The Filipino Way

Introduction
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 applied
every day in the life of the Filipinos reveal how rich and blessed the culture the
people have.
The Filipino Customs and Traditions
Mano is a Spanish word for "hand" while po is used at the end of the sentence
when addressing elders or superiors.
The 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 its door 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.
 Filipino Traits
1. Having close family ties is also one of their unique traits. It is one of the
outstanding cultural values that Filipinos have.
2. The Bayanihan. It is the spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a
particular objective.
3. Courtship. We Filipinos are very romantic when it comes to heart affairs.
4. Religion. The Philippines is one of two predominantly, Roman Catholic
nations in Asia-Pacific.
5. Superstition. In the Philippines, superstitious beliefs have grown throughout
the country.
 Filipino Traits
6. Marriage and Wedding Customs. In the country, marriage is a sacred union of
man and woman after a period of courtship and engagement.
7. Death. Death in the Philippines is one of the most important occasions in
family life.
8. Society. The primary ancestors of Filipinos are Malays who came from the
southeastern Asian country.
9. Christmas in the Philippines is considered as one of the biggest holidays in the
archipelago.
10. Fiestas. Every town and city in the Philippines has a fiesta of its own.
11. Living with Parents. Filipinos highly value the presence of family more than
anything.
 Characteristics of Filipino Culture
Here are some characteristics of the Filipinos that set them apart from any other
culture and society: (Dumaraos, 2018)
1. The Filipino people are very resilient. In times of calamities and catastrophes,
Filipinos always manage to rise above the challenge.
2. Filipinos take pride in their families. In the Philippines, it is family first.
3. Filipinos are very religious. In all corners of a Filipino house, you can find
brazen images of crosses and other religious paraphernalia.
4. Filipinos are very respectful. They have a culture of pagmamano, which is
where they raise the backs of the hands of their elders to their foreheads as a
sign of respect.
5. Filipinos help one another. More popularly known as bayanihan.
 Characteristics of Filipino Culture
6. Filipinos value traditions and culture. For Filipinos, traditions in their home
and in their family are important.
7. Filipinos have the longest Christmas celebrations. Even as early as August,
you can hear Christmas songs and jingles being played in the malls or in the
restaurants in the Philippines.
8. Filipinos love art and architecture. Just look at the massive and tall buildings
everywhere.
9. The Filipinos are hospitable people. Foreign visitors in the country are treated
with the utmost respect.
 Filipino Family Values
The family is the center of the social structure and includes the nuclear family,
aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and honorary relations such as godparents,
sponsors, and close family friends. People get strength and stability from their
family. As such, many children have several godparents.
Concern for the extended family is seen in the patronage provided to family
members when they seek employment. It is common for members of the same
family to work for the same company. In fact, many collective bargaining
agreements state that preferential hiring will be given to family members.
The Filipino family consists of many traditional values that have been treasured
and passed on for many generations already.
 Filipino Family Values
These values are incredibly beneficial. Hereunder are the following traditional
values:
1. Paggalang (Respect) - The English translation of paggalang means to be
respectful or to give respect to a person.
2. Pakikisama (Helping Others) - Pakikisama has the connotation of getting
along with people in general.
3. Utang na Loob (Debt of Gratitude) - Utang na loob means to pay your debt
with gratitude.
4. Pagpapahalaga sa Pamilya (Prioritizing Family) - Pagpapahalaga sa pamilya
is in other words, putting importance on your family.
 Filipino Family Values
These values are incredibly beneficial. Hereunder are the following traditional
values:
5. Hiya (Shame) - Hiya means shame. This controls the social behaviors and
interactions of a Filipino.
6. Damayan System - extending sympathy for people who lost their loved ones.
7. Compassionate - a Filipino trait of being sympathetic to others even the person
is a stranger.
8. Fun-loving Trait - a trait found in most Filipinos, a trait that makes them
unique that even in times of calamities and other challenges in life, they
always have something to be happy about, a reason to celebrate.
 Social Values of the Filipinos
1. High regard for amor propio (self-esteem)- Self-esteem reflects an individual's
overall subjective emotional evaluation of his or her own worth.
2. Smooth interpersonal relationships - An interpersonal relationship is the nature
of interaction that occurs between two or more people.
3. Personal alliance system - This scheme is anchored on kinship, beginning with
the nuclear family.
4. The Compadre system - Bonds of ritual kinship, sealed on any of three
ceremonial occasions-baptism, confirmation, and marriage-intensify and
extend personal alliances.
5. Utang-na-loob - A dyadic bond between two individuals may be formed based
on the concept of utang na loob.
6. Suki relationship - In the commercial context, suki relationships.
7. Friendship - Friendship often is placed on at par with kinship as the most
central of Filipino relationships.
 Weaknesses of the Filipino
Character
1. Passivity and lack of initiative - Acceptance of what happens, without active
response or resistance.
2. Colonial mentality- Colonial mentality more strictly refers to the attitude the
Filipinos feel that products coming from other countries are more superior than
the local products.
3. Kanya-kanya syndrome - Filipinos have a selfish, self-serving attitude that
generates a feeling of envy and competitiveness towards others, particularly
one's peers who seem to have gained some status or prestige.
4. Extreme personalism - Filipinos view the world in terms of personal
relationships and the extent to which one is able to personally relate things and
people determines the recognition of their existence and the value given to
them.
 Weaknesses of the Filipino
Character
5. Extreme family centeredness - While concern for the family is one of the
Filipino's greatest strengths, in the extreme it becomes a serious flaw.
6. Lack of discipline - Procrastination is one reason of lack of self-discipline.
Lack of willpower, motivation and ambition are also causes for lack of self-
discipline.
7. Lack of self-analysis and reflection - There is a tendency in the Filipino to be
superficial and even somewhat flighty.
8. Ningas cogon - A Filipino attitude of being enthusiastic only during the start of
new undertaking but ends dismally in accomplishing nothing.
9. Gaya-Gaya Attitude - A Filipino attitude of imitating or copying other culture
specifically in mode of dressing, language, fashion, trend or even haircut.