collectivist culture

this blog is turning out to be a repository of my writing assignments in class. apologies - to you who, for some crazy yet really (REALLY) good reason, reads these entries. when my life is no longer dictated by my course work, then maybe i will have the chance to write something for fun.

fun? ano yun?

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 I have been living in the US for the past four years, which is not a considerable length of time to erase the traces of the collectivist culture I am proud to be a part of. I was born and raised in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Our racial ancestry is mostly regarded as Malayo-Polynesian, similar to Indonesians, Malaysians, and some Vietnamese and Taiwanese groups. Just like most Asian cultures, we have strong affiliation to family. But the typical Filipino family is not just composed of the mother, father, and children. It includes the grandparents, aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles, and cousins up to the 3^rd or even 4^th degree, which are all collectively referred to as relatives. This is very important to a Filipino’s psyche that pivots around the concept of “togetherness” (kapwa); often classified as either other people” (“ibang tao”, meaning not part of the group), or not other people (“hindi ibang tao”, part of the group) which is, most of the time, composed of relatives and close family friends. As an example, Filipinos would not mind living in confined spaces among relatives or tell their deepest and most embarrassing secrets to friends in a text message, but they will definitely try to distance themselves when introduced to a stranger and would need a considerable amount of time to warm-up to them.

The bond we have to the group of people we consider as extensions of ourselves is steadfast, such that, most are willing to endure physical, emotional, and even social stigmas for the group’s and/or specific members of the group’s sake. Mothers and fathers working abroad tolerate the separation from their loved-ones, and sometimes even ill treatments and abuses, if it means that their jobs can help secure the future of their families. When united against a common enemy, Filipinos have the capability to show great strength as evidenced from the first bloodless People Power Revolution that ousted the dictator Ferdinand Marcos from presidency back in the 80’s. Education is very highly regarded since it is commonly the path towards financial security. Our value system is closely linked to its long history as a Catholic nation mixed with proportions of mysticism from pre-colonial times, and we eat about five small meals a day (like hobbits).

It goes without saying that this collectivist culture that I grew up with influenced me on my views about family, mate selection, and my career choices. As a kid our grades in school are often times the golden ticket to the toys we wanted and it also predetermines quantity of gifts we will receive come Christmas. My academic excellence was never just a measure of my abilities, but was also a measure of my parent’s skill in raising a child as well. Hence, my failures and successes are not just mine, but theirs too. This may have provided added pressure to me growing up, but I believe it propelled me to always strive to do better and make my parents happy and proud, while also knowing that they are always there to support and love me in every step of the way.

I ended up marrying my now husband whom I went to the same science high school and university with, though we only met during my senior year in college and his freshman year in graduate studies. Such is also the case for most of my Filipino friends, who either marry their college sweethearts or someone they met at work who, most often than not, they share the same profession with. Despite our many differences, my husband and I share the same goals.  Examples of which are securing the welfare of our family, serving our country as soon as we are able to, and living our lives to the fullest with respect to God. These are a few of the many values I would like my daughter to have when she gets older. But for now as a toddler, she is preoccupied with learning the basic things she needs to cope with life. I took time off from working to be a full time mom and be with her because we were not comfortable with the idea of a daycare service despite its commonality in the area. We all sleep in a family bed and we eat at least one meal together everyday. We are in constant communication with our friends and relatives back home thanks to various social networks and Internet phone services. Once I complete my nursing degree, we might ask one of the grandmothers to move in with us so that they can take care of my daughter – a task they have dreamed and planned of doing, ever since she was born.

if i have the power to redefine the US’ drug policy …

The current US’ drug policy basically view consumption of illegal drugs as a moral mistake, an act that consequently impacts the society in a negative way. This view is particularly evident in how the US government categorizes and defines drugs that are based on its “potential for abuse” or addiction, with Schedule 1 being those with highest potential and Schedule 5 with the lowest potential (Federal Drug, p1). Consequently, the punishments for usage of drugs are based on the same thing, with Schedule 1 receiving the harshest punishments possible and Schedule 5 the lightest (Control Substance Act, p1). Whether a drug is placed under which schedules has been highly criticized due to its inconsistencies and its tendency to be racist (Drug Policy, 2008). Not to mention, US’ programs of spraying large amounts of herbicides in the jungles of Central and South America, harming the farmers and natives below who have nothing to do with the drug trade but are left with severe health problems, food shortage issues, and robbing of their cultural heritage (Blumenson, 2002).

