Name: Macalintal Reinore Jay M.

Course/Section: HRMGT 3101

Subject: Ged 107 Ethics

Chapter Name and Title: Chapter 7: The Filipino Way

Subtitle/Subtopics: How to Lessen the Influence of Negative Implications of Filipino
Characters

In Filipino culture, there are many traits that are admirable, like respect for elders, love for
family, utang na loob, diskarte (ingenuity) and always thinking about the welfare of others.
However, we all know that too much of a good thing is bad, and this goes for culture as well.
This is because most toxic Filipino traits are simply good values with the volume cranked up,
while others are just plain wrong. Here are some toxic Filipino traits that you, dear parents,
should teach the kids to avoid.

It is good to find ways around sticky situations, but if it involves going around the rules, please
don’t. Rules are there to keep everything orderly and fair, so please do your best to obey them, to
show the kids a good example. This means that you should try your best to obey traffic rules,
cross only in pedestrian lanes, and obey the law to the best of your ability. Kids learn by
example, so you should set that good example by obeying the rules.

Gossip/ Tsismis
Try not to discuss the private lives of others without a good reason to do so

Another trait that is problematic among Filipinos is the love for gossip/tsismis. Sure, it may be
entertaining to talk about the private lives of celebrities, or even the neighbors, in your
local sari-sari store, but the time you spend gossiping with the neighbors could have been used
more productively. Also, you don’t know the whole story, so repeating it might twist the details
and turn a true story into a sensational lie. However, you may still talk about others’ private
lives, but make sure it is done to educate, not to idle time away.

Seniority does not always make you right

Just because you are older, does not mean you are right

It is a given that being older leads to being wiser, due to more experience, but it is not automatic.
This is because we should remember that the elders are human too, so they are bound to make
mistakes from time to time. So, dear parents, if you make a mistake, and your kids call you out
for it, don’t get angry, since we are finite. However, we must all remember that we should learn
from our mistakes, and there is a proper forum for telling the elders about their mistakes. So,
please, if the situation calls for it, feel free to remind the elders of their mistakes, but do so with
respect, and the intention to educate.

Filipino Time
Being Late is NOT a virtue

Another toxic trait Filipinos must avoid is being late, since it disregards the efforts others make
to be on time. So, if you agree to meet someone at 1 PM, be there before 1 PM, to show you take
that person’s time seriously. Being late is not only a sign of disrespect, but it can cause undue
delays, which are wrong.

Bahala Na
Batman is not responsible for how we live our lives

Bahala Na is a sign of faith in a higher power, which is a good thing, but if it is used to evade
your responsibilities, which some Filipinos tend to do, it is already toxic. Please, don’t leave
everything to Batman, since he is busy fighting crime in Gotham, and do everything you can to
succeed, for the Almighty can only work His miracles through us.

Be the Best Filipinos We Can Be

In the end, it is important to remember that as a Filipino people, we may have many positive
cultural traits, but at the same time, some parts of our culture can be toxic. What we can do is
hone the positive traits, and correct the negative, so we can be the best Pinoys we can be.

Generally, Filipinos are known to be happy, friendly and very hospitable people and we are
known for all these good qualities around the world.

But, let us face it, Filipino people also have annoying and bad habits that sometimes give the
country a negative reputation. These habits not only pull us down personally but the entire nation
as well.

1.) “Bahala na” Attitude

Roughly translated as “come what may”, this is the Filipinos’ own version of fatalism, the belief
of trusting in Divine providence or leaving everything to the hands of fate. It is a Filipino’s way
of avoiding rationalization or good reason. While this trait can sometimes be helpful in time of
adversity, the mentality of “ what goes around, comes around,” can also keep us from finding
ways out of tough situations.

2.) Procrastination or “Mañana Habit “

This is the Filipino habit of leaving for tomorrow what can be done today. They tend to postpone
their actions for a later time thus reducing accomplishments.
Filipinos are fond of saying “bukas na lang” or “sa susunod na lang” due to laziness. This arises
from a slack mentality that a problem will eventually go away by itself.

3.) Crab Mentality

Filipinos tend to possess this mentality especially when they feel insecure. In a way, crab
mentality also promotes an unhealthy competition. Instead of doing things that could help one to
develop and become better than his competitors, Filipinos devote so much of their time gossiping
and back-biting. It is their way of deviating people’s attention on their inadequacy by focusing
on other people’s faults.

