POLITIKA

POLITICAL SELF
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

01 Describe the Political Self

02 Explain the Filipino Identity through the Filipino

Values and Traits

03 Examine one's Political Self in relation to their

National Identity
 POLITIKA
POLITICAL SELF
 POLITICS
politiká (Πολιτικά; affairs of the cities)

the art and science of government

the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in

groups
 FILIPINO
a native of the Philippines, or a person of
Filipino descent

the national language of the Philippines

Who is a Filipino?
According to the Constitution, Filipino citizens are:

Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this Constitution;

Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;

Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon
reaching the age of majority; and

Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.

 Filipino by birth
2 Forms of
Acquiring
Philippine
Citizenship
Filipino by naturalization
 Filipino by birth

Jus soli (right of soil)

which is the legal principle that a person’s nationality at birth is determined by the place of
birth (e.g., the territory of a given state).

Jus sanguinis (right of blood)

which is the legal principle that, at birth, an individual acquires the nationality of
his/her natural parent/s. The Philippines adheres to this principle.
 Filipino by naturalization

Is the judicial act of adopting a foreigner and clothing him with the privileges of
a native-born citizen. It implies the renunciation of a former nationality and the
fact of entrance into a similar relation towards a new body politic
 History, culture, traits,
and values are also part
of what makes one a
Filipino
 f Fi l p
ii no Ch
o ar
t h
g

ac
n

te
St r e

r
PAKIKIPAGKAPWA
TAO
It simply means connecting
oneself with another.
FAMILY
ORIENTATION
Never loses sight of the
importance of their
family.
JOY AND
It sheds light on the
HUMOR
optimism and positivity of
Filipinos in whatever
situation they are in to
remain determined in going
through struggles or
challenges.
 FLEXIBILITY,
ADAPTABILITY,
AND CREATIVITY
Filipinos have a great capacity to adjust
and to adapt to circumstances and the
surrounding environment, both physical
and social.
Hard work and Industry

Filipinos have the capacity

for hard work given proper
conditions.
Faith and Religiosity

Filipinos have a deep

faith in God.
Ability to Survive
Filipinos have an ability to
survive, which is
manifested in our capacity
for endurance despite
difficult times in our ability
to get by on so very little.
The Weakness of
the Filipino character
1. Extreme family centeredness

Excessive concern for family means using one’s

office and power to promote family interests and
thus factionalism patronage, political dynasties
and protection of erring family members.

It results in lack of concern for the common good,

and acts as a block to national conciousness.
2. Extreme personalism

Takes things personally, cannot separate

objective task from emotional involvement.

Because of this the Filipino is uncomfortable with

bureaucracy, with rules and regulations and with
standard procedures.
3. Lack of discipline

A casual attitude toward time and space

manifested in lack of precision and
compulsiveness, in poor time
management and procrastination.

Impatience can result in shortcuts, palusot

and nigas cogon.

Often results to inefficient work systems,

the violation of rules and a casual work
ethic lacking follow through.
4. Passivity and lack of initiative

Too patient and matiisin, too easily resigned to his fate,

the Filipino is easily oppressed and exploited.

Waiting to be told what to do, reliance on others (leaders

and government), complacence, lack of sense of urgency.

There is a high tolerance of inefficiency, poor service, and

even violations of one’s right.
5. Colonial Mentality

Lack of patriotism, or of an active

awareness, appreciation and love of the
Philippines and an actual
preference for things foreign.
6. Kanya-kanya syndrome, talangka
mentality

This results in dampening of cooperative and

community spirit, and in the trampling upon other’s
rights.

Done by tsismis, intriga, unconstructive criticism, it is

evident in the personal ambition that is completely
insensitive to the common good.
7. Lack of self-analysis and
self-reflection

The tendency to besuperficial and

somewhat flighty.

In the dace of serious personal and

social problems,there is lack of
analysis or reflection, and instead
satisfaction with superficial
explanations and solutions.
8. Emphasis on porma rather than
substance

This lack of analysis and emphasis on form is reinforced

by an educational system that is more from than
substance.
 Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan

wrote that the strengths and weaknesses of

the Filipino character are rooted in the
following:
1. HOME
ENVIRONMENT
Childbearing practices, family relations, and
family attitudes and orientation are the
main components of the home environment.

