The Political Self and being Filipino

DEVELOPING A FILIPINO IDENTITY

Politics, Citizenship and the Self

As members of the society, people are naturally obligated to participate in a political system as social
citizens. Politics refers to the actions or activities concerned with achieving and using power in a ntaion
or society. It is also defined as the ways that power is shared in an organization and tbe ways it is
affected by personal relationships between people who work together.

As Aristotle stated, “man is, by nature, a political animal.” This is because man is a social being and that
people naturally drawn to various political involvements in order to satisfy their social needs.

Politics as imbibed by man implies several things:

Politics is concerned with power. Power inequalities can be observed within societies. The one who
holds power holds influence.

Politics functions based on a particular social economic and cultural context. The nature of politics and
political systems is dependent on the culture of the state. Political claims made by advocates are
influenced by their geographical location and idealogy.

The political is also personal. One’s personal choices reflect his/her personal politics; both are
indistinguishable.

Politics goes hand in hand with the society. Politics pervades the structure of society, and thus
influences inhabitants in their beliefs, ethics, and behavior.

However, the political self is not only shaped by one’s political affiliation or beliefs. One’s senppse of
accountability should be manifested in promoting certain advocacies through healthy political
engagement. This is aligned with the concept of active citizenship.

Active Citizenship

Active citizenship refers to the structured forms of engagement with political processes and everyday
forms of participation in society. It is alos defined as the process of sharing decisions which affect one’s
life and the life of a community in which one lives. Participation is the fundamental right of citizenship.

Active citizenship is anchored on one’s cognitive and behavioral engagement to participate in formal and
informal political activities. Different people manifest different levels of active citizenship; some they
take a more active approach in making their voices heard.

Two types of political involvements:

1.Political engagement as proactive engagement in the public arena. This can be seen when one
campaigns for an elected position, joins political rallies or street demonstrations.

2.Political participation in any organization to address social problems, such as community organizing.

According to Yacat (2005), the question of who the Filipino is, can be best explained by looking at the
three facets that form the identity of the Filipino.

1.The Socio-political dimension

A Filipino is a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines. By citizen, it pertains to a member of the political
community whohas the right and privilege to participate in political activities and political affairs. Article
IV, section 1 of the 1987 constitution defines Filipino as:

oBorn in the Philippines

oHaving parents who are citizens of the Philippines

oBorn before January 17, 1973 of Filipina mothers

oNaturalized in accordance to the law.

As citizen of the Republic of the Philippines, a Filipino may enjoy full political and civil rights, and is
obliged to pledge allegiance to the state, and the state in return provides protection and public goods
and services to him.

2.Cultural Roots

Culture is defined as all socially learned behaviors, beliefs, feelings and values the members of society
experience. Culture in general affects almost every aspect of an individual socially, economically, and
politically.

Culture shapes the way we think, do things, how we feel, behave and relate. Our values are likewise, the
products of culture. As a social being, a Filipino is influenced by his cultural milieu, which can be seen
through the manifestation of values.

3.Consciousness

It is the psychological dimension or awareness of oneself as a Filipino, which leads to a pride of being a
Filipino. Unfortunately, captive consciousness is still prevalent in the Filipinos primarily because of their
long period of colonization. The Filipino consciousness was shaped and developed to fit the needs of the
colonizers. There is a need to counter this consciousness by instilling a kind of nationalist consciousness,
especially among the youth.