This is in contrast to the more liberal drug policy of Netherlands, where in the consumption of drugs is considered a health matter, therefore providing only 2 classifications: hard and soft drugs; with the government focused on health care and prevention while simultaneously directing aggressive enforcement efforts against organized crimes (Netherlands, p1). It may seem, based on these contrasting policies, the Dutch treasure individual freedom more – with their government playing no more than a background role on deciding issues of morality.

To me, a synthesis of these two contrasting drug definitions may better help society deal with the problems presented by drug addiction. I stand on my earlier definition that a certain drug should be deemed beneficial or not based on the context of how its usage aids in the survival or development of a society . This definition focuses on the capability of a certain drug to either be detrimental or good to a person as an individual and as part of a collective whole. It is guided by a principle based on harm prevention rather than frequency of usage, but still takes into consideration the societal impact of drug abuse as well as its health risks to the individual. Such a definition acknowledges that there are drugs that can be beneficial to the society, and that such benefits should be exploited. Also, an approach that centers on harm prevention would also allow more focus in educating individuals about drug abuse, treating those who are suffering from drug abuse, while also refraining from causing pain and violation of personal freedoms of other societies. If it is acknowledged that a society will never be “drug-free” since the usage of drug can be either good or bad dependent on the context of its usage, then the success of drug abuse prevention campaigns will not be measured based on percentage of users in a population, but based on decrease in diseases and deaths caused by drug abuse. Efforts will then be focused in preventing these ill effects to the society, and not on its consumption alone.

  References:

Drug Policy. Facts on File: Issues and Controversies. 11 April 2008. http://www.2facts.com.ezproxy.vccs.edu:2048/icof_story.aspx?PIN=i1300210&term=war+on+drugs

Control Substances Act. National Substance Abuse Index. http://nationalsubstanceabuseindex.org/act1970.htm

Federal Drug Classification. National Substance Abuse Index.

http://nationalsubstanceabuseindex.org/drugclass.htm

Blumenson, Eric. “How to Construct an Underclass, or How the War on Drugs Became a War on Education.” Suffolk University Law School. 1 Dec 2002

http://lsr.nellco.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=suffolk_fp

The Netherlands. Drug Policy Around the World.

http://www.drugpolicy.org/global/drugpolicyby/westerneurop/thenetherlan/

debate on science

I wrote this essay as my personal conclusion to our class debate on the use of science in understanding human behavior and interactions. I liked what I was able to come up with, so I’m posting it here. I know, I am my biggest fan. Since this is the only platform where I can share my thoughts (well, other than our group’s online discussion threads, LOL) – I have an excuse to be a bit narcissitic.

OK I’m sick and I need to feel good about myself. Is that more reasonable?

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I believe our group was able to argue about the importance and benefits of using a scientific discipline, such as Psychology, in understanding human behavior and their interactions with others. We have stated the infallibility of science as well as its objectivity, which is imbedded deeply in its very nature, the scientific method. I believe that though group 2 argued about science’s inability to study complex human behavior and interaction, we have provided adequate examples of scientific studies that very well target these questions. Whether they answer them adequately and completely NOW is, I think, an issue. But it is the very nature of the scientific discipline to improve upon itself. I believe it is basically just a question of time and development of better scientific tools that matters in the end. A change of framework in studying human behavior and interactions, from scientific to unscientific, would not only yield inconclusive results, it won’t get us anywhere into determining the answer to a majority of our psychological questions either.

