All about "Culture"

Last day, last last day, or the other last day, I'm not that sure enough but we had a cultural awareness seminar. I was sleepy and feverish the whole time and I was not able to catch the message of the diluted tone of the speaker. However, I clearly knew the objectives of the seminar even before it was started. I'm already aware though not "official" until I have the certificate. Whatever it is surely it's not integral for what is important is that I fully understand what the speaker is trying to tell us.

What the speaker has been talking about the whole time has been my question for already almost two or more years. I was wondering how my culture differs or even laggs from others' distinct and prominent culture. I know Filipino culture, all the dance, the tribal wars, the colorful dresses and everything that represent "Pilipino" during the "buwan ng Wika" days. Schools teach young minds how to dance by preventing their feet from being swollen by constant closing and opening of the two huge bamboo sticks, how to dance with candles on their hands, how to play tribal customs, and many other traditional upbringings developed by old Filipinos.

However, sorry to tell all of you but I as a concerned citizen of this modern Philippines doesn't look only only on the glorious colonial past of the Philippines but I dig deeper on what is currently happening right now. I prefer past as past and we only open it in a "book" when we have time. That book is better kept there until the present is stable and fixed enough.

Books teach about cultural dances, eating habits, respect, religion, and etc. However, they forgot and even until now they hide the fact to the more literate generation right now the "unusual" culture of our country. Philippines' varied mix of people with different ideas made our country a very diverse one with varying rich heritages inherited from different colonial leaders of the past. Some follow the Spanish living, some follow the Japanese Asian mix, some idolize the more prominent Americanized culture, and some still follow the pre-traditional past or the indigenous way of living.

The present situation of the country still relies and may have been caused by these varying mixes, which obviously didn't get any good result. I wonder how repressed Philippines' culture is when it comes to self-identity nowadays, people don't follow and are not proud of most Filipino cultures. The younger generation right now no longer patronize Filipinos but rather Koreans, Americans, and for some... Europeans.

There are two main and distinct cultures of the world, the white(western) and the Asian(eastern). However, due to differences in the industrialized Asia and the developing Asia, dominant cultures of some prosperous Asian countries are sometimes classed on the "white" mix. Of course the more dominant culture is the white one. It shines its power and influence all over the world and almost all rich countries in the world have a distinct white heritage.

White culture is characterized by more self-identity and spirit of individuality than most other cultures. In white culture, individuality is greatly represented by a person living in this world and has its own decisions on how to live his life, earn money, and sometimes prosper. Whereas, the Asian culture or the "eastern" culture focus more on how a person fits in a society and how he's being a good citizen and help his fellowmen.

I call my self-culture as "white". Me myself is aware on the differences of both and I don't see it as a compulsory to stick on what is being believed by many. I see myself as an individual and I demand more freedom. Basic freedom on what I know as right and what I know as wrong.

I think that's all.:D

"Outstanding List"

"Outstading List"-how I wish Philippines(my country) is part of it.
So, here it goes. . .

1. Denmark

Location: Scandinavia (Northern Europe)

Pop: 5.5 million

Languages: Danish

GDP per capita (PPP): $ 37,304

GDP (PPP): $ 204.3 Billion

Currency: Danish Krone

HDI: 0.955 (Very High)

Status: High-Income Developed Country

Located in the northern portion of Europe, this small nation stood as one of the leading European countries in terms of economic competitiveness, living standards, education environment, and welfare state. It is ranked number one as the freest social communities in the world with the world’s highest level of income equality. It is ranked as the second “happiest place in the world” based on standards of health, welfare, education. It is also ranked as the second most peaceful country in the world, after New Zealand by the 2009 Global Peace Index survey. It boasts to have the best business climate in the world according to the US business magazine Forbes and shares top positions with its northern European neighbors in terms of Corruption Perceptions Index having the lowest in the world.

Denmark trades chiefly with its EU neighbors and northern European non-EU neighbors. Its currency, the Danish Krone, is one of the most stable currencies throughout Europe outside the Euro zone. Its prosperity may be contributed by its highly productive work-force and a highly industrialized service-oriented economic atmosphere. Despite the lack of natural resources, Danish people have made their economy one of the most productive in Europe relative to the size of its population, land area, and availability of natural resources.

2. Australia

Location: Oceania

Pop: 22 million

Languages: English

GDP (PPP): $ 36,918

GDP (PPP): $ 799 billion

Currency: Australian Dollar

HDI: 0.970 (Very High)

Status: High-Income Developed Country

Uniquely located in the Southern Hemisphere, as most prosperous countries anchor in the north (North-South Inequality), this sparsely populated continental nation is one of the richest in the world in terms of natural and high-skilled human resources. It ranks high in terms of national performance in health care, life expectancy, quality of life, human development, public education, economic freedom, and protection of civil liberties and political rights. Historically an immigrant nation or a nation formed by immigrants mostly from the British Isles, immigrants have been the main pillar of the unique multicultural Australian identity.

