Topic 5

GOOD CITIZENSHIP VALUES

The Basic Values of the Filipinos
NSTP as a citizenship training scheme focuses on translating the good citizenship values as
reflected in the Preamble of the Constitution into concrete action in building a better Philippines. Hence
emphasis in this input is placed on the 16 basic values based on the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
Preamble

We, the sovereign Filipino people,

imploring the aid of Almighty God,
in order to build a just and humane society
and establish a government
that shall embody our ideals and aspirations,
promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony,
and security to ourselves our posterity the blessings of independence
and democracy under the rule of law and regime of truth,
justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace,
do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

Meaning of Preamble

The term preamble is derived from the Latin word “preambulare” which means “to walk before”.
It is the prologue of the Constitution. Clustered below are the good citizenship values that are reflected in
the Preamble of the 1987 Philippine Constitution:
The Maka-Diyos Cluster The Makatao Cluster The Makatao Cluster

6. Faith in the Almighty 1. Love 11. Unity

God 2. Freedom 12. Equality
7. Respect for life 3. Peace 13. Respect for the law
8. Order 4. Truth and government
9. Work 5. Justice 14. Patriotism
10. Concern for the 15. Promotion of
family and future common goods
generations
The Makakalikasan Cluster

16. Concern for the environment

THE GOOD CITIZENSHIP VALUES CLUSTER

The Maka-Diyos Cluster

 Faith in the Almighty God

The Bible says, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must
believe that He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6).

 Respect for Life

We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any ones slew a person – unless it be for murder or for
spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if anyone saved a life, it
would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our Messengers
with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land (Quran
5:32).

 Order
Assuredly, we have sent down the Book to you in right form for the good of man. Who guided
himself by it does so to his own advantage, and who turns away from it does so at his own loss. You
certainly are not their keeper. (Quran 39:41).

 Work
Confucius says, “Give fish to a man, he will have food to eat for a day; teach him how to fish and he
shall have food throughout his lifetime.” And if man will not work, he shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians
3:10).

 Concern for the Family and Future Generations)

“The family is an essential factor in the general, social and even political life. Constant living together
of husband and wife, and of parents and children, contributes to the development of a strong sense of
duty, of an aptitude of heroic sacrifices, and of the love by future generations of the traditional and moral
conquests of those who preceded them. The family is an indispensable element of social cohesion and
equilibrium” (as cited in http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jose-panganiban-artist-guild/).

I shall live a life that is based on the right values and serve as an inspiration to others who may be
struggling to strengthen their own faith in God.

1. I have the gift of faith in God;

2. The gift of faith in God in me needs to be nurtured;

3. My life is strengthened by my faith in God; and

4. A strong faith in God, coupled with other important values, will improve my life and those of
others.
Learning Exercise 1.5

Name :__________________________________ Course : __________ Time : _______

Trainer : _________________________________ Date : __________ Score : _______

THE BASIC VALUES OF THE FILIPINOS (Maka-Diyos Cluster)

A. Creatively draw below a symbol of the EDSA People Power experience, or a symbol of the success of
EDSA.
B. Reflect further on the symbol drawn by answering the following questions:

1. What does your illustration tell you?

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

2. What qualities emerged when we united as people during EDSA People Power experience?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

3. What are the effects of faith and prayer in our lives?

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

4. Do we continue to profess the same faith in God and appreciate the value of prayer in ordinary times
when there is no conflict or imminent danger to our lives and nation? Explain briefly.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

5. Do we give enough time each day to thank God for being faithful to us despite our unfaithfulness to
Him? Explain briefly.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
 Moral Lesson: Love is a
powerful force in nurturing
man.

The Makatao Cluster

 Love

“When man has love, he is no longer at the mercy of forces greater than himself, so he, himself
becomes the powerful force” (Leo. Buscaglia). Moreover, “Love is the will to extend oneself for the
purpose of not nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth” (M. Scott Peck)

 Freedom
According to Pope John Paul II, “freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right
to do what we ought.”

 Peace
It is always great to remember, what the Bible says, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be
called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

An unknown author wrote about the value of peace, as such: Moral Lesson: Let the peace of
the nation begin in the minds
Juanito was an idealistic person. He wanted everybody to be happy of its citizens.
and lead meaningful lives. So one day, he strode to church and prayed
hard for people world peace. He continued praying for the same intention for a year yet, nothing seemed
to change.

One day, he decided to narrow down his scope and pray for peace in his own country instead. He
prayed for the same intention for another year, yet violence and disturbance still seem to be in an upsurge.

