#socscijournal understandingmyself

[jpeignacio-blog]

Understanding Myself Entry 2

This week, we discussed hybrid identities and how these are becoming more common with the onset of globalization. This topic is nothing new to me. I have been reflecting on this concept ever since we tackled the subject of culture in social studies as early as grade 8. I have also since then wondered about my own identity. My mother grew up in Mindoro while my father grew up in Paco in Manila. After getting married, my parents moved to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon where they raised me and my siblings. I was exposed to global concerns through my father’s work. After completing his master’s degree in the University of Namur in Belgium, a lot of his European friends would visit us regularly. He also took me and my siblings to a lumad community in the mountains of Bukidnon where his NGO did much of their work in supporting the community. 

I guess what I’m trying to say is: I was exposed to many cultures growing up and I have a difficult time associating with just one of them.

This is quite stressful, in fact, as it makes me feel something of an internal conflict. I feel like I do not belong. I brought this concern up with the spiritual adviser in my most recent retreat. I expressed to him my feelings of not belonging, of not having a culture to call my own. He offered the insight that this can be viewed as a gift. He told me that God has given me a unique upbringing, and with it, a unique view on the world that will make me see things in a way that no one else can. It was comforting to hear, but still, part of me wishes that I did not have to think about such things.