chidsantos

[chidsantos]

Beyond Social Media: What it means to be a Global Citizen

Journal Entry No. 3

August 22, 2020

Observation 

The digital age and the rise of social media have become essential instruments in shrinking the world and establishing a global village. With this, people have become more connected and more aware of the global issues happening around them. Despite such access to technology, there are still some people who turn a blind eye on issues that do not affect them directly. I can observe this in how some people are connected with international celebrities who they are fans of but are disconnected from global issues. There are also some people who choose not to talk or learn about these global issues because it is beyond their personal problems. On the other hand, there are also people who have become active global citizens. These people do not only care about their personal problems and issues of their country, but they go beyond by tackling global concerns as well. However, I believe that social media does not encompass everything a person does because it limits what a person will do and can do. I know some people who are not active on social media but are active global citizens. With that said, I define global citizenship as people taking responsible action of what they do in order to change the world for the better. Global citizens are people who are prepared to act on the belief that we are all one and united as members of the human race, and are ready to take on the greatest challenges in the world. Without global citizens, people in the world would live passively and grow to become unproductive and apathetic members of society. 

 Insights

With such observations, I begin to think about how relevant I am and my contributions are to the global village as a citizen living in the Philippines. Personally, I believe that social media is the main factor why I have grown to become an active global citizen. Despite my personal problems and interests, I do not turn a blind eye on the issues happening around me may it be political, social, cultural, environmental, or economic. There’s this saying I live by which goes, “Kapag ikaw ay namulat, kasalanan ang pumikit.” With everything going on around the world, it is difficult to turn a blind eye and stay ignorant even though some issues do not personally affect me. I’d like to share a personal experience of how I started to become actively aware of the issues around me. When I was fourteen, I had a fan account where I had mutual followers who belong to different parts of the world, especially in the United States. I was young back then and I only downloaded Twitter because I wanted to be updated on the celebrities I was a fan of. When I opened Twitter one day, I remember how this guy named Michael Brown is all over my Twitter timeline. This was my first encounter of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. At first, I was confused why it was just #BlackLivesMatter and not #AllLivesMatter. I was iffy with the movement at first but after hours of researching, I learned that this is not because black lives matter more than other lives, but it is because black lives should matter as much as other lives. This is in relation to all the brutality and killings done to black people because of their skin color. Ever since then, I’ve started to try my best to fulfill my role as a global citizen by becoming responsible and aware of issues happening in the world. Currently, I am invested in learning about the issue of Israel and Pakistan as well as environmental concerns about sustainability. I want to try learning and researching about issues not happening in the Western world because I know how biased the media is and stories like these are not often shown in mass media. Aside from this, I am a member of the National Mass Democratic Organization (NDMO) called Panday Sining and I make it my duty and responsibility to attend their educational discussions that tackle issues in the Philippines so that I can share and act accordingly to what I learned. Despite such involvements, I personally believe that I still haven’t reached the full extent of being a global citizen because I also have limitations as a student. No matter how much I want to donate to the causes, I don’t have Paypal nor a bank account, and I can only do so much but to sign petitions and talk about these issues on my social media pages. Aside from this, I find it overwhelming that I can only do so much in spite of everything that happens around me. Nonetheless, I believe that I am still doing my part as a citizen of this global village no matter how big or small. It is my duty to give back and help the human race when I finally surpass my limitations. 

  Learnings

Becoming a global citizen does not happen overnight. It takes responsibility and dedication to fight for these global issues. As a global citizen, being aware of global issues is not enough. I learned that what counts is what we do or how we act based on what we have learned. This proves how genuine a person is in caring and fighting for the world around them; not just engaged in performative activism. By becoming an active global citizen, we both pressure and inspire passive individuals to become productive members of this global village we share. I learned that it is our mutual dependency in the world which calls for shared responsibility in solving global issues because it lies on the belief that every human being is equal. With that said, each and every one of the global actors such as politicians, businessmen, and even consumers should come together and act as one in furthering the world may it be in the political, economic, social, or environmental aspect. All these issues are interconnected and interdependent which is why we all must be united as members of the human race to give concrete solutions to these problems. I learned that band aid solutions are not enough because the problem lies deep beneath the system who takes advantage of the issues around the world and makes business out of it. But with the passion and dedication of each individual, we challenge the most powerful and influential people to engage in systemic change, and maybe finally, achieve the world we dream of.