4.) Lack of self- discipline

We have laws and regulations in order to achieve a harmonious community.  However, most
Filipinos have this penchant of disregarding the rules in order to prioritize what they want.
There’s a theory that explains why Filipinos lack discipline or fail to implement rules, and it is
something that is ingrained in our very culture.  Being oppressed by various colonizers for such a
long time made our ancestors defiant of the rules they believed to be discriminatory; thus,
creating a mentality of “self-righteous disobedience.” This is reflected on how Filipinos break
laws to save time. For example, even when a signage clearly says ‘No Jaywalking’, Filipinos will
still choose to cross the fatal road because it’s more convenient and for them “righteous” to cross
there.

5.) Filipino Time

‘Related to the mañana habit, Filipino time refers to the Filipinos’ own unique brand of time,
which is known to be minutes or hours behind the scheduled or standard time. This behaviour
drives time-observant foreigners to get frustrated because Filipinos tend not to observe
punctuality at all. It’s a dreadful habit that needs to be stopped as it hinders productivity and
progress. Not to mention that you’re not only wasting your own time but other people’s time as
well.

JOAN CANUTO,
Born, raised and lived only in the Philippines. Here are some of my observations:

Victim mentality - don’t know the meaning of accountability/ownership and lacks self-reflection
leading to stunted personal growth & maturity. For many Filipinos, it is always somebody else’s
fault. Ex: blaming businessmen for them being poor when they didn’t even take their studies
seriously - not leveraging education as a good equalizer in an impoverished country like PH.
Some are just too lazy to work - always complaining and spending their earnings on vices &
whims yet hates on the rich. This trait is even rampant in the corporate world where we are
supposed to be “professionals” yet too many resorts to finger pointing and lots of BS excuses,
same goes w/ our politicians. This trait is heavily promoted by many PH telenovelas & films w/
too much emphasis on all the drama & victimhood instead of focusing on the hard work &
diligence that leads to breaking the system & success.

No growth mindset - Actually believing that they cannot better themselves through learning and
failures. In the 2018 PISA, 15yr old Filipino students fared poorly on the growth mindset survey.
These teenagers didn’t believe that putting on efforts could positively impact academic
outcomes. IMHO, this is a learned behavior from the adults and the PH’s society as a whole -
case in point, few Filipinos venture into entrepreneurship because they almost always think of
failing first. And shame for failing is too big a burden in PH.
Utang na loob/Debt of gratitude - a very fake version of helping. Many expect you return the
favor. If you don’t, then you’re ungrateful. This also paves way to corruption, bribery, cheating
to recompense what the helper thinks you owe him/her.

Unreasonable Filipino pride - now don’t get me wrong, I am very proud of my roots, heritage &
nationality but a huge chunk of the 110M pinoys are simply exaggeratedly & excessively damn
proud it’s ridiculous! Foreign social media influencers and vloggers understands this hence the
“pinoybating” phenomena. Relying on foolproof titles like “I didn’t expect this in PH”, “PH
changed my life” etc to boost their channels’ views & subscription bec proud pinoys want this
validation from foreigners, too eager to comment “proud pinoy here”. Likewise, w/ having
filipino contestants asked to join foreign singing contests for viewership & ratings. Yes, it is a
business & marketing strategy, you all. Too much of their Filipino pride made them gullible. The
worst impact of this is causing my countrymen to be bitter & resistant of constructive criticisms
& feedbacks. Lacking humility offers no growth & betterment.

Appeal to emotion over critical thinking - simply look at PH’s political scene. In the last 40
decades alone, our country suffered all sorts of corruption it has become systemic and chronic.
40 yrs has taught us nothing besides the fact Filipinos are easily won over through their
emotions- a tactic & strategy that always works.

14 Good Filipino Habits that Make the Philippines a Great Country

There may be negative traits that are common to many Filipinos, such as crab mentality (envy
and insecurity), mañana habit (procrastination) and tardiness, that are hindering our country’s
progress and human development index. But on the other side, we also have several positive
traits that make us one of the most admirable people on Earth. The following good habits make
the Filipinos great people and the Philippines a great country. Let us do our best to preserve
them.

1. Hospitability. It’s one of the most popular traits of Filipinos. We are usually friendly and
welcoming to our guests. This Filipino attribute makes the Philippines one of the most favorite
destinations by tourists who want to enjoy the beauty of our nature and the friendliness of our
people, not to mention we can also understand and speak English.

2. Adaptability and resilience. Despite of all the calamities that struck our country, like the
strong earthquake and Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that devastated the central part of
Visayas in 2013, Filipinos are persistent enough to get back on their feet, even without the solid
help from the government. We can also adapt to any type of environment and mingle with any
kind of people all over the world.

