Understanding the Pros and Cons of our Filipino Values

Asian Moral • Like understanding culture, the EAST and WEST

philosophies differ in their ways of thinking about the world
Understanding  their philosophical notions

Western Ethics Eastern Ethics

Focus Finding Truth Protocol and Respect

Basis Rational Thought Religious Teachings

Emphasis Logic, Cause and Effect Respect towards Family

Roots Athens, Rome, and JudeoChristianity Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism

Approach Rational Holistic and Cultural

Conflict and Harmony Good must triumph over Evil Good and Bad, Light and Dark all exist in
equilibrium
 • The Filipino Culture have values that are regards Filipinos
to have a “Smooth Interpersonal Relationship” (SIR).
These values maintain social harmony among each other.
However, the values have both positive and negative
Filipino connotations
Values
• “The task of building our nation is an awesome one.
There is need for economic recovery. There is need to re-
establish democratic institutions and to achieve the goals
of peace and genuine social justice. Along with these
goals, there is a need as well to build ourselves as a
people. There is need to change structures and to change
people. Building a people means eliminating our
weaknesses and developing our strengths; this starts with
the analysis, understanding, and appreciation of these
strengths and weaknesses” – (Licuanan, 1994)
Pakikisama

• The maintenance of good relations

• Avoiding of conflicts.
• Becomes problematic when that cost of
maintaining good relations may
compromise one’s principles. You may
put yourself in a situation that you will
have to simply agree on anything so as
to avoid conflicts.
Hiya and Amor Propio

• Hiya and Amor Propio can be

understood with each other. Hiya
illustrates the idea of the fear of losing
one’s face. It is the consequence of
doing something bad that damages
one’s reputation. Amor Propio on the
other hand, since one avoids Hiya, this
value expounds on the idea of self-
respect. To preserve one’s self-respect
is to avoid things that causes him
embarrassment.
Utang ng Loob
• The debt of gratitude
• It involves the idea of
reciprocity of which you are
obligated to return favors.
Failure to do so loses one’s
credibility. In a way, if one
understands “loob” as a self
or a symbol of one’s
character, one may be
regarded as a person who
lacks good character.
“walang utang ng loob”
Respect for Elders

• It emphasizes a great amount of respect

towards elders. Therefore, pagmamano
is a practice that manifests this.
However, if one does not observe these
practices will result to scolding.
 • The courtesy of entertaining
guests. It has the character
of having a warm and
pleasant feeling. However,
one may be prone to abuses
from guests

Filipino Hospitality