PERSONAL IDENTITY

          I've been filling up different kinds of forms ever since I can remember. Everytime I come across the word NATIONALITY, I always scrawl FILIPINO across it unthinkingly. Because that's what I am- a Filipino. However, being a Filipino doesn't just stop at some random forms asking for your citizenship. It goes beyond that. Being a Filipino has given you your identity so you must embrace everything that the word entails- its culture, tradition, beliefs, and faith. I was raised in a traditional Filipino family. I know almost all my relatives from my oldest granduncle to my youngest cousin. Close-knitted families are common in the Philippines. You have to know your history and your relatives are part of where you came from. Some even hold clan reunions to get acquainted with relatives they might have missed. Just like families, religion is very important for Filipinos. My mother always insists on going to church together on Sundays. Faith plays a major role in our lives. Filipinos has a lot of traditions which have been passed on from one generation to the next.

UNSEEN BRIDGES

          Today’s times are the peak of computer age. This is even made more interesting with the rise of the Internet. It, really, is a remarkable thing. It does not only aid you with your school problems but it also has the wonderful ability to connect you with your loved ones, friends, and the rest of the world. It makes communication much easier. People who aren’t physically close to you could just be a click away. Despite all this, internet, also, has a lot of downpits. Several issues have been raised regarding privacy, stolen identity and a lot more. Some groups are fighting off these mischievous use of technology. However, these wayward behavior and acts of negligence on both parties aren’t enough to ward people off in using this technology.

          A lot of Filipinos are working abroad for other people. Families of the overseas Filipino workers are left here in the Philippines. It may be true that snail mail would always be available but it could never compete with the speed of electronic mails. The snail mail could take months to deliver while it would only take minutes for electronic mails. Telephones are also there as a means of communication but it could never be as satisfying as seeing your loved ones live on web cameras while talking to them online.

          You can also check out on the latest happenings on your friends’ lives. You can get up-to-date with their goings-on even if you’re not on the same city or even country. At the same time, you could also meet new pals. All of these are made possible through social networking sites. Several applications are available to make your profile more colorful and interesting. You can also play with your friends online. Now, how cool is that? You don’t have to be together virtually. Its pretty amazing to think on how these things work together.

          With today’s technology, connection with new people and recollection with old friends are now possible. It’s a very good substitute for the old means of communication. In fact, it’s a thousand times better. The internet is available for the people so we must use it to our advantage; but, we also have to take necessary precautions on divulging personal information online which could very well be destructive.