People, events, places, issues, trends, politics, situations are just but a few elements that contribute to our changing world, thus, society in particular. They’re the ones that mold our being, wherein somehow adhere or bring change in our life’s perception and perspective.

How to intertwine and connect the three stages of life:  dragging the past to present and having a glimpse of the future is what this subject EDFD 221 did and helped me understood  hence,  broaden my perspective on the socio-cultural process. Through this subject, it also answered some of my questions like: Who really are the true Filipinos?,Should I be proud of being one? How can I preserve my true identity?, Should I go with the trend that as the society change, so as my principles in life?

As the popular verse in the Panatang Makabayan goes, “Ako’y Pilipino sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa” Do we really mean whenever we utter these words? Or are we just sounding like tinkling cymbals, and recite those verse not not heart? I myself must admit that I’m a bit guilty”

Allow me to share my experiences some decades ago when I first landed my feet in country where racial discrimination is very much felt. It was in West Germany, wherein remnants of Adolf Hitler and his descendants in terms on principles, practices and views were still prevalent. The first quarter of the year of my stay there was really a culture shock. People really looked at you because of your brown color and black hair. There was even an old folk that touched my skin and hair, just to see if they’re really real. Walking in downtown areas where people are so peaceful and calm, with no rush hours to catch, people are disciplined, no traffic jams, no noise are pollution because they were observing the ” ruhe zeit” or quiet hour every 12nn til 1:00 pm everyday. No over speeding, cause if you did, expect a penalty ticket the following day at your doorstep. Only five to seven members are allowed in a certain house and not to mention all. How I wish this will also be practiced in the Philippines, if only our people are disciplined and government officials aren’t corrupt.

Anyway, to further on my litany, I began seeing myself adjust to their way of life and culture. As the bombardment of issues I’ve often watched in the television, always flashing our country that belongs to the third world nation, that is so poor. People live in shanties with tires on their roofs, children swimming in garbage, etc. These scenes really grieved my heart. I wondered why our government, shown only the other side of the coin? What are their motives? To gain sympathy to those who watched it and extend financial assistance? Bat hindi nila ipakita ang mga mala mansiong bahay in Forbes Park, Dasmariñas Village an d the skyscrapers in Makati and Taguig?  then why until now, the same scenario had been viewed. The Philippines are still on the bottom list on even not at par with our neighboring Asian countries like Korea, China. Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, just to mention a few,  inspite of Globalization?

One time, in our German class,  ( cause I decided to learn their language) for obvious reason, one of my classmates teased and told me, “so where were your families staying now in your country, since your houses have ” gulong ” on top? how does it feel to swim in garbage? All those ridicules I swallowed cause, I’d realized I’m not in my own country and I cannot blame them either cause those were the things they’d watched on TV.

From there, I’d decided to have my hair colored blond, kept myself inside the house even during summer just to have a fair skin and dressed like what Europeans dressed. One day, I had made my piece and got what I wanted. I began to be ashame of being a Filipino because they really looked down on us as lesser people and even viewed as domestic helpers or nannies. Until one lady whom I was with in the train asked me if  I’m a Chinese or a Japanese because of my looks and features. I was caught in between. Should I admit to have another insult? or deny to gain praise and have a graceful exit? Finally I decided to say Yes, I am a Filipino. Then she told me, well great! because you know we really admired your lady president because of her courage of a bloodless revolution. My feeling was elated by then, Then she went further praising and saying good things about our country; the tourist our spots, our rich culture and traditions, etc. And I learned that  she was a business woman and visiting out different countries in which our country was one.

From then on, realization crept to my mind, that I should be proud of being a Filipino, sa isip, sa puso at sa gawa,  inspite of all its flaws. Influences are just snares around the corner. We should not be swayed by them. Anyway, there’s always two sides of the coin. Let’s not asked ourselves, what our country can do to us, instead, what can and must do to our country. Be not a chameleon. Be a proud Filipino you should be. Remember, God made you a Filipino, rich in cultural heritage. just be content

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