Chapter I

THE PROBLEM AND IT’S BACKGROUND

I. Introduction

Since, Filipino values have become one of the most important parts of the
Philippine history. Filipinos up today and yesterday were described through their
traditional values. Actually, it was one of the major factors of invasion and
domination of the Philippines by the neighboring nations. The coming of invaders in
the country marked the beginning of the entrance of foreign influences that brought
changes and alternations in the moods of the long-cherished Filipino values.

For the fact, Young Filipinos of today look far different from their forefathers in
the manner they speak, act, and dress, in the mode of living and other aspects. But
then, cultural traces inherited from ancestors are carried from generation to
generation in varying degrees. Presently, traces of this culture can be gleaned
through typical ways shown in relation to everybody dealings with each other.

Because of our vulnerability to outside influences, our actions today in terms

of cultural traits are very much affected by our connections with the foreigners who
came to our shores. We easily picked up many of their cultural traits.

It is for us now to decide whether we should be better known as Filipinos in

the manner we act. We can’t deny that it is a fact that we began to fail identify in us
Filipinos qualities that we should uphold as true Filipinos.

In this research work, the researchers want to give the readers a glimpse of
Filipino values, its austere condition at present.

II. Statement of the Problem

This study is conducted to find out the current plight of Filipino values.
The study specifically answers the following questions:

Are Filipino values really fading out?

1. What are common qualities of Filipinos as of today?

2. What are some of the traditional Filipino values?
3. What are the factors behind the slowly fading of Filipino values?

III. Significance of the Study

The study gives the reader a glimpse of values upholds in every Filipino
individual. This study is purposely for everybody especially for those who are
interested in the topic particularly people who are conditionally studies on the same
or connected topic. It aims to give the readers the awareness of the current plight of
the Filipino National character. Moreover, the study aims to knock the heart and
awaken the minds of the readers to move them into action. In addition, the author
wishes to encourage the readers to pay attention to the most neglected social
problem, the fading of Filipino values. This study will also give the readers the
chance to go over the most common traditional values and make proper valuing to
reinforce observation and practice our beautiful customs, beliefs, and traits as
Filipinos.

To sum up, we are considering the study as a revelation that all of us are the
root cause of the problem.

IV. Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study limitedly deals with the present status of Filipino values including
the factors behind its fading. Furthermore, its effect in the current Philippine
economic, social and political condition will also be discussed.

V. Definition of Terms

The following terms were defined according the purpose of the study to make
them clearer to the readers:

Character. Is the aggregate of feature and traits that form the individual nature of a
person.

Culture. Is the ways of living built up by a human group and transmitted to

succeeding generations.

Deteriorate. To make or become worse in character or quality.

Fade. To disappear gradually of die out.

Manner. Is the prevailing customs of people, class or period or the ways of behaving
with reference to polite standards.

Traits. A distinguishing character or quality.

Values. The abstract concepts of what is right or worthwhile.

 Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

A.Related Literature

This chapter presents a brief discussion of related literature and studies of

local authorities which have provided background of the study. According to
Bacilig(2000), values are our inner powers. They make us feel truly strong and alive.
They give us the needed enthusiasm and energy in life. Love, affection or care as a
value is the willingness to reach out to other persons in order to give them support
and to experience their support in return. When we give importance to love, we are
not afraid to make friends with others. Faith in God as a value is the inner
connection that there is God, in whom we can place all our trust, and whose laws
we should always follow and obey. When we value faith, we are not afraid. We are
certain that God will take care of us. Reinventing the Filipino values is not a matter
of chance. It should be left to chance. It is a movement, a concerted, deliberate effort
to establish a new order of life. It is also a creative process. Colonization is merely a
temporary detraction.

