A library is an organized collection of books, other printed materials, and in some cases special materials such as manuscripts, films and other sources of information. Collections can be print, audio, or visual materials, includingmaps, prints, documents, microform (e.g. microfilm/microfiche), CDs, cassettes, videotapes, DVDs, video games, e-books, audiobooks and many other types of electronic resources. The places where this material is stored includepublic libraries, subscription libraries, and private libraries; material can also be in digital form, stored on computers or accessible over the Internet. Libraries range in size from a few shelves of books in a small organization's library to collections of several million items in the larger national and academic libraries.

Libraries are broadly divided into fiction and nonfiction.However different libraries subdivide their material differently - often according to the needs of their client base. In a public library for instance you would find the following sections:- Adult Fiction; Large Print (Fiction and Nonfiction); Young Adult Fiction; Junior Fiction (including picture books); Audio Books (Fiction & Nonfiction); Nonfiction; and Reference. There may also be a separate area for journals and newspapers. 

However some modern public libraries go a little bit further in their design and have subdivided their nonfiction collections according to subject or theme - eg. all nonfiction and reference (not for loan) material is shelved together in defined areas, or 'rooms', according to broad themes such as Travel (includes learning a foreign language material), Art & Photography, Film & Literature, Music, Health & Sport, Law & Business, Philosophy, Local Studies, History, Agriculture & Gardening, Science & Technology. 

THE DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE LIBRARY 

Libraries are divided into Fictions and Non-Fictions: 

Adult Fiction; Large Print (Fiction and Nonfiction) Young Adult Fiction Junior Fiction (including picture books) Audio Books (Fiction & Nonfiction) Nonfiction Reference

There may also be a separate area for journals and newspapers. 

1.Audio Visual Room(AVR) 

2.Circulation Section 

3.Reserve section 

4.Reference Section 

5.Multimedia Section 

6.Periodical Section 

7.Material Center 

8.Filipiniana Section 

9.general knowledge. 

Other public libraries may choose slightly different themes and may only subdivide a portion of

their collection. This arrangement is called The Living Room concept and is showcased by

Tamworth City Library (http://www.cnl.nsw.gov.au) in NSW, Australia. Included in the

arrangement are lots of comfy lounges and study tables so you can enjoy your browsing at

leisure. 

University Libraries would arrange their collections differently again and may in fact hold

library collections in more than one building. School Libraries again would possibly cater to a

more standardised arrangement (Fiction, Nonfiction, Reference, Magazines), and Special

Libraries would have their collections arranged according to the needs of their particular clients

(eg. Law Firm library, Hospital library).

1.Audio Visual Room(AVR) 

2.Circulation Section 

3.Reserve section 

4.Reference Section 

5.Multimedia Section 

6.Periodical Section 

7.Material Center 

8.Filipiniana Section

9.general knowledge.

Here is all I remember: 

Generalities 

General Reference Section 

Religion 

Philosophy 

Applied Science 

Social Science 

Arts 

Literature 

History 

Geography

Charles Ammi Cutter made the first explicit statement regarding the objectives of a bibliographic

system in his Rules for a Printed Dictionary Catalog in 1876. According to Cutter, those

objectives were

1. to enable a person to find a book of which either (Identifying objective)

the author

the title

the subject

the category

is known.

2. to show what the library has (Collocating objective)

by a given author

on a given subject

in a given kind of literature

3. to assist in the choice of a book (Evaluating objective)

as to its edition (bibliographically)

as to its character (literary or topical)

These objectives can still be recognized in more modern definitions formulated throughout the

20th century. 1960/61 Cutter's objectives were revised by Lubetzky and the Conference on

Cataloging Principles (CCP) in Paris. The latest attempt to describe a library catalog's goals and

functions was made in 1998 with Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR)

which defines four user tasks: find, identify, select, and obtain.

Catalog card

Arif, Abdul Majid. Political structure in a changing Pakistani village / by Abdul Majid Arif and Basharat Hafeez Andaleeb. -- 2nd ed. -- Lahore : ABC Press, 1985. xvi, 367p. : ill. ; 22 cm. Includes index. ISBN 969-8612-02-8

Types

Traditionally, there are the following types of catalog:

Author catalog: a formal catalog, sorted alphabetically according to the authors' or editors'

names of the entries.

Title catalog: a formal catalog, sorted alphabetically according to the title of the entries.

Dictionary catalog: a catalog in which all entries (author, title, subject, series) are interfiled

in a single alphabetical order. This was the primary form of card catalog in North American

libraries just prior to the introduction of the computer-based catalog[citation needed].

Keyword catalog: a subject catalog, sorted alphabetically according to some system of

keywords.

Mixed alphabetic catalog forms: sometimes, one finds a mixed author / title, or an author /

title / keyword catalog.

Systematic catalog: a subject catalog, sorted according to some systematic subdivision of

subjects. Also called a Classified catalog.

Shelf list catalog: a formal catalog with entries sorted in the same order as bibliographic

items are shelved. This catalog may also serve as the primary inventory for the library.

Religion in the Philippines is marked by a wide range of strongly-held spiritual beliefs. Religion

holds a central place in the life of the majority of Filipinos,

includingCatholics , Aglipayans , Protestants , Muslims , Buddhists , animists , and Hindus .  It is central

not as an abstract belief system, but rather as a host of experiences —rituals and adjurations that provide

continuity in life, communal cohesion and moral purpose for existence. Religious associations are part of

the system of vital kinship ties, patron-client bonds and other relationships outside the nuclear family.

