GAVINO, Regina MALASIG, Bryan ECE I - A4 Written Output:

Humanities 10 17 September 2011

1. Do you believe that the Filipino race is the melting pot of culture? Explain.

Philippine culture is a combination of Eastern and Western influence. The Philippines exhibits aspects found in other Asian countries with a Malay heritage, yet its culture also displays a significant amount of Spanish and American influences. However, the Filipino race cannot be considered as the melting pot of culture. There might be lapses about it, as some might oppose our opinion, like how we adopted some Spanish words (i.e. escuela, kutsara, etc.), how we get some cuisines from American influence, and the like. However, this is very naturan as a third-world country, but at the same time, does not necessarily mean become a melting pot. However also, we can say that everything IS a melting pot, as how sociologists call it: everything is just a product of the society. Everything is created with influences and triggering ideas, but does not necessarily mean that its really it is when we got it. As soon as we had adopted words in Spanish, we derived it into our own, and even created and added some more, like continuously growing popular jejemon and gay lingo. As soon as we got those cuisines from Americans, we developed it into our own, adding ingredients that are already available in the country, and suiting it for our own lifestyle and style. 2. Describe the religious profile of the Philippines. Religion holds a central place in the life in majority of Filipinos. Apparently covering 83% of the country, Roman Catholicism stands undefeated as the most dominant religion in the country since Magellan and his men took over the island and persuade to baptize the Filipinos. Protestants ranked second, around 8%, brought to us by our American colonizers, while 4.6% are Muslim, mostly in the southern part of the archipelago, away from the influences in the capital, influenced by neighboring countries of Malay and Java race. On the littlest percentage, there are 2.3% Iglesia Ni Cristo, which originated in the Philippines. However though, having said to be very influential due to their ability to dictate to their members who to vote, to support, and to believe to. However, these statistics are made by legal papers, whereas from birth certificate of their parents, resume, marriage contracts, etc. There are also a good number of people being agnostic, atheist, and having no religion in the country.

3. Discuss the Philippine Folklore. Philippine mythology and folklore include a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. Filipinos, even though heavily westernized and Christianized, still believe in such entities, as it was originally the trait we Filipinos possessed even before colonization. The prevalence of belief in the figures of Philippines mythology is strong in the provinces because the country has many islands and is inhabited by different ethnic groups. Philippine mythology and superstitions are very diverse also, as they were passed through generations to generations, mostly in an oral manner. Because of different ethnic groups and the fact that Philippines is an archipelago, each of them has its own stories and myths to tell. The Philippine folk literature is classified into three major groups: folk narratives: the myth, the legend, and the folktale, folk speech: includes the riddle and the proverbs, and folk songs: classified into those that tell a story (folk ballads) are a relative rarity in Philippine folk literature. 4. Caste system as discrimination and not discrimination Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. People are classified into four major groups which are the Brahmins (scholars, teachers, priests, etc), Kshatriyas (warriors, kings, administrators), Vaishyas (agriculturists, merchants) and the Shudras (artisans, service providers). This system can be seen as a discrimination in the individuals perspective. How would one feel being in the lowest rank? Or become an outcast? It is entirely unfair for someone to be ousted in the society, or to be degraded (in terms of lower ranks) and to be discriminated just like just because of his/her social stature. We believe in that sense that its entirely absurd to base someones rights from his/her capabilities towards the society. However it is also considered as not discriminating, in a macro perspective view. For the society, it is appropriate to classify the people by its social contribution, since as a society and as a whole, it is a necessity to value the people who functions well and contributes a lot to it and vice versa. It is also unfair in the part of those functioning group if theyll have the same rights and benefits as of those who are not functioning good in the society. 5. Of all the virtues, why did lao tzu chose the three treasures? Lao Tzu chose the three treasures known as love, frugality and humility - which on our opinion are vital to the humanity in general. Love, being the motivation, the cause, the effect, the essence and the purpose of this life; frugality, the sense of satisfaction and contentment amongst material and extravagant things this world offers; and humility, living in a simple life, with only those necessary things and important. Basically, Lao Tzu is trying to tell the people that in order to enjoy and live this life in happiness, it is not money or extravagance that we must seek, but things we found in ourselves and to other people.

