Overall Findings

The previously shown scenarios are not meant to serve as forecasts of the future, but rather reflections of the present.
What are Filipinos like? How do they live, and what do they live in? Why are they like this, and how did they end up this way?
This section attempts to answer these questions.

01: Paradoxical relationship with technology

Filipinos seem to be both terminally online and technologically clueless. How is this even possible?

Chronically Online Country

Filipinos are globally renown for long hours spent online (arguably to a fault), along with being naturals at tech-enabled roles.

Lack of Technological Literacy

Many Filipinos don't fully understand the technologies that they use; this can be linked to gaps in not just education, but also culture.

02: Steadfast in beliefs

Filipinos can also be considered stubborn, dedicated to sticking to their ways amidst a rapidly changing world.

Resistance Against Change

It is difficult for Filipinos to accept change, let alone envison it. This gets in the way of disseminating innovation in the country.

Persisting Values & Traditions

In spite of technological progression, Filipino culture would remain relatively static. We would continue to uphold traditions, just now in different forms.

03: Systems of oppression

To fully understand the impact of emerging technologies on the Philippines, it is essential to consider the societal systems in place, for these shape how technology is used and adapted by the people.

Colonialism

To this day, Filipinos are still being colonized by The Global North, who now utilizes technologies as tools for colonization.

Capitalism

Filipinos are constantly having their value extracted by a capitalism system, whether they are conscious of it or not.

Classism

Colonialism and capitalism intertwine to perpetuate and exacerbate classist structures.

In summary, even when trying to create new worlds, we cannot escape the structures and dynamics of our reality.

Lahat [ng sistema na ito], kailangan [sila] tignan pag tinitignan yung technology kasi…inaadapt [nila] talaga kung ano meron tayo as a culture and society. Malungkot kasi nagstart talaga yan to reimagine. Pero ineexpect mo na yung community na yan and yung iniinvent and dinedesign niyo is to reimagine and think of good futures, pero ang nangyayari is wineweaponize siya…reflection yun na nakatali talaga yung technology sa existing systems na meron tayo.

CZYKA TUMALIAN
FOUNDER OF KWAGO BOOKSTORE & PUBLISHING LABORATORY

But being tied to reality does not have to be completely depressing; it can also be empowering. Whether you are a technologist or not, being aware of how the world works can help you bring about the change you want to see. In other words, as said by Czyka: “Kaya ikaw, magdesign ka nang maganda.”