Christianity and Islam have been superimposed on ancient traditions and acculturated. The

unique religious blends that have resulted, when combined with the strong personal faith of

Filipinos, have given rise to numerous and diverse revivalist movements. Generally characterised

by anti-modern bias, supernaturalism, and authoritarianism in the person of a charismatic

messianic figure, these movements have attracted thousands of Filipino people , especially in

areas like Mindanao , which have been subjected to extreme pressure of change over a short

period of time. Many have been swept up in these movements, out of a renewed sense of

fraternity and community. Like the highly visible examples of flagellation and reenacted

crucifixion in the Philippines, these movements may seem to have little in common with organised

Christianity or Islam. In the intensely personalistic Philippine religious context, however, these are

less aberrations and more of extreme examples of religion's retaining its central role in society.

Catholic Church

Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion and the largest Christian denomination, with estimates of

approximately 80% of the population belonging to this faith in the Philippines. [ 3 ] The country has a

significant Spanish Catholic tradition, and Spanish style Catholicism is highly embedded in the culture,

which was acquired from priests or friars ( prayle in Filipino). This is shown in traditions such as Misa de

Gallo , Black Nazarene procession, Santo Niño Festivals ( Santo Niño de Cebu , Ati-Atihan and others)

and Aguinaldo procession, where large crowds gather, honouring their patron saint or saints. Processions

and fiestas are conducted during feast days of the patron saints of various barrios or barangays .Roman

Catholicism is also the de facto state religion in the Philippines.

Every year on November 1, Filipino families celebrate the Day of the Dead , on which they spend much of

the day and evening visiting their ancestral graves, showing respect and honor to their departed relatives

by feasting and offering prayers. On November 1 Filipino families celebrateAll Saint's Day , where they

honor the saints of the Catholic Church. November 2 is All Soul's Day .

Christmas in the Philippines is a celebration spanning just more than the day itself. Christmas season

starts in September. Many traditions and customs are associated with this grand feast, along with New

Year . Holy Week is also an important time for the country's Catholics. To help spread the gospel, the

Roman Catholic Church established the Catholic Media Network with its main TV station TV Maria as a

tool for evangelization. Other large Roman Catholic television channels like EWTN and Familyland are

also available and watched in the Philippines.

Filipino Catholic Church

The Birhen ng Balintawak(Our Lady of Balintawak) of theIglesia Filipina Independiente

Philippine Independent Church more commonly known as the Iglesia Filipina Independiente , is

a Christian denomination of the Catholic tradition in the form of a national church. Its separation from

the Roman Catholic Church was proclaimed by the members of the first federation of labor unions in the

country, the Union Obrera Democratica in 1902. Isabelo de los Reyes was one of the initiators of the

separation of the church and suggested that Gregorio Aglipay be the head of the church. It is also known

as the Aglipayan Church , after its first Supreme Bishop , Gregorio Aglipay .

It is the second largest Christian denomination in the Philippines, after the Roman Catholic Church ,

which has parishes and churches around the Philippines and parishes around the United

States , Canada Europe , mostly in the United Kingdom , Sweden , Ireland and England and

in Asia mostly in Northeast & Middle East .The total membership counts vary from more than 6 million

members. It is in full communion with the Philippine Episcopal Church , the rest of the Anglican

Communion, and the Union of Utrecht . It is considered as the Filipino National Church.

[ edit ]Apostolic Catholic Church

The Apostolic Catholic Church ( ACC ) is a catholic denomination founded in the 1980s

in Hermosa , Bataan . It formally separated in the Roman Catholic Church in 1992

when Patriarch Dr. John Florentine Teruel registered it as a Protestant and Independent

Catholic denomination. Today, it has more than 5 million members worldwide. The largest international

congregations are in Japan , USA and Canada .

[ edit ]Orthodox Church

Main article: Philippine Orthodox Church

Orthodoxy has been continuously present in the Philippines for more than 200 years. [ 6 ] It is represented

by two groups, by the Exarchate of the Philippines (a jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of

Constantinople governed by the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia ), and by

the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Mission in the Philippines (a jurisdiction of theAntiochian Orthodox

Church governed by the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand, and All

Oceania ). Today, there are about 560 Orthodox in the Philippines. [ 7 ]

[ edit ]Protestantism

Main article: Protestants in the Philippines

Protestantism arrived in the Philippines with the coming of the Americans at the turn of the 20th

century. In 1898, Spain lost the Philippines to the United States. After a bitter fight for independence

against its new occupiers, Filipinos surrendered and were again colonized. The arrival of Protestant

American missionaries soon followed. Protestant church organizations established in the Philippines

during the 20th century include the following:

Association of Fundamental Baptist Churches in the Philippines

Baptist Bible Fellowship in the Philippines ( Baptist )

Bread of Life Ministries International  ( Evangelical )

Cathedral of Praise  (Pentecostal)

Christ's Commission Fellowship  ( Evangelical )

Christ Living Epistle Ministries Inc. ( Full Gospel / Pentecostal ).

Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines

Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)

Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the Philippines  ( Pentecostal )

Church of the Nazarene  ( Holiness movement )

Citichurch Cebu ( Pentecostal )

Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines ( Baptist )

Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches  ( Baptist )

Day by Day Christian Ministries  ( Evangelical )

Episcopal Church in the Philippines  ( Anglican )

Every Nation Churches and Ministries  (Pentecostal)

Greenhills Christian Fellowship  (Conservative Baptist)

Heartland Covenant Church (formerly Jesus Cares Ministries)

Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas

Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Cristo

Jesus Is Lord Church  (Pentecostal)

Jesus the Anointed One Church (Pentecostal)

Lutheran Church in the Philippines ( Lutheran )

Luzon Convention of Southern Baptists ( Baptist )

Mindanao and Visayas Convention of Southern Baptists ( Baptist )

New Life Christian Center  ( Pentecostal )

Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch)

Philippines General Council of the Assemblies of God

TEAM Ministries international

The Blessed Word International Church ( Evangelical )

The United Methodist Church  ( Methodist )

Union Church Manila

Union Espiritista Cristiana de Filipinas

United Church of Christ in the Philippines  ( Congregationalist , Presbyterian , Disciples ,United

Brethren , Methodist ).

United Evangelical Church of the Philippines

Victory Christian Fellowship  (Evangelical)

Word for the World Christian Fellowship ( Evangelical )

Philippine Evangelical Holiness Churches

The central temple of Iglesia ni Cristo , a Christian denomination indigenous to the Philippines

[ edit ]Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ)

Main article: Iglesia ni Cristo

Iglesia ni Cristo is an indigenous religious organization that originated from

the Philippines . [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] The church was founded by Felix Manalowhen he officially registered the

church with the Philippine Government with him as executive minister on July 27, 1914 and because of

this, most publications refer to him as the founder of the church. Felix Manalo claims that he is restoring

the church of Christ that was lost for 2,000 years. The Iglesia ni Cristo is widely regarded as very

influential due to their ability to deliver votes through block voting during elections. Their membership is

not released in public but is estimated over 3 million.

Other Christians

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  (LDS Church) in the Philippines was founded during

the Spanish-American War in 1898. Two men from Utah who were members of the United States

artillery battery, and who were also set apart as missionaries by the Church before they left the

United States, preached while stationed in the Philippines. Missionary work work picked up after

World War II, and in 1961 the Church was officially registered in the Philippines. [ 13 ] In 1969, the

Church had spread to eight major islands and had the highest number of baptisms of any area in the

Church. A temple was built in 1984 which located in Quezon City and another in Cebu City,

completed in 2010. The Manila Missionary Training Center was established in 1983. Membership in

1984 was 76,000 and 237,000 in 1990. [ citation needed ] Membership was 630,000 in 2012.[ citation needed ]

Jehovah's Witnesses  in the Philippines was founded in 1912, when the then president of Watchtower

Bible and Tract Society , Charles T. Russell , gave a talk at the Manila Grand Opera House . [14 ] In

1993, a Supreme Court case involving the Witnesses resulted in reversing a Supreme Court decision

of 1959 and in upholding "the right of children of Jehovah's Witnesses to refrain from saluting the

flag, reciting the pledge of allegiance, and singing the national anthem." [ 15 ] [ 16 ] As of 2011, there

were 176, 001 members (known to them as publishers) of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Philippines

that make up 3, 091 congregations throughout the archipelago. Their annual observance of Memorial

of Christ's death , attracted an attendance of 541, 214 in this country in 2011. [17 ]

The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Name Above Every Name  was founded by Pastor Apollo C.

Quiboloy on September 1, 1985. Pastor Quiboloy claims to be the "Appointed" Son of God , and that

salvation is through him, that he is the residence of the Father and that he restores the Kingdom of

God in the gentile settings.

Members Church of God International  is a nontrinitarian religious organization colloquially known

through its television program, Ang Dating Daan (English for the "The Old Path"). This group is

anoffshoot of Nicholas Perez's Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng

Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of the Truth). The church does not

claim to be part of the restorationist movement but shows characteristics of such. They accept the

divinity of Christ but reject the doctrine of Trinity. They also reject various doctrines fundamental

formainstream Christianity and more notably, the [[Roman Catholic Church)]. They have over 12

million members worldwide.

The Most Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus is a Philippine religious organization established in

May, 1922 by Teofilo D. Ora . [ 18 ] [ 19 ] This church is also known in the country through its radio

program Ang Kabanalbanalan which airs on several radio stations nationwide. This sect also

emerged from Nicolas Perez's religious group.

Seventh-day Adventist Church  was founded by Ellen G. White , which is best known for its teaching

that Saturday, the seventh day of the week, is the Sabbath , and that the second advent of Jesus

Christ is imminent. As of 2007, there were 88,706 Adventist churches in the Philippines, with a

membership of 571,653 and an annual membership growth rate of 5.6%. [ 20 ]

United Pentecostal Church International  (Oneness) originated from the USA as an offshoot of the

Pentecostal movements in the 1920s. The church is a proponent of the belief of modalism to describe

God. They deny the Triune personhood of God.

Jesus Christ To God be the Glory  (Friends Again) was founded by Luis Ruiz Santos in 1988.

Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry  was founded by Wilde Almeda in the 1960s.

Churches of Christ  (Churches of Christ 33 AD/ the Stone-Campbellites) a restorationist movement

that distinctly believes in a set of steps/ways to attain salvation. Among of which is the requisite to be

baptized in water.

True Jesus Church  a "oneness" movement that started in China.

Jesus is Our Shield Worldwide Ministries  ( Oras ng Himala ) was founded by Renato D. Carillo, who

claims to be the end-time apostle.

Universal Church of the Kingdom of God  (UCKG Help Center) was founded by Edir Macedo in 1977

in Brazil. They claim that the Kingdom of God is down here and that it can offer a solution to every

possible problem, depression, unemployment, family and financial problems.

Islam

The Abu Bakar Mosque in Marawi City is the largest mosque in Lanao del Sur .