Life goes on according to its anima and hidden strength. This study especially
elucidates critical issues underlying ethnicity, religion, historiography, language and
many more. The issue on trans nationalization and intellectual experience is a great
leap beyond the boundary of our natural culture. It is hoped that the leap is not
from the frying pan to the fire. Certainly, Filipino values are our distinct
contribution to the many cultures around the globe. Carino and Peñalosa(2000)
reveals that the answer is in our hands. What we do to preserve Filipino values and
not what we say, will determine what tomorrow will be. We Filipinos talk much but
do little. We should change our ways. Let us train and teach our youth to do their
part. For unless we do so we will continue to be the sick man of Asia. Or maybe even
the dying man of Asia.

Values are things that we consider good and important, and help us make
decision. These justify our actions and behavior.

Here are some suggestions to help us as we grow up:

 1. Let us look at the lives of great men and women. Let us discover their values
that are the many things they considered most important in life. Let us learn
from them, and be inspired by the example that they gave us.

2. Let us look at ourselves. Let us be willing to set aside some of our time for
silence and reflection. Only then we can be able to listen to our hearts and
become aware of our own values.

3. Let us not be afraid to live according to our values. In whatever we say or do,
let us act and behave because of the good and beautiful things that are most
precious to us

Chapter III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In this chapter, the details of the method that was used, the way that the
researchers did the research and the data gathering instruments that was used in
the research will be stated.

Research Method

The methods that were used in this study were the library research method
and the descriptive research method.
Subject of the Study

The subjects of this study are the Filipinos. They are the subject of this study
because this is about Slowly Deteriorating and Fading of Filipino Values.
Encouraging the Filipino to be aware for the values of the Filipino that said to be
fading out nowadays.

Data Gathering Instruments

The instruments that were used in this research are by the untiring support of
friends and relatives who lend the researchers the books and dictionaries. Yellow
papers and ball pen were used in writing the research as drafts. Computer was used
as well to finalize the work.
 Chapter IV

FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

This chapter presents the findings of the study based on the problems above-
mentioned. The values upheld by every Filipino individual significantly affect the
current status of our nation. In fact, it has played a major role in the economic,
political, social, and moral aspects of the Filipino people in the nation building.
From the earliest centuries of the Philippines, sets of values accompanied by
traditions and customs were maintained by our forefathers. The Filipinos are
usually caught in the midst of social changes, of depression and other natural
crises. Problems usually encountered by every
Filipino challenges their establishing and thereby pose aspects of life. Despite of this
hazard, they were able to resist on these because of having the traits of being a true
Filipino.

1. What are common qualities of Filipinos as of today?

A. Close Family Ties

The family is considered the basic unit of our society. It is usually composed of
grandfather, grandmother, parents and children. It may be observed that the
Filipino family is closely-knit.
It is an extended clan of blood relatives. The close ties are also reflected in the
frequent family reunion held on such as weddings, anniversaries, Christmas, New
Year, All Saints Day and Town Fiestas. However, closeness of family members can
be readily seen by the way parents bring up their children. Even when family
members are far from each other because of work situation or demands or when
children are married and living in other places. We also love to care for our old folks
until they die. As much as possible, we don’t allow them to be cared for by any
institution for the aged.

B. Strong Belief in the Education of Children

This is a sure mean of success run in every Filipino family. Traditionally,

parents try their best always to spend every centavo of earning to send their children
to school. If parents cannot support schooling, usually elder sister or brother
shoulder the education of the younger ones until everyone finishing a career. It is a
pride of every Filipino to be able to have their children earns a career.

C. Respectfulness

The children have a great respect for their parent and elders. They have been
thought to kiss the hands of the elders. This manifest the due respect we should
give to our elders not only for the holiday but for the rest of the year and the year to
come as well. Furthermore, Filipinos use “Po” and “Opo” when talking to their
elders. The children are expected to consult their parents about any activity or plan
they wish to undertake.

