Philippines

Philippines

Filipinos

Manila

Religion holds a central place in the life of most Filipinos, including Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, Protestants, and animists. It is central not as an abstract belief system, but rather as a host of experiences, rituals, ceremonies, and adjurations that provide continuity in life, cohesion in the community, and moral purpose for existence

Women have always enjoyed greater equality in Philippine society than was common in other parts of Southeast Asia. Education and literacy levels in 1990 were higher for women than for men.

The majority of the Philippines are bound together by common values and a common religion. Among these are strong religious faith, respect for authority, and high regard for amor proprio (self-esteem). Filipinos are sensitive to attacks on their own self-esteem and develop sensitivity to the self-esteem of others as well. Anything that might hurt another's self-esteem is to be avoided or else one risk terminating the relationship.

Philippine own alliance systems are secured by kinship, beginning with the immediate family. A Filipino's loyalty goes first to the immediate family; identity is deeply embedded in the network of kinship. It is normative that one owes support, loyalty, and trust to one's close kin and, because kinship is structured bilaterally with affinal as well as consanguineal relatives, one's kin can include quite a large number of people.

The geography and history of the Philippines have conspired to produce a multiplicity of languages, some 80 dialects in total.

1988 Philippine government figures, which count as literate everyone who has completed four years of elementary school, the overall literacy rate was 88 percent, up from 82.6 percent in 1970. Literacy rates were virtually the same for women and men.

About 10% of Filipinos (the so-called cultural minority groups or tribal Filipinos) retain their traditional culture. There are some 60 ethnological groups, ranging from the Badjao of the Sulu archipelago, who are sea gypsies, to the head-hunting Kalinga north of Bontoc.

The Philippines is the only Christian country in Asia. Over 90% of the population claim to follow Christian faithsÐ'...

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