CULTURAL CULTIVATION: Filipinos Blend Colors of Japan Into Their Own

(pic from tx.english-ch.com)

Countries adapting to different cultures have become an accustomed practice since the start of colonization, and the Philippines has been part of those adhering to the trend from its history until today.

The influence dated back to the start of foreign occupations in the country. In history, when people talk about colonization in the Philippines, particular countries instantly start popping out in their minds, including all of what those have contributed through the years.

Today, whenever Filipinos talk of latest trends, all—if not, more—names claim this proposition. Western Pop culture rose up, introducing fast-food chains, setting music genres, films, sports, from countries such as America, Spain, United Kingdom, France, Italy, etc. for Filipinos to explore and enjoy. The same goes with Asian countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, and in this case, one of the most influential countries of all, Japan.

Japanese culture has never been an alien to Filipinos. In fact there are a number of elements wherein Filipinos advocate the Japanese culture. Take the food, for instance; Japanese restaurants and simple ramen eateries are scattered everywhere in the city of Manila alone, several Japanese foods like sushi, sashimi, and maki belong to the group of delicacies Filipino taste approves of.

However, these people are those who take this kind of variation normally. There are the fans who adore and promulgate this rich culture in the country—again, ranging from food, fashion, music, art—and who even practice Japanese traits and traditions in their everyday living.  But, the question is, what actually triggered this sensational phenomenon boom in the country? How did it start?

Historians say that this adaption event originated when the Philippines became under the Japanese occupation. Just like how the Spanish influenced the country in terms of Religion, of how Filipinos learned the English language with the help of the Americans, Japanese people influenced Filipinos’ practices by imparting and incorporating their own while inside the Philippines.

Through the years, various events began establishing Japanese culture and Japanese culture’s enthusiasts in the country, promoting the aspects and exploring the beauty and wonders hidden behind this rich culture. Recently, last July, an event full of cultural activities and promoting was held in celebration of the Philippine-Japanese Friendship Commemoration Day.

Chōdenji Machine Voltes V, 1977

Most Japanese culture enthusiasts in the country are known to be Anime/Manga fans. Anime is Japanese style of animation, and manga is the comic style, however different in design and way of formulating.

The shows seen on Philippine television like Voltes V, Doraemon, Sailor Moon, and Dragonball Z, Naruto, Bleach are some of the many anime/manga the Japanese have released and been releasing. 

Airing of such shows perhaps contributed to the blooming of Japan’s trends in the country, and it led Filipinos closer to its culture. This triggered even more the growth of different dimensions of the Japanese culture in the Philippines—fashion, food, music, art, language, and its innovative science.

However the close comparison of both cultures in the eyes of Filipinos, there are also a number of elements in which they greatly differ—especially if you look at the practice of each. Food-wise, Japanese eat using chopsticks, while Filipinos use spoon and fork as the standard utensils for eating. They also differ in addressing people. In Japan, a person often calls another by his/her surname, and attaches an honorific (-san, -chan, -sama, -kun) for formality and way of respect. In the Philippines, people call each other by names and often talks with “po” or “opo” for way respect as well.

Traditions like marrying and special occasions are of different events between Japan and the Philippines. In Japan, when marrying, the couple wears the traditional Japanese garments (Kimono and Hakama) and often does the ceremony in a temple.

In the Philippines, couples often wed inside a church, with the groom wearing a formal tuxedo or traditional barong and the bride wearing a lavishing wedding gown.

Also, in Japan, there are two occasions where young people can give chocolates to their adored ones--Valentine's Day and White Day. The first is Valentine’s Day, February 14. There’s a rule in Japan that during Valentine’s Day, women should be the one giving chocolates to men; when after a month, March 14 it is the boys’ turn to give chocolates to girls and it is called White Day.

Alodia as Witchblade Amaha Masane

A number of Filipinos from all over the country has been adhering to the practices of the Japanese. A lot are fans, and there are couple Filipino Japanese Enthusiasts who are famous for being one. Perhaps the most famous of all in the country is cosplayer, Alodia Gosiengfiao. Alodia is famous for cosplaying different characters from Animes, Mangas, and even games. Her fame boomed because of the many international competitions she won for her hobby. Many Anime/Manga enthusiasts are fans of Alodia.

However, although adapting different cultures practically helped and/or helps in the development of the Philippines’ own, this practice also holds an effect not only towards the Filipinos’ traditional practices, but also to the country’s original culture.

The same goes with the rest of the world. Sometimes Filipinos have tendencies to react with extremity towards a foreign element, so much that it leads to completely glorifying a foreign culture, and eventually forgetting about the practices of their motherland. This affects not only the way of thinking of Filipinos, but also the cultivation of the Philippines’ practice and traditions.

Adapting different cultures is innovative, but we should not forget about our own. It is a good practice that Filipinos blend colors of possibly all of the countries around the globe to their own, so that they can explore, mix, and have their own unique style individually. But, of course, the original pattern must remain bright, strong, and firm. It is a way of contributing to the progress of one’s own country—to the cultivation of one’s own culture.

This post is for academic purposes only.