THE FILIPINO CULTURE AND VALUES

Filipino culture- is the summation of indigenous forces and foreign influences that had come to bear
upon the people in varying degrees during the last centuries.
Cotributory factors to Filipino Culture Malays Chinese Indian Hindu Spanish Americans
The Filipino Cultural Perspectives
1. The Traditional Concept Hold that Filipino culture was developed due to the conglomeration of
the physical, intellectual, moral and spriritual aspects.
2. The Nationalistic View Regards culture as the summation of the needs of people, the description of
their past and present condition, an expression of their values, thoughts and emotions, and the
dipiction of their historic struggles too liberate themselves.
3. Cultural Dualism The Philippines is a transitional society dominated on one side by the traditional
culture and on the other side by the modern culture.
The Filipino Culture
A. Belief System Filipinos are believers of religion. They believe so much on supernatural powers and
viewed themselves as only a speck in this wide universe. Success is considered a blessing from above, as a
result of good luck and faith Good is considered relative. Hapiness and success differ from one person to
another. Hospitality is practice.
B. Value System Cultural values are shared assumptions of what is right, good or important. Guide man’s
behavior and action as he relates himself in most situations in life. Can best be seen from the aspects of
personal and social relationships. Majority of Filipinos value more their honor (karangalan) rather than
wealth.
 In decision- making, the Filipinos usually consult and take into consideration the consensus of
the family members as the feelings of those who are to be affected. Filipinos love to mingle
with other people particularly with friends and relatives. They engaged themselves in mutual
cooperation (Bayanihan) Filipinos are friendly. They smile at people, even with strangers They
are warm and simple Filipino women are regardd and respected.
What is values?
Values are integral part of every culture. With worldview and personality, they generate behavior.
Being part of a culture that shares a common core set of values creates expectations and predictability
without which a culture would disintegrate and its member would lose their personal identity and
sense of worth. Values tell people what is good, beneficial important, useful, beautiful, desirable,
constructive, etc. They answer the question of why people do what they do. Values help people solve
common problems for survival. Over time, they become the roots of traditions that groups of people
find important in their day-to-day lives. Filipino values may be attributed into many influences. These
can be from its ancestors or influenced fro its colonizers. Some values are bipolar, meaning it can be
positive or negative.
Positive Filipino Values
 Bayanihan system or spirit of kinship and camaraderie - A Filipino community spirit and
cooperation wherein a group of individuals extends a helping hand without expecting any
remuneration. It is characterized by communal work towards one goal exemplified in carrying
a nipa house or pushing a passenger jeepney.
 Damayan system - sympathy for people who lost their love ones. In case of death of a certain
member of the community, the whole community sympathizes with the bereaved family.
Neighbors, friends, and relatives of the deceased usually give certain amount of money as
their way of showing sympathy.
 Familism or close family relations - a Filipino trait of giving highest importance to family
above other thing. A trait wherein family members should be taken care and supported
regardless of whether he/she did something wrong, a family member must given attention
and should not be abandoned.
  Fun-loving trait - a trait found in most Filipinos, a trait that makes them unique that even in
time of calamities and other challenges in life, they always have something to be happy about,
a reason to celebrate.
 Hospitality - a Filipino trait of being receptive and generous to guests.
 Compassionate - a Filipino trait of being sympathetic to others even if the person is a
stranger. An example of this is giving alms to beggar. This is observed when we hear Filipinos
saying “kawawa naman or nakakaawa naman.
 Regionalism - a Filipino trait of giving more priority or preference in giving favors to his
province mate before others. 7. Friendly - a trait found in most Filipinos. They are sincere,
loyal, kind and sociable person.
 Flexible or magaling makabagay - the ability of Filipinos to ride on or adjust to the norms of
other group jut to attain smooth and harmonious relationship. Example: OFW
 Religious - most Filipinos possess strong conformance of their religious belief in action and in
words.
 Respect to elders - a Filipino trait of being courteous both in words and in actions to the
people of older people.
 Remedyo attitude - a Filipino trait of being creative and resourceful. The ability to do things
that are next to impossible. Example in fixing appliances that look impossible to reppeopl
 Matiyaga - Filipinos re known for their tenacity and strong determination in every
undertaking.
 Utang na loob - a feeling of obligation to repay someone who extended assistance to another
which may take place in undetermined time and in whatever way.
Negative Filipino Values
Bahala na atitude - a Filipino trait characterized by retreating or withdrawal from certain undertaking and
leaving everything to God to interfere and determine the outcome of his deeds. 2. Colonial complex or
blue-seal mentality - a Filipino value of showing high admiration and preference to foreign produced goods
over local ones.
 Crab mentality - a Filipino attitude characterized by an attempt to “pull down” someone who has
achieved success beyond the others. This I done out of jealousy and insecurity.
 Euphemism - a Filipino way of substituting a word or phrase that is thought to be offensive or
harsh with a mild and acceptable one in order to not offend or hurt another perstime
 Filipino time - in reality, it means “always late”, a Filipino attitude of impreciseness towards time.
 Gaya-gaya attitude - a Filipino attitude of imitating or copying other culture specifically in mode
of dressing, language, fashion or even haircut.
 jackpot mentality - a “get rich quick” mentality of some Filipinos who would rather engage in fast
ways of acquiring money than through hardwork and sacrifice by getting in lottery, joining raffle
draws and other.
 Kapalaran values - a Filipino trait of accepting his fate by believing that everything is written in
his palm. Such traits contributes to lack initiative and perseverance among Filipinos.
 Mañana habit - delaying or setting aside a certain task assigned on the next day although it can be
done today.
 Ningas-cogon - being enthusiastic only during the start of new undertaking but ends dismally in
accomplishing nothing. A common practice observed in some politicians who are visible only
during the start of certain endeavor.
 Oversensitive - Filipinos have the tendency to be irritated easily or hurt upon hearing some
criticisms or comment.
 Lack of sportmanship - not accepting defeat in competitions but rather putting the blame either
to their opponents or to the sport officials.
 Pakikisama - submitting oneself to the will of the group for the sake of camaraderie and unity.
Failure to comply with the group demand, the person will be called “walang pakikisama or selfish”.
The adherence to group demands have taught our young to engage in bad habits like smoking,
alcoholism and even drug addiction. 14. Tsamba lang attitude - simplicity by declaring that his/her
accomplishments are results of luck and not from perseverance and ability.