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.

Manunggul

Jars

Manunggul Cave,

Palawan

895 – 795 BC

Two souls on the

voyage of the

afterlife.

HANGING COFFINS OF BENGUET

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

Sad

Reality

Extreme Disparity between

the Rich and the Poor

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 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/