March 10, 2010

Philippine Sinter Corporation

Villanueva, Misamis Oriental

Dear Sir;

I am a second year Bachelor of Science and Information Technology (BSIT) students of

Mindanao University of Science and Technology. In the partial fulfillment on the
requirements of this degree, I am required to have an On-the-job Training (OJT) starting
on April 2011.

I would like to apply as a trainee in your company because I believe that the training
and experience I will acquire will improve my skills and I can learn more about my
course.You can contact me in my mobile number 090575475or email me at
jonlyn_rockers09@yahoo.com

Very truly yours,

Jonlyn Tacastacas
Way of life
About two-fifths of the Philippines live in urban areas, while three-fifths of the people live in
rural areas, although the proportion of people living in towns and cities is steadily increasing.
The majority of the people follow age-old traditions as well as contemporary lifestyles and
trends.

[edit] Religion in the Philippines

Main articles: Religion in the Philippines and Philippine mythology

The Manila Cathedral in Luzon is one of many Christian churches in the country.

The Philippines is one of two predominantly Roman Catholic nations in Asia-Pacific, the other
being East Timor. Over 90% of the Philippine population are Christians. About 5% Muslims and
the rest either practice other religions or practice no religion at all.[3]

[edit] Superstition

Before the arrival of the Spaniards, and the introduction of Roman Catholicism and Western
culture in the 1500s, the indigenous Malayo-Polynesian tribes of the Philippines were adherents
of a mixture of Animism, Islam, Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism. Primitive gods and
goddesses include "Araw" (Sun) and "Buwan" (moon), who are people who appear to remove
tumors and diseased tissue by sticking their hands into a patient's body and extracting human
flesh and blood, but leaving the patient scar free. Some see this performance as a sleight of hand
false interpretation. Believers accept it as true, and accept it as an alternative healing method, and
a way to take advantage of the placebo effect.

[edit] Arts of the Philippines

Main article: Arts of the Philippines

Arts of the Philippines cover a variety of forms of entertainment. Folk art and Primitive art
consist of classic and modern features that flourished as a result of European and Indigenous
influences.
[edit] Literature

Main article: Literature of the Philippines

The literature of the Philippines illustrates the Prehistory and European colonial legacy of the
Philippines, written in both Indigenous and Hispanic writing system. Most of the traditional
literatures of the Philippines were written during the Mexican and Spanish period. Philippine
literature is written in Spanish, Filipino, Tagalog, English and other native Philippine languages.

[edit] Performing Arts

[edit] Music

Main article: Music in the Philippines

Muslim musicians in the southern Philippines, performing the Kulintang.

The early music of the Philippines featured a mixture of Indigenous, Islamic and a variety of
Asian sounds that flourished before the European and American colonization in the 16th and
20th century. Spanish settlers and Filipinos played a variety of musical instruments, including
flutes, guitar, ukelele, violin, trumpets and drums. They performed songs and dances to celebrate
festive occasions. By the 21st century, many of the folk songs and dances have remained intact
throughout the Philippines. Some of the groups that perform these folk songs and dances are the
Bayanihan, Filipinescas, Barangay-Barrio, Hariraya , the Karilagan Ensemble, and groups
associated with the guilds of Manila, and Fort Santiago theatres. Many Filipino musicians have
risen prominence such as the composer and conductor Antonio J. Molina, the composer Felipe P.
de Leon, known for his nationalistic themes and the opera singer Jovita Fuentes.

Modern day Philippine music features several styles. Most music genres are contemporary such
as Filipino rock, Filipino hip hop and other musical styles. Some are traditional such as Filipino
folk music.

[edit] Dance
A Chavacano dance in Hispanic tradition.

Philippine folk dances include the Tinikling and Cariñosa. In the southern region of Mindanao,
Singkil is a popular dance showcasing the story of a prince and princess in the forest. Bamboo
poles are arranged in a tic-tac-toe pattern in which the dancers exploit every position of these
clashing poles.[4] Guide to Philippine Cultural and Folk Dances

[edit] Visual arts

[edit] Folk art

Filipinos began creating artistic paintings in the 17th century during the Spanish period.[5] The
earliest paintings of the Philippines were religious imagery from Biblical sources, as well as
engravings, sculptures and lithographs featuring Christian icons and European nobility. Most of
the paintings and sculptures between the 19th, and 20th century produced a mixture of religious,
political, and landscape art works, with qualities of sweetness, dark, and light. Early modernist
painters such as Damián Domingo was associated with religious, and secular paintings. The art
of Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo showed a trend for political statement. Artist such as Fernando
Amorsolo used post-modernism to produce paintings that illustrated Philippine culture, nature
and harmony. While other artist such as Fernando Zóbel used realities and abstract on his work.

