The People
Halo-halo is a Filipino word that means mixture. While it
describes a popular dessert, it could also describe the Filipinos.
They look like Asians, write and speak English like Americans,
worship like Spaniards, and have an outlook that is international.
Like the Southern Chinese, the Thai, Malay, Indonesian and
Burmese, the modern-day Filipino traces his remotest genetic
lines back to an Australoid and Mongoloid stock. You will
also find a touch of Caucasian, Chinese, Indian and Arabic
in their gene pool as well. But to truly understand the Filipino,
you have to look at the land. The historic isolation between
islands and the topographic isolation on each island, become
the primary influence governing regional traits and societal
behavior.
This diversity makes Filipinos all the more interesting.
However, what is apparent isn't how different they are from
each other, but rather how alike they are. Brought together
by a common history, and looking forward to a common future,
it is not surprising to find a sharing of certain traits.
Their warmth, graciousness and hospitality—all part
of the Filipino psyche—will make your stay a delight.
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