CANDELARIA’S RURAL YOUTH:

A THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THEIR DISCERNMENT OF “ASENSO”

SUBMITTED BY:

GUTIERREZ, REGINE

LIZARDO, REGINA

MARASIGAN, ALEXIS

QUANICO, ANNA

REYES, LOURDES

SUBMITTED TO:

PROFESSOR SHERRY MARASIGAN

 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

In our time today, numerous people are entering courses that entails a lot of benefits when
they eventually join the labour force, this event is more present in the youth today. The present
count of the people today is intently billion in count. There are numerous factors that affect the way
how the youth of today think and reflect. According to Nugent (2005) the youth today are more
present in developing countries, it is stated that the youth today spends more time in school and at
work and are more likely to get married and have children later than the people in the past did.

In the rural setting, the common notion that people share is that the next step for the rural
youth is agriculturally based. Rural areas are naturally agricultural, large percentage of what we
consume comes from agricultural rural areas. There is said to be a decrease in the number of rural
youth to sustain the food production needed for our population today. Economic based livelihood in
the cities are now the preferred choice of the rural youth in hopes of higher probability of
employment and small-scale agriculture are being overthrown by this need, this is according to the
International Institute for Environment and Development provocation last 2012. Education is really
a big factor when it comes to development. According to United Nations (n.d.), education is
considered as the core for development in the lives of people, particularly the youth in a global
scale. It is said to be that as of 2011, 10.6 percent of the youth population are were considered as
illiterate and over 70 million people with age ranging from 10-19 were not participating in any kind
of school during the year 2010, all information coming from the United Nations research. With this
information, we can say that education of the rural youth is really a major factor to be studied in
our research in connection the growth of youth who are not able to avail education in any means,
particularly those in the rural setting. Also it would be easier for the rural youth to justify their
perception about “asenso” if they are engrossed in any type of school.

This study is about the rural youth’s perception in “asenso” in which different youth in the
rural area of Candelaria, Quezon are to be interviewed. This study will be opening the sentiments of
the rural youth regarding parental influence in decision making and also future aspects like
employment and future plans. This study aims to develop a wide range of information in relation
with the way the rural youth think and decide for themselves considering the internal and external
push and pull factors present in the rural setting
Objectives

1. To determine how the rural youth define the concept of “asenso”?

2. To determine the role of parental influence to the rural youth’s perception of “asenso”?

3. To determine the standards used by the rural youth in measuring “asenso”?

Research questions

1. What do you want to be in the future? Why is that so?

2. Do you want to go to college? Where and what school?
3. Are planning to apply for a scholarship?
4. Do you prefer to work while studying in college? Or do you want to focus only on studying?
Or work first before you continue studying college?
5. What are the important values and teachings did your parents thought you about your
education?
6. Do you always obey what your parents say?
7. Do you and your parents have the same perspective in life? How do you say so?
8. What are your parents’ dreams for you?
9. Do you parents plan to send you in the city to study/work?
10. Are your parents’ dreams different from what you dream for yourself?
11. What will you follow, your parents’ dreams for you or your dreams for yourself?
12. Do you think your dreams can help to sustain or elevate your family’s life condition?
13. If given the chance to graduate in college, where do you want to work, in rural or in urban?
14. How will you know that you are in the state of “asenso”?
15. How can you say that someone is already “asensado”
*What are the material standards you relate to “asenso”? How do the house, car, fashion and
food affect your perception of “asenso”?
16. Who are the people in your community that you consider as “asensado”? Why did you
consider them as such?
17. Where do these people (asensado) live?

Significance of the study

Santos (1982) and Cabrera (1972), on their theses, discussed the occupational aspirations
of both rural and urban youth. Santos’s Educational and Occupational Aspirations and Expectations
of High School Seniors of Canossa Academy expounded the external factors like parents, teachers,
and close relatives, which influence the individual’s occupational choices. Cabrera’s thesis entitled
The Occupational Aspirations of Urban and Rural Grade I Pupils reiterated the factors affecting these
aspirations wherein she added the different occupations from blue-collar jobs to white collar jobs
and compared which jobs the rural and urban youths prefer.

Both theses scoped how various influences affect the choices of youths with regards to
choosing their career and how these factors vary in their level of influencing the youth. But never
did they introduce why individuals prefer their said occupational aspirations, moreover, why they
choose to have a job. This study aims to understand what the meaning of “asenso” to youths is.
Consequently, this would serve as a preliminary study to the theses stated above.

