Theamae Abithel B.

Paredes 08/13/2019
21st Century Philippine Literature – Homework
1. How do you identify your identity?
Personally, I’m convinced that a person’s genuine personality, which covers their beliefs, values,
point of views and etcetera, represents that person’s identity. However, that actual character is
typically disguised in constant altering personas to fit in their community, be accepted by their circles
of individuals and to evade social discrimination. It’s a natural survival instinct that individuals learn
from their early years, it is subconsciously or consciously projected (depending on the situation), and
this mask of disguise only slips among close people and whenever the person is isolated. In
conclusion, true identity is not often cultivated or displayed by the majority because it is considered as
vulnerability, and no one wants to be bullied or discriminated.
2. Why’s identity significant?
An ascertained identity is also important to give value to the existence of a certain individual – to live
peacefully and not just to survive. It is a fundamental catalyst that instigates enthusiasm in people to
achieve manifold things in their lives. This, however, depends on each person’s perspective of life and
their means of utilising it. On the first hand, there are people who treat life as trivial, whose sole
objective is to consume as much pleasantries as possible before reaching the end of their line
(hedonism). On the other hand, there are individuals, regardless of their beliefs, who strive so much to
attain a bigger picture of themselves – a more meaningful life.
3. What makes your identity? (Give examples and explain.)
There are multiple features that constitutes a person’s identity, such as their nationality (the nation or
country of which they’re citizens), physical appearance (unique features that differentiate them from
other people), culture (the manner by which they live), talents, language and religion. On a
psychological viewpoint, identity is perceived in a more profound manner: beliefs (ideas or theories
that individuals accept personally), values (moral codes as instruments to obtain personal life-goals),
personality (a person’s attitude that is manifested through behaviour – creates different impacts if
unmasked), and etcetera.
As for me, identity is troublesome to discover or develop, despite numerous tools, such as figures,
idols and inspirations. It can only be understood based on a person’s manner of upbringing and the
environment in which they’re raised. In other words, identity naturally forms itself accordingly to how
it may see fit for the person’s survival of all aspects. It is inevitable, and it is the reason why most
people neglect theirs.
4. What differentiates you identity from others?
What individuates an individual from other people are simply the displayed and externalised things
that are perceived as bizarre or out of the ordinary. These differentiating characteristics are called
trademarks, which are either commended or considered a laughing stock – both of which affects a
person positively and negatively. How the social community regard that person holistically impacts or
compels them to change and adapt for one primary purpose: survival – like in a business context.
Perfect critical flaws to please and attract more customers. This is reward takes its part in the little
performance.
5. How can you pass this identity as a legeacy?
Good or bad identities both leave an influential legacy to either the majority or minority of people
after the person disappears from the world. These recipients of the deceased person’s legacy (in terms
of identity) are called followers who are bred by being intensely inspired or motivated by the person,
with deep reverence. Also, this legacy that is left behind impacts some people’s lives or even the
world, depending on how significant the person was.
 6. How can you identity be stolen or replaced?
People who wears other people’s identities are called identity thieves (or imposters), and they
deliberately use the victims’ identities without their knowledge, to gain financial advantages, procure
credit or appraisals, or perhaps to retaliate and harm the reputation of the original person. This is
usually achieved through technological means because it requires no physical appearance... or maybe,
this mischievous con artist closely resembles the person they’re imitating.
All these pursuits worked hard on to secure benefits for own personal, selfish selves!
As for identity replacement, I can’t determine whether the question is referring to a holistic personal
alteration imposed by the person itself or by a con man, who is recently discussed in the last
paragraph. Anyways, I’ll expound on both areas instead...
Outwardly remodelling one’s identity, such as legally adapting a new name, changing their physical
appearance (through surgical means and other stuff), transferring to a different location and projecting
(and practicing) a whole new different behaviour, is totally less laborious rather than the inward
reconstruction of identity. This is true on account of the fact that the brain is as solid as a stone, and
changing it requires constant meditation (or practice) to develop holistically new point of views,
beliefs and values, which would take years or a lifetime. However, the possibility of backsliding (or
compromising) is inevitable, but don’t be disheartened – practice makes perfect.
On the other hand, a person’s identity can be replaced by having an imposter or con artist display
behaviours and act out meticulously planned events to manipulate the original person’s friends,
families and other people into changing their perception of the victim, leading to a shattered, alienated
life.
7. What happens if an identity is mistaken/stolen?
Stolen identities are already discussed in the last section (or question), so I’ve decided to omit that and
instead expound on the results or aftermath of mistaking a person’s identity for another individuals’...
Generically, when a person mistook a stranger for a person they’re familiar with, they’d simply
apologise and laugh it off to disguise their embarrassment and then part ways, so this isn’t a critical
conundrum. However, in police cases where a certain individual was framed and was mistakenly
convicted as guilty, sending the innocent person to confinement is definitely a grave situation,
because this will impede the progression of the person’s life and even depreciate their social status.
8. How can you differentiate your view of identity from secular view?
I suppose that an atheistic view of identity is perceived as a one-time thing because once it expires it
can never be restored, thereby impelling people with this belief to either work diligently and achieve
as much things as possible to leave behind after succumbing to death, or not and live a miserable,
purposeless existence unless they resort to religion for comfort, bliss and genuine happiness.