COLEGIO DE STA. ANA DE VICTORIAS, INC.

Osmeña Avenue, Victorias City, Negros Occidental, 6119

MODULE 1
LEARNING MODULE
BLENDED FLEXIBLE LEARNING
Philippine Popular Culture (ELEC 121)

AN OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

The term popular culture refers to the pattern of cultural experiences and
attitudes that exist in mainstream society. Popular culture events might include a
parade, a baseball game, or the season finale of a television show. Rock and pop
music— “pop” is short for “popular”—are part of popular culture. Popular culture is
often expressed and spread via commercial media such as radio, television, movies,
the music industry, publishers, and corporate-run websites. You will know more
about Philippine popular culture in the upcoming lessons.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, you should be able to:

● Define the meaning of culture and popular culture.

● Identify the different elements of culture.
● Classify the different layers of culture
● Differentiate ethnocentrism from cultural relativism.
● Describe the Filipino culture.

LEARNING RESOURCES

1. Ticada and Solano, Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions (2016)
2. Ebia and Cornejo, Society and Culture (2016)

LEARNING INPUTS

MEANING AND ELEMENTS OF CULTURE

LESSON 1

What is Culture?
The word "culture" was derived from a Latin term, "colere" which means to
tend to the earth and grow, or cultivation and nurture. It is the characteristics and
knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine,
social habits, music and arts. It encompasses what we wear, our language, what we
believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we
behave with loved ones, and a million other things.

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Elements of Culture
● SYMBOLS. A symbol is anything that is used to stand for something else.
People who share a culture often attach a specific meaning to an object,
gesture, sound, or image.

For example, a cross is a significant symbol to Christians. It is not simply two

pieces of wood attached to each other. To Christians, it represents the basis
of their entire religion, and they have great reverence for the symbol.
Another example is Mano or Pagmamano.

● LANGUAGE. It is a system of words and symbols used to communicate with

other people. This includes full languages as we usually think of them, such as
English, Tagalog, etc. But it also includes body language, slang, and common
phrases that are unique to certain groups of people.

● VALUES. It is the culture’s standard for discerning what is good and just in
society. Values are deeply embedded and critical for transmitting and
teaching a culture’s beliefs. It helps shape a society by suggesting what is
good and bad, beautiful and ugly, sought or avoided.

The term bahala na, which can be translated to whatever happens,

happens, is one of the more familiar phrases used in the country and is
perhaps the most representative of how Filipinos value adaptability and quick
thinking. It exemplifies one’s belief in a higher power and submitting one’s
fate to elements that cannot be controlled.

● NORMS. Cultures differ widely in their norms, or standards and

expectations for behaving. Norms are often divided into two types, formal
norms, and informal norms.

Formal norms, also called mores and laws, refer to the standards of
behavior considered the most important in any society. Informal norms, also
called folkways and customs, refer to standards of behavior that are
considered less important but still influence how we behave.

LAYERS OF CULTURE
LESSON 2

● The national level: associated with the nation as a whole

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● The regional level: associated with ethnic, linguistic, or religious differences

that exist within a nation

● The gender level: associated with gender differences (Female vs. Male)

● The generation level- associated with the differences between grandparents

and parents, parents and children

● The social class level: associated with educational opportunities and

differences in occupation

● The corporate level- associated with the particular culture of an organization.

Applicable to those who are employed.

LESSON 3 ETHNOCENTRISM vs. CULTURAL RELATIVISM

During the early days of contact between different cultures, ethnocentrism was
the norm. Ethnocentrism is the idea that one's own culture is the main standard by
which other cultures may be measured. An ethnocentric is concerned with how
similar others' cultural practices, symbols, and beliefs are to their own.

For instance, Ethan is an ethnocentrist; he considers others' beliefs and practices

to be savage or corrupt, or he is often confused by other people's cultures. Very
often, people that are ethnocentric don't know they are using their culture to judge
another's. The culture of an ethnocentric person is considered the 'normal' way that
things are done, just as Ethan believes.

