What is India contribution to the Philippines?

Answer 1

India has influenced the Philippines in nearly all aspects of life.

The Philippines has been trading with India as far back as the Sriwijaya Empire, which started in the 7th century. With this trade came influence in language, music, and writing (Baybayin is based on Sanskrit; a quarter of Tagalog is of Sanskrit origin). Some common words are guro/guru (teacher), mukha (face), Likhain (to write), and putong (turban).

India also brought the spread of religion, including forms of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam (brought by the Majapahit Empire). The pre-historic Filipino creator god "Bathala" comes from the Hindu god "Brahman." Many of the customs in India and the Philippines are similar also, such as feeding the dead and dowries.

Many people think that before the Spanish arrived, the Philippines lacked culture. But it had plenty of it, girl. Parts of the Philippines was even ruled by kings (Rajas) and the central region of the Philippines, Visayas (where my dad is from), is supposedly named after the last Filipino king, Srivijaya.

Yes, the Philippines was heavily influenced by the Spaniards. But that isn't the whole story, and only recently are people starting to acknowledge that. There is a lot of archeological evidence that needs to verify a lot of things we don't know about the precolonial Philippines, as Spain has done everything in it's power to eliminate pagan religions (destruction of temples, violent getting pagans to convert, etc.).

Answer 2

I would believe that they have influence on food. They give the spices and the boldness of cooking for the Filipinos.