This study would benefit, first of all, the youth for them to know what other youths think of
“asenso” apart from development and progress. The material and non-material standards used in
measuring asenso by the youths varies and is a help on determining the people who passed the
level of “asenso”. The study would also benefit adults including parents, relatives, and those people
in the state of ‘asenso’ on how they become a great influence on the perception of the youth of
“asenso”.

Scope and Limitation

The researcher will ensure that the data needed for the study will only be acquired from the
rural youths of Candelaria, Quezon. The researcher will consider youths whose age is only from 12-
20 years old and did not include ages beyond the measure because it is also of interest to only
include youths who are still in the elementary, high school and college level; that is to make sure
that all the respondents are still studying and did not have job experiences before the research is
conducted.

The researcher will not purposely involve or interview the parents of the rural youths in the
study because it is the focus of the research to retain the purity of the rural youth’s statement and
most of all because it is not of interest to compare and/or confirm the correspondence between the
perception of the youths and their parents.

The researcher will also make sure to comprehend deeply the reasons behind every rural
youth’s answers to questions that are answerable by “Yes” or “No”. Reasons behind course, school
and job/profession preference, work setting, parental influences, practicality, emotional aspects
and material standards will be expected from the respondents. This is to locate common patterns
and themes needed to analyze the study thematically.
 The influences of other social factors such as the media, technological advancement, peer
groups and religion on the rural youths’ perspective of “asenso” are not taken into account since
thesuch kind of study will demand much time and funds which students and other non-working
individual cannot provide, unless researchers are funded by a research agency.

CHAPTER II

METHODOLOGY

Data Gathering Method

Two methods of data gathering will be used: one includes a survey in the form of self-
administered questionnaire, and an in-depth interview. The survey deals mainly on the socio-
demographic character of the participants while the in-depth interview leads to a more detailed
understanding of the rural youths’ perception of the concept “asenso”. The interview will follow a
semi-structured interview guide questions. This way, the participants can have more freedom to
share their thoughts and experiences, which then substantiate and, at the same time, validate the
data from the survey result.

Research Sampling

The selection of participants will be conducted through purposive sampling wherein the
researchers will choose a specific rural area – Candelaria, Quezon. And then, from that rural area,
the researcher will choose 10 rural youths as respondents to be chosen through conducting another
purposive sampling. That means, the survey and the interview will proceed only if the rural youth
agreed to be one of the respondents in the research.

Research Local

The municipality of Candelaria is acknowledged to be a first class municipality in the

province of Quezon and the second district next to Lucena (NSCB, 2015).It encompasses a
population of 99,076 —24,504of which are children aged 6-16 and 60,438 are of age ranging from
17 and above. The district has desiccated coconut cooperatives, oil mills, and establishments like
hospitals, grocery chains, hardware outlets, and locally owned shops which consequently employ a
massive amount of its own citizens (NSCB, 2015).
 The concern of this research focuses primarily with the residents of Candelaria whose age is
from 12-20 years old in relation with the job opportunities accustomed by the municipality to
sustain the development of the area. The total number of migration including the diasporas within
the municipality, the province, inside the country, and outside the country held a number of 10,321
people. Having the data of migration and the nature of employment, the study will have to analyze
where the rural youth distinguish “asenso”.

In the small rural community like Candelaria, it is important to evaluate the perception of
the youth to assess the progress of the municipality in the succeeding years. The growing success of
the district is predicated on their discernment of asenso with respect to influences external and
coercive of the individual youth. These influences differ through familial impacts, social pressures,
media, political influences, and economic consequences.

Data Analysis

This research will be characterized as a qualitative research, more particularly be analyzed

through thematic analysis. According to Meriam (2009), “Qualitative researchers are interested in
understanding the meaning people have constructed, that is, how people make sense of their world
and the experiences they have in the world.” This means that qualitative method obtains deeper
understanding and appreciation of the individual and group experiences. The behaviors, beliefs,
opinions, emotions, and relationships are some of the human-side aspects that are being revealed in
a qualitative method (Family Health International, n.d.)
To be able understand deeper the experiences and encounters of the individual and of the
groups, thematic analysis will be used to comprehend apparently independent or disassociated
matters. As stated by Braun and Clarke (2006), thematic analysis is a qualitative method for:

“identifying, analyzing and reporting patterns (themes) within data. It minimally

organizes and describes your data set in (rich) detail. However, frequently it goes
further than this, and interprets various aspects of the research topic.”