I have extensive personal background in scientific research and discipline. But despite this, I personally believe that science is not the key to all of the human mind’s mysteries. As I have mentioned, science has the capability to explain all observable and measurable phenomena. But its greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. For example, in trying to understand why a majority of the human population worships a higher being – science would be able to look into anthropological data and history of higher being worship. Science could check the neural pathways of individuals in spiritual trance to see how the behavior affects them physiologically. Social science and psychology could look into peer and individual mechanisms that triggers someone to worship as well as the sociological and historical benefits of the behavior. Numerous correlation studies can be created to see how worship affects other behavioral patterns, emotions, and biological manifestations.

What science, ultimately cannot answer, is the unobservable “why“. Would a person who lived remotely in an island-bubble without any interaction to the outside world, worship a higher being? If I can make a robot with advance artificial intelligence and I set it out to space without human interaction, would it create a need to worship a higher being? Such a scientific set-up would not be plausible and some scientific minds may argue that no such person or robot exists so asking such questions does not make a point. A similar question would be, what happened before big bang? A question that cannot be answered scientifically, because the big bang is generally regarded as the beginning (time = 0), and time = -1 does not exist (or is not observable), so there’s no point to discuss it.

But these questions, and others like it, exist. These are the philosophical questions that only philosophical reasoning, and not science – can answer. We could disregard it as immaterial and unanswerable. But the fact remains that such questions have been asked since the beginning of thought – from the Sophists (to Socrates and) Plato, down to Augustine, Rouseau, Kant, Nietzche, and their modern contemporaries Sarte, Rorty and Foucault. We ask it among friends in the dinner table or to ourselves before we sleep. The answers to unobservable why’s are necessary because we will not be able to paint a complete picture of the human being without it.

the foodie movie list

i only noticed now that i didn’t have a copy of this essay in this blog. i want to keep all these things i write about in one place, that way when i’m in the mood to look back at what i’ve done (like now…), i just look at one place. originally published at Blogcritics.com

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The Foodie Movie List

I am a person with two great passions in life: food and movies. When given the chance to watch a good movie where food is an integral aspect of the story, I’m in escapist heaven. I have compiled a list of the best foodie movies I’ve seen so far, though I’m always on the lookout for better ones. There are a handful of treasures in the world of foreign-language films that I have yet to explore and I’m bound to find great pieces there soon. A word of caution: don’t dare watch without a full and content stomach.

1. Big Night (1996)

Set in the ’50s, this is a story about two brothers who moved to the US from Italy with dreams of educating the dumbed-down American palate. Tony Shalhoub plays the perfectionist Primo, who never settles for second best — an attitude typical of most gifted chefs. Stanley Tucci, who wrote and directed the film, plays Secondo, the agreeable front man burdened by the bankruptcy their restaurant is facing, and which he feels Primo should care more about. To save their business from closure and themselves from defeat, Secondo orchestrates what can only be referred to as “the best meal of your life.” Timpano, a baked pasta dish said to contain all the best things; a sucking pig roasted to perfection; the most gorgeous spread of wine and cheese; risottos and omelets at their simplest and their finest are the dishes that make up Big Night. The movie is reminiscent of the classic Babette’s Feast where the food is the main character because without it, these wouldn’t be movies at all.

2. Like Water for Chocolate (1992)

A Mexican film based on a book of the same title. Set during the Mexican revolution, the story revolves around the life of Tita and her struggle to be happy. I consider this the most poetic and magical of foodie movies because of the metaphors present. Quail in rose petal marinade with chocolate sauce releases passion and lust, a wedding cake prepared with sorrow and regret brings people to tears, all made by the timid young Tita whose raw emotions overpower her — they overflow into the food that she makes and to those who eat it. I was also particularly impressed with the emphasis on generational influences and traditions that carried on by the meals that a family shares. How a cookbook can, like a photo album, narrate a family’s history with all its triumphs and failures. Another foodie feature was how the love of being in the kitchen is developed during the most formative years of life. This is basically why most good chefs could tell you their earliest food memory, which may well be the reason why they became chefs in the first place.