Anxious for his prayer to be finally heard. He decided to pray for peace within his family instead. He
kept his intention for another year with no significant result.
Moral Lesson: Let there be
Finally on the verge of prostration. I decided to pray for peace. He peace on earth…and let it
prayed for his intention for the next year. Each time he did so, he felt begin with me.
more at peace with himself and his personal issues and his family, his
neighbourhood until it reached a point in time that Juanito was considered a man of peace, a friend of
everybody especially of the neediest among his countrymen.

The Preamble of the UNESCO Constitution also reminds us that, “since wars begin in the minds of
men, it is the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed”.

 Truth
It is worthwhile to be familiar and understand some of the following famous quotations and anecdotes
which make us better and wiser persons:
 1. Quotations

“A man who seeks truth and loves it must be reckoned precious to any human society.”
(Frederick the Great)

“An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.”
(Thomas Jefferson)

“No legacy is rich as honesty.” (William Shakespeare)

2. Anecdotes (compiled by J. Maurus)

When Mahatma Gandhi appeared for London Matriculation Examination, the paper on
general knowledge contained the following question: “What is more golden than gold?”

 Justice Moral Lesson: Giving justice to

anyone is a fair treatment to
According to Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is threat to everyone.
justice everywhere.”

To Jimmy Carter (1978), “The law is not the private property of lawyers, nor is justice the exclusive
province of judges and juries. In the final analysis, true justice is not a matter of courts and law books, a
commitment in each of us to liberty and mutual respect”.

In Matthew 7:12, it says, “Treat others the way you want to have them treat you”.

And by the Institute for Development Education for Research Communication, “Justice is giving
every man his due”.
Learning Exercise 1.6

Name :__________________________________ Course : __________ Time : _______

Trainer : _________________________________ Date : __________ Score : _______

THE BASIC VALUES OF THE FILIPINOS (Makatao Cluster)

Think of a slogan that will truly depict the nature of citizenship values under the Makatao cluster. Each
slogan shall comprise not more than 12 substantive words.
1. Love ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

2. Freedom ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

3. Peace ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

4. Truth ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

5. Justice ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
The Makabayan Cluster

 Unity
The value of unity can be realized by practicing the virtues stated in the following quotations:

“Behold how good and pleasant it id for the brethren to dwell together in unity.” (Psalms 133:1)

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against
itself, the house will not be able to stand.” (Mark 3:24-25)

“Make my joy complete by being of the same kind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent
on one purpose.” (Philippians 2:2)

“As a body in one, though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12-12)

“Remember, upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.” (Alexander the Great)

 Equality
To appreciate the value of equality, consider this anecdote:

Skulls
Andrew Maria Almonte, MMHC
Source: http://coursehero.com

One day, a group skulls in the cemetery had a conversation.

“Hey”, said a skull to another, “who were you when you were alive?”
“Yes, I was once a slave,” replied another skull. “He was a tyrant, a ruthless and
merciless king!”
“I am your king remember?”
“Shut up!” shouted the slave-skull. “You are no longer my king nor am I slave
Anymore! We are the same now – rotten skulls!”
Learning Exercise 1.7

Name :__________________________________ Course : __________ Time : _______

Trainer : _________________________________ Date : __________ Score : _______

THE BASIC VALUES OF THE FILIPINOS (Makabayan Cluster)

Symbols can signify many things and domination, nationalism and national identity are no exclusion.
The most common symbols of sovereignty and nationhood are the national flag and national anthem but
there are many others, such as a pledge of allegiance. These are some of the Philippine National Symbols
that have been recognized by Filipinos.

The Philippine mango is a tropical fruit prevalently known to be yellow in color which achieves its
delicious and sweet taste through its scrupulous harvest procedures. Philippine mango is recognized
worldwide for its best qualities, which cannot be eaten by any kind of mangoes around the globe. The
Philippine Eagle is the biggest and powerful eagle of the world. It has a large, sharp, curved beak. Other
national symbols are the Philippine water buffalo (Carabao), the nipa hut (bahay kubo), barong and saya,
and others.

Identify the national symbols below and list down at least five native values that best describe the
Filipinos. Explain your answer write your answer on the space provided for.
National Symbols Native Filipino Values
The Makakalikasan Cluster

