FILIPINO BOOKS, A thread that lists books on Filipino culture Options

[nenabunena]

Finding good, accurate, & dependable books on Filipino culture is difficult to come by because unlike English books where you can find a wealth of reviews & information on the internet, Filipino books are rare & usually unseen, even within Philippine society. So let's all help make each others lives easier by listing the books we all would recommend & why, & where to find them if possible.

So here is a a thread in which everyone can share Filipino books they would like to recommend, as well as post some summary & reviews to help all of us sift through & spread knowledge on Filipino culture. For the New Year, I have made a resolution: to spread Filipino knowledge via gift giving, & these gifts would all represent Filipino culture in 1 way or another, with each gift suitable for the individual recipient.

Also, don't forget to state if it's in English or Filipino, & for literature like Rizal, state which version is the best.


The very 1st book I would like to recommend is William Henry Scott's BARANGAY

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

This book presents a sixteenth-century Philippine ethnography based on contemporaneous sources. It does not attempt to reconstruct that society by consideration of present Philippine societies, or of features believed to be common to all Austronesian peoples. Nor does it seek similarities with neighboring cultures in Southeast Asia, though the raw data presented should be of use to scholars who might wish to do so. Rather, it seeks to answer the question: What did the Spaniards actually say about the Filipino people when they first met them? It is hoped that the answer to that question will permit Filipino readers today to pay a vicarious visit to the land of their ancestors four centuries ago.

Part 1 describes Visayan culture in eight chapters on physical appearance, food and farming, trades and commerce, religion, literature and entertainment, natural science, social organization, and warfare. Part 2 surveys the rest of the archipelago from south to north.

This book is essential as it's well researched, & easy to digest, in other words, it's for mass-consumption. It's primary focus are the Bisayans, followed by both the Tagalogs & the Mindanaoans.

Here is 1 review of Scott's book:

No review of mine would do justice to this groundbreaking book.

The author, Dr. William Henry Scott, taught my Asian Civilizations class decades ago. In his lifetime as a former Episcopalian missionary turned historian whose immersion in all things Filipino put the native-born to shame, he systematically chipped away at the misguided, knee-jerk notions and outright lies about Philippine history with an unprecedented scholarly approach that was informed by archaeology, linguistics and other disciplines.

I remember how roundly Prof. Scott criticized Zaide for the fake Code of Kalantiao the latter felt he needed to invent. The truth is much more fascinating, as the book shows, based as it is on a lifetime of painstaking research and work.

For a learned book, Barangay is an easy, entertaining read (for me, anyway) and should be required reading for all people of Filipino descent. It both informs and (even if Scott didn't set out to do so) empowers the Filipino, especially those among us who are tired of being beaten down by the prejudice and racism of the ignorant.

For someone who originally came to the Philippines ostensibly to convert people to his beliefs, Scott ended up offering a labor of love to his adopted people that celebrated who they truly are.

I cannot stress how vital this book is, every Filipino household should have this, for both parents & children alike. It is time for us to be aware of our roots & time for all of us to be a little more pro-active in spreading knowledge & genuine love for Filipino history & culture. How can you say that you love being Filipino when you have no drive or incentive to know more about yourself, your culture, your ancestors, & your neighbors?

This post has been edited by nenabunena: Jan 15 2012, 09:53 AM

[nenabunena]

I came across this yesterday, it's pretty hilarious! I'm looking for one here in the Philippines!

Title of the book is "Suplado TIPS (Pa-English English ka pa... Sipain kita diyan eh!)" by Stanley Chi. LOL!

Here's a testimonial that the book works! LOL! Ramon Bautista Testimonial

A tip from Mr. Suplado himself on how to get chicks! Paano mo malalaman kung crush ka ng isang babae?
Here's an interview with Stanley Chi:

Part 1
Part 2

More info on the book & where to buy it: IGMG - i-Google Mo Gago!

Ah. So gusto mo pala maging suplado.

Being Suplado is an art and a science. You have to be smart enough and suave enough to pull it off. As the Senpai of Supladoness, I, Stanley Chi, shall aim to teach everyone who is interested about the Art of Being Suplado.

For those who want to join the Suplado Society of the Philippines (SSP), simply comment or like my status on my Facebook fan page AND use the logo of SSP as your profile picture on Facebook:



When I see that your profile picture carries the SSP logo, I know you deserve my attention – pero di ko muna kayo papansinin kasi nga suplado ako.

I will make a list of everyone who will follow the above instructions. They shall be included in the the esteemed list of members of the Suplado Society of the Philippines! New Year, new society, new suplado you! See below for the official members of SSP!

Feel free to comment through this Suplado Page. Or kung ayaw niyo, di ko na problema yan, I’m too suplado to care! SUPLADO is the NEW SEXY – and don’t you forget it!

This post has been edited by nenabunena: Feb 21 2012, 11:36 PM