Korean And Filipino Culture

I have been teaching Koreans for more than 3 years and i have come to compare the two culture..

Korean culture like Filipino culture has been influenced by interaction with other cultures, technology and the natural instinct of self-preservation. Both Koreans and Filipinos made martial arts as essential part of their societies. In Korea, Martial arts have existed in Korea since the earliest ages. During the Goguryeo Dynasty, it is believed that subak (a general term for barehanded martial arts imported from China [pronounced Shoubo]), swordsmanship, spear-fighting, and horse riding were practiced. On the other hand, there are hundreds of unique styles of the Filipino martial arts throughout the Philippines. Regardless of the controversies behind the origins of systems and the various styles of Filipino martial arts, it remains that the "Arnis", "Kali" and "Escrima" are the most commonly used names for the indigenous Philippine Martial Arts.

Like all agricultural societies including the Philippines, Korean life has always centered on tightly knit families. Since the start of this culture the most important thing has always been the family. But, in Korea large families have been prized and over many centuries families intermarried within the regions of Korea to form large clans. Family names reflect this. A dozen family names predominate, especially Kim, Park, Lee, Kang, and Cho. But Kims from the city of Pusan in the south are not the Kims from Seoul and all the Kims know exactly which group they belong to. Same as in the Filipinos, custom forbids people marrying within their own clan, no matter how distant the cousin might be. In order to know who is who, families and clan keep detailed genealogical records that might go back many hundreds of years. Even in today's westernized Korea many people can still recite the glorious history of their clans and take pride in them.

Both in Korea and in Philippines, most things are done with the families’ permission. But in Korea, the eldest in the house is considered the wisest, and therefore makes most of the decisions. This tradition was started years ago, and is still being used today. Every relative in the family that is of the same blood is referred to as ilga. This means one house. Another term that is continually heard is tongjok. This is the group of paternal relatives. These relatives are very tight knit groups that, in many cases, live together in one home. Only paternal relatives can be in the tongjok. Maternal relatives can never join this group. The tongjok is mainly controlled with the property of the head family. In other words, the oldest living relatives take care of this group. Officials are appointed, and the family has a type of small government running the show. These officials hold special meetings where they discuss things ranging from ancestral rights to repair of graves. The final decisions of these meetings are made by the oldest living male. This leader takes care of things like funeral planning, festivals, graveside rituals, and helps with daily life.

Another thing is that in Korea, the wives do not follow their husbands’ family name but in Philippines, the wives change their surnames and follow their husbands’.