Wednesday, June 16, 2010

From a Movie I learned...

The New Karate Kid movie... Wow! What an amazing movie! It was a great portrayal of pairing an empty vessel (a willing student) and an overflowing but lidded jar (a broken master) in China.

Having it shot there, I couldn't help but feel honored knowing that through my father's maternal line, China is part of who I am. My father's mother was born in the Philippines by two Chinese naturals from the Hokkien region, a fishing village..

China is every bit honorable in my eyes through its complex language, natural beauty, cultural mystery and the people's tendency to keep tradition. The main things that outsiders remember about China (other than Wal-Mart labels) are Chow Mein, Feng Shui and Kung Fu. What many don't understand is that... Chow Mein is a strictly vegetable dish, traditionally not with noodles; Feng Shui is not Asian voodoo- it is a philosophical way of interacting and flowing with your environment. Everything has its own energy, value and impact on each of us, and we, to everything. From Feng Shui, Kung Fu (older than most martial arts) was born to teach humans understand that subtle but powerful interaction.

"Made in China" is justifiably a cursory joke to share in most contexts: quality, safety and various other reasons. But between the economy and demand from foreign labor force, most can be blamed to corporate negligence and managements' "everyone is disposable" attitude towards its employees. We hear more of China because it is one of the biggest countries in Asia, if not the biggest. Mistakes there seem that much more magnified by default. That is the sad truth.

China is a great country; its people and its culture, nothing short of beautiful in both its rigidity and flexibility. It is a high honor to know that I am part Chinese... This part "Made in China" girl is definitely of highest quality, high safety standard stamped and certified and handcrafted by a true master.

Mama Lucing, (Lucena Ravelo "Chan" Lacho), I thank you...

2 comments:

Hansonpatch said...

How cool to find out more about your ancestry. Chinas people are indeed amazing. They are resilient, traditional, loving, and hardworking.

Chandy said...

I agree! I love that you get me!