CHARACTER FORMATION 1: NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM

Prepared by: Ms. Alexis R. Alcantara, RCrim

GENERAL CONCEPTS OF CHARACTER

The term was derived from the Greek word “charassein” referring to an engraving
instrument; originally used of a mark impressed upon a coin or the mark cut by it. Then it was
applied to a distinctive mark of the personality; and gradually, to the sum total of such marks,
each individual one is being called characteristics (Bartemier, 2009). Basically, character is
defined as a psychological notion that refers to all the habitual ways of feeling and reacting of a
person that distinguish one individual from another. It is the trademark of being a person.

Character as defined by the American Psychiatric Association, signifies the relatively fixed of
continuing group of an individual personality attributes of a person or the characteristic pattern of
behavior of an individual. The social, emotional and intellectual manifestations of a character are
called personality, and character is roughly equivalent to personality.

Harbans (2011) noted that character is the index of the state of mind of a person. It is a sum
total of motivation one gives to the persons around him and also does course correction
whenever there is a dire need for same. It may differ as an individual differs but one thing is
certain the special characteristics form the solid basis of his stability in the society of which he is
a part. Character, thus is an index of a person’s standing in the society.

FILIPINO INFLUENCES TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS

The Philippines is a meeting point for cultures from all over Asia and the Pacific because it
has been a crossroads between east and west and the merging of cultures reflects the country’s
culture and its people. It comes from various ethno-linguistic groups that are native to the islands
of migrants from various Asia-Pacific regions, Filipinos are the people who are naturally born to
or recognized with the Philippine country.

China, the United States, and Spain mainly influence the modern Filipino identity. Though
Filipinos are racially similar to Malays but in terms of culture they are more like the Spaniards.
Thus, it could be claimed that Filipinos are the most hot-bloodied and brave citizens in the tropical
Asian cultures. Like other countries, the Philippines has its opposing values and labels, it is
believed by the Filipinos that the country have the best values in the world. Though it has
experienced colonization by several countries, but the core values it has gained from the Filipino
ancestors remained intact and are still honored today like the bayanihan or spirit of kinship and
camaraderie implanted by the Chinese ascendants.

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 THE MOST WELL-KNOWN TRAITS AND ATTITUDES OF THE FILIPINO

1. Hospitality
Hospitality is a trait displayed by every Filipino, characterized by heartwarming
generosity and friendliness exhibited to foreigners and locals alike.

Filipinos are well-known for being hospitable. This is one of the most popular
qualities of Filipinos. Most foreigners who have gone to the Philippines fell in love with
the warm hospitality they have experienced while staying in the country. This is a kind of
value system which has existed in the country thousand of years ago. Good thing is that
the hospitality of the Filipinos is not only shown to the foreigners but to its fellow Filipino as
well.

Hospitality of Filipinos is shown in the following sample situations:

a. When a person visit’s a friend’s house, the host greets him or her with a very
warm welcome. The host will immediately let their visitor sit down for the
visitor. The host will insist that the friend host will always make sure you had
a great time visiting them.
b. People offer their guest room to visitors if they’re going to spend the night.
c. Meals offered to guests are very special. A host always finds a way to
prepare great tasting food that her visitor wants to eat.
2. Respect
This is often observed-not just by younger people-but also by people of all ages.
In the Philippines, respect for one’s elders is a tradition.

a. Po and Opo – These words are spoken by the Filipinos when talking to elders, or in
order to show respect to persons in authority. These Filipino words mean “yes,” when
answering or talking to the elders.
b. Pagmamano – Another way of showing respect to the elders when greeting them.
This is done by putting their elder’s hand on their foreheads.
c. Filipinos also show respect at work by making a bow to their employers.

3. Strong Family Ties and Religions

Filipinos value their families so much that they tend to keep families intact through
the generations. Families go to church and pray together because their religion is
important and creates a strong bond, marking God as the center of their lives. Filipinos
believe in only one God and majority of the population are Catholics. It is a value system
of the Filipinos to pray before eating, going to bed, before the start of the meeting,
conferences of program, gathering, etc.

On weekends, most Filipino families make sure to have quality time together by
watching television or eating a family meal, watch movies or going to beach resorts.

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 4. Generosity and Helpfulness

Aside from being hospitable, Filipinos are also well-known for being generous.
They share what they have to the people around them even when they only have little.
These could be felt during birthdays, weddings or fiesta (party). When visitors came to
celebrate great tasting, special foods are specially prepared for everyone. It is shared by
friends, families or even strangers.

When you will be in trouble, Filipinos cannot refuse to help you. They are always
willing to assist you or lend a hand.

5. Strong Work Ethics

Another good thing most Filipinos have is being hardworking people. They are
always willing to work almost the whole day to provide the needs of their families. Filipino
farmers though earning so little but they work harder with not much compensation.

Aside from their regular work, Filipinos always find creative ways to look for other
sources of income like creating a small business from their home where they sell foods
and other items for the convenience of their neighbors.

6. Loving and Caring

Because of their generosity, hospitality and religiosity, Filipinos are found to be the
sweetest and most loving people in the world.

It is expressed by both foreigners and Filipino women that most Filipino men are
so sweet and romantic when it comes to love. They will send their beloved flowers, bring
bring her to a very romantic place, text her sweet quotes and tell often how special she is to
them. Filipino women are also romantic and very caring, which often makes some
foreigners want to marry them. Women tend to prepare dinner before their husband
come home. They love, and value the relationship, always staying faithful to their
husbands. They love deeply and sincerely.

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 NEGATIVE TRAITS OF FILIPINOS

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

When Filipinos are facing difficulties and shortcomings they have this attitude of
of leaving it up to God to sort things out. An attitude of “What Goes Around Comes
Around.” Filipinos tend to surrender the future to luck. They have that strong confidence
that everything will work out in his interest without doing anything. Filipinos often accepts
bad news or circumstances without trying to stop or change them. This can sometimes
be helpful in adversity, but it can also keep us from finding ways out of situations. Also,
constantly expecting the worst can get pretty depressing.

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 other’s 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.

The fear of being an outcast has forced a lot of people to live a double standard
life. To hide our failure in following a norm, we tend to be condemning those who are
caught red handed. A perfect example could be the criticism faced by those who become
pregnant outside marriage. The sad fact behind this scenario is that some of these critics
could have actually engaged in premarital sex too-only that no proof is visible.

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 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 how 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 others.

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 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 lifetime
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 the 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 of 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)

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.

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 14. Passivity (lack of leadership)

Filipinos lack of initiative 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 age 16 (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.

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.

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 3. Particularism

Displayed behavior by the individuals may it be good or bad is blamed against the
famil y. 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.

On the other hand, knowing how to entertain people (marunong umasikaso ng

kapwa) is important. Conformity to proper codes of conduct reaps the rewards of
cooperation and assistance; non-conformity is punished by withdrawal of support.

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 the Filipino value of going out of the way to help, without being asked,
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
generoue enough to extend help without compensation. Somebody can request help in
time of need from those to whom it is extended.

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 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.

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