FILIPINO SOCIETY, NORMS, VALUES, &

CULTURE
The Filipino society could be understood by looking on the people’s common and shared thought of social
standards and a deeper sense of values system which set by its kahalagahan, kagalingan and kabuluhan that
a social being should be able to follow to find him/her accepted in the collective group.
I personally believe, that norms and values system of a society is a changing standard. Why so, because the
consciousness of the people depends on their social practice. The determinants of Halaga: Katangian,
Kagalingan and Kabuluhan varies a lot on what social class looks at it and what prevailing culture affects
mainly the ruling and middle class.
In the early communal times Filipinos used to pray to the “anitos” and “bathala” who lets nature give them
abundant supply of food for their well-being and sustenance, for their protection and guidance. During the
time that we still don’t have doctors for the barrio, the albularyo’s and babaylan heal us by a mixture of
herbal medicines and prayers to the gods and beings. In a communal society, babaylan and albularyo who
prays to the “anitos” and “bathala” for the well-being of a person or a group’s endeavor is given a high
social regard. They also play an important role to the society while their authenticity is challenged by how
effective their healing process and prayers were.
The people of cordillera the “kalinga” have a strong valuing system of life. They consider a wound by
an evil doer to his victim as a threat to the life of the person. This evil doer is dealt with by the tribe
accordingly; to kill or attempt to kill a member of the tribe will involve the tribesmen killing the villain to
obtain justice. Life valuing of the Kalinga basically evolves in about life by respecting your own and that
of others. The people of cordillera also have a high regard to their ancestral land being the land of their
ancestors and the land where their children were raised and their people lived in. The valuing of ancestral
land seems to be universal as this practice is not only seen in the practice of Filipino indigenous people but
as well as of other races in some parts of the world too.

During the Spanish colonization, Filipinos were forcibly subjected to accept a foreign culture even a foreign
god. The Spaniards baptized, dressed and made us talk and understand español. Babaylan’s were murdered
and condemned as they introduce to us a new religion: Catholicism: the holy family and the saints.
A Filipino woman who used to dress in baro’t saya is made to wear European dresses. They were made to
embody the characteristics of the Virgin Mary who was depicted to be meek, obedient, silent, prayerful and
forbearing. The Spanish culture of “sugal” such as card games, mahjong and cockfighting as well as siesta
permeated the culture of those who cannot and refuse to resist.

Then presently we have the Americans, our valuing system was affected by what is in and acceptable in
the American culture. The American standards influences as not only physically but psychologically and
politically too. American music: pop, rock, ballad, r and b, and rap, American food: chocolates, apple,
oranges, grapes, canned goods etc. The concept of beauty became someone who possesses a white skin,
high bridged nose, blue eyes, long legs and other Barbie doll characteristics. Truth has become so colored
Filipinos can no longer define by himself what and who he really is. Sovereignty is jaded by the scare that
we are a terrorist hotbed and a militarily weak country so we need to keep up Uncle sam’s help. Sovereignty
is sovereignty with uncle sam’s thumb meddling on our internal affairs such as the case of Nicole whose
American rapist Daniel Smith was convicted by the Manila tribunal court but was rejected by the Supreme
court through the aid of political pressures from the US of A.

Today, we only have a few remnants of original and good Filipino values and norms. The large and
overarching understanding of us as a people has become badly permeated by the culture of another posing
Supra country. Making our true culture a subculture of another will affect the social practice and
consciousness of a people thus, the norms and values system too. It has been terribly affected to show
a social norms and values system detached from reality. To understand the norms and values system of the
current generation, we must first consciously struggle to decolonize our minds. Look around, our alignment
to the global competition has affected even the beggars; drop a coin and he’ll say thank you instead of
salamat while I write about my people’s norms and valuing system in a foreign tongue.
 FILIPINO SOCIETY, NORMS, VALUES, &
CULTURE
Filipino culture, customs, manners, etiquette, values and more!
Facts and Statistics
 Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago
between the Philippine Sea and the South
China Sea, east of Vietnam
 Capital: Manila
 Population: 107+ million (2019 est.)
 Ethnic Make-up: Christian Malay 91.5%,
Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%
 Religions: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant
9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%
Languages in the Philippines
Filipino (formerly Pilipino) is based on
Tagalog and is the official language of the
Philippines.
In spite of being the national language, only about
55 percent of Filipinos speak the language. In
addition to Filipino are about 111 distinct
indigenous languages and dialects, of which only
about 10 are important regionally.
English is generally used for educational,
governmental and commercial purposes and is
widely understood since it is the medium of
instruction in schools. The Philippines are the
third largest group of English speaking people in
the world, after the United States and the United
Kingdom.
Since English is widely spoken in the Philippines,
it is common to hear Filipinos use a mixture
English and Filipino words or phrases, known as
"Taglish" (a mixture of English and Tagalog), in
their everyday conversations. A steadily dwindling
minority still speak Spanish, which had at one
time been an official language.
Filipino Society & Culture
Filipino Family Values
 The family is the centre of the social structure
and includes the nuclear family, aunts, uncles,
grandparents, cousins and honorary relations
such as godparents, sponsors, and close
family friends.
 People get strength and stability from their
family. As such, many children have several
godparents.
 Concern for the extended family is seen in the
patronage provided to family members when
they seek employment.
 It is common for members of the same family
to work for the same company.
 In fact, many collective bargaining
agreements state that preferential hiring will
be given to family members.
Filipino Concept of Shame
 Hiya is shame and is a motivating factor
behind behaviour.
 It is a sense of social propriety and
conforming to societal norms of behaviour.
 Filipinos believe they must live up to the
accepted standards of behaviour and if they
fail to do so they bring shame not only upon
themselves, but also upon their family.
 One indication of this might be a willingness to
spend more than they can afford on a party
rather than be shamed by their economic
circumstances.
 If someone is publicly embarrassed, criticized,
or does not live up to expectations, they feel
shame and lose self-esteem.
Etiquette & Customs
Meeting Etiquette
 Initial greetings are formal and follow a set
protocol of greeting the eldest or most
important person first.
 A handshake, with a welcoming smile, is the
standard greeting.
 Close female friends may hug and kiss when
they meet.
 Use academic, professional, or honorific titles
and the person's surname until you are invited
to use their first name, or even more
frequently, their nickname.
Gift Giving Etiquette
 If you are invited to a Filipino home for dinner
bring sweets or flowers to the hosts.
 If you give flowers, avoid chrysanthemums
and white lilies.
 You may send a fruit basket after the event as
a thank you but not before or at the event, as
it could be interpreted as meaning you do not
 FILIPINO SOCIETY, NORMS, VALUES, &
CULTURE

