High School

Christian Living
November 20, 2020
Filipino Values and Traditions
“Good morals and values start at home and a
uniform won’t change that”
 - Jamie Sawyer
 Filipino Values
Majority of Philippine population is bonded together by common
values and traits that are first taught at home and being applied in
our day to day lives.
The Filipino value system or Filipino values refers to the set of 
values that a majority of the Filipino have historically held
important in their lives. This Philippine values system includes
their own unique assemblage of consistent ideologies, moral codes
, ethical practices, etiquette and cultural and personal values that
are promoted by their society. 
Here are some of the family values Filipinos have:

1.Pagpapahalaga sa Pamilya (Family-oriented)
Filipinos are known for having strong and close family ties. They place
high regard and put importance on their family before anything else. They
work all day and do all they can to feed and provide for their family.
In other countries, when a person turned 18, he/she can live away from
his/her family. In the Philippines, they value their family so much that
they keep them intact through the years.
 Respect

One of the precious things Filipinos have is that they are respectful.
Young, youth, people in all ages know how to show respect and courtesy.
Some ways to show them are the use of “Po at Opo”, “Pagmamano” or
putting the back of an elder’s hand on your forehead, and calling our
older siblings or elders Ate or Kuya.
 God-fearing
Though we, Filipinos, belong to different religious groups, we all have
God(Supreme being) in our center. Filipino families sometimes go to
church or pray together with their family.
 Pakikisama (Helping others)
Filipinos get along with different kinds of people. They can easily adjust to any situation
and are flexible. This trait fosters cooperation, good and helpful deeds. When their
neighbors are in trouble, they will help them in whatever they can. They also do not let
their family members go through hard times alone, instead, they help each other.
 Hospitality
One of the most popular qualities Filipinos have is that they are very
hospitable. When there are visitors at home, they will do a lot of
preparations for good entertainment and accommodation so that they will
feel at home and enjoy the stay. When there is an occasion at home, there
are a lot of food and you can expect to have take-outs (pabalot) after.
 Utang na Loob (Debt of Gratitude)

This trait shows a sense of duty and responsibility. Filipinos know how to
repay other people. When someone helped us, we return the favors with
goodness.
 Love and Happiness
In a Filipino family, our parents usually cook for us, that’s what one of the
ways on how they show their love. Also, through good and bad times,
Filipinos always find a way to smile and be happy. Whatever the problem
is, we are always reminded that our family’s always there to love and
support us no matter what.
 Filipino Customs & Traditions
• Our culture is a big reflection of our great and complex history.
It is influenced by most of the people we have interacted with.
A blend of the Malayo-Polynesian and Hispanic culture with
the influence from Chinese, Indians Arabs, and other Asian
cultures really contribute to the customs and traditions of the
Filipinos.
Filipino culture is unique compared to other
Asian countries, and beliefs apply every day
in the life of the Filipinos and reveal how
rich and blessed the culture the people have.
 Mano Po
First on the list is Mano Po. When children or young people greet or say
goodbye to their elders they typically do so by taking the right hand of the
elder with their right hand and touch the back the elder's hand lightly on
their forehead. It is a way of giving respect to the elders and I believe that
is also a way of receiving blessing to the elders.

Mano is a Spanish word for “hand” while Po is used in the end of the
sentence when addressing elders or superiors.
 Hospitality
Next is that Filipinos are one of the most hospitable people you may find
anywhere. Foreign visitors in the country are treated with the utmost
respect. This trait is usually seen during fiestas and holidays where many
 Filipinos are giving their best to entertain their visitors well.
It is amazing to see that even the simplest home along the road opens their
home to a stranger. For Filipinos, to be able to serve others gives them
honor of showing true friendship. Filipino Hospitality is a trait you can't
take away from them.
 Close family Ties
Having Close Family Ties is also one of their unique traits. It is one of the
outstanding cultural values that Filipinos have. The family takes care of each other
and are taught to be loyal to family and elders by simply obeying their authorities.
This is one of the unique characteristics of Filipinos. Having fondness for family
reunions during secular and religious holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s eve,
All Saints’ Day, Holy Week, Fiestas, homecomings, birthdays, weddings,
graduations, baptisms, funerals etc. is evidence that Filipino people valued not
only our cultural tradition but the spirit of our family. As Filipinos, we are blessed
to have been brought up with strong family ties.
Courtship

We Filipinos are very romantic when it comes to heart affairs. Serenading

or Harana in Tagalog is one of the most popular forms of courtship to
show that a man is very serious with his intentions to a woman. A
serenade would require the young man to sing a love song in front of the
young lady's house. Normally, he is accompanied by his male friends who
act as back-up singers. The man himself or his friend played the
instrument, usually a guitar, which provides the background music to his
song.
They would have to wait until the young lady opened a window to listen. It
would be up to her if she wanted to invite them in for some refreshment
and to chat after the song. Even if they had been asked to come in, the
suitor would not expect that he could have the chance of a private
moment with his object of affection. It was highly likely that the parents
would also be there to entertain the man and his friends.
Religion

The Philippines is one of two predominantly Roman Catholic nations in

Asia-Pacific. Their habit of going to church and often praying reflects that
Filipinos have a deep faith and belief when it comes to religion. They are
very devoted to religions that sometimes many take the risk of their lives
just to touch the Black Nazarine (in Quiapo Manila). For many, it is just a
choice between their faith and fears.

Filipinos believe that having a strong devotion may lead to a better life and
their guidance to face everyday life.
Superstitions

In the Philippines, superstitious beliefs have grown throughout the

country. These beliefs have come from the different sayings and beliefs of
our ancestors that aim to prevent danger from happening or to make a
person refrain from doing something in particular.

These beliefs are part of our culture, for one derives their beliefs from the
influences of what their customs, traditions and culture have dictated to
explain certain phenomena or to scare people. Some are practiced
primarily because Filipinos believe that there is nothing to lose if they will
comply with these beliefs.
Society

The primary ancestors of Filipinos are Malays who came from the
southeastern Asian country which is now called Indonesia. The Philippines
is a combined society, both singular and plural in form. It is singular as
one nation, but plural in that it is fragmented geographically and culturally.
The nation is divided between Christians, Muslims, and other religious-
ethno-linguistic groups; between urban and rural people; between upland
and lowland people; and between the rich and the poor. Although different
in numerous ways, the Filipinos are very hospitable and give appropriate
respect to everybody regardless of race, culture and belief.
Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas in the Philippines is considered as one of the biggest holidays in

the archipelago. We earned the distinction of celebrating the world’s
longest Christmas season with Christmas carols heard as early as
September and lasting until Epiphany, the feast of the Black Nazarene on
January 9 or the Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú on the third Sunday of
January.
 Fiesta
Every town and city in the Philippines has a fiesta of its own; whatever time of the year
it is, there's sure to be a fiesta going on somewhere.
Fiestas in the Philippines are held to celebrate a patron saint. It is part and parcel of
Filipino culture through good times and bad times, it must go on. The biggest and most
elaborate festival of all is Christmas, a season celebrated with all the pomp and
pageantry where the whole country breaks out in celebrations that can begin long
before December.
For individual Filipinos, fiestas can be a way of supplicating the heavens or to make
amends for past wrongs. It is a way to celebrate their blessings, commemorate their
past and observe solemn religious rituals. Celebrations may take the form of music,
dancing, feasting, beauty contests, balls, processions, sports challenges or a host of
other events.
Spanish influence is evident in the elaborate masks, makeup, headdresses and
costumes worn by the revelers; outfits which often take months of preparation.
Have a happy Weekend!