D. Hospitality

Filipino hospitality is said to be outstanding. Anytime a visitor comes, he is

sure to be offered food or drinks. If the guest stayed overnight, he is made to feel
comfortable as if he were in his own house. Hospitality, on the other hand, has its
good and bad sides. This trait may encourage overdependence and laziness. The
trait may also lead to poverty as a result of lavish spending for fiestas, wedding and
anniversaries. However, it is good if its end is to help a person in need. Thus, the
government may utilize this trait in getting support for its charitable projects, and
promoting, cooperation and brotherhood.

E. Humility

This trait may be seemed in the way a Filipino speaks with others. A Filipino
does not drag about himself. Sometimes, we mistake humility with timidity and
shyness. Our tendency to depreciate ourselves often a mistake action of humility.

F. Courage

The Filipinos are courageous people as attested to by those who suffered and
died for their country. This is a value that should be preserved by our people. The
demand and complexities of modern life can only be met by people with strong
hearts and healthy minds and bodies.

G. Loyalty to Friends

The Filipinos considered friendship as important to them which means helping

each in times of need. Extending help or doing a good turn to one’s friend will
always be valued and never forgotten. A friend is considered a member of the family
that any help he can give is heartily welcomed.

H. Honesty

Honesty is the virtue and righteousness in deed and in thought. In a person,

this virtue strengthens him against cheating and lying. It results in cooperation and
trust among neighbors, friends and co-workers. In the highest officers of the land,
“katapatan” is the sole measure of leadership and public trust.

I. Delicadeza

Delicadeza is the virtue that determines a person’s sensitivity to what is right

or wrong. A sense of prudence and poverty is implicit in a person with delicadeza. It
also serves as an early warning device in recognizing the traps of graft and
corruption, whether the guise of “pagtanaw ng utang na loob” or an innocent gift.
J. Orderliness

Kaayusan in Tagalog terms is the learn like an orderliness. It begins at home

at an early mental discipline instilled on children by their parents. An order home is
an evidence of this virtue on work in the family in the formative years of life.
Kaayusan ripens into the habit of discipline allocation of time and energy to work
and play. It usually results in a citizen with a sincere respect and adherence for the
spirit and the letter of the law.

K. The Bayanihan Spirit

Filipino people are fond of group work, offering help freely to friends or
neighbors needing a help. A person planting or clearing his fields or moving his
house may call several neighbors for help work done this way is done gaily and
cheerfully and without expectation of payment except for a free meal.

L. Godliness

Filipino value denotes the religious character of the people who firmly believe
in the supernatural and in kinds of spirit dwelling in individual person, place or
thing.

M. Hardworking
 Filipinos have the capacity for hard work given proper condition. The desire to
race one’s standard of living and to possess the essential of a descent for one’s
family combined with the right opportunities and incentives makes the Filipino work
very hard. This is manifest most noticeably in willingness to take risk with jobs
abroad and there to work one, two or three jobs. The result is productivity and
entrepreneurship for some and survival despite poverty.

N. Ability to Survive

Filipinos have an ability to survive which is manifested in our capacity for

endurance despite difficult times and our ability to get by on so very little. This
survival instinct is related to the Filipinos other strengths basic optimisms, flexibility
and adoptability, hard work and deep faith in God. It is manifested in the millions of
Filipinos who bravely live through the harshest economic and social circumstances.

O. Joy and Humor

Filipinos have a cheerful and fun loving approach to life and its ups and
downs. We have a pleasant disposition, a sense of humor and a propensity for
happiness that contribute not only to the Filipino charm but to incommunicability of
the Filipino spirit. This sense of joy and humor is manifested in the Filipino love for
social and celebration, in our capacity to laugh even in the most crying times, and in
appear of political satire.

2. What are some of the traditional Filipino values?

A. Extreme Personalism

Filipinos view the world in terms of personal relationships and the extent to
which one is able to personally relate to things and people determine the recognition
of their existence and the value given to them.

This personalism is manifested in tendency to give personal interpretation to

actions. Because of personalistic world view, Filipinos have difficulty dealing with all
forms of impersonal stimulant. Extreme personalism thus leads to the graft and
corruption evident in the Philippine society.

