POST 5: GENDER ROLES

1. 

   Gender roles are the social and behavioral norms that are generally considered appropriate by a particular society for either a man or a woman in a social or interpersonal relationship. In relation, the article of Planned Parenthood "Gender and Gender Identity states that it is a way people act, they say or express it it either a man or woman, girl or a boy. Every country or society differ in the way they present gender roles, it depends on what is taught or passed through generations. Children learn gender roles from their parents and family, their religion, and their culture, as well as the outside world, including television, magazines, and other media.
2.  Gender Stereotype  is a widely accepted judgment or bias regarding a person or group. This may cause unequal treatment because of persons gender. Here are four basic stereotypes: Personality traits, women are expected to be submissive while male should be aggressive. Second domestic behaviors, caring children is for women while household repairs is for men. Third occupations, before most nurses are women and most doctors are men.  Lastly, Physical Appearance female should be small and graceful and men are expected to be tall and broad shouldered. 
3. "Gender roles are the way people act, what they do and say, to express being a girl or a boy, a woman or a man."
4. 

   People perform the Gender roles they were assigned by the society, in a very young age we were trained to act according sex which is given to us. Parents carefully pick toys and clothing according to our gender, and as we age we already adapt this practice. If we are female, we wear skirts, headbands, hair clips and dresses. We should act with grace and poise. And as for men they must wear pants and shirts for men, and they should act strong and disciplined. But now we are more open to the exchange of gender roles, straight men can work as a makeup artists and females can do welding. 
5. In relation to this is the article of Bobby Ranoco about "Challenging Gender Roles in the Philippines". "The Philippines economy has surged with 7%+ growth for five straight quarters but for some, jobs remain hard to come by. The answer for some people has been to look for work in an area traditionally filled by someone of the opposite gender,"according to Bobby. He searched for people doing jobs or training a course different to their gender role and he interviewed and photograph them. Here are some of the people he interviewed:
6. 
   One of them, Vina Jane Aranas, high school graduate said she dreams of finishing college. She took a nine month fixing cars vocational course which she hopes will allow her to work and support her herself through college

1. 
   

   

   Here's a straight man working as a make-up artist, he is John Claude Ganibe. 
2. 
   Lastly is a woman training in butchery, Geramie Abat she lost her electrical shop so she accepted the challenge of becoming a butcher. She knew that it is a man's job but she didn't mind it.

Having a job which is different to your gender is not bad at all, our society is not that conservative that parlors are just for women and slaughter house are for male. People today are more open to this issue and it is better to have a job instead of nothing. 

POST 4: FILIPINO WOMEN

What makes Filipina different from other women?  According to the post of woolen84cross, “3 Reasons Why Dating a Filipina Woman Is Different From Other Asian Women,” Filipina females are proclaimed by many men to have the very best woman qualities in the entire world. First Filipino ladies have stunning attractiveness. They often stand out and considered the best Asian women.  Second, Filipinas are generous and caring. She is very supportive and caring to her family.  Filipinas would by no means abandon a child or a member of the household in need. Lastly, they are understanding, speaks polite and gentle.

Filipina women possess nice qualities adored by men, this makes Filipinas best among other women in the entire world. This emphasized all the nice qualities of women like caring, considerate, sincere, passionate, and dependable. For me these qualities are true as I see these qualities in my mother as well as may aunts and grandmothers. But then some Filipina nowadays are not as gentle like before maybe because our society is not like before where girls should not laugh loud, they must be “mahinhin,” they should not do things or that men do. Now it’s different we are more open to gender roles and women are forced to do something for their family or self. This what makes Filipinas very special, because they are very caring to their family that they are willing to do jobs even though it is for men.

“Filipina females are proclaimed by many men to have the very best woman qualities in the entire world.”

What are the types of Filipinas that most men fall in love with? According to Sugar in her article “The types of Filipina you’ll meet…” there are five personalities of Filipinas you’ll meet.

The first on is the “Shy, provincial lass,” they can be either high school grad or college educated that works for her family. They have nice values and love their family but know the boundary of helping and not spoon feeding them all the time.

Next, the “Conservative” these are the ones who were raised God-fearing. They acquire good values and are always prim and proper.

Third, the “Liberal” they are daring and liberated in decisions and actions. They are more open in everything.