 Concern for the environment

The Giving Tree

Once there was a tree… and she loved a little boy. And every day the boy would gather her leaves, and
make them into a ground and play king of the forest. The boy would also love to play hide and seek, climb
her branches and eat her mangoes. At the end of the day when he was tired, the boy would sleep in her
shade. And the boy loved the tree…very much…and the tree was happy very happy.
But the time went on… and the boy grew older. And the tree was often alone. Then one day, the boy
went to the tree who said “Come, boy, come and climb up my trunk, swing from my branches, eat my
mangoes, play in the shade and be happy.”
But the boy stayed for a long time… Then one day, the boy came back and the tree was happy that she
could barely speak “Come boy,” she whispered, “come and play.” “I am too old to play,” said the boy. “I
want a boat that will take me far away from here. Can you give me a boat?” “Cut down my trunk and make
a boat,” said the tree “Then you can sail away… and be happy.” And so the boy cut down the trunk and
made a boat and sailed away. And the tree was happy… but not really.
And after a time, the boy came back again. “I am sorry boy,” said the tree. “But I have nothing left to
give you… my mangos are gone.” “My teeth are too weak for mangoes,” said the boy. “My branches are
gone,” said the tree. “You cannot swing on them.” “I am too old to swing on branches,” and the boy. “My
trunk is gone,” said the tree. “You cannot climb.” “I am too tired to climb,” said the boy. “I'm sorry,” sighed
the tree. “I wish that I could give you something… but I have nothing left. I am just an old stump. I am
sorry.” “I don't need very much now,” said the boy. “Just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.”
“Well” said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, well, an old stump is good for sitting
and resting come boy, sit down and rest.” And the boy did and the tree was happy.
Personal Resolution
I am steward of creation. I understand that my very existence and that of generations after me are
threatened by the destruction of the environment. I pledge to a more discerning individual by using all
environmental resources properly and prudently. I shall develop conscious effort to preserve and protect
the environment from further degradation. I shall treat the environment as though it were my own
masterpiece, giving it great care and priding myself of its wonders and beauty. I shall ever be thankful of
the grace of God and the dedication of people in their work to ensure that my family and I have clean air to
breathe, clean water to drink, clean oceans to launch adventures and above all, a life that’s healthy and
future worthy to be shared with the nest generations.

Some examples of how participants may cultivate and encourage the value of Concern for the
Environment for student-trainees:

1. Develop a more conscious habit of keeping your surroundings clean as well as using environmental
resources such as water and electricity wisely and prudently.

2. Have a deeper understanding of the dire state of the environment and in your own capacity
contribute to the work of preserving it.

3. Understand the process of recycling and apply this process in school and in your homes.

4. Protect rivers and waterways along the community by teaching people alternative waste disposal
systems and by encouraging them to use the rivers for livelihood and other meaningful purposes.
Local communities depend on their citizens to help make it a great place to live and work.
Learning Exercise 1.8

Name :__________________________________ Course : __________ Time : _______

Trainer : _________________________________ Date : __________ Score : _______

THE BASIC VALUES OF THE FILIPINOS (Makakalikasan Cluster)

Identify three main environmental issues or concerns in your community and determine how NSTP
and student-trainees could address solutions to each.
Environmental Issue/Concern No. 1:

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Proposed Solutions:

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Environmental Issue/Concern No. 2:

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Proposed Solutions:

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Environmental Issue/Concern No. 3:

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Proposed Solutions:
_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________
Learning Exercise 1.9

Name : ____________________________________ Course : ____________ Time : _______

Traine
: ____________________________________ Date : ____________ Rating : _______
r

THE BASIC VALUES OF FILIPINOS (Good Citizenship Cluster)

A. Create a short poem for each of the good citizenship clusters reflecting the values that fall thereto. In like
manner, a poem to summarize the good citizenship values clusters shall be crafted.

1. Pagkamaka-Diyos

__________________________________
(Title)

2. Pagkamakatao

__________________________________
(Title)
 __________________________________
(Title)

3. Pagkamakabayan

__________________________________
(Title)

4. Pagkamakakalikasan
 5. The Four Good Citizenship Values Cluster

B. Below is a self-assessment test of the good citizenship values. Determine to what extent you possess these
Filipino values.
Check () before the item should answer is ‘yes’ to the question.
1. Concern for the environment
Do I conserve water?
Do I keep my surroundings clean?
Do I segregate my garbage?
Am I a litterbug?
Do I throw my garbage in canals and waterways that causes floods?
Do I plant trees?

2. Promotion of the common good

Do I consider the welfare of others in what I do – that I will harm no one or disturb the
peace nor deface my surroundings?
__________________________________
Do I help the less fortunate?
(Title)
Do I go out of my way to engage in activities that will benefit others, e.g. give food and
clothing to disaster victims, etc.?

Do I engage in activities that harm others, e.g., helping out criminal syndicates in my
neighbourhood pushing drugs and promoting illegal gambling?
3.
Patriotism
 Do I consider what is good for my country in my actions, e.g., when I commit acts of
vandalism like writing graffiti on walls, breaking street lights, etc.?
Do I patronize our native products?
Do I say or do anything that will give a bad image to my country?

4. Respect for law and government

Do I follow traffic rules relative to bus stops, pedestrian lanes, traffic lights, etc.?
Do I join street demonstrations that seek to bring down the government?

Do I report lawbreakers like those engaged in illegal gambling, drug pushing, etc.,
especially within school p-remises?

Do I condone corruption by emulating persons who will have enriched themselves through
corruption?

