UNITÈ - 2017 (2 OF 2)

INDIAN bharat Iya

India is one of the most populated countries in the world. The indian culture, often labeled as an amalgamation of several various cultures and has been influenced and shaped by a history that is several thousand years old. India is the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism. India is one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse nation in the world.

The traditional clothing in India is influenced by local culture, geography, climate and rural/urban settings. Popular styles of dress include draped garments such as sari for women and and dhoti or lungi or panche for men. Stitched clothes are also popular such as churidar or sal-

war-kameez for women, with dupatta (long scarf) thrown over shoulder completing the outfit. Indian women perfect their sense of charm and fashion with make up and ornaments. Bindi, mehendi, earrings, bangles and other jewelry are common. On special occasions, such as marriage ceremonies and festivals, women may wear cheerful colours with various ornaments with gold or silver. Bindi is often an essential part of a hindu woman’s make up. Traditionally, the red bindi was worn only by married hindu women and colored bindi was worn by single woman but now all colours and glitter has become part of women’s fashion in India.

Shenn Trisha Talampas

FILIPINO pinoy

Fort Santiago

This arc is one of the passages into what they called the walled city of Manila or referred to as Intramuros.

FILIPINO

Philippines is located in Southeastern Asia. Its national language is Filipino but not all uses it. Aside from that, there are other 111 indigenous languages or dialect. Philippines has its own distinctive features especially in the people. Filipinos have a rich culture and somehow are still being practiced today. Some of these cultures thrived and was passed on from generation to generation. One example is the use of “po” and “opo” when replying to a question by someone older or has a higher position than you; the blessing of the hands to the elders which shows respect when arriving or leaving one’s home.

Filipinos are family-oriented meaning the bond between their families is strong. It is quite known in the Philippines that there are extended families where your relatives lives in the same roof. Another is a concept of shame or “hiya” wherein the people believes that they should follow the societal norms or the standard behavior accepted in the community so that it will not disgrace themselves or their family. Philippines has gone through a lot in history that’s why their culture is sometimes mixed with some foreign culture but there are still cultures that prevailed and showed the resilience of Filipino values such as Filipino Pride. A famous tradition in Philippines is Noche Buena when it’s the time for Christmas they’ll have a feast together with their family and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Filipinos are popularly known because of their hospitality. They’ll welcome their guests whole-heartedly and offer food to them that’s why most agencies hires Filipino caretakers for their patients. It is also included in our culture the practice of eating with our bare hands. Normally, others will use utensils like spoon, fork, or knife. This practice is really popular especially on feasts and festivals.

Here are some of the common traits and culture of Filipinos: Filipinos has a habit to procrastinate but they don’t notice it themselves, procrastination is the action of delaying or postponing something. This habit is not exclusive to Filipino people in fact the whole world suffers from this habit. In our culture, it is known as Mañana Habit (Mañana means tomorrow). Pakikisama or harmony is a norm in our society which involves getting along with others so you’ll have a healthy relationship with them. “Utang na Loob” is owed by one to a person who has helped him or her in dire situations. It is commonly used when you need a favor from them and in return, they would help you in the same way, though these are positive traits sometimes the result is the opposite and another one worth mentioning is that some Filipinos think that foreign products are always better than the local product. Some value the brand rather than the quality.

Lemie Anne Noronio

CHIN E SE 中文

Zhōngwén

Daniela Isabel Magsombol

China is reputed as the oldest continuous civilization and one of the famous countries in the world today. The total population of China in 2016 is 1.3 Billion and considered to be the 2nd largest population in the world. Chinese people often speak their own native language Mandarin which is based on their Beijing Dialect. The Great Wall of China is the most visited place by tourist from around the world. Buddhism Confucianism & Taoism are the three major religion in the country.

