My Culture and Background

I was born and raised in Southeast Asia, Philippines. It consists of 7,107 islands and each one of them has each make dialect and tribes that lives in rural part of the area. My mom is a Spanish Filipino and my dad is a Chinese. I embraced two socialisations with no problems. Both cultures form me strongly with values, ethics, religion and economics. It plays a vital role of who I am now. Let me begin by telling you that in my country, the Spanish colony conquered the Philippines in 1621. Magellan named the archipelago in the honor of King Phillip of Portugal at that time.My great great grandfathers were baptized as a Catholics and was devoted Spanish names by them. Until now, this still exist. We qualified their dialect and even up have Spanish alphabets too. I and my siblings grew up in a real strict Catholic way and Dad would approved of it even though he is non a Catholic but a Buddist. Very conflicting, right? At early age, we were instruct through various tasks. I lear ned how to slaughter a chicken at the age of 9. Then, I and my siblings lived in dormitory where our school has one at that time. From preschool until my high school yrs, thats where I considered my second home.I studied in Chinese school and all of us were taught in a communist way. Example is we are not allowed to wear jewelries and the only thing that was allowed at that time is a watch. Then the hair shouldnt be longer than the collar of the white blouse uniform. The allowance was given by the matron . Then our time was being scheduled every day. It was hard because we were trained like soldiers. It was a very rigid training for us. I was trained not to be late on any appointment. I was used to it until now. I and my siblings studied in a Chinese school. From Pre-K to high school.It is to educate us about Chinese language so that when we go to visit our Chinese relatives, we have a go at it how to communicate and understand. (If you dont know the Chinese dialect, you will rega in outcast from the family). For the most part, Chinese and Filipino customs are similar to each other. Regarding the family values, it is a very strict custom that we should always take safeguard of our elders. Also, we are not allowed to talk back to them and if you say something when they are talking to you or reprimanding you, this is showing to them that you are disrespecting them.Also, we dont have divorce in our country. Marriage is sacred there. We still have a courtship, engagement and a dowry. This goes for a brides price. I am a cultural diversity. It came a bigger surprise for me too when I came here in United States. I thought there is only one or two cultures mixed in concert but I was wrong. The culture here is totally very much different or opposite rather than what I grew up with. It was a culture shock for me. People here dont hold or guard their tongue when they talk to you, rude by any means or praising you.They dont care about how you feel. They also have raci al discrimination. This is totally a big conflict to what I am. For me, I was taught not to say any bad or disrespectful or even words that will hurt somebodys feeling. Then, how people handle their descent here, its like nobody cares to save the marriage anymore. Couples fight in terms of money, child custody and infidelity. We worked hard to keep our marriage intact for the involvement of our family and kids. The vows for us is sacred. Our families dont like broken marriage, it is shameful to the family if there is one.And the most important of all, kids or younger generation dont know how to respect the elders anymore. They would call you with your first name even if you are related to them. Its like both of you are of the same age. These are all very disturbing for me. But somehow, I adjusted and respect it somehow. Accepting the way things or circumstances and blending with other culture and learning from it is a sound way to learn more. But I wont depart from what I was tau ght and I am happy and contented the way I am.