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Lesson 4: Philippine Popular Culture during Key Colonization Periods

I. Spanish Colonization (1565-1898)

1. Religion and Christianity:
 The Spanish colonization introduced Roman Catholicism, which had a profound
influence on Filipino culture. Christianity became the dominant religion, with churches
becoming central to community life.
 Religious festivals (fiestas) became an integral part of local culture, honoring patron
saints. These fiestas often featured processions, parades, and traditional dances.
2. Language and Literature:
 Spanish became the language of the elite and the educated class, while local dialects
persisted in everyday use.
 Religious literature flourished, including the Pasyon, a narrative poem about the life,
death, and resurrection of Christ, which was recited during Lent.
 Awit and Korido were popular forms of poetry and storytelling, often about chivalric or
religious themes.
3. Arts and Architecture:
 Baroque-style churches were built, many of which still stand today as UNESCO
heritage sites (e.g., San Agustin Church in Manila).
 The Spanish colonial architecture was characterized by bahay na bato (stone
houses), combining native Filipino building traditions with Spanish influences.
 Religious art flourished, with paintings, sculptures, and wood carvings depicting
Christian themes.
4. Music and Dance:
 Kundiman and Harana became popular forms of music, characterized by their
serenade-like style and romantic themes.
 Traditional dances like the Pandanggo and Carinosa were influenced by Spanish
dances such as the Jota and Fandango.
5. Food:
 Spanish colonization influenced Filipino cuisine, introducing ingredients and cooking
methods such as adobo, paella, lechon, and tapas.
 Coconut, rice, and sugar became staple crops, with bread (especially pan de sal)
becoming a common part of Filipino meals.
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II. American Colonization (1898-1946)
1. Education and Language:
 The Americans introduced public education, which spread across the archipelago.
English was established as the language of instruction and government.
 Thomasites (American teachers) were sent to teach English, fostering a bilingual
culture in which both Tagalog (Filipino) and English were spoken.
 Literature shifted from religious themes to more nationalist and social themes, with
Jose Garcia Villa and Nick Joaquin emerging as notable writers during this period.
2. Media and Entertainment:
 The rise of cinema became one of the most popular forms of entertainment. The first
Filipino-produced film, Dalagang Bukid, was created in 1919 by Jose Nepomuceno.
 Radio broadcasting also gained popularity, providing entertainment, news, and
educational programs.
 Vaudeville (Bodabil) shows became popular during this period, combining American
music, comedy skits, and dance.
3. Music and Dance:
 Jazz, swing, and big band music were introduced, along with American dances like
the Charleston and Foxtrot. These styles became popular in urban centers like Manila.
 Tagalog songs with American influences were popularized, and the kundiman evolved
with more contemporary themes.
4. Sports and Recreation:
 Basketball was introduced by the Americans and quickly became a national sport,
popular across all social classes.
 Baseball also gained popularity, but basketball remained more enduring.
 Carnivals and fairs became common forms of public entertainment, similar to the
Manila Carnival in 1908.
5. Fashion and Social Life:
 The baro’t saya for women and the barong tagalog for men remained popular, though
Western-style clothing gradually became fashionable, especially among the elite.
 Social clubs, dances, and ballrooms flourished during this period, with many Filipinos
adopting Western social norms.

III. Japanese Colonization (1941-1945)

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1. Propaganda and Media Control:
 The Japanese colonizers imposed strict censorship on the media, with newspapers,
radio, and films used as propaganda tools to promote Japanese culture and values.
 The Japanese promoted the idea of a “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere,”
positioning Japan as the leader of Asian liberation from Western colonization.
2. Education and Language:
 Japanese language (Nihongo) was introduced in schools, though its influence was short-
lived. Japanese authorities encouraged Filipinos to sever ties with American culture and
education.
 Despite this, English remained the preferred language for many Filipinos after the
Japanese occupation.
3. Arts and Culture:
 Cultural life during the Japanese occupation was severely restricted, but some cultural
activities, particularly traditional theater forms, persisted.
 Stage shows (zarzuelas) and bodabil performances continued but were subject to
strict Japanese censorship.
4. Film and Literature:
 The production of films was severely limited, but Japanese propaganda films and
patriotic Filipino-themed films were promoted.
 Literature took on themes of resistance, with some writers producing works in secret
that expressed opposition to Japanese rule.
5. Food and Everyday Life:
 Food scarcity became a problem during the occupation, leading to rationing and a shift
towards more simple and readily available local foods.
 Many Filipinos turned to guerrilla warfare and the underground resistance movement,
which became part of the popular culture during this time.
6. Cultural Resistance:
 Underground publications, songs, and plays became vehicles for subtle resistance
against the Japanese regime.
 Filipino guerrilla fighters played a major role in the resistance, and stories of bravery
and defiance against the Japanese began to shape Filipino popular culture, particularly
in post-war years.