China is a multi-racial country with 56 ethnic groups, Han is considered to be the most populous ethnic group in the country. Chinese people are industrious, hardworking, peace-loving and a strenuous nation. Chinese people had the same society as the westerners but they differ in traditions they hold, Chinese tend to be more cautious when it comes to beliefs, disobeying beliefs can bear a bad luck. Other countries patronized Chinese traditions; one example is celebrating Chinese New Year every February. They have also a formal etiquette followed for greetings, dinner and gift giving.

Chinese enjoy a higher standard of living, with greatly improved facilities for education, a fact that contributes much to the overall quality of life for the entire nation. Chinese society has become more open, accommodating and self-sustaining in these new times. However, the people never forget to carry forward and develop the traditional Chinese virtues while they are willing to accept new ideas and try new things.

Binondo, Manila China Town

ISRAELITE The Sons of Israel

The term sons of Israel is a Biblical Hebrew term b’nei yisrael and the term was translated from a Greek word.

John Paul Pelayo

According to Bible, Israel is the name given by God to Jacob. And the Jerusalem, its capital, is famous for being sacred to the most popular religions: Jews, Muslims, and Christians. The modern country of Israel includes two distinct nationalities: the Palestinians and the Jewish. Each nationalities is inextricable from its religious identity. The Palestinians are Arabs whose traditions are founded in Muslim culture; the Jews define culture in large part around their religion as well. Each group identifies as part of a larger religious and cultural community, and each has a history in the region that goes back to ancient times. Israel is in the Middle East on the Mediterranean Sea, bordering Egypt, Gaza strip, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank. Israel population is approximately 8,323,248, which ranks 99th in the world. Israel grows at a rate of almost 2% per year. Their flag consists of a blue six-pointed star on a white background, with a horizontal blue stripe above and one below. The star, called a Magen David, or Shield of David, is a symbol of the Jewish faith.

Hebrew is the nation’s official language. Previously, Biblical Hebrew had been the language of prayer, whereas the vernacular of most Jews was Yiddish (Ladino for Spanish and Portuguese Jews). National identities for Israelis is to a large extent bound up with their identity as Jews. For the more devout, national identity takes place on a spiritual element, in which the observance of religious ritual becomes an expression of national pride. However, there are also large number of secular Jews in Israel, for whom Judaism is more cultural and ethnic identity than a spiritual practice. Many Palestinians living in Israel do not identify as Israelis at all, but rather with the displacement Palestinian nation. Much of their national identity is also based on both religious and cultural elements of the Muslim faith.Israel is a parliamentary democracy, divided into six administrative districts. There is no formal constitution; instead, there is the Declaration of Establishments, form 1948, the Basic Laws of parliament, (Knesset) and the Israel citizenship law. The head of government is the prime minister, elected by popular vote for a four-year term. The 120 members of the Knesset also are elected for four years. The Knesset selects the president, who serves as a chief of state.

Israelis are very informal in social interactions. Their standards would be considered as rude in many countries. For example, store clerks do not act at all solicitous or even acknowledge a customer’s presence until the customer approaches. “Please” and “Thank you” are not uttered lightly. Despite this apparent brusqueness, touching and eye contact are common in social interactions. Religious etiquette dictates that women dress conservatively when visiting holy site (shorts are not acceptable for either gender) and that men cover their heads with a yarmulke. They are not physically affectionate people, men and women are often separated socially and there is less physical contact between men and women in public. It is customary to remove one’s shoes before entering a household. Israel has a mandatory Military service right after high school, 2 years for girls and 3 years for boys. That is why college-age students in Israel are usually in their early mid twenties.

ETHNICITY E

thnic group. One of the firsts. Relic of the past that continuously contribute to the growth of the current era. The current society was built upon the ethnic groups’ identities. We were able to plant different crops due to the tribes’ cultivation of soil. We were able to have a political system due to the ethnic groups’ own chieftaincies. We are one at the same time diverse due to the beliefs we have inherent from them.

Ethnicity is the state of belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition. Often linked to race, ethnicity pertains to culture rather than biology. Members of the ethnic groups tend to share myths, language, religion, traditions, ancestry, and cultural heritage. Ethnic groups showed us the continuous process of evolution of culture and population on different countries. Looking back, they were the firsts way back the Stone Age.

