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DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino
LESSON 3
In ethics, value denotes the degree of importance of some thing or action, with the aim
of determining what actions are best to do or what way is best to live (normative ethics), or
to describe the significance of different actions. Value systems are proscriptive and
prescriptive beliefs; they affect ethical behavior of a person or are the basis of their intentional
activities. Often primary values are strong and secondary values are suitable for changes.
What makes an action valuable may in turn depend on the ethical values of the objects it
increases, decreases or alters. An object with "ethic value" may be termed an "ethic or
philosophic good" (noun sense).
Values can be defined as broad preferences concerning appropriate courses of actions
or outcomes. As such, values reflect a person's sense of right and wrong or what "ought" to
be. "Equal rights for all", "Excellence deserves admiration", and "People should be treated
with respect and dignity" are representatives of values.
Values tend to influence attitudes and behavior and these types
include ethical/moral values, doctrinal/ideological (religious, political) values, social values,
and aesthetic values. It is debated whether some values that are not clearly physiologically
determined, such as altruism, are intrinsic, and whether some, such as acquisitiveness,
should be classified as vices or virtues.
Personal values
Personal values provide an internal reference for what is good, beneficial, important,
useful, beautiful, desirable and constructive. Values are one of the factors that generate
behaviour (besides needs, interests and habits) and influence the choices made by an
individual.
Values may help common human problems for survival by comparative rankings of
value, the results of which provide answers to questions of why people do what they do and
in what order they choose to do them. Moral, religious, and personal values, when held
rigidly, may also give rise to conflicts that result from a clash between differing world views.
Over time the public expression of personal values that groups of people find important
in their day-to-day lives, lay the foundations of law, custom and tradition. Recent research
has thereby stressed the implicit nature of value communication. Consumer behavior research
proposes there are six internal values and three external values. They are known as List of
Values (LOV) in management studies. They are self respect, warm relationships, sense of
accomplishment, self-fulfillment, fun and enjoyment, excitement, sense of belonging, being
well respected, and security. From a functional aspect these values are categorized into three
and they are interpersonal relationship area, personal factors, and non-personal
factors. From an ethnocentric perspective, it could be assumed that a same set of values will
not reflect equally between two groups of people from two countries. Though the core values
are related, the processing of values can differ based on the cultural identity of an individual.
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Gender and Society/AMELIA B. BUMMAR-PASCUA/lesson 3
QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino
Cultural values
Individual cultures emphasize values which their members broadly share. Values of
a society can often be identified by examining the level of honor and respect received by
various groups and ideas. In the United States of America, for example, top-level professional
athletes receive more respect (measured in terms of monetary payment) than university
professors.
2. When we speak of Filipino values, we do not mean that elements of these Filipino values
are absent in the value systems of other peoples and cultures.
4. The Filipino concept of justice has evolved from inequality to equality, and to human
dignity; from the tribe, to the family, and to the nation. Filipino consciousness of these
different values varies at different periods of our history. It is only in the last two
decades that the Filipino people have become more conscious of overpopulation and
family planning, environmental pollution (Kawasakisintering plant) and wildlife
conservation (Calauit Island), and the violation of human rights (Martial Law), active
non-violence and People Power (1986 non-violent Revolution).
2. The Filipino children are very respectful to elders especially their parent. They take
their hand and hit it gently in their foreheads. They do this every time they meet an
elder or a sign of respecting them.
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Gender and Society/AMELIA B. BUMMAR-PASCUA/lesson 3
QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino
Examples are:
a. Pakikisama - This is the ability to get along in a group, and to enjoy camaraderie
and togetherness. One who understands pakikisama will yield to group opinion and
sacrifice individual welfare for group welfare.
b. Utang na loob - This is the Filipino obligation to repay a debt or favor upon request,
and repay it with interest. Every Filipino has utang na loob to someone, while others
have utang na loob to him. Filipinos also believe strongly in suki, which is the building
of personal bonds between businesses and customers and loyal patronage.
4. Filipinos believe strongly in saving face. This is why, in response to an invitation, when
a Filipino says yes, it might mean “yes”, but could mean “maybe”, or even “I don’t know.”
It is often difficult for Filipinos to bring themselves to say no, and it is a good idea to
confirm a dinner invitation several times to ensure that they did not say yes because
they could not find a proper way to say no.
