A writer likened the Filipino to a glass of halo-halo, so sweet but made up of several influences. He is also like an onion. You peel the outer layer to reveal the next. Keep on peeling and you will notice that the Filipino soul is just himself or herself, the product of different cultures: oriental, occidental, traditional, and contemporary.

The Filipino is not as homogenous as in Japanese, French, or Spanish. The term Filipino is more like the term American. With many regional and ethnic groups, the typical Filipino would most likely identify himself or herself as a Tagalog, an Ilocano, a Cebuano, a Bicolano, a Waray, an Ibaloi, or even a Muslim.

He speaks a bewildering multiplicity of dialects but uses English primarily in official transactions. He professes Christian faith or the Muslim religion but practices animistic traditions. He or she wears a foreign made watch but he follows what is called the Filipino Time which is in essence no time because everything can wait. Mamaya na lang (later).

As a people used to merrymaking, everyday there is a fiesta or a carnival in a town or city somewhere in the country. He would eat with the hand and drink beer with the usual pulutan as if there is no tomorrow. And then tomorrow comes, bahala na. Whatever happens, he would pray to Mama Mary or to the Santo Nino. Most likely, he has an image of both in an altar in his home where a laminated copy of his diploma hangs prominently in the living room.

Whether in the cities or in the provinces, he rides in the ubiquitous colorful jeepney, a stretched out utility vehicle which is the chief mode of transpotation on Philippine roads. It has become the ultimate showcase of Filipino common man's artistic expression. He travels to market using the tricycle, a three-wheeled vehicle which is the chief means of transportation for short distances or where a jeepney is unavailable. He goes home using a pedicab, a non-polluting means of transportation powered by foot. It is actually a tricycle minus the engine. If he is a farmer, more often than not he would tire a carabao as his means of transportation.

Nowadays, the Filipino has acquired a new habit. With the price of a cellphone now affordable, The Philippines has become the texting capital of the world. Billions of messages are sent everyday. If you do not understand the following, you must not be a Filipino...

KNG WL K MGW, TW K H H H, H H H. ISA P, H H H, H H H. TM N BK SBIHIN IKAW AY CR-ULO.

The Filipino's innate hospitality is expressed most especially when he would ask anyone even a stranger to partake of a meal. "Kain tayo" (Let's eat) is a common invitation.

The Filipino cuisine is as diverse as her dialect. It ranges from native dishes to asian culinary influences particularly Chinese. Spanish occupation added touches of Castillan and Mexican cooking while American colonization brought in convenience and fast-food meals. In recent years, a profusion of innovative restaurants has emerged specializing in regional foods or foreign cooking specially continental European or exotic Asian tastes such as Japanese, Korean, Thai or Vietnamese. Eating in the Philippines can therefore be an outstanding experience at all budget levels.

The Filipino meal is usually heavy and slow to make time for short storytelling. Some would prefer to eat with the hand (kamayan). Rice, fish, and vegetables are the staple food. See list of Filipino Foods