VIII.

FILIPINO CULTURE, VALUES, AND PRACTICES IN RELATION TO HEALTH CARE

OF INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY

Objectives:
o Exemplify love for country in the service of Filipinos and family.
o Customize nursing interventions based on Philippine culture and values.

A. Family Solidarity (Timonen, n.d)

Intergenerational solidarity is the degree of closeness and support between different
generations in the family. The idea of solidarity helps us to understand how people of different
generations relate to, help and depend on one another in their daily lives.

Dimensions of Solidarity in Intergenerational Family Relations

 Structural solidarity: This means how factors like geographical distance can constrain or
enhance interaction between family members. It is easier to give and receive help, care and
support if family members live near one another, but new technologies, such as Skype, can
aid communication between family members who live far from one another.
 Associational solidarity: This dimension refers to the frequency of social contact and shared
activities between family members. Some adults visit their parents very frequently, others
less often.
 Affectual solidarity: Solidarity can manifest itself in feelings of emotional closeness,
affirmation, and intimacy between family members, also known as affectual solidarity. Some
ageing parents and their adult children declare that they are very close to each other; others
feel more distant.
 Consensual solidarity: Family members have different levels of actual or perceived
agreement in opinions, values, and lifestyles. For instance, the family members might all vote
for the same party or believe in a similar ideology. In other cases, parents and their children
might have very different opinions on issues, for instance, same-sex marriage.
 Functional solidarity: Exchanges of practical and financial assistance and support between
family members are examples of functional solidarity. Examples of functional solidarity are
gifts of money but also very practical things such as buying groceries, preparing meals,
allowing family members to move in with you, or looking after their care needs. Older family
members can be both beneficiaries and sources of functional solidarity. For instance, some
look after their grandchildren; others receive visits from their children to help with
household tasks.
 Normative solidarity: Normative solidarity refers to the strength of obligation felt towards
other family members. In some families, there is a strong belief in the need for and
importance of family cohesion and assistance between family members; in others, family
members consider that it is quite acceptable for them to feel and to be very independent of
each other.

B. Filipino Family Values

The formation of many values is vital to the socialization of an individual. These are often
developed and nurtured by one's family, in school, and through one's environment.
The Filipino family consists of many traditional values that have been treasured and passed on
for many generations already (Germiniano, 2015). These are some of the Filipino Family Values:
1. Communication (The Cultural Atlas, 2019)
1) Verbal
 Indirect Communication: Filipinos often communicate indirectly in order to prevent a
loss of face and evoking hiya on either side of an exchange. They tend to avoid
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interrupting others and are more attentive to posture, expression and tone of voice to
draw meaning. Speech is often ambiguous and Filipinos may speak in the passive voice
rather than the active to avoid being perceived as speaking harshly. To find the
underlying meaning, it is common to check for clarification several times.
 Communication Style: Filipinos will try to express their opinions and ideas diplomatically
and with humility to avoid appearing arrogant. The tone of voice varies widely by
language, dialect and region.
 Refusals: Since many Filipinos try to save face and avoid hiya in their interactions, many
will be overly polite and seldom give a flat ‘no’ or negative response.
 Respect: When speaking to those who are older or of higher status, Filipinos use the
polite forms of speech. At the end of phrases, sentences or questions, they will say ‘po’
to demonstrate this respect for hierarchy. For example, when conversing with an elder
or someone of higher status, one will say ‘salamat po’ (‘thank you po’).

2) Non-Verbal
 Physical Contact: Among relatives or friends of the same gender, it is common for
Filipinos to walk hand in hand or arm in arm. This is generally done so as a sign of
affection, friendship or if they are shy and would like someone to accompany them.
Filipinos are modest and conservative in their interactions with their significant other,
and public displays of affection among couples (such as kissing or hugging) are quite
uncommon.
 Personal Space: When interacting with people they are familiar with, Filipinos prefer
standing at an arm's length from one another. Around strangers this distance is farther.
However, in public areas like a market or subway, personal space is often limited and
pushing is common.
 Laughter: While Filipinos often laugh in conversations, the meaning of laughter tends to
depend on the situation. At times, laughing may indicate happiness or pleasure, while
other times it may be used to relieve tension. In some circumstances, laughter is used as
an attempt to cover embarrassment.
 Pointing: Filipinos may point to objects by puckering their lips and moving their mouths
in the direction they are pointing to.
 Gestures: Putting one’s hands on their hips is a sign of anger.
 Beckoning: The common way to beckon someone is by gesturing with the hand facing
downwards and waving fingers towards oneself, the same gesture that would represent
‘shooing’ in Australia. If a Filipino wants someone’s attention, it is common for them to
make a sound like ‘pssst’.

