Karla Ramos
Villa Escudero Promotes Filipino Culture
Filipino Culture revolves around religion and family. And, I think Villa Escudero knows how to showcase this culture.
Like the other countries, the Philippines has a wealth of stories and traditions that date back even before the colonial period. Although it has adopted the culture of its neighboring countries and its colonist, the Philippines still bears its own identity.
In this article, I’d like to share how the Villa Escudero preserves the culture of the Philippines. They do this through dance presentation, food and much more. Let’s discuss more below:
1. Folk Dance Presentation
The different Philippine folk dances reflect the life of the Filipinos during the pre-colonial era and Spanish era. Filipino Folk dances may depict the hardship endured by our ancestors during the colonial period.
During the pre-colonial era, our Filipino ancestors worshipped the nature. So, you can notice the folk dances are ritual through which they ask for good weather, abundant harvest and other blessings.
Folk dances in Mindanao may appear different since it has not been totally occupied by the Spaniards during the colonial period. For example is Singkil. Singkil is known to be rooted from Maranao in Lanao Region, Mindanao. And, it depicts a story of a Muslim royalty. So, this does not match the religious influence of the Spaniards,
As part of the preservation of the Filipino Culture, Villa Escudero holds a folk dance show at their Coconut Pavilion every afternoon of Friday, Weekends and selected Holidays. The folk dance presentation is often performed by their in-house musicians and resort staff from different departments. The performance has also been originally choreographed by a Filipino National Artist known for his passion for preserving Philippine Folk dances, Ramon Obusan.
2. Filipino Food from All Regions in the Philippines
Aside from the colonial influences, Philippines were already involved in barter trade with neighboring countries even before the colonial period. These influences can still be traced in the Philippine cuisine.
In Villa Escudero, they serve soup, rice and viands plus desserts, all Filipino cuisines. Many of these dishes served contain coconut since coconut is one of the top products grown in the Philippines. Also, since Villa Escudero houses a coconut farm.
3. Rustic Rooms
The Villa Escudero allows its visitors to experience an overnight stay in an authentic and modern bahay kubo-inspired rooms. Like the traditional bahay kubo, the rooms in Villa Escudero are designed with bamboo and sawili. Available rooms vary in style and setting. Some rooms are located in front of the Labasin River. There are also rooms available away from the river but have their own garden.
Some rooms have air condition. Rooms without air condition are designed with a natural ventilation. Thus, they allow the visitors to enjoy the natural weather in the Philippines.
4. ‘Kapamilya’ (Family) Feeling and Hospitality
As a sign of respect, Filipinos address others as kuya or ate (older brother or sister) even we’re not related by blood. For the elderly woman or man, we sometimes call them nanay and tatay (mother and father) even when we just met them across the street.
The family-oriented culture of Filipinos can be witnessed inside the Villa Escudero. The Escudero Family calls and considers each of their staff a kapamilya (Family member). Most of the resort staff grew up with them. They even share a lot of history together.
The Filipinos are known to be hospitable. So, Villa Escudero makes sure that the visitors will feel at home during their stay in the Villa. You may even meet Mr. Ado Escudero, the patriarch of Villa Escudero, who sometimes personally guide the visitors around the Villa.
5. Collections are All Filipinos
The Escudero Family is known to have a huge collection of antiques that existed from pre-colonial era up to the time that the Philippines became independent. They have a collection of formal attire used by the previous Philippine Presidents and their respective First Lady. And, they have an exhibit which showcases the wardrobes, weaponry, and accessories used by our ancient ancestors before the colonial era. Other than these, rare artifacts can also be spotted inside the Heritage Museum.
In the Heritage Museum of the Villa Escudero, you can notice the large collection of religious artifacts. Many of the artifacts are designed with rococo styles which suggest that these were made during the Spanish period. The artifacts also suggest the religious influence of the Spaniards to which many Filipinos are still devoted to even up to date.
Do you know other ways that Villa Escudero does to preserve the Filipino culture? Or, do you know other similar places like Villa Escudero that retells the Filipino history? I’d like to hear your thoughts. Please don’t hesitate to comment below.
Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort
Location: Km 91, Tiaong, Quezon
Sales Office: 1059 Estrada Street, Malate 1004 Metro Manila
Telephone: +63 (02) 523-0392, +63 (02) 521-0830, +63 (02) 523-2944, +63 917-583-7727, +63 919-993-4744, +63 923-741-0605
Email: [email protected]
Also Read:
- Relaxing at Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort featuring Photos Captured by OPPO F3
- Heirloom Filipino Dishes in Pamana Restaurant Boracay
