Blog #4: Globalization

In traveling to many places throughout the country, I was able to see different realities of people living in the Philippines. From both sides of the spectrum (from higher class to lower class) and everything in between, I could see how colonialism has left a legacy within the structure of society. Globalization and the commercialization of the Philippines is continuing to expand throughout the archipelago, but there are still many economic and social problems that need more attention and to be properly addressed.

Boracay was everything a stereotypical definition of paradise should look like--lounge chairs on the white sand, sail boats in the blue water, and a strip of shops, restaurants, and fancy bars/clubs within close proximity of the beach. In being caught up in the picture perfect glamour of it all, it was hard to imagine what this so called "paradise" was before it was made into one of the top beaches in the world. Constantino (1982) says, "We love to hear foreigners call our country a paradise on earth, and we never stop to think that it is a paradise only for them but not for millions of our countrymen" (Constantino, 1982, p. 185). For example, I still saw malnourished children/families begging for money along the strip of Boracay and parts of the streets flooded by water. It is very easy to become oblivious to the social/economic problems of the country when you aren't directly or heavily affected. Regardless, these problems of poverty exist and are present even in the most lavish places of the Philippines. 

Globalization and commercialization of the Philippines is a reflection of the idea that American ways of life is the standard of what is considered to be civilized. We saw this first hand when we visited Megaworld Corporation, the number one condo development company in the Philippines. The models of the condos reflected the Western vision of privacy and was Americanized in layout/décor (Paulet, 2007, p. 197). One of the buildings in Megaworld was to be named after Ferdinand Magellan, who is popularly honored for being the one who discovered the Philippines. Our class visited “The Cross of Magellan” in Cebu, which was captioned to be one the greatest monuments “that speak of the glorious discovery formation and Christian civilization of the Philippines”. Some might argue that Magellan’s Cross signifies the start of many problems due to colonialism by Spain and later the United States.

Tourism has also become a big market in the Philippines and has become people's main source of income. Bohol is one the most cleanly locations in the Philippines, which helps to attract tourists to visit. In Bohol, they use the Chocolate Hills as a main attraction and many souvenirs are centered towards the Tarsier animals in Bohol. While tourism benefits the economy, creates jobs, and allows people to survive, it must not be forgotten that this industry of tourism is catered towards and continues to exist because of foreigners (who are usually of higher class). Tourism can also lead to other problems, such as displacement of the Filipino people. The people in power hold control of the land and people of lower class may suffer the consequences. Some look to other ways of making money other than the tourism industry. For example, another option of income that Filipinos look to is working overseas in foreign countries.

The number one reason that Filipinos turn to working overseas is because of the poverty in the Philippines. The unemployment rate is high with an estimate of 1.2 million Filipinos without a job. And even when people do get jobs, the minimum wage is not always enough to sustain a healthy life or provide enough for an entire family. People are forced to leave the country to obtain work. The problem is that there have been numerous cases where Overseas Filipino Works (OFWs) have been abused, reported missing, sexually harassed, or have been murdered (Gary, 2014). As more of the valuable citizens permanently leave the Philippines for a better income, the more the Philippines loses--creating a deeper hole into the economy and perpetuating a lack of national pride. The social problems and the corruption in the Philippines has led to activists groups like, Migrante. Migrante helps obtain justice for Overseas Filipino Workers and fights against other issues affecting Filipinos today. Gary, an active member and organizer of Migrante, told us about his own story as a survivor of human trafficking, some stories of innocent victims, and his mission to help others like him. Individuals like Gary help the Philippine’s pride through raising one's voice, resisting to conform, and fighting for your people.

The Muslims in Mindanao can be viewed as those who don’t conform to the colonial legacy/practice of Christianity or Catholicism in the Philippines. As the United States promoted Christianity when colonizing the Philippines, non-Christian groups in Mindanao (such as Muslims) were a threat to America especially since Spain failed to gain control of those in Southern Mindanao (Abinales, 2002, p. 89). We visited Lapu Lapu Shrine, where Magellan was defeated and killed by Lapu Lapu (who some say was Muslim). The Muslims and other groups of the Moro Province was seen to be more un-civilized compared to the rest of the Philippine society. The United States viewed Mindanao as people who needed to be protected and regulated by America as a separate territory from the Philippines. Eventually, the constant rotation of personnel in the provincial administration would be the downfall and eventually give the Commonwealth government control of Mindanao (Abinales, 2002, p. 105). But the hierarchy of color that was introduced by Spain and institutionalized by America, would continue to live on even after the Philippines gained independence (Ontal, 2002, p. 130).

The “Moro Problem”, legitimized by the U.S. government and used to justify their control over Mindanao, compares to the way all people of color are seen as having the problem and those in dominant power see it as their duty to be the people of color’s savior (Abinales, 2002, p.103). Ontal’s (2002) Fagen and Other Ghosts: African-Americans and the Philippine-American War talks about the many commonalities between Filipinos and African Americans in their struggle to fight against racial discrimination and mistreatment. In recognizing the mutual struggle that Filipinos faced, many African Americans fought with the Philippines against America in the Philippine-American War. It shows that people of color are connected. Many of the issues faced by the Philippines are the same issues that people of color struggle with around the world.

Globalization in the Philippines is result of the years of being colonized by the western imperial powers. The commercialization of the country can help the economy, but can also lead to the loss of someone’s home or culture. But above the corruption and hardships that the Philippines may face, the Filipinos and people of color have always found and continue to find a way to survive. Through this study abroad program, I have been able to see the Philippines in a different context and created a greater appreciation for the landscape, culture, and the spirit of the Filipino people.

Discussion Questions: How else does globalization and commercialization affect people's cultural practices and ways of life? Do the pros of globalization outweigh the cons?

Works Cited

Abinales, P. (2002) An American colonial state: Authority and structure in Southern

Mindanao. In A.V. Shaw & L.H Francia, Vestiges of war. (pp. 89-117). New York:

New York Press.

Constantino, R.  (1982). Miseducation of Filipinos. In I In A.V. Shaw & L.H Francia,

      Vestiges of war. (pp.  177-192). New York:  New York Press.

Gary. (2014). Migrante. [PowerPoint Slideshow]. Retreved from Migrante Headquarters.

Ontal, R.G., (2002). Fagen and other ghosts: African-Americans and the Philippine-

            American war. In A.V. Shaw & L.H Francia, Vestiges of war. (pp. 118-133). New

            York: New York Press.

Paulet, A. (2007). To change the world: The use of American Indian education in the

           

Philippines. History of Educational Quarterly, 47 (2), 173-202.