Feminine Lifestyle Contents Magazine Page

PHILIPPINES The culture of the Philippines is a blend of traditional Filipino and Spanish Catholic traditions, as well as influences from the United States and other Asian regions. Filipinos are a traditionally devout and family- oriented people who like art, fashion, music, and food. Filipinos are also friendly people who like to have a good time. This usually comprises a sing- along, dance-along, and eat- along. Many of the events on the annual calendar combine pre- Christian costumes and rituals with present Catholic ideas and thought.

Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's most populous and diversified countries. Its culture is a mash-up of local customs that have grown to incorporate the advancements of globalisation. HELLO VIETNAM Vietnamese current ideas have been shaped by foreign influences from both bordering and Western countries. Despite multiple long-term cultural invasions by other countries, the Vietnamese sense of national identity has lasted and continues to create a strong sense of patriotism and loyalty among many Vietnamese. Today's Vietnamese are self- 7 0 sufficient, ambitious, and tough.

THE TRADITIONAL CULTURE OF MYANMAR MYANMAR IS A BLEND OF FOLK AND ROYAL TRADITIONS. BUDDHISM HAS BEEN A PART OF MYANMAR'S CULTURE

LAOS Laos has the smallest population density of any Southeast Asian country. The country's most densely populated areas are in and around Vientiane, the country's capital. Many of Laos' largest cities and towns are located along the Mekong River's banks, including Vientiane. The Mekong is the world's 12th longest river and has historically served as Laos' economic and cultural center. The Mekong's importance is still felt today, as the river serves as the key route for transportation, fishing, trade, irrigation, and tourism.

Traditional Malay people speak Bahasa Malaysia, an Austronesian language with roots in Malay. The Orang Asli, or original people, are Malay indigenous people that live in the Peninsular region. They are divided into various groups, each having their own language and cultural traditions. The Kadazan Dusuns, who are typically farmers in hilly locations; the Bajaus, a seafaring community; and the Murut, who also make their living from hunting, fishing, and cultivation, all dwell in Sabah. Our Malaysia vacations offer a host of opportunities to tourists for enjoying the diverse music and dance of the country. MALAYSIA

CULTURE BRUNEI Brunei's culture is heavily influenced by Malay cultures and Islam. The country's demographic mix also has an impact on culture: Malays make up more over two-thirds of the population, with Chinese, Indians, and indigenous groups including Muruts, Dusuns, and Kedayans making up the rest. Bruneians are extremely courteous and well-mannered. The concept of \"maintaining face\" is extremely essential to the general public, and people will go to great lengths to avoid generating problems. Respect is essential, and visitors should make every effort to follow basic social norms.

.Singapore's culture is a mash-up of Malay, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Eurasian elements. Singaporean culture, the classic cosmopolitan, has changed dramatically throughout time. The indigenous culture of Singapore was initially influenced by Austronesian immigrants from Taiwan. Over the course of many years, multiple Chinese dynasties and other Asian countries influenced and inspired Singapore's culture, eventually forming the eccentric and striking Singaporean culture that we see today.Although Singapore is not a cheap place to live, it is a fairly affordable place to dine. This country lives and breathes delectable, mouth- watering dishes, from street vendors to outdoor cafes to high-end restaurants. Although Singapore is a multicultural metropolis, Chinese, Indonesian, Indian, and Malay cuisines are the most popular. Hawker Centres are a Singaporean specialty, where a wide range of flavors are available to sample in largely open-air communal seating. Despite the fact that the concept of hawker centres is rooted in Singapore's unrivaled street food heritage, the largest of the centres, located on the second floor of Chinatown Complex, is home to the world's cheapest Michelin-starred meal, a plate of soy-sauce chicken rice or noodles, for only SGD 2. The most popular dishes include seafood, hog or lamb skewers, and noodle-and- broth-based dishes. Laksa is a popular street meal that is just a bowl of noodles. SINGAPORE

27 Religion has always been an important source of cultural inspiration in Cambodia's long history. Cambodians have established a unique Khmer culture and belief system based on a syncretism of indigenous animistic ideas with the Indian faiths of Buddhism and Hinduism over nearly two millennia. Around the first century A.D., Indian culture and civilization, including its languages and arts, entered mainland Southeast Asia. HELLO CAMBODIA Expensive and painstakingly seasoned foods, such as curries, spiced fish sauces, intricate stir fries, and a variety of sweets, are made during festivals. Each family brings a food to a temple feast, which is ritually handed to the monks. The lay community consumes the remaining food after the monks have eaten. 70

DNALIAHT THAILAND, OFTEN KNOWN AS 'THE LAND OF SMILES,' IS KNOWN FOR THE WELCOMING AND KIND NATURE OF ITS CULTURE AND PEOPLE. RICE PLANTATIONS AND MAGNIFICENT TEMPLES CAN BE FOUND IN AND NEAR BUSTLING METROPOLISES, REPRESENTING THE DIVERSITY OF LANDSCAPES AND LIFESTYLES. THAILAND, BEING A HISTORICALLY AUTONOMOUS ASIAN NATION, IS HEAVILY AFFECTED BY ITS CULTURAL TRADITIONS. BUDDHISM AND THE MONARCHY HAVE LONG BEEN REGARDED AS SOURCES OF SOCIAL ORDER AND STABILITY, AND THEY CONTINUE TO SERVE AS UNIFYING SYMBOLS FOR THE THAI PEOPLE. HOWEVER, THE CULTURE IS ADAPTABLE TO MODERN CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS. AS THAILAND HAS BECOME MORE GLOBALIZED, MANY THAIS HAVE ACCEPTED PROGRESSIVE VALUES. THIS IS EVIDENT IN BANGKOK, THE COUNTRY'S CAPITAL, WHICH IS A BUSTLING COSMOPOLITAN CITY WITH A MIX OF TRADITIONAL INFLUENCES AND MODERN VIEWS.

INDONESIA Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country. It is also the world's largest archipelago, with approximately 17,500 islands. Because of the islands' dispersal, various microcultures have emerged that are geographically peculiar. Furthermore, Indonesia is home to approximately 300 ethnic groups. The Javanese population, which primarily inhabits the island of Java, is the largest. Others include the Sundanese, Malay, Batak, Madurese, and Betawi peoples, among others. The languages, histories, and cultures of most ethnic groups are unique to them. As a result, Indonesians are more likely to define themselves locally (based on ethnicity, family, or birthplace) than defining themselves nationally.