

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

• The Culture Of The Philippines

The Philippines is commonly referred to as a melting pot of western and eastern cultures. The traditional culture of the Philippines is heavily influenced by the traditions of the indigenous Austronesian people. The cultural landscape also features Spanish, American, Japanese, Arabic, and Indonesian influence. The major religions in the country are Christianity and Islam which have played a significant role in shaping the culture of the Philippines.

7. Social Beliefs And Customs

The social beliefs and customs practiced in the Philippines are primarily influenced by the religion and demographics of the region where they are practiced. The traditional customs of the indigenous Filipinos are based on the beliefs of the Austronesian inhabitants of the Philippines.

6. Religion, Festivals, And Holidays

The Constitution of the Philippines provides for the freedom of religion. The Philippines is one of the few Asian countries to have a Christian majority. About 90.07% of Philippines residents identify as Christians with 80.58% of the population being followers of the Roman Catholic Church and about 11% being other Christian denominations. Islam is the second largest religion in the country with about 5.6% of citizens identifying as Muslim. The majority of the Muslim Filipinos are Sunni Muslims, but there is also a small number of Ahmadiyya Muslims. The cultural diversity in the Philippines is showcased in numerous festivals, locally known as fiestas, which are celebrated in the country. All of the festivals have religious or cultural significance. Due to the predominance of the Roman Catholic faith, most cities and towns in the Philippines have patron saints who are honored through festivals. For instance, the Silmugi Festival (held in honor of Saint Sebastian), the Sinulog Festival (held in honor of Santo Nino de Cebu), and the Kuraldal Festival (held in honor of Saint Lucy). While most festivals are only observed in particular regions or towns, some are public holidays which are celebrated all over the country. Some public holidays observed in the Philippines include New Year’s Day (observed on January 1st), the Holy Week (observed between March and April), Independence Day (observed on June 12th), Christmas Day (observed on December 25th), and Rizal Day (observed on December 30th).

5. Music And Dance

The music composed in the Philippines is influenced by all the cultures in the country. The traditional folk songs are primarily inspired by the indigenous customs and beliefs. Some notable composers of Filipino folk music include Lucio San Pedro from the National Artist for Music as well as Antonio Buenaventura, a renowned patriotic music composer. The music composed in the urban regions of the Philippines, particularly targeted to the youth is known as original pinoy music or Philippine pop music. Popular musicians from this genre include Christian Bautista, Sarah Geronimo, Yeng Constantino, and groups such as True Faith, Yano, The Teeth, and Neocolours among others. Other popular genres include jazz, hip hop, reggae, and Latino music. Dance in the Philippines ranges from traditional indigenous-inspired dances to modern “western-inspired” dances. Tinikling is an example of a traditional dance with nationwide appeal.

4. Literature And Arts

Ancient Filipino literature was primarily made up of legends and folklore which were the main forms of literature before the Spanish colonization of the country. These folktales were based on specific themes and aimed to pass down traditions and cultural beliefs through generations. While most of these folktales existed as oral literature, written publications did exist particularly during the Spanish colonial era. One such publication is the “Ibong Adarna,” a story written by Jose de la Cruz. Other famed writers of this period include Francisco Balagtas, famed for his publication “Florante at Laura” as well as Jose Rizal. The earliest form of art is traced back to 5000 BC through pottery discovered in the Sanga-Sanga Cave. Ancient Filipinos were also gifted tattoo artists who decorated their bodies in multi-colored pigmentation with environment-inspired designs. The tattoo work on these ancient Filipinos was done so well that Portuguese explorers called them the “Painted People” or the “Pintados.” Modern artists in the Philippines include Damian Domingo, Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Elito Circa who is known world-wide for painting using his blood. There are numerous museums in the Philippines which showcase the artistry in the country which include the National Art Gallery as well as the Metropolitan Museum of Art located in Manila.

An excellent way that the cultural diversity in the Philippines is portrayed is through the local cuisine. The cuisine in the Philippines is influenced by local and foreign cultures. Rice is the staple meal in the country and is usually prepared through steaming and is served together with other foods. Rice is also ground to rice flour which is used in the preparation of pastries and sweets. The abundance of fish in the country makes seafood another common food item in most households with tilapia, clams, mussels, cod, squid, and catfish being salted, fried, and served with rice and vegetables. Other popular food items in the Philippines include lechon (roasting of a whole pig common during festivals), mechado (larded beef with tomato sauce), and afritada (pork or chicken prepared with vegetables and tomato sauce) among others. The country is also home to many “western” fast food franchises including Pizza Hut, KFC, and McDonald’s.

2. Clothing

The Maria Clara is a traditional dress worn by Filipino women. The traditional attire gets its name from a famous character known as Maria Clara in the epic 19th-century narrative, “Noli me tangere” written by Jose Rizal. The Maria Clara is made of four components namely; the saya (a long dress), the tapis (a knee-long skirt), the camisa (a collarless chemise), and the panuelo (a stiff scarf). In recent years, the Maria Clara has been modernized to produce a modern version known as the terno which was popularized by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who wore the terno during the 2008 State of the Nation Address. Another traditional garment of the Philippines is the Barong Tagalog normally worn by men during special occasions. Also known as the Baro, the Barong Tagalog features a formal long shirt decorated with embroidery. The attire was popularized by President Ramon Magsaysay who wore the Baro in most state functions.

