Submerging in Assimilation in the Philippines: Blog 2

Bryan Agliam

Study Abroad 2k14

July 7, 2014

Third Andresen/Leah Panganiban

Submerging in American Ways in the Philippines

            This week we have been talking a lot about assimilation and acculturation whether it is in the classrooms or even the things we see during our travels that seem to be an influence of American colonization. As a Filipino American leaving my home country at the age of seven and being in the states for 15+ years now, I can honestly say I have not fully assimilated into the American culture simply because language, family traditions/cultures, food, and etc. continue to perpetuate its participation in my daily life. Nonetheless, I have acculturated in America via clothing style, cultural groups I am a part of and different institutions that I was once not a part of nor had access to. Before I continue to talk about assimilation or acculturation, I must first define both terms in order to create a level understanding playing field to better understand my point of view.

            Assimilation could be best described as extracting an identity and conforming to another usually called the majority. For example, according to the Zinn article, the president goes on to say, “There was nothing left for us to do but to take all the islands and educate them” (55). Yes, we may agree that their actions seemed very civil, however, as we have been discussing this was the American way of transforming Filipinos to become “American”. For example, it may be one of the reasons why Catholicism ad Christianity is a widespread religious belief amongst the Filipinos. It goes on to say, “We have to civilize and Christianize the Filipinos… “ (55). Christianity and Catholicism became the two major religions in Philippines and by 1898, missionaries had largely converted the Filipinos to Catholicism.

            In relation to politics, the Ileto article shares with us the history of the “Amigo Warfare”, which was what the Americans derisively called the Filipino style of resistance (Ileto 7). One might be thinking how that is related to assimilation and I believe it is when we analyze its dynamics. Ileto goes on to describe these dynamics having the ability to shift multiple identities. In my perspective being able to shift identities is the on-going process of assimilation. With this in mind, it highlights the fact that Filipinos are very good at adapting to different situations and shifting their identities in order to benefit from it. Ileto goes on to say, “It might even explain why Filipinos today seem to be so adept at handling tricky situations that demand shifting or multiple identifications and commitments (Ileto 7). This leads me to talk about how consumerism plays a huge role in assimilation within the Philippines.

            First time in Mall of Asia, I walk into seeing “Power Mac Center” learning that it is a version of the Apple Store as we call it in the states. There were stores I have seen for the first time in the country such as GNC and it surprises me because a good majority of Filipinos, especially the older generation [based on my experiences] do not believe in generic substances. But I could only think of why supplements and exercising is becoming a huge phenomenon is because of consumerism. There are billboards of muscular bodies, the ads of certain underwear for men create this want or assimilating to what the image portrays. This is why GreenHills mall carries all the imitation of designer products and in addition, Philippines have this stereotype placed on them that we produce the best imitation products. This only brings me back to Kidlak Tahimik where he expresses his “dwende”—his inner calling in order to resist self-colonization if you will and assimilate to those of majority. For him it was becoming an independent film director versus becoming Hollywood—producing film that everyone wants to see with no meaning behind the films if you will. He shares his “wooden camera” as a different lens in the filmmaking industry.

 In addition, with my short-term memory issues, one of the performing artists introduced himself in Tagalog asking for an interpretation, however, little did we know, he did it in order to resist using the English language. He later showed a historical video outlining the colonization of the Philippines so I believe that language portions served to dismantle the notion of one, colonization, and two, that although English is spoken widely across the country, we have not fully assimilated but have acculturated in using the English language.

            In relation to Twain’s article and the whole notion of assimilation, the topic of civilization could be in relation with each other. The article goes on to state, “…there is more money in it, more territory, more sovereignty, and other kids of emoluments…(Twain 61)” In my perspective, this only leads to more consumerism, which has a higher possibility of trying to assimilate in a way to advertise the norms of the majority. For example, Galaxy and IPhone phones as form of civilization are quickly spreading throughout the Philippines as well as rapid car imports from the states to the Philippines. It further goes on to say, “…blessings of civilization are all alright, and a good commercial property; there could not be a better…(Twain 61)” This quote backs up my idea of assimilation, however, it seems to be that the article is trying to advertise fully assimilating in order to have a better place.

            All in all, with all the talks, lectures, all the visual things I have seen and continue to see, assimilation through consumerism in the Philippines is a huge phenomenon. It is becoming more than just the whitening products—thus portraying the image and lifestyle of the United States. I believe this will only continue to grow and it to me it questions whether it is only Philippines that is becoming this way or is there a pattern of other countries that have been colonized by the United States have this phenomenon also?

Works Cited

Ileto, R.C. (1998). The Philippine-American War, Friendship and Forgetting. In Shaw,A.V. & Francia, L.H. Vestiges of war. (pp. 3-21). New York: New York Press.

Twain, M. (2002). To the person sitting in darkness. In Shaw, A.V. & Francia, L.H. Vestiges of war. (pp. 57-68). New York: New York Press.

Zinn, H. (2008). Invasion of the Philippines. In A people’s history of American empire. (pp.53- 72) NY: Metropolitan Books.