Main articles: Islam in the Philippines , Moro people , and Bangsamoro

Islam reached the Philippines in the 14th century with the arrival of Malay and Javanese merchants

and Muslim merchants from Malaysia and Indonesia , although the spreading of Islam in the Philippines is

due to the commercial contacts between the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia . It was the merchants of

the Gulf – Arabs , Persians , Sindhis , Azeris and even Pashtuns – who brought Islam to Southeast Asia,

including the Philippines. [ 21 ] There are about 20 million of Filipinos are Muslim or 23-25% of population

on it.Among in the 3 major group of island in the Philippines(Luzon,Visayas and Mindanao).Mindanao is

dominant with Islam religion an about 62% in Mindanao are Muslim.

Buddhism and Hinduism

Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism has existed in the Philippines for centuries. A great deal of Philippine

mythology is derived from Hindu mythology. Many Filipino customs have strong Buddhist

influences. Hinduism arrived when the Hindu religion and culture arrived from India by southern Indians to

Southeast Asia from the 4th centuries to the 14th century. The same case can also be found in Buddhism

since early Buddhist did follow many of the Hindu cosmology and Hindus themselves considered Buddha

to be an avatar of their god, Vishnu. The Srivijaya Empire and Majapahit Empire on what is

now Malaysia and Indonesia , introduced Hinduism and Buddhism to the islands. [ 22 ] Statues of Hindu-

Buddhist gods have been found in the Philippines. [ 23 ]

Today Hinduism is largely confined to the Indian Filipinos and

the expatriate Indian community. Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism, which are very close to Hinduism,

are practiced by Tibetans , Sri Lankan , Burmese and Thai nationals. There are Hindu temples in Manila,

as well as in the provinces. There are temples also for Sikhism , sometimes located near Hindu

temples. The two Paco temples are well known, comprising a Hindu temple and a Sikh temple.

Buddhism in the Philippines is growing because of an increasing Chinese population in the

country. Buddhism is largely confined to the Filipino

Chinese , Chinese , Japanese , Indian , Korean , Thai , and Vietnamese communities though local

adherents are on the rise. There are temples in Manila, Davao, and Cebu, and other places. Several

schools of Buddhism are present in the Philippines – Mahayana, Vajrayana, Theravada Buddhist temples

as well as Lay Organizations are present in the Philippines as well as meditation centers and groups such

as Soka Gakkai International [ 24 ]

]Bahá'í Faith

The Bahá'í Faith in the Philippines started in 1921 with the first Bahá'í first visiting the Philippines that

year, [ 25 ] and by 1944 a Bahá'í Local Spiritual Assembly was established. [ 26 ] In the early 1960s, during a

period of accelerated growth, the community grew from 200 in 1960 to 1000 by 1962 and 2000 by

1963. In 1964 the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the Philippines was elected and by 1980

there were 64,000 Bahá'ís and 45 local assemblies. [ 27 ] The Bahá'ís have been active in multi/inter-faith

developments. The 2005 World Christian Encyclopedia estimates the Bahá'í population of the Philippines

at about 247,500. 

Judaism

Even since the 1590s some Jews fleeing from The Inquisition were recorded to have come to the

Philippines. As of 2005, Filipino Jews number at the very most 500 people. As of 2011 , Metro

Manila boasts the largest Jewish community in the Philippines, which consists of roughly 100 families. 

The country's only synagogue, Beth Yaacov, is located in Makati . There are, of course, other Jews

elsewhere in the country,  but these are obviously fewer and almost all transients, [ 30 ]either diplomats or

business envoys, and their existence is almost totally unknown in mainstream society. There are a

few Israelis in Manila recruiting caregivers for Israel , some work in call centers, businessmen and a few

other executives. A number are converts to Judaism.

Slavery"Slave" redirects here. For other uses, see Slave (disambiguation).

Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to

work.[1] Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of

the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation. Historically, slavery was institutionally

recognized by many societies; in more recent times slavery has been outlawed in most societies but continues

through the practices of debt bondage, indentured servitude,serfdom, domestic servants kept in captivity,

certain adoptions in which children are forced to work as slaves, child soldiers, and forced marriage.

 agriculture companies in philippines

Agricultural Greenhouses Agricultural Growing Media Agricultural Product Stock Agricultural Waste Animal Extract Animal Feed Animal Husbandry Equipment Aquaculture Equipment Bamboo Products Bamboo Raw Materials Beans Bonsai Cigarettes Cigars Dried Flowers

Eggs

Farm Machinery Farm Machinery Parts Fertilizer Flower Bulbs, Seeds & Seedlings Forage Seeds Forestry Machinery Fresh Cut Flowers Fresh Vegetables Fruit Fruit Grafts, Seedlings & Rootstocks Grain Honey House Plants Logs Mini Plants Mushrooms & Truffles Nuts & Kernels Oil Seeds Other Agriculture Products Other Vegetables Outdoor Plants Plant & Animal Oil Plant Fiber Poultry & Livestock Rattan Products Silos Tobacco Vegetable Seeds

 companies/industries in philippines

Agriculture Apparel Automobiles & Motorcycles Business Services Chemicals Computer Hardware & Software Construction & Real Estate Consumer Electronics Electrical Equipment & Supplies Electronic Components & Supplies Energy

