NEGATIVE TRAITS OF FILIPINOS

1. Fatalism ("Bahala Na"or “Come What May"Attitude)

- When Filipinos are facing difficulties and short comings, they have this attitude of leaving it up to God
to sort things out. An attitude of “What Goes Around Comes Around. “Filipinos have a tendency to
surrender the future to luck. They have that strong confidence that everything will work out in his
interest without doing anything.
2. Mañana Habit (Procrastination)
- True blooded Filipinos have the attitude of causing delays in accomplishing things or making
transactions. When not interested or not in the mood, they wait or reserve until tomorrow or the next
day to finish what they are doing or meeting their transactions. However, there are some Filipinos
nowadays who take their time in doing things or in making decisions promptly. There are some who are
habitually late or not showing up at all. There are few Filipinos who are punctual for social meetings. In
fact, it is not expected of them to arrive exactly on time especially at a party.
The “bahala na” attitude is the outcome of the “mañana habit” when the tasks are left undone. This is
usually shown and even expressed by people who do not care much of what lies ahead and just leave
everything in fate.
3. Crab Mentality
- This is an attitude of some Filipinos where they tend to push each other down to clear the way for
their own gain. Filipino people with this kind of mentality or attitude try their best to ruin each other,
either by making issues against the other for him to turn out bad to the public or to the company or
organization so that people will gradually put distance and loss their confidence and trust that eventually
result to their replacement.
4. Hypocrisy
- This is a trait of the Filipino where criticisms to others' failure to live with the moral standards of the
society are inevitable. In the Philippines morality is highly valued, most of us try to live up to the
standards set by the traditional society. However, as no one is perfect, many of us are not actually able to
sustain these standards.
5. Ningas Cogon
- Most Filipinos are very good at the start when doing something. Nevertheless, after a few hours or
days, that excitement to do or accomplish something is lost we and become too lazy to finish what were
have started.
6. Tardiness (Filipino time)
- Only in the Philippines that we have the so-called “Filipino time" but not exactly referring to the
Philippine standard time, but then again, we use it to refer to the "tardiness” of the persons that we are
waiting or who keeps on coming late to the set time schedule of events. Instead of being something to
be proud of, Filipino time' brings a negative impression to our people. When the invitation says the
program will start at 7pm, it is expected to begin at 9pm. This has not only caused conflicts in
relationships; it also discourages others including foreigners from getting involved in supposedly
productive activities as too much time can be wasted on waiting.
7. Gossiping
- Filipinos are fond of talking about others 'business. It is not true that only women are into gossiping.
Even men can also be nosy on other people's lives. Secrets are brought out; failures and flaws are
emphasized; and relationships are destroyed. Worse, as gossips are passed around, they tend to be
twisted until the final story becomes too far from the original-thus, causing more damage.
8. Blaming
- Filipinos can sometimes be too self-righteous. When mistakes happen, we do not want to take the
blame, we lack humility to accept our failures, and instead we point at others. This shows how
irresponsible we are on our actions. This attitude destroys team work, and reliability becomes an issue.
9. Selfishness (being insensitive of others)
- Most Filipinos are insensitive to the needs and situations of others. This could be an outcome of
having too many problems that Filipinos are facing and the tendency is to focus on their own needs first
before other.
10. Disobedience to Simple Rules and Instructions
- Some Filipinos, despite of the understanding of the purpose of laws and ordinances have inability to
observe and follow them. Consequently, crime victimization and accident rate in the Philippines are
constantly rising, poverty is getting more rampant and lifestyle development is relaxed.
11. Attention Taker
- Filipinos are fun and people loving race. Thus, attracting attention is natural for them. Nevertheless,
it is a different thing to be an “epal" or “kapalmuks -simply,being an attention grabber.
- Sometimes, in our desperate need to be the center of attention, we do things that are already
embarrassing like butting in conversations as a know-it-all or by being scandalous. This habit is also
common to our politicians. Instead of prioritizing their duty to give the best service to the people, they
rather prioritize their thick faces to grab attention that will bring them more chance of winning in the
next election. But thanks to our vigilant netizens, this kind of politicians earns more shame than fame.