B. Lack of Discipline

The Filipinos lack of discipline encompasses several related characteristics. We

have a casual and relax attitude towards time and space which manifest itself in
lack of precision and compulsiveness, in poor time management, and in
procrastination or reward, resulting in the use of shortcuts, in result in efficient and
wasteful work system, violation of rules leading to more serious and casual work
ethic leading to carelessness and lack of initiative.

C. Passivity and Lack of Initiative

 Filipinos are generally passive and lacking in initiative. One waits to be what has
to be done. There is a strong reliance on others to do things for us. Filipinos tend to
be complaint and there rarely is a sense of urgency about any problems and even
violation of one’s basic rights. In many ways, it can be said that the Filipinos is too
patient and long suffering.

D. Colonial Mentality

Filipinos have a colonial mentality which is made up of two dimensions:

(1) Lack of patriotism, (2) actual preferences for foreign things. Filipino culture is
characterized by openness to the outside adopting and incorporating the
foreign elements into our image or ourselves. And yet this image is not built
around a day’s core of Philippine history and language. The result is a cultural
vagueness and weakness. The Filipino colonial mentality is manifested in the
alienation in the elite from their roots and from the masses as well as in the
basic feeling of national inferiority that makes it difficult for the Filipino to
relate as equal to Westerners.

A. Kanya-Kanya Syndrome

Filipinos have selfish, self-serving attitude that generates a feeling of envy and
competitiveness towards others. The Kanya-kanya Syndrome is also evident in the
personal ambition and the desire for power and status that is completely insensitive
to the common good.

Filipino demonstrates also the so-called “crab mentality” using the leveling
instruments of tsismis, intriga and unconstructive criticism to bring others down.

B. Ningas-Kugon

Filipinos are guilty of ningas-kugon, which is the starting out project with full
vigor and interest which abruptly die down leaving things unfinished.

C. Filipino Time Mania

Filipino time is one of the attractive traits of Filipinos. Ironically, we Filipinos

have to accept the fact that is not sincere in keeping our time. We waste precious in
most of our daily activities.

D. Hiya

Filipino accepts or does something because of hiya, some of us even get into
debts by spending lavishing during Fiestas because of hiya to visitors.

1. What are the factors behind the slowly fading of Filipino values?
 Facts in the Deterioration of Filipino Values

A cynic eye view of the Filipino National character has been aired in TV. We are
all parts of the problem and our desperate means. Still, one wonders whether
constantly being reminded of our shortcomings will contribute constructively to
building a national character we can all be proud of. Traditional Filipino values has
been compared with the lofty institutional tenets that every school child learns to
pay his service to against the welfare of the common tag is set family centeredness.
The Filipinos loyalty is not to his national but to the “padrino” who protects his
family.

Hopeless to say that the erosion of the Filipino values were becoming waist,
Filipino values like:

1. Wholestic – this is the value that makes Filipino integrate and separate.
2. Regionalism or Region-Oriented – regionalism is a product of Filipino small-
group-centeredness which social critics trace to the Barangay of old.
3. Compassionate – this is the value that makes Filipino compassionate.
4. Delicadeza
5. Personal Integrity
The disregard of the traditional values of delicadeza and personal integrity is the
public servants who could destroy democracy in the country. The steady erosion of
the time-honored principles and nation strong services that make the government
and national strong has been also disregard. The traditional value of treasuring
one’s sacred honor has been cast aside and replaced by “Armor of Arrogance”.
Many of these in public welfare, but theirn own selfish and narrow interest or the
interest of the family.