In this manner, general patterns or themes that would permit the researchers to dig more
and go further about the topic and analyze the data will be constructed.
 CHAPTER III

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Based from the responses elicited from the interviews, the following responses were given
through the interview questions (Appendix __) which would help in explaining their perception of
“asenso” and the common points they have mentioned.

Material Standards of “Asesnso”

In describing on what or who looks like a person who can they classify as “asensado,” the
commonly answered factors are: (1) financial security, (2) the ownership of tangible properties,
and (3) how their appearance or how they carry themselves out in the public.

Financial Security

Majority of them stated that what they classify as “asensado” is someone who has financial
security. This is further elaborated as having the financial capability to sustain their needs and the
financial power to acquire wants. There is a mobility in terms of economic status and/or has been
usually described in a person they know who is “asensado” in their community is how there is a
change in that person’s life conditions such as having renovated their houses, acquiring vehicles, or
having the ability to pay former debt and not to apply for loans. As one respondent stated on the
question how they see the term “asensado” is:

“As a term sa pinancial, sa time, sa pamilya marami pero as a whole asensado kapag
na-secure mon a yung financial needs mo sa pamilya at sa sariling kagustuhan
personal na mga bagay”

“Makikita mo yung ito sa isang tao… kunwari po yung isang tao as in nasa babang-
baba dati tapos nagkaroon siya ng tiyaga tapos yun umunlad po siya sa huling banda.
Yung na-develop po yung buhay niya sa kada araw.”

“… kapag yung mga luho ho mga mahal man o hindi, nabibili ko kung ano man yung
gusto ko. [at gusto ng pamilya ko kagaya ng magandang bahay yung mga gusto nila]”

“Dito kasi kapag asensado ka nakikita sa bahay ganon ‘saka nabibili mo yung mga
luho ganon.”

Owning of Properties and Physical Appearance

Another standard is how they present themselves to society, this being either through
formerly stated the items that they own or it can be through how they look at a person. How they
say that they look as “asensado” is how they present themselves through what they own. Most
highlighted by what properties they own and the description of the houses they are living in, if they
own a vehicle, and also the kind of clothing that they wear. Some even describe the house that these
people generally live in – a two-story is made of concrete.
 Also included are their actions and their physical appearance. This factor is what their
decorum is when they are in the community and how they interact with people, which can
presumably related to the class they are in.

“Ang first impression natin kapag sinabi nating asensado financial factor kaagad
siyempre kapag decente, mayaman, may pera ganon masasabi mong asensado. Ang
itsura mukhang asensado”

”Syempre asensado kapag may malaking bahay, ung kotse niya magagara, yung hindi
mumurahin. Tapos yung mga damit niya branded.”

Non- Material Standards of “Asesnso”

Aside from what can be seen physically, the respondents also cited as what they classify as
“asensado.” Through the follow-up questions on how to define what they mean of “asenso” and a
person who is “asensado,”in which what they have described as “asenso” becomes dependent on the
personal perspective of the respondent. Some defined this related to psychological and emotional
fulfillment of the self, happiness, having less or no problems whatsoever, and contentment.

“Attainment of one’s goal [or] happiness. Kunwari ang goal ko lang ay maging
mayaman kapag na-attain ko na yun, parang umaasenso na ako. Tapos meron ring
side na yung gusto lang niya ay maging masaya gusto lang makapag-share ng
knowledge. Parang yung isa kong teacher [na matagal nang nagtuturo] tinanong ko
siya kung gusto niyang maging mayaman tapos sabi na hindiniya naman gustong
yumaman ang gusto lang niya ay makapagturo at makapag-share ng knowledge.
Parang through that thing hindi lang sa pera hindi lang sa materyal na bagay yung
asenso o yung success, pwede rin sa happiness o parang mafe-feel mo rin yung
comfortable ka nay un talaga yung goal mo sa lupa”

“… ang isang tao ay anensado na kapag yung tao ay asensado na, parang masaya na
po siya sa buhay niya. Pag masaya po di po natin masasabi na sa pera, sa mga bagay
na nagugusto mo, para sa akin po kung masaya ka na magagawa niyo ang mga bagay
na may pera kayo… kung masaya po meron kayong pambili ng ganito kahit di niyo
mabili yung mga gusto ninyo pero makakabili ng kailangan niyo, ok nap o yun.”

