culture, tradition and religion of the philippines on
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CULTURE, TRADITION and RELIGION of the PHILIPPINES on DEATH and DYING PRESENTED BY
RAUL ANDRE M. NACAYTUNA
About me...
Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Xavier University- YEAR 2006
Professional Education
Philippines – Emergency Department, Community Delivery Lying-in
Clinic, Medical Department.
Teaching – Clinical Instructor and Nursing Lecturer for National
Council Licensure Examination of USA and the CGFNS
Nursing Licenses: Philippines, USA, UK and Iceland
London, UK – Endocrine and Rheumatology, Medical High
Dependency Unit.
Education – Critical Care Course in Buckinghamshire University and
currently completing Masters of Science in Integrative Health in
University of Derby in the UK.
Iceland – Staff Nurse in Hjartadeild
The Philippines
7,107 – 7,641 islands
107,668,231 people
Over 11 million abroad
Language: Filipino and English
Money: Philippine Peso
Capital: Manila
Malay, Chinese, Spanish and
American descent
200 species of mammals
History
1521 – Ferdinand
Magellan landed in the
Philippines.
King Philip II
1898 Spanish-American
War
Treaty of Paris (1898)
Republic of the Philippines
in 1946
1965 – Ferdinand Marcos
1972 – Martial Law
1986 – Corazon Aquino
IBALOI TRIBE Fire Mummies
Kabayan town, Benguet Province in the
Philippines
The dying person is asked to drink concentrated saltwater.
The body is washed with cold water and
wrapped in death blanket, placed in a death
chair.
Over the course of 40-60 days, the body will be
supported with smoky fire.
Treated regularly with plant oils and the body is checked for any larvae. Ears and nose plugged
to avoid from insects coming in.
Catholicism
Catholic religion has a strong influence on death and dying.
No need to fear death.
Heaven after Death if doctrines are followed.
Sinners will go to hell or Purgatory.
Suicide and the 5th commandment
Euthanasia and Palliative care
Divine Comedy
Dante Alighieri
Advance
Directives,
Organ
Donation
and
Resuscitation
Status
Filipinos don’t like to talk about death and funerals.
There is a possibility that some Filipinos might have chosen a cemetery plot.
Wishes about resuscitation are not written.
Euthanasia is killing, which is against the 5th commandment.
Cremation is not practiced because Filipinos want to die intact for resurrection.
Filipinos always seek medical advice.
Death is ”An act of God”
Withdrawal of life support – affects the family if not explained thoroughly.
Anointing of the Sick
“Wag kang magsalita ng kung ano ano!”
Topics about death, illness or any unfortunate incidents – gives jinx
Insensitive to talk about death and illness in day to day activities.
Optimistic mindset that we live long - 63, 73, average of 69
Living will and burial plans.
Whang Od
The oldest tattoo artist in the Philippines
Palliative Care Brief
History
Palliative and Hospice services started in 1980s
Cancer Control Program in 1990 –
Pain relief
First Home Care Program – 1991
17 years later – 34 Hospice Centres in
the Philippines
1800 hospitals – 40% government, 17
regions – 4 regions are equipped.
Community Based Hospice is free of
charge.
Palliative care - pain relief
Hospice care – care and comfort
of the dying
Hospice and Palliative care is a
tough area for staff
34 Centers in the Philippines
The challenges to
Hospice and Palliative
Care Development
may be summarised
under the following
headings:
Morphine Use Morphine was available for medical purposes – end of
1980s
The Philippine Cancer Control Program – Pain relief as key element
Drug distribution is a problem for morphine availability.
Smaller Hospitals/Community Hospitals are under the local gov’t.
The National Hospice Council can dispense morphine.
Strict adherence to the Step Ladder.
In 1998, 65% to 75% of 37,623 cancer patients died of unrelieved pain according to the Philippine Cancer Society survey.
In 1999, INCB allocation was 87 kg but only imported 15 kg of morphine.
Physicians need an S2 License to prescribe but only 4% of 86,818 have.
The budget for morphine was cut because of underusage.
Wake and Vigil
3 to 7 days
Blessing of the body.
Professional mourners
Family members do not work or
participate in activities.
Filipinos do not Cremate.
Strengthening family relationship.
“Vigils” to keep the deceased
company (eating, drinking, gambling or just plain chatting.
The next of kin will sit right next to
the deceased body.
Funeral
Casket and flowers are very elaborate.
Casket can be opened. A rosary is placed on the hands.
Somber and depressed.
Long procession on foot, mass then burial.
The casket should be feet first in going out of the house.
The burial should be a very solemn event.
After the
Funeral
9 days of prayers offered to the dead
4th and the 9th day – the soul of the deceased will come back. Food is left outside the house for the soul.
The 40th day is celebrated because the soul of the deceased is believed to ascend to heaven.
“Waksi” is celebrated after 1 year death anniversary – feast, prayers, end of wearing black.
Visits during All Saints Day and All Souls Day
References
Braun, K. L. and Nichols, R. (1997) ‘Death and dying in four Asian American cultures: A descriptive study’, Death Studies. (Cultural variations in death, dying, and bereavement), 21(4), pp. 327–359. doi: 10.1080/074811897201877.
J. Franklin Ewing (1967) ‘Illness, Death and Burial in the Southern Philippines with Special Reference to the Tawsug II’, Anthropological Quarterly, 40(2), p. 45. doi: 10.2307/3316715.
Manalo, M. F. C. (2013) ‘End-of-Life Decisions about Withholding or Withdrawing Therapy: Medical, Ethical, and Religio-Cultural Considerations’, Palliative Care: Research & Treatment, (7), pp. 1–5. doi: 10.4137/PCRT.S10796.
https://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/health_programs/Palliative%20and%20Hospice%20Report%20Philippines.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2wmRW91d85sLmHRDxf7biVk57XI1naz3KorsmUaWSUn4xm29RBMPQnM6s
https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/factsheet_Causes%20of%20death%202011-2013_MBV0428-NDM0428-0525_0.pdf?width=950&height=700&iframe=true&fbclid=IwAR11Gvy_cPW-3VRCZ2-kM_3n2EN0c0I3cQT29KDpmClNgR0ZoI9sNQ4n_Iw
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/countries/philippines/#philippines-boats.jpg
https://areyoumymummydotcom.wordpress.com/category/mummies/