[chidsantos]

The Filipino Struggle: Migration for a “Better Life”

Journal Entry No. 2

August 16, 2020

Interview

For the activity, I interviewed three OFWs about their work situation. Monce, 68 and Thita, 60 were my old housekeepers. I asked them if I could schedule a video call with them to interview them about their work situation in Qatar and Hong Kong respectively, and they agreed. Luigi, 24 is my friend’s brother and had experiences working in the United States. Unfortunately, for privacy purposes, he did not agree to taking a picture with me during the video call. Instead, I got a screenshot of when our interview was over. Nonetheless, I was still able to document and note down important information about their experiences.

Monce is a retired Overseas Filipino Worker who is currently residing in Doha, Qatar. When I asked her why she considered working in Qatar she said that her friend who worked there recommended it because the Filipino community there is large and the pay is good compared to that of the Philippines. She was 55 years old when she started seeking job opportunities in Qatar. At first, she found it difficult to find an employer because she was not easily accepted because of her old age. Eventually, she got accepted as a household service worker by a kind Arab couple who preferred older household helpers because they were “more skilled and knowledgeable.” Physically, Monce said that she did not feel too tired because the Arab couple had work and their children were in school. She also worked with another Filipino OFW so her job was lessened. She was also given day-offs every Sunday. Mentally, she did not find it draining because her employer treated her well and did not overwork her. She mentioned that her employer is the head at a large petroleum company which is why her income was high. Emotionally, she said that she misses her family in Bicol and that she misses her alagas in the Philippines (she was referring to my brothers and I). As of the moment, she claims that she has earned enough money to support herself.

Thita is also a retired Overseas Filipino Worker. She currently works for our family again and is our household helper. She used to work in Hong Kong as a housekeeper. When asked why she opted to work overseas, she answered that she wanted to try new opportunities and that she wanted to visit her niece and nephews who also work in Hong Kong. According to her, she found it hard to apply for other jobs aside from housekeeping because she did not have a degree and she was not as competent as other OFWs who were younger than her. Physically, she found it tiring because she was the only housekeeper of the family she applied for. She said that she was also mentally tired because in her words, “kinukunsumi ako ng mga bata kong alaga.” She shared how stressful it was taking care of the kids of her employer. There was this one time she left the kid unattended because she had to pee. When she got back, the kid accidentally broke the flower vase and spilled water all over himself. When her employer got back, she had to explain what happened. Fortunately, the kid did not get hurt but the employer was upset and Thita did not get paid for a week. According to her, this was mentally tiring because one mistake cost her an entire week’s salary. Emotionally, she said that there were times she was in a good mood because she got along with the kids she was taking care of. The Hong Kong Filipino community also kept her sane and happy during their day-offs.

Luigi currently works in Colorado, United States as a hotel worker. Specifically, he works at Gateway Canyons Resort. He migrated there in 2018 as a fresh college graduate. When asked why he wanted to work in the US, he explained how toxic the Philippine work environment is and he wanted a fresh start as a college graduate. In his first year, he was earning a lot of money and was able to support himself by paying for his own necessities and luxuries. Physically, he thought of quitting his job because he felt like he was overworked as a hotel staff. Although the pay is good, he says that he was physically, mentally, and emotionally tired. Luigi shared how he felt lonely most of the time because he was the only Filipino and he wasn’t able to get along with his other colleagues. Aside from this, he would often feel sad because he felt like he was missing out on life in the Philippines, specifically his friends and family. He said that the only thing keeping him going is the comfort and happiness he brings to his family in the Philippines. He also said that this was the “American Dream” he wanted to chase when he was a college student. 

Observation

With the current living conditions in the Philippines, I can understand why most Filipinos prefer working and migrating abroad. I can observe a number of Filipinos seeking international job opportunities that are outside of their field of profession because of better and higher pay. By listening to the stories shared by Monce, Thita, and Luigi, I have a better grasp of how life is as an Overseas Filipino Worker. Before this, I only heard stories from people interviewed by the media. I feel apathetic knowing that I wasn’t able to empathize with these OFWs because I didn’t know them personally. Interviewing people I know, however, allowed me to understand the situation of OFWs better. From what I observed, most of them work or migrate abroad because the opportunities are better there compared to the Philippines. It can also be observed how prosperous their economies are in comparison to the Philippines. It saddens me knowing that some people have to be separated from their loved ones for a long time just to be able to work for a living. I can also observe how OFWs are forced to do something they are not passionate about just to earn a living. 

