Personal Growth and Social Interactions

Dr. Aurora Corpuz Mendoza was the speaker for this lecture. She came from the department of Psychology (Yey!) specializing on Industrial organization.

On her study, she found out that work values on generations changes. There is time lag of 30-60 years before shift in values occurs. Therefore, there is a slow and steady change in the character of the society.

There are also different dimensions of work values according to Buchholz shown in the lecture. These dimension of work differs from one another in the sense of measuring success of one's individual in a particular work; these are the ff:

1. The Protestant Work Ethic which says that success is directly related to effort measured by accumulated wealth.

2. Organizational Belief System which a very Japanese belief; success is not related to effort and accomplishment, rather, success is directly linked to one's ability to conform and adapt to the norms of the company.

3. Humanistic. Well, the title says it all. Success is measured in terms of human growth and development on the job rather than work output.

4. Marxist related tells us that work is basic to human fulfillment since through this, people create their world and identity.

5. Leisure Ethic tells us really a different story since in this dimension, work has no meaning in itself and will only become meaningful in how it provides leisure to the successful persons.


Today, work values tend to shy away form work ethics to humanistic value. Likewise, religion, marital status and employment poses great impact to an individual compared in the past. Much also of breach of contract happens. What contract? The Psychological Contract between the employee and the employer. This contract is the expectation of the employer of the employee and vice versa. In pursuing a job, the no. 1 in the last in today's generation is the challenge. Well, in this, I beg to disagree. Is the reason of people opting to work in a call center is that they find challenge answering phone calls? I don't think so.


Difference of career from Job. I never realized how different were these two from each other until I attended this lecture. Career is dynamic; continuous incremental development. If one pursues a career in a particular field, he/she plans to be an expert in his/her chosen field and an ascent in hierarchy occurs. On the other hand, job is static period.

In selecting a job, often the HR people uses the Person occupation fit. But today, what seen as a more suitable process is the process approach - more on the type of organization than the type of occupation.

Satisfy vs optimize

"Look for best choices than satisfactory choices"

"The irony/paradoxes about it is that we want to focus on personal growth but we then chooses job without it".

What then applies to me for me?

I think I believe in the combination of the humanistic value, leisure ethic, Marxist related and protestant work ethic. In the future, I want a job where I will be able to create a conducive world for my personal growth and fulfillment and have a time for rest and relaxation.

That's why I want to become a lawyer/ diplomat/ ambassador.






I don't want to end up working in a call center.

Reflection: Civic Duties and Responsibilities

"Kapag tinanong ka kung ano ka" ---> TAO. "Di mo naman sasabihing "PILIPINO".


Nationalism and Citizenship in the Age of Globalization was the title of Prof. Raymond Quilop's Lecture.

He first pointed out the difference of Nationalism and Citizenship.




Citizenship: In the form of paper e.g. passport, birth certificate etc.




Nationalism? Definitely much more important, especially in the context of the globalized world. Forces of globalization enhances or diminishes sense of NATIONALISM.

He then conceptualize the word Nationalism. This is where nation and states comes in.
He said that nation and state when combined forms the nation state which is the political and social unit around the world this time.




State is the external manifestation of the government; its an abstract concept. On the other hand, nation is the imagined political community.


State?Mahirap patayin!
Government? Madaling Palitan!


In the Philippines, it was very unfortunate of us since State was first established. Hence, the sense of being a Filipino has been imposed outside. We didn't chose to be a "Filipino".
That's why symbols are important! It attempts to homogenized Philippine Society. These are imposed and cultivated by the government so as to enhance the feeling of nationalism.

But national symbol practically fail to evoke the sense of nationalism.

"Naiiyak ka ba kapag naririnig mo ang Lupang Hinirang?"

"Hindi porke't nagtatagalog ka ay Pilipino ka na."

What does this exactly mean? Nationalism comes inside of us. It's not what we see externally but what deep inside our hearts. We just feel it like faith, a very powerful sentiment.

National Symbols? For me they are not effective. I don't feel patriotic every time I eat mangga or when I grill a bangus.


We should start loving our country! Instead of thinking where to migrate after college graduation, we should instead devote our time of giving service to our countrymen.

"Kung ano ang kinuha sa Bayan, ibalik sa Bayan! -------> Mam Gaying!





So there! :P

Reflection: Volunteerism

Service learning focused on Education was the main topic discussed by Prof. Nestor Castro. Basically, he explain how learning can be place in the context of volunteerism where students will be able to validate concepts and theories learned in class to real-life situations and at the same time directly responding to people's need. In this way, students can learn from the people of the community as the same time as people of the community will learn from the students.

But, there are severals things to be considered first before embarking on the learning experience like the ethical consideration, safety and welfare not just of the students and faculty giving service but also of the community and financial costs.

Prof. Castro also showed as the past CSSP CWTS field projects. He pointed out that some areas may not be as effective unlike the other areas since these areas are already used to having students on their community.

"Sana'y na sa mga estudyante. Minsan pa nga , sila na ang nagtatanong kung hindi ba kayo gagamit ng random sampling technique".

We should then carefully plan out the activities and select a community wherein service will be most effective!

Service Starts when? NOW!

So there! :P

Reflection: Philippine Society and Culture

Culture - a very banal word that is commonly define "as the complex whole which include knowledge, belief, arts, moral, law, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a members of society". (E. Taylor)

I can't believe that this was the primitive definition of culture. And saying that this is primitive, it doesn't apply to the current context of today's society. It was used by Europeans so as to discriminate non-European countries as primitive that yet has to be civilized.

