Stephen O.

Salvado Class of Pastorinhos San Carlos Seminary College

Ms. Ma. Ditas Orozco Understanding the Self

Part 2.
Reflection on the fourth topic. This is not graded; to be submitted separately

1. What can you say about Fr. Bulatao’s egg analogy? Do you agree that Filipinos are dependent on
their primary group? (Refer to the Sociological Perspective for the definition of the “primary
group”)
I agree on Fr. Bulatao’s egg analogy. This is for the reason that dependence does not only limit to
our needs, but also in our actions, decisions, and even traits. We tend to be influenced by the
people around us, and we also tend to depend on what things would they conform. We usually
depend on those who have better experiences in life than us in order for us to drive ourselves
from any danger that our decisions might cause. Or even in deciding on things for everyone, we
tend to depend on the opinion of our primary group than do what we think is best for us. Unlike
western culture which practices independence at the age of eighteen, most Filipino adults, even
though they already have their own family, tend to live with their parents in order for them to be
guided. This dependence would cause less liberation and at the same time a better way of
securing a life that is efficient and effective in most ways.

And also, Filipino families have this so-called filial piety. This tells us the relationship between the
parent and child and the husband and wife, contrary to those rich people who opt to only
reproduce for the sake of having an heir. Filial piety enables a parent to attain to the needs of his
child, and the child to depend on what his parents might give him.

Fr. Bulatao’s egg analogy has also made me reflect that parents’ way of taking care of their
children can affect a person’s dependence on his family or close friends, be it in terms of wealth,
needs, and traits or even actions. And the more a person is close to their primary group, like us
Filipinos, the more he develop a sense of dependence, a sense of continual trust to his family
and friends.

2. Cite a personal experience related to this analogy

Now that I am still 18, I still depend on what my parents will provide me whenever I have needs
for myself. In my decisions, I do not decide by myself. Rather, I consult my parents whenever I do
things. Also when I travel, I depend my itinerary based on how much my parents would give me
because I do not have a personal income. Also, as to where I choose to go and on the things
which need serious attention, I still depend on what my parents would advice me to do rather
than to do my own will because I know for sure that they knew better about things in life than
me. Many of what I do, of what I need are under the guidance and help of my parents.

I also live under my parents’ roof, and still I cannot detach myself from them or even stay away
from them. But now that I am in the seminary, I have practiced the value of detachment from my
family in order to be prepared for adulthood and for the pastoral ministry. And here in the
seminary also most of what I do, I depend it based on what my brothers and formators would
tell me to do. The sense of dependence has developed over time, although sometimes we tend
to do things individually in order to practice ourselves on how to stand on our own.