For all the campaigns aimed at promoting awareness of the ASEAN, ordinary Filipinos still remain largely unaware of their neighboring countries. The Philippines with its colonial heritage still leans heavily towards the West. This Western bias is reflected in every aspect of Philippine society and can never be missed in the content of the country's mass media. When in the Philippines, hardly can you escape the heavy influence of the West, from the silver screen to the airwaves. You would think this were Europe or America--especially America--in Asia.
Important moves have been made to address this lack of awareness about the ASEAN. Social studies textbooks tackle the ASEAN as a regional organization, cultural and educational exchanges are being done, athletic competitions are being held, etc. Still, these are not enough. Compared to the knowledge ASEAN peoples have of more prosperous East Asian countries like Japan and Korea, their knowledge of fellow Southeast Asians is miniscule. The economic status of these prosperous countries could be the main reason for their long outward reach. It appears that as a country becomes prosperous it attracts more attention, consequently drawing interests to its popular culture. Take the case of Japan's cuisine, manga, and Hello Kitty, or even Korea's hallyu that has swept much of Asia. Even China and Chinese culture are starting to appear hot again owing to its rising economy and its hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Important moves have been made to address this lack of awareness about the ASEAN. Social studies textbooks tackle the ASEAN as a regional organization, cultural and educational exchanges are being done, athletic competitions are being held, etc. Still, these are not enough. Compared to the knowledge ASEAN peoples have of more prosperous East Asian countries like Japan and Korea, their knowledge of fellow Southeast Asians is miniscule. The economic status of these prosperous countries could be the main reason for their long outward reach. It appears that as a country becomes prosperous it attracts more attention, consequently drawing interests to its popular culture. Take the case of Japan's cuisine, manga, and Hello Kitty, or even Korea's hallyu that has swept much of Asia. Even China and Chinese culture are starting to appear hot again owing to its rising economy and its hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games.
While working for the big economic boom, ASEAN countries could give more focus on cultural exchanges to foster more knowledge about member countries. A good starting point is through a liberal exchange of artists to showcase their talents within ASEAN. Southeast Asian movies could be shown in theaters in the region, singers could hold concerts in any city, writers can do book-signing in any place they choose, etc.
The benefits of such a program would be enormous: It could facilitate and hasten the opportunities for understanding better than what textbooks can do. This is because the power of act
ual contact and interaction with other people is much more immediate and lasting. The truth is, until the people themselves comprising the ASEAN take interest in each other's cultures and peoples, the hope for a working regional grouping would still have a long way to go.
ual contact and interaction with other people is much more immediate and lasting. The truth is, until the people themselves comprising the ASEAN take interest in each other's cultures and peoples, the hope for a working regional grouping would still have a long way to go. So who are the personalities that can jumpstart the ASEAN fever? Let the Southeast Asians decide.
Stars from and for ASEAN (from top to bottom): Lea Salonga (Filipino), Vanessa Mae (Malaysian), Witwisit "Pchy" Hiranyawongkul (Thai).
3 comments:
I read this post Fern...because you forced me to. kk^^*
You are so right!...I wonder why they haven't really thought about it. tsk tsk...kaya ka nanjan Fern!
Anyway, Lea is very beautiful in person. Pretty is as pretty does. ^^* She will star in the international tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. It will be launched here...then China, Korea, Japan, etc. Go go go Lea!
Liz and Fern!
Let's watch the play!
Let's support ASEAN!(^o^)/
Hi Sir! You would soon be in a better position to advocate the ASEAN, so, est of luck
It's not Western bias that's causing the lack of interest in ASEAN. It's myopic thinking that's not limited to Filipinos but shared by almost all nationalities in every part of the globe. But you're right - pop culture is indeed helping. We can only hope that the effects of soft power would go a long way.
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