As an archipelago, Philippines is home to a great number of ethnic groups. It is inevitable that some ethnic group is dominant than another. There are several factors to consider like their population. It was said that the Negritos were the first ethnic group on the Philippines. They include Aeta, Ati, and 25

ETHNICITY

other tribes of the Philippines and other countries. Negritos are semi-nomadic. They are characterized by their curly black hair, brown complexion, and round eyes. Due to migration of different countries, particularly from the Western Countries, increase in the list of ethnic groups happened. Philippines today is said to be the home of almost 160 ethnic groups and different tribes within it. It includes Tagalog who inhibits Manila, Mindoro, and Marinduque. The Visayan who speaks the Bisaya language. Ilocano who inhibits the lowlands and coastal regions of Luzon and home to almost 8 million individuals. Lumad a non-Muslim group in the Southern Philippines. Pangasinense was said to be the first one who have contacted Chinese through trading. There are non-Christian groups like Moro, Ivatan, and the Sumbali.

Ethnic groups may have different languages, lifestyle, beliefs, and different stories to tell but once they unite, even ghost shivers. They prove it in the past – chasing colonizers out of our country. Let’s not forget who we are. Let us remember the relics of the past.

POVER TY

LIGHT IN THE DARKEST HOUR

Poverty refers to the condition of not having the means to afford basic human needs such as clean water, nutrition, healthcare, clothing, food, and a warm place to live. Poverty is a deadly issue that’s killing our population slowly. Poverty is an issue that needs to be address by everybody in the world because if no one tries to something about it is going to keep getting worst as time goes on. We asked some of the people who experience poverty and how they survive in everyday life.

Manang Ferry is a “takatak” vendor (selling through noises made out of their box) in Pasig Palengke since 1995. She worked to be able to, at least, fulfill her family needs. As we asked the first question, she said that they have a normal life. Sometimes they are having hard time in selling especially now that smoking is banned. Sacrificing for her family even though it’s hard was her answer when we asked her about what is happiness. She said that whenever she is with her family, especially her grandchildren, she is happy. Furthering our inquiry, we asked her to choose if she wants to be rich or stay in the state of her current life. Her answer, nevertheless, melted us. She doesn’t wish to be rich but to retain her current life remembering all the elements that composes it. Lastly, we asked her to extend a message to our government regarding to the people like her. “We did not feel that our economy was growing. Instead of getting assistance, we were running away from the OICs out of fear that they might catch us for being an ambulance vendor. We were like animals -- if the cats are out there, we, the rats, will hide. Since the reign of Pres. Duterte, the poor becomes poorer”, Manang Ferry said. In this event, although short, we heard that happiness is not always about the material things. As long as you have your loved ones and family that helps you through your ups and downs, happiness can be achieved. Being a citizen of this country, we also hope that through this, the government may be able to hear stories of those unheard people, craving for their so-called good governance.

“ “

When i’m with my family, most especially my grandchildren, I feel Happy.

Manang Ferry, Takatak Vendor at Pasig Palengke

Palengke

Lola Marialita is a 70 year-old woman who sells flowers for her living outside the church at Teresa St., Sta. Mesa, Manila. She is the eldest among her 8 siblings and the saddest part is that she is the only one who is still alive. Lola Marialita became emotional when she started telling her story about her life. Her father left them for another woman, and her mother died when they were still young. Since then, she became responsible for her siblings. She sacrificed and worked hard to give them what they need. She does not want to tell more about her story because she was always having a breakdown just by remembering her past. Now, Lola Marialita needs to work for herself even if she has a high blood. Some people would give her money for her medicines and some would give her food. She is now living together with her cousin in Bacood.