In connection with the slowly fading of Filipino values, it was almost seven years
ago after the EDSA Revolution happened a few Filipinos thought that the EDSA
People Power would change people’s character for the better. Christian values
prevail in the ultimate choice between good and evil are that selfishness would turn
to selfishness and generosity, are Delicadeza, dignity and honor in all level of human
relationship. Now expectation the values of the people who made the event
happened.
 Chapter V
SUMMARY, CONLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

SUMMARY

This study entitled “SLOWLY DETERIORATING AND FADING OUT FILIPINO

VALUES” is conducted to find out the current plight of Filipino values.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

Are Filipino values really fading out?

a. What are common qualities of Filipinos as of today?
b. What are some of the traditional Filipino values?
c. What are the factors behind the slowly fading out of the Filipino values?

CONCLUSIONS

The following conclusions were drawn based in the findings of the study:

1. The Filipino values, exposed at it has been to foreign influences has not
entirely lost it values, beliefs and traditions we have cherished for long. Many
old-fashioned virtues as mentioned before continue to be treasured in most
Filipino houses. However, it is a fact that many Filipinos have succumbed to
cording foreign influences.

2. Fading of Filipino values as evident in the current happening all over the
country is continuously getting worst. It can be said that the Filipinos are
undergoing change. The major cause of this process of change is urbanization
and the whole complex of factors associated with the urban life.

3. For most of the institution, the main problem seems to have been identified
and the suggestion is within us in which the solution may lie. The rest must
be left to the wisdom, patience and sacrifice of the Filipino people. Despite of
the deterrent values which keep on going with us, still, there are much that is
fine and admirable in the national character of the Filipinos people.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the conclusions being drawn, the following recommendations may

be considered:
1. It is strongly suggested that we have to reinvent Filipino values. Through a
proposal systematic training aimed to revive and develop desirable values
using the experimental learning approach there may be hope to save our
country from further bankruptcy of values. It is hoped that the older and
present generation will act together now to ensure that the coming generation
will be properly equipped with the correct value system that will enable them
to assume moral stewardship of the country tomorrow.

2. The researchers hope that readers see themselves in it. From the strengths
and weaknesses mentioned earlier. We hope that all of us will start
eliminating weaknesses and developing strengths and this start with analysis,
understanding and appreciation of them. We must take good look of ourselves,
objectively with scientific detachment but also emotionally.

3. Also recommended is that amidst of the changes that are seen in our Filipino
values. Filipinos should understand their relation with the society; Filipinos
should prove that they rise above self-interest, that they are capable of
obeying rules for common goods. We must not follow negative development in
our country.

4. We, the researchers believe that Filipinos deserve to move a step closer on this
journey of thousand miles. We must change. And understanding ourselves is
the first step.

5. Lastly, similar studies should also be conducted to further substantiate the

present findings.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. Books

Abecia, J.B. The Development Of the Filipino Community. Quezon City: GFC
Books, 1987.

Agoncillo, Teodoro A. History of the Filipino People. Quezon City: Garotech

Publishing, 1990

Azurin, Arnold Molina Reinventing The Filipinos. Diliman Quezon City: CSSP
Publication,1995.

Bacilig, Fr. Mario, Bush Forth. Makati City: Salesiana Publishers, Inc.,2000

Building a People, Building a Nation. Instructural Materials Corp. Cabato, Carmen

M. and Tamisen, Gloria. “Towards Filipino Identity,” Values Education. Quezon City:
Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.

Carino, Isidro D. and Peñelosa, Amor B. Reviving and Developing Desirable Values
in Filipino Boys and Girls. Quezon City: Carson Resources and Management
Services, 1995.

De Guzman, Jovita. Psychology of Filipinos. Metro Manila: Bookmark, Inc., 1987.

B. Dictionary Random House Webster’s Dictionary. New York Ballantine Books,

2001
 The Collection of Data
“Slowly Deteriorating and Fading Out Filipino
Values”

A Journal Paper Presented to the

Instructor of TMC-1 Philippine Culture and
Tourism Geography
Ms. Desiree Jean D. Catalan
of Saint Joseph Institute of Technology
City of Butuan

In Partial Requirement of the course

 By:
Rizarose Arañas
Mark Ronnie Ajoc