In the past, it was believe that culture is Homogenous Static. Culture will not change unless conquered by the European. ----------> not true!


Culture is anything that is related to Human Beings. Human beings are dynamic, not static. Culture then changes and develops.

Not only those individuals whose acts doesn't belongs to what is considered as the "norms" of society. Everyone has their own culture, even those belonging to a single country.

In the Philippines, being an archipelago with 7,107 islands, 171 languages and at least 106 ethnic groups where the values/culture of the Filipino Time, utang na loob, bahala and bayanihan can be found BUT it doesn't necessarily means that is applies to everyone (culture logics). This is where multiple realities comes in. We may live in the same country, same region, same city, same baranggay and yet we have different perspectives, beliefs and experiences. It depends on the meaning systems (example given was money) and the values systems (what you value the most).


Like the example given by Prof. Santos,
"Maling sabihin na pambansang ________" ---> it doesn't apply to everyone. "Iba- iba ang realidad ng isang lugar".

Likewise, culture is a "naturalized" knowledge". You don't accept it because you agree with it but the acceptance comes naturally in you. Hence, culture is then preserve in this manner.

In line with the service projects "not what you think they need but what they need should be applied. Careful evalutation and study first should be done before embarking on a particular service project since it may not cater to the needs of the people living in a certain community.


So there! :P

Expectations!

Expectation? First, I really hope that this class would be oh so much fun! Definitely FUN FUN FUN!!!

Okay, let's go to the serious stuff.

I really expect that I will learn everything that has to be learn in the four walls of PH 400. The concepts and methods of community service through service learning for the betterment of the current situation of our less fortunate kababayans. It's a sort of a preparation before going out in the field and interacting with the people.

It's not just about being a requirement generally for sophomore students that's why I'm in this class. I think this is the chance to be able to give out to the country the little service I can provide being an Iskolar ng Bayan. I hope it will serve as an outlet of not just service, but also where us students will be able to grow our self awareness, volunterism, citezenship and the most importantly, grow as a better individual.


So there! :P

Experience in Community Service

I came from a Catholic High school and because of that, I've experience quite a number of community service.


Back in high school, I can still vividly remember when we were asked to interact with the inmates of the Bilibid Prison - Medium Security. It was an eye opening experience since not everyone inside really deserves to be imprisoned. Some are imprisoned not because they committed a crime but because their resources failed to rescue them from eternal damnation.


We also went to a Drug Rehabilitation Center where my classmates and I received lots of important things to ponder and advices so as to avoid taking the wrong path and end up like them.





Likewise, we are asked to bring relief goods every first Friday mass of the first Friday of the month.


Every December, my high school invites children from the Kuya Foundation. Being a member the Student Council, we were the ones assigned on the preparation of the program and the tokens to be given away.



We also had a Clean Up Drive wherein the whole batch were asked to clean around the vicinity of the school. Though it was really tiring since we started 12 noon, still, it was definitely fun!



I am also quite active in my parish. Last summer, my parish held a Medical and Dental Mission and I participated by becoming an assistant. :P

Likewise, I have participated in a Literacy Training sponsored my org outside UP.

So there! :P

Hate Page!

I HATE all of these:

Social Stratification

Ipod - when it became a symbol of social status

Chucks - when it became a symbol of social status

spiders
Envy
Blood

Cybersex


Kris Aquino

Ghosts

Kikay

Smoking

Drugs
Flirt

Hatred
Pretend

Math

Rain
Being Alone

So there! :P

Favorite Things!

I LOVE all of these:

Airplanes! I once dreamed becoming a pilot.

CSI Las Vegas and New york are the best!

Flip flops

Yeah! Isaw!

Chocolates! They're the best whenever you feel stressed

Pink! (But I'm not girly!)


Friendster! Whenever I have a time.


Utada Hikaru! Can't get enough of her music.


Kdramas espcially My Sassy Girl ChunHyang


Maria Sharapova! I want to be like her!

California Maki

Sleeping

Reading Books


Jun Mastumoto! So hot and goegeous!


UP!!! Need I say more?

Twin Sister Lianne!


c2 Lemon for Refreshments


My dog, Spot

So there! :P

Personal Description!

Hey There!

Hi Everyone! I'm Roxanne Therese Ong Delay, 633 or Xanne for short.

Well, why 633? In Japanese, my name Roxanne is translated to "Rokusan-san". Fotunately, roku in Japanese means 6 and san means 3, so there. It's a name given by my closest friends in UP.

I am a 2nd year BA Psychology Major. Why Psychology? I heard it's a good pre-law course. Obviously, I want to become a lawyer since I was kid. But actually, I'm starting to doubt about my "lawyer" capabilities. I'm starting to like diplomacy that's why I'm taking Political Science Electives. Thank God my program has a lot of electives!



Anyway, I turned 18 last July 6. And guess what? I didn't celebrate that day alone. You see, I was blessed to have a twin sister! We used to look the same. But now, we do not look like twins at all (as you can see in the picture). It was my fault anyway, I decided to sport a short hair. Then she decided to have bangs.

We are definitely very close and probably share the same wavelength. Well, she's also the reason why this blog is entitled as "individual's shadow" since I consider myself as the shadow of my twin. And actually, my mom has a twin sister too making ours as a rare case!

She's also studying in UP Diliman, taking up Community Nutrition.

So there!