Insights

Before the lesson and the interview, I was not yet fully informed of the struggles of OFWs aside from what is shown in the news and in the media. I also never really thought too deep about the struggles of OFWs because of how it is normalized. Working abroad is deemed as a normal part of life Filipinos have to go through in order for their family to survive. Moreover, OFWs are deemed as modern-day Filipino heroes because of how they struggle to keep their families alive. Aside from this, they contribute so much to the Philippine economy as attributed to OFW remittances. I personally think that the OFW’s struggles and hardships are romanticized. For instance, the OFW film “Anak” glorifies the struggles of Vilma Santos’ character as a mother who has become a stranger to her child because of working abroad. Although this was inspiring for some, or a way for them to be thankful that their parents are present in their lives, I find this quite sad that this is a reality for some Filipino families. The OFW struggle is glorified too much and I feel like in some way it promotes toxic resiliency. Instead of working for a better economy to serve the Filipino people, OFW’s struggles are romanticized and glamorized. It feels as if the more difficult the situation of an OFW is, the more they should be praised for their sacrifice. I find it so sad knowing this because a lot of families are affected by this. Aside from this, migrating for a “better life” also makes me sad because it just proves how bad the economy of the Philippines is compared to other countries. I really hope that there will come a time that Filipinos no longer need to work or migrate abroad because the Philippines’ economy is stable and as competitive as those of other developed countries.  

Learnings

Something new that I learned from this module is about how migration started in the Philippines. Migration to the Middle East began in the early 70s when petroleum-rich nations allowed the employment of guest workers. However, it was not until 1975, three years after the declaration of Martial Law, that an influx of Filipinos started working abroad. The country officially adopted migration as national policy in the latter part of Marcos’ first term because there was a vast poverty in the Philippines. This was the government’s solution or alternative in gaining income opportunities. Aside from this, I learned how transnationalism affects the children of those who seek opportunities abroad. They have a yearning and longing for parental care, they are often confused about parental roles, and they often develop a consumerist attitude. I honestly relate to this because there was a time when my mom had to go to other countries because of her job. My parents told me how I would often cry at a young age because I wanted my dad to leave instead of my mom. I was surprised when this situation was mentioned in the video lecture. Aside from this, when my mom stopped going abroad for her job, I also got quite sad because I wouldn’t get anymore “pasalubongs” from her. This proves how I was also a victim of developing a consumerist attitude. In addition to what I mentioned, I also learned that it is the middle class who benefits from migration. I often thought that this equally benefits the poor. However, I learned that instead of migration being a factor in addressing the gap between rich and poor, it has only contributed to the long existing problem of inequality in Philippine society.

[chidsantos]

Globalization: A Necessity with Consequences | My Own Idea and Perceptions on Globalization

Journal Entry No. 1 

July 12, 2020 

Introduction

Globalization is deemed inevitable and necessary for a forward and progressive world. It furthers the economic, political, and cultural development of countries by making goods and services globally accessible. Moreover, it recognizes that global crisis demands for a unified solution and cooperative call to action. For instance, the global crisis climate change can only be solved if countries work interdependently. Aside from this, everything nowadays is set at a global standard. Without globalization, countries would not be able to keep up with such standard, more or less develop and progress. However, despite the need for globalization, its underlying moral and ethical consequences must also be considered. An example of this is how globalization brings poverty and exploitation to countries with low wage and soft labor practices in exchange for high profitability. This being said, globalization is a necessity that bears both positive and negative consequences. It brings forth the challenge of keeping a just and humane world in spite of continuous global development.

