Catherine G.

Gines
BSED-2B

CHAPTER 4 The Strengths and Weaknesses

of the Filipino Character:
A Socio-Cultural Issue

Intended Learning Outcome:

At the end of this Chapter, you should be able to:

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses the Filipino character; and

Cite ways by which schools can counteract the weaknesses of the Filipino

Introduction:

Schools are there for society, their relevance is proven by their abilityto address socio-cultural problems.
What are these social issues or problemsthat schools should help address? We have a number of them
but let’s focuson the weaknesses of the Filipino character. The strengths of the Filipinocharacter will also
be cited for a balanced presentation. Besides, schools cancapitalize on the strengths of the Filipino
character to eliminate theweaknesses.Activity – Let’s Read TheseBelow is an excerpt of the Report “A
Moral Recovery Program: Buildinga People, Building a Nation” submitted on April 27, 1988 by

Analysis – Let’s Analyze

1.Do you agree with the findings? Why or why not?

Explain your answer.

✓ The principal outcomes of a research project; what the project suggested, revealed or indicated.
This usually refers to the totality of outcomes, rather than the conclusions or recommendations
drawn from them.

2.According to the report, one weakness of the Filipino character is lack of analysis and emphasis on
form (porma). The report states that this lack of analysis and emphasis on form are reinforced by an
educational system that is more form than substance.

• What is meant by an educational system that is more form than substance?

✓ Educational system must be a system of learning strategies derived from various learning theories.
It is created through intensive research on the learning styles, learning skills, various intellect,
effective learning environment and the like to promote holistic development. An educational system
must be outcome based. It must focus on the efficiency of the teachers and effectiveness of the newly
applied learning strategies. However, recently, more learning principles derived from various
researches are incorporated in the system which in other ways are not helpful to the learners. At
some point, officials in the teaching profession tend to formulate a system of rules and program which
are not effective. Rather than focusing on the effectiveness of classroom instructions and good study
materials, they bombarded teachers with loads of paper works making them drained and taking most
of their classroom time to prepare for requirements submission. This makes educational system a
mere form but having no substance at all.

• Do you agree that the Philippine education system is more form than substance? If yes, why? If not,
why not?

✓ If the Philippine education is more form than the substance, why is it more Filipinos employed all
over the world. Most Nurses and technical workers in all over the world were Filipinos. The emphasis
of most Filipino Parents to their children is "Education not on physical labor"

3.Share your answers with your group.

Application – Let’s Apply

1.Teacher observes that when students submit report, the more ornate and artistic the folder is, the less
substantial the report. Which weakness in the Filipino character is pointed to? If you were the teacher
how do you counteract such?

✓Not many teachers are fooled by ornate and decorative covers but students often try to impress
teachers this way, especially when their quality of work is a bit thin. This is true in any country not just
the Philippines.

2.In line with the government’s austerity program, DepEd reiterates the following policies:

a.Graduation rites should be simple but meaningful to encourage civil rights, a sense of community, and
personal responsibility. While these rites mark a milestone in the life of the learners, these should be
conducted without excessive spending, extravagant attire or extraordinary venue;

b.Moving Up or Completion Ceremonies should be simple, involving only the learners, their parents and
the school; and

c.Non-academic projects such as attendance to field trips, film showing, Junior-Senior promenade, and
other school events should not be imposed as requirements for graduation or completion. (D.O. # 02, s.
2019)

Which of the weaknesses of the Filipino does this DepEd Order wish to help eliminate? Explain.
✓ Being a student and Filipino, I Have this own opinion, Filipinos Will have weaknesses that cause of
lack of knowledge and poverty and that's it's about learning matter

3.In a post-observation conference, school head cites points for improvement for the teacher observed.
It happens that there are more points for improvement than positive points. Teacher concludes the
school head is biased against her.

Which Filipino weakness is revealed? What should be done?

4.What should be done in the Philippine basic education system so that it is more substance than form?

Giving Free College Education.

Building more Public Math and Science School.

Instituting a National Feeding Program.

Higher Teacher's Salary.

.5.Cite instances where 1) extreme family centeredness, 2) lack of discipline, 3) passivity and lack of
initiative, 4) colonial mentality, 5) kanya-kanya syndrome, talangka mentality, 6) lack of self-analysis and
self-reflection are manifested in Philippine society.

EXTREME FAMILY CENTERENESS -in my own opinion the extreme family centeredness..always put God
first...and second is in terms of financial matter...and also happy family

LACK OF DISCIPLINE-These are just few of the reasons for lack of self discipline. This situation can be
remedied, but few people know how. You can find more articles on this subject at this website, as
well as a book with practical and proven techniques and exercises on how to overcome lack of self
discipline.

PASSITIVITY AND LACK OF INITIATIVE- Filipinos are generally passive and lacking in initiative. One
waits to be told what has to be done. There is strong reliance on others (e.g. leaders , government) to
do things for us. this is related to one’s attitude towards authority. Filipinos have a need for a strong
authority figure and feel safer and more secure in the presence of such an authority. One is generally
submissive to those in authority and is likely to raise issues or to question decisions.

COLONIAL MENTALITY-A colonial mentality is the internalized attitude of ethnic or cultural for
example being colonized by another group.It corresponds with the belief that the cultural values of
the colonizer are inherently superior to one's own.

KANYA-KANYA SYNDROME -Filipinos have a selfish, self-serving attitude that generates a feeling of
envy and competitiveness towards others, particularly one’s peers who seem to have gained some
status or prestige. Towards them, the Filipino demonstrates the so called crab mentality (referring to
the tendency of crabs in a basket to pull each other down) using the levelling instruments of tsismis,
intriga, and unconstructive criticism to bring others down.