Environment Excess Inventory Fashion Accessories Food & Beverage

Furniture & Furnishings General Industrial Equipment General Mechanical Components Gifts & Crafts Hardware Health & Medical Home & Garden Home Appliances Lights & Lighting Luggage, Bags & Cases Manufacturing & Processing Machinery Measurement & Analysis Instruments Minerals & Metallurgy Office & School Supplies Packaging & Paper Personal Care Printing & Publishing Pulp & Paper Agent Rubber & Plastics Security & Protection Service Equipment Shoes & Accessories Sports & Entertainment Telecommunications Textiles & Leather Products Timepieces, Jewelry, Eyewear Tools Toys Transportation Travel & Tourism

Marriage and wedding customs in the PhilippinesFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Traditional marriage customs in the Philippines and Filipino wedding practices pertain to the

characteristics of marriage and wedding traditions established and adhered to by Filipino men and women in

the Philippines after a period of courtship and engagement. These traditions extend to other countries around

the world where Filipino communities exist. Kasalan is the Filipino word for "wedding",[1] while its root word

– kasal– means "marriage".[2] The present-day character of marriages and weddings in the Philippines were

primarily influenced by the permutation of native, Christian, Catholic, Protestant, Spanish,

[1] and American models.

Historical overview

A typical ancient traditional Filipino wedding, during pre-colonial times, is held for three days and was officiated

by a babaylan, a tribal priest or priestess.[3][4] The house of the babaylan was the ceremonial center for the

nuptial. On the first day, the couple was brought to the priest's home, where the babaylan blesses them, while

their hands are joined over a container of uncooked rice. On the third day, the priest would prick their chests to

draw a small amount of blood, which will be placed on a container to be mixed with water. After announcing

their love for each other for three times, they were fed by the priest with cooked rice coming from a single

container. Afterwards, they were to drink the water that was mixed with their blood. The priest proclaimed that

they are officially wed after their necks and hands were bound by a cord or ,sometimes, once their long hairs

had been entwined together.[3][4] In lieu of the babaylan, the datu or a wise elder may also officiate a pre-

colonial Filipino wedding.[4]

After the ceremony, while at the just-married couple's residence, a series of gift-exchanging rituals was also

done to counter the negative responses of the bride: if asked to enter her new home, if she refuses to go up the

stairs of the dwelling, if she denies to participate in the marriage banquet, or even to go into her new bedroom,

a room she would be sharing with her spouse.[4]

Spanish colonialism brought changes to these marriage rituals because of the teachings and conversion efforts

of Spanish missionaries, which occurred as early as the 18th century. As a result, the majority of current-day

Filipino weddings became predominantly Christian or Catholic[4] in character, which is also because of the

mostly Catholic population, although indigenous traditions still exist today in other regions of the Philippines.

[4] Parts of Filipino wedding ceremonies have become faith-centered and God-centered, which also highlights

the concept that the joining of two individuals is a "life long commitment" of loving and caring.[1][2] In general, the

marriage itself does not only signify the union of two persons, but also the fusion of two families, and the

unification two clans.[5]

[edit]Requirements

The following are the legal requirements that must be met in order to marry in the Philippines.[6][7] To be specific,

the exact wordings as stated in Philippine marriage law are presented below:

Legal capacity of the contracting parties who must be a male and a female, 18 years old and above

without any impediment to get married.[6][7]

Consent  freely given in the presence of the solemnizing officer.

Authority of the solemnizing officer (only incumbent member of the judiciary; priest, rabbi, imam,

or minister of any church or religious sect duly authorized by his church or religious sect and registered

with the civil registrar general; ship captain or airplane chief, military commander of a unit to which

a chaplain is assigned, in the absence of the latter, during a military operation only in marriages at the

point of death; and consul-general, consul or vice-consul only between Filipino citizens abroad are

authorized by law to solemnize marriage).[6]

Marriage law in the Philippines also requires couples to attend a seminar[6] on family planning before the

wedding day in order to become responsible family life and parenthood. The seminar is normally conducted at

a city hall or a municipal council.[5]

Some officiating ministers or churches require the couple to present a certificate of no marriage

record (CENOMAR), on top of or together with the marriage license and the authority of the solemnizing officer.

The CENOMAR can be secured from the National Statistics Office or its designated offices and branches.[8]

[edit]Marriage proposal

The traditional marriage proposal takes the form of the pamanhikan[3] or pamamanhikan or the "parental

marriage proposal", a formal way of asking the parents of the woman for her hand. The would-be groom and

his parents go to the would-bride's home, and ask the parents for their consent. Once the woman's parents

accept the proposal, other matters will be discussed during this meeting include among other things, the

wedding plan, the date, the finances, and the list of guests. The expenses for the wedding are generally

shouldered by the groom and his family. Pamamanhikan enforces the importance of the familial nature of the

wedding, as traditionally a marriage is the formation of an alliance between two clans as well as the joining of

individuals. This is sometimes further expressed in how the whole extended family goes with the groom and his

parents, using the occasion as a chance to meet and greet the other clan. In this situation, there is a feast held

at the bride's family home.

This event is separate from the Despedida de Soltera (Spanish: "Farewell to Single-hood") party some families

have before the wedding. The local variant of the Hispanic custom normally holds it for the bride, and it is held

by her family. It is similar in sentiment to the hen night, albeit a more wholesome and formal version.

Wedding announcement

After the pamamanhikan, the couple performs the pa-alam or "wedding announcement visitations". In this

custom, the couple goes to the homes of relatives to inform the latter of their status as a couple and the

schedule of their nuptial. It is also during this visits when the couple personally delivers their wedding

invitations.

Wedding date and invitation

The typical Filipino wedding invitation contains the date and venue for the wedding ceremony and for the

wedding reception, as well as the names and roles of the principal sponsors of the bride. Weddings in the

Philippines are commonly held during the month of June.[2]

Ceremonial protocol

Wedding attire

A Filipino groom wearing a collarless version of theBarong Tagalog.

