KATHRYNNE
ENTRY 1
My microsystem is composed of mainly my family, teachers and friends, as they are the people I spend most of my time with. My parents have always been the ones who influenced me the most because they really set my values according to theirs. My teachers taught me systematic lessons that I could actually apply in day-to-day situation. Lastly, my friends implanted in my heart how important it is to find a family outside a family. All these people are the reasons as to why I am the person that I am right now. Part of my mesosystem is the parent-teacher conference in school. It comprises two of my microsystems, working together to evaluate me as a student, in order to develop me better. My exosystem comprises of my parents’ work. Sometimes, when they’re stressed about work and I ask them for something, they lash out on me. However, I do know that it’s only because of their work and not because of me—for I know that my parents are the kindest when their minds are in the right place. Another psrt of my exosystem is my friends’ problem. It affects me indirectly because of how my friends act around me while having their problems in their minds. Most would either get angry at you for the simplest reason, which then affects how I feel towards myself and towards them. Lastly, news from mass media affect me indirectly. Seeing events like murder, shootings, war, breaks my heart even though I’m not the one in the victims’ situation. My macrosystem is composed of Filipino culture, religious beliefs and values. Ever since I was young, I’ve always been taught to be courteous and respectful to the elders. Also, although I’m not that active in the Church, my parents always implanted in me that I owe it all to Him and thus, I should give back to His people. The ones comprising the chronosystem are the ones that changed over time just like my address, physiological aspect and most especially psychological aspect.
ENTRY 2
These are what comprise my hybrid identity. My local identity is mostly based on how I was raised as a child. I was always taught by my parents to do this and that and thus, growing up, I still feel dependent to them. Additionally, way back home, most, if not everyone, spoke Bisaya. I was also taught to act in a certain manner and to always show respect to elders. On the other hand, my global identity is based solely on my own discovery about stuff. My preferences about such things were discovered as I grew older. As much as I'm fond of global things, I know that I haven't forgotten about my local identity and that I still have it in me-- and that is what makes me hybrid.
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Having been exposed to variety of cultures, I can say that it has some negative outcomes such as leaving my own behind. However, I always try to keep in mind that appreciating and learning other cultures is and will never be negative as long as you don't downgrade another one. This poster shows my Janus face: the left being the negative ones, and the right being the positive ones. Although I believe that globalization can somehow mess up who I really am, I also believe that it is a good way for me to be exposed to the different environments outside my comfort zone.
ENTRY 3
ENTRY 3
ENTRY 4
Here in the right, you can see what is in my "loob" and what is in my "labas". I consider these things to be in my "loob" because I carry them with me for a long time--in short, they don't change easily. I really prefer international entertainment rather than local ones, and my mindset is more on Western rather than local. However, I practice the things I learned locally such as "mano po" and using "po" and "opo". Additionally, my preferred language will always be in Bisaya, and Filipino food will always be the best!
The things outside are what I consider to be "labas" because I believe that these will change quickly over time. I switch from one country's fashion to the next. Furthermore, my field of interest really changes depending on what my parents introduce to me. This does not mean however that I am dependent to my parents because I know that dependence is part of my "labas" since as much as possible, I try not to depend on them anymore. Lastly, my manners and values change due to some factors like how my environment is and the like.
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ENTRY 5
These infographics show my ABC for enjoyment and sadness. The activating events for my enjoyment are usually the ones that excite me and make smile when I think about it happening. These events lead me to think positively of myself and thus make me work and do better in general. The activating events for sadness are most likely to be the things that affect my plans that's why I get sad. The beliefs that arise are mostly negative and thus results to my energy being drained that I begin to act negatively as well.
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BONUS
The Goyo Ang Batang Heneral movie was really an eye-opener for me. It made me realize that having power does not necessarily mean that one is better because as what they say, with great power comes with great responsibility. And so, it was sort of disappointing to see that this is the reality for most people with power--they are too blinded to distinguish what is right from wrong. Nevertheless, it was a great movie that really speaks about the reality, like how Goyo, no matter how much power he had, was also scared by the thought of death. What I hope that everyone who watched also learned is to never abuse the power that you have for others, and to always stand by your own principles and not others'.
ENTRY 7
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Whenever I'm faced with a decision, there always seems to be a tug of war among my Id, Ego and Superego. My Id is usually the one that is carefree: I do not care what I have to do as long as I get what I want. My Ego is more on the realistic view of things and thus, I can cater my needs without having to sacrifice something. Lastly, my Superego is the strictest one because it usually follows what is moral and it also activates my conscience the most; so whenever I do something against my morals and values, it really bothers me for some time.
