I recently came back from a fun holiday trip full of activities, laughter, sentimental moments, and also emotional ones. I went up to the mountain province named Baguio with immediate members of my family and also extended relations. It was bonding time for me, and it was also a birthday celebration of my Grand Aunt whom all from the family love dearly.
And this will be my next observation--family. How important is this to the Filipino? How do we show how much we value each member? And how does this work in our culture?
The Filipino family is the main support group of the Pinoy. And this does not compose only of immediate members, but also extended ones: 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree relations. And I even know a few families, oh...I think that includes mine, that feel still very close to family members who share only a drop of blood in their veins with the other. Kamag -anak is kamag-anak no matter how distant and little the blood relation may be. And bonding is instant usually, which I believe is not a Filipino quality but a natural tendency of many families all around the globe, even with family members whom we just met.
The family, it seems, usually takes a big part from the definition of happiness in the Filipino's life. Thus, its members are the main reason why many Filipinos choose to work in a foreign nation. They are the main reason why Filipinos leave the country and work somewhere else. Majority of our OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) would rather stay in the Philippines. Even with the hustle and bustle of traffic, the thick pollution Manila offers to its residents and dwellers, the difficulties of every day sustenance, the Philippines is still home to many. But the salary offered to various professions and jobs in the country is usually not enough to support the children and to give the family a comfortable home. Because of this, many are forced to leave and look for better jobs abroad. In the article I read, it was mentioned that the Filipino diaspora has overtaken the Jewish diaspora in number; since the Philippines sends out a million or more of its people, every year, overseas for work. The country is proud of its OFWs, who seem to leave an impact on their employers because they are hardworking and industrious. They are smart and can easily converse and understand the universal language--English. But this pride we have for our fellowmen who leave the country for work, not out of choice but out of need, is also a bittersweet achievement. We call them heroes for they help the nation's economy by bringing in money. But then it is also a sad fact that they need to leave the country because we are not strong enough to take care of them back. And this they do usually with a heavy heart. This they do so they could help improve the lives of people they love--their family: the very people they wish to be with, the main reason they need to leave.
Now I go back to my personal story and speak of my Grand Aunts' beautiful birthday celebrations, which they just had within the past few months. I had a Grand Aunt in my father's side who just turned 100, and a Grand Aunt in my mother's side who just turned 90. In the Filipino culture, the oldest member of the whole clan is the most important family member. Maybe this is how we see the word 'grand' in compound words such as Grandmother, Grandfather, Grand Aunt and Grand Uncle. 'Grand', as we all know, means magnificent. And in the dictionary, they define it as 'worthy of great respect'. And because the grandparent has the most noteworthy role, parties are usually not simple. Just like their label, it, too, has to be a grand occasion. From ages 80 and above, parties are seldom just dinner with the immediate family, but a big bash that includes the extended members and close friends. The 100th party of my Grand Aunt was complete with giveaways, a program by the great grand children and of course food. The 90th party of my other Grand Aunt was as grand as well. There was dancing, honoring from the guests, food, and an after party of singing with the accompaniment of the piano. Of course, songs selected were the preference of the queen--my Grand Aunt. What she wanted us to sing, we sang. And when she wanted to sing, we all became quiet as she did her solo numbers.
In both of my Grand Aunts' parties, relatives from all over the globe came home to celebrate the birthday of the most important member. This is a common practice in the Philippines, no matter how far a member is, no matter how busy one may be, the special day of the 'Grand' man or woman of the clan is an important occasion to the whole family that members will find ways to attend it. And if members cannot go, they leave messages, then those who do go will make sure that every moment and minute of the event will be a memorable one for the celebrant, as well as for the kin. However, there are also Grandparents who do live in a 'home'. But this practice is not very usual in the Philippines since many Filipinos perceive these golden years of the grandparents as priceless.
This is the Filipino family, and just like any family, it also goes through struggles and difficulties. But the bond among its members is permanent. The love may sometimes take its about-face turn and become hate, but then it can take another 180 degree turn and become love again. There are fun times, and of course there are trying times. Problems may occur, hurts and misunderstandings, but even with the differences and the struggles, family will always be the main priority in the Filipino culture.
Reference:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/mindfeeds/mindfeeds/view/20071212-106376/A_Closer_Look_at_the_Filipino_Diaspora
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