What others are saying? - "Alien nation"

This is an interesting look into an often unexplored facet of Philippine society (and culture?) . So many Filipinos want to leave and yet there are so many others who find the Philippines so attractive a destination. Some even forget about leaving. This "Alien Nation" i-report series by PCIJ promises to be interesting and provocative. More importantly, related to some class learning goals formulated by the N4C India group (just scroll to the bottom of the post to find out).

"Tisoy Kasi!" is a broad and informed look by Dr. Michael Tan at the hybrid Filipino culture and our syncretic religious practices.

This PCIJ series is a good starting point for asian studies. In part because it is a view from inside looking in, but mostly because it promises to bring us within ourselves as Asians and not as what westerners would want us to see ourselves. As we begin our discussions of the major civilizations, hopefully, you will realize one common thread in Asian culture - more often Asians have chosen to adopt from other cultures and practices what works instead of trying to subdue other cultures and impose our own on them.

Of note is the syncretic nature of religious practice in a lot of Asian civilizations notably hinduism in India. (ooops! India Group this is your area ... research?) or even the curious mixed practice of Taoism and Confucianism in China. Even Japan has its own syncretic fusion of religious practice.
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What others are saying

This article from Antonio Abaya is kind of getting ahead of our initial discussions on Asia, but nevertheless relevant to how we want to approach our study of Asia. I have always held the view that too many of us (Filipinos) look to the example of western models on development and modernization and industrialization as if it were an easy thing to do. We need not go far though, other Asian countries have outstripped us in this respect and, thus, deserve not only our admiration but careful consideration of how they did it.

Dare i say that there is an asian model to development? Maybe so. I'm pretty sure that our differences only mean that we have to see ourselves in the same light as other Asians see themselves. Western versus Asian models of development are different because of the fundamental differences in world view.

But this is getting too complicated. We'll take this up again at some point in the future ... we need to lay the groundwork first.
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