One example where there is a battle among the three is whenever I go shopping. My Id usually wins this battle because growing up as the only girl among my siblings, I got used to getting the things I want. I know that this is wrong because my parents have always stressed the value of money and whenever I impulsively buy something, it is going against my value. I really am trying, however, to balance out the three: Id, Ego, and Superego, by allowing my Mom to keep my extra money and to not give me the excess allowance I usually use for shopping. Also, I usually ask my friend if it is worth it to buy such thing.
Another battle among the three is whenever I go out. I'm usually the one who is always up for anything especially if it is spontaneous that's why it's always hard for me to say no. The Ego is usually the one who wins this battle though because I always make sure to do at least one of my school works before or after I go out so that I won't feel too much guilt that is given by the Superego. Sometimes even, I would do my school work while I'm out just to save my self from the guilt that I gain from going out instead of staying home. I can resolve this conflict within me by balancing my time more, like doing my homework during school days and during the times when I have nothing to do so that I can go out without the carrying the weight of school work.
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ENTRY 8
As a college student, I believe I am in the stage of moratorium in terms of identity formation. This is because I am still exploring the different aspects of the world through the orgs. Sometimes, I believe that I am for the org but there are also times wherein I believe I am not passionate enough to join a certain org. This led me to promise myself to engage myself in more other orgs next school year, even if that means leaving some of the orgs I am part of right now. As for my psychosocial stage, I believe I am in the Identity vs Role Confusion. For the moment, I am still confused about who I really am. This however is normal in my age because this is the time when I get to meet new people and encounter various experiences that will soon shape me to become a person of my own principles. For the psychosexual stage, I am in Genital stage because I am trying to settle down in a loving one-to-one relationship with another person, although I am not rushing things since I know I am still young. One evident issue that I am facing right now that I am living independently for college is instability. Before I moved in, I had a yaya who took care of everything for me, especially in chores, errands and budgeting. Now, I do all these things by myself not knowing how hard it would be because there would be times wherein another thing would come up and so I have to sacrifice what I planned to do. It really is so hard because I am still adjusting to my new environment and my independence. Moreover, since no one is there to supervise me anymore, there is an increase of the possibility of risk behavior. This could lead to me not following my parents’ orders and wishes. However, I would like all of these to change soon enough. In the future, I would want to be a person who is really grounded by her own principles, a person who is living her life meaningfully, and a person who will never have a hard time making decisions because she has gotten her priorities straight.
ENTRY 9
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Once upon a time, I was that very clingy daughter who would look up to my parents for being so hardworking, intelligent and God-fearing. However, it all changed when my Dad decided to work abroad for how many months. When he came back to the Philippines after some time, there came a barrier between the both of us, leading me to not wanting to be around him most of the time. As a result, my Mom did not like the attitude I was showing and talked to me about it; but this did not stop me from separating myself from my Dad, and eventually from my Mom. I became the daughter who wanted to do things on her own. I became the daughter who does not follow what they ask me to do. After some time, I established my own views on certain things. Firstly, I slowly deviated myself from God. During those times, I did not believe He was truly real because I believe in the saying, “what you see is what you believe,” and not once did I ever see Him. Second, I started to question why they are trying to make me do focus so much on my studies even though I was still a child. Shouldn’t a child enjoy playing with friends? Lastly, I eventually imposed my own views in terms of having a great family. For me, it was more of having their presence even if it compromises their work, than not being present all the time
because of work. However, there came a time, maybe around Senior High, where I suddenly realized how they just want the best for me and how they’re shaping me to become the best version of myself. I understood their sentiments, however, I was still more inclined to follow my own views—most especially in terms of studies; I did not truly believe that becoming an honor student is the goal. College came and then I finally incorporated their own beliefs with mine. Right now, I’m trying my best to achieve for honors, even though at times I feel like it’s a waste of time most especially because I believe that becoming who you are is more about the process rather than the goal. Still, I also understand why they’re mostly working, and that is because they’re also trying to teach us the value of independence.
All these experiences shaped me to become the person I am right now. I am now a person who try to understand people’s beliefs and opinions, because everyone comes from different contexts. Having said that, I now also see my parents as persons. I understand where they’re coming from and I understand how they’re trying to do things with my best interests at heart.
