What cultural heritage do you have?

Subject: What cultural heritage do you have? Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:27 pm

Philippines are known to be a conglomerate of different traditions. That being sad, what do you consider to be your main cultural "base"? Also, which cultures are you interested in the most?

Subject: Re: What cultural heritage do you have? Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:37 pm

I may consider Hispanic Culture as my main cultural base. talk about three centuries of colonization... Anyways, cultures which I am interested in are mostly Asians', particularly the Japanese's. Animes have shown me a lot, and thus making me fall for their culture. XD

Subject: Re: What cultural heritage do you have? Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:41 pm

It's very interesting, most Filipinos I talked to don't have a specified cultural base, they usually just say they are Asians or that they are multicultural, and some respond aggresively at any suggestions that they have Polynesian heritage.

As for my feelings for Japanese culture, I have been interested for a while, though I also learned to be careful and critical. For example, I distinguish traditional culture from popular culture(in my family we often discuss about these matters) and I always try to notice some interesting elements in Japanese manga/anime/games as well as apparent mistakes and cliches.

Subject: Re: What cultural heritage do you have? Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:45 pm

Maybe they are confused on which cultural base they have...

How do you differentiate Japanese Traditional Culture from their Popular Culture?

Subject: Re: What cultural heritage do you have? Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:52 pm

It is very easy to do. Popular culture(pop-culture) is a product of modern society, and it includes various social phenomena(or "memes") that spread worldwide. It may be a special dress code, some anime series(like the very popular Haruhi and Lucky Star series) and behaviour. Traditional culture, in the case of Japan, includes ZEN philosophy, developed tea ceremony, social order or traditional warfare(samurai, traditional fortifications, blacksmithing).

Subject: Re: What cultural heritage do you have? Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:03 pm

Oh well. We have the same definition of their Popular and Traditional Culture... :D

Regarding their Pop Culture, it is in my opinion, a very democratic way of expressing themselves. I like how they dress, and they walk on streets with those stylish clothes without getting negative reactions from other people. *This is one thing you cannot do freely in the Philippines.* As for their Traditional Culture, I don't like the idea of Harakiri or Sepukku.. even though it's for a persons honor and dignity. Huh?

Subject: Re: What cultural heritage do you have? Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:43 pm

I do agree with your opinion on positive effects of pop-culture, but sometimes I can see something disturbing - when people, in desperate attempt to be original, dress in outrageus manner - and they don't stay true to themselves, they want to appear "cool". We call such people "plastic".

Subject: Re: What cultural heritage do you have? Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:52 pm

We also call such people "plastic", in other words stereotype. Deshou? I think there is an appropriate type of dress for everyone. And the outfit of a person will kind of look outrageous depending on how he or she carries it. What cultural heritage do you have? 200433

What cultural heritage do you have? 200433