CHAPTER 2

WHO IS THE FILIPINO

CHAPTER OVERVIEW
This chapter emphasizes the relevance of Philippine Heritage and Culture. It focuses on
appreciating the cultural way of life of the Filipinos in Ancient Times and its growth through
time.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Express appreciation of the legacy of Philippine heritage
2. Compare and contrast the cultural way of life of the Philippines in Ancient Times and
today’s modern times

Lesson Outline

1. Filipino Traits and Values

2. The Early Filipinos
a. Social, Economic and Political Life

LESSON 1: FILIPINO TRAITS AND VALUES

Introduction
What makes a Filipino a genuine Filipino? Do physical characteristics such as having
dark hair, flat nose and dark complexion make one a Filipino? Or it is a person’s language,
birthplace and ethnicity? If you were to introduce yourself as a Filipino to a person of another
nationality and he or she asks, “Who are Filipinos?” what will you reply?
The Philippines as we know it today has only emerged in the 1980s after over three
centuries of colonization of the Spaniards, meanwhile liberations from the last colonizers the
Japanese only occurred in 1946. Foreign culture, beliefs, language, religion have made a
huge dent on our own by setting a foundation to the contemporary Filipino identity and
culture. To date colonial mentality remains an issue. Given the wide discrepancy between the
liberation period and todays time, would it be safe to say that Filipinos have truly developed
an identity of their own? Or are we still living in the shadow of our colonial friends.
Who is a Filipino?
Filipinos are often reference to globally renowned personalities like Manny Pacquiao,
Lea Salonga and Michael Cinco who have made Filipinos recognized around the world
through their expertise. However being a Filipino is a far more than just being related to these
notable figures. Independence Day and Buwan ng Wika celebration prompt us to go back to
our roots and reflect on the question: Who is a Filipino?
Technically according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Filipino citizens are 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. However, citizenship is not the only marker
of being a Filipino. Culture and history have greatly influenced the manner Filipinos learn, live
and behave to date. People who were born and grew up in the same culture develop and
share common personality, traits and values. Generation after generations common traits and
values have been passed on that Filipinos of today still embody.
Filipino Values and Traits
The Philippines is a lush island paradise famous for its grandiose mountain views,
pristine beaches, and rich and diverse culture changing from province to province. While the
Philippines may be well known for its awe-inspiring beauty, perhaps the Filipinos unique traits,
reputable values, and laudable talents make the country a place to be.
Tourist who have visited the Philippines can never forget the big and bright smiles
that greeted them. The colorful and loud jeepneys, the common Filipino phrases such as
“Mabuhay” and “Salamat” and habits such as saying “po” at “opo” to the elders, leaving shoes
or slippers at the front door before entering a house, and the importunate asking of
“kumainkanaba?” meaning “have you eaten yet? “It is marvel to experience these unique
traits of the Filipinos firsthand. Few of these traits are as follow.
The Filipino Hospitality
A Filipino trait that is known everywhere is the Filipinos brand of hospitality, Filipinos
welcome their guests and tourists as if they are their own brothers and sisters; they always
make their guests feel at home, offering them something to eat, or even place to stay. They
will bring out their best sets of plates and chinaware for their honored guests and would even
go as far as spending a lot of money and going into debt just so they can satisfy them. In
most local shops, Filipinos salesperson will greet their customers with warm welcome and say
thank you when they leave even without buying anything. Filipinos also anticipate giving tour
to friends who will visit their hometown and treating them to the best restaurants and
delicacies for free. During festivals or fiestas, Filipinos serve heaps of festive food and invite
