On National Culture Consciousness Week, observed annually from July 1 to 7, the Filipino culture is getting well-deserved attention. This holiday was established by President Ferdinand Marcos under Proclamation No. 1148. It was created to encourage the people of the Philippines to embrace their culture and heritage. Part of this is appreciating their inherent strong traits such as resilience and respectfulness. In the Philippines, there is a very strong community spirit, and the people help one another easily. These are values in their culture that should be celebrated and spread,
History of National Culture Consciousness Week
The Philippines, or The Republic of Philippines as it is officially called, is a country located in Southeast Asia. It is an archipelago country meaning that it is a country made up of the culmination of several islands, or in this case, 7,640 of them! It is also a multinational state filled with a wide variety of cultures and ethnicities. This ultimately leads to a culture-rich society that can be attributed to the geographical makeup of the country, neighboring countries, and also their mixed colonial history.
The variety of ethnic groups may come as a shock to most people. This is because it is one of the official languages of the country, and all ethnicities share the Filipino national identity. The Negritos are the earliest inhabitants of the Philippines, followed by the Austronesian peoples. Cultural groups were divided into factions governed by individual rulers. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer, placed the entire region under Spanish colonization for over 300 years. This is where the Spanish culture of the Filipino people can be traced back to. Under his rule, Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos named two of the islands ‘Filipinas’ in 1542 after Philip II of Spain. The Philippine Revolution led to a new title ‘the Philippine Republic,’ and during the Commonwealth period, the official name became the Republic of the Philippines.
The Philippine Revolution led to the end of Spanish colonization and the beginning of American colonization, after the Spanish-American war. The Philippines were considered an American state for 48 years until they declared independence shortly before the Philippine-American war.
National Culture Consciousness Week timeline
The Philippines come under the colonization of Spain under the governance of Miguel López de Legazpi.
The Philippines is declared an American state after the Spanish-American war.
The Republic of the Philippines becomes the country’s official title and is included in the constitution.
After World War II and Japan’s surrender, the U.S. recognizes and declares the Philippines’ independence.
National Culture Consciousness Week FAQs
How many ethnic groups are in the Republic of the Philippines?
The Republic of the Philippines is a culturally rich country with about 175 Ethnolinguistic groups and 19 regional languages. The Visayan people make up most of the ethnic population with over 33% of the entire population belonging to this group.
What main cultures have established the Filipino culture of today?
The rich culture of the people of the Philippines can be attributed to their geographical makeup and long colonial history. The major cultures responsible for the wide variety of cultures found in the Philippines today are Asian, Spanish, Western/American, and also Chinese.
How has the Philippine culture changed when it comes to clothing?
With the popularity of hippie and Philippine pop culture, Filipino clothing has evolved into more comfortable and laid-back wear.
How to Observe National Culture Consciousness Week
Learn about the Filipino culture
It’s a no-brainer that one of the top ways to celebrate this day is by learning all you can about the Filipino culture! We have only just touched on an introduction to the deep-rooted culture and history of the Republic of the Philippines. Take it a step further by doing some research yourself, or even asking any Filipino friends you might have about their rich culture.
Reach out to your Filipino friends
If you know someone from the Republic of the Philippines, take some time out this week to reach out to them. Let them know how much you value them or even spend some quality time with them immersed in their culture. You can also shout them out on social media to let them know you’re thinking about them.
Throw a party
If you are a Philippine citizen, don’t let the week pass you by without throwing a culture party together. Invite friends and family over to join in the traditions with you, and make sure you have a session to educate them about your culture. You can take the party to work by sharing your favorite traditional meals and lessons with your colleagues.
5 Interesting Facts About Filipinos
Extremely busy on social media
Filipinos send an estimated 400 million texts every day and are also ranked as the world’s top selfie-takers.
They are basketball lovers
You can find makeshift basketball courts even in the most remote islands in the Philippines, and their basketball association is the second oldest in the world after the N.B.A.
They are religious
The predominant religion in the Philippines is Catholic, and you can find images of crosses and other religious symbols all over their houses.
They love to eat
Filipinos take their love of food a step further by snacking in between meals and eating at least four times a day.
They love singing
Karaoke and singing are a big part of Filipino culture, and you can find karaoke bars and machines scattered across the country.
Why National Culture Consciousness Week is Important
It’s all about the culture
Culture is an important part of any human’s life. It is our genetic makeup, and what makes us who we are. We love any holiday that allows us to embrace our diverse cultures and celebrate them with pride.
It’s an opportunity to learn
Another great thing about this holiday is that it gives us all the opportunity to learn more about the people of the Philippines. Any fun and creative way to learn something new should be a cherished opportunity and that’s what National Culture Consciousness Week is all about.
It’s an expressive holiday
This day also gives the Filipino people an opportunity to express their culture boldly and unapologetically. A chance to stay true to who you are is one that we will always stand up for.
National Culture Consciousness Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | July 1 | Monday |
| 2025 | July 1 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | July 1 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | July 1 | Thursday |
| 2028 | July 1 | Saturday |
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