POLITICAL VIEW

POLITICAL SELF

• Refers to:

1. An individual’s race, ethnicity and physical characteristics that makes a national identity.

2. Values and Traits (both positive and negative) that are also important indicators that set apart
one nationality from the others’ nationality.

3. Pointing out weaknesses and mistakes, paired with unity and commitment, that make progress
possible through common goals and principles

DIMENSIONS OF BEING A FILIPINO

• Pinagmulan (socio-political dimension)

• Kinalakhan (cultural roots)

• Kamalayan (consciousness)

WHO IS A FILIPINO?

SECTION 1

• The ff. are citizens of the Philippines:

 Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of the Constitution.

 Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines

 Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon
reaching the age of majority; and

 Those who are lawfully naturalized

SECTION 2

• Natural -born citizens are those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to
perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship hereof shall be deemed natural -born
citizens.

SECTION 3

• Philippine citizenship may be lost or reacquired in the manner provided by law

SECTION 4

• Only Natural -born Filipinos are eligible to hold high offices, including all elective offices
beginning with a representative in the House of Representatives up to the President
DIMENSIONS OF BEING A FILIPINO

• Pinagmulan (socio-political dimension)

• Kinalakhan (cultural roots)

 Revolves around participation and being immersed in a cultural milleu acknowledged as Filipino

 Speaking a Philippine language, variety of beliefs and practices

 Diskarte: how we creatively face every situation that we encounter

• Kamalayan (consciousness)

• Pinagmulan (socio-political dimension)

• Kinalakhan (cultural roots)

• Kamalayan (consciousness)

 Awareness of the self as Fiipino

 Acceptance of membership in the category “Filipino”

 Takes pride in this membership

 Tajfel: social identification

FILIPINO VALUES

• There are inherent traits that make Filipinos different from other nationalities.

• Positive Filipino values

 Filipino Hospitality: making our guests feel at home.

 Respect for elders: Greeting elders by kissing their hands saying “mano po”, using po and opo.

 Close family ties: maintaining tight relationship with families even if their children are old
enough and already have their families

 Bayanihan - spirit of communal unity and cooperation of Filipinos.

 Utang na loob – feeling of gratitude, recognition of one’s indebtedness, and obligation to repay
someone who has extended assistance to another

 Matiyaga – Filipinos are known for their grit and strong determination in every undertaking

 Damayan – extending sympathy for people especially for those who lost their loved ones or who
were victims of calamities.

• Negatuve Filipino values

 Colonial mentality: lacking patriotism and favoring foreign products more than our own.

 Mañana habit: Filipino term for procrastination. “Mamaya na. ”

 Ningas kugon: eagerly starting things but quickly losing eagerness soon after experiencing
difficult

 Crab mentality - pulling each other down and ruin each other’s reputation rather than bringing
them up. Filipino time - arriving late at commitments, dinner, or parties

 Jackpot mentality – “instant millionaire” mentality of some Filipinos who should rather engage
in fast ways of acquiring money (lottery, raffle draws) rather than working hard to have a better life

 Bahala na attitude - leaving everything in God’s hands.

 Foreigner Definition (Andres): Filipino attitude that makes one accept sufferings and probems,
leaving everything to God. Fatalistic resignation or withdrawal from an engagement or crisis or a shirking
from personal responsibility

 Local Definition (Lagmay): Determination and risk-taking. Telling themselves that they are ready
to face the difficult situation before them, and will do their best to achieve their objectives

o An individual with nothing worthwhile to do; yet he has to do something and must look for a
way. He has enough information, but he wishes to find out what his limitations are as well as his
deficiencies and weaknesses. He is ready to take a chance. Bahala na!

o A photographer says that he will take some pictures but has only one camera; and he may run
out of film, he says, or that the camera may fail to function, and he does not know where all these will
lead to, even as he brings all his materials and whatever else. Bahala na

o When one has something to be carried out and the means are not adequate, for instance, lack
of money when going out on a date. Still, he decides to make do with what he has. Bahala na!

o A student says that he was going to take an examination and there was no more time for any
form of preparation. Though unprepared ... Bahala na!

o One was caught extorting money from someone; a serious offense; no way out, and he was
being handcuffed. He cried like a child, saying "Basta, bahala na!

 Defining Bahala na!

 Organic response to unknown outcomes

 Remains in the problem at hand; does not indicate avoidance of the problem; person stays
committed to an encounter yet to be

 Used when improvising

 Accepts his situation and things as they are for the moment within his existing perception of
present deficiencies and uncertainty as to the future

 There is trust in his capacity to meet any contingency, self-confidence in the face of uncertainty

KAPWA

• Core Filipino value

• Means recognition of shared identity

• Connects peoples’ private spheres with outsiders – even total strangers

• Pakikipagkapwa refers to its highest level