Lesson 3

FILIPINO CULTURE AND VALUES

Specific ObjECTIVES
After this lesson, the students will be able to:

1. Identify the various classifications of values;

2. Examine the different theories surrounding the emergence of Filipino culture;
3. Explain the different factors that contribute to the development of Filipino culture;
4. Elaborate on the different Filipino customs and beliefs; and
5. Enumerate and discuss the Filipino values.

OVERVIEW

The complexity of Filipino culture is compounded by its continuous exposure to various streams of culture from
without. These influences are not passively absorbed into the Filipino culture but are assimilated in a selective
way. This process of acculturation varies from region to region. It is in relation to the uneven articulation of
Renato Constantino that indicates a discrepancy in the way the urban community and the rural countryside cope
with the successive shifts of cultural conditioning.

VALUES

Values are important for they the enduring beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is
good or desirable and what is not. Values strongly influence the behavior of an individual and serve as broad
guidelines in all situations.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF VALUES

Through heredity or through the environment, an individual acquires values. The influence of the family,
community, society, nation, and other individuals makes a person unique as he/she develops a set of values.
These values determine the priorities and lifestyle of the person. They also mold the personality of the person
and contribute to the growth of the individual, family, society, nation, and the entire human race.

1. Individualistic Values
The first law of nature is self-preservation. It is inherent to all human beings and other animals to protect,
satisfy, and promote their own personal needs and desires to the extent of harming others. The selfish notion of
helping oneself before others” seems to justify this individualistic perspective, Individualistic values cannot be
separated from human beings for these are essential to their survival.

2. Family Values

The family is the natural and social institution founded on the conjugal union that binds together the individuals
composing it, for the common accomplishment of the material and spiritual ends of life, under the authority of
the original ascendant who heads it (Valverde as quoted by Sempio-Diy, Family Code of the Philippines, 1995)

The necessary care, training, and protection of every child are provided by the family. The family is an essential
factor in the general, social, and even political life of the nation. The living together of family members
contributes to the development of a strong sense of duty, of an aptitude for heroic sacrifices, and of the love by
future generations of the traditions and moral conquests of those who preceded them (Tolentino as quoted by
Sempio-Diy, Family Code of the Philippines, 1995).

Therefore, the family ensures the continuity of values and tradition of the family. These are values that the
family has preserved for a long period of time, and that have enhanced their existence as a family, and serve as
their identity. These values are important because they have contributed to the success of family members in
many ways. Every family member is obliged to transmit these values to the next generation. Ideally, every
family member has to think of the family first and consider the self as secondary.

3. Professional Values

There are organizations for professionals. These professionals are expected to conform to the values demanded
by their organizations. These values, in turn, serve as their identity. It is also these values that keep the members
united and motivated.

Thus, an individual develops a set of values because of his/her profession. The values of lawyers are different
from the values of accountants and of soldiers. Lawyer’s are expected to be impartial, accountants to be honest,
and soldiers to be loyal.

Each profession has its own values, which often contradict those of other professions. Yet these values are
necessary to keep the professionals united and to deliver what is expected of them.

4. National Values
Each nation has a set of values that every citizen must manifest. These values define the traits of the people and
serve as their identity. Moreover, these values are cherished and the state is tasked to inculcate them among the
citizens. Usually, these values are embodied in the people’s supreme law which is the constitution, and non-
observance of these values carries a penalty, or worse, can damage the culture of the nation. These values have
evolved from the country’s history, tradition, and experiences. Examples of Filipino values are patriotism,
nationalism, love of humanity, and respect for human rights [Article XIV Sec. 3 (1) of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution].

5. Moral Values

Laws are enacted to maintain peace and order, eliminate injustice, and attain equality. These laws are expected
to bring harmony to the members of the society. Ideally, they should be implemented fairly to all. But in a
country where governmental powers are in the hands of the few, individualistic values are likely to prevail.
Although national values are strictly observed, obedience to the law by all citizens is still difficult to achieve.

Legislators are expected to enact laws that will promote the welfare of the majority; law enforcers are tasked to
implement laws fairly to all. But some elected officials abuse their power to promote their selfish or vested
interests. They are expected to uphold justice, but they are the ones doing injustice to the people.

In this failure to instill good citizenship traits, moral values are still there to support and preserve the ideals of
society. Moral laws are often more powerful than law enforcement to lead the citizens to the right path.
Examples of moral values are the sacredness of marriage and the sanctity of life.

6. Spiritual Values

Spiritual values are often attributed to God. They are also called divine values. There is no specific time as to
when these values are given by God but they gave rise to other values. Since they are believed to have
originated from God, these values are, therefore, eternal or permanent. They are universal that all humans can
easily understand them even without formal education. Regardless of one’s belief, race or culture, every human
being must possess these values.

