WEEK 13

POLITICS
              Kendall (1998) defines politics as a social institution through which power is acquired and exercised by
people in groups. “Man in nature is a political animal.” Politics serves as a mechanism by which individuals develop
power and understand the proper functioning of a democrat. According to Stevens, Anglin, and Jussim (2015),
politics is a central component of their identity. (Chapter 9)Political Self and Being Filipino.pptx, n.d.)
              Political self organizes one’s beliefs, attitudes, and affiliations and aids in processing politically relevant
information. Political self constitutes knowledge about the constitution, government, and governance. Political self
exemplifies the people's ideals and aspirations, embodies the rules and principles of the state, and determines the
status and power of the people. Political is often defined by citizenship. (Chapter 9)Political Self and Being
Filipino.pptx, n.d.) (It constitutes knowledge about the Constitution government, n.d.)
Origin of Political Self

 Family. The family has a hierarchical structure, that is, through a hierarchy of positions, status, and power. For
example, the parent acts as a leader and establishes rules to maintain order in the family. The parent’s show of
power can lead to the development of the political self and identity.

 School. The school’s responsibility is to teach moral, spiritual, and political values that will help students become
patriotic and morally upright citizens through subjects such as UTS, GMRC, and ROTC. Like family, teachers act
as leaders in a classroom that sets the rules and regulations to maintain order in class. (Chapter 9)Political Self
and Being Filipino.pptx, n.d.)

 Religious Affiliation. Religious affiliation helps shape the ideals of citizenship and democracy through religious
teachings, values, and traditions.

 Peers. Interaction with peers encompasses and emphasizes the equal distribution of power, rights, and
privileges among the group members. (Understanding the Self GE UNDERSTANDING THE SELF FINALS, n.d.)

 Mass Media. Mass media is the key source of information on politics.

Theories of Political Self

 Social learning theory – A person can acquire learning through observation and imitation. Observation and
imitation are essential in a process known as political socialization. Political socialization is the lifelong process
by which individuals gain knowledge about politics.

 Cognitive theory – Cognitive theory suggests that individuals' mental activities (e.g., knowledge, perceptions, and
ideas) are important determinants of behavior (e.g., political attitude). “For example, individuals interpret the
meaning of politics and then choose and decide the actions they will make.” (Theories of Political Self According
to the social, n.d.)

 Theory of symbolic interaction – This theory suggests that behavior is the product of communication, meaning,
and symbols. People give meanings to symbols and express these meanings through language communication.
For example, children develop their political attitudes according to the symbols and meanings that their parents
communicate with them. (Theories of Political Self According to the social, n.d.)

 Theory of political participation – This theory is defined as the citizen’s action or activities anchored in politics.
The extent and scope of political participation may be an important criterion for assessing the value or quality
symbols and meanings people ascribe to politics. An example of these actions/activities is allowing an ordinary
 Filipino citizen to participate in the policy and decision-making process regarding the country's policies, in line
with the democratic nature of the Philippine society. (Theories of Political Self According to the social, n.d.)

BEING A FILIPINO
Objectives:

 develop a Filipino identity

 identify different Filipino values and traits 

 reflect on your selfhood relative to your national identity

Who are the Filipinos?

        Rodrigo Duterte, the Filipinos became highly vigilant and watchful to safeguard the democratic process in the
government and communities. The people’s assertions to peaceful and assertive means of participation in democratic
election and representation are healthy indications that the Filipinos have matured their quest for genuine
independence.

DEMOCRACY
            The awareness and understanding of the self and community are the foundation of democratic practice and
its result.

 Attributes of democracy:

 People empowerment

 Consultation

 Popular decision making

 Total development

 Delivery of service

 Fair and partial system of justice

 Accountability of public officials

 Promoting respect for rights

 Concern for their welfare

 Unity

 Justice and equality

ESTABLISHING DEMOCRATIC CULTURE

              Democracy is a government in which the supreme is vested in the people's exercised directly or indirectly
through a system of presentation, generally involving periodically held free elections. Although democracy has
several flaws, it also uniquely possesses several features that most people – whatever their basic political beliefs –
would consider desirable. (Political Self[1] [nl2zzyk2o5l8], n.d.)
Examples: 

1. Democracy helps prevent cruel and vicious autocrats fr a ruling.

2. It fosters human development, including health education, personal income, and any other indicators, more
fully than other forms of government do.

3. Democracy helps protect fundamental individual rights and interests.

4. Democratic societies provide people the maximum opportunity to take moral responsibilities for their choices
and decisions.

5. Democratic societies offer a relatively high chance of political equality.

(lack of discipline characterized by our idiomatic, n.d.)
              Technically, according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Filipino citizens are “those whose father or
mothers are citizens of the Philippines,” “those born before January 17, 1973,” “of Filipino mothers,” and those “who
elect Philippine citizenship upon the law.” Culture and history have significantly influenced the manner Filipinos learn,
live, and behave to date. 