A competing idea, cultural relativism is the belief that the culture of people
serves particular needs and must be looked at in terms of the world the people
inhabit. This is often the perspective of social scientists who work with people and is
the result of the work of anthropologist Franz Boas.

For instance, Casey is a cultural relativist; she prefers to look at other cultures in
terms of what their practices bring to them. She believes that if a tribe paints their
faces for religious ceremonies, there must be a good reason why they do that. Is
there a practical reason for it, or is it symbolic? If symbolic, where do the symbols
come from? These questions allow a closer examination of the practices of others
than ethnocentrism. This doesn't imply that a relativist, like Casey, doesn't have
strong beliefs of her own. Rather, other cultures are simply not judged with
reference to one's own culture. Again, this often has to be trained into people.

LESSON 4 POPULAR CULTURE

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What is Popular Culture?

It is also called mass culture and pop culture, is a set of the practices, beliefs and
objects that are dominant or ubiquitous in a society at a given point in time. Heavily
influenced in modern times by mass media, this collection of ideas permeates the
everyday lives of people in a given society.

The culture of the Philippines comprises a blend of traditional Filipino and

Spanish Catholic traditions, with influences from America and other parts of Asia.
The Filipinos are family oriented and often religious with an appreciation for art,
fashion, music and food.

● Filipinos are very resilient. In times of calamities and

catastrophes, Filipinos always manage to rise above the challenge. Instead of
wallowing, they manage to pick themselves up and smile.
● Filipinos take pride in their families. In the Philippines, it is family first. So
whether you are part of the immediate family or you belong to the fourth
generation, you are treated as a family member. Sometimes, even the closest
of friends are considered family, too.
● Filipinos are very religious. In all corners of a Filipino house, you can find
brazen images of crosses and other religious paraphernalia. They go to
church every Sunday, or sometimes even twice or three times a week.
● Filipinos are very respectful. From the moment they are born into this world,
they are already taught how to be respectful by using these simple
catchphrases—po and opo, words that end sentences when addressing
elders.
● Filipinos help one another. More popularly known
as bayanihan, Filipinos help one another—without expecting anything in
return—so that undertaking their tasks and responsibilities become much
easier. Sometimes this is called “community spirit.”
● Filipinos value traditions and culture. For Filipinos, traditions in their home
and in their family are important. They usually set aside a specific day for a
certain celebration like festivals, birthday parties, reunions, etc. And of
course, every gathering is dedicated to keeping up with each other over
sumptuous food.
● Filipinos have the longest Christmas celebrations. Even as early as August,
you can hear Christmas songs and jingles being played in the malls or in the
restaurants in the Philippines. The mood becomes festive, with many people
shopping and in good spirits. Christmas celebrations last until around the first
or second week of January.

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● Filipinos love to eat. Aside from breakfast, lunch, and

dinner, Filipinos manage to squeeze in a little meal in between, too. Whether
they eat every hour or every three hours, they savour every bite.
● Filipinos love to sing. This is the reason why karaoke has become so
prevalent. As part of their recreation, Filipinos spend some quality time with
their families or friends singing or belting out new and old songs.
● Filipinos love art and architecture. Filipinos have a penchant for bringing art
and architecture to a whole new level. They love to design creatively, to think
intuitively, and have a passion for anything different and unique.

Other Filipino Culture

● Filipino Family Values

The family is the center of the social structure and includes the nuclear family,
aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and honorary relations such as godparents,
sponsors, and close family friends. People get strength and stability from their
family. As such, many children have several godparents.

● Filipino Concept of Shame

Hiya is shame and is a motivating factor behind behavior. It is a sense of social

propriety and conforming to societal norms of behavior. Filipinos 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.

● Etiquette and Customs

Initial greetings are formal and follow a set protocol of greeting the eldest or
most important person first. We use academic, professional, or honorific titles and
the person's surname until we are invited to use their first name, or even more
frequently, their nickname. 

● If you are invited to a Filipino's house:

The best time to arrive is 15 to 30 minutes later if they are invited on a large party.
Dress well. Appearances matter and you will be judged on how you dress.
Compliment the hostess on the house. 

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