Through these values, humans are united and there is harmony among the community of nations. Examples of
spiritual values include love, charity, compassion, justice, truth, kindness, and mercy.

FILIPINO CULTURE

A. Belief System
Filipinos are known to be religious by nature. They believe in supernatural powers and divine intervention.
Sometimes, the belief in supernatural powers makes them dependent on prayers rather than hard work in
pursuing their dreams. Generally, success is considered a blessing from above as a result of faith in God.

Filipinos also believe that one’s fate is sometimes attributed to God’s plan and purpose. This results in believing
that everything is predestined or part of their destiny and that what God has planned cannot be changed
(kapalaran system).

Nonetheless, the religiosity of most Filipinos is inherently good. The belief and trust in God and the power of
prayers make the Filipinos distinct from other races.

B. Value System

Cultural values are shared assumptions of what is right, good, or important. Values actually guide people’s
behavior and action as they relate themselves to most situations in life.

Filipino values can best be seen from the aspects of personal and social relationships. Personally, the Filipinos
value their honor and status more than anything else. Majority of them protect their honor (karangalan) rather
than their wealth.

Socially, the Filipinos consider their relationships with other people important. This can be seen through the
hospitality they extend to their visitors and friends. They love to mingle with friends and relatives. They assist
and cooperate with other people, and this is best exemplified through the bayanihan spirit.

In decision-making, the Filipinos usually consult family members and try to arrive at a consensus.

In terms of emotional disposition, the Filipinos are friendly. They smile at people, even at strangers when they
are approached. They are warm and simple. Women in the Philippines are highly regarded and respected and
can be relied upon when it comes to domestic affairs.

CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS TO FILIPINO CULTURE

Filipino culture is a summation of indigenous forces and foreign influences that had come to bear upon the
people in varying degrees during the last five centuries. The following races contributed much in shaping
Filipino culture:
 1. Malays – The basic component of Filipino culture is the Malay temperament which could best be
described by “niceness and pleasantness” to others rather than by rigid obedience to the established
system of laws. In its fluidness of culture, the Malay family clan or unit is the world’s best security
system.

2. Chinese - Filial piety between parents and children, the flexibility to go along with other people, and the
“sageliness within and the kingliness without” of the Filipinos are reflective of Confucian philosophy.

3. Indian – Indian influences are found in the languages, mode of dressing, architectural art, folk beliefs,
brass and copper wares and other cultural artifacts.

4. Hindu – The Hindu influence is most pervasive in the Filipino belief system. An example is the
predilection of Filipino readers for the horoscope and fortune-telling sections of the newspapers.

5. Spanish – Spain introduced a community-oriented rather than a family-oriented religion in the form of
Christianity.

6. Americans The United States further broadened this cultural heritage by introducing 1 democracy that
called for individual liberty and equality as well as a national political community to which everybody is
supposed to participate through universal suffrage.

The Filipino has thereby a foothold in many cultural spheres-the Malay, the Anglo-Saxon, the Hispanic, the
Hindu-Islamic, and even the Chinese.

FILIPINO CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

The Filipino cultural experiences-origin, evolution, and development-can be viewed and interpreted in many
ways:

Traditional Concept – The traditionalists maintain that Filipino culture is a conglomeration of physical,
intellectual, moral, and spiritual aspects. They assume that underneath the independent and widely divergent
culture as shown in the Filipino way of life, there is an underlying basic foundation of unity that holds the
cultural tree together and infuses one clear, distinct substance through its veins. It is rooted in the Filipinos’ art
of living, philosophy in life, and attitudes toward God, nature, and fellowmen (Rodriguez, 1948).
Nationalistic View – This concept regards culture as the summation of the needs of the people, the description
of their past and present conditions, an expression of their values, thoughts and emotions, and the depiction of
their historic struggles to liberate themselves. True national culture is inextricably linked to the people’s needs,
ideas, emotions, and practices (Constantino, 1977).

Cultural Dualism This view is from a philosophical perspective that believes in the existence of two opposing
sides in every phenomenon. This concept holds that Philippine society is composed of two opposite sides: the
traditional culture and the modern culture. The traditional culture represents the old norms, folkways, values,
etc. while the modern one represents those introduced by colonizers or adopted/adapted from another culture.
Since these norms, folkways, and values contradict each other, conflict then is inevitable. In order to resolve
this conflict and maintain balance, Filipinos have to arrive at a particular culture that is distinct, without
sacrificing, rejecting or abandoning any of the old or new culture.

