MikeLigalig.com

By Engr. Jes Tirol
Bohol Chronicle

Proem

When Americans and other westerners come to Bohol, they are always struck by the relaxed and "laid back" way of life in Bohol. My usual response to these comments will be, "in Bohol, the aim of life is contentment and not satisfaction." This needs explanation.

A Joke

An American saw a Boholano fisherman drinking tuba (toddy) early in the morning. "I see, you are enjoying yourself early," said the American. "I had a good catch of fish and my wife is now at the market selling it," replied the Boholano.

The American said, "Why not go back fishing, it is still early, and catch more fish?" "What for?" said the Boholano. "So that your wife can sell more," said the American.

"What for?" said the Boholano.

"So that you will have more money, buy more fishing boats, and become rich," said the American. "What for?" said the Boholano.

"So that when you become rich, you can travel and enjoy yourself," said the American.

"So that is the objective? Enjoy myself? What am I doing now?" said the Boholano.

The aforementioned may be a joke but we can see that different cultures have different viewpoints.

The Americans work their butts the whole year and then travel to spend and enjoy. The Boholanos travel to earn money the whole year and come back to spend and enjoy, especially during the fiesta.

Contentment vs. Satisfaction

In the Boholano mind, the aim in life is kahimuót or contentment (Sp: contento). You can usually hear the statement, "Pila ra bay kinahanglan ibitad sa hábol? = How much do you need to pull a blanket?" It is a clear indication that Boholanos are a contented people.

In the American and western viewpoint, the objective in life is satisfaction (katagbawan).

Both contentment and satisfaction connotes a fulfillment of an expectation. They only differ in the ways of achieving them; contentment is based on need while satisfaction is based on want.

Language Reveals

In English, when you say "I want to be a lawyer," it connotes determination and even obsession to become a lawyer. Since most of us were/are educated the English language we miss to notice that it is different when said in Sugboanon Bisaya.

In Binisayâ we say it as "Buot/Gusto ko mahimong manlalaban/abogado (Sp:)." This exact Sugboanon translation connotes only a wish, not an obsession, in the Boholano mind.

The Binisayâ "Kinahanglan (need) nga mahimo kong abogado" connotes determination and obsession. The exact English translation "I need to become a lawyer" connotes only a desire and a wish. In Sugboanon, it is only after the "need" is accomplished that a person becomes contented.

How it is Done

In the English language, a need is a necessity arising from a situation. It is only part of a want. A want is a desire that should be satisfied. If you want to become a lawyer, you need to hurdle many requirements. A want tends to make a linear path and at the end will be satisfaction.

In the American culture, a lawyer is not satisfied with a Bachelor's Degree. They must study further to obtain a Master's and Doctorate Degree.

In the Sugboanon language, a kinahanglan (need) is a must. It is a goal to be attained. Once the goal is attained, the Boholano is contented. He will then set another goal for contentment.

It is very common in Bohol to find people with many academic degrees. For example, a Boholano sets his goal to become a CPA. Since it needs only a Bachelor's Degree, he becomes contented and no longer aspires for a Doctorate Degree. He next set his goal or "need" to become a lawyer. Since it needs only a Bachelor's Degree, he will be contented and will not aspire to become a Doctor of Laws, and so on. The particular Boholano may not be the best in one profession but at least he is versatile and qualified in many professions.

In the Boholano way, contentment is achieved by having a step-by-step set of goals as a guide for his needs. The problem is, everyone have different ambitions (tingusbawan). Everyone has a different concept of what is the kinahánglan (need). If the level of need of a person is achieved, he becomes contented. All psychologists know that it is very difficult to motivate a contented person.

In the American concept of satisfying a want, the aspiration is limitless. They call it "Pursuing the American dream." However, many of them cannot achieve their ambitions and frustration is very common.

In the Boholano way, frustration is uncommon but the achievement level is low.

However, we can attain the American level of achievement if we will motivate the young ones to have a higher need. If we can motivate a young child that kinahánglan (need) that he will become the best scientist, then he will not be contented until he becomes the best scientist.

So which is a better aim in life, contentment or satisfaction? It depends upon where you are in the cultural divide. What I am trying to show is the difference in culture.

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But your in America so you must suroy suroy as they do....LOL!!!....(Did I spell that okay?)

I am for both cultures since I grew up in a non-biased culture as America and it is really  after all the land of opportunity for those who want to pursue it!!!  I have things that I hate here and in America and I have things that I love here and in America.

I always try my best to find a balance in everything.



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I like it too, very well said.

It brings me back to my childhood memories, a poor, skinny, little girl with big dreams for a better life.
My motto then was, "Persevere to the pursuit of your legitimate ambition"

A lot of hard work though but it pays of, I give the greatest credit to the Lord
   for His guidance through all my life.

I'm happy, heaven-bound and contentment achieved.
   Praise God for His goodness and mercy that endureth forever.

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