I believe that the saying, “Time heals everything” is applicable for this process. The time will come wherein children will finally appreciate their parents. Time will come wherein children will see how their parents are doing their best for them. Time will come wherein children will finally understand what their parents are trying to do. For parents, I think it would be better to communicate with children since they’re the bigger persons, literally and figuratively. It is better to make their children understand what they’re trying to do for them, so that their children won’t be surprised.
Teenagers should be mindful when it comes to using digital media. Some ways on how would be: knowing one's own stand before involving himself/herself in public discussions. This is done in order to ensure that one's own identity easily get altered by comments and opinions said by people that differ from one's own. Second is to use digital media as an investment, not an expense. What I mean by this is that one should be mindful how much time s/he spends on social media. It should be a case wherein s/he has a short-term goal why s/he is using it at that moment. Additionally, it should be an investment wherein one acquires knowledge and entertainment that will be remembered long-term. Third, be open-minded. Yes, I have mentioned that one should have his/her own stand but this does not mean that s/he will not respect others' opinions anymore especially since that everyone comes from different contexts. Fourth, one should be aware of fake information that might be circulating around digital media. As much as possible, check if the source is reliable enough to acquire information from. Lastly, do not overshare information because digital media is not a popularity contest. Some people would overshare thinking that others would enjoy the content. However, this could impose a risk on the safety of the person who posted.
ENTRY 10
ENTRY 11
Birth control pills
A vast majority of people from the older generations are against this idea because they were raised to be conservative—why engage in sexual activities when there is a risk of pregnancy? The mindset, however, is different for millennials. As globalization took and is taking place, people have become more liberated. Now a lot of people think that there is nothing wrong with having premarital sex as this is a way to release sexual tensions. Millennials use birth control pills to reduce the risk of pregnancy and I think the older generations should be more open to the thought of using this because it lessens the need for abortion and is actually beneficial for the health.
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LGBTQ
What has ben an issue in the past years as well is the LGBTQ community. Coming from a very conservative environment, I can attest to this. In my family for example, while they do not mistreat people who are part of the community, they still don’t believe that the community they are part of is not right. This created diversions between the older and younger generations, and thus I believe that both should be willing to accept the views and to not degrade each other.
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Constant search for the “best” partner
This idea that younger generations have led them to use the idea of “never settle for less”. It means that when one is not treating you the way you deserve to be treated, then go look for another one. The older generations had a different view regarding this because for them, it should be a matter of staying regardless of how hard it is. While it is great to be patient enough to wait for someone to change, staying in a relationship that will cost one’s mental health to a downfall is just not right, and I think this is what the older generations should respect.
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DATING TIPS
A strong foundation will never collapse.
What’s mostly wrong in this generation is that people rush into things as they believe that the universe is moving fast. But no, it’s not. The main reason why relationships aren’t working out as well as people hope them to be is because of a weak foundation. Get to know the person. Befriend him or her before engaging yourself in any romantic emotions so that you both will get to accept each other’s good and bad personalities fully.​
Do not obsess yourself over your partner too much.
There is a glorification whenever a person is “all about” his or her partner, but this is wrong. In a generation where there is constant progression when it comes to knowledge, career and everything else, one should not focus solely on the idea of his or her partner. The world is beautiful while it is great to spend it with someone you’re emotionally attached to, but do not revolve your world around him or her.
Learn to let go.
“Through thick and thin.” This statement is widely known when it comes to relationships. While this might work for some, it doesn’t for others. When time comes wherein the relationship gets too toxic to the point wherein you are compromising your mental health for your partner’s benefit, learn to let go. Not only will you be able to free yourself from the toxicity of the relationship, but you will also get to explore the world and find your real definition of true happiness.
ENTRY 12
Being born in a generation where it seems like everything is democratic and everything is discovered, it is really hard to get a true grasp of what is the true concept of gender and sexuality. While everything is constantly changing, one must adjust with the changing world in order to not feel overwhelmed.
The challenge with this progression, however, is that it is hard to identify what one wants to be due to the roles implemented to him/her ever since he/she was young. Guys have always been taught to be masculine: don’t cry, you can carry heavy objects, do not love pink. This has led quite a majority of men to repress their own desires as to not disappoint the elders. This has also led to them not coming out. In television shows for example, it can be seen how gays act the way they are when they’re in school, but act manly again once they’re back to their home. As emerging adults, it should be understood already that we have to support these people especially because there might be a chance that they’re not supported by their own family. Furthermore, if one feels that he/she might be attracted to someone of the same gender, he/she should not be afraid to come out because repressing emotions can just lead to limited opportunities and a decrese in happiness. More importantly, the genderbread model should be kept in mind as this model effectively guides a person with his sexuality.