To understand a bit of her unheard voice, we asked her a series of questions. Lola Marialita’s stall was not originally hers. She said that the real owner just wanted to help her by giving her that job. She said that it is hard to work but she has to do that to live and survive. When we asked her about what is happiness, she said that happiness is simply when you are surrounded by your loved ones. We did not expect that this answer was so deep that it anchors to the next one. When we asked to choose if she wants to stay as she is or be rich, she said that she would choose to be rich. It is because if she was rich before, she would’ve helped her mother and her siblings. This warmed us; Pure love. Happiness indeed is when you’re surrounded by your loved ones.

“

My mother and sister died because of poverty, So if i were to choose a life and live it again, i want be rich.

“

Lola Marialita, Sampaguita Vendor at Sacred Heart

Poverty in the Philippines remains a challenge. Economic growth has gone through boom and bust cycles, and recent episodes of moderate economic expansion have had limited impact on the poor. Some main causes of poverty are: low to moderate economic growth for the past 40 years, weakness in employment generation and the quality of jobs generated, and high levels of population growth.

One of the many people who are affected by poverty is Jose Tiu, a 58 year-old man. Jose works as a news runner around the busy street of Altura in Sta. Mesa, Manila. He’s been a news runner since Marcos’ Era. He only got to finish two years in high school. His father died in 1972 during Marcos’ time and as of now, he has no other relatives other than his sibling and a grandchild. We asked him a few questions which he answers properly and shows that not all poor people desire money. When we asked him what it means to be wealthy, we were silenced by his answer. He said that being rich means being someone who would not have to think of how he or she would find something to eat. In turn to give his request to our government, he said that he wants our government to do more free housing projects.

Based on the research of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, it is said that the Philippines still remains poor. Since the year 2003, the national poverty in the country stood at 14.2 percent of the whole population. From the year 2006, poverty rate remains consistently high until 2009 which rose to the level of 28.8 percent of the population. While in the year 2015, a survey founded that 12.1 percent of the Filipinos roughly 12.18 million live in extreme poverty. From this, one can infer that the poverty rate on the Philippines has the possibility to remain high due to different reasons such as citizen and government doings.

Tatay Egay Villamor is one of the 12.1 percent that suffers from poverty. He used to be an Electrician but due to life-changing mistakes he now begs for money around SM Sta. Mesa. He has a son, who is a jeepney driver. The team asked him a few questions in order to know more about his life as beggar. He said that in order to stay alive and healthy, he just needs to eat at least once a day. Tatay Egar is a bit literal on some questions such as happiness. For him, it is the “happiness in life”. He also said that although he is poor, he still hopes to be rich so that he can have his own business. Lastly, we asked him to give a message to our government. He said plainly that he wants the government to arrest all the people who have broken the law, and those who are addicted to drugs.

Kuya Michael is a PWD (Person with Disability) toy vendor along the Pasig Palengke area. Despite his conditions, he works hard to help his family. Same questions were asked and we got almost the same answers. They have a normal life. Happiness can’t be bought. There is a common among the rich –their properties.

Kuya Michael told us that the most important things in life is that you have Him – our Lord, and you are a happy person. He also chose to be the same as he is right now because he believed that happiness is shallow. Rich people have more problems than them. Lastly, we asked him to give some words to our government. He said that if the government wants to help them, they should stoop down to the barangay levels and obscure places to reach their help.

He said that the poor cannot ask help from the government because they might not hear their voices asking for philanthropy. It is better for the government to experience it so that they would know and understand the poor. As a citizen belonging in the middle-class, his statements made us realize that we should be thankful for what we have. We are blessed and we should not ask for more. Kuya Michael’s answers serve as an eye-opener that material possessions are not only the reason to be happy. It’s about the faith and love to our creator, our family, and other people.

The most important Thing (in Life) is you have our lord and you’re happy “

Kuya Michael, Toy Vendor at Pasig Palengke

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Unitè

Sta. Mesa, Manila

Staff:

Editor in Chief: Shenn Trisha Talampas

Designer: Aldrin Astronomo

Photographer & Photo Editor: Jordan Riv Castro

Production Manager: Julia Joyce Wingco

Proof Readers: Alvin Tavera & Arial Roderos