Asian Heritage of the Filipinos Even before the Western colonizers came, the Philippines was in contact with

the great civilizations of Asia-namely India, China, Japan and Arabia. While the west and the White men were living in the Dark Ages (476-1000 A.D.) and Europe was overrun by the Barbarians, the east and the Dark Asians were basking in the radiant glow of prosperity, culture and conquest. In the first century AD- Indians traders, missionaries and colonizers began their exodus. In search for gold, glory and better life. They crossed by Indian vessels the seas to Indochina, Siam, Sumatra, Malay Peninsula. Indian Cultural influences via the Sri Vijaya and Majapahit Empires . Indian influences in the Philippines: 1. 2. 3. 4. Adored vedic deities The belief that the universe is alive with dewas and hantus, good spirits and bad demons. Mythology and folk literature of the Filipino people Old Filipino customs and traditions a. Placing of a flesh flower around the neck of a visitor b. A groom gives a dowry to the brides parents c. The offering of buyo d. A childless couple goes on pilgrimage to a holy shrine 5. Filipino superstitious beliefs a. A comet is a bad omen b. A pregnant woman who eats bananas will giove birth to twins c. If a sleeping person dreams that one of his teeth falls out, somebody close to him will die. d. A maiden who sings before a stove while cooking will marry an old widower 6. The Sanskrit language a. Examples: ama-ama b. Asawa-atawa c. Bangsa-vamsa d. Dalaga-darika e. Mutya-mutya f. Nanay-nana g. Saksi-saksi h. Tala-tara i. Raha-raha Early Contact with China After 982 AD, the Sino-Philippine expanded. Southern Sung (1127-1280), Yuan (1280-1368), and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties. (Visited Lingayen Gulf, Manila Bay, Mindoro, and Sulu for purposes of trade.

Chinese Influences in the Philippines. Mainly economic and social, for the Chinese came to the Philippines not to conquer or rule the land, but to seek commercial profit and better life. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Learned the manufacture of gunpowder Gold mining Use of porcelain Blacksmithing Kite-flying and other games Gambling: jueteng Use of slippers(bakya), fans, umbrellas The wearing of white garments for garments Roasting of pigs, brewing of tea, cooking (lumpiya, pansit, mami, chopsuey and ukoy and appetizers

Social customs: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Arranged marriage The employment of professional mourners during the funeral The filial respect accorded by the children to the elderly, older brothers and sisters The explosion of firecrackers on the advent of the New Year and other festivals The collection of tong

Linguistic influence: extensive surpassing that of India and Arabia. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ate-achi Bakya-bak-kiah Gunting-kau-ting Susi-so-si Pinto-pin-to

Early relations with Japan. Trade flourished between Philippines and Japan in the 13th century AD. Cultural Influences. 1. Manufacture of arms and tools 2. Tanning of deerskins 3. Artificial breeding of ducks and fish