Column Writing

            One of our distinguishing traits as Filipinos is our high regard to family ties. Many generations have passed but still our filial bond gets stronger. In different times and places, we find ways to establish and strengthen relationships. We make use of whatever technology could offer in order to bridge distance and space. The different means of communication are indeed helpful in bringing the lives of the Filipinos closer.

            Communication has progressed significantly through time. Sometimes, we identify the improvement of a certain time through the advancement of the technologies including the field of communication.  It is interesting to note that our communities are increasing their potentials through the modern technologies. What had been impossible before can now be achieved.

            I am lucky to have been born in a modern age where almost everything works in just a push of a button. Keeping in touch with my family and friends is easier now compared to the time when my parents were still in college.  In 1970s, when my parents pursued their studies in Cebu, the letter was the most common means of communication for the masa who cannot afford pay for expensive phone calls. My father once told me that he seldom kept in touch with his parents who were in Leyte during his college days. He asked for his monthly allowance through letters. Sometimes the money arrived late because the postal service was slow. On the other hand, my mother who was also studying in Cebu used the same way of communicating. When she wanted to make her letter arrive faster in Butuan City, she sent her letters through her friends in the shipping company.

            When emergency arises, the telegram was the cheapest way to send an express message. The telegram was the earlier version of the test messages that we have nowadays. The difference is that one has to go to a telegram center and relay the message to an attendant. The attendant is responsible in writing the message in short cut. The charge depends on the number of words in the message. The shorter the message is the cheaper is the payment. I remembered the time when my father received a telegram from Leyte informing him of the death of my grandmother. The message was: Uli Leyte. Nanay patay gahapon. -Tatay.  Sometimes telegram messages are funny to read but I realized that its modern counterpart, the text messages are funnier. Well, it shows that we Filipinos are creative in putting down words whether in a paper or in a cellphone screen.

            Another unique way of relaying urgent message with less cost is through the panawagan service in radio stations. This is very popular in provincial areas where there were no modern facilities yet. My maternal grandmother is fond of this. She always went to the local radio station and gave her message to the radio announcer. The disadvantage of this method is that, when the recipient of the message is not listening to radio during panawagan portion, he/she would surely miss the message.

             The telephone is the most convenient way of keeping in touch with someone, especially if there’s an emergency. In my Bislig, during the 1980s, only the rich could afford this necessity. Most of the people went to calling stations in order communicate. In the 1990s, these calling stations installed fax machines so their costumers can have another option.

            The advent of the internet in computers and cellular phones made way to a faster and more advanced way of communicating domestically and internationally. Most of us now prefer to send our messages through e-mail. People could now talk through on-line and voice chat. A web cam is an advantage because one can see the other person who he/she is communicating with on the computer monitor. I keep in touch with my friends in high school through Friendster.com and other e-groups. There are many websites in the internet that gives one linkages to friends, families, companies and other networks. Moreover, my parents could now track me anytime, anywhere through text or call using the cell phone. Nowadays, pen pals become text mates and chat mates. Friendship, family ties and other associations can now be managed with just a few clicks. Even marriage proposal now becomes instant.

            The impressive changes in the field of communication in some ways improved relationship. Distance is no longer a problem. We can now be connected with our loved ones as frequent and as fast as we could. Connecting Lives, a cellphone company uses this slogan promoting their communication gadgets. As time pass by, the tools of communication are getting more sophisticated. We can now have more options in keeping in touch with everyone around the world. These advancements, if used appropriately, could make the bond of relationships even stronger.

            Time can testify how much the Filipinos give much importance to a trait that is now slowly dying in other parts of the world. In different faces and in different means, we uphold the value of relationships, especially family relationships. We could only hope that as our world becomes more modern and complicated, this value will never change and would always be cherished by every Filipino.  

 Charisse Mae Ampo