Summary:
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 Spanish Colonization introduced Christianity, fiestas, Spanish-influenced music, and
architecture, shaping Filipino identity through religion, language, and the arts.
 American Colonization brought the English language, public education, cinema,
modern entertainment, and sports like basketball, fostering a blend of Filipino and
Western culture.
 Japanese Colonization imposed strict media control, rationed resources, and
emphasized cultural propaganda, but the period also saw acts of resistance and the
preservation of Filipino identity despite external pressures.
Each colonization period left distinct imprints on the Philippines, creating a unique fusion of
influences that continue to shape Philippine culture today.
Lesson 05: Philippine Popular Culture during the Post-Colonial Period (1950-2000)

1950s: Post-War Recovery and American Influence

Popular Culture:
 Music: The 1950s saw a continuation of American influence in Filipino popular music.
Ballads and big band music remained popular, while rock ‘n’ roll started to gain
ground.
 Cinema: The Golden Age of Philippine Cinema took off, with legendary filmmakers
such as Lamberto Avellana and Gerardo de León creating socially conscious films.
Sampaguita Pictures and LVN Studios produced films that reflected post-war realities,
as well as love stories and historical epics.
 Radio and Media: Radio was still the dominant medium, with popular programs like
dramas (dramaseryes) and musical shows. Newspapers also flourished as an
important source of information and entertainment.
Influences:
 American Cultural Influence: American pop culture remained strong, especially with
Hollywood movies, music, and fashion trends like poodle skirts and rockabilly styles
influencing Filipino youth.
 Local Adaptation: Local culture blended with American influence, but traditional Filipino
values and practices, such as family-centered gatherings and fiestas, were still
prevalent.
Significant Information:
 Urbanization: Manila became more urbanized, with the growth of entertainment hubs
like Escolta and Avenida. This urban growth also spurred the rise of shopping centers
and theaters.
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 Philippine Identity: While heavily influenced by American culture, there was a growing
desire to balance these with Filipino traditions, reflected in films and music that
celebrated Filipino nationalism.

1960s: Rise of Filipino Pop Culture and Nationalism

Popular Culture:
 Music: The 1960s saw the emergence of the Manila Sound, an early form of Filipino
pop music blending Western rock, jazz, and Filipino elements. Bands like The
Electromaniacs and The Ramrods became popular.
 Cinema: Filipino action films (e.g., starring Fernando Poe Jr.) gained a large following.
Comedy films with stars like Dolphy and Panchito also grew in popularity.
 Television: By the 1960s, television became a more widespread medium of
entertainment, with shows such as Buhay Artista and Tawag ng Tanghalan gaining
popularity. Local TV stations like ABS-CBN became household names.
Influences:
 Rock and Roll and Counterculture: The global rock ‘n’ roll wave and the
counterculture movement influenced young Filipinos. Bands like The Beatles and
Elvis Presley heavily impacted Filipino youth, leading to the birth of local rock bands.
 Nationalism: Alongside the American influence, the Filipino identity was also growing
stronger, with movements promoting nationalist sentiments through literature,
theater, and music.
Significant Information:
 The Cultural Revolution: The decade saw a push towards the promotion of Filipino
culture, including the revitalization of Filipino folk arts and dances, spurred by
government efforts to preserve Filipino traditions.
 Youth Rebellion: Filipino youth became more rebellious and aware of social issues,
echoing the global counterculture movements of the time, especially toward the end of
the decade.

