THE FILIPINO CHARACTER: JANNELLE RATUM DOMINGO

WEAKNESSES JOLINA SINENSE DAYAO

EXTREME FAMILY CENTEREDNESS
Excessive concern for family means using one’s office
and power to promote family interest and thus
factionalism patronage, political dynasties and the
protection of erring family members. It results in lack
of concern for the common good, and acts as a block
to national consciousness.
EXTREME PERSONSALISM
Takes things personally, cannot separate object
tasks from environment involvement. Because
Filipinos is uncomfortable with BUREAUCRACY, with
rules and regulations and with standard procedures.
Extreme personalism leads to the graft and
corruption evident in Philippine society.
LACK OF DISCIPLINE
A casual attitude toward time and space, manifested in lack
of precision and compulsiveness, in poor time management
and procrastination. Aversion to following procedures strictly
results in lack of standardization and equality control.
Impatience results in short cuts, palusot, ningas cogon. It
often result to inefficient work systems, violation of the rules
and casual work ethic lacking follow through.
LACK OF PASSIVITY AND INITIATIVE
Waiting to be told on what to do, reliance to
others (leaders and government), complacence,
lack of a sense of urgency. High tolerance of
inefficiency, poor service, and even violations
of the basic right. Too impatient and matiisin,
too easy to be oppressed and exploited.
COLONIAL MENTALITY
Lack of patriotism, or of an active awareness,
appreciation and love of the Country (Philippines) and
actual preference for things foreign.
KANYA-KANYA SYNDROME
Done by tsismis, intriga, unconstructive criticisms.
It is evident in the personal ambition that is
completely insensitive to the common good. The lack
of a sense of service among people in the
government bureaucracy. It results to dampening of
cooperative and community spirit, and in the
trampling upon other’s rights.
LACK OF SELF ANALYSIS AND SELF REFLECTION
The tendency to be superficial 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.
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.
 FACTORS THAT ROOTED FILIPINO WEAKNESSES:
Home History
Social Environment Religion
Economic Environment Mass Media
Culture Leadership
Language Role Model
Educational Systems
“MANY OF OUR STRENGTHS AS A PEOPLE ARE
ALSO SOURCES OF OUR WEAKNESSES”
SHANI’S REPORT (1988)
Explains that family orientation becomes in-
group orientation that prevents us from reaching
out beyond the family to the larger community and
the nation.
Our PERSONALISM can lead us to lack of
OBJECTIVITY.
Joyful people with SENSE OF HUMOR, but can’t
take things with humor all the time.
Our faith in God is our source of strength but
makes us DEPENDENT on the forces outside us.
We are good at PAKIKIPAGKAPWA-TAO and
we can easily empathize but at the same time
be ENVIOUS of others.
We can be hardworking and yet can be LAZY
and PASSIVE in the workplace.