[edit] Itneg and Mindanao Tribal art

The Itneg tribes are known for their intricate weaving production. The binakol is a blanket which
features optical illusion designs. Weavings of the Ga'dang tribe usually have bright red tones.
Their weaving can also be identified by beaded ornamentation. Other tribes such as the Ilongot
make jewelry from pearl, red hornbill beak, plants and metals.

The tribes of Mindanao such as the B'laan, Mandaya, Mansaka and T'boli became skilled in art
of dyeing abaca fibre. Abaca is a plant, and its leaves are used to make fibre known as Manila
hemp. The fibre is dyed by a method called ikat. Ikat textiles are woven into geometric patterns
with human, animal and plant pictorial themes.

[edit] Kut-kut art

A technique combining ancient Oriental and European art process. Considered lost art and highly
collectible art form. Very few known art pieces existed today. The technique was practiced by the
indigenous tribe of Samar Island between early 1600 and late 1800 A.D. Kut-kut is an exotic
Philippine art form based on early century techniques -- sgraffito, encaustic and layering. The
merging of these ancient styles produces a unique artwork characterized by delicate swirling
interwoven lines, multi-layered texture and an illusion of three-dimensional space.

[edit] Islamic art

Islamic art in the Philippines have two main artistic styles. One is a curved-line woodcarving and
metalworking called okir, similar to the Middle Eastern Islamic art. This style is associated with
men. The other style is geometric tapestries, and is associated with women. The Tausug and
Sama-Bajau exhibit their okir on elaborate markings with boat-like imagery. The Marananaos
make similar carvings on housings called torogan. Weapons made by Muslim Filipinos such as
the kampilan are skillfully carved.

[edit] Cinema and television

The advent of the Cinema of the Philippines can be traced back to the early days of filmmaking
in 1897 when a Spanish theater owner screened imported moving pictures.

The formative years of Philippine cinema, starting from the 1930s, were a time of discovery of
film as a new medium of expressing artworks. Scripts and characterizations in films came from
popular theater shows and Philippine literature.

In the 1940s, Philippine cinema brought the consciousness of reality in its film industry.
Nationalistic films became popular, and movie themes comprised primarily of war and heroism
and proved to be successful with Philippine audiences.

The 1950s saw the first golden age of Philippine cinema [6][7] with the emergence of more artistic
and mature films, and significant improvement in cinematic techniques among filmmakers. The
studio system produced frenetic activity in the Philippine film industry as many films were made
annually and several local talents started to gain recognition abroad. Award-winning filmmakers
and actors were first introduced during this period. As the decade drew to a close, the studio
system monopoly came under siege as a result of labor-management conflicts. By the 1960s, the
artistry established in the previous years was in decline. This era can be characterized by rampant
commercialism in films.

The 1970s and 1980s were considered turbulent years for the Philippine film industry, bringing
both positive and negative changes. The films in this period dealt with more serious topics
following the Martial law era. In addition, action, western, drama, adult and comedy films
developed further in picture quality, sound and writing. The 1980s brought the arrival of
alternative or independent cinema in the Philippines.

The 1990s saw the emerging popularity of drama, teen-oriented romantic comedy, adult, comedy
and action films.[7]
The Philippines, being one of Asia's earliest film industry producers, remains undisputed in terms
of the highest level of theater admission in Asia. Over the years, however, the Philippine film
industry has registered a steady decline in movie viewership from 131 million in 1996 to 63
million in 2004.[8][9] From a high production rate of 350 films a year in the 1950s, and 200 films a
year during the 1980s, the Philippine film industry production rate declined in 2006 to 2007.[8][9]
The 21st century saw the rebirth of independent filmmaking through the use of digital
technology and a number of films have once again earned nationwide recognition and prestige.

[edit] Architecture

A traditional Nipa hut.

The Nipa hut (Bahay Kubo) is the mainstream form of housing. It is characterized by use of
simple materials such as bamboo and coconut as the main sources of wood. Cogon grass, Nipa
palm leaves and coconut fronds are used as roof thatching. Most primitive homes are built on
stilts due to frequent flooding during the rainy season. Regional variations include the use of
thicker, and denser roof thatching in mountain areas, or longer stilts on coastal areas particularly
if the structure is built over water. The architecture of other indigenous tribes may be
characterized by an angular wooden roofs, bamboo in place of leafy thatching and ornate
wooden carvings.