1970s: Martial Law, Protest Culture, and Pop Entertainment

Popular Culture:
 Music: Pinoy rock exploded, with bands like Juan de la Cruz Band popularizing hits
such as Himig Natin. Filipino artists like Freddie Aguilar and Asin also became known
for their socially conscious songs (e.g., Aguilar’s Anak).
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 Cinema: The 1970s saw the rise of Bomba films (erotic films) alongside political and
socially conscious films. Directors like Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal produced films
critical of society, poverty, and Martial Law (e.g., Brocka’s Insiang).
 Television: Variety shows like Student Canteen and Eat Bulaga! became iconic.
Martial Law propaganda shows were also aired, but telenovelas (soap operas) began
to emerge as a staple of TV entertainment.
Influences:
 Martial Law and Censorship: Imposed by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972, Martial
Law restricted freedom of expression. However, protest songs, underground
publications, and independent films flourished in defiance of the regime.
 Western Counterculture: American rock music, disco, and hippie culture influenced
Filipino youth, despite Martial Law's attempt to control media and public expression.
Significant Information:
 Martial Law Impact: The cultural landscape was marked by heavy government
censorship, but this also sparked the rise of underground resistance through art,
music, and literature.
 Emergence of Filipino TV Icons: The rise of long-running TV shows and variety
programs cemented certain media personalities, such as Nora Aunor and Vilma
Santos, as cultural icons.

1980s: People Power Revolution and OPM Boom

Popular Culture:
 Music: The Original Pilipino Music (OPM) movement reached its peak. Artists like
Gary Valenciano, Lea Salonga, and The Dawn became household names. Folk, pop,
and rock genres blended into OPM hits.
 Cinema: The 1980s produced critically acclaimed films tackling social issues, such as
Oro, Plata, Mata (1982) and Himala (1982). This decade also saw the rise of Regal
Films and action stars like Rudy Fernandez and Fernando Poe Jr.
 Television: Variety shows, news programs, and game shows dominated television,
with shows like Eat Bulaga! continuing to be popular. Telenovelas gained massive
popularity as well.
Influences:
 People Power Movement: The 1986 EDSA Revolution that ousted Ferdinand Marcos
inspired songs, films, and other cultural productions that celebrated freedom and
democracy.
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 Western Pop Culture: Western pop, disco, and new wave music heavily influenced
Filipino artists and youth culture. American television shows and movies still dominated
the media landscape.
Significant Information:
 EDSA Revolution: The peaceful revolution became a cultural and political turning point,
with songs like Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo serving as anthems for freedom.
 Rise of Music Icons: OPM became a huge platform for expressing Filipino identity,
leading to the rise of legendary music icons who influenced generations of Filipino
artists.

1990s: Globalization and Pop Culture Explosion

Popular Culture:
 Music: The 1990s saw the rise of Pinoy alternative rock bands like Eraserheads,
Rivermaya, and Parokya ni Edgar. Pop music by artists like Jolina Magdangal and
Regine Velasquez also flourished.
 Cinema: The decade produced a new wave of romantic comedies and action films,
with stars like Sharon Cuneta, Robin Padilla, and Aga Muhlach becoming cultural
icons.
 Television: The 1990s was a golden age for Filipino telenovelas and talk shows. ABS-
CBN and GMA became dominant TV networks with popular shows like Mara Clara and
Ang TV.
Influences:
 Western Globalization: The influence of MTV, American TV shows, and Hollywood
films became even more prevalent. Boy bands, pop icons, and the grunge movement
influenced Filipino youth culture.
 Local Identity vs. Globalization: Despite the overwhelming Western influence, the
1990s saw a push for the preservation of Filipino culture, with OPM artists and
filmmakers trying to maintain Filipino identity in their works.
Significant Information:
 Youth Culture Explosion: Filipino teenagers embraced the global pop and rock
scenes, with music channels like MYX playing a major role in shaping youth
preferences.
 Rise of Alternative Rock: Bands like Eraserheads helped define the alternative rock
scene, and their songs became anthems for a generation of young Filipinos.