2. Helping Others (Pakikisama) and Gratitude(Utang na Loob)

- Pakikisama has the connotation of getting along with people in general while Utang na Loob
means to pay your debt with gratitude.

o Pakikisama
- There is a general yearning to be accepted and well-liked among Filipinos. This applies to
one and his or her friends, colleagues, boss, and even relatives. This desire is what steers
one to perform pakikisama.
- The word pakikisama literally translates to "helping others." Therefore, this trait usually
fosters general cooperation and performing good or helpful deeds, which can lead to
others viewing you in a favorable light.

o Utang na Loob
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- With utang na loob, there is usually a system of obligation. When this value is applied, it
imparts a sense of duty and responsibility on the younger siblings to serve and repay the
favors done to them by their elders (Germiniano, 2015).

3. Respect (Paggalang)
- Filipinos are accustomed to using the words “po,” “opo,” and “ho” when they are
conversing with older people or, sometimes, with those who are in a high role or a
prestigious member of society. Using these words is customary in the Philippines, and it
shows a sign of respect.
- Respect can also be shown toward the elders by kissing their hands before leaving/to say
goodbye and upon arrival/to greet them.
- The younger members of the family can show respect towards older siblings by calling
kuya to older brothers and ate to older sisters (Germiniano, 2015).

4. Independence
- Recently, there is an estimated number of 2.2 million Overseas Filipino Workers abroad.
The independency of individuals show when they work in places far from the people they
depend on – their families. Filipinos became independent when they work in faraway
communities or countries.

5. Service
- Filipino workers worldwide are recognized for their dedication, perseverance and
determination in executing their jobs. These qualities show the exemplary service of Filipino
people towards others.
- Overseas Filipino Workers, especially Filipino doctors, nurses, care givers, and nannies, are
known for their sincere care and genuine concern to their patients or the people they work
for (Wong, 2012).
- As family-oriented individuals, Filipino children give back their service to their families by
performing jobs that would benefit their families or by taking good care of their parents
when they reach old age.

6. Trust
- Generally, Filipinos are family-oriented people. With this, the value of trust within their
families still exists. Husbands and wives trust each other in managing household expenses.
Family members trust each other in sharing their problems. Trust is important in a family
for it strengthens the foundation of any relationship.

C. Filipino Family Culture and Tradition

The Philippines is commonly referred to as a melting pot of western and eastern cultures. The
traditional culture of the Philippines is heavily influenced by the traditions of the indigenous
Austronesian people. The cultural landscape also shows Spanish, American, Japanese, Arabic, and
Indonesian influence. The major religions in the country are Christianity and Islam which have played a
significant role in shaping the culture of the Philippines (Sawe, 2018).

Social Beliefs and Customs

 The social beliefs and customs practiced in the Philippines are primarily influenced by
religion and demographics of the region where they are practiced. The traditional customs
of the indigenous Filipinos are based on the beliefs of the Austronesian inhabitants of the
Philippines.
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Religion and Festivals

 About 90.07% of Philippines residents identify as Christians with 80.58% of the population
being followers of the Roman Catholic Church and about 11% being other Christian
denominations. Islam is the second largest religion in the country with about 5.6% of
citizens identifying as Muslim. The majority of the Muslim Filipinos are Sunni Muslims, but
there is also a small number of Ahmadiyya Muslims.
 The cultural diversity in the Philippines is showcased in numerous festivals, locally known as
fiestas, which are celebrated in the country. All of the festivals have religious or cultural
significance. Due to the predominance of the Roman Catholic faith, most cities and towns in
the Philippines have patron saints who are honored through festivals.

Music and Dance

 The traditional folk songs are primarily inspired by the indigenous customs and beliefs.

Literature and Arts

 Ancient Filipino literature was primarily made up of legends and folklore which were the
main forms of literature before the Spanish colonization of the country. These folktales
were based on specific themes and aimed to pass down traditions and cultural beliefs
through generations.

Cuisine
 The cuisine in the Philippines is influenced by local and foreign cultures. Rice is the staple
meal in the country and is usually prepared through steaming and is served together with
other foods

Clothing
 The Maria Clara is a traditional dress worn by Filipino women. The traditional attire gets its
name from a famous character known as Maria Clara in the epic 19th-century narrative,
“Noli me tangere” written by Jose Rizal. The Maria Clara is made of four components
namely; the saya (a long dress), the tapis (a knee-long skirt), the camisa (a collarless
chemise), and the panuelo (a stiff scarf). Another traditional garment of the Philippines is
the Barong Tagalog normally worn by men during special occasions. Also known as the
Baro, the Barong Tagalog features a formal long shirt decorated with embroidery.

Sports
 The national sport in the country is Arnis, a type of martial arts. Boxing is one of the most
popular sports in the Philippines with the country producing global superstar boxer and the
only eight-division champion in the world, Manny Pacquiao. Another popular sport is
basketball with the country producing international basketball players such as Robert
Jaworski and Carlos Loyzaga.

