Anak

Urban neighborhoods around the world, past and present, have behaviors that differ from the ones living in rural areas. On one hand, rural neighborhood has every individual who’s bound to his neighbors; his contacts are meaningful and personal. Their community is traditional, and relationships are intimate. On the other hand, in urban neighborhoods, it is very possible that people may not know each other for their community is very large. In the Philippines, there are also some differences of what is then and now in terms of urban life. For example, in the movie “Anak”, when Josie(Vilma Santos) arrived from Hong Kong to Manila, which is the Capital City of the Philippines, her neighbors joined their family in a “salo-salo”. They also talked with one another as if they’re really close. But that was then. Today, there’s an element of anonymity among the people due to the increasing population. With increased population, it becomes possible for subgroups of the population to establish themselves---- each with their own norms, values and lifestyle----as separate from the rest. That leads to the different urban cultures. Urban culture refers to a city’s sense of fashion, music, and way of life. They vary in types of people. An example of which is teenager’s urban culture. In the movie, Carla(Claudine Barretto) emphasized the difference in the way of living of a city teenager and a country teenager. She, living in a big city, was influenced to smoke, drink beers, and take illegal drugs. Aside from this, you can also see in the movie some situations of the people living in the city that characterized urban life. For example, people who are less fortunate try to engage themselves in living in squatters or work as a callboy.
Some people go to Manila because they think there’s a big opportunity here. But some people think it’s not enough, so they go to other countries. In the movie, Josie have to work abroad to meet the needs of her family. Hong Kong is like Manila. Both are big cities. Both have a great number of populations. The main difference is that, Hong Kong is richer than the Philippines. They are economically and politically stable. That’s why they can afford to hire Filipino workers.
I think international migration is not the solution for urban unemployment. For me, it’s such a disgrace that the government, instead of helping fellow Filipinos to improve their lives here in their native land, they even promote overseas working. Is it because it helps the country earn big money from these OFW’s? Don’t they know the issues and bad things happening in our fellow countrymen? It’s really saddening me. Why can’t they just make more opportunities here in the Philippines? If I were them, I would not tolerate my people working abroad and making themselves slaves of other countries. I would make use the country’s money for creating job opportunities. I would also build more schools for free education for children are our hope and they hold the future. I would support my countrymen for what they wanted to do and wanted to be if that will be for the good. I would inspire my people to achieve and learn more. I would not also tolerate those people who are capable of doing and working but are lazy. I would require people to work hard but I would give them what they deserve. I would not think of making money for the country if that’s what it meant to give my people to those who never treat them right. I would make my fellowman feel their self-worth. These are all because I wanted them to realize that they are special. They are more important than money. Their country, their families and their fellow countrymen need them more. And I think if our leaders will think more of the people, there will come a time that no Filipino will leave their own family to serve other country.