The self in Western and Oriental

Eastern thought

Postorioso, Margie S.
BTLED HE 1-2
GEED 001

On January 10, we had first meeting in the year of 2023. Before our professor discuss the first
topic, we had a little conversation about what happened to our Christmas vacation and our new year’s
resolution. After a while, she talked about "the self in Western and Oriental Eastern thought." In this
topic, we compare the values, self-description, and self-evaluation of Western and Eastern countries.
When it comes to values, the Western and Eastern worlds are vastly different. Eastern countries, such
as the Philippines, are more hospitable, respectful, and religious adherence than western countries.
Furthermore, when it comes to self-description, eastern countries answered the question by talking
about their social situations, families, and themselves, whereas western countries answered the question
by describing themselves. Finally, when it comes to self-evaluation, eastern countries are more private
about their accomplishments than western countries. Now, after we tackled lesson 5 I have some values
from Eastern and Western that I adopt. However, I have some values that I dislike from Eastern and
Western countries.

Western values are different to my Eastern countries, such as the

values that I adopt. But, I have one western
value that I adopt. Western values are the
most independent people than eastern
people because at the age of 18, some of
teenagers have separated from their parents
and are living alone. However, in our
country, when we reach the age of 18, our
parents become strict because we are
teenagers. They believe that teenagers must
concentrate on their studies. However,
teenagers like me want to explore and
experience the real world. Furthermore, I
believe that this value of independence has
been adopted to myself, but in different
ways.
Philippines, are the most religious,
hospitable, and respectful. Our elderly are
treated with dignity in our country. To
show respect for the elderly, we used to add
"po", "opo", "ate", and "kuya". That term is
only used in Philippines. I am proud to be
Filipino because I believe I am unique in
comparison to others. As eastern people, I
have values that I have adopted while
growing. I was raised by my parents with
big respect to elderly, hospitability, and
religious values. I adopted these values
because I grew up in an eastern country, the
Philippines.
 I remember being constantly with
my mother because I could not stand by
myself at the time. I am now eighteen years
old. When it comes to my personal matters,
I am proud to say that I am capable of
standing on my own. In addition, my sister
once asked if I was available to accompany
her to school. That day, I realized how
grateful I am to be able to stand on my own.
However, as her older sister, I accompany
her because she requires my assistance to
complete her schoolwork. I told to myself
that one day my sister would be able to
stand on her own, but now I will
accompany her until she can stand on her
own. Finally, I disagree with the Filipino
elders' belief that we should separate from
them. It means to them that I prefer to
separate myself from them. But sometimes
I just want to be independent and have
peace of mind.
Respecting the elderly, being
hospitable, and being religious are all
aspects of our culture. Not only the
culture, but also the values taught us by
our parents, teachers, and elders. And
these values taught us to appreciate
others, particularly our culture.
Furthermore, we spent Christmas with our
relatives, whom we had not seen in several
years due to the pandemic. But this
Christmas, we went to our relatives. We
were “mano” to them, to show respect.
”Mano” is kind of act to show respect.
However, I remember one time, I act to
“Mano” to my relatives to show respect, but
he refused my hand because he said that “he
will grow faster”. I realized that day, that
they are taking away the culture that most
Filipino adopted with just for no reason. I
am adopted also of being hospitable and
religious because my love language is act of
service and I will make sure that they are
comfortable.

To conclude, even if we have different thoughts

about our culture, we must respect those opinions. As a
student, daughter and Filipino, I will do my obligation. And
even if we have different culture, we must respect the
culture of each other countries. Moreover, I have learned in
our discussion and while writing this journal the difference
of western and eastern culture and how I adopt the culture
of western even though I was not lived there. Finally, even if
I dislike the sum of culture of my country, I should respect
and accept the fact that we have different perspective.