think that the host will provide sufficient  It is crucial to network and build up a cadre of
hospitality. business associates you can call upon for
 Wrap gifts elegantly as presentation is assistance in the future.
important. There are no colour restrictions as  Business relationships are personal
to wrapping paper. relationships, which mean you may be asked
 Gifts are not opened when received. to do favours for colleagues, and they will fully
expect you to ask them for favours in return.
Dining Etiquette  Once a relationship has been developed it is
If you are invited to a Filipino's house:
with you personally, not necessarily with the
 It is best to arrive 15 to 30 minutes later than
company you represent.
invited for a large party.
 Therefore, if you leave the company, your
 Never refer to your host's wife as the hostess.
replacement will need to build their own
This has a different meaning in the
relationship.
Philippines.
 Presenting the proper image will facilitate
 Dress well. Appearances matter and you will
building business relationships. Dress
be judged on how you dress.
conservatively and well at all times.
 Compliment the hostess on the house.
Business Meeting Etiquette
 Send a handwritten thank you note to the
 Appointments are required and should be
hosts in the week following the dinner or
made 3 to 4 weeks in advance.
party. It shows you have class.
 It is a good idea to reconfirm a few days prior
Table manners
to the meeting, as situations may change.
 Wait to be asked several times before moving
 Avoid scheduling meetings the week before
into the dining room or helping yourself to
Easter.
food.
 Punctuality is expected. For the most part
 Wait to be told where to sit. There may be a
your Filipino colleagues will be punctual as
seating plan.
well.
 Do not start eating until the host invites you to
 Face-to-face meetings are preferred to other,
do so.
more impersonal methods such as the
 Meals are often served family- style or are
telephone, fax, letter or email.
buffets where you serve yourself.
 Send an agenda and informational materials
 A fork and spoon are the typical eating
in advance of the meeting so your colleagues
utensils.
may prepare for the discussion.
 Hold the fork in the left hand and use it to
 The actual decision maker may not be at the
guide food to the spoon in your right hand.
meeting.
 Whether you should leave some food on your
 Avoid making exaggerated claims.
plate or finish everything is a matter of
 Always accept any offer of food or drink. If you
personal preference rather than culture-
turn down offers of hospitality, your
driven.
colleagues lose face.
 It is important to remain for the period of
Business Etiquette & Protocol
social conversation at the end of the meeting.
Relationships & Communication
Business Negotiation
 Filipinos thrive on interpersonal relationships,
 You may never actually meet with the
so it is advisable to be introduced by a third
decision maker or it may take several visits to
party.
do so.
 FILIPINO SOCIETY, NORMS, VALUES, &
CULTURE
 Decisions are made at the top of the
company.
 Filipinos avoid confrontation if at all possible.
It is difficult for them to say 'no'. Likewise, their
'yes' may merely mean 'perhaps'.
 At each stage of the negotiation, try to get
agreements in writing to avoid confusion or
misinterpretation.
 If you raise your voice or lose your temper,
you lose face.
 Filipinos do business with people more than
companies. If you change representatives
during negotiations, you may have to start
over.
 Negotiations may be relatively slow.
 Most processes take a long time because
group consensus is necessary.
 Decisions are often reached on the basis of
feelings rather than facts, which is why it is
imperative to develop a broad network of
personal relationships.
 Do not remove your suit jacket unless the
most important Filipino does.
Dress Etiquette
 Business attire is conservative.
 Men should wear a dark coloured,
conservative business suit, at least for the
initial meeting.
 Women should wear a conservative suit, a
skirt and blouse, or a dress.
 Women's clothing may be brightly coloured as
long as it is of good quality and well tailored.
 Appearances matter and visitors should dress
well.
Business Cards
 You should offer your business card first.
 Make sure your business card includes your
title.
 Present and receive business cards with two
hands so that it is readable to the recipient.
 Examine the card briefly before putting it in
your business card case.
 Some senior level executives only give
business cards to those of similar rank.