The Spaniards introduced stones as housing and building materials. The introduction of
Christianity brought European churches, and architecture which subsequently became the center
of most towns and cities. Spanish architecture can be found in Intramuros, Vigan, Iloilo, Jaro and
other parts of the Philippines. Islamic and other Asian architecture can also be seen depicted on
buildings such as mosques and temples.

The Coconut Palace is an example of Philippine Architecture.

Contemporary architecture has a distinctively Western style although pre-Hispanic housing is

still common in rural areas. American style suburban-gated communities are popular in the cities,
including Manila, and the surrounding provinces.

[edit] Cuisine
Main article: Filipino cuisine
A roasted pig known as the Lechón, one of the Philippines most popular cuisines.

Filipinos cook a variety of foods influenced by Western and Asian cuisine. The Philippines is
considered a melting pot of Asia.

Eating out is favorite Filipino pastime. A typical Pinoy diet consists at most of six meals a day;
breakfast, snacks, lunch, snacks, dinner and again a midnight snack before going to sleep. Rice is
a staple in filipino diet, it is usually eaten together with other dishes. Filipinos regularly use
spoons together with forks and knives. Some also eat with their hands, especially in informal
settings, and when eating seafood. Rice, corn, and popular dishes such as adobo (a meat stew
made from either pork or chicken), lumpia (meat or vegetable rolls), pancit (noodle dish) and
lechón (roasted pig) are served on plates.

Other popular dishes include: afritada, asado, chorizo, empanadas, mani (roasted peanuts),
paksiw (fish or pork, cooked in vinegar and water with some spices like garlic and pepper), pan
de sal (bread rolls), pescado (fried or grilled fish), sisig, torta (omelette), kare-kare (ox-tail stew),
kilawen, pinakbet (vegetable stew), pinapaitan, and sinigang (tamarind soup with a variety of
pork, fish or prawns). Some delicacies eaten by some Filipinos but may seem unappetizing to the
Western palate include balut (boiled egg with a fertilized duckling inside), longanisa (sweet
sausage) and dinuguan (soup made from animal blood).

Popular snacks and desserts such as chicharon (deep fried pork or chicken skin), halo-halo
(crushed ice with evaporated milk, flan, and sliced tropical fruits), puto (white rice cakes),
bibingka (rice cake with butter or margarine and salted eggs), ensaymada (sweet roll with grated
cheese on top), polvoron (powder candy) and tsokolate (chocolate) are usually eaten outside the
three main meals. Popular Philippine beverages include San Miguel Beer, Tanduay Rhum
Masters, lambanog and tuba.

Patis, suka, toyo, bagoong and banana catsup are the most common condiments found in Filipino
homes and restaurants.

Western fast food chains such as McDonald's, Wendy's, Pizza Hut are a common sight in the
country.

Every province have its own specialty and tastes differently in each region. In Bicol, for
example, foods are generally spicier than elsewhere in the Philippines
[edit] Martial arts
Main article: Filipino martial arts

Filipino martial arts is a term used to describe the numerous martial art forms that originated in
the Philippines, similar to how Silat describes the martial arts practiced in Asia. Filipino martial
arts include Panantukan (empty-handed techniques), Eskrima, Kali, Arnis de Máno (blade and
stick fighting) and Pananjakman (kicking).

[edit] Education in the Philippines

Main articles: Education in the Philippines and Higher education in the Philippines

Education in the Philippines has similar features to that of the United States and Europe.
Philippine students enter public school at about age four, starting from Nursery up to
Kindergarten. At about seven years of age, students enter grade school (6 to 7 years). This is
followed by high school (4 years). Students then take the College Entrance Examinations (CEE),
after which they enter college or university (3 to 5 years). Other types of schools includes Private
school, University-preparatory school, International school, Laboratory high school and Science
High School. Of these schools, private Catholic schools are the most famous. Catholic schools
are preferred in the Philippines due to their religious beliefs. Most Catholic schools are unisex.
The uniforms of Catholic schools usually have an emblem along with the school colors.

The school year in the Philippines starts in June and ends in March, with a two-month summer
break from April to May, two-week semestral break in October and Christmas' and New Year's
holidays.

In 2005, the Philippines spent about US$138 per pupil compared to US$1,582 in Singapore,
US$3,728 in Japan, and US$852 in Thailand.[10]

Sports in the Philippines

Main article: Sports in the Philippines

An amateur basketball game being played in a rural province in the country.

