Vocabulary

Learn New Words FAST with this Lesson’s Vocab Review List

Get this lesson’s key vocab, their translations and pronunciations. Sign up for your Free Lifetime Account Now and get 7 Days of Premium Access including this feature.

Or sign up using Facebook
Already a Member?

Lesson Transcript

Culture Class: Holidays in the Philippines, Season 1, Lesson 23 - Father's Day
Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in the Philippines Series at FilipinoPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Filipino holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 23, Father's Day. In Filipino, it’s called Araw ng mga Ama.
In the Philippines, Father’s Day is celebrated every year on the third Sunday of June.
This is a day on which all children show their gratitude towards their beloved fathers.
In this lesson, we will learn how Filipinos show appreciation for their fathers on this special day.
Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-
If mothers are considered the “light of the home” in the Philippines, what are fathers?
If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.
Filipinos have a number of ways of addressing their fathers. They call them tatay, itay, tay, ama, papa, and daddy just to name a few. Fathers are highly regarded in Filipino society. This became even more true after the implementation of the labor export policy in the 1970s when fathers were the first ones to go work overseas in order to support their families. Still, many fathers opted to stay in the Philippines despite the opportunity, or oportunidad, to earn more money in other countries just so they could spend time with their families.
Both Overseas Filipino Workers, in Filipino commonly referred to as OFW, and non-OFW dads play an important role in the family and in society, or lipunan. The majority of OFWs are fathers who chose to go abroad to provide a better life for their family. This is why Filipinos cherish Father’s Day. Families usually spend a day at the park, or go to malls to buy their fathers gifts, or regalo, such as new clothes or sports gear. If their father isn’t very fond of shopping, families may go to a special restaurant to celebrate instead.
For families with fathers who work overseas, they usually spend hours, or oras, talking via Skype or Facebook to catch up, ask how things are going, and to show their gratitude for the support their father is giving them.
This is where one can see an example of the sacrifices Filipino fathers willingly make for their families. Father’s Day isn’t exactly a traditional Filipino celebration, but owing to American influence on Philippine culture, or kultura, it has become a big celebration.
Now it's time to answer our quiz question-
If mothers are considered the “light of the home” in the Philippines, what are fathers?
In the Philippines, fathers are considered the haligi ng tahanan, literally meaning “pillar of the home.” This symbolizes how fathers are thought of as the pillar that provides the family with protection and stability.
How did you find this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting?
How do you show your father gratitude on Father’s Day?
Leave us a comment telling us at FilipinoPod101.com!
And I’ll see you in the next lesson!

Comments

Hide