EVOLUTION OF GENERATIONAL CUSTOMS

LORENZO, Rachel Anne R. 12006211

TORRIBIO, Hannah Jane D. 12005851

Literature of the Philippines November 12, 2021

Evolution of Generational Customs

Life of the present generation is far different compared to previous generations. Over a

period of time, traditions and practices significantly change. These generation gaps are often

observed within Filipino culture. Filipino traditions that were often practiced before are now a

mere spectacle. Older generations often cause conflict due its strict conformity with its past

culture, while younger generations often disregard previous practices and start new beliefs and

traditions for a change. Filipino literature authors emphasized that these differences are

constantly seen throughout the years. The huge differences among generations make it difficult

for one to adjust and understand the other. Nowadays, younger generations continue to modify

traditions to a more contemporary aspect. Through time, the culture established by older

generations and strictly abided by, are evolving to become more modern.

The Filipinos have always been proud of their culture they had taken part in as this builds

their identity. This is especially evident in those who come from the rural areas of the Philippines

as they have a more established set of traditions that they adhere to. In NVM Gonzalez’s The

Blue Skull and Dark Palms, a line read “He had serenaded her with a guitar many a time and

often had sung that plaintive song before her window.” This showcased what a Filipino man

would typically do during the courting period wherein he would serenade, or harana, a woman

by her window in hopes of winning her over. This act of courting had grown to be outdated as

the younger generations now tend to follow the American way of courting. This also goes for the

cultural practices aligned with religious beliefs like how Philip, from The God Stealer by
EVOLUTION OF GENERATIONAL CUSTOMS

Francisco Sionil Jose, had insisted to just steal his grandfather’s god although he knew as an

Igorot that losing a god is considered a major crisis. Like Philip, many youngsters no longer find

importance in sticking to the religious customs of their families.

Another observed difference between these generations’ practices is their methods of

parenting. Instead of keeping their children from the harsh reality of life, the younger parents are

now more open to letting their children experience this as shown in Carmen Nakpil’s stories. In

Confessions of A Menagerie Keeper, the mother had not been vocal about her personal desire of

not keeping the animals even though he has the right to decide on this. A line from Napkil’s

Parents and Children reads, “We adults cannot have films or books that might give the young

ones the wrong ideas.” Unlike the older generation, where they try so hard to keep their children

from experiencing every possible heartbreak and disappointment, parents now explain the

reasons for their decisions for their children to better understand why the decision came to that.

The passing down of family legacies is also strongly evident in the previous generations’

main goals. Most of them pray for a son to keep the family name going for the generations to

follow which seems to be depicted in Alfred Yuson’s Dream of Knives. When the father dreams

about wanting a son, the son connotes his continuity of lineage. This is one of the reasons as to

why first-born daughters are looked down on as they cannot do that. Women are expected to be

submissive and soft-spoken. Like in Camphor Chest of Elsa Coscolluela, the daughter of the

deceased grandmother is viewed with contempt as she is the only daughter out of all her siblings

which is why she is usually not spoken of in the family. As for the later generations, having their

own families is among the least of their concerns.

Unlike today, traditions strictly followed, conservative mindsets, and family values that

were observed. These themes are what ingrained these readings deeply into our minds. With the
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digital age present, younger generations consistently perform distinctive traditions; far different

from our past. Despite the evident ever-changing culture, as Filipinos, we should not neglect our

identity. Our traditions shape our national consciousness that forms our Filipino identity. We

need to realize the value of our beliefs that continue to build our Filipino self. These generational

gaps prove how dominant our diversity and multiculturality nature is as a nation.
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REFERENCES:

Abad. (1998). The Likhaan anthology of Philippine literature in English from 1900 to the present

. University of the Philippines Press.

Coscolluela. (1998). Katipunera and Other Poems.

http://galatearesurrection.blogspot.com/2006/03/katipunera-and-other-poems-by-elsa.htm

Gonzalez. (1993). The Bread of Salt and Other stories. University of Washington Press.

https://books.google.com.ph/books/about/The_Bread_of_Salt_and_Other_Stories.html?id

=d6bMzTfBuKAC&redir_esc=y

Jose. (1968). The God Stealer and Other Stories. (First Edition). Quezon City : R. P. Garcia

Publishing Co.

Nakpil. (1999). Woman Enough and Other essays. Ateneo de Manila University Press.

https://www.worldcat.org/title/woman-enough-and-other-essays/oclc/44039903