Second to the last, the “Wallflower” they are the shy, timid always quiet and not really join conversations and a loner. She doesn’t want to be the center of attention and would not talk at you at all, she’ll just listen.

Lastly, the “Strong Personality” these are the ones who are not afraid to speak out, and will tell you directly what she feels. They are most likely independent.

"I could go on and on but the point is that Filipinos, women especially,  have different traits and upbringing and sometimes it shows through actions and words. Whether you meet or know or in process of knowing make sure to always respect them."

Henceforth, Filipinas are unique and do have different personalities. The way you may approach them may be according to their personality but be sure that you'll treat them with respect. Everyone deserves to be respected though they may appear unworthy of your respect. 

POST 3: FILIPINO MEN

Men are expected to be strong, to protect women or to work and provide for their famil. This idea is not new to us and is passed through generations, and until now we are practicing it. As identified by lancedimetri in his post “The Filipino Men” he stated the common characteristics of men according to Dr. Lapis. It states that men are cool, cautious, inoffensive, pleasant, relaxed to the point of being rather easygoing, incapable of anger except when his amor-propio or pride is provoked.

 

His masculinity is definitely and emphatically regarded as natural to self-admiration or self-esteem. Men are conscious of this masculinity it is like their pride that they have a good body and they usually emphasizes it in many subtle and not-so-subtle ways. But then some Filipinos may not appear as masculine enough compared to other race for example Americans. Because of this they tend to be more conscious about their hair or clothes and to strangers Filipinos tend to act less and talk less. Not like the American male’s tendency to quickly state his identity and give his opinion.

Moreover, the masculinity norm for men are; the ability to perform sexual intercourse it is measured by the number of children man has and freedom from marital controls in a man’s activities or not to be or called ‘under the saya’.  

Modern pinoys have a more holistic view on beauty that natural good looks is not enough they have to work to look and feel better. Another thing about modern Filipinos that they still poses the virtue of being respectful or being gentleman, they would offer their sit to ladies or elders standing in a bus and also do this during courtship they still take time to write poems or letters, they always treat the lady right.

Today men are now open on working on to their beauty thing, as can be seen on commercials there are now beauty products for men, they go to parlors not like before they only go to barber shops. They do get their nails done, hair treatments and go to spa. I think before men are not like that because they are stricter on their gender roles those stuff are for girls only and these are for men, if you do that you’re gay.

 

As we can see they are more open, well sometimes guys are more conscious than girls concerning to beauty, and they have got a bigger “kikay kit” than girls. But then it doesn’t mean that they prefer to be a girl, men do still practice their roles there’s nothing wrong if you want to improve yourself. What’s good about Filipino men that they still poses the virtue of being respectful and gentleman, for me a true man is a gentleman and I don’t care if they go to salon and is more vain than me.

“Being married to a Filipino or a falling into relationships could be a good idea, simply because "we always try to treat the lady right."

 

 

 

Here are traits of Filipino men that are women are attracted to, according to Lets on her post “Good Traits of FilipinoGuys Most Women Are Attracted To” Filipino men are not as attractive like the other races but they have traits that women are attracted to.

First, traits of being caring, most Filipino guys are caring to women. They do not let women carry heavy loads or do heavy works. When walking, men walk at the danger side; they are always concern of the woman’s safety. They are true gentleman. When riding they will open the door for women, and when they come down from the vehicle, men will go first and help the woman down by holding her hands to make her feel secure with her move. They also give their sit when they see women in buses, jeeps and trains. When they eat into a restaurant they’ll pull the chair for a woman to sit.  

Second, they pay respect to women, most men value the opinion of women specially husbands to their wives. They won’t decide without asking the opinion of their woman.

In public, Filipino men don’t embarrass girls in public; they avoid harsh treatment even though they don’t like them. Some women misunderstood this treatment as love and care. One indication that a man is interested in a woman is he will really pursue the woman he likes. If they don’t make move aside from that it’s purely being gentleman or friendly.

Lastly, money handling most Filipino husbands, remit their income to their wives well most of them. Women are in charge of the budgeting and house hold needs so, she has to guard the money spending with the support of her husband.

Filipino men are really gentlemen they always make sure that women are safe and are in good condition.  Most of them are good and responsible husbands, there are some that are not, so I suggest if you’re a girl and you want a Filipino man pick wisely.  If you’re blessed well you’ll have a very good husband caring, gentleman and will let you hold the money. They always look for what’s the best for their family; they do their best to protect their family. They are very responsible; they’ll do everything for their family. I do hope that this trait of Filipino men will still pass through generations; we need more men like this.