3. Eat Drink Man Woman (1994), Tortilla Soup (2001)

Eat Drink Man Woman, directed by Ang Lee, is set in Taiwan; the second is a remake directed by María Ripoll and is set in Mexico. Though similar in plot — a retired chef finds another life after single-handedly taking care of three daughters — the foods featured couldn’t be any more different. Both chefs are immigrants, masters of the cuisines of their respective home countries, China and Mexico, a talent they use to lure their respective daughters not just to the dinner table but back to their familial roots as well. These movies painstakingly and beautifully recreate the traditional recipes of these great cultures which probably get more camera time than the actors in the film. Some of Chinese dishes prepared include lotus flower soup, chicken wrapped in clay, steamed chicken and mushrooms, and chicken-cucumber salad. The Mexican recipes include squash bottom blossom, porcupine cookies, panuchos, cactus salad, and, of course, the movie’s namesake, tortilla soup. A critic might claim that the food gets more story development than the characters, but I think that is exactly what these movies intend — that the cooking and eating of food in itself can make memorable movies. And that is exactly what these are.

4. Babette’s Feast (1987)

A Danish film considered by many to be the best foodie movie prior to Big Night. The film is about two pious sisters living a life set by their pastor father who founded his own Christian sect. One night of an extraordinary French dinner prepared by their helper Babette breaks down ancient rivalries, re-awakens old loves, and removes biased superstitions and distrust. Being set in 19th century rural Europe somehow makes this film a bit of a drag in the beginning, but all the pieces of the story carefully culminate in the climax of the film which is Babette’s feast, where she ceremoniously gives up everything in the name of luxury and high taste. What can be more French than that?

5. Chocolat (2000)

Probably the first foodie movie I saw at an early age, Chocolat is about a nomadic gypsy chocolatier and her struggles to be accepted in a town with a strict and traditional moral framework. The love for food is oftentimes frowned upon by the most conservative and religious, who claim that such devotion to the most sensual of human creations leads to sins of the mind (greed) and of the flesh (lust). Chocolate has a long history of such a reputation. Using this most infamous delicacy as a metaphor for the blurring lines between good versus evil is the reason why this movie is successful. If you ever thought less about chocolates, seeing this would probably change your mind. The film is a visual feast of mouth-watering confections made beautifully using artisanal tools and techniques. What a shame most people think of Willy Wonka for chocolates in film when this jewel is much more tasteful.

6. Delicatessen (1991)

Set in an undisclosed post-apocalyptic period in France, when food is so rare grain is the currency. This is a story about a group of people living in an apartment building managed by a butcher who feeds them and manages their lives and their dinner table. This is not a film with shots of appetizing food, nor is this a film with a passionate chef. Then why is it included in this movie list? Because for once, and probably never again, vegetarians are the heroes, a premise you may never see in any French film, much less in a foodie one. It would be difficult to discuss the movie’s details without spoilers so I won’t go into that. You may not like what it suggests, but for sure you will love watching it.

7. Waitress (2007)

If you love Keri Russell, then you’ll immediately fall for this film. It’s witty, heartwarming, simple, and endearing, the perfect comfort food that nourishes a tired soul. Russell plays Jenna, a waitress in a small town diner who also has the responsibility of making an original pie everyday, a responsibility usually inspired by her frequently crummy life. She comes up with the best possible combination of ingredients and brands them with an unusual and silly name like “I Hate My Husband Pie” or “Pregnant Miserable Self-Pitying Loser Pie.” This may not be a movie that celebrates food and eating, but I adore how the pies are woven into the storyline, making them an integral and memorable part of the film. A lot of Hollywood-based movies have tried doing that in the past but they have never succeeded the way Waitress does. How this romantic comedy comes to its ending is both charming and realistic — it’s a must see for everyone.

