Philippine Values is defined by the way of people live their life as an
influence of one’s culture. Philippines, having been
an archipelago, has not become a hindrance towards having a single values
system throughout the country. In whatever part of the country you may be, one
will find the same hospitality that the Filipinos are known for as well as many
other values that have originated from our forefathers.
The values of Filipinos have been
looked upon by foreigners as a weakness instead of strength due to the nature
of how they may be abused and manipulated due to these values. But values are
what make up a certain nation both in growth and unity. Some may see that
Filipino values as a hindrance to the growth of the country and yet others may
say that his is what makes our country powerful.
In order to understand these concepts,
let us look into the different values of the Filipinos and how they may be of
influence to a person’s growth.
Family
The Philippines is known to be a family
centered nation. The Filipinos recognize their family as an important social
structure that one must take care of. They give importance to the safety and
unity of one’s family. The Filipino family is so intact that it is common for
members of the same family work for the same company. It is also common to find
the whole clan living in the same area as that the Filipinos are afraid to be
too far from their own family.
People get strength from their family,
thus a child may have several godparents to ensure his future in case his
parents will not be there for him. They also do not let their elders live too
far away from them. The Filipinos take care of their elders by taking them into
their homes. Unlike the Westerners, the Filipinos do not send their elders to
nursing homes to be taken care of. They believe that when their elders are
unable to live alone, the time has come for them to pay their respects and to
be able to serve their parents just as they were cared for when they were
younger.
Politeness
Filipinos are taught to become
respectful individuals. This is mainly due to the influence of Christianity
that tells us to honor both our parents and our elders. The use of ‘’po’’ and
‘’’opo’’’ when in conversation with an elder or someone who is older is a
manifestation of how Filipinos respect their elders.
Hospitality
The Filipinos are very hospitable when
it comes to their fellowmen. They will invite their visitors to come into their
homes and offer them treats such as snacks and drinks after a long journey.
There are also instances when the Filipinos will serve only the best to their
visitors even if at times they may not be able to afford it. They also go the
extremes as to give up the comfort of their own bedrooms for their guests and
to the point of sleeping on floor just to ensure that their guests are
comfortable.
Gratitude
Gratitude or ‘’’utang na loob’’’ is a
very popular Filipino characteristic. One does not forget the good deeds that
others may have done to him or her especially at times of great need. This debt
of gratitude are sometimes abused by those who have done well to others as they
may ask favors or things that may either be unreasonable or beyond the means of
the one in debt.
Shame
Shame or ’’Hiya’’ is a very common
Filipino value. It is said that Filipinos would go to great lengths in order
for one not to be ashamed. Hiya has a great influence on one’s behavior for one
will do everything, even if it is beyond his means just to save his reputation
as well as the families. The Filipinos feel pressured to meet the status of the
society when it comes to economic standing. One indication of this might be a
willingness to spend more than they can afford on a party rather than be shame
by their economic circumstances.
Flexibility, Adaptability, and Creativity
Filipino's sense of joy and humor is
evident in their optimistic approach to life and its travails. The ability to
laugh at themselves and their predicament is an important coping mechanism that
contributes to emotional balance and a capacity to survive. These are
manifested in the ability to adjust to often difficult circumstances and
prevailing physical and social environments. Filipinos have a high tolerance
for ambiguity that enables them to respond calmly to uncertainty or lack of
information. Filipinos often improvise and make productive and innovative use
of whatever is available. These qualities have been repeatedly demonstrated in
their capacity to adapt to living in any part of the world and in their ability
to accept change.
Loyalty
Loyalty or ‘’’Pakikisama’’’ is another
Filipino value. Filipinos are said to be loyal to their friends and fellowmen
in order to ensure the peace in the group. This is manifested in their basic
sense of justice and fairness and concern for other's well being. Filipinos
recognize the essential humanity of all people and regard others with respect
and empathy. With this orientation, Filipinos develop a sensitivity to the
nature and quality of interpersonal relationships, which are their principal
source of security and happiness.
Hard work and Industry
The related capacity for hard work and
industry among Filipinos is widely recognized. Filipinos are universally
regarded as excellent workers who perform well whether the job involves
physical labor and tasks or highly sophisticated technical functions. This
propensity for hard work, which often includes a highly competitive spirit, is
driven by the desire for economic security and advancement for oneself and
one's family. This achievement orientation is further accompanied by typically
high aspirations and great personal sacrifices.
