individualistic culture vs collective culture

A person in a collectivist culture considers himself as a member of a group or a community. The person looks up to his group and as a member he must prioritize the sake of the whole instead of his own goals. A member must know how to cooperate with the other members and handle his responsibilities. Also, a member could depend on his group if he is in need of anything.

Individualist culture considers one's own goal and wellbeing. The person disregards responsibility in his community for the good of his own success and that's where competition may begin. Independence and freedom are the qualities of this culture. The person could also be described as self-centered who is not minding his community and not seeking any help from other people.

The stories “Divide by Two” and “The Bread of Salt” show individualistic culture. Basically it is because the narrator talked through his own point of view. He tells what is happening around him. Also, the stories show that most of the roles of the characters are for their own interests.

         On the story of “Divide by Two”:

• Belle’s own interest – find out why their neighbor put up the fence and why it is divided unequally without taking some considerations.

         On the story “The Bread of Salt”:

• The narrator’s own interest – to pursue his dreams as a violinist and his future with Aida

I think the modern Philippine society is a collective culture because we always care for the best of our country. I can also see that everyone is into reviving our country’s pride and glory which also aims for a goal that will benefit all Filipinos around the world. This could be proven by the most trending slogan, “It’s more fun in the Philippines!” with pictures that show amazing and happy things that happen and could be done here in Philippines.

I personally admire this concept and it leaves me a feeling of bliss and pride for my country. In my point of view, this is not only to promote our country but also this is for the own citizens of the country ---to be aware that there are still things to be proud of as a Filipino despite the bad images that have been messing with our minds. I do really think that this necessary for us, Filipinos, for the good of our nation and our own characters.


Thanks to...
http://www.facebook.com/morefunPhilippines.official
http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Collectivist_and_individualist_cultures

Nanay and Tatay, My Heroes

The stories “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife” of Manuel Arguilla and “The Mats” of Francisco Arcellana show the importance of the family for Filipinos. These stories were both written before World War II. Apparently, both of the fathers from the stories are the providers or the one who works for the family while the mother stays at home to take care of the children.


My 55-year old mother told me that it is common for the fathers, during the old days, to work for the family and the mothers usually stays at home. This topic interests me because I think both mother and father should work for their family. If not, it can be the root of an issue and may lead to insecurities, pride for the status, etc. 


In this day and age, it is practical for the mother and father to work together to support their family. This may still not occur for the rich ones but averagely it is. Therefore it is understandable for the time around World War II to have only the father as the provider of the family because of the economy during that time---affordable goods and services (according to my mom, during their time you could just ask a tomato from your neighbor for free but now it costs 3 to 5 pesos for a piece of tomato!). Philippines is known for OFW or the Overseas Filipino Workers and usually either the mother or the father suffers and sacrifices time to work abroad and miles away from their families to earn more money. The way of living 50 years ago is a lot different from today. 


Most of the Filipinos are aware in this situation especially that the mass media can show related situations. An example of this is the commercial of Magnolia:

Actually, it is seldom for the mother to be the one who is working and the father stays at home. But as I can see in the commercial, I think the father is also employed because of his clothes which looks like a uniform, probably, of a teacher or a driver (not so sure about that).


But from the first movie of Star Cinema for 2012, “A Mother’s Story,” it features a mother who sacrifices and works as an OFW for her family while her husband stays jobless in the country.


As you can see, Filipino parents would do anything to fulfill their responsibilities for their families during the old days and the present time. I salute them for this characteristic especially the OFW’s. It is fair to call them as heroes.

Sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa

I am currently reading Bob Ong’s second book, “Bakit Baliktad Magbasa Ng Libro Ang Mga Pilipino?” and it fits to the topic I am going to blog today. The book is giving me a broader view but more complicated decisions about my own stand as being a true blood Pinoy. But let me think… let us think… right now, what are the popular images being created to represent national identity? (A question from my professor in Philippine Literature.) I am going to list some contemporary events or trends of image building among Filipinos.


FIRST: The showbiz news last night in GMA 24 Hours is about Justin Bieber got amused by a robot. I think the equivalent of this news is “the dog pooped on the grass”. I just mean, that news about Bieber was really ridiculous. It was a what-the-hell-are-you-doing-in-news type of news! It is just really nonsense! Another news similar to this is “Pacquiao, may ‘malaking’ regalo sa kaarawan ng misis na si Jinkee”, posted in GMA News Online. I don’t really get the point of the networks covering news about the gifts that are received and given within the Pacquiao family. Really, please tell me the importance or the benefits that citizens of the Philippines may get in this kind of news. May God bless you if you see the light of hope behind this news. I just hope that the networks would lessen the meaningless showbiz news they roll on air.


What kind of national identity am I pulling from this one? For the news about Jinkee Pacquiao, all I can see is 
that broadcast networks are informing us irrelevant news just to earn money without thinking the importance of it. For the news about Justin Bieber, it probably says how we adore international celebrities. This draws to the point that we support the international artists and buy them more than our local artists. We adore them more. This is eating our national identity as a Filipino. I think this is the top one reason why Philippines don’t get ahead of the other countries.


ON THE BRIGHT SIDE! There are people who are proud and would like to show off the world that they are Filipino. There is an emerging brand named Team Manila that creates and produces shirts, bags, pins, stickers, and more for men, women, and the kids. As written on their price tags, “The products draw inspiration from and represent the urban lifestyle culture-from graphic interpretations of national icons to the everyday life on the street. The products intend to remind us of the unique qualities of the everyday.” I am actually a fan of this brand especially because of their perspective and I love their designs and I am dreaming of someday I may be given the chance to work here. I also think that they have the capability to build and re-build a Filipino’s broken vow for his or her own homeland. I think that wearing this kind of clothes could advertise one’s nationalism or pride of being a Filipino.


This is based from my own perceptions and standpoints to the things that are happening in my country.


"Iaalay ko ang aking buhay, pangarap, pagsisikap sa bansang Pilipinas." --Ang nasirang panata natin bilang makabayan ng Pilipinas.

Third Term!

HOPEFULLY, this would be my last third term *blush*
Anyway, I made some changes in my accounts and I dont know why. I changed my twitter name from ohyhitsaa to AAwesomess and my blogspot address from ohyhitsaa to thiskidadele. Something new for 2012! :"D