With JUAN the TOUR GUIDE

There was a traveler named

Alejandro. His curiosity and
being adventurous are the
reasons why he started an
expedition to explore new
things that he could find
around the world.
Philippines, Pearl of the Orient Seas
A local quickly approached him
Yes I am!
Are you okay?
Where am I?
The local welcome him to their island
named Ma-i and introduced himself.
Alejandro then shook the hand of Juan
and said
Hi I am Juan!
I'm Alejandro, thank you for your
hospitality! I'm glad to meet you."
The local then invited him to visit their
home so that he could introduce him
to his family and friends. He
gladly accepted his invitation. As they
walk, Juan is acting like a tour guide to
Alejandro as he gives him information
about how their island was.
"Our country, the
Philippines is an
Archipelago. It
consists of big and
small islands.
The other islands are named San-su (three
Islands), Pai-p'u-yen (Babuyan Island), P'u-li-lu
(Pollilo Island), Li-kin-tung (Lingayen), Liu-Sin
(Luzon), and Li-han (Lubang, Island of Mindoro).
"Wow, interesting."
San-su is also called three islands
because of the number of islands
that belong to it namely Kia-ma-
yen(Calamianes Islands), Pa-lau-
yu(Palawan) and Pa-ki-
nung(Busungua Island)."
After an hour, the sun shine at its highest point,
Alejandro was complaining about the hot climate in
the place and then a question was formed in his mind.
When do you experience snow here?
What is a snow?
Alejandro was shocked when he knew that
they do not know what a snow is so he
described it to them.
"Here in the Philippines we
have two seasons, namely
rainy and summer.
Our country is a tropical country. It lies on the
Tropic of Cancer and extend from twenty-four
degrees North latitude up to the equinoxial
line according to a traveler named Morga. He
also explained to us when the sunlight shines
on Earth, it directly hits the Philippines that is
why it is why we experience a hot temperature
right now."
Alejandro was then fascinated about the facts that Juan told him.
Therefore, the Philippines experience the
same climate annually. Right?
"No! The climate in different islands are
different and are depending on where they
are located. So it is wrong to assume that for
all parts of the Philippines."
The temperature in Luzon is not invariable but changes with
changes in various regions and provinces thereof. Cagayan on
the other hand, has different time when seasons last even it is a
part of Luzon because it is located on the northern end of Luzon.
Morga also added that Cagayan seasons last as long as Europe."
Alejandro was amazed of what he learned from Juan and he
was looking forward to learn more about the Philippines.
The Filipino Government during the Pre-hispanic era
After a long walk, they arrived in the
barangay where Juan lived.
Then Alejandro saw a man who looked
very strong and confident
Who is that man?
He is our Datu. The leader of our
barangay
At the same time they there was a commotion that
was happening inside the barangay. There was a
robbery that happened that day.
Datu. This man stole the things inside my
house
Juan explained to Alejandro what might happened to the guy who was caught
Whenever there is a robbery in our
barangay, the datu will be the one to
decide on the punishment of the
thief. One option is that he/she and
the family will be fined depending
on how grave the robbery is. And
another option is that he will be
punished by putting the robber's
family to death
Alejandro was surprised on how serious robbery and
theft is for the people.
The Social side of the Filipinos
After that they came across two
people who are getting married
When people marry in our barangays, men give dowry
to the women. And the people who marry are of same
social class. Principals marry fellow principals or nobles.
And same goes for timawas and even slaves
Were there times where nobles marry people from
different castes like slaves?
Yes. There are also some instances wherein
people marry from different castes."
Back in my country, we had a
lot of feasts that showcased
people and their social
classes. Im just curious,
Juan, how was the social
living of the people in this
island?
Looking around the place, Juan remembered a
story his grandmother told him.
Well, the Filipinos have been open to trading. People would arrive here on
their boats and exercise barter trading with us. I guess weve been socially
inclined because of that
But how about feasts, did you guys have those too?
Oh yes we did! We had social traditions in which we drink tuba juice
while we all sing and have fun! said Juan.
Faith and Spirituality
Alejandro was very much fascinated
with the island. One day, he decided to
ask Juan about the religious beliefs that
this country had
Hey Juan, this island seems to have very
much historical content. Im just curious
about the religious beliefs that they have
here?