8. Mostly Martha (2001)

The American film No Reservations with Catherine Zeta-Jones is a direct adaptation of this German film about a chef without a life other than her work, which she is devoted to.  Mostly Martha, like most foreign-language movies, does not rely on the typical derivative Hollywood characters and is vastly superior to the American remake. The script is conversational, the plot as real as what life often throws your way, and the characters are relatable, yet the film is still as entertaining. Recently I’ve been watching a lot of foreign language movies and have learned to appreciate them for their simplistic beauty, for how the art imitates life instead of embellishing it. Mostly Martha is that kind of film. On the foodie angle, it will help you understand (if you haven’t yet) that being a good chef is not simply creating that one fabulous meal. It is a profession that requires consistent perfection, crazy-like dedication, precision and mastery. It may be a prestigious career these days, but it is not easy labor.

Runners-up:

Sideways (2004)

A great movie which either makes you want to know more about wine or hate all the pretentious talk about it. I loved it but since it was more into wines than food…

Woman on Top (2000)

Probably the best food porn ever made, especially with Penelope Cruz in it adding to the sizzle. I salivated over the Brazilian food featured but the storyline was too dull for my taste. Too much rubbing also created serious doubts about whether I’d enjoy my fish baked in banana leaves despite its being gorgeous on my plate.

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/video/article/the-foodies-movie-list/page-4/#ixzz0y8fGsTEL

my “meet-cute” list

No, it’s not a meet-up with a cutie.

The first time I heard the term “meet-cute” was while watching “The Holiday”, a film with Kate Winslet where she had a house swap with Cameron Diaz during Christmas break. It was mentioned by the elderly neighbor (Arthur, played by Eli Wallach) in the scene when he was lost and Kate helped him find his house.  He told Kate’s character that he enjoyed their “meet-cute”, after which he explained what he meant.

The Urban Dictionary describes “meet-cute” as: “Scenario in which two individuals are brought together in some unlikely, zany, destined-to-fall-in-love-and-be-together-forever sort of way (the more unusual, the better).”

The term, popularized by Roger Ebert and other film critics, is one of the most crucial point in any romantic comedy film. If the meet-cute is too ridiculous to be sweet, or too pragmatic to be funny, then it’s a downward spiral from then on.

I actually have tons of work to complete, but I just don’t have the heart to do them! So I figured, maybe I’ll do this instead – waste about 1 or 2 hours of precious study time – then maybe I’ll feel pressured enough to get my brain working again. Anyway, so here’s my list. Not in any particular order:

(Disclaimer: If a movie makes this list, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s a great romantic comedy film. It just has a great meet-cute scene.)

(1) Notting Hill: Hugh Grant’s character spills orange juice on Julia Robert’s shirt.

(2) My Big Fat Greek Wedding:  John Corbett walks into a greek restaurant, Nia Verdalos’ character looks like a clueless zombie. John’s friend asks for more coffee, she pours coffee in John’s cup.

(3) My Sassy Girl: the girl, drunk and barely alive in a train station, saved by a boy who ended up carrying her through the streets, and up a flight of stairs.

(4) Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind: Clementine and Joel in a beach party, Joel sitting in the stairs far from the crowd – Clementine nearby then she says, “Hi, I’m Clementine. Can I have a piece of chicken?”

(5) Fools Rush In: While standing in a bathroom queue in a Mexican restaurant, Matthew Perry’s character allowed Selma Hayek’s character to go in front of her, and not at the end of the line.

(6) Something’s Gotta Give: Jack Nicolson was dating Dianne Keaton’s daughter and during a romantic rendezvous in her Hampton beach house, she mistakes Nicholson as a drunk/bum/intruder.

(7) 50 First Dates: Drew Barrymore’s character playing with her waffles in a diner, Adam Saddler approaches and helps fix her waffle house’s door.

(8) Wimbledon: Paul Bettany’s character was given the wrong hotel room when checking in for the tournament, he walks into Kristen Dunst’s room instead.

(9) Definitely, Maybe: Ryan Reynold’s character (idealist, starry-eyed politician) discusses Clinton’s politics while getting photocopies from Isla Fisher’s copy girl character.

(10) The American President: Annette Bening as an environmental lobbyist, trying to impress her boss, made sly remarks about the president (Michael Douglas), not knowing he was already in the room.

(11) Reality Bites: Winona Ryder, throws her cigarette into Ben Stiller’s convertible, causing him to crash.