2. Social Belongingness – Filipinos want to be accepted by the group or to the community, so,
sometimes Filipinos are doing things just to please somebody. We are not true to ourselves.
Sometimes we avoided to be franked to others just not hurt other’s feelings, because we
are so sensitive
3. Close family ties – The family is the most important in our life. We are totally dependent
with our family. We are doing things for the common good or for the benefits of the family.
Children should obey their parents because if they will defy parental advises it will bring
misfortune or their life becomes tragic.
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Gender and Society/AMELIA B. BUMMAR-PASCUA/lesson 3
QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino
has been taken advantage by others especially the politicians. This “utang na loob” may
result to faithfulness and a cause for graft and corruption.
5. Emphasis on authority.
Father is the head of the family; Mayor is the head of the town and whatsoever. We give
more emphasis to what the person is. The status of the person depends on his wealth
and acquisition of land.
6. Personal improvement – Most Filipinos are aiming to raise their family in standard living.
We believed that we will obtain success only when we will finish our education. Education
has played a major role in obtaining success that’s why parents would sacrifice themselves
just to send their children to school. In return, older brother and sister would help their
younger ones to go to school and would not get married until they help their parents.
7. Mano Po - "Mano po" (pronounced mah-noh poh) refers to a physical gesture of taking the
hand of an elder and bringing it towards your forehead. This is a sign of respect for the
elder and is usually done at the point of greeting or farewell. Children are expected to
perform this gesture towards adult relatives & adult family friends. Failure to perform
"mano po" would be considered as disrespectful.
8. “Kuya" or "Ate” - The Filipino culture is very big on respect. The older an individual is, the
more they call for respect. The term 'kuya' (pronounced koo-yah) refers to an older male
person; it means 'big brother.' Its verbal usage indicates that you respect the older male
and recognize the difference in age.
9. The power of the eyebrows - In American culture, the eyebrows usually convey emotion
via a variety of facial expressions. In Filipino culture, raising your eyebrows can also
communicate a positive affirmation of "yes" when a yes/no question have been asked. So,
should a Filipino fail to verbally answer your question, look at their eyebrows before
feeling like you were being ignored. In reality, they may just be answering you non-
verbally through the raising of their eyebrows. Raising your eyebrows accompanied with
stronger contact can also serve as greeting or farewell
10. Ningas-kugon/ningas kugon -"flaming cogon grass" quickly going up in flames, refers to the
Filipino cultural trait of very enthusiastically starting things, but then quickly losing enthusiasm soon
after.
Categories of Filipino Values:
a. Core Value or kapwa: (kapwa, means “togetherness”) – is the core construct of Filipino
Psychology.
Two categories of Kapwa:
1. Ibang tao (“outsider”): there are five domains
pakikitungo (civility)
pakikisalamuha (act of mixing)
Pakikilahok (act of joining)
Pakikisama (being united with the group)
Pakikibagay (conformity)
2. Hindi Ibang Tao (“one –of –us”): there are three domains
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Gender and Society/AMELIA B. BUMMAR-PASCUA/lesson 3
QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino
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.
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Gender and Society/AMELIA B. BUMMAR-PASCUA/lesson 3
QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino
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:
A. 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.
D. Table manners
Wait to be asked several times before moving into the dining room or helping yourself
to food.
Wait to be told where to sit. There may be a seating plan.
Do not start eating until the host invites you to do so.
Meals are often served family- style or are buffets where you serve yourself.
A fork and spoon are the typical eating utensils.
Hold the fork in the left hand and use it to guide food to the spoon in your right hand.
Whether you should leave some food on your plate or finish everything is a matter of personal
preference rather than culture-driven.
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Gender and Society/AMELIA B. BUMMAR-PASCUA/lesson 3
QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY
Directions: Choose among the six types of value system and do the following:
4. This will be presented to your subject professor thru scheduled Google meet.
However, you still have to upload your output in the LMS.
NOTE: CONVERT YOUR ANSWER SHEET TO PDF BEFORE UPLAODING TO THE LMS.
References:
https://www.scribd.com/document/317434779/Filipino-Belief-System-and-Cultural-Practices
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Gender and Society/AMELIA B. BUMMAR-PASCUA/lesson 3