Filipino Traits and Values

              The Philippines is a lush island paradise famous for its grandiose mountain views, beaches, and rich and
diverse culture changing from province to province. Tagalog phrases include “mabuhay,” “salamat,” “po,” and “opo.”
(423604607-Political-Self-and-Being-a-Filipino.pdf, n.d.)

 Filipino hospitality – Filipinos welcome their guests and tourists as if they are their brothers and sisters by always
making them feel at home. Filipinos will bring out their best sets of plates for their honored guests and would
even go as far as spending a lot of money and going into debt to satisfy them. (423604607-Political-Self-and-
Being-a-Filipino.pdf, n.d.)

 Respect for elders – Filipinos greet their elders by kissing their hand. Tagalogs do this while saying “Mano po!”
and constantly using “po,” “opo,” “ate,” “kuya,” “lolo,” and “lola.”

 Close family ties – Filipinos maintain a tight relationship with their family regardless of whether they are old
enough and already have their own families. Filipinos are also fond of family reunions during birthday, holidays,
and fiestas.
 Cheerful personality – Filipinos have a habit of smiling and laughing. Filipinos smile when they are happy, sad,
or occasionally even when angry. Smiling has been a coping mechanism for many Filipinos, especially during
trying times and calamities.

 Self-sacrifice – Filipinos go out of their way to extend their help to friends, families, and loved ones. OFW
sacrifices considerably, which is why they are considered modern-day Filipino heroes. Occasionally, the eldest
among the children of the family would give up their studies to work and provide for the rest of the family and
provide for the education of his or her siblings. (Self Sacrifice Filipinos go out of their way to extend, n.d.)

 Bayanihan – Bayanihan is the spirit of giving without expecting anything in return. Filipinos are always ready to
share and help their friends and loved ones who are in need. In calamities, bayanihan is shown by Filipinos. 

 “Bahala na” attitude – This is the Filipino version of the famous line “hakuna matata” from the movie Lion King
means “no worries.” This phrase is said to have originated from “bathala na,” where “bathala” means “god.” (The
Political Self and Being Filipino.pptx, n.d.)

 Colonial mentality – Colonial mentality indicates the lack of patriotism and the attitude of Filipinos that favor
foreign products more than the local ones.

 “Maňana” habit – “Maňana” habit is the Filipino term for procrastination. “Mamaya na” means doing things that
could have been done in the present yet executed at a later time.

 “Ningas kugon” – “Ningas kugon” is the attitude of eagerly starting things but quickly losing eagerness soon after
experiencing difficulty as fast as the fire has ignited. Laziness is a common problem among Filipinos, as shown
by the fictional character “Juan Tamad.”

 Pride – Most Filipinos hold on to their pride as if this is more precious than keeping a good relationship with
family and loved ones. Filipinos find it hard to apologize. (Self Sacrifice Filipinos go out of their way to extend,
n.d.)

 Crab mentality – Crab mentality is a toxic trait among Filipinos. One person resents another person's
achievement instead of feeling happy for them; thus, they pull each other down and ruin each other’s reputation.

 Filipino time – Filipino times indicates the habit of Filipinos of arriving late for commitments. Filipinos tend not to
observe punctuality altogether.

FILIPINO MARKERS
The following are constant reminders of our nationality: 

1. Proverbs/salawikain – Proverbs/salawikain are sayings that convey a lesson and reflect Filipino practices,
beliefs, and traditions. Damiana Eugenio is regarded as the mother of Philippine Folklore.

The six categories of proverbs are as follows:

A. proverbs expressing a general attitude toward life and laws that govern life,
B. ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning certain vices,
C. proverbs expressing a system of values,
D. proverbs expressing general truth and observations about life and human nature,
E. humorous sayings, and
F. miscellaneous proverbs.
 2. Superstitions – Filipinos also subscribe to their own set of superstitions passed down from generation to
generation. An example of the superstitions of Filipinos is that a woman who sings while cooking will end a
spinster.

3. Myths and legends – Due to the Philippines’ rich culture and history, numerous myths and legends about
things that are beyond one’s imagination have appeared.

4. Heroes and icons – Heroes serve as a reminder of true patriotism and nationalism as they have sacrificed
their lives for the sake of their country’s freedom and progress. (Self Sacrifice Filipinos go out of their way to
extend, n.d.)

HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO:

1. Be an active Filipino citizen – A good Filipino citizen should be aware of the current events and participate in
government programs that aim for its country’s progressions and development. You can also become an
active citizen by exercising your right to vote.

2. Study the Philippine history – One should study Philippine history to understand the events of the Philippine
history completely.

3. Support local products – Supporting our local products display our creativity, innovativeness, and
resourcefulness.

4. Speak Filipino languages – Speaking our native Filipino languages (Tagalog, Waray, Kinaray-a, and others)
serves as a unique identifier of being a Filipino.

5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging with dissent – This behavior should be practiced to
sort out everything that one reads before actually believing it and spreading it. Think before you click