How times have changed! Some theories, once accepted as fact in my lifetime, have been debunked. In pre-history studies: The once very popular “Waves of Migration” theory of Dr. Otley Beyer—first Negritos, then Indonesians, then Malays—according to later anthropologists, is just too simplistic.
All the cultural developments in the archipelago, the physical traits supposed to have been bequeathed, cannot possibly be attributed to small boatloads of immigrants coming at intervals. (Jocano, F.L.)
That 10 Bornean datus purchased the island of Panay from the Negritos (bartered, according to one stage play, for a golden salakot). It is not historical fact. Just interesting folklore.
I used to love the romantic idea that there were land bridges on which animals from other continents crossed over. Not true, either! Subsequent investigations have revealed that land bridges did not exist where they were supposed to have been located. The water was always just too deep for land bridges to ever have been above water. KJ!
English is the popular language of art and culture. Not anymore! Plays and non-mainstream movies in Filipino carry snob appeal. Shakespeare plays have to be adapted into Filipino to get an audience, and they do: “Haring Lear,” Nonon Padilla; “D’ Wonder Twins of Boac,” or “Twelfth Night,” Rody Vera; “Otelo,” Ricky Abad. English pop songs (Frank Sinatra, Beatles) have been translated by Pete Lacaba/Salinawit to great popularity.
Swardspeak
Filipino slang and swardspeak have become part of daily discourse and even literature.
Filipino names have gained a foothold, like Silahis, Asa, Bituin, Ani, Mutya, Diwa, Kawayan. And I never thought that Filipino traditions like the hilot or massage would ever become a part of the offerings of international hotels here in the Philippines. Also a lot of herbal teas.
Not so happy change: conversation has largely been replaced by Facebook and Twitter. People photograph their companions and themselves and the food they’re eating and post it relentlessly. You can’t escape!
From the macho of my father’s generation, the pendulum has swung to the other extreme. So accepted is gay culture today that many equate “gay” to “being artistic.”
There are more gays who have come out in the past two decades without having been beaten black and blue by macho fathers. Macho fathers are out of fashion. Young fathers now like to take over the babies. They can change nappies, prepare formulas, push prams (though not permanently).
I can still remember the days when men were ashamed to be seen pushing a supermarket cart or to admit they loved to cook lest they be perceived to be henpecked. Now cooking in the Philippines is a manly profession. Husbands who cook for friends are trophy possessions.
Everybody still eats too much, but today they’re just more guilty about it. Hence women are on indefinite diets and exercise of every kind. Men just spend half their lives in gyms and sometimes drop dead. Hence, people are healthier but also sicker than ever.
The business of looking beautiful has ballooned into a giant imported one. Women like to look beautiful even if a little fake. (A perfect look implies you have to be inanimate).
Rearrangement of features
The US norm of beauty—tall nose, fair skin—has seeped into the Filipino epidermis, and all the beautiful girls joining contests spend a mint to look like they came from a mold. This “improvement” can be achieved surgically, by a rearrangement of features, or through surface cosmetics. It’s ironic that the word “cosmetic” derives from “cosmos,” the most perfectly arranged everything, while “cosmetic” has come to mean “cover up” or “make up.”
I remember in the early ’30s, even my vain mom had little choice of make-up. The only lipstick color was (Max Factor’s) red. Pink and orange shades came much later, and there was only loose face powder. Now there are hundreds of choices of lipstick color (variations in shade per brand). Also face powder—loose, cake, liquid. Hair needs dyes and rinses, permanent or washable, mousse, spraynet, straightener, relaxant, shampoo (including at some point, a shampoo for horses that gave mane and tail and human hair an extra shine).
Skin needs night cream, day cream, foundation, moisturizing, protection from sun (SPF), cleansing, facial scrub, pore-closer, pore-opener, toner, balancer, soap, non-soap; for eyes, eyeliner, eyeshadow, eyelash extender, etc. I’m sure I missed a couple hundred others.
In the last five years, man’s best pal, the purebred, lapdog variety, has leapt in rank and become members of the family. Shi tzus, poodles, pomeranians, chihuahuas, pekingese, pugs, schnauzers, Jack Russells, Yorkshire and Scottish terriers and bichon frisés, cuddlies all, have never been so pampered. Maids attend to them. They go for walks and car rides. They go to dog spas for haircuts, nail trims and special grooming.
At home they have their own shampoo, hairbrush, hair dryer, toothbrush, floss, deodorant. They get to sleep in the same bed as, and sometimes replacing, the mister or the mistress. On Halloween and Christmas these dogs have their own silly costumes. They receive special pasalubong—toys, horsemeat, turkey, etc. and endless hugs and kisses.
My life isn’t ended yet. I’m curious what changes I’ll still see.