Resignation
Trust in God or the concept of
‘’’Bahala na’’’ has been over-used time and again. This ideal is used when a
person does not know what to do or is to lazy to do anything at all. This
belief to put fate in God’s hands may be a sign of how religious Filipinos may
be at the same time, it may show that the Filipinos are free-spirited and that
they put their life in fate’s hands.
Amor Propio
“Amor propio” is Spanish word which
means self –love; a sense of self-esteem or self respect that prevents a person
from swallowing his pride. It includes sensitivity to personal insult or
affront. A slight remark or offensive gesture, though insulting, would not
trigger a sense of “amor propio”.
The stimulus that sets it off is only that which strikes at the Filipino’s
most highly valued attributes.
Delicadeza
Delicadeza is a
Spanish term which when translated in English means daintiness. It is defined
as an act of being refined or delicate in tastes or manners. But in
simple terms, its commonly referred to as a sense of propriety or how to behave
rightly in all circumstances. It is in essence an etiquette that was passed on
to us as a legacy of the Spanish culture.
Filipino Time
Filipino Time, which means things
get done whenever they get done. Official Timing of The Philippines.
I
set up part for 6:00. This is interpreted as 7:00 filipino time
In Some cases, Filipino hosts deliberately set the time and hour or so earlier,
knowing that the guests will arrive an hour or so late. In this case, the poor Americans are surprised to see that they’re
the first ones to arrive and the only ones there for the first hour or so.
Mañana Habit
The Mañana Habit is something that we have
learned from the Spaniards. The word "Mañana" means ‘tomorrow’ or
‘specified future time’ also known as “procrastination” in plain English,
“mamaya na” in Filipino.
How it Works:
1. You
need to do something now.
2. But
then you decide to do it later.
3.
As a result of the delay, you end up not doing it.
4. Now,
you tell yourself or somebody that you will do it tomorrow.
5. Tomorrow
comes. The same cycle happens.
Ningas Cogon
The popular Filipino phrase "Ningas Cogon" refers
to the unnerving attitude of starting an initiative but fails to continue it,
or the lack of a follow-up. It is generally viewed as a negative trait and i do
not know if there is any one person who feels that this is good behavior.
Palabra De Honor
Another value of the
Filipinos is lack of a “Palabra de Honor” which means a verbal commitment by
one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future.
Colonial Mentality
ANTI-FILIPINOS say that Filipinos, because of their colonial
mentality, always prefer foreign talents and products to local ones. This
mentality does exist, but it is wrong to accuse us Filipinos as always
practicing it.
Colonial mentality is
the thinking that foreign talents and products are always the good, the better,
and the best, and that the local ones are of poor or no quality at all. Colonial because our Spanish and
American colonizers, during their four-century rule of the Philippines, instilled
into the Filipino mentality the belief that foreigners and anything associated
with them were the superior, and that Filipinos and anything associated with
them were worthless.
Crab Mentality
Crab mentality, sometimes referred to as crabs
in the bucket, describes a way of thinking best described by the
phrase "if I can't have it, neither can you." The metaphor refers to
a pot of crabs. Individually, the
crabs could easily escape from the pot, but instead, they grab at each other in
a useless "king of the hill"
competition which prevents any from escaping and ensures their collective
demise. The analogy in human
behavior is that members of a group will attempt to "pull down" (negate or
diminish the importance of) any member who achieves success beyond the others,
out of envy, conspiracy or competitive feelings.
This term is broadly associated with
short-sighted, non-constructive thinking rather than a unified, long-term,
constructive mentality. It is also often used colloquially in
reference to individuals or communities attempting to "escape" a
so-called "underprivileged life", but kept from doing so by others
attempting to ride upon their coat-tails or those who simply resent their
success.
Sources: https://www.google.com.ph/
ReplyDeleteWhat was that comment about? :)
ReplyDeleteAll those values mentioned in the report are in sooth very vital and necessary in our lives. You are right saying that the Philippines is known to be a family centered nation. I found an excellent essay on family family traditions and values - read the entire piece when you get the chance!
ReplyDeletehello jrwebz, do you personally agree that all these values are lived and practiced by the Filipinos? Which values do you think contribute to Filipino hospitality? Thanks.
ReplyDelete