5. Equality
Do I give preferential treatment to the rich and powerful?
Do I treat everyone with respect regardless of status or position?
Do I take advantage of anyone because they are poor, ignorant or powerless?

6. Unity
Do I work with and cooperate with others?
Do I foment intrigue, dissension, distrust?
Do I help others?
Am I a team player in the family, at school and in the community?

7. Justice
Do I give everyone their due even if difficult?
Am I fair in all my dealings, especially to the poor and powerless?
Do I try to take advantage of others?
Do I get more that what I deserve or what is rightfully mine?

8. Truth
 Am I a truthful individual?
Did I hurt somebody during the time that I’m not truthful?
Did I do something to correct my fault?
Do I value the essence of truth in my life, family, work and country?
Do I commit myself to the truth in my own dealings and defend righteousness as a virtue?

9. Peace
Do I resolve conflict in a peaceful way?

Do I maintain a harmonious relationship with others… at home… at work… in the

community?
Do I help iron out misunderstandings among friends and family members?

10. Freedom
Do I respect the freedom of others?
Do I impose my will on others?
Do I use my freedom for good?
Do I exercise my freedom responsibly so that I do no harm to anyone?

Do I use coercion or intimidation to make others do what I want them to do or be what I

want them to be?

11. Love
Do I make sacrifices for the good of those I love?
Am I kind and compassionate to others?
Do I help the poor?
Do I forgive offenses against me or do I exact revenge?

12. Concern for the family and future generations

Do I help in household chores?
Do I have a loving relationship with all the members of my family?
Am I kind and considerate with the members of my family?
Do I show a good example to all younger members of the family?
Am I considerate of the needs and welfare of the next generation?
13.
Work
 Do I go to school on time?
Do I do my homework and participate in school activities?
Do I do my best in everything I do?
Do I volunteer to help others, especially the old, the sick, and small children?

14. Order
Do I follow rules and regulations – at home, in school and in the community?
Do I maintain cleanliness and orderliness at home and in my school?
Am I trustworthy in handling money and property that belong to others?

15. Respect for life

Do I take care of my health?
Do I engage in unhealthy activities like drinking, taking drugs, etc.?
Am I considerate of the health of others?
Do I engage in violent fights and hurt others physically?

16. Faith in Almighty

Do I follow God’s will and commandments?
Do I turn to God in difficult times?
Do I pray?

C. These reflection exercises have been designed to help you grow in awareness of the basic values
embodied in the Philippine Constitution and to “live and share” them in your daily life.

Exercise No. 1: Look at the listing of the basic values in Column A in the next page the (4M and 16 BVs).
For each basic value, list one or two words that you associate most closely with the value. For example,
for the basic value of love, you may wish to write compassion, kindness. Use column B for your
responses.

Exercise No. 2: Having reflected on each of these values, and having stated them in terms you associate
with each one, reflect on which three of the 16 basic values you consider yourself as having and
upholding moves consistently in your daily life. Put a check mark across these three values in the space
provided in column C. Reflect on which three you least consider as being part of you. Put an x mark on
these three values on the space provided also in column C.

Exercise No. 3: Think of five negative features/situations/happenings/developments in the Philippine

society, which are most unlikely happy for about. For example, kidnappings. Place each of these in the
space provided for in column D across the Basic Value which considered as being most directly violated
 by this features happenings. In this example kidnappings is a violence of the basic value of respect for
life.

A B C D

Basic Value of Good Words I associate with Three Most Mine () Situation in the
Citizenship This Basic Value Philippine Society
Three Least Mine ()
Which Manifests
Contradiction of this
Basic Value of Good
Citizenship

Maka Diyos

1. Faith in Almighty
God

2. Respect for life

3. Order

4. Work

A B C D

Basic Value of Good Words I associate with Three Most Mine () Situation in the Philippine
Citizenship This Basic Value Society
Three Least Mine ()
Which Manifests Contradiction
of this Basic Value of Good
Citizenship

5. Concern for the

family and future
generations

Makatao

6. Love

7. Freedom

8. Peace
9. Truth

10. Justice

Makabayan

11. Unity

12. Equality

13. Respect for Law

and Government

14. Patriotism

15. Promotion of the

common good

Makakalikasan

16. Concern for the

Environment
Exercise No. 4: Think of a decision you made in the past week, any decision. For example: I decided to
clean my desk and sort my files. Place this in the box below. Reflect on which of the values of order of
good citizenship you made.

Values Decision

_____________________ ______________________________________

_____________________ ______________________________________

_____________________ ______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

Exercise No. 5: Look again at the x marks which you placed in column C earlier. Think of which one of
these three basic values you would like to uphold more consciously henceforth. Write also a resolution,
a specific action which you will do in this regard.

Beginning now, I will more consciously live the value of

__________________.

I will: _____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________