Bride's garment

The Filipino bride's attire is typically made of a custom-made white wedding gown.[1] This is from the American

influence of dressing the woman on her wedding day.[2]

Groom's apparel

The Filipino groom's clothing is the Barong Tagalog, a formal and traditional transparent, embroidered and

button-up shirt made from jusi (also spelled as husi) fabric made from pineapple fibers.[1] This formal Filipino

male's apparel is worn untucked[10] with a white T-shirt beneath, and over a black pair of pants.

Wedding ceremony

Generally, the wedding ceremony proper in the Philippines includes the celebration of a one-hour long mass.

The Filipino groom arrives one hour earlier than the Filipina bride for the purpose of receiving wedding guests

at the church. The bride will arrive later onboard a wedding car, then gets off the vehicle to meet her waiting

groom. The groom could be waiting with his parents. Afterwards, the groom and the bride performs the bridal

procession or the wedding march.[2] During the nuptial, the bride holds an heirloom rosary along with her

traditional bridal bouquet.[2]

Ceremonial sponsors, witnesses, and participants

The principal wedding sponsors – also known as special sponsors, primary sponsors, counselors, or

witnesses[6] of the marriage ceremony – chosen by the would-be spouses normally includes a multiple set of

pairs of godparents (typically a total of 12 individual godparents composed of 6 godmothers or ninang, and 6

godfathers or ninong[5]). Chosen secondary sponsors are made up of the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and 3 more

pairs of wedding attendants. The wedding attendants are responsible for the special parts of lighting the

wedding candles, placing the veil and the cords on the couple being wed.[1][2] Other official ceremonial

participants are children, usually males, with the role of being the coin bearer and the ring bearer.[2]

Ceremonial paraphernalia

Ceremonial paraphernalia in Filipino weddings include the wedding rings, the wedding arrhae, the wedding

candles, the wedding veils, and the wedding cord.[1][2] The ring bearer acts as the holder and keeper of the rings

until the exchanging of rings is performed, while the coin bearer acts as the holder and keeper of the arrhae

until it is offered and given by the groom to his bride.[2] Among the secondary sponsors or wedding attendants,

three pairs – each pair consists of a male and female secondary sponsors – are chosen to function as lighters

of the wedding candles, handlers of the wedding veils, and placers of the wedding cord.[2]

Wedding rings and the arrhae

After the exchange of wedding rings by the couple, the groom gives the wedding arrhae to his bride. The

arrhae is a symbol of his "monetary gift" to the bride because it is composed of 13 pieces of gold, or silver,

coins, a "pledge" that the groom is devoted to the welfare and well-being of his wife and future offspring. Both

rings and arrhae are blessed first by the priest during the wedding.[2]

Wedding candles

The lighters of the wedding candles, known as the candle sponsors, light the pair of candles, one on each side

of the couple. For Christians, this embodies the presence of God in the marital union.

Many weddings add the ritual of the "unity candle" which signifies the joining of their two families. The couple

takes the two lighted candles and together lights a single candle. For Christians, lighting this single candle

symbolizes the invocation of Jesus Christ into their life as a married couple.[1][2] The use of the unity candle is

rooted in Protestant and American culture.[2]

Wedding veils

After the ritual of lighting candles, a pair of secondary sponsors known as the veil sponsors will pin the veil(s)

on the couple. Two forms of this tradition exist, with either one long, white-coloured veil draped over the

shoulder of the groom and above the bride's head,[1] or pinning two separate veils, one on the groom's shoulder

and the other on the bride. The veiling ritual signifies the clothing of two individuals who have become one due

to the ceremony of marriage.[2]

Wedding cord

After the veiling ritual, the pair of secondary sponsors, known as the cord sponsors, will then drape a cord over

the shoulders of the groom and the bride. This decorative cord is called the yugal and is customarily shaped or

looped to form the figure 8 (or alternately, the infinity sign), to symbolise "everlasting fidelity".[1][2] Each loop of

the cord is placed around the invidual neck-and-shoulder area of the bride and the groom.

Apart from silk, other popular materials are used to make the wedding cord such as a string of flowers, links of

coins, or a cord designed like a long rosary.

Wedding reception

During the wedding reception, it is typical to release a pair of white male and female doves, symbolising marital

harmony and peace.[1] These are placed in a cage or receptacle, which can be opened by pulling ribbons or

cords or manually opened and released by the couple themselves. After their release from their cage,[1] the

person who catches them may take them home to rear as pets.

Tossing the bouquet is for the most part uncommon for the bride to do though it is increasingly being observed

by younger couples. Instead, the bride traditionally offers it at a side altar or image of either the Virgin Mary, a

patron saint, or leaves it at the grave of a significant deceased relative.

Filipino Muslim wedding

A wedding dance performed by a Yakan couple from Mindanao.

Filipino Muslims in the Mindanao region of the Philippines commonly practice pre-

arranged marriages and betrothal. These marital discussions involve the agreement on the dowry.[11] The

Tausog people's wedding include the pangalay, a celebration or announcement performed by means of the

playing of percussion instruments like as the gabbang, the kulintang, and the agong. Included in the wedding

ceremony that is officiated by an Imam are readings taken from the Qur'an and the placement of the

groom's fingerprint on the forehead of the bride.