Sipa is the national sport in the Philippines. Other popular sports include basketball, boxing,
association football, billiards, chess, ten-pin bowling, volleyball, horse racing and cockfighting.
Dodge ball and badminton are also popular.

Filipinos have gained international success in sports. These are boxing, football (soccer),
billiards, ten-pin bowling and chess. Popular sport stars include Manny Pacquiao, Flash Elorde
and Francisco Guilledo in boxing, Paulino Alcántara in football (soccer), Carlos Loyzaga, Robert
Jaworski and Ramon Fernandez in basketball, Efren Reyes, and Francisco Bustamante in
billiards, Rafael Nepomuceno in ten-pin bowling, and Eugene Torre in chess.

The Palarong Pambansa, a national sports festival, has its origin in an annual sporting meet of
public schools that started in 1948. Private schools, and Universities eventually joined the
national event, which became known as the "Palarong Pambansa" in 1976. It serves as a national
Olympic Games for students, competing at school and national level contests.

The year 2002 event included football (soccer), golf, archery, badminton, baseball, chess,
gymnastics, tennis, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, track and field, and volleyball.

[edit] Traditional Filipino games

Main article: List of traditional Filipino games

Traditional Filipino games include yo-yo, piko, patintero, bahay kubo, pusoy and sungka. Pusoy
is a popular gambling game. Individuals play the game by trying to get rid of all the cards by
choosing poker hands wisely.[11][11][12] Sungka is played on a board game using small sea shells in
which players try to take all shells. The winner is determined by who has the most shells at the
point when all small pits become empty.[13] Filipinos have created toys using insects such as tying
a beetle to string, and sweeping it circular rotation to make an interesting sound. The
"Salagubang gong" is a toy described by Charles Brtjes, an American entomologist, who traveled
to Negros and discovered a toy using beetles to create a periodic gong effect on a kerosene can as
the beetle rotates above the contraption.[14]

[edit] Tribal groups

A Negrito woman, one of many indigenous ethnic groups in the Philippines.

Mangyan (Malayo-Polynesian) indigenous people of Mindoro.
Main article: Indigenous peoples of the Philippines

The Indigenous peoples of the Philippines consist of a large number of Malayo-Polynesian

ethnic groups. They are the descendants of the original inhabitants of the Philippines, that settled
in the islands thousands of years ago, and in the process have retained their Indigenous customs
and traditions.[15]

In 1990, more than 100 highland tribes constituted approximately 3% of the Philippine
population. Over the centuries, the isolated highland tribes have retained their Indigenous
cultures. The folk arts of these groups were, in a sense, the last remnants of Indigenous traditions
that flourished throughout the Philippines before the Islamic and Spanish contacts.

The highland tribes are a primitive ethnic group like other Filipinos, although they did not, as a
group, have as much contact with the outside world. These tribes displayed a variety of native
cultural expressions and artistic skills. They showed a high degree of creativity such as the
production of bowls, baskets, clothing, weapons and spoons. These tribes ranged from various
groups of Igorot people, a group that includes the Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Isneg, Kalinga and
Kankana-ey, who built the Rice Terraces thousands of years ago. They have also covered a wide
spectrum in terms of their integration and acculturation with Christian Filipinos. Other
Indigenous tribes include the Bukidnons. These groups have remained isolated from Western and
Eastern influences.

[edit] Philippine diaspora

Main article: Overseas Filipino

An Overseas Filipino is a person of Philippine origin, who lives outside of the Philippines. This
term is applied to people of Filipino ancestry, who are citizens or residents of a different nation.

Often, these Filipinos are referred to as Overseas Filipino Workers.

There are about 11 million overseas Filipinos living worldwide, equivalent to about 11% of the
total population of the Philippines.[16]

Each year, thousands of Filipinos migrate to work abroad through overseas employment agencies
and other programs. Other individuals emigrate and become permanent residents of other
nations. Overseas Filipinos often work as doctors, nurses, accountants, IT professionals,
engineers, architects,[17] entertainers, technicians, teachers, military servicemen, students,
caregivers, domestic helpers and household maids.

International employment includes an increasing number of skilled Filipino workers taking on

unskilled work overseas, resulting in what has been referred to as brain drain, particularly in the
health and education sectors. Also, the employment can result in underemployment, for example,
in cases where doctors undergo retraining to become nurses and other employment programs.