Observation

In terms of economy, I can observe that globalization makes rich and developed countries even richer. Usually, this happens because they take advantage of backward or less developed countries. It expands and promotes capitalism by maximizing profit from countries with low wages and soft labor practices. For instance, when buying clothes in H&M, I notice how clothes have “Made in China” or “Made in Vietnam” tags. H&M, among other fast fashion brands, offers apparel that is cheap relative to luxury brands. Their products are affordable because countries like China and Vietnam, who are major production areas for fast fashion companies, have low wages and less strict environmental and labor practices. As a result, rich countries that distribute H&M products earn high profit compared to production countries like China and Vietnam. Despite its positive influence on economic development, it can also be observed how it negatively influences ethical and legal practices by promoting exploitation and slavery in exchange for goods. Aside from economy, I can also observe how globalization affects culture. Western countries have increased their influence by producing goods or products at a wider scale. Because of this, western culture influences and dominates the culture of different countries around the globe. In the long run, this may result in culture erasure and lack of diversity. Despite this, positive responses can be seen in how countries uphold and preserve their respective local and regional cultures. Globalization can also be observed in the political aspect. For instance, the United Nations recognizes human rights all across countries, even in the Philippines. The UN recently denounced the Philippine Drug War, deeming it unjust and inhumane. Although the UN is not state-owned, globalization enables it to recognize the hostilities of Duterte’s drug war. By doing so, they give Duterte the chance to face international prosecution for this inhumane drug campaign.

Insights

Globalization touches a lot of aspects of life. I find it difficult to achieve a complete grasp of globalization without missing a few factors. I find this fact unsettling because there are a lot of things I do not yet know about the topic. It makes me ponder how globalization affects my life without me knowing it. What if globalization negatively affects my life and I am not aware of it? Do its positive contributions justify its negative consequences? My mind is baffled just thinking about the topic of globalization since it is such a broad and complex topic. I have a lot of questions about globalization and I admit that I have so much to learn. At the moment, I recognize the fact that globalization is inevitable and necessary for a forward and progressive world. It furthers the economic, political, and cultural development of countries by making goods and services globally accessible. However, it makes me feel uneasy that, again, I do not know the full extent of globalization. I also am not yet fully aware of the effects it brings to my life as a citizen living in the Philippines. The Philippines, as a microcosm of globalization, is affected and affects the world today. For instance, the issue with the West Philippine Sea is a product of globalization since it contains natural resources which is in the interest of both the Philippines and China. It impacts and touches a lot of aspects of life such as environment, economics, and politics. This may seem like an issue between China and the Philippines alone but it actually contributes to a much bigger problem between Chinese and their superiority over other countries. This microcosmic issue has such a big impact on the world we live in today. This is just one of the examples I can think of and I believe that I still have so much to learn about the world we live in today. With this, I highly look forward to completing the course CONWORL because I believe that finishing this course would contribute to my insights and deepen my understanding of the topic. 

Learnings

The lecture and the supplementary material provided helped me in getting a better grasp of what globalization is. From what I’ve learned, globalization is an inevitable phenomenon that deals with economy, politics, society, culture, and environment. It enables a more united world since everything is interconnected and interdependent. Contrary to popular belief and what I used to believe in, globalization is not a new phenomena and its oldest form is environmental (i.e. climate change). The development of globalization is also not linear. It progresses in the form of clumps also known as Waves of Globalization. The first wave occurred before World War I. During this time, movement of labor was free because passports and visas were not required unlike today. Being an OFW, for instance, requires so much documents and papers.  There was total free flow or no restrictment of both capital and people. After this, during the time of World War I and II, people became more suspicious of foreigners. This constitutes the dark age of globalization since people did not feel safe making investments in foreign countries. This caused other countries to retaliate with higher tariffs which in turn brought a sharp decrease in international trade. The second wave introduced much trade between rich countries. The third wave, on the contrary, increased the participation of developing countries such as China and India. They began opening their countries to world trade. This paved the way for China to be the number one producer of goods in the world today. Aside from this, I learned that there are anti-globalization groups. I find this quite ironic because it is nearly impossible to escape globalization and its effects. Such groups use globalizing technologies and ideologies to fight globalization. However, I recognize the point made by anti-globalization groups such as their argument that those who are deprived of resources are not capable of functioning with an increase of competitive pressure. For instance, globalization increases the profits of investors at the expense of laborers or workers. In the long run, I feel that globalization will take its toll on the overall well-being of the world may it be in politics, culture, economics, and the environment. Since everything is interconnected, everything is affected by globalization. Everything done at a micro level evolves to a macro level and affects the state of countries respectively.