Vol. 1 No. 1 - Worldview

We are back!

Our Reason for Being

On its pages, the reader will find perspectives and information that reveal the essentials and unmask the myths and fiction that sometimes cloud history and ethnography.

DR. RUBEN Z. MARTINEZ, Publisher

Most likely, Toto or Inday can easily identify Ronald McDonald over Papa Isio or Rajah Sumakwel. This is the evident impact of globalization to the region, whether Western Visayas or other parts of the Philippines.

The generation ‘x’, or most of the younger generation, often do not have access to information about their region’s history, cultural icons and traditions and are more inclined and exposed to western pop culture.

They could easily identify with popular basketball players, pop stars and even mascots such as Ronald McDonald. Even in the remote areas, young and old alike are not spared of the homogenizing and globalizing influence of the western pop culture.

As a result, the region’s traditional knowledge and folk culture has increasingly been relegated to the dustbin of history and ethnographic past.

Anchored on the principle that familiarity often times ignore that which can be very important and substantive information for others, WV hopes to contribute to the vibrant literature in the region, but one written from a balance of an outside observer and participant’s perspectives.

WV draws from holistic and pluralist perspectives that recognize the cacophony of voices and views.

Superficial and oftentimes blind veneration distorts reality, whether past or present. As an outsider to the various social groupings within the Western Visayan Region, the observer provides fresh insights and outlook which may not be available to the participant-insider. Insider as participant of the different social groupings in most cases looks at events and transactions from the perspectives, values and aspirations to their group.

However, whether one is an outsider or insider in Western Visayas, we are all part of the bigger Philippine society. We are all concerned with the erosion of our cultural heritage, our traditional values and our history.

WV hopes to provide the medium, to articulate, to document and to present observations and insights on the culture, society and environment of Western Visayas.

WV provides in-depth observation and analysis, a mirror by which we look into our experience, where we are failing and where we are succeeding.

WV is a magazine for the people of Western Visayas as much as it is for the rest of the country and the world - this is the grid we want to traverse.

But more importantly, WV aspires to provide a breather between the fast and dry hard news, kneading on culture and tradition and how these came to be and looking into the patience and skills of rural folks and how these had sown and sustained the region’s trade and industry.

We believe, there is more to Western Visayas than its famous festivals and beaches. This part of the Philippines is one major player in the development of an informed Philippine Society and WV hopes to be a part in the writing of this continuing story.

WV Magazine, Volume 1, No. 1, May 2005

Additional Information on Culture, Ethnography and History check the author's blog - Anthropologist's Learning Journey, Iraya Journal, Solidarity Economy, and Human Responsibilities.