The world is becoming smaller and more united demands are made more unifying be it the life we live, values we emulate, and education we pursue. Predominantly, westerners colonize the mentality of all people across the globe which creates such unity in diversity. Such global phenomenon transforms a unique and ideal culture to a one-size-fits-all melting pot of identity with superiority of Western touch. I believe this create more havoc and dilemma rather than bringing unity and common identity.
Filipino Thought
Every culture has its own unique tapestry of tradition, customs, and education system that are weaved and intertwined to a wonderful piece of identity. The culture of the Philippines is one of the most unique and diverse among the nations in Southeast Asia. The complexity of the country’s history makes it hard to pinpoint which traditions are authentically Filipino. Western influences have been a part of Filipino families for centuries. It is predominantly from the Spanish culture since the Philippines was occupied by the Spain for over 300 years, from 1565 to 1898. After the United States colonization from 1898 to 1946, the American influence became very evident and remains strong today.
Western Thoughts on the Filipino Families affect also their past times, relationship between parent and child, faith, religion, lifestyle and values. It is without doubt a Hispanic country, with a strong Spanish cultural background blending in with the Native Malay culture and other ethnic cultures. Customs and traditions of the Philippines are strongly influenced by those of Spain, and by the Roman Catholic religion. Each year, Filipinos from around the country hold major festivities known as Barrio Fiestas which commemorate the patron saints of the town, villages and regional districts. The festival season is celebrated with church ceremonies, street parades in honor of the patron saints, fireworks, beauty and dance contests for generations old and new, and cockfighting tournaments. These festivals combine both Roman Catholic and native religious influences, and are attended by hundreds of thousands of Filipinos each year.
Filipino Psychology
Philippine Psychology is anchored on Filipino thought and experience in Filipino perspective. For centuries, the behavior of Filipino’s has been analyzed and interpreted in light of Western theories. The Philippine Psychology is based on assessing historical and socio-cultural realities, understanding the local language, unravelling Filipino characteristics and explaining them through the eyes of native Filipino. These resulted in a body of knowledge which includes indigenous concepts and methods. These emphasis foster national identity and consciousness, social involvement, and psychology of language and culture. Thus concerned with proper applications to health, agriculture, art, mass media, religion and other spheres of people’s daily life. And also this is a one way to contribute to universal psychology, which can be realized only if each group of people is adequately understood by themselves and from their own perspective.
Filipino Philosophy
The Filipino is the end-product of historical past. Filipino thought is understood here as the Filipino’s world view or philosophy. It is not the philosophy of any individual philosopher as in Western tradition. Filipino philosophy is what is, not what should be, and as such it has its weakness and strengths. Because it is both dynamic and static. Filipinos who have more leanings toward the West than toward their fellow countrymen, are naturally inclined to import Western models in understanding own people or to invite the common tao to embrace according to Western theories. The results seen in various development attempts has mostly been disastrous.
As Bertrand Russell defined philosophy as “the no-man’s land between science and theology, exposed to attack from both sides.” Philosophers are often attacked and stereotyped as people who live on their “ivory towers”. This charge has some basis as illustrated in the history of Western philosophy.
The ivory tower mentality has two explanations. First, if philosophy is not grounded on the facts, then the end-product of its musings can be doubtful. Down-to-earth philosophy then must base itself on the facts or, to be more precise, on the findings of social sciences. This type of philosophy begins where the social sciences end. While ancient and medieval philosophy was mostly about being and eternal truths, modern philosophy has turned to humankind as the center and truth as both dynamic and static. The second reason is that Western philosophy tends to be the product of individual persons. And as the Latin saying goes, Quot capita, tot sententiae which means there are as many opinions as there are men. Therefore a hundred individualistic philosophers will produce as many different philosophies.
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