the whole barangay over. They are also fond of giving pasalubong or tokens from their travels
and pabaon or farewell gifts to their visitors.
Respect for Elders
Filipinos greet their elders by kissing their hand while saying “Mano po!” and
constantly using “po” and “opo” in conversations. Forgetting to address older people properly
will regard them as rude and impolite. There is also a wide array of references to elder people
such as Ate for older sister; Kuya for older brother;tito and tita for uncle and aunt,
respectively; Lolo and Lola for grandfather and grandfather; andManongandAlingfor older
people outside the family.\
Close Family Ties
Filipinos maintain a tight relationship with their families regardless if the children are
old enough and already have families of their own. They are also fond of family reunions
during birthdays, holidays, or fiesta year-round. Some Filipino families even opt to live in a big
house where everyone can stay together. Nursing homes are almost always not an option for
family members and choose to take care of their elders themselves.
Cheerful Personality
Filipinos have a habit of smiling and laughing a lot. They smile when they are happy,
or sometimes even when they are sad or angry. Smiling has been a coping strategy for many
Filipinos especially during trying times and calamities. For instance, Filipinos smile and wave
at the camera while being interviewed even after a fire or flooding incident. They always try to
maintain a positive outlook in life which makes them resilient and able to manage almost
everything with a simple smile.
Self- Sacrifice
The self-sacrificing attitude of Filipinos can be seen as an extension of the Filipino
hospitality. Filipinos go out of their way to extend help to their friends, families, and loved
ones. They 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.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sacrifice a lot; that is why they are regarded as the
modern day Filipino heroes. There are also times when the eldest among the children of the
family would give up school to work and provide for the rest of the family and educate his or
her siblings.
Bayanihan
Bayanihan is the spirit of communal unity and cooperation of Filipinos. It is also about
giving without expecting something in return. Filipinos are always ready to share and help
their friends and loved ones who are in need. It may not always be in monetary form, but the
time and effort they give also count as form of help for them. This trait is particularly
manifested in how Filipinos rally themselves to send aid to those who are severely affected by
natural calamities.
“Bahalana” Attitude
“Bahala Na” is the Filipino version of the famous line “hakunamatata” meaning no
worries the phrase is said to be originated from “bathalana” where bathala means God, and
the phrase meaning leaving everything into God’s hands. It can also be viewed as something
similar to the cheerful and positive attitude of Filipinos and following situations take care of
themselves instead of worrying about them.
Colonial Mentality
Colonial mentality is regarded as the lack of patriotism and the attitude where
Filipinos favor foreign products more than their own. This does not only concern goods but
also the desire to look more foreign than local and keep up with foreign beauty trends. It is
attributed to the centuries of colonization Filipinos had experienced under the Spanish,
American and Japanese rule.
“Maṅana” Habit
This is the Filipino term of procrastination, it was derived from a longer Filipino phrase
called “mamayana” meaning dawdling things, which could have been done at an earlier time.
It is a poor habit of laziness that results in heavier workload.
“NingasKugon”
“Ningas” is a Filipino term for flame and “Kugon” is a Filipino term for cogon grass
that easily burns out after it is put into flames. Ningaskugon refers to the attitude of eagerly
starting things but quickly losing eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty, just like how fast
the fire of a cogon grass burns out moments after being ignited. Laziness is a common
problem among Filipinos; that is why Filipinos regarded as “Juan Tamad” or lazy Juan.

