Filipino Values Essay Example

modern global community, (Panopio and Rolda, 2000).

Andres (1981) commented that the “Filipino people have a reputation for being culturally hybrids. This is most evident in our art, cities, behavior, fashions among women, business and government practices.”

Andres (1981) notes that the Filipino values can be understood by getting to know his roots.

Firstly, the roots of the Filipino are Malay and Chinese. The Malay temperament is a main component to the Filipino culture. Yet, there are the Indian, Persians, Arab, and mainly the Chines elements, too. Thus, the Filipino can adjust to a new situation because of these Malayan roots.

• He can be nice but not the frankness that can breach courtesy
• He is a natural conformist
• He is also frivolous
• Even in his religious ritual and ceremonies can be an occasion for marry- making and enjoyment
• Meetings and conferences can experience a litany of green jokes and naughty stories
• “Masayang kasama” is a high praise given to someone who is not a “kill joy” type

Secondly, the heart of the Filipino according to Andres is Spanish Christian. The religion of more than 80% of Filipinos is Spanish Roman Catholicism. Superstitious beliefs, revolutionaries who were Europeanized illustrados were Spanish, generosity and arrogance of Filipinos and Delicadeza, emphasis on appearance, reputation and status are very Spanish.

Thirdly, the Filipino mind is American. Some these elements are observable in the public health system, road system, mass education, English language, western democracy, public service and administration, and form of government. Consider how the Filipino asks questions which are influenced by

a system of western or American thought as differentiated from the Spanish frame of thought. Another important element is the influence of Protestantism, the ethics of rationality, of independence and direct way of communicating.

The Inconsistency and Conflict of Values

Values can be inconsistent and contradictory. These are reflections of the cultural diversity of a society.

Citing the study of Lloyd (1967) it is observed the “values are not called full unless they go through the cognitive, affective, and behavioral processes.

1. Cognitive. After a careful consideration, a free choice is made on what values should be chosen.
2. Affective. If a choice is to be made, it must be after considering all, if not most alternatives like style, price, durability and other considerations. The individual should have chosen the things because he or she values them.
3. Behavioral. When one values a thing so highly it will be observable in one’s action.

Basic Values

Basic values are universal to human being. The following are the eight basic and core values: 1) health, 2)truth, 3) love, 4) spiritually, 5) social responsibility, 6) economic sufficiency, 7) nationalism and patriotism, and 8) global solidarity.

Basic Filipino Values

Four basic values identified by Jaime Bulato (1966) in his study of groups of Filipino workers:

1. Close Family ties. This Filipino value of the family is seen as a defense against all hostilities from the outside world.
2. Respect for Elders (Paggalang sa Matanda). This value starts very early. Children are taught to kiss the hands of parents and other elders or to do what people in
   

the Visayas area call Amen which is equivalent of mano po in Filipino. The English version is to say “bless”. Obedience is the essence of respect for elders.

Values identified by Horacio de la Costa, SJ.

1. Self- reliance (pagsasarili). This refers to the Filipinos sense of developing oneself to be a responsible human being.
2. Sharing with One’s Fellowmen (pakikisama). This refers to the Filipinos ideals of giving and receiving as members living together as a family, or in a society or community.
3. National Unity (Pagkakaisa). This is achieved through a process of free discussion and understanding in order to bring about strong sense of unity.
4. Heroism (Pagkabayani). This Filipino value refers to the dedication of one’s life for the common good of the country whether it is an individual’s own life or that of a group.

Enriquez (1992) identified the following values that are indigenous to Filipinos. In his study, he finds kapwa, e.i., shared inner self of the unity of the self and others, as the very core concept in the interpersonal relationship among Filipinos.

1. Kalayaan (freedom). This Filipino value refers to the important value of freedom. It is valued sop highly that it is embedded deeply into the essence of life and death.
2. Katarungan (social justice). This refers to basic human right
   

and the need for truth and reason to rule. Kapayapaan and pagkakaisa are much intertwined with this value.

Other Values in Philippine Culture

There are many more values that could be mentioned. These values are often mentioned by sociologists and antropologists. These are:

Smooth Interpersonal Relationship (SIR). This refers to a mechanism or facility of getting along with others in order to avoid outward signs of conflict or avoidance of potential situation that may result to hiya (shame or loss of face).

Reciprocity (utang na loob). This value is very much related to SIR. Reciprocity is understood to mean when there is a service received or something done, whether it was solicited or not, that demands a return- the nature and proportion of the return is the contingent on the person’s status and the kind of exchanged that befits.

Hiya (self – esteem, amor propio). This refers to being sensitive to an offense or insult. One may hurt one’s sensitivity if he has said something no matter how well –intentioned it may be. Balat

sibuyas (onion - skinned) is a description for a person who easily gets hurt.

Bahala na (let fate takes its course). This is a Filipino value wherein an individual submits to belief by leaving matters to someone or something or to the supernatural to do what is necessary. It is fatalism in a sense. This attitude or subscription to fate has to sides of it, a positive and negative aspect. The negative side is when an individual believes he can no longer do something being a “captive” to fate. The positive side is that it will be a motivation to move or decide on something “come what may.” Expressions related to his value are: tsamba, swerte, gulong ng palad, iginuhit ng tadhana and malas.

Some Values Adapted in Philippine Culture

There are some values that have been adapted in the Filipino culture due to the influence of the American culture. These American values were imported during the American period of colonization in the Philippines. There are: freedom, equal opportunity, science, democracy, material comfort, hard work, success. Achievement. Efficiency and free enterprise.