The Commercialization
of Traditions
By Apolinario Villalobos
Shrewd people see money in everything that man does and
needs to do. From birth to death, practically, the life of man is manipulated
by these people who created “necessities” without which they made life some
sort of miserable to live.
When a mother gives birth, today in the Philippines, it has
to done in the designated “birthing center” (Paanakan) in every barangay, or
clinic or any hospital if available. If the couple lives kilometres away from
such center, a vehicle must be hired to reach it. Resourceful husbands may make
use of a cart pulled by a carabao, otherwise, it must be a contracted tricycle
or a jeepney. Somehow, though, the use of the birthing center is free as
mandated by the law. But for goodwill’s sake, the couple must shell out some
cash for the midwife whose services come cheaper compared to giving birth in a
clinic or hospital. Even if birthing is done at home, the attending “kumadrona”
must still be paid for her services.
Basic needs of babies have flooded the market, from feeding
bottles to diapers and cribs. Registration in the local government’s
Registrar’s Office requires money for the processing of documents and so is the
baptismal ceremony in the local Church, and more cash is needed for the thanksgiving
celebration at home, a social venue, or a restaurant. A year after birth and
every year thereafter, there is a need to celebrate the “birthday” so the baby
needs new clothes and a celebration has to be made either at home or restaurant
or burger outlet, at least. (I found out that many of those from the
impoverished provinces who found their way to Manila to look for a job have no
birth certificate, as they told me that they were not registered in their
locality’s Civil Registrar’s office due to their poverty).
Then, of course, the parents have to be given recognition
for their sacrifices, so today we have the “Father’s Day” and “Mother’s Day”.
Gifts must be bought for them, at least flowers for the loving mother or a new
shirt for the hardworking father. When the grown up children decide to get
married and have families of their own, their parents become “grandparents”, so
there’s also, the “Grandfather’s Day” and the “Grandmother’s Day” to
celebrate….presents are needed to be given to show the love of the family. Dine
out for bonding needs to be earmarked in the budget. Why the need for such “special”
days when it is the obligation of children and grandchildren to show love to
them “every day”?
Today, schools require that at least parents of their
students must attend the “Family Day”, which personally, I just cannot
understand because every second, minute, hour, day, week, month and year, the
students are with their family or at least with their parents. So why must they
spend precious time and money for food and other “contributions” just to be
part of this foolish day, either in school campus or in expensive resorts or
any other “educational” venue? I assume that this kind of “tradition” which the
Department of Education allows is just an invention of some private schools and
which later were imitated by other private schools that see the sparkle of cash
in the activity. So, there you have the “Family Day” which many parents view as
some kind of a racketeering effort. For, how can it be called a “family” bonding
day when only the students and their parents are present while the rest of the
members are not…as perhaps, brothers and sisters may be busy in the internet
café or having fun with their buddies?
Another school “tradition” is the so-called “Educational
Tour” a familiarization of something or someplace, most often, a mall or a
resort. Poor students who cannot afford the fee are slapped with research requirements
that will see them a whole day or two at the internet shop if they do not have
a computer at home. Just imagine the expense to be incurred if the internet cafe
would charge almost Php50 per hour plus printing of several pages of researched
materials…everything amounting to almost a thousand pesos or more! Such
required research comes out as a punishment for not joining the tour. In other
words, joining the junket tour or making research will amount to the same
expense, although, the former is purely a leisurely activity while the latter
is accomplished with much difficulty.
This academic insanity is such that many parents cannot understand how a
trip to a mall or resort can be compared to a researched thesis that can be
graded. To justify the tour, schools include in the itinerary a trip or two to
some facilities like hotel or restaurant if the course is related to tourism.
But, can’t teachers show footages of these facilities as a module in the school
room?
Of course, as regards recognition, teachers must not be left
out because there is now what is celebrated as “Teacher’s Day”, even if some or
many of them cannot pronounce the letter “R” properly when speaking in Filipino
or any dialect, a mistake that their students perceive as “correct” or “just
right”, because their teachers do it.
When graduation
comes, the “traditional” march and ceremonies require toga, photo taking, and
new clothes for mama and papa. No amount of warnings from the seemingly helpless
Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education and Culture can
stop schools from holding their graduation ceremonies in expensive venues.
And, here’s for the “traditional” marriage for the couples
in love. Registration in the Municipal or City Hall requires money. Nuptial ceremonies
in the church require money, especially, the outfit for the whole entourage.
Then, most especially, the feast for the godparents and well- wishers must be
impressive as such occasion happens once in one’s lifetime that can even bring
parents to tears. For the unlucky ones who call it quits after just a few years
of companionship, filing of legal separation or divorce requires money. Those
who persist for years till death, have to celebrate “wedding anniversaries”,
very important traditions that require symbolic gifts. The “anniversary”
tradition dates back to the pagan days and today, it is being observed by
Christians and made more colourful with symbolic gifts, mostly made in China!
But the most outstanding “tradition” that has made many
people filthy rich or woefully poor, is the “Christmas” which was not even
celebrated by the original Christians, although, it is supposed to be about the
birth of Jesus Christ, as what were celebrated then, were his circumcision and baptism. I
need not elaborate on this, as we already know stories of how, impoverished
families would squander hard-earned money during this occasion, while wise
businessmen laugh their way to the bank!
Finally, when death occurs, the funerary tradition requires
money, too. The need to be buried or cremated has given life to the “funeral”
and “memorial parks” industries. A lot for two remains could amount to not less
than Php200K and some coffins could cost more than a million pesos!