“Kapag wala na pong bumabagabag sa akin katulad ng financial problemkung na-fix

nap o yun. Tsaka yung pangunahing pangangailangan po namin ok na ang lahat
natulungan ko po sila sa buhay.”

“Yun pong pag nakakita kayo ng malaking bahay asensado na po yung tao hindi po
ganon. Ang asensado po para sa akin yun po yung pag nagampanan niyo napo yung
mga pangarap niyo aasenso ka na rin.”

While some still relates how the social condition of the family can be related in examing a
person who is “asensado.”

“… kasama rin po kapag ang pamilya niya ay buo, maayos, yun po.”

“… parang wala na silang problema sa buhay nila ganon parang almost perfect family.”
 One respondent cited how educational attainment can be used as a measurement in
defining what is “asensado.” Since it can be implies that if a person already has the financial
capability for them to be classified as “asensado,” this also means that they have the educational
resources to do so.

“Yun po pagtingin mo pa lang. nakita mo sa tingin mo pa lang na edukado, alam mo

na siya ay may magandan pinag-aralan. Alam mo na may narating ito dahil iba siya
makisalamuha sa iba meron siyang isip, parang may pinag-aralan po siya. Pag ganon
siya alam mong mayroon na siyang narrating. Yun po parang may laman yung
sinasabi niya.”

These non-material standards are more related to the individual attainment that is
personal. It is more related to personal development and how these are more lasting than the
tangible, material factors.

Importance of Familial Support and Relationships in the Rural Areas

The factor of having close familial relationships in the rural areas is seen through the
decision-making process which is largely affects the education of the child and what career would
they want to practice when they are independent. In explaining what they define“asenso”as, the
family is still mentioned in the material and non-material factors formerly explained.

Decision-making

The decision-making process is more of a two-way relationship within the parents and the
child. In what the respondents cited, their parents, although some of themdid not decide what
degree their children are taking, still show support to the children.

“Pagbutihin ko na lan daw po kasi choice ko naman yun kung ano yung gusto ko[ng
course] eh.”

“Ano eh ico-consider ko naman at iwe-weigh ko rin naman yung gusto ko ba o gusto

ng parents ko. At alam ko naman kasi na kahit gusto nila yoon [pagiging Pulis] parang
kung ipur-pursue ko naman yung gusto nila[ng course], habang tine-take yung gusto
nilang course para sa akin at parang nakikita nila na hindi naman ako masaya, mas
gusto nila na pursue ko na lang yung gusto kong course.”

“Ang gagawin ko po ay ano po kung saan ako masaya kung ano ang gusto ko. Pero di
ko po sinasabi na kung saan ako masaya doon lang ako di ko papansinin sila. Then
kakausapin ko po sila sa kung anong gusto ko po talaga maging engineer at dito
talaga ako sa course na iyon sasabihin ko talaga na doon talaga ako.”

“Noong bata pa ako tinitinggan ko yung nakasulat sa yearbook mga kuya ko

nakalagay, ‘to be an engineer’ eh hindi nila natupad yung pangarap na iyon kaya
gusto kong ako ang tutupad ng pangarap na iyon.”

Career/Educational Choices
 There are also some who cited that it is the influence of other relatives which have made
them decide on what degree they want to take and the school they want to go to. Here, majority of
them stated that they would rather have tertiary education in their province in order to be closer to
their family. Even those who would want to study in the urban area would still reside with an
extended family member also located within the vicinity. In this, the close relation of rural families
heavily influences where they want to currently settle.

“Yung nakita ko po yung tito ko at yung mga kinukuwento niya sa bahay di

nagkakaroon po ako imagine na ganito pala. Tapos yung nakita ko yung course noong
nagfi-fill-up na ako, engineering eh di naisip ko yung tito ko [ay] ako, yung para pong
sinabi niya sa akin magagawa ko rin po.”

“Kasama po ng kapaid ko sa UPLB.”

“Gusto ko talaga sa Lucban kasi yung mga pinsan ko doon rin nag-aaral.”

