Filipino and American Way

The Filipino and American Way

“I will do whatever it takes to migrate in United States when I grow up”, that was what I always tell to myself when I was a child as I saw how United States is in televisions and movies. Surprisingly, my father told me that we are migrating to United States. Upon arriving in San Francisco International Airport when I was 15 years old, I told to myself, “I’m finally here!”. Stepping outside the airport, I felt frightened, yet excited to explore what is in this country. Throughout the years of living in United States of America, I was able to adapt with the cultural changes in my surroundings. However, often times, I felt homesick. Being away from Philippines for so long, it made me appreciate my home country more as I missed my family, friends, the festivities and celebrations in my hometown. On the other hand, I was able to observe and experience the negative side of living in the United States. Based on my own experience and research about the two countries, I believe that both have similarities and differences of how education in both countries are implemented, how holidays are celebrated, and how the values of both countries when it comes in respecting the elders. Nevertheless, I believe Philippines is better than United States.

I was actually educated in both Filipino and American educational environments, so I did get the chance to observe the difference between United States and Philippines’ educational system. One thing that I noticed between the American and Filipino classroom settings was that in United States, it's markedly less formal than in the Philippines. American students are free to speak their minds, the teacher are firm but are cognizant that they're not in complete control of the classroom, and technology is more pervasive. Over here, the classroom culture can be stifling, especially if the teachers who are strict disciplinarians, or expect a lot from their students.Yes, it can be fun, but at the same time, it does not bode well for the self-actualization of a student. Another thing is that in the U.S., you are usually at liberty to leave the classroom if you have the reason to do so. In the Philippines, this really depends. Some teachers can be that lax, but others are also quite strict and will not allow you out unless you really have to.

In the Philippines, showing respect to the elders is important. Children have high respect for elders and for high-ranking officials. First example of showing respect is by saying “po” or “opo” when talking to someone older than us. Another example is by saying “mano po” to our relatives such as our parents, grandparents, godparents, uncle and aunt every time we see them. Similar to hand kissing, the person giving the greeting bows towards the offered hand of the elder and presses his or her forehead on the elder's hand. Furthermore, students also address the teachers or someone who is in higher rank as “sir” or “ma’am” during a conversation. Unlike in the USA, an eight year old child can call a sixty-five year old man by his name. Students address their teacher not by their honorific titles but by their first or last names.

Lastly,