CH2 Lesson 2: The Cost of Cultural Ignorance Activity

TABALBA, Alyssa Shane V.

BS BIO 1-Y1-2

The Philippines never runs out of new laws, orders, rules, regulations, and ordinances. Yet majority of
Filipinos, particularly in Luzon, hardly follow even the simplest of instructions such as “No Smoking,”
“No Littering,” and “No Parking.”
They disobey the law because they know that they will not get caught. And if ever they get caught, they
are sure that they can get away with it easily because the law is not being implemented properly. Rules
and regulations exist but not fully followed. They tend to disobey those and neglect. And because many
do not follow, it is overwhelming to enforce.
This is so prevalent, for example, even in the basic throwing garbage at the proper place, many would still
throw it everywhere and anywhere, it is seen even in places that we shouldn't throw it. Another example
would be the simple traffic lights, police would pull someone over for some traffic infraction or violation,
but since there are many others doing the wrong thing at the same time, they would just caught a few
doing it. There is a tolerance and often bending of the rules in all areas of life in the Philippines that
makes it difficult to consistently enforce rules.
However, in Visayas and Mindanao, including the indigenous groups, people who lived from the province
for a long period of time, they believe in the effectivity in enforcing laws consistently, so most of them
follows. The laws are strictly and consistently enforced so this affects the culture in many other areas, in
which people know and expect rules to be followed.
In these areas, for example, you would automatically know you are expected to get in line and wait your
turn, give way to the PWD's and still be fair. In addition, smoking in public places such as schools,
workplaces, sidewalks, etc. is categorically prohibited, and people in Visayas and Mindanao knows this,
that's why it would be unusual, unethical and offensive to violate their rules since everybody obeys it. As
well as waiting patiently for the red light and going from one point to another by the pedestrian lane or
overpass/underpass, following the no jaywalking sign.
It lessens nuisances, accidents, and traffic jam. Therefore, there are people who feels “culture shock”
among the people who lives in the Luzon, NCR or Manila that tends to react, considered naïve and
outcast since they value the basic and simplest rules, laws and obligations that most of the people living in
those areas don’t give importance anymore.
Another example for cultural misunderstandings between locals, is the "Filipino Time". It shows tardiness
among Filipinos especially to the Millennials or those who are particularly young. We have developed
this culture to arrive at practices, events, parties, and meetings an hour or more.
In comparison to the adults, businessman, higher officials and working professionals, punctuality is so
highly esteemed, that the Filipino Time appears like an eye sore. It is troublesome and doesn't show
attentiveness. It shows how some people don't value time the same way compared to how others value
time. It is surely not something to be proud of, yet it is being a norm to Filipino Millennials even
nowadays.