Health Practices (Living in the Philippines, 2019)

 Studies of health practices among Pilipino Americans suggest that people originally from
rural areas in the Philippines are more knowledgeable regarding home remedies,
traditional healing techniques, and supernatural ailments, whereas those from urban areas
rely more on Western medical intervention and over-the-counter drugs. However, in both
rural and urban areas, a variety of indigenous folk practices and modern health care
systems are utilized simultaneously (Montepio, 1986/1987; Vance, 1991).
 Among the more traditional forms of self-medication are certain Chinese oils or ointments,
which serve as cure in relaxing, heating, and comforting the muscles or providing relief for
dizziness, colds, headaches, sore throats, and so forth. Other self medication may include
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the use of folk healing techniques consistent with the Chinese hot/cold classification system
of diseases and the concept of wind illnesses. For example, a technique called ventosa is
used for treating joint pains believed to be caused by the presence of bad air. This
technique consists of wrapping a coin with cotton, wetting the tip with alcohol, lighting it,
and placing the coin on the aching joint area, then immediately covering it with a small
glass or cup. The fire is extinguished as soon as it is covered, creating a vacuum that will
suck the bad air out of the joint (Montepio, 1986/1987).
 Beyond such home remedies, more serious illnesses typically warrant seeking the help of a
local healer who may utilize a variety of treatments including the use of herbs and roots
(McKenzie and Chrisman, 1977) although healers are presumed to possess a God given gift,
their relative popularity and prestige in the community depends a great deal on their
interpersonal relationships with their patients. People in rural areas are accustomed to
friendly and accommodating folk healers and expect the same treatment from physicians. If
these expectations are not met, they avoid Western health centers or switch doctors.
Moreover, when healers are viewed with trust and respect, they often are expected to
perform instantaneous healing. If there is no immediate improvement in an illness or
related symptoms, individuals may change doctors (Montepio, 1986/1987).
 The various types of healers common throughout the Philippines include midwives,
masseurs, and specialists for supernaturally caused ailments. Although these types of
healers each have native labels, there is no traditional word for faith healers, the newest
and increasingly popular genre of Philippine folk healers. In fact, there are as many as
15,000 faith healers found in the Philippines, and most are devout Christians (Harper and
Fullerton, 1994). Faith healers do not attempt to identify or diagnose a disease, which is in
contrast to the traditional concern for identifying the cause of illness (which could
presumably be supernatural). Their orientation is holistic and uniform and incorporates the
belief in concurrent physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Regardless of the individual’s
specific affliction, the same techniques are employed (Montepio, 1986/1987).
 In a regular session, the faith healer's techniques include blessing the body with holy
water, laying on of the hands, and anointing with oil. The technique of laying on of the
hands is a very important aspect of faith healing and is practiced by several other groups
such as the Pentecostal Charismatics and the Cuban-American santeros. In laying on hands,
it appears as though the healer is attempting to transfer the healing energy from his or her
hands to the individual's body through the forehead. The healer also anoints the individual
by wetting his or her fingers with consecrated oil and making the sign of the cross on the
forehead, on each eye, and on the chin of the person. If certain body parts need healing,
they will be directly anointed. The person, in turn, typically attests to the sense of warmth
or flow of energy that seems to enter his or her body and provides instant well-being
(Montepio, 1986/1987).
 These healing techniques are enhanced by ritualized prayer, chanting, and the creation of
an atmosphere that reinforces the individual's faith. During healing sessions, the faith
healer, for example, typically wears a white dress of soft, flowing material, creating an
ephemeral quality; white (worn by the Virgin Mary) is the symbol of purity and is associated
with environmental ghosts and spirits (Montepio, 1986/1987).
 One of the most dramatic forms of faith healing that has attracted significant international
attention is psychic surgery. It involves the painless insertion of the healer's fingers into the
individual's body, removal of tissues, tumors, growths, or foreign matter, and closing the
incision without a scar (Harper and Fullerton, 1994, p. 62). Numerous Western scientists
have investigated tales of miracle cures produced by psychic surgeons and found evidence
of fakery; however, they also have reportedly witnessed incredible feats of healing (Harper
and Fullerton, 1994).
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 Whether in the Philippines (considered the world's faith healing center) or the United
States, faith healing and more traditional folk healing practices typically are utilized
simultaneously with modern medicine. In fact, the healer never advises against going to
doctors or hospitals. In several cases, spiritual healing is used only after these doctors have
diagnosed a disease as incurable. Even after a patient feels that he has been healed by
[traditional healers], he still goes back to his doctor to establish that he is actually cured.
Western medicine is thus used to validate the efficacy of spiritual healing. (Montepio,
1986/1987).
 Folk healers may serve as indigenous allies whose work can complement modern health
practitioners and who can provide the psychological, emotional, and spiritual well being
necessary to the healing process.

References for FILIPINO CULTURE, VALUES, AND PRACTICES IN RELATION TO HEALTH CARE OF
INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY

Sawe, B. E. (2018). The culture of the Philippines. Retrieved from

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-culture-of-the-philippines.html
Timonen, V. (n.d.). Intergenerational family solidarity. Retrieved from
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/successful-ageing/0/steps/11803
Wong, A. C. (2012). What Filipinos can be proud of. Retrieved from
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/45875/what-filipinos-can-be-proud-of