Pride
Most Filipinos hold on to their pride as if they are more precious than keeping a good
relationship with family and loved ones. When two parties are not in good terms, they find it
so hard to apologize and wait until the other party asks for an apology first.

Crab Mentality
This is a toxic trait among Filipinos where one resents the achievements of another,
instead of feeling happy for that person. Just like crabs in a container they pull each other
down and ruin each others reputation rather than bringing them up, resulting to no progress.
Filipino should change this troublesome attitude and focus more on their own inadequacies to
improve one’s self.

Filipino Time
 Filipinos have this common attitude of arriving late at commitments, dinner, or parties
especially if they are meeting someone close to them. They tend to not observe punctuality
altogether. The 7:00 pm call time becomes adjusted to 7:30 pm, and almost everyone arrives
at the same time because everyone is using Filipino time.

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS (SAQ)/ ACTIVITY 1

Name: ________________________________________Date: _________________
Course/Block: _________________________________Schedule: ______________

A. Essay
1. (5 pts) As a Filipino what are the other positive traits you want to add on the
discussion above?
2. (5pts) Can you give at least five negative characteristics that you’ve seen on your
fellow Filipinos nowadays, except to those characteristics being discussed to this
chapter.

Rubrics for Essay:

Score Completion comprehension

5 The answer is complete Content demonstrate a deep

understanding and engagement w/
the topic

4 The answer is missing sight details Content demonstrate a

understanding and engagement w/
the topic

3 The answer is missing multiple details Content demonstrate a basic

understanding and engagement w/
the topic

2 Content suggest lack of preparation or Content demonstrate a less than

comprehension basic understanding and
engagement w/ the topic

1 Content only marginally related to the Content demonstrate a lack of

question/prompt understanding and engagement w/
the topic

0 Content fail to meet the basic Content demonstrate a complete

requirements of the task lack understanding and
engagement w/ the topic

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LESSON 2: THE EARLY FILIPINOS

Many historians and scientists believe that the first inhabitants of the Philippine
islands emerged during the Pleistocene period. There are two theories on where the
inhabitants (first Filipino) came from namely: Beyer’s “Migration theory” and Jocano’s
“Evolution theory”. Noted social scientist Henry Otley Beyer believes that Filipinos descended
from different groups that came from Southeast Asia in successive waves of migration. Each
group had a distinct culture, withits own customs and traditions. While Jocano believes that
Asians, including Filipinos are the result of a lengthy process of evolution and migration.
Migration Theory
The first migrant were what Beyer caked the “Dawnmen” ( or cavemen” because they
live in caves). The dawnmen resembled Java Man, Peking Man and other Asian Home
sapiens who existed about 250,000 years ago. They did not have any knowledge of
agriculture, and lived by hunting and fishing. It was precisely in search of food that they came
to the Philippines by way of the land bridges that connected the Philippines and Indonesia.
Owing perhaps to their migratory nature, they eventually left the Philippines for destination
unknown.
The second group of migrants was composed of dark skinned pygmies called “Aetas”
or “Negritoes”. About 30,000 years ago they crossed the land bridged from Malaya, Borneo
and Australia until they reached Palawan, Mindoro and Mindanao. They are pygmies who
went around practically naked and were good at hunting, fishing and food gathering. They
used spears and small flint stones weapons. The Aetas were already in the Philippines when
the land bridges disappeared due to the thinning of the ice glaciers and the subsequent
increase in seawater level. This natural events “forced” them to remain in the country and
become its first permanent inhabitants.
Because of the disappearance of the land bridges the third wave of migrants was
necessarily skilled in seafaring. These were the Indonesianswho came to the islands in boat,
they were more advanced than the Aetas that they had tools made out of stone and steel.
Which enabled them to build sturdier houses, they engaged in farming and mining, and used
materials made of brass; they wore clothing and other body ornaments.
Last to migrate to the Philippines according to Beyer were Malays. They were
believed to have come from Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the Malay Peninsula more than
2,000 years ago. Like the Indonesians they also traveled in boats. The Malay were brown-
skinned and of medium height, with straight black hair and flat noses. Their technology was
said to be more advanced than that of their predecessors, they engaged in pottery, weaving,
jewelry making and metal smelting, and introduced the irrigation system in rice planting.

Jocano’s Theory
Renowned Filipino anthropologist Felipe LandaJocano disputes Beyer’s belief that
Filipinos descended from Negritoes and Malays who migrated in the Philippines thousands of
years ago. According to Jocano, it is difficult to prove that Negritoes were the first inhabitants
of this country. The only thing that can positively concluded from fossil evidence, he says that
the first men who came to the Philippines also went to New Guinea, Java, Borneo and
Australia.

