Pacheco, Princess Mae B.

Pobre, Kimberly Karen AB Political Science IIB December 12, 2013 10:30-12:00 PM L1 Philosophy of Man Research: FILIPINO VALUES

We cannot talk of a mans situatedness. They are there, ready to envelop him the moment he is born. Values of parents, other relatives, peers, and on the way to grown-upness, values of media, his church, his world of work dangle before him for him to choose from and be a part of him. In an attempt at soul-searching in the recent past, a lot has been said about Filipino values. Senator Leticia R. Shahani formed a committee to study the Filipino, and the results of that study is entitled A Moral Recovery Program: Building a People Building a Nation. This was brought to the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Development of the Senate, May 9, 1988. These are the findings of the Committee: A. The Filipino and his strengths 1. Is able to get along with others 2. Gives importance to the family 3. usually has a happy temperament and habit of laughter 4. is a good follower, able to ride with the times, and to respond creatively to the challenge of the outside world 5. is used to hard work and is industrious 6. has faith and is religious 7. is able to earn a living B. The Filipino and his weakness 1. is too self-centered 2. is over-solicitous for his family

3. lacks discipline 4. is too much a follower and lacks initiative 5. has a colonial mentality 6. believes in to each his own 7. lacks self-reflection C. The most important reasons for the Filipinos strengths and weaknesses 1. the family and home environment 2. the society in which he lives 3. culture and language 4. history 5. education 6. religion 7. nations economy 8. politics 9. mass media 10. leaders and role models D. What should be done? Suggested Goals for each Filipino: 1. The pro-country advocacy and pride towards Filipino works 2. Upholding of good for all, the ability to look at things not for self only, but for justice and anger at its desecration 3. A clean conscience and commitment in avoidance of graft and corruption, especially in ones own life 4. the values and habit of discipline and good and correct work 5. the value and habit of reflection and analysis of self, the keeping to heart of the importance of the spiritual, the giving of importance to the spirit and not to the externals only.

The Filipino value system or Filipino values refers to the set of values or the value system that a majority of the Filipino have historically held important in their lives. This Philippine value system includes their own unique assemblage of consistent ideologies, moral codes, ethical practices, etiquette, and cultural and personal values that are promoted by their society. As with any society though, the values that an individual holds sacred can differ on the basis of religion, upbringing and other factors. As a general description, the distinct value system of Filipinos is rooted primarily in personal alliance systems, especially those based in kinship, obligation, friendship, religion (particularly Christianity), and commercial relationships. PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS Filipino values are, for the most part, centered at maintaining social harmony, motivated primarily by the desire to be accepted within a group. The main sanction against diverging from these values are the concepts of "Hiya", roughly translated as 'a sense of shame', and "Amor propio" or 'self-esteem'. Social approval, acceptance by a group, and belonging to a group are major concerns. Caring about what others will think, say or do, are strong influences on social behavior among Filipinos. According to the anthropologist Leonardo Mercado, the Filipino worldview is basically 'nondualistic'. Based on his linguistic analyses of Filipino value terms like loob (Cebuanobuot), he concludes that Filipinos desire harmony, not only in interpersonal relationships, but also with nature and religion, while still remaining nondichotomous. "The Filipino wants to harmonize the object and the subject, while at the same time holding both as distinct." Elements of Filipino Philosophy (1974), Leonardo Mercado, SVD Florentino Timbreza, a cultural philosopher, concludes in his book Pilosopiyang Pilipino (1982) that Filipino values are based on the significance of the world to man. Life experiences dictate the philosophy of the Filipino, augmented by other sources like proverbs, folk sayings, folk tales, and the like. Models of the Filipino values F. Landa Jocano identified two models of the Filipino value system. The first is the exogenous model or the foreign model, while the second is the indigenous model or thetraditional model. The foreign model is described to be a "legal and formal" model, while the indigenous model is described as a "traditional and non-formal" model or guide but is deeply embedded in the subconscious of the Filipinos. The foreign model was inherited by Filipinos from Western cultures, particularly from the Spaniards and the Americans. An example of a foreign or