“Gusto kasi talaga nila yung gusto ko [in terms of degree/job] and since hindi ko
talaga alam eh parang sila na ang nag-decide na sige nandiyan na maging engineer
ka na lang.”

“Sinunod ko po sila kasi magulang ko sila. Alam nila kung ano ng tama para sa akin.”

The Role of Family as a Motivation to Become “Asensaco”

A reason why they want to achieve that concept of “asenso” is in order to help their family,
in order to pay back the support they have given to them. When discussing what their dreams are,
or what they want to be and what will happen when they grow up, the family they grew up with is
still included in their plans.

“Makakatulong po siya kung kunwari po nakatapos na ako dahil ako na lang po ang
maasahan nila kasi ako po ang magiging breadwinner ‘pag nagkataon po.”

“Baka po kasi pagnakatapos ako wala na po silang pagkakitaan kasi patanda nap o
sila ng patanda para pong ako na lang po ang aasahan nila.”

“Ok lang naman po kasi sabi ko po para sa kanila naman po iyon.”

Importance of Education

Along with their parental influence, an emerging theme related to acquiring “asenso” is
educational attainment. Their preference on having finishing a college degree is highlighted on all
respondents. They would relate to having college education in orderacquire more job opportunities
when they graduate would further lead them to their own self-development and economic gain.

“… napagispan ko noong kahulian dati na mag-aral po [imbis na magtrabaho kaagad]

kasi pag di ka po nag-aral/natapos tapos nag-work ka yung work mo po hindi kasing
ayos compared sa na nagtapos ka.”
 “Mas pipiliiin ko po ang mag-aral kasi may mga bagay na mahirap i-manage kagaya
ng time [related] sa dedication mo sa pag-aaral siyempre kapag working student
kapag may financial problem pwede mong ma- support.”

They also highlighted how their parents would also encourage them to finish their studies
for their gain. Even if they have come from various social classes it is seen in their parents that
education is an important factor to be well-off in their children’s lives. Actions such as perseverance
would help them in the attainment of “asenso.”

“Mag-aral lang po ng mag-aral hanggang may pampaaral”

“Sinasabi nila na ‘anak kapag nahihirapan ka sabihin mo lang gagawin namin ng

paraan huwag mong pilitin ang sarili mo kapag hindi mon a kaya.”

“Kailangan masipag/matiyaga sa pagaaral kasi yun lang po yung kaya nilang

ipamana sa amin. Kasi mahirap lang kami kasi para pong may education daw po kahit
ngayon po umaasa pa rin sa magulang eh paano po kapag wala na sila eto nga po
yung kayang tumayo sa sarili mo.”

Rural to Urban Migration and vice versa

The general question in relation to the concept of “asenso” is where they see themselves to
achieve that state of “asenso.” This has where the respondents go on different perspectives if they
would stay in the rural or go to an urban space. The reasons for moving to different places are
mainly because of the opportunities they can get, where they want to settle down when they have
reached that state of “asenso,” and financial practicality.

Opportunities in Urban Areas

A reason for why the respondents said that they want to move to the urban when they start
to work is that they believe there are more job opportunities, job vacancies in the urban setting.
The difference in wages between the urban and rural occupations is cited.

“Siguro sa urban ako magsisimula kasi doon ang malaki ang sweldo. Kasi po sa pagiging
praktikal ngayon, mahirap po kasi ag buhay ngayon kaya siguro pipiliin ko pong magtrabaho
sa urban.”

“Parang konti lang yung ano… basta nandoon lahat [trabaho] parang dito konti lang yung
infrastructures ganon.”

Another how the urban, specifically Manila or NCR is a different environment compared to
where they are currently in. That the urban setting can give a different experience to them in order
to develop themselves and this is where some can perceive success.

“Sa simula po gusto ko po sa urban, kasi siyempre kailangan mong matutunan kung
ano ang meron sila doon tapos yung experience na nakuha natin i-apply natin sa
rural.”
 “Meron akong planong pumunta sa urban for experience pero wala akong planong
manatili doon.”

“Sa Manila po. Sa palagay ko na po iba po yung kalakaran sa trabaho mas masasanay
po ako doon kesa dito para pong kunwari po sa sahod mas mataas-taas po ang rate sa
Manila.”

