Filipino Migrants and Transnational as Culture Bearers
Ms. Julia Constante of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) was the resource person for this workshop.
Problems
What is culture? There is no such thing as pure culture; it is presently a product of interaction with other cultures or influences. Culture is what we are living today. It is dynamic. There are two things to consider, fundamentals and expression. Fundamentals of culture are how one thinks, feels, or the fundamental traits. Expression of culture, on the other hand, is through fiestas, celebrations, or the manifestations of culture. Being easily influenced by other countries, it can be said that there is no “real” Filipino culture. What we have now is a product of years of colonization.
It is relevant to discuss this topic to eliminate discrimination against our countrymen abroad. Filipinos represent their country and it is important that they know their rich culture. If one does not understand the culture of others, problems arise. Because Filipinos married to Koreans send money to their families in the Philippines, Koreans think Filipinos are materialistic; this is a good example of not understanding the culture of others.
Some of our countrymen look up to Western people and look down on their own because of the lack of understanding of our culture. There is no pride in being a Filipino. Filipinos do not cultivate our own culture. Philippine culture was deleted from the training modules in the pre-departure orientation seminars because it was considered irrelevant. This adds to the concern that Filipinos lose their identity abroad.
Filipinos are regarded as good workers in Italy because they are obedient but they only know Filipinos as domestic workers, not as professionals who opted to go to Italy because of economics. They are not seen beyond how good workers they are because they do not establish themselves. Filipino parents abroad have let their children absorb foreign culture alone thus traditional Filipino values are lost.
Recommendations
The course of the discussion resulted in the proposal of some recommendations regarding Filipino migrants. Education and information on Filipino culture and history must be reintegrated in the pre-departure orientation seminars for the migrant workers. Continued education upon arrival at the host countries in connection with the embassies must be considered Embassy staff and Filipino communities including foreign spouses of the Filipino migrants should be educated and informed. The distribution of pamphlets and other materials on Filipino culture can help inform others about our way of life.
Strengthening the involvement of the NCCA in promoting Filipino Culture and history is a step to be taken in order to keep the Filipino culture alive among migrants. There must be budget allocations for OFW-related programs. Migrant groups both local and overseas were suggested to send representatives to NCCA to express the needs of OFWs for the development of programs specifically designed for them.
Values formation of Filipino children abroad must not be neglected as well. We have to make the best effort in being Filipino and not be bound by the stereotype that Filipinos are domestic workers only. We should be willing to strengthen the best aspects of our culture.
In addition, it was proposed to promote the continuing dialogue and other exchanges between Filipino migrants and nationals from host countries on understanding and appreciation of their respective cultures. |
