Day Three

The Philippines... 

Philippines are similar to Americans in a lot of things they do, but they also have the spanish and asian influence on them. 

Food: 
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 pork 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, lambanogand tuba. I think the food here sounds pretty tasty :)

Religion: 

Western-Christianity, Eastern-Islamic, Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholic, and Muslim. Philippines consist of all types of religious backgrounds.

Mythology:

They believe in Gods/Goddesses, such as "Araw" (Sun); "Buwan" (Moon.) They are also superstitious (believing in the placebo effect.)

Location:

The Philippines are made up of around 7,100 islands, and it southwest of Asia!

Climate:

Tropical marine temperatures (rainy seasons/dry seasons.) 

Flora and Fauna:

Hibiscus flowers are common in the Philippines, and I found the most adorable animal :) It's a Tarsier! (Pictured below), it's derived from the genus tarsius. 

Holidays:

They celebrate most of the same holidays as we do in America, with the exception of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valour), Rizal Day. 

I really want to embrace, and bring in the whole sports aspect into my story. I'm pretty much into sports, so I want my story to move toward that. Since the Philippines are big on sports, and is typically an urban place. I chose a sport that I always wanted to do, which was boxing. I think that is a great sport to use since I switched genders for my main character! 

I'm really happy that I picked this culture, there are unlimited amounts of things I can put into my story. I'm not too sure how to bring all these details together into one perfect story. I didn't realize that the Philippines had a direct relation with the Japanese through their Asian Persuasion (influence.) Below I've listed websites to help you better understand each aspect of what the original story is about, and how I'm planning to change the story; while putting some taste of the Philippines in it! I almost forgot about the important thing; although I won't have music in my story. I still thought I should discuss it, the Philippines listen to all various types of music (Including folk, rock, and hip hop.)

Philippines Culture

The Mirror of Matsuyama