 

"Well, Filipino guys are not as handsome as other races but they can attract women through their good traits."

 

 

 

POST 2: DIGITAL CULTURE

Technology plays a big role in our society today, every day we encounter different kinds of it from gadgets to appliances.

Technology make things simple, if you want to go to 10th floor from first floor you can use the elevator, if you want to talk to your friends you can use your mobile phone and what's more amazing if you want to know something there is Internet.
Through internet you can discover a lot of things; you can also meet new friends there with the help of social networking sites. Through this you can talk to somebody even though they're living in another country. But then these things may be good or bad sometimes. 

Ravi Kumar wrote in his article "Social Media and Social Change: How Young People are Tapping into Technology" that 70% of young people believe that social media is an instrument for change. There are five examples given on how social media can make change. First is fighting corruption youth are using social media in order to monitor the public service of a certain place. Youth think that it plays a big role in fighting against corruption.

Second is evaluating schools in the Philippines, youth uses social media in order to comment on their schools so it may improve. Next is using e-petition in Latvia so that their fellowmen can submit petition for policy change.

Fourth, fighting stereotypes a 13 year old girl send an online petition to a toy company so that the toy oven that his brother want can be packed for boys not for girls only, so that his brother would think that it is not bad to be chef if you’re a boy. The petition received 45,000 signatures maybe because there was also a help of social media.

Lastly, tackling sanitation issues students from Pakistan develop a web based around the world, youth are using social media to monitor the effectiveness of public service.

Technology and social media can help to make a difference from a small idea then the idea of your friends and together with the other people’s idea can make a change. These things usually happen to social media one post may change a lot of thing a comment may be helpful and every word you put there may change ones perspective. Everything that you put there is your responsibility.

Social media is amazing that it can bond people from different places, people who don’t know each other at all but they have one thought, goal or idea. One of the event in the Philippines prove this thing, just single post that was pass through social media encourage a lot of people to take part to voice out their opinion and disappointment to the pork barrel scam. There are a lot of people who gathered in Luneta Park in order to tell the government to fix this mess. It started from just one post.

“Today, 43% of the world’s population is 25 years old or younger. This young group is impatient and ready to change the world.”

 

In contrast to this social media do also have negative sides. Some people in social media especially in Facebook are bashers they give negative comments they are like critics they judge without understanding they just write what’s on their mind not even thinking that it may hurt someone.
According to Tonyo the writer of the article “Ang mgaComments sa Facebook,” maybe this is one of the disadvantages of Filipinos having too much freedom of expression.

There are a lot of netizens giving negative comments though they do not really know who the person is, they don’t care that they are hurting that person’s feeling. So sometimes it is frightening to give comments because just because of one mistake people may bash you that are why some post does really have a lot of comment which is not really related to the post. Also some people comment though they haven’t really read the article.

Because of this things a lot of people fight in Facebook, some use foul words and they even give comments to your personal life. They are insensitive in a way they even give negative comments to a random person’s status or picture.  So instead of commenting negative stuff it is better not to comment anything, if you can’t say anything good just keep quiet. All of us are given freewill to express ourselves but remember we must be sensitive to the feelings of other people we don’t know what they are really facing.

Then again, social media have negative sides wherein people are being more self-centered. They are more being concerned in their image and what they feel. So they’ll just post or comment everything. I can see a lot of this in Facebook when pass through some public posts there are thousands of comments and most of the comments are not connected to the post or if it’s connected it’s a negative comment on something or someone. Well, I do understand the feeling that you want to comment something because it is really annoying and stuff that feeling you want to kill them but then it is better to say nothing at all instead of saying a lot but it’s full of trash. Think first before you click, because every post or comment may affect your life in a negative way and it may as well destroy you in school or work. So it is better to keep quiet than to destroy someone’s life through your comments, you don’t know what they are facing.

“Siguro ay isa ito sa mga disadvantage ng pagkakaroon ng sobrang freedom of expression nating mga Pinoy. Kalayaang makapanlait sa kapwa na kaya mong gawin anytime kahit hindi mo ito kilala.”