LACK SELF OF ANALYSIS AND SELD REFLECTION-Lack of Self-Analysis and Self-Reflection. There is a
tendency in the Filipino to be superficial and even somewhat flighty. In the face of serious problems,
both personal and social, there is lack of analysis or reflection this the weaknesses of the Filipino
Character

Ask your

Explain how schools can help counteract such negative traits.

✓ Schools can give you circle of friend in that way, your friends can influence you in doing horrific
actions and thoughts

6.Based on Sen. Shahani’s Report, Chapter IV as written by Patricia B. Licuanan, once Chair of the
Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines, schools have contributed to the development of
Filipino passivity and lack of critical thinking:

Aside from the influences of the formal curriculum, there are the influences of the ‘hidden curriculum’,
i.e., the values taught informally by the Philippine school system. Schools are highly authoritarian with
the teachers as central focus. The Filipino student is taught to be dependent on the teacher, so he
attempts to record verbatim what the teacher says and to give this back in its original form with little
processing during examination.

Teachers reward well-behaved and obedient students and are uncomfortable with those who ask
questions and express different viewpoints…. Critical thinking is not learned in school.

Does this picture still hold true today? Why or why not?

I
Let’s Check for Understanding

1.List the weaknesses of the Filipino character. Explain each in a sentence

.1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao : Opening yourself to others and feel one with others with dignity and respect
deal with them as fellow human beings.

- sense of fairness and justice

- concern for others

2. Family Orientation : a genuine and deep love for family.

- commitment and responsibility

3. Joy and Humor : Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving approach to life and its up and down,
pleasant disposition, a sense of humor and propensity for happiness that contribute not only to the
Filipino charm but also to the Filipino Spirit. We laugh at those we love and hate. We tend to make joke
about our good and even bad fortune, to smile even in the most trying of times.

- emotional balance and optimism

- healthy disrespect for power and office.

4. Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity

5. Hard Work and Industry : capacity for hard work given to raise one's standard living of a decent life
for one's family.

6. Faith and Religiosity : Faith in God - accepting reality to comprehend as a human created by God.
"Pampalakas-loob"

Weakness of Filipino:

1. Extreme Personalism

- always trying to to give personal interpretation to actions

- thank you with "but" (compliment-criticism-compliment)

2. Extreme Family Centeredness

- strong family protection good or bad condition

3. Lack of Discipline : relaxed attitude but poor time management

- love to take short-cuts or 'palusot' system

- carelessness

4. Passivity and Lack of Initiative : strong reliance to others fate

- doubt and debate first than study, discuss until planning and action

5. Colonial Mentality : Patriotism vs Active awareness

- luck of love and appreciation on what they have

- open outside but side-open or close inside

6. Kanya-kanya Syndrome : self-serving attitude that generates feeling of envy and competitiveness
towards others (status vs prestige).

- personal ambition but insensitive to common good

7. Lack of Self Analysis and Reflection

- Sometimes superficial and flighty

2.List the strengths of the Filipino then in a phrase or clause; explain when that strength becomes a
weakness.

✓ Filipinos have such beautiful values that they are entrenched not only in the individual but in their
families as well, but sometimes it work to their detriment. Sadly, these values are slowly dissipating
from their lives.

Taking it to the Net

1.Research on the Curriculum Guide for Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (ESP) from grades 1 to 10. Check on
the pamantayan (standards) of EsP from Grades 1 to 10. Does the teaching of EsP in the grades help in
eliminating the weaknesses of the Filipino character as given in Sen. Shahani’s Report? Share your
findings.

2.Research on the Senior High School Curriculum. Find out if there are subjects where the following are
intentionally taught: (1) a sense of patriotism and national pride; (2) a sense of common good; (3) a
sense of integrity and accountability, (4) the values and habits of discipline and hard work; (5) the values
and habits of self-reflection and analysis; the internalization of spiritual values and the emphasis on
essence rather than on form.

3.Research on DepEd orders on value education and value integration. Can these DepEd orders disprove
that the Philippine educational system is more form than substance as claimed in Sen. Shahani’s report?

4.The K to 10 Curriculum Guide for Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP) and the Grade 11-12 Curriculum
Guide for Philosophy of the Human Person and Personal Development show that there is an intensive
and purposive effort of the Philippine educational system to eliminate the weaknesses of the Filipino
character that is more substance than form. Which proofs can you give?

Let’s Reflect

Which of the weaknesses of the Filipino character applies to you? Have schools helped you to
counteract such weakness?

✓ There are no weaknesses of a Pilipinoo character Yes, this is actually how you spell it . Because
there is no difference in character which are related to race, color, inheritance of any kind
whatsoever. We are all humans and none of us chooses where to be born - this is never a weakness.
Let Clinchers

A1.How can schools help fight the Filipino lack of analysis?

a.Do teaching-to-the test.

b.Give out-of-context drills.

c Make students solve problems.

d.Let students write their observation.

C2.When.When does the Filipino’s faith and religiosity become a weakness?

a.When he does nothing to help himself and waits for God to save him.

b.When he totally submits himself to God’s will after having done all he could.

c.When he forgives his enemies and so appears weak.

d.When he prays every day and every night.

C3.What’s wrong with the Filipino sense of humor?

a.When he is always joyful

b.When even serious things are not taken seriously

c When he takes things lightly

d.When his jokes are corny

A4.Which Filipino weakness is proven in his penchant for diploma?

a.Porma over substance or essence

b.Love for education

c.Desire for upward mobility

d.Fatalism

C5.What does teacher encourage when she looks at students’ questions in class as indicator of
inattentiveness?
a.Critical thinking

b.Love for study

c.Passivity

d.Pakikisama