FILIPINO VALUES

Values are an integral part of every culture. A common core set of values creates expectations and predictability
without which a culture would disintegrate and its members would lose their personal identity and sense of
worth. With worldview and personality, values dictate behavior. 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.

The values of the Filipinos that originated from their ancestors had been heavily influenced by their colonizers.
Some values are bipolar-they can be viewed from either positive or negative perspectives.

Positive Filipino Values

Bayanihan system or spirit of kinship and camaraderie the Filipino community spirit of cooperation in which a
group of individuals extends a helping hand without expecting any remuneration. It is characterized by
communal work towards one goal exemplified in relocating a nipa house or pushing a stalled passenger
jeepney. –

Damayan system – sympathy for people who have lost a loved one. In this case, the whole community
sympathizes with the bereaved family. Neighbors, friends, and relatives usually give a certain amount of money
as their way of condoling with the family of the deceased.
Familism or close family ties the Filipino trait of prioritizing the family above other things. Filipinos feel that a
family member should be taken care of and supported regardless of whether he/she did something wrong or not.
A family member who has gone astray should not be abandoned.

Fun-loving trait – a trait common to most Filipinos that makes them unique. Even during calamities and
challenging times, Filipinos always have something to be happy about, a reason to celebrate.

Hospitality – the Filipino trait of being receptive and generous to guests.

Compassion – the Filipino trait of being kind to others even if the person is a stranger. An example of this value
is giving alms to the beggars. This gesture is usually accompanied by this sympathetic remark: kawawa naman
or nakakaawa naman.

Regionalism the Filipino trait of giving his province mates preferential treatment as well as priority over natives
of other provinces.

Friendliness – the Filipino quality of being sincere, loyal, kind, and sociable.

Flexibility or kakayahang makibagay the ability of Filipinos to adapt or adjust to the norms of other groups just
to maintain smooth and harmonious relationships,

Religiosity most Filipinos possess strong adherence to religious doctrines both in words and in deeds.

Respect for elders – the Filipino trait of being courteous both in words and in actions to the elderly.

Remedyo attitude the Filipino trait of being creative and resourceful. It is the ability to do things that are next to
impossible. An example is fixing appliances that seem to be beyond repair.

Persistence – Filipinos are known for their tenacity and strong determination in every undertaking.

Utang na loob a feeling of obligation to repay someone who has extended assistance to another. The “repayment
of one’s debt” may take place in an undetermined time in the future and may come in any form or in any
method or way.

Negative Filipino Values

Bahala na attitude – the Filipino trait characterized by retreating or withdrawing from certain undertakings and
leaving everything to God who intervenes and determines the outcomes of one’s deeds.

Colonial complex or blue-seal mentality – the Filipino mindset of regarding foreign products as superior in
quality and preferring them over locally manufactured goods.

Crab mentality – the Filipino attitude of “pulling down” someone who has achieved success ahead of others.
This is done out of jealousy and insecurity.

Euphemism - the Filipino way of substituting a word or phrase that is thought to be offensive or harsh with a
mild and acceptable one in order not to hurt another person.

Filipino time - in reality, it means “always late,” a Filipino attitude of being imprecise or indefinite about
appointed time..

Gaya-gaya attitude - the Filipino attitude of imitating or copying styles or trends in other cultures specifically in
modes of dressing, language, fashion, or even haircut.

“Jackpot” mentality - the “get rich quick” mentality of some Filipinos who do not believe in hard work and
would rather engage in easy ways of winning money by gambling, betting in lottery, joining raffle draws, and
participating in television game shows.

Kapalaran thinking - the Filipino trait of believing that everything in his/her life is foredestined. Such trait
contributes to the lack of initiative and perseverance among Filipinos.

Mañana habit - the Filipino attitude of putting off for tomorrow a task that can be done today.

Ningas-cogon - the Filipino attitude of being enthusiastic only at the initial stage of an undertaking and of
accomplishing nothing in the end. It is a common practice among politicians who are visible and involved only
at the start of a certain project.

Oversensitivity - Filipinos have the tendency to be irritated easily or get hurt upon hearing criticisms or
comments.
Pakikisama- the Filipino attitude of submitting oneself to the will of the group for the sake of camaraderie and
unity. Having failed to comply with the group demand, the person would be called “walang pakikisama” or
selfish. The adherence to group demands has driven our youth to engage in bad habits like smoking, alcoholism,
and even drug addiction.

Lack of sportsmanship- the Filipino attitude of not graciously accepting defeat in a sports competition by
putting the blame either on their opponents or on the sport officials.

Tsamba lang attitude - the Filipino attitude of attributing his/her success or accomplishments to luck and not to
hard work, perseverance, and ability.