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Asian Americans. Philippines. Origins. Archeological evidence suggests that people existed on the Philippine islands about 50,000 years ago.
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Asian Americans Philippines
Origins • Archeological evidence suggests that people existed on the Philippine islands about 50,000 years ago. • However, current Filipino residents are believed to be the ancestors of the Aetas who arrived about 30,000 years ago across land bridges from China or the Andaman Islands. • * The climate is hot, humid, and tropical. * The average yearly temperature is around 79°F. • * There are three recognized seasons: • Tag-init ~hot season March - May • Tag-ulan ~ rainy season June - Nov • Taglamig ~ cold season Dec - Feb ** The country lies within the typhoon belt of the Western Pacific causing about 19 typhoon strikes a year. ** On the Northwestern side fringes the Pacific Ring of Fire, resulting in frequent seismic and volcanic activities. Some 20 earthquakes are registered daily in the Philippines, most are too weak to be felt.
Religion & Language Roman Catholic 83% Protestant 9% Muslim 5% Buddhist & Other 3% • While there are more than 170 languages that are spoken in the Philippines, • almost all of them belong to the Western Malayo-Polynesian language • group. • Tagalog and English are both the official languages. • English is the first language of the Filipinos that belong to the upper echelons of society, and Tagalog is the second. Distinguishing the differences in class.
Filipino Culture • Filipino culture is largely a fusion of the indigenous traditions of the Philippines, with the Spanish and American cultures. It has also been significantly influenced by Chinese, Indonesian, and Indian cultures. • The Hispanic influences (due to over three centuries of Spanish Colonial rule) are most evident in Roman Catholic Church religious festivals. But there are many other traces of Spanish culture in the country, such as names of countless streets, towns, and providences, which are also named in Spanish. • The Chinese influences in the Filipino culture are most evident in the Filipino cuisine. The prevalence of noodles, known locally as mami, are a testament of the Chinese cuisine. Other influences include linguistic borrowing and occasional Chinese derived names.
Mimicking America • There is a wide “imitation” of American cultural trends, such as the love of fast-food. Many street corners boast a McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Burger King, and KFC. Local fast-food chains have also sprung up. • Many modern day Filipinos listen to contemporary American music and watch many American movies. • As with many cultures, music (including traditional music) and leisure activities are an important aspect of the Filipino society. • Various sports are enjoyed including, boxing, basketball, badminton, and billiards, and are among the most popular games in the country.
Marriage & Coming of Age • Asking “Will you marry me?” seems more like a threat then a question to the Filipino women. Because to them it is more a question of when rather than an if question. They say instead, “Lets get married!” • The giving of the ring in their culture is more of a scaled-down version of giving a dowry to his future wife (and her family). • Girls coming of age: When a young girl gets her first menstrual cycle there a few rituals begin… ~Jumping off the last three steps of the stairs is supposed to make future cycles last only three days. ~Sitting on a banana leaf will prevent clothing from getting stained ~ Hopping over an orchid will ensure that a menstruating woman will smell fragrant. ~Finally the girl will bath to prevent going insane during her future cycles. When a boy comes of age: Around the age of 12 a boy decides if he wants to get circumcised. If he does then they take him under a banana tree and the “operation” is complete by one slice of a knife. Boys who choose not to be circumcised are teased.
Holidays • Through the good times and the bad, the fiesta must go on. Each city has at least one local festival of its own, usually on the feast of its patron saint, so there is always a fiesta going on somewhere in the country. Some of the minor holidays include: Baguio Flower Festival: during the flower season the people take a break to revel in the cool climate and the unique culture of the city. Multi-hued costumes are worn, mimicking the various blooms of the highland region. Pinyahan Sa Daet: Sweet, succulent pineapple is the fruit of choice and the people of Daet love it so much that they made a festival in its honor. They have art exhibits, trade fair, cultural dances, and sport events.
Prejudice & Discrimination • Asian Americans have been denied equal right, subjected to harassment & hostility. • They have had their rights revoked & been imprisoned for no justifiable reason. • They have been physically attacked & murdered for more than 200 years. • Numerous acts of discrimination against Chinese immigrants culminated in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. For the first & so far the only time in American history, an entire ethnic group was singled out & forbidden to step foot on American soil. • Perhaps the most infamous episode of anti-Asian racism was the unjustified imprisonment of the Japanese Americans during World War 2- done solely on the basis of their ethnic ancestry.
Education Stereotypes • Geniuses • Overachievers • Nerdy • Great in math and science • Competitive • Uninterested in fun • 4.0 GPA’s
Personality and Behavior Stereotypes • Submissive • Humble • Passive • Stay with their own race • Not willing to mesh with American Culture • Want to be Caucasian • Act fresh off the boat
Physical Appearance and Mannerism Stereotypes • Slanted eyes • Wears eyeglasses • Poor or non-English speaking • Poor communicators • Grocery store owners, dry cleaners, restaurant owners, chefs • Stingy, greedy, rich, poor
Teacher Insights • Teachers are responsible to keep in mind that not all Asian American children are going to be instant successes in the classroom. It’s important for teachers to push all of their students, but they need to remember not to over do it. • Get to know your students-learn about the student’s background, where his/her family came from, his/her likes and dislikes. • Watch for certain behaviors, such as withdrawing from classmates (becoming a loner).
High Context Culture Interpersonal Relationships -Members of the group come before the individuals. -They believe they must live up to the accepted standards of behavior; and if they fail to do so, they bring shame not only upon themselves, but also upon their family. -If someone is publicly embarrassed, criticized, or does not live up to expectations, they feel shame and lose self-esteem.
Social Roles -They are predictable and role oriented. -They don’t accept settling for less, they demand perfection. -Hiya means shame and is a motivating factor behind behavior. It is a sense of social propriety and conformity of societal norms. - “Know that even the greatest of men fail, but hard work and determination will earn perfection.” Filipino Proverb
Verbal Communication -Many nonverbal and contextual cues are used. -Instead of using your pointer finger, they point with their lips extended out to indicate position or location of an object. -To greet someone, one usually whips his head upward for acknowledgement. This is similar to how Japanese bow down to others. -When calling for attention, many Filipinos say “hoy!” or use a rising hiss like a snake saying “psst.”
Time Orientation -They aren’t too concerned about time. They will take vacations and time off for anything they can. -Time is not of much importance. Space and Tempo -They are very cooperative. -They have small personal space. Reasoning -Feelings are very important. They value the virtue of helping each other and other people. -Gratitude is another trait. They are grateful to those who have granted them favors or who are good to them.