Same sex marriage

Main article: Same-sex marriage in the Philippines

Marriage between couples of the same sex is currently not possible under the laws of the Philippines because,

according to the Filipino Family Code, both family and marriage are considered as heterosexual units. The

legal concept of a family in the Philippines does not incorporate homosexual relationships. Furthermore, finding

that a party to the marital union is either homosexual or lesbian is a ground for annulment of the marriage and

legal separation in the Philippines, which leads to the severance of the homosexual individual's spousal

inheritance, claims to any conjugal property, and the custody of offspring.]

Wedding superstitions

Filipinos have also developed superstitions that are related to marriage and weddings.

Pre-colonial customs include the groom or bride avoiding travel beforehand to prevent accidents from

happening. The bride must not wear pearls as these are similar to tears, and a procession of men

holding bolos and musicians playing agongs must be done. This march was also done after the ceremony until

the newly-wed couple reaches their abode. The purpose of this procession is similar to the current practise

of breaking plates during the wedding reception, in order to shoo away bad luck.

During Spanish colonisation, the Spaniards introduced new beliefs with particular concern over banning

activities that may cause broken marriages, sadness and regret. Wedding gowns cannot be worn in

advance [3] as any black-coloured clothing during the ceremony, and sharp objects cannot be given as gifts.

Other Filipino beliefs hold that typhoons on wedding days may bring bad fortune; that after the ceremony the

bride should walk ahead of her husband or step on his foot to prevent being dominated by him; an extinguished

candle during the ceremony is an omen that the groom or bride will die ahead (depending on which candle on

whose side was blown out);[3] and an accidentally dropped wedding ring, wedding veil, or wedding arrhae will

cause marital misery.[4]

Superstitious beliefs on good fortune include showering the married couple with uncooked rice, as this wishes

them a prosperous life together.[3] The groom's arrival at the venue ahead of his bride also diminishes dire fate.

[3] In addition, a single woman who will follow the footsteps of a newly-married couple may enhance her

opportunity to become a bride herself.[4]

Siblings are not permitted to marry within the calendar year as this is considered bad luck. The remedy to this

belief, called sukob, is to have the one marrying later pass through the back entrance of the church instead of

its main doors.

Barangay Government

Type of early Filipino settlement. The term was derived from balangay, the sailboats that brought Malay

settlers to the Philippines from Borneo. Each boat carried a family group that established a village. These

villages, which sometimes grew to include 30 – 100 families, remained isolated from one another; the fact

that no larger political grouping emerged (except on Mindanao) facilitated the 16th-century Spanish

conquest. The Spanish retained the barangay as a unit of local administration.

[edit] Administrative System

Administrative Supervision

The Barangay is the basic unit of government in the Philippines. As the lowest level of political and

governmental subdivision in the Philippines, every barangay is under the administrative supervision of

cities and municipalities. For comparison between cities and municipalities, most municipalities of the

Philippines are usually lesser compared to cities in terms of economic size, population, urbanity and to

some extent - land area.

Barangay Government

The Barangay Government is divided between the Executive and Legislative. The Punong

Barangay serves as the Chief Executive of the village while the Sangguniang Barangay acts as the

legislature of the Barangay. While this separation of power intends to make the Punong Barangay and

Barangay Kagawads co-equal in terms of authority, the difference is not totally at level since the Punong

Barangay serves as Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Barangay in which the Kagawads are

members. Although, Kagawads has the so-called power of the purse, as they are the ones who approve

the Annual Budget of the barangay, they usually yield this leverage to the authority of the Punong

Barangay.

Sangguniang Kabataan

As mandated by Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, every

barangay should have its own Sangguniang Kabataan - a youth council whose set-up is similar to

the Sangguniang Barangay. The difference between the two system is that, the Sangguniang

Kabataan exclusively governs the Katipunan ng Kabataan youth members in every barangay while the

Sangguniang Barangay governs the people in the village at-large including youths.

The Katipunan ng Kabataan is a national, government-sponsored organization with chapters in every

barangay. The membership in the Katipunan ng Kabataan is exclusive to youths between 15 to below 18

years old and residents of the barangay. The Katipunan ng Kabataan members elect their officers which

is composed of a chairman and seven kagawads. These elected officers is then known as

the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council). Although, the Katipunan ng Kabataan is an organization, its

Chair, however automatically becomes ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Barangay to represent the

youth sector. The Sangguniang Kabataan Chair possess and has the same powers as the regularly

elected Barangay Kagawad.

[edit] Fiscal System

Basically, every barangay have three revenue sources: the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) from the

national government, the Real Property Tax Share (RPTS) from the city or municipal government where it

belongs, and from local taxes and fees imposed on services it renders to the general public such as

Barangay Clearance fee, Community Residence Tax and etcetera.

Barangay Budget

The revenues collected and other incomes generated become part of the barangay funds. It is

appropriated in the Annual Barangay Budget to support operation expenditures of the barangay

government such as personnel services, maintenance and other operating expenditures and capital

outlay.

Other Sources of Funds

Aside from the regualr revenue sources, barangays may receive donations from individuals, other

government units including government financial institutions, and foreign donors.

Every barangay like any other government unit, is free and may establish its own enterprise where it can

source extra income to add to its treasury to help increase its financial sources of its budget.

Allowance to Extend Financial Aid

Barangays are allowed by the Local Government Code to extend financial aid to its constituents, people's

organization and non-government organizations and other local government units.

The Baranganic Relations During The Pre-Spanish GovernmentLike the free states of today, our pre-Spanish independent barangays had relations of

peace and war. As Dr. Antonio de Morga, Spanish historian-jurist, said: “Some chiefs

had frindship and communication with other, and at times wars and friendship.”