Social, Economic and Political Life of Early Filipinos

Economic life
Early Filipinos primarily engaged in the following economic activities: farming, fishing,
poultryand swine raising, gold mining and trade agricultural activities among early Filipinos
had an early beginning. The people first used the slash-and burn method of planting rice.
Later they adopted wet agriculture. The slash-and-burn methods was common in the interior
and high coastal areaswhile wet agriculture was practiced in the lowlands. During the planting
season, the early Filipinos performed certain rituals to ensure a bountiful harvest work in the
fields also followed the changes in season. The methods used in wet agriculture are similar to
what is being done in the rural areas today. Other crops being raised aside from rice were
millet, bananas, sweet potato or camote, areca nuts, oil, cotton, wine and vinegar and
coconuts. Abaca was raised and its fibers were gathered and made into ropes of fabrics.
Social Life
The family was, as it still is today, the smallest but the most significant unit of ancient society.
The father and mother were accorded complete obedience and respect by the children. The
father was the head of the family while the mother managed household affairs. The early
Filipinos had close family ties. There were four social classes in ancient Filipino society: the
chiefs, nobles, freemen and the slaves. The datu or the cheif headed a barangay or
community. His family, relatives and elders belonged to the maginooclass group of nobles.
The freemen or middle class belong to the timawa o maharlika group. Men who were born
free or were freed from slavery composed the lowest social class because they had no
property and were under control of their master. A Filipino could become a slave through
birth, in ability to pay debts, purchase, punishment for crimes or being held captive in war.
Slaves were on of two kinds:alipingnamamahay at alipingsaguguilid. The alipingnamamahay
enjoyed certain privileges such as the right to own property, and the right to work for any
master. The alipingsaguguilid did not enjoy right and freedom at all. Women occupied a high
position in early society. They were regarded as equals of men and were given this same
respect conferred upon the men. The mother of the family had the honor of naming the
children.
Political Life
The Barangay the weakest side of the culture of the early Fiipinos was their political and
social organization, and they were weak here in precisely the same way that the now
uncivilized peoples of Northern Luzon are still weak. Their state did not embrace the whole
tribe or nation; included simply the community there were in the Philippines no large states,
nor even great rajas and sultan such as were found in the Malay Archipelago, but instead on
every island were a multitude of small communities, each independent of the other and
frequently waging war. The unit of their political order was a little cluster of houses of from
thirty to one hundred families, called a “barangay” which still exist in the Philippines as the
“barrio” at the head of each barangay was a chief known as the “dato” a word no longer used
in the northern Philippines, though it persist among the Moro of Mindanao. The power of this
datos within their small areas appear to have been great and they were treated with utmost
respect by the people. The barangay were grouped together in tiny federations including
about as much territory as the present towns, whose affairs were conducted by the chiefs or
datos although sometimes the same to have all been in obedience to single chief, known in
some places as the “hari” at other times by the hindu word “raja’ or the Mohammedan term
“sultan” sometimes the power of one of these rajas seems to have extended over the whole of
a small island, but usually their “kingdoms” embraced only a few miles.

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS (SAQ)/ ACTIVITY 2

Name: ________________________________________Date: _________________
Course/Block: _________________________________Schedule: ______________

Essay

(10pts) Compare and contrast the social, economic and political life of Filipinos from now and
then.
 Rubrics for Essay:

Score Completion comprehension

5 The answer is complete Content demonstrate a deep

understanding and engagement w/
the topic

4 The answer is missing sight details Content demonstrate a

understanding and engagement w/
the topic

3 The answer is missing multiple details Content demonstrate a basic

understanding and engagement w/
the topic

2 Content suggest lack of preparation or Content demonstrate a less than

comprehension basic understanding and
engagement w/ the topic

1 Content only marginally related to the Content demonstrate a lack of

question/prompt understanding and engagement w/
the topic

0 Content fail to meet the basic Content demonstrate a complete

requirements of the task lack understanding and
engagement w/ the topic

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SYNTHESIS
In this chapter, you will learn that an individual’s race, ethnicity and physical
characteristics are not the only factors that make a person’s national identity. Values and
traits are also important indicators that set apart one nationality from the other. These values
and traits may not always be a positive thing, but being able to identify one’s self apart from
other nationalities and point out weaknesses and mistakes paired with unity and commitment,
make progress a possibility. Through common goals, principles, and values of its people a
nation empower itself.

REFERENCES:

Agoncillo, Teodoro. History of the Filipino People, (2010). C&E Publishing, Inc. Quezon City.