FILIPINO

CULTURAL
VALUES
ALARO, JAZZIE ANN ALTAMARINO

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"Bayan" is the root term, which signifies "country."

In the same way, bayanihan is kinship with your fellow
countrymen. The most famous example of Bayanihan is
when the men of the town assist a family in relocating their
bamboo house within the town. Traditionally, straw and
bamboo were used to construct homes. When the weather
changes and rivers begin to flood, residents who live near
the banks will be forced to relocate their homes to higher Example: men of the town assist a family in
ground where the water will not reach them. For the relocating their bamboo house within the town
Filipinos, there is pride in mentioning “Bayanihan”. When a
whole town is in a single state of mind to achieve a
beneficial goal together, they get to reap all of the benefits
from the fruits of their labor and celebrate each other’s
contribution with fiestas, festivals, or even with a simpleThe concept of utang na loob, or debt of
meryenda. gratitude, is really beautiful. It is the concept that good
deeds should be recognized and rewarded as much as
possible. When someone helps you or shows you
kindness, you express your gratitude by being kind to
Pakikisama is about getting along with thosethem or doing something good for them in return. It is a
around you, it means going through thick and thin:token of gratitude to another person whom you are
from your family to your friends to your neighborsindebted to. Surely, if someone has done you a favor,
and acquaintances. If they are down and havingyou must be able to return the favor in the most
Example: taking
difficulties in life,good
youcare of our
will lolasthem
help and in everyappropriate manner, culturally speaking.
lolso toyou
manner pay can
back without
from the sacrifices they’vePakikisama
being asked.
alsodone whentowethe
refers were actyoung
of sharing, as in the act of
sharing the burden of an issue. It's similar to
showing compassion, but it's a lot more. It’s a very
 Example: sometimes a visitor will bring a plus one
during parties and is welcomed warmly with
pakikisama
Filipinos are known for being hospitable and
respectful; from the moment we are born into this
world, we are already taught how to be respectful
by using simple catchphrases such as po and opo---
words that end sentences when addressing elders.
We also have a culture of pagmamano (raising the
backs of the hands of our elders to our foreheads as
a sign of respect). Aside from that, Filipinos are quite Example: pagmamano or raising the backs of
the Hiya
handsisofaour
Filipino
eldersword
to ourthat can be
foreheads asrendered
a
sensitive of the words they use as well, there are
as "shyness" or "shame." It is also related to "pride"
sign of respect
instances that we utter few profane words which
and self-esteem or self-image. It can arise in a
offends the person we talk to. We are taught to
variety of situations, such as being unable to pay a
avoid speaking profanity, especially in front of
payment, provide for one's family, or simply being
younger kids as well. We respect the differences that
unreliable. Being mahiyain is also a sign of modesty,
we have, especially in terms of beliefs, religion and
politeness, and respect in Filipino culture. Even if
traditions.
you are capable of handling events, you must still
We find things to enjoy in our workplace,
demonstrate mahiyain behavior to demonstrate
which makes the work more lightly, we
Example: sometimes we are shy when we are that you are not above the rest and should be
serve intentionally and we strive hard to
asking for aguinaldos treated equally.
bring home the bacon to our families. This
does not only hold true in a corporate
setting. It also is evident in provinces where
you see farmers plowing the fields diligently
or in households where there are
housewives taking care of home
management. We take pride in our farmers
because they embody the value of Filipinos
being industrious and hardworking.
Example: Filipino farmers working all day long
in the farm

Filipinos are very family-oriented and

there is usually no longer a distinction among
extended family, close family friends, or even
our parents' childhood best friends. It's innate in
our culture, and it is how we were brought up.
There’s nothing in the world that we would
trade in exchange for our family -- it is the only
wealth we proudly cherish and stand up for. We
will do everything to provide and give a helping
hand to our family including our relatives.