Australian Cities are constantly growing with expanding job opportunities and continues to attract thousands of immigrants each year. Like its close cultural neighbor in North America, Canada shares almost the same economic and cultural build-up with its physically far continental nation neighbor. Australia joins numerous trade organizations and aims to continually expand its capability in global competitiveness with its global economy anchored in its abundant natural resources.

3. Japan

Location: East Asia

Pop: 127.6 million

Languages: Japanese

GDP per capita (PPP): $ 34,115

GDP (PPP): $ 4.4 Trillion

Currency: Yen

HDI: 0.960 (Very High)

Status: High-Income Developed Country

A major economic power, Japan today has the world’s second largest economy by nominal GDP and the third in purchasing power parity. Largely contributed by the skillful and hardworking Japanese, Japan today boasts as one of the world’s most industrialized countries with excellent and high-technology welfare services. It has one of the most up-to-date medical services, a highly competitive educational system, business friendly economy, and one of the most globally competitive multinational businesses. It has the world’s highest life expectancy and third lowest infant mortality rate than any other country in the world according to the WHO and UN.

One of the most successful Asian countries, Japan leads other Asian Tigers in economic productivity. It is the fourth largest exporter and the sixth largest importer of goods and services in the world. Japan is one of the most productive countries of all the industrialized countries in the world in proportion to its natural resources and available land of use. The Japanese are also one of the most innovative people in terms of the production in its knowledge sector. Most Japanese companies invested heavily in high technology and contribute largely in worldwide production of hi-tech consumer products and machineries.

Rising from the ashes of several wars that greatly damage the former glory of the former imperial Japan, it is now one of one of the biggest capitalist in the world. Rapid industrialization right after the World War II brought this archipelago in the global economic community. Japan’s rise in the global economic balance brought great changes in the global economic exchange. Japan’s tight economic and Japan-in-favor policies greatly affect other nations in the world. It’s fast economic recovery surprised the world and is given as an example to developing countries of its time. Several countries that followed Japan that have been successful in their fields include the Asian Economic Tigers (South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore) that are today the main trading partners of Japan.

4. France

Location: Western Europe

Pop: 65 million

Languages: French

GDP per capita (PPP): $ 34,205

GDP (PPP): $ 2.1 Trillion

Currency: Euro

HDI: 0.961 (Very High)

Status: High-Income Developed Country

This Western European nation has the fifth largest economy by nominal GDP and the eight largest economy by purchasing power parity. A developed country with high living standards, this country is also the most visited in the world and scores relatively high in global living standard surveys. Its economy is one of the most diversified in the European Union. Located near its most trading partners in the heart of one of the most industrialized regions in the world, France is one of the most globalized countries in the world with excellent transportation facilities and infrastructures. With the highest volume of nuclear power use in the EU, it has one of the cleanest air in the world relative to its level of industrialization. It has one of the most business friendly economic atmosphere in the world largely contributed by its cheap power generated by nuclear power plants scattered throughout the country.

France today continues to be one of the fast expanding economies in the world investing heavily in developing countries. French companies manufacture more products than any other country in Europe other than Germany and United Kingdom. France maintains close economic ties to its neighbors and an extensive network of roads crossing boundaries to other countries throughout Europe.

5. Belgium

Location: Western Europe

Pop: 10.6 million

Languages: Dutch, French, German

GDP per capita (PPP): $ 36,415

GDP (PPP): $ 389.7 Billion

Currency: Euro

HDI: 0.953 (Very High)

Status: High-Income Developed Country

Belgium's strongly globalized economy and its transportation infrastructure are integrated with the rest of Europe. Its location at the heart of a highly industrialized region helps made it 2007 the world's 15th largest trading nation. The economy is characterized by a highly productive work force, high GNP and high exports per capita. Belgium's main imports are food products, machinery, rough diamonds, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, clothing and accessories, and textiles. Its main exports are automobiles, food products, iron and steel, finished diamonds, textiles, plastics, petroleum products and nonferrous metals. The Belgian economy is heavily service-oriented and shows a dual nature: a dynamic Flemish economy and a Walloon economy that lags behind.

One of the most dynamic nations in the world which is made up of different centers of cultural heritage, Belgians (Flemish or Walloons) both have contributed much to the development of Belgium into a major global power and importance despite its small land area and small consumer economy.

6. Sweden

Location: Scandinavia (Northern Europe)

Pop: 9.2 million

Languages: Swedish

GDP per capita (PPP): $ 37,333

GDP (PPP): $ 342.6 Billion

Currency: Swedish Krona

HDI: 0.963 (Very High)

Status: High-Income Developed Country

Sweden is northern European nation ranking high in terms of economic power and services featuring a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron are the main pillars of the Swedish economy ever since. It constitutes the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Sweden’s engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Telecommunications, the automotive industry and the pharmaceutical industries are also of great importance. Agriculture accounts for 2 percent of GDP and employment.