The national sport in the country is Arnis, a type of martial arts. Boxing is one of the most popular sports in the Philippines with the country producing global superstar boxer and the only eight-division champion in the world, Manu Pacquiao. Another popular sport is basketball with the country producing international basketball players such as Robert Jaworski and Carlos Loyzaga.

More in Society

Countries With Zero Income Tax For Digital Nomads

The World's 10 Most Overcrowded Prison Systems

Manichaeism: The Religion that Went Extinct

The Philosophical Approach to Skepticism

How Philsophy Can Help With Your Life

3 Interesting Philosophical Questions About Time

What Is The Antinatalism Movement?

The Controversial Philosophy Of Hannah Arendt

Researching Higher Education in Asia pp 287–295 Cite as

Higher Education Research in the Philippines: Policies and Prospects

• Christian Bryan S. Bustamante 8  
• First Online: 08 September 2017

965 Accesses

Part of the book series: Higher Education in Asia: Quality, Excellence and Governance ((HEAQEG))

This chapter is about higher education research in the Philippines. It provides an overview about the status and challenges of Philippine higher education research. The focus of the discussion is on the policies of the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on improving higher education research in the country. The chapter starts with a discussion on the status of the scientific research in the Philippines 67 years ago. It is followed by a discussion on the status of higher education research and on the current policies initiated by the CHED as well as the research trends and prospects in order to develop the culture of research and the quality of research output in Philippine higher education.

• Higher education research
• Philippines
• Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
• Higher education policy in the Philippines

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution .

Buying options

• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info
• Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Alcala, A. C. (2006). Introduction. Higher education research papers . Pasig City: Commission on Higher Education.

Google Scholar  

Altbach, P. G. (2004, January–February). The cost and benefits of world-class universities . Academe Online.

Altbach, P. G., & Salmi, J. (Eds.). (2011). The road to academic excellence: The making of world-class research universities . Washington, DC: The World Bank.

Angeles, E. Y. (2009). Foreword. National higher education research agenda (NHERA) – 2, 2009–2018 .

Blake, N., Smith, R., & Standish, P. (1998). The universities we need: Higher education after dearing . London: Kogan Page.

Commission on Higher Education. (2009a). Guidelines for CHED accreditation of research journals and providing incentive therefor. Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Orders No. 13 Series of 2009 .

Commission on Higher Education. (2009b). Implementing rules and regulations(IRR) for CMO. Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Orders No. 42 Series of 2009 .

Commission on Higher Education. (2010a). CHED accredited research journals. Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Orders No. 9 Series of 2010 .

Commission on Higher Education. (2010b). CHED priority areas in the natural sciences. Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Orders No. 42 Series of 2010 .

Commission on Higher Education. (2010c). CHED priority areas in the social sciences. Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Orders No. 41 Series of 2010 .

Commission on Higher Education. (2012). Revised guidelines for CHED accreditation of research journals and providing incentives therefor. Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Orders No. 05 Series of 2012 .

Commission on Higher Education. (2014a). CHED accredited research journals. Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Orders No. 23 Series of 2014 .

Commission on Higher Education. (2014b). Statistical bulletin on ASEAN higher education . Retrieved from ched.gov.ph

Commission on Higher Education. (2015). Policy reforms for the grants-in-aid funds of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for research and development, and extension. Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Orders No. 03 Series of 2015 .

Garcia, E. A. (2001). Foreword. Higher education research papers (Vol. 1). Pasig City, Philippines: Commission on Higher Education.

Juanillo, N. K., Jr. (2014). Reexamining research directions in the Philippine higher education. Talk presented at the CHED-HERRC National Research Conference: Higher Education Institutions’ R&D for National Development, Davao City.

Licuanan, P. B. (2014). Message to conference participants . Message presented at the CHED-HERRC National Research Conference: Higher Education Institutions’ R&D for National Development, Davao City.

Office of Planning Research and Knowledge Management. (2014). Higher ed alerts: Snapshots of higher education in the Philippines .

Pascual, A. E. (2013). Talk presented at the Conference on education competitiveness in an ASEAN integrated era, Manila, Philippines.

Salmi, J. (2009). The challenge of establishing world-class universities . Washington, DC: The World Bank.

The World Bank. (2012). Putting higher education to work: Skills and research for growth in East Asia ( World Bank East Asia and Pacific Regional Report). Washington, DC: The World Bank

Uichanco, L. B. (1949). The present status of scientific research in the Philippines . Paper presented at the United States Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

San Beda College, Manila, Philippines

Christian Bryan S. Bustamante

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christian Bryan S. Bustamante .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan

Akiyoshi Yonezawa

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter.

Bustamante, C.B.S. (2018). Higher Education Research in the Philippines: Policies and Prospects. In: Jung, J., Horta, H., Yonezawa, A. (eds) Researching Higher Education in Asia. Higher Education in Asia: Quality, Excellence and Governance. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4989-7_16

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4989-7_16

Published : 08 September 2017

Publisher Name : Springer, Singapore

Print ISBN : 978-981-10-4988-0

Online ISBN : 978-981-10-4989-7

eBook Packages : Education Education (R0)

Share this chapter

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research