Filipinos are mainly of Malay origin with some Chinese, American, Spanish, and Arab ancestry. Characteristic Filipino traits are Bayanihan (the spirit of camaraderie), piety, and close family ties. Filipinos's flair for English and love of popular culture may derive from the influence of the United States. Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life. This is a country marked by a real blend of cultures East truly meets West in the Philippines.

Cave-dwelling mountain tribes and seminomadic hunter-gatherers are among the more than 40 ethnic groups that constitute the country's cultural minorities. Perhaps the best-known of the groups are the Tasaday, discovered in 1971 after 50,000 years of cave-dwelling life in South Cotabatu, Mindanao. Despite claims of a scientific hoax, their authenticity as a surviving Stone Age culture has since been confirmed.

Even more elusive to outsiders are the Badjao of the Sulu archipelago. These sea gypsies live on boats or in off-shore stilt houses and come ashore only to die.

In the mountains of the Central Cordillera dwell 200,000 mountain people, all different in their lifestyles and origins. They include the Apayao, Bontoc, Benguet, Ifugao, and Kalinga.

Readily distinguished from other Filipinos are the Negrito people of the Luzon area. They are nomads, living in twig-and-branch huts, hunting with bows and poison-tipped arrows.

There are several still lesser-known groups, and it's advisable to inquire about local sensibilities before poking your nose or camera into their territory. Filipinos are generally happy to share information, provided that you are willing to chat freely about yourself.

Wherever you go in the Philippines, it's a good idea to have plenty of photos, inexpensive gifts, and conversational props on hand. A song, no matter how badly sung, is sure to bring out the welcome mat.

Etiquette

Filipinos often use their eyes and hands to convey a variety of messages. Raised eyebrows and a smile indicate a silent "hello" or a "yes" in answer to a question. The proper method to summon someone is a downward wave. Fixed eye contact between men is considered an aggressive gesture. Great emphasis is placed upon polite language, soft and gentle conversation, and voice tone.