Week 6: Reflection

1. Give at least 5 VALUES that Norman learned from his family (particulary from his mother) or experiences and explain each using your own words and understanding.

- The five (5) values that he learned from his family and experiences are kindness, hard work, acceptance, contentment, and respect. When his mother told him that being dark-skinned doesn’t make a person dirty and that the true meaning of being clean is determined by what’s in a person’s heart, she taught him kindness. Norman learned the value of hard work when his mother taught him that there is much to be admired in people who overcame hardships than people who had life easy. He experienced insecurities due to poverty and his ethnicity, which made him change himself for him to fit in and be accepted by the people around him. His mother noticed this and reminded him that he does not need to change for people to accept him. The only thing he needs is to be contented with himself, accept himself, and love himself. She taught him that when a person learned to accept himself/herself, he/she will go further in life. Lastly, Norman’s mother reminded him of the value of respect when she told him to love, accept, and respect all people despite the differences. 

2. In the video, what gave you the greatest impact or touched you the most? Why?

- Norman King’s determination impacted me the most. Despite growing up in a poor family and facing discrimination at an early age, he was able to graduate and achieve his goals in life through hard work and perseverance. The lessons his mother taught him has led him further and greater in life. He learned how to accept his color, ethnicity, and flaws. Norman loved and accepted himself. He didn’t let society dictate and stop him from leading his own path — his own life. With that, he was able to climb his way up to success as he became the first Aeta graduate of the University of the Philippines. All of this was possible through the guidance of his mother, and his trust in himself.

3. Give your reaction, insights, lessons, etc. after watching the video.

- The video made me realize the importance of parents, especially mothers, in the lives of their children. Parents play a huge role in shaping their children’s future. They guide us to the right path towards a better future and protect us from harmful instances in life. When nobody wants us and believes in us, our parents are the ones who will stay to support us in our journey. Along with that, I also realized how hard it is for Aetas as they struggle to fit in and be accepted by our society. They experience discrimination due to issues of colorism. It was shown in the video that people would act differently around Aetas just because they look different and that they do not fit their standards. Rather than discriminating against Aetas and other indigenous cultures, we should break the barriers between races and treat every individual with respect.

4. From which university did Norman King graduate? (1 answer/sentence only).

- Norman King graduated from the University of the Philippines Manila.