12. Being onion-skinned or too sensitive,
- another habit or attitude that we need to change is our being too proud which usually results to
being oversensitive. If we think highly of ourselves, then we have the tendency to put a wall around us
and that a signboard on our forehead saying, “I must be respected.” Therefore, when someone makes a
joke or a not so positive comment about us, we feel like we are not respected and we get offended. If all
people in the country do not know how to accept constructive criticism, then we can never expect unity.
13. Living beyond their means (social climbing attitude)
- One of the reasons why a lot of Filipinos live in poverty is because of overspending. Since most
people want to live an elite lifestyle, many resorts to social climbing or living beyond their means.
Sometimes, some of us think that as long as we wear designer clothes and shoes, and we send our
children to the most expensive schools, it is alright to be swimming in credits and loans.
14. Passivity (lack of leadership)
- Filipinos' lack of initiative for change is also one reason why our country does not progress. We keep
on complaining against the government and other societal issues. However, we do not do anything about
them. One of our excuses is the lack of faith that our small actions can bring change. However, the worse
reason for this could be our lack of care for what is happening around us. Common Filipinos also lack
courage and confidence. If you can notice it, in classrooms, churches, or conference rooms, most of us
don't like to sit in the front seat.
15. Other Negative Traits
- Some Filipino women give birth at an early age16 (Teenage Pregnancy). Some just don't mind their
own business. Some have many bad habits, like drinking, smoking, etc. Some poor teenagers engage in
prostitution. There are many broken families. A lot of bad words to choose from which Filipinos just can't
avoid saying those. Most Filipinos tend to be with friends most of the time than to be with their parents
saying those.
FILIPINO CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY
THREE MAIN TRAITS UNDERSCORING FILIPINO VALUES
(Excerpted from the Philippines Australia Business Council)
1. Personalism
- Filipinos valued interpersonal relationship. It is firmly believed that harmonious personal relationship
is the key to successful endeavors. Amicable settlement of dispute is the primary means of restoring
broken relationships and face-to-face open forum is considered once conflict is recognized in an
organization or the community.
2. Familialism
- Filipinos are family-oriented. Development programs and projects in the community are
concentrated on the family. Decision on matters is centered on the welfare and best interest of the
family rather than on the betterment and interest of some individuals. The mistakes committed by a
family member affects the credibility and of the immediate members of the family and relatives.
3. Particularism
- Displayed behavior by the individuals may it be good or bad is blamed against the family. It is based
on the principle that home is the cradle of human personality and character that is, the product of
goodness is always good and those who are molded in wickedness, will always show-off badness.
Individuals strive to promote their own and their family's interests over community interests.
FILIPINO VALUES ORIENTATION
Values Orientation - Is the approach that may influence work or social relationships by persons relating
to objects, events and ideas.
THREE MAIN OBLIGATIONS UNDERLYING
FILIPINO VALUE ORIENTATION
The relational or face-to-face interactions and their resulting responsibilities are called interpersonal
obligations. This is in relation to the value in Filipino cultural orientation, the personalism. Pakikiramay,
pakikisama, bayanihan, and galang are the nature of interpersonal relationships that are inherent to the
pure-blooded Filipino people
1. Pakikiramay
- It is in the Filipino value of going out of the way to help, without being asked, i.e., unsolicited help.
2. Pakikisama (Smooth Interpersonal Relations)
- Regardless whether someone's views are agreeable or not, Filipinos are capable of getting along with
it. Camaraderie, trust, confidence, and loyalty are enhanced and developed by this Filipino value.
3. Bayanihan
- As mentioned in the preceding topics, Filipinos are able to render services and generous enough to
extend help without compensation. Somebody can request help in time of need from those to whom
it is extended.
4. Galang (Respect)
- Filipinos are basically oriented to revere to the opinions of elders, peers, or those in authority, during
important discussions during social encounters. Verbal clash or any sign of extreme familiarity in
public meetings is a sign of disrespect to elders or persons in authority.