exogenous influence is bureaucracy exhibited in the government of the Philippines. Elements and composition Based on studies, surveys, opinions, anecdotes, and other literatures made by experts and researchers in relation to Filipino social values or Filipino core values, along with the Filipino character or Filipino identity of a person or an individual known as the Filipino, the Filipino value system are found to possess inherent key elements. Among them areoptimism about the future, pessimism with regards to present situations and events, the concern and care for other people, the existence of friendship and friendliness, the habit of being hospitable, religious nature, respectfulness to self and others, respect for the female members of society, the fear of God, and abhorrence of acts of cheating and thievery. The core values of Filipinos specifically upholds the following items: solidarity of the family unit, security of the Philippine economy, orientation to small-groups, personalism, the concepts of "loob" or "kalooban" (meaning "whats inside the self", the "inner-self", or the "actual personal feelings of the self"), existence and maintenance of smooth interpersonal relationships, and the sensing of the feelings or needs of others (known as pakikiramdam). In a larger picture, these values are grouped into general clusters or "macroclusters": namely, the relationship cluster, the social cluster, the livelihood cluster, the inwardness cluster, and the optimism cluster. Gender-specific values In relation to parenthood, bearing male and female children depends on the preferences of the parents based on the expected roles that each gender would assume once grown up. Both genders are expected to become responsible members of the family and their society. Women in the Philippines are expected to become caring and nurturing mothers for their own children. Female Filipinos are also expected to lend a hand in household work. They are even anticipated to offer assistance after being married. On the other hand,Filipino men are expected to assume the role of becoming the primary source of income and financial support of his family. Do you know why Filipinos working ability, discipline and patience is outstanding? Learn how Philippines values and culture produce amazing professionals. Close family ties To a Filipino, family comes first & family is everything. He lives with it and depends on it. His dreams, aspirations and life are always centred on his family. This family solidarity keeps a Filipino to be positive amidst everything. He works hard to ensure a better life for the family. Family is evidently highly valued in the Philippines, thus, the government also strengthens Filipino family and in great support to ensure work-family balance. Utang na loob or debt of gratitude Filipinos always recognize ones indebtedness. This means that he owed to a person who has helped him through the trials he had undergone. He repays that person in whatever kind, whatever time and situation. It is one way of showing deep appreciation for lending out a hand.Hiya It is a Filipino value that is difficult to translate. Literally it has several meanings such as shy, timid, sensitive rather than ashamed. Filipinos believe they must live up to the accepted standards of behaviour and make it a point not to

cause another persons embarrassment. Each is anticipated to have hiya in the way they behave to win respect from the community. This is a value that gives a Filipino a sense of social decency and politeness. Pakikisama There is no exact English translation for this word. It means getting along with others to preserve a harmonious relationship. It invites the Filipinos to do good and to be a nice companion. The value of pakikisama results in camaraderie and a feeling of closeness to one another. Pakikisama is also sharing ones wealth, talent, time and self with fellow human beings and working together for a common good. This value bridges the gap between cultures. Respect to Others - Filipinos regard others with dignity and respect This is being observed in a basic sense of justice, fairness and concern for others fellowmen, nature or animals. The above values are the root of many other values. Close family ties makes a Filipino a hardworking and industrious person. A Filipino will do anything for his family that also makes him optimistic, flexible, adaptable, and creative. Hiya, pakikisama, utang na loob & respect to others make a Filipino an individual with unique moral obligation to treat one another resulting to community ties. These values make Filipinos friendly, hospitable, polite & loyal. In brief, the Filipino core values influence how they behave in any situation. The Philippines is recognized in having collectivist culture indicated by close family ties and community ties in society. Filipino values are centred at preserving social harmony, motivated mainly by the desire to be accepted within a group. This makes a Filipino a reliable person that can easily integrate and work with anyone, anytime, anyhow & anywhere. A nation empowers itself depending on the beliefs, goals, ideals, aspirations, and values of its citizens. In order to achieve national unity and progress, it needs the full cooperation of its people. Values as a people and as a nation gives the identity that differentiates one race from the others. These values may improve or hinder development and progress but nonetheless, with unity of diversity, development and progress are achievable. A Filipino holds strengths that most other nationalities admire but there are also weakness that makes him a laughing stock of its foreign neighbors. STRENGTHS 1. Close Kinship - a Filipino considers family as an important social structure that they must love and care. Close family ties results to the family still being intact regardless that the children are old and with families of their own. 2. Respect for Elders - the use of po and opo in conversing or addressing older people is a sign of a Filipinos respect for the elders. Filipinos do not send their elders to nursing homes because they still value the worth and presence of the elders at home.

