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Missionaries trained ladinos, native intellectuals, were crucial in Spanish colonization of the Philippines. They pacified locals by introducing European literature and using popular culture to promote colonial ideas. Spanish sought to replace indigenous culture with Christian traditions to spread Christianity and strengthen their rule. This cultural assimilation included works like pasyon, sinakulo, korido, komedya, and awit, shaping Filipino identity under Spanish rule. -
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The advent of American colonialism brought, the properly so-called, popular culture to the Philippines. Theliberal policy regarding the printing press, soon through radio, television and film, increased the circulationof of popular culture forms. Not only through these forms but also in new media then, such as films.Hollywood films had a near-monopoly in the Philippine market especially in the absence of Europeanmovies due to World War I. -
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The 50s was also labelled as the first golden age of the Philippine Cinema with the booming of the Filipinofilm industry. Four big production studios (LVN Picture, Sampaguita Pictures, Premiere Productions, andLebran International) were all in their prime, on top of the industry releasing an average of 350 films a year.Then, there was matinee idol Rogelio de la Rosa on the pinnacle of his career, first to be a Filipino film actorturned politician. -
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Following a decade of many "firsts" are more years of new initiatives, including efforts to empower women.The decade witnessed the demolition of traditional Filipino gender culture with the emergence of Filipinasand their renewed role in society. On June 18, 1960, the Bureau of Women and Minors was created underthe Department of Labor, with the purpose of protecting the welfare of working women and minors. -
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This time marked significant milestones for the country that highly influenced and shaped the society thatwe have today. It was opened by the visit of Pope Paul VI in 1970, making him the first-ever leader of theCatholic Church to set foot here. -
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It was an era of breakthroughs and novel ideas. Filipinos were highly creative at this point in time. Not only was there an overwhelming need to express long-buried sentiments, there was also an equally vast freedom to do so, especially after the restoration of democracy. Proudly local shows like Batibot, That's Entertainment, Ipaglaban Mo! and Magandang Gabi Bayan. It was also in this decade that the country's first transit system, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 was built. -
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After witnessing the breakthroughs of the past decade, Filipino creativity continued to be the focal point of the 1990s, especially as the Original Pinoy Music flourished.One of the most prominent acts of the decade was Master Rapper Francis Magalona. His groundbreakinghit "Mga Kababayan Ko" in 1990 served as the foundation of Filipino rap music, proving that patrioticanthems can come in different forms. -
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The 2000s were a great time for the Philippine pop culture. Asianovelas have become a staple of everychannel's daily programming. Today's biggest celebrities also came from reality and talent competition programs in the 2000s like PinoyBig Brother, Starstruck, and Star Circle Quest -
ONGOING PHILIPPINE POP CULTURE