Childbearing in the Filipino family is by

characterized high nurturance,low
independence training, and low discipline.
2. SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

The Filipino is raised in an environment

where one must depend on relationships
with others in order to survive.

The struggle for survival and our

dependence on relationships makes us in-
group oriented
3. CULTURE AND
LANGUAGE

It depicts openness to foreign elements with no

basic consciousness of our cultural core. The
wider following the Hollywood movies, foreign
soap operas/TV shows, and foreign
songs/singers over Filipino movies, shows, and
music is a manifestation of our attachment to
foreign elements.
4. HISTORY

Our colonial history is regarded as the

culprit behind our colonial mentality.
Unfortunately, most Filipino elite are of no
help in setting an example of overcoming
colonial mentality because they are even
more westernized in their ways. Present
day media on the other hand reinforced
these colonial influences.
5. THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

Schools are highly authoritarian.

The lack of suitable local textbooks and

dependence on foreign textbooks, particularly in
the higher school levels, force Filipino
students as well as their teachers to use
school materials that are irrelevant to the
Philippine setting.

The Filipino student is taught to be dependent

on the teacher.
6. RELIGION

Religion taught usoptimism and

resilience.

However, it also instilled in us a fatalistic

attitude.
7. THE ECONOMIC
ENVIRONMENT

Many Filipino traits are rooted in

the poverty and hard life that is the lot
of most Filipinos.

Our difficulties drive us to take risks.

8. THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

Unfortunately, our political

environment and government
structures and systems are fraught
with problems. For instance, the fact
that political power is mainly in the
hands of the elite and the absence of
a strong government presence
enhanced the Filipino’s already
extreme family centeredness.
9. MASS MEDIA

Mass media reinforces our colonial

mentality. The ads, the music, movies,
fashion, etc. shown on TV, aired over the
radio, printed in the
newspapers/magazines, or went viral
online were greatly based on American
pop culture.
10. RELATIONSHIP AND ROLE MODELS

Filipinos look up to their leaders as role models.

Political leaders are the main models, but all
other leaders serve as role models as well.
Thus, when our leaders violate the law or show
themselves to be self-serving and driven by
personal interest--when there is lack of public
accountability--there is a negative impact on
the Filipino.
FILIPINO
TRAITS
AND
VALUES
Filipino's brand of hospitality is known
everywhere. Filipinos welcome their guests
and tourists as if they are their own brothers
and sisters.
Filipinos greet their elders by taking their
hand and placing it on his or her own MANO PO,
forehead while saying “Mano Po!” and LOLA.
constantly using “Po" and “opo” in
conversation.

There is also a wide array of references to

elder people.
Filipino maintains a tight relationshipwith
their families regardless if the children
are old enough and already have a family of
their own.
Cheerful Personality (Joy and
Humor)

Filipinos have cheerful and fun-loving approach to life. We

have a pleasant, happy disposition.

Contributes not only to Filipino charm, but also to the

indomitability of spirit. - It has been said that smiling is a
coping strategy for many Filipinos especially during trying
times and calamities. - Filipinos always try to maintain a
positive outlook in life which makes them resilient.
Self-Sacrifice

The giving up of one's own interests or wishes in order to

help others

Filipinos often wish comfort and better lives for their

loved ones and would even go to the extent of working
abroad hundreds of miles away to earn more money and
save up for them (OFW).
Bayanihan

Bayanihan literally means “being a bayan”

and is thus used to refer to the spirit of
communal unity and cooperation of Filipinos.

A traditional system of mutual assistance in

which the members of a community work
together to accomplish a difficult task. In later
use also: a spirit of civic unity and cooperation
among Filipinos
Bahala na attitude

Filipinos usually say “Bahala na” when they are

unable to decide their next course of action or
when they have no idea what will happen next.

They say this phrase as if all they want is to go

with the flow, not minding what the outcome
might be.
 Colonial Mentality

Colonial mentality is defined as the

perception of ethnic and cultural inferiority
and a form of internalized racial oppression. It
is deemed a direct consequence of the
Philippines' long history of colonialism.
Manana Habit

Filipino term for "procastination".

Poor habit of laziness that results in heavier

workloads.