Like its close neighbors, Sweden’s economy is highly developed and even richer than the rest of Europe. Its system is highly integrated to the rest of the world and its people experience one of the highest standard of living. Sweden shares the same cultural heritage to its Scandinavian neighbors and maintains close ties with them.

7. Switzerland

Location: Western Europe

Pop: 7.7 million

Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh

GDP per capita (PPP): $ 43,195

GDP (PPP): $ 315.7 Billion

Currency: Swiss Franc

HDI: 0.960 (Very High)

Status: High-Income Developed Country

Switzerland has a stable, modern and one of the most capitalist economies in the world. It has the 2nd highest European rating after Ireland in the Index of Economic Freedom 2008, while also providing large coverage through public services. The nominal per capita GDP is higher than those of the larger western European economies and Japan, ranking 6th behind Luxembourg, Norway, Qatar, Iceland and Ireland.

This alpine country maintains close neutral ties to the rest of the world. Its banking sector is one of the most diverse and holds one of the biggest reserves in the world. Despite its neutrality, Switzerland’s prosperity compares to powerful developed countries in the rest of Europe and North America. It exports different technology products and luxury goods accounting more than half its GDP and generates most of the country’s jobs.

8. Singapore

Location: South East Asia

Pop: 4.9 million

Languages: English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil

GDP per capita (PPP): $ 56,226

GDP (PPP): $ 239.1 Billion

Currency: Singapore Dollar

HDI: 0.944 (Very High)

Status: High-Income Developed Country

A small island country in the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula is one of the most successful countries in the world. Its outstanding policies are both strict and highly implemented. With high levels of state interaction to the economy, this island country industrialized and prospered despite its very limited natural resources and land area. Its key resource is its hardworking disciplined society closely anchored to Western ties but uniquely Asia.

Since independence, Singapore's standard of living has risen dramatically. Foreign Direct Investment and a state-led drive to industrialization based on plans drawn up by the Dutch economist Albert Winsemius have created a modern economy focused on industry, education and urban planning. Singapore is the 5th wealthiest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita(PPP). In December 2008, the foreign exchange reserves of this small island nation stood at around US$174.2billion.

Because of its limited land area, Singapore highly utilized its land and used it properly. Land reclamations were ubiquitous using every land available of use for different improvement projects. High rises were built in residential areas and in the Central Business District to cope up with the need of space. Singapore today resembles a highly developed country focusing on Industry, Education, and Urban Planning. Despite its limited resources, it maintained a high standard of living through global trade. Since its forced separation to Malaysia, Singapore’s GDP expanded and almost leveled to that of Malaysia.

9. Norway

Location: Scandinavia (Northern Europe)

Pop: 4.8 million

Languages: Norwegian

GDP per capita (PPP): $ 53,737

GDP (PPP): $ 257.2 Billion

Currency: Norwegian Krone

HDI: 0.971 (Very High)

Status: High-Income Developed Country

Norwegians enjoy the second highest GDP per capita (after Luxembourg) and third highest GDP (PPP) per-capita in the world. Norway maintained first place in the world in the UNDP Human Development Index (HDI) for six consecutive years (2001–2006).

A Scandinavian nation, this northern European nation shares close ties to its neighbors. It shares the same cultural heritage to its Scandinavian and Nordic neighbors. Because of its small population and a very high income due to its mixed economy and a large share of natural resources in northern Europe, Its people are one of the well fed in the world. Its standard of living is relatively high compared to its developed neighbors and its engagement to technology is higher than ever.

10. South Korea

Location: East Asia

Pop: 48.4 million

Languages: Korean

GDP per capita (PPP): $ 27,692

GDP (PPP): $ 1.3 Trillion

Currency: South Korean Won

HDI: 0.937 (Very High)

Status: High-Income Developed Country

One of the four Asian Tigers, this country is a late comer in developed status but has been one of the most successful industrial nations in history. Hard work and determination has been the key role in South Korea’s transformation to a developed high-income OECD member. Its people are highly oriented westernly and have developed a high standard of living throughout South Korea’s transformation from a poor developing nation to a developed one. Its government has made successful efforts in policy-making to continue its economic expansion internationally due to the country’s limited national resources.

Despite its limited national resources, its war laden historical background, and its large population to feed, South Korea was able to raise its GDP per capita almost equal to the lower ranks in the developed countries of the world. Focusing in labor intensive production in the first stages of its economic transformation, South Korea now has one of the biggest technology and knowledge economy in the world. Its Chaebols (conglomerates) are known worldwide and has one of the biggest reserves in the world and ranks high in terms of investment for improvement.

Lately, South Korea is not only famous in its success but also in its cultural expansion to the rest of Asia and the world. Known and the “Korean Wave”, the Korean culture has been famous and uniquely fashionable in less developed Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand and has been trying to enter though largely unnoticed by the western society.