3. Resourcefulness and creativity. Filipinos are known for ingenuity. We are creative in many
ways, whether it’s in art, music, science, technology and business. Some of our smartest
countrymen can come up with a brilliant idea despite of poverty or lack of financial resources.
We are also good in recycling trash and turn them into ingenious products.

4. Faithfulness. The Filipinos are one of the most faithful people in the world. Whatever our
religion is, we remain faithful and we don’t lose hope for a better tomorrow. Our faithfulness and
hopefulness keep us kind, positive, peaceful and determined to achieve our goals no matter how
impossible they may seem.

5. Unity in bayanihan spirit. We are in close relationship with our neighbors. In barangays and
most subdivisions, the people in the neighborhood know each other, talk each other, help each
other, and protect each other. Our communities are organized. We help each other to make our
fiestas, festivals and other events lively and colorful to make sure that our visitors will have a
great experience.

6. Thriftiness. There may be Filipinos who are living beyond their means. But on the brighter
side, there are also many Filipinos who are frugal. We shop wisely to save our money for future
important uses. We are conscious on the price tag, discounts and quality of the products we buy
to get the most out of our money. Filipino parents also do sacrifices like skipping the stuff they
want to buy for themselves just to save their money to buy things that can make their children
happy.

7. Politeness. Filipinos are courteous people. The children and young Filipinos will always use
the words “po” and “opo” to show respect to someone who’s older or who’s in the higher
position than them. We also do the “mano po” gesture (bringing the back of the hand of an elder
to one’s forehead) as a sign of respect to our elders. Moreover, Filipino workers will always
address their customers with “sir” or “ma’am” to show humility and honor to serve them.

8. Family-oriented. Filipinos are willing to make big sacrifices just to make sure that their loved
ones will have a good life. Our parents will do anything just to give us a brighter future. They are
even willing to work in a foreign soil just to achieve such goal. And in return, we study hard and
even sacrifice our personal love life just to fulfill the dreams of our parents for us. 🙂
Furthermore, many Filipino breadwinners work extraordinarily hard just to earn money to
support their family.

9. Bravery. There’s a hero’s blood running on our veins. We have the most fearless heroes who
only think of defending our homeland. Remember Lapu-Lapu, Andress Bonifacio and Jose
Rizal. Moreover, our soldiers are probably the bravest in the world. General Douglas MacArthur
was even quoted saying “Give me ten thousand Filipino soldiers and I will conquer the world.”

10. Jolliness and sense of humor. The Philippines is a country of smiles. Nothing can take away
the humor and jolliness of many Filipinos… not even super typhoon Yolanda – the strongest
recorded typhoon that made a landfall. Despite of the tragedy, Yolanda survivors can still be
seen smiling, positive and hopeful to rebuild their lives even better. The Filipino humor is
evident everywhere, from comedy films, TV shows, to every Filipino you will meet.

11. Discretion and dignity. Perhaps many of our politicians don’t have a delicadeza. But our
people, especially the Filipinas, still observe delicadeza. Despite of the growing number of
Filipinos who are giving up their delicadeza, there are still many Filipinos who always think
twice before they make a decision that can affect their dignity and honor. Thanks to their parents
who raised them up with high moral standards.

12. Gratefulness. Aside from being hospitable, Filipinos are also thankful. We don’t forget
anyone who helped us, whether he (she) is a Filipino or not. We even build monuments to show
our utmost respect and gratitude to our heroes and other foreign personalities who helped the
Filipino people. We show our warmest gratitude to the international communities who helped us
rebuild our lives after Haiyan and other disasters struck us.

13. Honesty and commitment. Perhaps “palabra de honor” is not evident among our politicians,
but it’s still evident among the common Filipinos. When we make a promise, we try our best to
fulfill that promise even if it will undermine ourselves. For us, to fulfill a promise to others is a
great self-fulfillment. We are also candor. What we see in you, we will tell you frankly.

14. Helpfulness. Finally, even if the Philippines is not a big and rich country, we still grant aids
to other countries in need. We also send our brave soldiers to protect other nations from threats
and to preserve world peace.

Originally, we are rich in good values, morals, attitudes and habits. They are the legacies that our
ancestors have left us. Maybe some of these qualities are already fading and becoming rare
among Filipinos. But we can still do something to preserve them. Let’s protect our moral
treasures! Let’s start preserving them within ourselves. Then let’s serve as a model of these good
habits to inspire our countrymen to do the same.

Filipino Traits and Characteristics