                          

POST 1: POST MARTIAL LAW IDENTITY

It has been years ago since Martial Law has ended but do us really experience the democracy that the Filipinos fight for. According to the writer of Da Coconut Repablik in the article “Da Pinoy Chronicle: 40 Years After Martial Law and The Philippines is Still A Failure,” democracy is not when the election of candidates is based on popularity and personality.

We elect politicians not because they are competent but because they are popular. We even opposed the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant that will almost solve the energy crisis of the Philippines. What Marcos said happened, after 20 years Philippines will be a failure. We live in lies and illusions; we do still hope that there will be a hero that will save us.

Our country is going backwards instead of forward: people from provinces are seeking jobs on the urban and professionals go to other countries to work, our government call them heroes but they are merely slaves they leave their family and serve another country. The insistence of the government and even the people to reforms lead to our eternal suffering and bondage to the false illusions of nationalism and triumphalism.

We are not a true democracy. If we will still continue to elect incompetent officials the cycle goes on and on.
 

It was Erap’s reign when I became aware of the government, I remember back then people were burning a big float of pig that looks like former president Erap. People won Erap was impeached because of corruption then vice president Gloria took over his place. Then the same thing happened people complain and again they’ll make a big float and burn it. Former president Arroyo had this big issue, the “Hello, Garci” she was almost impeached but she successfully finished her term. And the same goes to our P-Noy people were complaining again, but then didn’t they remember that they are the one who put him there.

 The people were not satisfied with their leaders; they usually complain a lot that they are not competent. But then they are the ones that put them there. According to the article people choose their leaders because they are popular, Erap is an action star, they said Gloria cheated so she’s not counted and P-Noy is the son of Ninoy and Cory Aquino, brother of Kris and he got the Filipinos sympathy after his mother died.

 I am not really saying that they are not competent what I’m saying is people don’t usually look at what they can do to improve Philippines, but how popular or cool they are it is emotion based. That’s why our government is quite not competent and we are moving backwards because we are not wise enough to choose people who will lead us. Election is not a game or form of entertainment if we let this happen the next generation will suffer.

 

 

 

“We are not a true democracy, it is mob rule. We let this happen, we continue to elect politicians with no competence. And the cycle goes on and on and on.”

 

 

 

Complementary to this is another article from Da Coconut Repablik, "Da Pinoy Chronicle: Filipinos Treat Voting and Governance as Child’s Play." Most of the Filipinos are indecisive and irrational, they tend to side with their emotions that easily change. Our government is treated like a playground and campaign and election is like a noon time show giving people prizes for votes. During campaign most of those who are running for a position in the government are very generous. They help the needy and poor and usually give a lot of money. It seems like they are really concern.

Current officials who don’t want to lose their position will make a lot of projects, fix everything and then after that they'll place a big billboard with their faces and name on it. It is like fiesta in the Philippines wherein the campaign materials are the banderitas and decorations, they are very colorful. At this time rich Filipinos spend a lot of money to gain some great favor afterwards. The thinking of our voters is shallow and easily persuaded, by those speeches and promises. If we can't vote well we must not expect for a good government and nice outcome. Our government is not a playground it is a serious thing but there may a lot of people who will file their candidacy just because they like regardless that they are capable of the job but it is our duty to choose. It is such an irony that we pride ourselves as democratic and developed, but the reality is we are practicing Idiocracy and we are the Sick Man of Asia.

"One of the most anticipated events in the Philippines is the campaign and election. During this event, all sorts of people can be seen and heard as they register for candidacy and do their campaigns, ranging from the poorest and/or sometimes dumbest nuisance-candidates to the richest and/or most powerful corrupt and incompetent politicians, add a bunch of celebrities, news-casters and athletes on the sides and we have an election-fiesta. They are all competing to get the most of the country’s wealth position in the government in order to fatten their wallets and enslave (err…) serve their fellow Filipinos."

Why would they vote someone who buys your vote? I guess there are only a few who were not shallow and easily persuaded. If you really need that money you can take it but don't vote the person on the list but I suggest don't take it I'm sure that they came from dirty hands.

 

Lately, I was surprised what I saw at Facebook wherein two TV personalities will run on the next election. I didn't bother to read the article but if it’s true I hope they will not win. But then if popularity is the basis of who will win the election they might win since some still vote them because they are popular not even considering their capability and competence. I pray someday people would raise their standards and choose right leaders. Our government is kind of messed up so I hope people already learned a lesson from our past experiences by choosing a competent leader.