The baranagays concluded pacts of alliance and friendship. Such pacts were sealed

between datus by the ceremony of the blood compact called sandugo. Those barangays

that were on friendly terms carried on commerce, communication, and other

intercourse with one another.

At times, wars and quarrels broke out between barangays. The chief causes of

barangay wars were as follows:

1. maltreament of a man from another barangay.

2. the abduction of the wife of a man by another man who was native of another

barangay

3. when a trader from one barangay came to another barangay for purposes of trade

and was there insulted, the trader’s barangay would declare war on the insulting

barangay.

Social Classes in the Barangay

The people of the barangay were divided into three social classes, namely:

The Nobility. The highest class in the barangay consisted of the nobles

called maharlika. They were the datu, his family, relatives, and the rich and powerful

families. The men bore the title of gat, which was equivalent to the Spanish don; while

the women were called dayang, equivalent to the Spanish doña. The princess of the

barangay was known as the lakambini and the prince, lakan.

The Freemen. Next to the nobility were the freemen, who were called timawa. They

were persons who were born free and emancipated slaves. They owned houses, lands,

jewelries, and other property. They accompanied the datu in the wars or in fishing and

hunting.

The Slaves. The slaves constituted the lowest social class in the barangay. They were

called alipin. Among the ancient Tagalogs, the slaves were of two kinds, namely;

(1) aliping namamahay, and (2)aliping saguiguilid. The aliping namamahay were not

really slaves, but serfs. They could own property, could marry at will, and could not be

sold by their masters. The real slaves were the aliping saguiguilid, who could not own

property, could not marry without the master’s consent, and could be sold anytime by

their master.

Among the ancient Bisayans, there were three kinds of slaves, namely: (1) the ayuey,

who worked all their time for their master; (2) the tumaranpuk, who worked one day

for themselves and three days for their master; and (3) the tumatabang who worked

only when summoned by their master.

Slavery in pre-Spanish Philippines was not as harsh and cruel as that in other

countries. The horrible barbarities of slavery which stain the annals of America were

unknown in our nation’s history. Padre Colin, a Spanish Jesuit historian, attested that

the slaves were treated well and, in many cases, were regarded “in the light of

relatives.”

A slave could easily obtain his freedom through the following means: (1) purchase, (2)

marriage, and (3) emancipation by the master. Thus a slave could secure his freedom

by paying his master a certain amount of money for his release. A slave woman

automatically became free by marrying a freeman. Likewise, a slave could be

emancipated by his master as a reward for his long years of loyalty or for certain

notable services rendered.

The causes of slavery were: (1) birth, (2) captivity in wars, (3) debt, and (4) penalty for

crimes committed. Accordingly, any person whose parents were slaves, who was

capture in war, who could not pay his debt, or who was convicted of a serious crime

became a slave.

Although social stratification existed, there was no rigid caste system as was the case

in India. In our pre-Spanish barangays, a man who was born a slave could rise to the

higher classes; he could be a freeman, and a freeman could become a datu.

EducationAncient times

Further information: Ancient Philippine scripts and Baybayin

In pre-Spanish times, education was still decentralized. Children were provided more vocational training

but less academics in their houses by their parents and in the houses of their tribal tutors. They were

using a unique system of writing known as the baybayin. When the Spanish arrived inManila, they were

surprised to find a population with a literacy rate higher than the literacy rate of Madrid.

The Social Classes Of The Ancient Philippine SocietyThere were three distinct classes in ancient Filipino society: the upper class, the

middle class and the lowest class. The upper class called maharlika by the Tagalogs,

occupied the highest positions in society. They consisted of the datus (kings or chiefs)

and their families and relatives. They enjoyed great plitical power and high social

privileges. Among the Tagalogs, the datus usually carried the title of Gat or Lakan and

their wives were called dayang or dayang-dayang–a term still used in Sulu today.

Below these were the middle-class freemen, called timauas by the Tagalogs, Cebuanos,

Hilagaynons, and Ilokanos. Regarded as the middle class, they were born free

individuals or emancipated slaves; and so were their children. They owned their own

houses, land, and other pieces of property.  They were warriors, artists, craftsmen,

farmers, and hunters. They accompanied the datu when he went to war and hunting

expeditions.

The slaves constituted the lowest social class in ancient Philippine society. They were

called alipins by the Tagalogs and similar names by the other ethno-linguistic groups in

the country. A person became a slave in various ways–by birth or inheritance, by

captivity in war, by failure to pay his debt, by purchase, or by committing a crime. But

a slave could become a freeman by purchase, by marriage, by paying his master a

certain amount, and by the voluntary action of his masters to free him.

Among the ancient Tagalogs, the slaves or dependents were either aliping

mamamahay (slave in the home) or aliping saguiguilid (slave around the home). The

aliping mamamahay could own property, could marry even without his master’s

consent, and could not be sold. He served his master by planting and harvesting his

crops, by rowing his boat, and by helping in the construction of this house. On the

other hand, the aliping saguiguilid had no house of his own. He lived in the home of his

master, coul be sold and could not marry without the permission of his master.

Kinds of Slaves. The slaves constituted the lowest social class in the barangay. They were called alipin.

Among the ancient Tagalogs, the slaves were of two kinds, namely; (1) aliping

namamahay, and (2)aliping saguiguilid. The aliping namamahay were not really

slaves, but serfs. They could own property, could marry at will, and could not be sold

by their masters. The real slaves were the aliping saguiguilid, who could not own

property, could not marry without the master’s consent, and could be sold anytime by

their master.