Critical Commentary: Indigenous Filipino Frames

The Indigenous Filipino Frames, which are Sikolohiyang Pilipino, Pilipinolohiya, and Pantayong Pananaw, all aims to focus on the ‘Filipino’ as not being the ‘other’, but being the study. It aim to replace the western ideology that does fit in our society and culture, with a school of thought that is designed for our mind set. Its ultimate goal is to unite the nation by grasping all aspects and connecting all divisions. But, like other school of thought, issues will certainly arise. In this critical commentary, 3 issues will be specified to comment on the Indigenous Filipino Frames.

The first issue is the goal of all three frames to achieve a united nation. This is a problem because from the get-go the Philippines have already been a multi-linguistic and ‘tribal’ type of country. The indigenous Filipino frames do not look at the tensions between provinces, only the tension of class.

The second issue is the issue of language. Sikolohiyang Pilipino uses different terms to identify the Filipino value system, but the majority of these terms are in the language of Tagalog. By only using the language spoken in one area of the country, this can marginalize those who cannot understand Filipino, and build more disparity between the capital and the provinces. I suggest that the terms of sikolohiyang Pilipino be translated in every dialect so as to achieve total understanding.

The third issue is the issue of origin. According to Mendoza, all of frames originated from the University of the Philippines, the number one university in the Philippine. UP, being the pioneers of this study has already set the standard, such as the methods, the language, and other aspects of research. This is problematic, because other academics are required to follow to their rules. Other schools that are found with in the indigenous society are still marginalized, but now not by westerners, but by their own countrymen. Schools like University of San Carlos in Cebu or University of Mindanao should be given the chance to create their own Sikolohiyang Pilipino in honor of their own culture and language.

Overall, the Indigenous Filipino Frames is a good start for our country to move forward with its own identity, but these frames are still a work in progress. I believe that for each one of us not be pushed aside, we must include ourselves in the development of these schools of thought and our country as well. So that in the future we can indigenize all aspects, including political science. 

Daily Dose of Culture and Politics: March 1, 2012

Discourse analysis and Respect

In today’s class, we were about to start with the topic of discourse analysis. But, first before learning the skill we need to know respect. I think to succeed in life; one must always give respect to earn respect. It is professional to respect other people. Without it, chaos. Respect is giving importance to the other. And, what the schools of thought made me realize is that each one of us has a different perspective to life, and we must respect that.

Daily Dose of Culture and Politics: February 27, 2012

Content analysis

In today’s class, we were given the chance to listen to songs and identify its deeper meaning, what relationships are indicated, and what issues are present. The first song was by Sir Elton John. And, it was a story about the reuniting of a father and his gay son, because his son was dying because of Aids. At first glance, I felt that either the son or the father was homosexual, but it took time for me to discover that the son was ill. This first video made me realize that if I was going to do effective content analysis, I have to open my mind to the possibilities.

The second song was from the movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame. It was the song of Esmeralda praying to God to help her people and those less fortunate than her. I was very touched by the song. It made me reflect how I pray. And I believe this is the effect of the song. It also looks at those who are marginalized and how they are more holy than those who are included in society. This song made me realize that the effect of the medium is also important to the research.

The third song is a Filipino song about a man loving his partner so much more, because the partner stopped beating him up. It was a little harder because we didn’t know what was the gender of the partner. We just looked at the possibilities and though what if the partner was a man or a woman. This song made me realize that we must look at all the factors and aspects. And, think of endless possibilities. In research, there should be endless questions. 

Critical Commentary: Post-Colonialism

Is the Philippines still colonized? Or are we living in a post-colonial society? What are the things that colonize us today? Is the west still controlling us? Is revolution really the key to free us from our colonial mindset? Or just destroy and kill our surroundings? These are the questions that I thought about during the presentation on Post Colonialism. But before reflecting on these questions, first, what is colonialism and post colonialism?

Colonialism, according to the report, is “taking up the ‘other’ self”. To further understand, we must take note that this is the western perspective.  During the age of colonization, they believed that they are more advanced and rational, and their “other” is the barbaric, uncivilized humans, like our ancestors. With this in mind, colonialism is transforming the other politically, socially, and economically.

Post colonialism, on the other hand, is a form of resistance from colonialism. It is the return or the rise of the other. There are many forms of resistance in line with post colonialism. Fanon suggests the revolution is a form of resistance from colonialism.  On the other hand, Bhabha saw from the works of Said that post colonialism is now the mixture of the culture of the colonized and the colonizer.

Looking at the Philippine society today, we can see a convergence of cultures. These cultures come from different parts of the world. Giving us different perspectives in life. Answering my inquiries above, I believe that we are still colonized and at the same time living in a postcolonial society. We are colonized because our second language is English. We have western mannerisms, and so much more. At the same time, we continue to find who we are in our own terms. Currently, we are developing our own arts. We are creating our own brand of both social and natural sciences. And, we never let go of our own mannerisms, like “mano po”, and “pamahiin” still found at the provinces.

To further let go of our colonial self, we must continue developing the Filipino brand. We must surely identify ourselves separate from our Latin American counterparts, as well as our South East Asian counterpart. I believe that revolution (Fanon’s theory) isn’t the key to our freedom. We are not being conquered today by our colonizers, but instead face a different enemy, if we consider it an enemy or not. Today, we face multinational companies, international organizations, and other supranational states that slowly, but surely is transforming our society ones more. All we can do is stay firm to who we are.

Daily Dose of Culture and Politics: February 23, 2012

Going home by land from the my grandmother’s funeral in Bicol

Daily Dose of Culture and Politics: February 20, 2012

At my Grandmother’s Funeral in Bicol

Daily Dose of Culture and Politics: February 16, 2012

Recently, I have started going to the gym. And, I have discovered one of the most fascinating workouts. ZUMBA! It is currently sweeping all the gyms in and out of the city. Zumba is a dance workout that combines of dances, such as salsa, chacha, hiphop, and many more, with martial arts, and aerobic basics. In addition, it was so easy to learn and to follow. Because Zumba is a mix of old and new dances, there were a number of aged women who seemed to be regulars during the time I first tried it out. I also noticed that the room was full of people, mostly women.

This was the thought that came to me during the Post-colonial discussion in class. Post colonialism aims to free ones culture from the colonial influences. Attaining freedom can be through revolt or restoration of the old ways. If we apply this theory of restoration to the Philippines, we would drop all of our technological advances and live the Pre-colonial era, where Filipinos were divided into tribes. But, I don’t believe that is going to happen any time soon, because other than our technological advances, already available today. Cultures have already intertwined to create a “hybrid” culture. A perfect example of this is Taglish (Tagalog and English), and Zumba. The postcolonial proponent Bhabha coined Hybridity.

I thought of Zumba during the post-colonial discussions, because it is a mix of culture, but it gives joy, and good health. Ballroom, one of the cultures that influenced Zumba, was thought dying, but little by little it can be renewed by this new very interesting workout. Looking back, I realized how our culture, our identity, could never be forgotten, as long as, we keep things interesting and appealing, but staying true to the essence.