LESSON 9:

THE POLITICAL SELF

Includes legislators or Includes public servants Includes judges of the
members of houses of organized into ministries various law courts.
parliament. departments.
 What makes a Filipino a Genuine Filipino?
Who is a Filipino?

• Are often referenced to globally renowned personalities like Manny

Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, Michael Cinco who have made Filipinos
recognized around the world through their expertise
• Independence day and buwan ng wika celebrations prompt us to go back
to our roots and reflect on the question: who is Filipino?
 Filipino Values and Traits

• The Philippines is a lush island paradise famous for its grandiose mountains view,
pristine beaches, and rich and diverse culture changing from province to province
• smiles and greeted them
• Colorful jeepneys
• MABUHAY and SALAMAT
• PO and OPO to the elders
• Leaving shoes or slippers at the front door before entering the house
• “Kumain ka na ba?”
 THE FILIPINO HOSPITALITY

• A Filipino trait that is known everywhere is the Filipino’s 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 a place to stay.
 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.
 COLONIAL MENTALITY

• Is regarded as the lack of patriotism and the attitude where Filipinos favor
foreign products more than their own.
 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.
CHEERFUL PERSONALITY
• Filipinos have a habit of smiling and laughing a lot.
• Smiling has been a coping strategy for many Filipinos especially during
trying times and calamities.
 SELF SACRIFICE

• Self-sacrificing attitude of Filipinos can be seen as an extension of the

Filipino hospitality.
• Extend help to their loved ones even at others who needed help
BAYANIHAN
• Is the spirit of communal unity and cooperation of Filipinos.
• Filipinos are always ready to share and help their friends and loved ones
who are in need.
 BAHALA NA

• Is the Filipino version of the famous line, “Hakuna Matata”, meaning no

worries.
• The phrase is said to have originated from bathala, were bathala means
God, and the phrase meaning leaving everything into God’s hands.
 MANANA HABIT

• Filipino term for procrastination

• Derived from a longer Filipino phrase called “mamaya na” meaning
dawdling things, which could have been done at an earlier time.
• It is a poor habit of laziness that results in heavier workloads.
 NINGAS KUGON

• Ningas is a Filipino term for flame and Kugon is a term for cogon grass
that easily burns our after it is put into flames.
• Refers to the attitude of eagerly starting things but quickly loosing
eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty.
 PRIDE

• Most Filipinos hold on their pride as if they are more precious than
keeping a good relationship with family and love 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
• A toxic trait among Filipinos where one resents the achievement of
another
FILIPINO TIME
• Filipino 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,
 FILIPINO MARKERS
WHAT THEN ARE THE HALLMARKS OF OUR
BEING A FILIPINO?
• Filipino proverbs are sayings that conveys lessons and reflections on
Filipino practices, beliefs and traditions.
• Damiana Eugenio, regarded as the mother of Philippine Folklore,
classified proverbs into six categories.
 Six Categories of Proverbs

1. A proverbs expressing general attitude toward life and the laws that govern life
Example:
The good fortune which is intended for me will come even without my seeking it.
2. Ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning certain vices;
Example:
Walang utang na hindi pinagbabayaran.
3. Proverbs expressing a system of values.
Example:
Every drop of perspiration of an industrious man will be rewarded accordingly.
 Six Categories of Proverbs

4. Proverbs expressing general truths and observations about life and human nature.
Example:
It’s no use locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.
5. Humorous Proverbs
Example:
The Lion that stays at home too long will start to feel like a cat.
6. Miscellaneous Proverbs
Example:
Do not answer a fool accordingly to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.
 SUPERSTITIONS

• Filipinos also subscribe to their superstitions down from generation. Some of these
may be influenced by beliefs from other cultures, but Filipinos have retold these
superstitions according to their own experiences and they sometimes end up even
more interesting.
MYTHS AND LEGENDS
• Numerous myths and legends have sprung about things that are beyond one’s
imagination.
• These stories are awed to explain the origins of things, at the same time, teach a
valuable lesson.
 HEROES AND ICONS

• Heroes served as a reminder of patriotism as they have sacrificed their lives for the sake of their country’s
freedom and progress.
• every year, we lend a whole day to celebrate our heroes, usually the last day of august to commemorate
their greatness.
How to be a good Filipino?
1. Be an active Filipino citizen.
2. Study the Philippine History.
3. Support local products.
4. Speak Filipino language.
5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging with descent.