The Global Culture

The Philippines is a country that is rich in culture, mainly coming from its longest colonizer, Spain. Over the years, an austere custom to always show respect to your elders, never talk back, and take care of your elders has been established. When you address others in the Philippine culture, you show your respect on where you stand. For example, when you call or talk to older relatives, you address them as tita/tito (aunt/uncle), kuya/ate (older brother/sister). In the west, other than calling someone Aunt or Uncle, it is usually not done.

However, with the new modern global culture emerging, this isn’t the case. The western culture emphasizes equality, and the by-product of this is that sometimes power-conflicts may come up from time to time. Equally so, people have the chance to voice their own opinion, and on some levels, it may seem as rude or a challenge to others. In the Philippines, you take care of your relatives when they age. Global culture, which in fact is largely influenced by the first world countries in America and Europe, there is the concept of retirement homes. The Philippine culture also is very conservative, while the emerging global culture tends to lean on the more liberal side.

But it doesn’t go without saying that there are positive effects with the emerging global culture. By merging into a global society, the differences, (perceived, real, or otherwise) will gradually fade. The lines blur, and people reach further to offer assistance. For example, whenever the Philippines experiences catastrophes, first world countries like the U.S. and Japan come to lend aid and help the country recover. It is because even if each country has a distinct culture, global culture, which emphasizes on what makes us similar rather than what makes us different, is making the world closer and more united. The people of the world are combining their differences and being more cooperative towards one and other. This process of emerging global culture can be seen in times of need when everyone has pulled together to strive for peace and freedom and lend a helping hand to each other when it is necessary. Although there are different religions and ways of life, people are becoming tolerant of others and becoming a united body. Global culture is having a positive impact on the world. People from all different parts of the globe are working together for unity and peace. Everyone is more accepting of each other and has been working side by side to reach common goals. The inspiration that the world is lessening its differences makes us stronger and more capable to accomplish anything. Hopefully global culture will continue to grow and become even more important in the Philippines in the future.