Derived from longer Filipino phrase

“Mamaya na”.
 Ningas
Kugon

Ningas-kugon is a Filipino term for the

tendency of individuals to start a new
task with much enthusiasm, only to stop
working on it entirely soon after. It
literally means the burning of cogon
grass, which burns brightly only during the
few seconds after it was lit.
Pride

A high or inordinate opinion of one's own

dignity, importance, merit, or superiority,
whether as cherished in the mind or as
displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.

Filipinos are known for being prideful (e.g.

holding on to their pride as if they are more
precious than keeping a good relationship
with family and loved ones).
 Crab Mentality

The term "crab mentality" is used to describe a

kind of selfish, short-sighted thinking that runs
along the lines of "if I can't have it, neither can
you." This term is specially widely used among
Filipinos, who use it specifically to refer to people
who pull other people down, denigrating them
rather than letting them get ahead or pursue
their dreams. As a general rule, an accusation of
having this type of mentality is a poor reflection
on someone's personality.
Filipino
Time
“Filipino time” originally describes the
Filipinos' penchant for starting, or arriving at
events some 15 to 30 minutes later than the
set time. It has become a notorious habit
that, unknown to many, pulls back the
country in terms of lost productivity.

Arriving late at commitments, class, dinner or

parties especially if they are meeting
someone close to them.
Filipino
Markers
The four filipino markers
are the following:

Proverbs
and Superstitions
Salawikain

Myths Heroes
and and
Legends Icons
 1. PROVERBS AND SALAWIKAIN
- These aresayings that
convey lesson and
reflections on Filipino
practices, beliefsand
traditions.
Examples:
- Kung ano ang puno, siya ang
bunga.
- Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder.
- Kung may tiyaga, may nilaga.

2. SUPERSTITIONS
Examples:
- Servepancit (noodles) at birthdays
- believed to represent long life.
- Referred to as either “usog” or “bati”, this
superstition says that when a person with
strong energy greets a child, the child may soon
after suffering from unexplainable discomfort.
A belief ornotion, not based on
reason or knowledge, in or of the
ominous significance of a
particular thing, circumstance,
occurrence, proceeding, or the like.
Some of Filipino superstitions are
passed down from generation to
generation. Some of these maybe
influenced by beliefs from other
cultures but Filipinos have retold
these superstitions according to
their own experiences.
 3. MYTHS AND LEGENDS

These stories are aimed to

explain the origin of things, at
the same time, teach a
valuable lesson.

Alamat ng Pinya is one

example of myth.
 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.

Icons have made the Filipinos

known worldwide through their
abilities and expertise.
“Man is, by nature, a
political animal”
- Aristotle
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 function based on a particular social economic and cultural context. The
nature of politics and political systems is dependent on the culture of the state.

The political is also personal. One’s personal choices reflect his/her personal politics;
both are indistinguishable
 One’s sense of accountability should be
manifested in promoting certain advocacies
through healthy political engagement. This is
aligned with the concept of active citizenship.
 Active Citizenship
Refers to the structured forms of engagement with
political processes and everyday forms of
participation in society

Different people manifest different levels of

active citizenship
 Active citizenship is a practice of
democracy. Democracy should not
only be thought of as a form of
government. It is a communal system
that allows freedom of citizens to
make informed choices that allow
them to be heard. Participation is the
fundamental right of citizenship and
democracy.
The participation of the youth in nation-building activities enhances their
value orientation and fosters integrity, compassion, and the sense of
justice, which are crucial to the holistic development of a citizen of a
nation. The participation of the youth in political discourse and social
activities can result in cultural and political paradigm shifts that may be
felt even by future generations.
How to be a Good Filipino?
How to be a Good Filipino?

Support local products. Help strengthen the local economy. A strong economy
means there is stable work for more Filipinos, and more investments within and
from outside the country.

Speak the Filipino language. To love of our own language is to show pride at being a
Filipino, it is a way of displaying love for one’s own country.

Study the Philippine history. By learning the Philippine history, you will hopefully
develop a sense of nationalism and patriotism. This will help you recognize abuse of
political power, and how to contribute into making a better country.
How to be a Good Filipino?

Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging with dissent.

Verify your resources, be responsible in your postings and arguments.

Be an active and responsible Filipino citizen. Keep abreast of current events and
participate in government programs aimed at the country’s progress and
development. Exercise your right to vote; choose a representative that would
serve the interests of the people and the Filipino nation.