Cultural Dimensions of Health
PBHL 4950
Mariana Vasiljevic
William Paterson University
A course paper presented to College of Science and Health in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
Bachelor’s Degree
The beauty of learning about someone’s culture is getting a glimpse of who they are at their core, their history, and what has helped shape them to be the person they are today. Even more, it is the glow in their eyes as they nostalgically recount their childhood, rituals taught by family members, and customs only known to them that makes learning about their culture a beautiful experience. This cross-cultural interview began by delving into the history of the Philippines, the interviewees native home. The Philippines …show more content…
It also connects people, groups of people, together and guides them.” When asked how closely she identified with and affiliated with Filipino culture, EG took a pause. She went on to explain that she still identifies closely with her culture and still goes by her culture especially in terms of raising her family and her relationship with friends, despite living in America. She continues to speak the language, at home and with family and friends, listens to Filipino music, makes foods native to her home country, and follows the catholic religion. In regards to her religion, she follows the traditional customs of Catholicism. In the Philippines, religion is extremely important no matter what faith a person follows. She celebrates all the holidays, practices and observes the holy week, and believes in living by the moral ground. In addition, her practice of religion is the same as in the Philippine. Meaning, she continues to have close ties to Catholicism and her devotion is the same as if she were living in the Philippines. Regarding death rituals, EG stated that after the death of a loved one a wake can be anywhere between three to seven days long (p.141). Depending where you live, the wake can be held at one’s home or the funeral home. In addition, a 24-hour vigil is held after the passing of a loved one. Afterwards, a huge mass and dinner is prepared for family and friends. In all …show more content…
Kapwa, best translated, is known as the caring for your neighbors and treating your countrymen equal (Africa, 2010). EG explained that no matter how close or far you are from your home country you must care for your fellowman, your people, with the same respect as you would in the Philippines. She explained that Filipino health professionals who come to the United States will often times return to their home country to conduct mission trips. She continued to say that Filipinos are incredible with their generosity and are willing to help anyone in need. In addition, EG said that Filipino people are bound together by Kapwa and it is a core value entrusted in them. EG talked briefly about her uncle, now a retired physician, who continues every year to travel to the Philippines with friends who are nurses, doctors, dentists, etc. to conduct mission trips, perform surgeries, and raise funds for different regions of the nation. EG says that Kapwa is a part of the person and when a Filipino comes to the U.S., it is a trait that is always carried over. She enthusiastically began to talk about “bayanihan” which best translates to nation or community. Bayanihan, in the sense she was talking about, is the banding together of a community to get something done. She asked me to google an image because it perfectly depicts the meaning of bayanihan and how closely related it is to Kapwa. The image below is the famous
PBHL 4950
Mariana Vasiljevic
William Paterson University
A course paper presented to College of Science and Health in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
Bachelor’s Degree
The beauty of learning about someone’s culture is getting a glimpse of who they are at their core, their history, and what has helped shape them to be the person they are today. Even more, it is the glow in their eyes as they nostalgically recount their childhood, rituals taught by family members, and customs only known to them that makes learning about their culture a beautiful experience. This cross-cultural interview began by delving into the history of the Philippines, the interviewees native home. The Philippines …show more content…
It also connects people, groups of people, together and guides them.” When asked how closely she identified with and affiliated with Filipino culture, EG took a pause. She went on to explain that she still identifies closely with her culture and still goes by her culture especially in terms of raising her family and her relationship with friends, despite living in America. She continues to speak the language, at home and with family and friends, listens to Filipino music, makes foods native to her home country, and follows the catholic religion. In regards to her religion, she follows the traditional customs of Catholicism. In the Philippines, religion is extremely important no matter what faith a person follows. She celebrates all the holidays, practices and observes the holy week, and believes in living by the moral ground. In addition, her practice of religion is the same as in the Philippine. Meaning, she continues to have close ties to Catholicism and her devotion is the same as if she were living in the Philippines. Regarding death rituals, EG stated that after the death of a loved one a wake can be anywhere between three to seven days long (p.141). Depending where you live, the wake can be held at one’s home or the funeral home. In addition, a 24-hour vigil is held after the passing of a loved one. Afterwards, a huge mass and dinner is prepared for family and friends. In all …show more content…
Kapwa, best translated, is known as the caring for your neighbors and treating your countrymen equal (Africa, 2010). EG explained that no matter how close or far you are from your home country you must care for your fellowman, your people, with the same respect as you would in the Philippines. She explained that Filipino health professionals who come to the United States will often times return to their home country to conduct mission trips. She continued to say that Filipinos are incredible with their generosity and are willing to help anyone in need. In addition, EG said that Filipino people are bound together by Kapwa and it is a core value entrusted in them. EG talked briefly about her uncle, now a retired physician, who continues every year to travel to the Philippines with friends who are nurses, doctors, dentists, etc. to conduct mission trips, perform surgeries, and raise funds for different regions of the nation. EG says that Kapwa is a part of the person and when a Filipino comes to the U.S., it is a trait that is always carried over. She enthusiastically began to talk about “bayanihan” which best translates to nation or community. Bayanihan, in the sense she was talking about, is the banding together of a community to get something done. She asked me to google an image because it perfectly depicts the meaning of bayanihan and how closely related it is to Kapwa. The image below is the famous