3. Hospitality the Filipino community are very warm and hospitable. They even give pasalubong (welcome gifts) and pabaon (farewell gifts) to guests. At times, they sacrifice their own comfort to accommodate their guests very well. 4. Strong Faith in God - their faith in God keeps them united to overcome all the problems and challenges of life. 5. Flexibility / Adaptability / Resiliency - the Filipinos have the trait to laugh at themselves and their misfortunes or failures. This is a coping mechanism to balance emotional stress and to boost the capacity to survive. They can smile in midst of problems and hardships. They can still crack jokes despite the stresses of their daily lives and during calamities. They are strong and cheerful people. 6. Ingenuity and Creativity - they are good inventors. They often improvise and make productive use of available resources. 7. Patience and Self-sacrifice - a remarkable quality of a Filipino is his capacity to endure difficulties and hardships. Maybe related to the long suffering they endured during the many colonization in Philippine history. They are patient enough to wait for their turn to be blessed with greener pastures as long as they do what is right and good. 8. Hard work and Industry - Filipinos are globally recognized for their excellent performance in any physical and technical tasks. Maybe visible due to the desire for economic security and advancement for ones self and family. 9. Fairness and Justice they always show concern for the well-being of others. They uphold the humanity of all people and regard everyone with respect and empathy. They are keen on interpersonal relationships, their primary source of security and happiness.Fairness & Justice > Equality > Social Justice > Development & Progress. 10. Readiness to Share and Help - they re always ready to lend a hand, not only in times of need (calamities or disasters) but also in festive occasions (fiestas, baptisms and weddings). The bayanihan spirit, or giving help without expecting something in return, of a Filipino is widely admired. WEAKNESSES 1. Bahala Na this is also synonymous to the phrase Que sera sera (Whatever will be, will be), or Hakuna Matata (No Worries). It leaves everything to chance or just let the circumstances take care of themselves, embracing luck over good reason.

2. Ningas Kugon kugon is a kind of grass that burns easily when dry but extinguished easily as well. Like the cogon grass, Filipinos start things with great enthusiasm but at the first sign of difficulty, the enthusiasm is consumed as fast as it has ignited. 3. Colonial Mentality Filipinos prefer foreign-made products instead of patronizing Philippine-made ones. This result to higher gains for foreign businessmen than local businessmen. Thus, it motivates Filipino businessmen to improve the quality of their products to make it more competitive against foreign ones. 4. Mamaya Na or Bukas Na Lang Habit - a poor habit, a sign of laziness, of leaving for a later time what can be done at the moment or today. Thus resulting to stacked workload to be done and then complain about it. 5. Crab Mentality - a troublesome trait evident in a Filipino where when one sees the progress of a comrade, the other becomes resentful rather than happy for the achievement. Rather than to praise, he would highlight everything negative about that person in an effort to bring him down or destroy his reputation. They would focus on others own faults rather their own inadequacies. 6. Patigasan - most Filipinos find it hard to say Im sorry or pasensya na. Their precious pride always gets the best of them. 7. Kanya kanya - a trait which shows self-centeredness and lack of regard for others. There are Filipinos who give priority to what they and their families could have, rather than what they can do to share their wealth and serve others better. This trait shows poor signs of patriotism, loyalty to community, and concern for the needs of others. Passivity (submission to others or to outside influences) 1. Indebtedness Utang Na Loob Filipinos are fond of asking for personal favors from others. It is ingrained for them to acknowledge the person who had helped them in times of need. This is a good act but if forced to repay with something bad to show gratitude then it becomes a problem. Utang na loob must not be paid with unlawful acts. 2. Interpersonal Relationships Pakikisama - every person wants to belong to a group where they can share ideas, jokes and feelings but sometimes it becomes a negative thing when the group is the one that influences the person to do unlawful or foolish things in order to belong or to gain approval. This is usually evident in the Filipino youth where peer pressure challenges someones morality.

3. Lack of Self-confidence Hiya - the Filipinos are shy to boast their achievements because they might be regarded as show-offs. They prefer to just hide those achievements and call the idea being humble. This is actually a sign of lack of self -confidence. These characteristics are a challenge for every Filipino. In order to attain development and progress, they must value and prioritize their strengths rather than hide under the clutches of their weaknesses. Embracing the strengths and conquering their weaknesses will truly help the Filipino nation go forward in attaining its plans and aspirations for a richer and more fun Philippines where most foreign countries will be jealous of.