Our Culture is a Reflection of Who We Are.

Hello there :D

We are Angela Bernardo, Laureen Lim and Ron Segismundo. This is for our final project in Introduction to Sociology class. We are assigned to research, evaluate and identify components of Filipino families and then include them on a virtual electronic time capsule. So if our future archeologists would look back on Filipino family lifestyles in our generation, this blog will help them. This would also help future Filipino families reflect on the past.

We have included in our next post a checklist of the items we chose. We chose these items because we have come to know that these practices had been traditional for typical Filipino Families today. The lifestyles of the different Filipino families today are way different from the lifestyle before. These are mostly the stuff that made an impact in our generation, the 10th year of the 2nd millennium. But we also included some from the late 2009’s and Filipino family traditions that could go on forever. :)

We are connected to our past by the world we have been given. We are connected with our future by the choices we make today and where our imaginations can take us.

Our culture is the reflection of who we are. The objects of our everyday lives are the artifacts of tomorrow. The archeologists of the future will know us by our culture.

Portrait of the Filipino Family 2010

Hello everyone!

This is the checklist of the things we included in our virtual electronic time capsule.

Enjoy!

1. The use of cellphone in the family (touchscreen cellphones to be specific) – the Philippines is known as the “texting capital country”. Members of the Filipino family nowadays communicate through the use of cellphone. Since the technology is getting very influencial, touchscreen cellphone had started to invade the Philippines, also making the majority of the cellphones users buy these kinds of cellphones.

2. Balikbayan box – Since almost every Filipino family has a relative working abroad, whenever they visit the Philippines, there would always be balikbayan boxes containing pasalubongs from the biggest item to freebies. Balikbayan boxes could go on forever for Filipinos.

3. Small altars – most Filipinos are Catholics, and a part of their devoutness, Filipino families have carved images of Christ, Sto. Niño and Mama Mary at home.

4. Guitar – Filipinos are music lovers by heart. Most teenagers practice playing the guitar. Teenagers use this for romantic purposes (Harana) or just for their past time. Playing any musical instrument for Filipinos would never die.

5. Umbrella – because we live in a tropical country, the umbrella can be used all throughout the year, for protection from the heat or from the rain

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6. Jeep – main transportation in the Philippines! Sometimes used for family use only for outings or for public use.

7. Ninoy Fashion influence – since the death of the late Cory Aquino, faces of Ninoy Aquino had started to scatter on every fashion – tshirts, eyeglasses, accessories, etc. Also, since 2010 is the year of election and Noynoy Aquino is running for president, this fashion influence became a part of their campaign. Since then, families of Aquino supporters wear this famous trend.

8. Social Networking Websites – Facebook, Youtube, Multiply, twitter… almost all members of the family has an account in any social networking sites. Family members also socialize through the use of these.

9. Movies – A primary form of entertainment. Filipinos are naturally movie-goers. They go out on Sundays for family bonding by watching a movie then eat out.

10. Internet – Can be a DSL connection or a broadband, every Filipino Family has an access on cyber world. With its strong influence to everybody, even if there is a family member who works abroad, it is not that hard to communicate with them unlike the old times.

11. TV –family bonding whenever everybody’s home. Watching noontime shows like wowowee, ASAP XV, Party Pilipinas or Telenovelas at night like Agua Bendita, hit TV shows of early 2010. With this simple act, this brings family bondings.

12. Instant Foods – Everybody’s on the go. Filipinos works harder to earn more income nowadays, so they prefer instant foods rather than cooking meals that are time consuming.

13. Hallyu or Korean Wave – It started on the late 2009. MYX channel started to air some Korean MVs. When 2010 came, Korean Wave still continues to spread. The first Korean hit song that everybody knows is “Nobody but You” by Wonder girls. It then became the top most played Korean song of Filipinos everywhere. It is played whenever there are parties, events or gatherings.

14. Digital Camera – Filipinos love taking pictures. This is their one way of treasuring memories.

15. Game consoles – Nowadays, Filipino kids are used to playing computer games rather than physical activities such as langit lupa, tagu-taguan, patintero, tumbang preso, etc.