That is a good question, Alejandro. This island indeed has very rich
religious beliefs.
As for the Cebuanos, they had a lot of beliefs. They stated that
Yligueynes believed in a Captan, who they believe brought forth a
reed or a bamboo, which eventually broke off and became man and
woman. The man was called sicalac or lilac (lalake), and the woman
was called sacavay (babae). It came to a point where the man asked
the woman to marry him, but she declined because she said they
were brother and sister.
Alejandro seemed very into the conversation,
so Juan kept talking
Some people worshipped the tigmamanuquin which was eventually
called Bathala. It was a bluebird that was as large as a turtledove.
There was a time that the people didnt believe in God. They didnt
even make efforts to find out more about him.
But did they believe in the devil?
Ah, yes they did! He was said to often show himself to them in animal
forms. They would often offer him anitos.
The day went on as they talked about the islands rich
religious beliefs. As the day passed, Alejandro grew more and
more interested in the island and its culture.
A glimpse of a rich culture and the creativity of the Filipinos
Hey Alejandro, did you know
the Filipinos are artistic too?
Really? In terms of
what then?
Well firstly, we are very artistic when it
comes to clothing. Males knot their hair
like a fist on top of their heads while
women does it in a mallet-like tress.
They also wear short black shirt, and a
blue petticoat. On top of that, men wear
clothes made of manggan fabric without
collar sewn in front with short extending
sleeves with the color blue or black.
The headmen also use red
ones which they call
chinanas. For their waists,
they wore bahaque as
well. The Visayans even
had tattoos all over their
bodies, except their
faces.They also
ornamented themselves,
which may have showed
the social standing.
Wow, your culture seems very rich!
In our burial ceremonies, women would shave their heads when their
husband would die. Also there are some people who burn their husband
and go in the fire and die as well. For the burial of a great chief, two to
three thousand slaves were also put to death to be able to go with the
chief.
Filipinos as Intellectuals
Why are they using a different language?
The next day, Juan took Alejandro to a nearby community. Here,
Alejandro noticed that the settlers in this said community spoke a
different dialect. This lead Alejandro to ask Juan
Masaya!
Nalipay!
Well, Alejandro. Simply put, every province or
neighborhood here speaks different dialects. The
primary dialects spoken in Luzon and nearby
islands are different from that of Visayas. Just as
different provinces in Luzon use different
dialects, observed in places like Cagayan, Ilocos,
Zambales and Pampanga. Significantly, language
has been developed and abundant in the
province of Manila
Along with language is writing and literature. Writing was
well developed throughout the islands, having an
alphabet of 15 letters or characters, resembling those of
the Arabs and the Greeks. The alphabet consists of 3
vowels and 12 consonants. Other characters include
points, signs and commas. They write and read lines from
right to left, same as the Arabic method. Filipinos wrote
on bamboo pieces or on paper. Almost all natives, men or
women, were literate.
They have salt, fish sauce and liquor. People boil seawater to
make salt, and ferment sugarcane juice to make liquor.
Wow! How fascinating. I always learn something
new from you Juan. But, why have we come here?"
"For these, of course." showing Juan a container of
fresh herbs and spices. "Oh what else do they have
here?"
Alejandro and Juan then proceeded deeper into the
community into the town's port where they came across
other people using other dialects as well
Oh these people are probably
from Manila
Aside from the different dialect
they use, those boats that they use
are commonly found in Manila and
are called the tapaques
Why would you say so
As the day neared its end, the two
decided head home and rest.
The Economy of the Filipinos
One day Alejandro decided to go
back home but before leaving he
asked Juan where can he buy things
that can serve as a souvenir.
We are rich in raw materials just like
cloth, tortoise shells, gold, wax,
pearls, salt, sugarcane juice,
fermented rice, wood.
Where can I buy things that can serve as a
souvenir?
Yes, it differs on where he would
buy because it depends on the
topography what products that can
offer. Some offers sea foods
because they are near in a body of
water.
So most of your products came from your
surroundings?
When he got to different places to
buy some souvenirs, he also see
lots of foreigner trading with the
people in Philippines.
THE END