(12) 500 Days of Summer: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Dechanel inside an elevator. Joseph’s character thought Zooey is a snob, then she mentions that she loves “the Smiths” and she sings “to die by your side, is such a heavenly way to die”.

(13) Meet Joe Black: Brad Pitt’s character, inside a phone booth talking to her little sister. Claire Forlani listens in to the conversation. They sit by the bar, adding cream and sugar to their coffees in graceful precision.

(14) Ever After: Drew Barrymore’s Cinderella character hits the Prince with apples, thinking he was stealing their horse.

(15) Baz Luhrman’s Romeo+Juliet: Romeo, washing his face to regain his mental functions after taking a pill from Mercutio – sees Juliet across a fish tank.

selfish

a friend said something today and i simply couldn’t get it out of my head. it’s 9.30pm and i barely have 3 hours to finish unit 4 before the 12 midnight deadline tonight yet here i am posting and writing about it – that’s how bothered i am.

i know this person didn’t intend to say it to hurt me in anyway. this friend is a good friend; one of the best that i have. i guess that’s why i can’t forget about it – because comments that one says without too much thought usually reflects how a person really thinks. it’s disappointing when you find out that the person you thought saw things the way you see them, was actually on the opposite side of the idea from the beginning.

i can’t help but question a lot of things. and when you start moving towards this path you often lose all the confidence in the basic foundations you establish.

i try to keep the faith of course, what else is left but to believe that this is the best way – now and more so in the future. but moments like this; i just hate it. but they come; it’s inevitable. good thing i have a blog to vent it out – i know it’s absurd that i don’t even discuss who the person is, what it’s all about, and all the other pertinent details necessary for someone else to grasp what i’m writing about.

well, this post is not really for you. my guess is, you know that already.

mga bibitbitin ko pabalik ng Amerika kapag naka-uwi ako sa Pilipinas

they say if you’ve been living in a foreign country for more than 5 years, then its unlikely that you’ll want to go home; unless you are forced to.  my four-year mark is on june 14 of this year which, if popular opinion is correct, would mean that in a year’s time i wouldn’t dream of coming back to the Philippines anymore. the saying has some truth to it i guess; we have been used to living here. but we have never dreamed of staying here for good – only for the next few years of our young adult life, at the peak of our earning potentials – after which we dream of coming home to give back to the country that we love and very dearly miss.

however, i have promised myself that i would take my summer vacation in Manila in 2 year’s time – by 2012 – after i finish school and before i start working. i can already see myself breaking this promise, but i am still hoping i can keep it. either way, the point of this post (and this unnecessary intro) is to list the things i would probably hoard if given the chance to come home, even if it’s for a brief moment. most of these are not available in the Filipino stores here, or are ridiculously over-priced.

(1) karton-karton ng Tortillos na red na wala ditoo!! my ultimate happy food that i haven’t had for 4 (soon 5!) years!!

(2) plastic cover para sa mga libro. pangit yung plastic book covers eh. by the bulk ang bili ng regular plastic in rolls - only libraries purchase them.

(3) Purefoods sisig in cans. Nissin’s sili-mansi yung jumbo packs – wala sa Filipino stores dito eh, bakit kaya…

(4) Spanish sardines, Ligo sardines (yung red), Rose Bowl sardines.

(5) Champ ng Jollibee (lahat ng kaya kong dalhin! i live in the east coast, 6 hours away from NYC – walang Jollibee samin!)

(6) tagalog books for kids and  my husband’s filipiniana books which he googles about every few weeks. tagolog cd’s of children’s song and dvd copies of Batibot. dvd copies of selected filipino films, mostly Bernal’s and some critically-acclaimed ones.

(7) parol na umiilaw or belen from Paete.

(8) a Baldemor painting, if we can afford it.

(9) Pilipinas shirts, polo-shirts, and jackets. sobtang mahal dito, naiinis ako – feeling ko uto-uto ako kapag bumili ako.

(10) kapatid ko (kung pwede lang ba eh…haay)