6. Differentiate the two EDSA revolutions. Which is more meaningful and has a greater impact in the international community? The very first EDSA revolution, which took place during Marcos era of Martial Law declaration, was said to have a greater impact not only to the country but to the world. Not only that it is an important event in the history, being the very first people power revolution without violence, but for its capability of ousting a current president, not to mention, a powerful one. The second revolution, however, didnt possess the same kind of hype feeling in the international world, but indeed have been remarkable to the Filipinos. Ousting a current president allegedly corrupting the countrys treasure, EDSA revolution II is still remarkable to the hearts of the people.

7. Do you think the world would be a better place if money is not invented? Personally, we think that the world would not be better place if money was not invented. That is for the reason that money is technically and realistically making the world go round. Love, humility, kindness and all the moral things in the world is not enough to make a person live his life happily. This is the new generation where without mobile phones, people would forget you; without Internet, people would remain ignorant; without proper education in decent schools and universities, people would be jobless; and without food from stores and market and restaurant chains, people will be hungry and die. Generally, in this generation, all these will only be achieved through the use of money, and without it, everythings not working. If money wasnt invented, and we just get things as it is fairly among those who are exerting efforts and not, people wont appreciate things much as we do when there is the presence of money. The fact that getting money is hard is enough to add spice to life. Without it, life would be dull and uninteresting, and we wont be getting the feeling of valuing it. 8. What is the primary role of the religion in the state? Explain. Religion used to be an affiliation of the government as it was introduced by the Spanish. Technically, religion is made to maintain the morality and humility in the people. With all things mattering - economy, education, science, technology - sometimes, the sense of morality fades. Businessmen continuously do tactics to increase their profits even if it forsakes the costumer, science developments like contraceptives, abortifacients, sex changes, which opposes the morality and will of the lord, etc. All these have been rampant since the industrial revolution, and the religion had been there to guide the people of what is morally right and morally wrong.

9. What is the importance of studying the five major religions? The main reason of studying religion, we think, is to be able to respect it. In having different religion, sure, there would arise conflicts and lapses, as each religion teaches different things and claims that theirs is the one people should believe in. However, there are times when no matter how hard you try to argue or explain to people your side of the story, they will always stick to what they think is right and what they believe in. In studying the major religions, we get to know other peoples side. After knowing everything, we then decide if what we are currently believing in is still what we think is right. With that, we recognize each others lapses and conflict, and there goes understanding. When we understand something, we dont judge it anymore or question it, because we already know. We should then not try to oppose it, because its right useless. We, instead, respect it. Accept that not all things believe in what you believe in. And still, at the same time, sticking to what you think is right and what you believe in. 10. What do you think of the origin of Buddhism? Discuss the eight fold path. Origin of Buddhism, based on our readings, is not your typical divine creature sent from above to teach and guide the people to the right path. While Jesus Christ was forsaken by his own Father, and Allah being believed as the creator of the universe, Siddhartha Gautama is a typical human being. He saw life in a different manner, and decided to give up all material things and settle for the simple things and become content. He apparently did, and spread the news to other people, who he made to believe in his views. Eight fold paths are said to be done to end the suffering of humans. The fold paths are: Right view, for having the right perspective towards something will not make you doubt about what youre doing or about to do; right intention, for having the right motivation, will not make you give up in terms of hardships; right speech, for having the right set of principles will not only lead you to righteous, but to the right straight path; right action, for having so will help you achieve your goal in the fastest, moral way; right livelihood, for being righteous does not only mean being selfless but loving ones self in a selfless manner; right effort, for having the right things to mind will help you focus on your one true mission; right mindfulness, for having the right knowledge will not make you ignorant, therefore doing what not only what you think is right, but what generally is right, and lastly; right concentration, for having the right focus, and keeping your eye and mind away from distractions, will always bring you to your purpose. 11. Do you think applying globalization in religion will be for the better good? Discuss. We honestly think that globalization is not needed for religion. Religion is best as it is, and if people start to turn their back on religion, its the peoples choice and not religion. By religion, we mean the faith, and not the opinion of the bishops and priests, for they are people as well. We believe that religion should just put their hands off these business, since what religion is about it the morality and just plain it.