The Filipino Oriental and Occidental Value Orientations Dichotomy

1. Non – Rationalism Vs. Rationalism

*Non-rationalism involves the belief in the supremacy of nature and forces outside of oneself like the belief in
ghost, spirits, gods or deities, and other supernatural beings.
Examples: Bahala na (from Bathala na); dependence on the espiritista and mangkukulam; use of phrases such as
“gulong ng palad (life is like a wheel of fortune); malas, swerte, kapalaran and superstition.

Some Filipino sayings or maxims bear non-rationalistic notions. Examples:

“ Nasa Diyos and awa, nasa tao ang gawa.” , Ang kapalaran dudulog lalapit kung talagang akin,

*Rationalism involves a belief that by systematic planning, studying, and training, one can actually control and
manipulate his or her destiny; one is thus greatly responsible for his/her own success or failure.
Examples:Pagkamakatwiran, kasipagan, pagpaplano sa buhay; pagtitiwala sa sarili; paghahanda sa kinabukasan.

Some Filipino sayings or maxims bear resemblance to rationalism, Example:

“Ang maniwala sa sabi-sabi ay walang bait sa sarili.” , Kung ano ang itinanim, ay siya mong aanihin.”
Walang kamalasan sa taong may kasipagan.

2. Personalism and Impersonalism

*Personalism refers to the tendency to give due importance to intrapersonal and interpersonal relations in
working arrangements. Kinship, whether by blood or ritual; friendship and intimacy are considered in getting thing
done.
Example: Kaibigan, Kamag-anak; Comadre and compadre, utang na loob, pakikisama, lakad and palakasan
system.
*Impersonalism refers to the tendency to eliminate the influence of friendship or kinship in working relations.
Behaviour is depersonalized, standardized, or institutionalized.
Example: this is exemplified in the expressions walang personalan, trabaho lamang; walang malakas, walang
mahina, walang mahirap, walang mayaman.

3. Particularism Vs. Universalism

*Particularism refers to the tendency of a person to center his/her concern on his/her subgroups made up of
relatives, friends, colleagues, associates, religious affiliates or members of his/her ethnic or regional group in the
larger society to which he/she belongs.
Example: Tayo-tayo system; Kamag- anak system; Kapartido-system; kapatid sa pananampalataya; kababayan;
kapatiran.
*Universalism refers to the tendency to focus one’s attention and concern on the promotion of the national and
common weal. The emphasis is on the general welfare of the whole society.
Example: Kagalingang Pambansa (Public welfare); Katarungang Panlipunan (Social Justice); Pambansang
Paglilingkod (Public Service).

4. Nationalism Vs. Internationalism

*Nationalism is the advocacy of making one’s nation distinct and separate from others in intellectual, social,
cultural, economic, political, and moral matters.
The development of Filipino nationalism has been motivated by national slogans and movements like: Mabuhay
ang Pilipino movement, Rekindle the Edsa spirit; Taas noo, Pilipino; Bayan ko, mahal ko; Isang bansa, isang diwa,
isang wika.
*Internationalism on the belief in having friendly relations between and among nations for their mutual and
common benefit. It is the advocacy of making nations of the world as one global community, removing all
geographical, cultural, social and cultural barriers towards community of nations and making all peoples as citizens
of the world.