“MAN MAKES CULTURE; CULTURE MAKES MAN?”

"Humans do not make culture; culture makes humans.” An individual cannot escape the force of destiny imposed by his culture and history. Culture, like race, appears as a transcendent category outside of our immediate consciousness but which is transmitted from generation to generation. Racial science expressed a mechanistic view of humanness, one in which human history flowed inevitably according to the laws of nature. Unesco Man embodied an idealist view, in humans were not rooted in their nature, and in which human history and culture are reified. What united the two was a common view of human beings, not as subjects, but simply as objects, in the one case of nature, in the other of culture.

It is true that humans do not make culture because culture makes us the human.  It all because ever since before we are born the culture already exists because of our forefathers.  When culture begins to progress people get confused what culture they are going to follow and when they didn’t follow it doesn’t mean that they makes a culture it means that they only disobey it.  In this problem we are not asking who comes first the chicken or the egg; the man or culture?  We all know that man comes first but the real point is the culture affects the life of human and culture makes a human a better person.  What we are right now is based on the culture that we are accustomed to.

Filipino thinks that a culture is sacred that we can’t ignore or forget.  We still follow it in spite of what we are what we have.  We all know that the Filipinos are conservative and American is very liberated.  When we went in America will there culture by being liberated or culture of America makes us liberated.  Another example is when we celebrate Fiesta, as part of our culture we still celebrated it with food, litchon, fruits, and games etc. We do this not because we like, even if we don’t have money because it is our culture and part of our tradition.  “Culture is already a part of our lives and nothing will change it.” 

ME, MYSELF AND I

I know all of you did not know how cruel life being independent.  It is the hardest thing I have experience in my entire life and I am proud of it because it made me strong.  I will never forget this chapter that pass through in my life not only in my mind but also in my heart.

I am a working student and I’m employed for more than three years in a fast-food chain in Libis, Quezon City.  My life is like an air pot, full of pressures, in our house, in my work, in school and even in my relationship with other people.  I can’t stop thinking of what will happen if one of my responsibilities and obligation has ended or stop here.  Does my future end in what I don’t expect?  Does my conscience find me at the end of the road and tell me that there are so many opportunities have been wasted because of giving up in life and ask me if this will be the end?  And I think it’s not…

My journey started when I realized that education is indeed the best treasure that parents can give to their children, but what if your parents doesn’t know the implication of having a degree. 

When I was in elementary my grandmother visited us in Antipolo and I found out that she is a grade school teacher in Albay, Bicol.  She’s become my inspiration to fight and face all the obstacles and problems that come my way.  That’s why even though I am now three years older to my classmates; I show them how eager I am to finish my studies and have a degree, especially when my grandmother died last year.  When she died, I started thinking again on why this thing happened to me?  That of all the people, why she? I even questioned God’s inequality. 

Then I suddenly realized that I didn’t question God when he gave me a perfect life.  When I still in grade school, I was enrolled in an exclusive school in Antipolo.  My father is working then as a successful manager in one of the biggest and respectable company in town.  We are the perfect picture of a happy family.  We owned our house; we have an expensive car, a good school, lot of toys, nice dress and everything we want.  And yet forgot thanking God for all those blessings.

I was in grade 6 when my father lost his job because of his pride, from a manager he become a tricycle driver.  He started to sell our appliances while my mother still trying to cope up with our everyday needs. Because of the financial problem that our family encountered me and my other siblings forced to live with my grandmother in the province.  We started to lose our trust to my father because of what he did to our family. 

After a year when all the hopes are gone, my father was hired by a business millionaire.  That businessman let my father handle one of his businesses.  My father bring us back to Antipolo to make our family complete once again.  I am very glad to what my father did this time, everything’s went back to normal but there’s one thing did not change… his pride,  the pride that almost destroy our family, the family that he and my mom build. 

I just want to share how hard being a working student.  A student in the morning and an ordinary worker at night.

ESCAPADE

Have you ever dreamt of a place where you can escape from the stressful and cruel world?  Where all the luxury, comfort, entertainment and happiness can be found?  Where all of the mouth-watering cuisine can be tasted, and a place full of breathtaking view?

Mountain greenery, clear blue sky, refreshing breezes, sparkling blue ocean and fine white crystal beaches - it's more than just a wonderful world. It's a paradise on the beautiful island of “James Manor”, a royal mansion in an island that gives you the clear vision of paradise. That is what I have created in my dream. It is so ideal and perfect, my own world and my escapade.  It is a perfect place far from the reality.  I always think of this place every time I try to escape the reality of life.  When I am in this place, I always think of all the positive and wonderful things that I want to happen in the reality.

I know all of us have our own problems and hesitations in life and dreams are created to give color in to our life. As what the song of the popular band Kamikazee says “libre lang mangarap… walang hanggang  na pag-hiling libre lang mangarap, managinip ka habang gising ”

           

My fantasy world is in an island located at the center of the equator near Hawaii in the U.S.A.  I desire this island to have a tropical climate like in our country. The beach like Boracay with crystal sand and clear water.  It is an island just right to have bonding with my friends and relatives.  At the center of this island I will put my antique mansion.  The mansion is bounded by security to make sure that there are no intruders who will try to trespass with my surrounding area.  It is also surrounded by cameras to be certain in the security.

Passing through the eye popping gate, you will notice the breathtaking sculpture of myself riding a horse.  I am like a captain telling my soldiers that to retreat is to surrender, in the so called statue.  Before entering in the mansion you will be entertained by respective and heartwarming servants who will pamper you and provide you with all you want.

Everybody will be hooked and fascinated with the sophistication and elegance of the things that surrounds the mansion.  Try to take a roam inside and you will also witness how beautiful and relaxing inside. I have 10 deluxe rooms for my guest; each room is about 100 square meters, which includes its own private bathroom and balcony, it has 3 beds each. The deluxe room was designed to accommodate all my visitors, the people who want to run away from the reality. I also have 3 standard rooms; only have 2 beds each for my servants. The restrooms are designed to provide the guest with a comfortable stay with my mansion.  Every restroom has a triple shower head and a huge golden bathtub filled with milk and replaces every hour. In the basement, there is a secret passage, a tunnel that leads you all the way to Paris!

My island provides the guest and visitors the opportunities to play outdoor games: windsurfing, sailing, swimming and snorkeling; I have a gym equipped with modern workout facilities, sauna, massage and other services. The fitness concerned so that they will not miss out on their regular health and fitness enjoyment. The Nature splendor and the availability of modern facilities are complimented by the hospitality of my servants and liveliness of activities arranged for visitors, and nighttime entertainment.

One of the best views in my island is the garden that I created; it is a serene beautiful oasis with the combination of fascination like Eden’s Garden.   In the garden, there is a zoo safari where wild animals like tiger, lion, rhinos, giraffes, ostriches and dragon roam freely without people fearing them. There is also a small oasis in the center of the garden where pink flamingoes are swimming together with the swans. 

My island also have a carnival for the kids with full of eye popping and breathtaking rides to choose from.  A grand carousel with colorful features 60 ride animals to choose from, many of which replicate rare and endangered animals. You can ride giraffes, rhinos, zebras, cheetahs and many more. Get a bird's-eye view of my entire island on this unique flying ride, modeled after the hot air balloon. The helium-filled balloon can carry up to 30 people and rises up to 400 feet, giving riders a panoramic view of the crystal sea and as well as the beautiful ‘James Manor’.

I know that it is all a dream, very far from reality, but I am still hoping that one day, when the right time comes I will build my own house, a simple house that I can call my home.