The Filipino, Diaspora and a Continuing Quest for Identity
Defining Filipinoness has been problematic throughout history. Previous studies have focused on the persistent impact of the colonial experience on Filipinos (Bernad, 1971; Constantino, 1977; Enriquez, 1992; Yacat, 2005). Some scholars have framed their understanding vis-a-vis the search for a natio...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of the Philippines
2015-06-01
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| Series: | Social Science Diliman |
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| Online Access: | http://www.journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/socialsciencediliman/article/view/4798 |
| _version_ | 1819209627505524736 |
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| author | Almond N. Aguila |
| author_facet | Almond N. Aguila |
| author_sort | Almond N. Aguila |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Defining Filipinoness has been problematic throughout history. Previous studies have focused on the persistent impact of the colonial experience on Filipinos (Bernad, 1971; Constantino, 1977; Enriquez, 1992; Yacat, 2005). Some scholars have framed their understanding vis-a-vis the search for a national consciousness resulting in a unif ied Filipino identity (Anderson, 1983; Constantino, 1969). But in the age of globalization, statehood and nationhood have become questionable concepts (Adamson & Demetriou, 2007; Ahmad & Eijaz, 2011; Guéhenno, 1995; Omae, 1995). Who has the Filipino become amid a modern-day diaspora? I propose an analysis of history not as archival and disconnected from the present but as part of an ongoing story of identity formation. Recognition is given to kapwa, a view of self-and-other as one. This indigenous ontology offers a postmodern lens to understand the complexities of being Filipino through time and space. For contemporary Filipinos, identity formation may involve a continuing resistance against colonialism now set amid the diaspora in the digital age. This article further presents an alternative view of Filipinoness by arguing that diasporics remain Filipino despite physical estrangement from the Philippines. An essential point echoed from other scholars is how cultural identity should not be seen as singular and unchanging (Hall, 1990; Said, 1993/2012). Rather, Filipinoness may refer to evolving, varied and fluid Filipino identities. This evolution involves a past that folds into the present and impacts the future in locations around the world. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T05:58:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bc8c2d1583e94da1bb4e1d03a2ce2b4b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1655-1524 2012-0796 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T05:58:17Z |
| publishDate | 2015-06-01 |
| publisher | University of the Philippines |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Science Diliman |
| spelling | doaj.art-bc8c2d1583e94da1bb4e1d03a2ce2b4b2022-12-21T17:57:44ZengUniversity of the PhilippinesSocial Science Diliman1655-15242012-07962015-06-011125689The Filipino, Diaspora and a Continuing Quest for IdentityAlmond N. Aguila0UP DilimanDefining Filipinoness has been problematic throughout history. Previous studies have focused on the persistent impact of the colonial experience on Filipinos (Bernad, 1971; Constantino, 1977; Enriquez, 1992; Yacat, 2005). Some scholars have framed their understanding vis-a-vis the search for a national consciousness resulting in a unif ied Filipino identity (Anderson, 1983; Constantino, 1969). But in the age of globalization, statehood and nationhood have become questionable concepts (Adamson & Demetriou, 2007; Ahmad & Eijaz, 2011; Guéhenno, 1995; Omae, 1995). Who has the Filipino become amid a modern-day diaspora? I propose an analysis of history not as archival and disconnected from the present but as part of an ongoing story of identity formation. Recognition is given to kapwa, a view of self-and-other as one. This indigenous ontology offers a postmodern lens to understand the complexities of being Filipino through time and space. For contemporary Filipinos, identity formation may involve a continuing resistance against colonialism now set amid the diaspora in the digital age. This article further presents an alternative view of Filipinoness by arguing that diasporics remain Filipino despite physical estrangement from the Philippines. An essential point echoed from other scholars is how cultural identity should not be seen as singular and unchanging (Hall, 1990; Said, 1993/2012). Rather, Filipinoness may refer to evolving, varied and fluid Filipino identities. This evolution involves a past that folds into the present and impacts the future in locations around the world.http://www.journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/socialsciencediliman/article/view/4798Filipino identitiesFilipino diasporaFacebooksocial mediaoverseas Filipinosdiasporic identity |
| spellingShingle | Almond N. Aguila The Filipino, Diaspora and a Continuing Quest for Identity Social Science Diliman Filipino identities Filipino diaspora social media overseas Filipinos diasporic identity |
| title | The Filipino, Diaspora and a Continuing Quest for Identity |
| title_full | The Filipino, Diaspora and a Continuing Quest for Identity |
| title_fullStr | The Filipino, Diaspora and a Continuing Quest for Identity |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Filipino, Diaspora and a Continuing Quest for Identity |
| title_short | The Filipino, Diaspora and a Continuing Quest for Identity |
| title_sort | filipino diaspora and a continuing quest for identity |
| topic | Filipino identities Filipino diaspora social media overseas Filipinos diasporic identity |
| url | http://www.journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/socialsciencediliman/article/view/4798 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT almondnaguila thefilipinodiasporaandacontinuingquestforidentity AT almondnaguila filipinodiasporaandacontinuingquestforidentity |