“Sa Manila kasi [sa] Diliman ko kasi talaga gusto. Eh parang pagdatingnko sa Manila
kahit ibang iba yung environment – although mausok nga, sobrang polluted ng
tanawin, yung success po doon ko nafe-feel. Yung civilized na yung mga tanawin, mga
buildings, yung buhay na gusto ko. Siguro gusto ko lang maranasan pero yun para
maiba lang.”

While there are still some who would only migrate to the urban if it is necessary and if there
is no available work that is related to the field in their area.

“May plangong pumunta ng urban ‘pag kailangan lang po wala akong planong
pumunta ng urban kapag hindi naman kailangan.”

Residence

What is being asked here is if where they see more people who have achieve the state of
“asenso,” and where would they want to settle if they can classify themselves as “asensado.” What
the majority of them cited is that even if there are more people who are “asensado” in the urban
area, they would rather settle in the rural. What they highlight is the simplistic life it gives that
distinguishes it from the urban and how the they feel that the rural is a break away from their work
and fast-paced life.

“Sa rural po kasi dito mas payapa ang buhay.”

“Dito na lang po. Simple lang po ang pamumhay dito hindi po kailangan na
marangyang pamumuhay. Basta may tiyaga sa sarili mo kaya mong magbungkal ng
lupa, magtanim, yung life mo masusurvive mo.”

“Gusto kong lumipat sa Manila, pero siyempre may bahay rin dito para pag sobrang
[stressful] yung nangyari sa Manila babalik rin ako dito sa probinsiya.”

A respondent also cited how these people who are “asensado” both have properties in the
urban and rural place which is actually practiced in the country. Not only that, but also how people
who are “asensado” live in subdivisions that are although not exclusive, it is distinctive who
“asensado” in the rural area is.

“Sa siyudad po yung karamihan… pero meron rin naman pong mayayaman na sa
siyudada yung mga negosyo pero yung main hometown po sa probinsya.”

Practicality

A reason why most of them studied in the rural area or decided to study in the rural area is
because it is more practical than living in the urban. In the urban, they would spend more because
of the difference in the cost of living compared to the rural. Aside from the cost of living, the time in
order to commute is mentioned that if they were to commute from rural to urban every day, they
would just use that time to rest instead.

“Gusto kasi nila mas malapit at gusto ko rin naman malapit, ayoko sa Manila kasi
malayo… mas magastos po doon.”

A follow-up question was given to them if they would they rather settle for a well-paying job
in the rural or go to the urban in which although there are a various opportunities, they would start
at a lower rate but there is a chance of getting a promotion.

“Mas maraming opportunities siguro sa Manila [pero hindi na ako susugal doon].
Kunwari may trabaho na ako dito, kasi ayokong sumugal pa sa mas malayo mas gusto
ko na sigurado na talaga.”

“Dito pa rin. Kasi parang stable na yung trabaho ko dito stable na yung suweldo
koayaw ko nang sumugal sa Manila, kasi marami akong kakompetensiya doon
marami ring magagaling maraming gusting sumubok sa trabaho. Dito secure sa
Manila susugal pa so doon na ako sa secure.”

In their responses, the practicality is a more important factor and since there is a trend for
urban migration in order to gain job opportunities, there is more competition, therefore making it
more uncertain. Here although the respondents have chosen from former questions they have
stated that urban migration is needed to gain more opportunities, they would rather have the
financial stability that is more beneficial to them since the location is at the rural space.

CHAPTER IV

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Conclusion

Based on the data gathered from the research, with respondents aged between 12-20 years
of age, the researchers concluded that the youth’s perception of the concept of “asenso” is closely
associated not only with material possessions and the ability to show material possessions such as
elegant houses, cars and fashions but also it is also related to psychological and emotional
fulfillment of the self, happiness, having less or no problems whatsoever, and contentment. At the
same time, it is observed as a familial rather than individual concept. Parental influences are more
evidently seen as parental support in the rural youths’ perception of “asenso”. In addition, the data
gathered showed a high ratio of youth associating “asenso” with cities and skyscrapers. But
although the youth associate “asenso” with the urban area, the youth still chose to stay in their
hometowns – the provinces.
The researchers in the summary concluded the following:

1. The rural youths’ perception of the concept of “asenso” is a combination of the fulfillment of their
desired futures profession and the satisfaction of their family’s wants and needs. The main goal or
aspiration of the youth for their future is to find professional jobs aligned to the course they’re
taking or jobs aligned to their skill set in order to help their families escape from poverty or to
alleviate them from pain and suffering from working nonstop. This is also more closely related to
the common phrase, “pag naiahon ko na ang pamilya ko sa hirap at nagging maginahawa na ang
buhay naming.” In this statement, we can conclude that rural youths’ perception of “asenso” is not a
personal and an individualistic concept but familial and collective.

