Over the years and with advances in communication technologies, globalization is becoming more and more a reality. People are no longer separated by geographical or cultural barriers and the use of English (the universal language) is widely encouraged throughout the world. Language is considered a marker of success in countries where English is not the native language: if you speak it fluently, you are considered smarter and more articulate. Opportunities to live, study and work in other countries are opening up and as a result, in the era of globalization, there is less emphasis on learning and mastering one's native language . And with the loss of the native language, comes the loss of a strong cultural identity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essayWhy is cultural identity so important, you might ask. Well, studies have shown that this issue rears its ugly head, especially when it comes to native language in the Philippines. The country has a long history of colonization, notably by Spain and the United States. As such, the use of Tagalog and other Filipino languages ​​had already been discouraged for a long time, and this notion that the use of our native language is unimportant continues to be present in modern social spheres. As a result, new generations of Filipinos have had less and less exposure to Tagalog, suggesting that we have a weaker sense of cultural identity. Having lived in the Philippines for most of my formative years, I feel like I have faced this problem personally. And from my personal experience, I would have to agree. Growing up, I was mainly exposed to Western media – movies, TV shows, books, etc. In fact, it was the consumption of this media that led me to learn English. So, at a relatively young age, I already spoke and read English quite well. On the other hand, the only time I used Tagalog was at home. My parents made sure to speak to me in the language, to make sure I understood it and could speak it conversationally, but the usage stopped there. In almost every other social situation I found myself in, I used English. I spoke to my friends in English, I ordered food in English. In school, I always did better in English classes than in Tagalog classes - in fact, Tagalog was the only subject I always struggled with. My disconnect with my native language was then exacerbated by my move to Singapore. Before, I was still exposed to Tagalog: people around me spoke it and I saw advertisements using it, among other examples. Except now, in this new country, my exposure to the language was actually limited to interactions with my family. Over time, my command of Tagalog has deteriorated to the point that I can only remember a few words and phrases, and reading it proves to be a great difficulty. I can still understand most of the spoken Tagalog, but it's clear that I've forgotten some of the most crucial elements of mastering the language: speaking and reading in Tagalog. My complicated relationship with my native language subsequently affected how I perceived myself in the context of Filipino culture. I feel separated from the culture of my home country - even when I lived there, and now, when I live elsewhere. Recently, I've been dreading the thought of living there again. I feel that I will have difficulty assimilating, difficulty in connecting with.