Mission 5

Am I globalized?  Belonging to the generation that was born in the early 90s, I can certainly say that I am much more globalized as compared to the generations of the earlier decades.  Although we see changes in technology yearly, the current era has experienced a boom in technology.  After all, the past years have been all about the fast paced changes in the innovation of technology.  Who can ever miss out mentioning Apple products?  With this, it can be concluded that I do spend time in the internet maximizing the use of the World Wide Web.  

It is true that the things people use may determine how globalized they are.  I think that it is safe to say that everyone owns something that is made from other parts of the world.  Also, Filipinos specifically, listen to American or any English songs so everyone has that globalized self in them. 

How globalized am I?  I can say that I am more globalized than a number of people but I am sure that there are much more people more globalized than I am.  For instance, I have a Twitter account which I use mainly to follow famous people but I do not bother to tweet much about the things I do.  I have a Facebook account which I do not regularly update even though I use it everyday.  On a daily basis, my family has someone deliver newspaper to our house and I do find time to read it.  This is far from many others who CANNOT live without updating their Twitter accounts and others who DO NOT bother checking the newspaper anymore because Yahoo can provide them with the most current news anyway.

Globalization as seen in my daily life...

Branded clothes are very much sought after by the young.  In the Philippines, it is evident that the brands of clothes the young prefer are those that are known within their age groups like  Mango, Zara, etc.  In particular, I would like to discuss about Mango as it is what I am more familiar with through my visits to its outlets and my personal observation.  I have noticed that the jeans I had bought recently was made in Morocco.  My mom's was made in Pakistan.  Honestly speaking, this came as a surprise to me since I expected that they were made in China.  However through deeper understanding, Mango probably wants to lessen its expenses so it decides to have its products made in other countries.  Mango is a Spanish clothing brand.  We all know that European companies have to pay high wages to their employees.  Clearly, it would be cheaper to have its products made in developing countries like Mango is doing.

Just some thoughts...

As a business entity, Mango would decide to minimize its expenses.  Many jobs are created in other countries where labor is cheap but what does this do the workers in Spain who need jobs?  I know this is an issue that many developing countries face now.


Facebook?

As mentioned in our previous class discussion, globalization does not only bring positive effects to a state but it may also bring negative effects.  Faced with the question of whether it would be better to go way back into time wherein the internet did not exist and Facebook nor any social networks for that matter had not yet been created or to keep the current Facebook trend, I would say I am caught in between.  This is a difficult question to answer.  I believe that many people have abused their usage of social networking sites.  The internet is very influential in a person's life these days.



On the other hand, the dark era of no Facebook would provide us with a much simpler life with longer attention spans.  The absence of the internet may be beneficial in the sense that we do not rely much on online websites for our daily lives.  Information on our lives will not be posted all over the internet and we may have more privacy.

Considering these two scenarios, I would say that I want the world to be a little bit of both.  I think that we should have the internet but I think there should be limits to its use.  With this, I mean that we should have other things to do aside from sitting all day looking at our laptops and waiting to see the latest updates on the daily lives of our friends.  It would be nice to go back to the simpler days, but we have to face the fact that the technology of today is necessary. 

Mission 4

Objective 1: Learn

States are indeed obligated to protect their citizens.  However, the sad fact is that many states fail to do so  and this triggers a revolution against the state.  Filipinos must be very familiar with this because of the famous 1986 EDSA revolution that was successful in toppling a dictator.  He was eventually forced out of the country.  As a result, we live in a democracy.  Despite many complaints of the way the Philippines has turned out to be and the evident flaws in the current system of governance, the ultimate goal of Filipinos was granted.  When citizens of a country see a need for change, many resort to revolutions, whether through violence or through peaceful means.  Seemingly, this has become a trend all over the world.

Objective 3: Imagine

Now that Mubarak has resigned, what is next for Egypt?  Hmmmm...  During the time of the crisis and uprising in Egypt, I have heard comparisons from all over the news that associate Mubarak with the Philippines' Marcos.  If Egypt is lucky, maybe it could improve greatly on its problems during the Mubarak era.  The Philippines has certainly moved on and enormous changes have been made, but have the changes lived up to what the people have hoped for?  Some may say yes, some may say no but certainly, changes have been made.  No longer are we under a dictator.  With Egypt no longer under a dictator as well, changes will be made and time will tell how much good the changes have brought.  However, I believe that with a responsible leader who shows that he or she truly cares for the country, everything should turn out well for Egypt.

Mission 3: Imagine

NGOs have grown in number in the last couple of decades.  They have been quite influential and their growing number may mean that they may even become more influential in the future.

In a world where international relations have been controlled by states, what would happen once NGOs become equally, if not more, influential in the future?  I think that states would become even more reliant on other states if this happens.  In my opinion, NGOs reduce the borders between states and they are able to influence how things work in the global arena.  Political leaders will be very much challenged to keep their power in the control of international relations.

Objective 2: Act

During my first year, I had to take CITIGOV together with my blockmates.  At the end of the term, we were asked to group ourselves and advocate for something we believe in.  My groupmates and I decided that it would be good to collect plastic bottles and donate them to 'Boys' town', which may use it to create many useful materials for the benefit of the community.  Although we had troubles in actually getting it done, we eventually got our collected plastic bottles to them.  As tiring as it was, in the end everything we went through was worth it.  I would say that it was more than just a project for all of us. 

As cliche as it may sound, it is important to do even the smallest things to be able to help.  Just think how much change one person can bring to another person's life through small and simple actions.  I donated plastic bottles that can possibly help create new wheelchairs and the like for those who need them.  Small actions may create great changes.

MISSION 3

Objective 1:  Learn

Ever since I was kid, I have always been concerned with the welfare of the elderly.  My family can attest to this.  I have always been close to my grandparents and I try to give them the care they deserve.  I believe that they deserve care and respect and it is the duty of each and every one of us to give that to them.  It really saddens me to see elderly people being neglected  Although I am not very familiar with NGOs that specifically help out the elderly, I would like to help out such an NGO.  

With my Lola :)

 As I grew up, I also became concerned with the welfare of animals, especially dogs.  When I was around 7 years old, my tita finally gave me a dog.  It was then that my love for dogs grew.  I believe that each dog deserves a home and stray dogs must also be cared for.  This is why I would one day, like to visit PAWS, which I am sure everyone is familiar with.  I believe that every dog deserves a family :)  This is its website:  http://paws.org.ph/site/1/default.aspx  

 

 

My two dogs