Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM

Introduction
	Modernization is the change from a model of an evolutionary transition from a ‘pre-modern’ or ‘traditional’ to a ‘modern’ society. The teleology of modernization is described in social evolutionism theories, existing as a template that has been generally followed by societies that have achieved modernity.
	Historians link modernization to the processes of urbanization and industrialization, as well as to spread of education. As Kendal(2007) notes “Urbanization accompanied modernization and the rapid process of industrialization”. When modernization increases within a society, the individual becomes that much more important, eventually replacing the family or community as the fundamental unit of society.
	Instead of dominated by tradition, societies undergoing the process of modernization typically arrive at governance dictated by abstract principles. Traditional religious beliefs and cultural traits usually become less important as modernization takeshold.1
	Modernization is the change of a specific culture from farming, agricultural based society to an industrialized one. Modernization occurred in Western Europe and North America during the 18th and 19th centuries and has spread to Eastern European nations as well as many Asian nations since that time. Modernization includes the view that overtime, every society evolves into something greater, and as time goes on that change would allow the wealthier states to enjoy a greater freedom and understanding of the world around them.2
	Modernization. The very word conjures a whole series of images of societies and cultures, visions of historical trajectories, strong passions of hope and despair, and not least a social science melee over the reality, utility, and meaning of the concept itself. These reactions and responses are not strange or unexpected. Modernization is the sort of idea that crosscuts all of the established branches of social science, and it is studied by all of them- anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics, geography, and history.3
	Science and technology have greatly improved the quality of human life and have raised the standard of living to a record high. For centuries, science have produced dazzling technical achievements: the unleashing of energy locked up atoms, the conquest of space, the myriad micro electronics, smart telephones, computers, industrial robots and communication satellites. Scientists have discovered new ways of treating cancer and have saved lives through scientific instruments and equipments.4
	Culture is an omnibus term designating both the distinctively human forms of adaptation and distinctive ways in which different human population organize their lives on Earth. By going through the history of human beings adopted a set of goals, many of which they share with other animals but as having the unique capacity to achieve them through acquired behavioral characteristics that can vary widely from one population to another. At this level of discourse, culture is often defined against the background of the physical and biological environment to which a human population must adapt to survive.
	The term culture refers to the learned, socially acquired traditions of thought and behavior found in human societies.
	Culture . . . taken in its wide ethnographic sense is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. The condition of culture among the various societies of mankind, in so far as it is capable of being investigated on general principles, is a subject apt for the study of laws of human thought and action (Sir Edward Burnett Tylor 1871:1).5

Statement of the problem
	This study aims to probe that modernization has a great impact to the traditional culture of Brgy. Hamorawon, Rapu-Rapu Island.
	It seeks to answer the following questions:
What is the social-demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:
a. Age
b. Gender
c. Highest Educational Attainment
d. Occupation
How modernization affects their beliefs, behavior and culture?
What is the role of modernization in terms of social interaction among the residents of Brgy. Hamorawon, Batan, Rapu-Rapu Island?
How does a traditional culture differ from that of a modernized culture?

Scope and Delimitation
	This study will focus on the residents of Brgy. Hamorawon, Batan, Rapu-Rapu Island and their traditional cultures that is existing up to this moment. Thus, states the character attributes, beliefs, and behaviors of the said group of people.
	The neighboring Islands and Barangays, even those residents of Brgy. Hamorawon which are living nowadays in urban areas are out of this study. However, any prior names stated won’t be highlighted. If it is interconnected to the study, and is deemed necessary, it would be considered as part of this study.

Significance of the Study
	This study is deemed beneficial to the following people:
	First and foremost, to the residents of Brgy. Hamorawon, Batan, Rapu-Rapu Island. This study would make the aware about the modernized culture and events in the present time. Also with this, they would be able to learn the changes brought by the modernization and its effects to their culture and lifestyle.
	Second, this study is significant to the Brgy. Officials of the said place. With this study of which includes the changes in traditional culture of Brgy. Hamorawon residents, the Brgy. officials would be guided on how to develop the community.
	Third, to the Local Government of Albay. This will help them learn the culture of the Islanders, thus, enabling them to help the residents and bridge the gap between the Island and the urban areas.
	Forth, to our professor and readers. With this, they’d be given idea about the modernization’s role in cultural development.
	And lastly, to us researchers. This study enhances our skills in terms of research works, at the same time, giving us background and significant experiences as regard to the topic.








Notes

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modernization
2 http://voices.yahoo.com/modernization-indigenous-cultures-3105120.html
3 Manning Nash, Undefined Agenda (The Dynamics of Modernization in Developing Nations) p.1
4 IV-English Expressway/ Unit IV EXPLORING THE WORLD OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
5 Marvin Harris and Orna Johnson, Cultural Anthropology (Fifth Edition) p.9

	









The Impact of Modernization to
The Traditional Culture of Brgy. Hamorawon
In Batan, Rapu-Rapu Island


A research work by:
Jessica Bechayda
Bryan Del Castillo
Mary Grace Pelayo
AB Journalism 1-A