2. The role of parental influence on rural youths is evidently seen as parental or familial support
and reminder. Most of the respondents stated that their parents allow them to choose and pursue
their preferred path in life. Parents, according to the respondents, would always remind them their
duties as sons and daughters at the same time as students. The respondents added that parents’
teachings should be obeyed because these are what leads a child to a good situation. As I quote one
of the youths, “syempre alam nila yung makakabuti para sa atin, hindi naman nila tayo ipapahamak
e.”

3. The researchers concluded that although a high ratio of the ideology of “asenso” is associated
with the urban, the youth of Candelaria, Quezon still chose the rural areas over urban areas
compared to respondents who chose the urban area over the rural area. Most of the rural youth still
associated the attainment of “asenso” in the rural rather than urban areas. Some of the respondents
stated that after graduation, they would prefer to have their initial job experiences in urban areas
such as Manila. They stated that more opportunities with higher income are to be found in Manila
rather than their province. As one of the respondents stated, “Siguro sa urban ako magsisimula kasi
doon ang malaki ang sweldo. Kasi po sa pagiging praktikal ngayon, mahirap po kasi ag buhay ngayon
kaya siguro pipiliin ko pong magtrabaho sa urban.” Income, in this aspect is a very important
determinant of whether a rural youth will stay in the rural area or migrate in the urban. But most of
the respondents posited that if given the chance to graduate in college would prefer to practice
their expertise in their province. A statement from one of the respondent left a reality that rural
youths should also consider about migrating in the urban to look for jobs. As he stated, “Dito pa rin.
Kasi parang stable na yung trabaho ko dito stable na yung suweldo koayaw ko nang sumugal sa
Manila, kasi marami akong kakompetensiya doon marami ring magagaling maraming gusting
sumubok sa trabaho. Dito secure sa Manila susugal pa so doon na ako sa secure.” Competition,
according to this statement should always be considered in migrating to urban areas since it is a
necessary factor of one’s survival in the urban.

4. That the main reason that hinders the youth from migrating to the urban areas is separation
anxiety. Since the Philippine culture sports a very tight-knit family system or kinship, the youth
rarely leave their families for work or even when starting a family of their own.

5. The thoughts of the respondents about the standards used in measuring “asenso” is
divided into two types; physical and material possessions and psychological and emotional
fulfillment. Rural youths closely associated “asenso” not only with material possessions and
the ability to show material possessions such as elegant houses, cars and fashions but also
to psychological and emotional fulfillment of the self, happiness, having less or no problems
whatsoever, and contentment. This statement from one of the respondents support the
physical and material definition of “asenso”, “Ang first impression natin kapag sinabi nating
asensado financial factor kaagad siyempre kapag decente, mayaman, may pera ganon
masasabi mong asensado. Ang itsura mukhang asensado”. While this statement supports the
psychological and emotional defition of “asenso”, “Attainment of one’s goal [or] happiness.
Kunwari ang goal ko lang ay maging mayaman kapag na-attain ko na yun, parang
umaasenso na ako. Tapos meron ring side na yung gusto lang niya ay maging masaya gusto
lang makapag-share ng knowledge. Parang yung isa kong teacher [na matagal nang
nagtuturo] tinanong ko siya kung gusto niyang maging mayaman tapos sabi na hindiniya
naman gustong yumaman ang gusto lang niya ay makapagturo at makapag-share ng
knowledge. Parang through that thing hindi lang sa pera hindi lang sa materyal na bagay
yung asenso o yung success, pwede rin sa happiness o parang mafe-feel mo rin yung
comfortable ka nay un talaga yung goal mo sa lupa”.

