The People

The Philippines is one of the most westernized nations in Southeast Asia as a result of strong 20th century American influences. Filipino music, art and dance contain elements of American culture.

Many Muslims and tribal groups have distinct cultures based on indigenous traditions.

The majority of Filipinos live in small towns or villages in clusters of houses built on bamboo stilts with walls made of palm leaves and bamboo and roofs of thatched palm leaves or corrugated iron.

While Filipinos take great pride in their homes, many of the urban poor must live in slums where houses of makeshift construction are little more than squatters’ shacks. Water is hauled from public faucets or cisterns. Malnutrition and diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis and malaria flourish in these conditions.