But the leaders of both countries should be cautious in their approach towards globalization. For, like other countries, we are currently experiencing the shift in lifestyles and culture our youth due to continued modernization and exposure to more information and media. These shifts have caused changes in relationship specially in the basic unit of a country - the family.

     Historically, the family has evolved from being parent-controlled then to closely-knit then to quality-time arrangement then to remotely controlled and very recently to from-time-to-time "cellphone" text greetings. Most of these changes have been dictated by economics. For the family has evolved from the father as the sole breadwinner to both working parents. From single spouse working abroad - now to both parents working abroad. These changes have comprised the relationships of many, particularly the minor family members who must grow under proxy parents - the lucky ones with their grandparents and close relatives while the less fortunate with servants and their peers.

     Around Asia we find the negative impacts of these changes on people and their traditions. China, for one, has been greatly concerned with the creeping sexual revolution taking place in its society. Certain literary works with sexual content and revelations have shocked many of its elder citizens , as have the Chinese youth's increasingly liberal lifestyles. Women in China have traditionally been "viewed as housebound and second-class citizens," an article in Asian Times says. It continues: "The value of Chinese women lies in obedience to fathers, husbands and their sons. However, women in Taiwan have somewhat changed their attitudes and values of gender roles. One of the changes is that of the attitude toward premarital sex."

     In Taiwan, the substantial increase in premarital sexual relations and premarital pregnancy of the younger generation  has astonished its leaders and elder citizens. This surprise reaction is expected from a country that used to impose arranged marriages. These two changes seem to be influenced by the socio-economic transformation and culutral change which ahs occurred for four decades in Taiwan.

     In the Philippines, the continuing migration of their parents and the urbanward movement of the children have spelled greater independence for them since parental control and influence is almost non-existent. Their environment has also changed a lot. On one hand, the tabloids', newpapers' and magazines' graphic display of the female body, the news reports of celebrities' immoral relations, the erotic and sexual liberation story lines of pop movies, the television shows' copied material from the west, the availability of pornographic materials. While on the other hand, the Church and the educational system which both should have filled in the vacuum left by the migrating parents can't step up to the challenge because of their own inadequacies.

     Korea has experienced the same phenomenon due to its rapid economic growth. Technology, as ell, has creadted a great between the young and the old. A perception is growing among the elders that the Korean youth is discarding the moral fibers that made the elder generation persist and conquer the obstacles that made Korea a successful nation.

     These changes are the reasons why both our countries should look into and factor in as they plan to march towards the global village. Our governments should look back into oour inner strenghts - the traditions, culture, and principles - that has been etched into our subconscious and genes for generations by our forefathers. They should set up systems and policies that will preserve our inner strengths so that they will not be easily blown away by the temptest ofmodern day changes. Our leaders as well as elders should show by example these inner strenghts so that these will be emulated and preserved by our youth. Moreover, both governments should support and strengthen the persons as well as the institutions that endeavor to preserve these inner strenghts so that, as our countries move forward to lead our people to the new era, we bring along with us our uniqueness as a people as well as our strenght as a nation.

     UPAK looks foreward to be at the forefront in preserving, for its members, the patrimoy of their countries through its social and cultural activities while helping them move forward through education and financial support. TO OFWS IN KOREA, WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!