Recommendation

Since the study did only gathered information from the rural youths alone although it is also
of interest to know the role of parental influences, the researchers recommend the future
researchers to include information from the parents of the rural youth especially if the researcher
would like to include comparison between the perception of the rural youth and their parents. It is
also of recommendation to expand the scope of the study in terms of the location and respondents.
The researcher can feature two rural areas for example to test if rural youths perception of “asenso”
differs from one place to another or to only choose one rural area but to increase the number of
respondents; more specifically making sure that there are equal number of representatives from
the elementary grade, high school and college level. That is to check if there are changes in the rural
youths’ perception of “asenso” from time to time and/or as the level of knowledge increases.

The researcher also reccommend the future researchers to not limit their study to parental
influences alone. The future researchers can also identify the influences of other social factors that
surround the rural youths to be able to gain a wider explanation behind every rural youths’ ideas,
reasons, actions and decision. Media, technological advancement, peer groups and religion are
other social factors that future researchers can include in identifying the rural youths’ perception of
“asenso”.
 APPENDIX

RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

1. What do you want to be in the future? Why is that so?

2. Do you want to go to college? Where and what school?
3. Are planning to apply for a scholarship? *means
4. Do you prefer to work while studying in college? Or do you want to focus only on studying?
Or work first before you continue studying college?*means
5. What are the important values and teachings did your parents thought you about your
education?
6. Do you always obey what your parents say?
7. Do you and your parents have the same perspective in life? How do you say so?
8. What are your parents’ dreams for you?
9. Do you parents plan to send you in the city to study/work?
10. Are your parents’ dreams different from what you dream for yourself?
11. What will you follow, your parents’ dreams for you or your dreams for yourself?
12. Do you think your dreams can help to sustain or elevate your family’s life condition?
13. If given the chance to graduate in college, where do you want to work, in rural or in urban?
14. How will you know that you are in the state of “asenso”?
15. How can you say that someone is already “asensado”
*What are the material standards you relate to “asenso”? How do the house, car, fashion and
food affect your perception of “asenso”?
16. Who are the people in your community that you consider as “asensado”? Why did you
consider them as such?
17. Where do these people (asensado) live?

Actual Research Questions of the Respondents

1. Ano ang mga pangarap mo para sa sarili mo at sa pamaliya mo? Sa tingin mo, sino ka na
after 10 years?
2. Anong grade/year mo na? Saang school?
3. Ano ang mga paalala sa iyo ng mga magulang mo tungkol sa pag-aaral? Pinapaalalahanan ka
ba nila bago ka umalis papuntang school at pagbalik sa bahay?
4. Lagi mo bang sinusunod ang mga pangaral at utos ng mga magulang mo sa iyo? Pano mo
nasabi?
5. Pareho ba kayo ng pananaw ng mga magulang mo sa buhay? May mga bagay ba kayong
hindi napagkakaintindihan o napag-aawayan?
6. Ano ang mga pangarap ng mga magulang mo para sa iyo? Pareho ba ito ng mga pangarap
mo para sa sarili mo? Pareho ba ang pangarap nila para sa iyo at ang pangarap mo para sa
sarili mo?
7. Kung sakaling magka-iba ang mga pangarap nila para sa iyo at ang pangarap mo para sa
sarili mo, alin ang susundin mo, ang pangarap mo o ang pangarap nila? Bakit?
8. Saan mo gusto mag-college? Sa siyudad tulad ng Manila o sa sarili mong probinsiya? Bakit?
9. May mga plano ba ang mga magulang mo noon o kaya naman ay ngayon na pag-aralin ka sa
Manila?
10. Sa tingin mo ba, sa pamamagitan ng mga pangarap mo ay matutulungan mo sa pag-ahon sa
kahirapan ang pamliya mo? Bakit?
11. Kung makatapos ka ng college, at kailangan mo ng mag-apply o maghanap ng trabaho? Saan
mo gustong mag-apply, sa rural o sa urban? Bakit?
12. Pamilyar ka ba sa salitang “asenso”? Paano mo mabibigyang kahulugan iyon?
13. Ano yung mga basehan mo para sabihin na ang isang tao ay “asensado”? may kinalaman ba
ang pagmamay-arin ng kotse, magandang bahay, at magagandang damit sa “asenso”? bakit?
14. Sino iyong tao sa community niyo na iniidolo mo kasi masasabi na “asensado” na siya? Kung
wala naman, sino ang hinahangaan mo na from “rugs to tiches” ang istorya ng buhay?
15. Saan nakatira ang mga taong ito ns tinuturing mong asensado?