western-nice-ation
i'm not sure if it's a good thing or not.
pinas, and probably other asian countries, seem to be picking up some of the western culture more rapidly, recently.
for example, i grew up without trick or treating. the closest we get to that is when a few days before Christmas, we chase a "Santa Claus" riding a kalesa, throwing candies out to kids and houses. i grew up thinking Oct31 is just another day on the calendar. i look forward to Nov1 because that's the day we go to the cemetery and spend cool time with cousins and visiting relatives. my family has a mausoleum, complete with a second floor, a restroom and electric outlets, so visiting was never a hassle for us.
i recently viewed pics of friends on facebook, and they had trick or treating in their office, or whatever workplace they have. kids come in costumes. lots and lotsa candies and chocolates! a couple of years before i left pinas, my mom organized a Halloween costume party at our barangay. it was a contest. and although kids and adults came in their costumes, it wasn't really candies they're after, but the title and the prize money. hehe! last year, and more obviously this year, i hear more people back in pinas talk about the trick or treating of kids.
another example, couples getting engaged, and the whole "if you want it then you shoulda put a ring on it" shebang. until I got engaged, i haven't heard of anybody within my circle of friends (well, i guess we were the first to get engaged officially? i can't remember) or family getting an engagement ring to officially mark a couple's engagement. all my aunts/uncles who planned their weddings, just talked it over, set a date, invited people, get married. yes, the guy still goes for pamamanhikan to officially ask for the girl's hand in marriage, but that's been around since the spanish rule. when hubby je popped the question to me, i didn't know how to react. *lol* for heaven's sake, he's on his knees, holding a ring to me, professing love. i was like, wait, i've only seen this in movies.
my last example, adult children sending their parents to nursing homes. of all the things that pinoys will take from the western culture, this is the one i most frown upon. no. taking care of your old parents is your responsibility. no amount of money can ever repay the time they've spent raising you. you're too busy because you have a job? well, they had jobs too when you were little. but they didn't send you to child care. they made things work. it's time you repay them.
i imagine there will come a time when i will be faced with the decision of whether to send my parents to nursing homes, where they have a 24/7 staff, or just stay with us at home and have a bit less comfort. no. i would rather have them have their little accidents around my house, where i can see them, and let them know that it's ok, and it's gonna be ok. i won't let western culture rob them of the time and care that i should be giving them.
sooner or later i might carry a blue passport. but every single fiber of my body and soul will remain pinoy.
pinas, and probably other asian countries, seem to be picking up some of the western culture more rapidly, recently.
for example, i grew up without trick or treating. the closest we get to that is when a few days before Christmas, we chase a "Santa Claus" riding a kalesa, throwing candies out to kids and houses. i grew up thinking Oct31 is just another day on the calendar. i look forward to Nov1 because that's the day we go to the cemetery and spend cool time with cousins and visiting relatives. my family has a mausoleum, complete with a second floor, a restroom and electric outlets, so visiting was never a hassle for us.
i recently viewed pics of friends on facebook, and they had trick or treating in their office, or whatever workplace they have. kids come in costumes. lots and lotsa candies and chocolates! a couple of years before i left pinas, my mom organized a Halloween costume party at our barangay. it was a contest. and although kids and adults came in their costumes, it wasn't really candies they're after, but the title and the prize money. hehe! last year, and more obviously this year, i hear more people back in pinas talk about the trick or treating of kids.
another example, couples getting engaged, and the whole "if you want it then you shoulda put a ring on it" shebang. until I got engaged, i haven't heard of anybody within my circle of friends (well, i guess we were the first to get engaged officially? i can't remember) or family getting an engagement ring to officially mark a couple's engagement. all my aunts/uncles who planned their weddings, just talked it over, set a date, invited people, get married. yes, the guy still goes for pamamanhikan to officially ask for the girl's hand in marriage, but that's been around since the spanish rule. when hubby je popped the question to me, i didn't know how to react. *lol* for heaven's sake, he's on his knees, holding a ring to me, professing love. i was like, wait, i've only seen this in movies.
my last example, adult children sending their parents to nursing homes. of all the things that pinoys will take from the western culture, this is the one i most frown upon. no. taking care of your old parents is your responsibility. no amount of money can ever repay the time they've spent raising you. you're too busy because you have a job? well, they had jobs too when you were little. but they didn't send you to child care. they made things work. it's time you repay them.
i imagine there will come a time when i will be faced with the decision of whether to send my parents to nursing homes, where they have a 24/7 staff, or just stay with us at home and have a bit less comfort. no. i would rather have them have their little accidents around my house, where i can see them, and let them know that it's ok, and it's gonna be ok. i won't let western culture rob them of the time and care that i should be giving them.
sooner or later i might carry a blue passport. but every single fiber of my body and soul will remain pinoy.
posted by beng at
7:51 PM
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