The Strengths and Weaknesses of

the Filipino Character: A Socio-

Cultural Issue
Presented by:
Agudo, Xyzerlyne kaye
Bendol, Angel
Cabañas, Richelle Mae
Parcon, Shiela Mae
 Learning outcomes
At the end of this Chapter, you should be able to:
• discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino
character, and
• cite ways by which schools can counteract the weaknesses of
the Filipino character.
 Introduction
Schools are there for society. Their relevance is proven by their ability to address
socio-cultural problems. What are these social issues or problems that schools
should help address? We have a number of them but let's focus on the weaknesses
of the Filipino character. The strengths of the Filipino character will also be cited
for a balanced presentation. Besides, schools can capitalize on the strengths of the
Filipino character to eliminate the weaknesses.
Moral Recovery Program: "Building
a People, Building a Nation"
Submitted on April 27, 1988 by the Task Force to President Corazon
Aquino, Senate and the members of the press by then Senator Leticia
Shahani, the moving spirit behind the program.
 The weaknesses of the Filipino
character as cited in the Report
are as follows:
1. Extreme family centeredness

-Excessive concern for family means using one's office and

power to promote family interests and thus factionalism
patronage, political dynasties and protection of erring family
members.
 2. Extreme personalism

-Takes things personally, cannot separate objective task from

emotional involvement.
Because of this the Filipino is uncomfortable with
bureaucracy, with rules and regulations
and with standard procedures
 3. Lack of discipline

-A casual attitude toward time and space manifested in lack of

precision and compulsiveness, in poor time management and
procrastination.
 4.Passivity and lack of initiative

-Waiting to be told what to do, reliance on

others (leaders and government),
complacence, lack of sense of urgency.
 5. Colonial mentality

- Lack of patriotism, or of an active

awareness, appreciation and love of the
Philippines and an actual preference for
things foreign.
 6. Kanya-kanya syndrome, talangka mentality

-Done by tsismis, intriga, unconstructive

criticism, it is evident in the personal
ambition
that is completely insensitive to the common
good.
 7. 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.
 8. 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.
These weaknesses are rooted in many
a) Home
b) Social & economic environment
c) Culture & language
d) History
e) Religion factors:
f) Educational system
g) Mass media
h) Leadership & role models
 The following goals are proposed
to develop in the Filipino:(Shahani,
Leticia. (1988). -A Moral Recovery
Program: Building a People,
Building
(1) a sense of patriotism and national
a Nation.
(4) the values and habits of
pride; discipline and hard work;
(2) a sense of the common good; (5) the value and habits of self-
reflection and analysis; the
(3) a sense of intregrity and
internalization of spiritual values
accountability, and the emphasis on essence rather
than on form.
 The strengths of the Filipino character
1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao
are:
-ability to empathize with others
-open to others and feel one with others.
-regard others with dignity and respect deal with them as fellow
human beings.
 2. Family orientation

-source of personal identity, emotional and

material support and
-one's main commitment and responsibility
sense of family results in a feeling of
belongingness and rootedness in a basic sense
of security.
 3.Joy and Humor

-Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving

approach to life and its ups and downs.
Laughing at ourselves and the mess we are in
is an important coping mechanism.
 4. Flexibility, adaptability and creativity

-We can adjust and to adapt to circumstances

and the surrounding environment, both physical
and social; adjusts to whatever happens even in
unplanned or anticipated events.
 5. Hard work and industry

-We have the capacity for hard work given

proper conditions;
to raise one's standard of living and to possess
the essentials of a decent life for one's
family .We are willing to take the risks with
jobs abroad and, while there, to work at two or
three jobs
 6. Faith and religiosity

-Filipinos have deep faith in God.

Our innate religiosity enables us to
comprehend and genuinely accept reality
in the context of God's will and plan.
Religious expressions is very tangible.
 7. Ability to survive

-Filipinos make do with what is

available in the environment. It is
manifested in the millions of Filipinos
who bravely live through the harshest.
Value Education
in School
•Value Education in Schools is a report by Senator Shahani in 1988, which
still holds true today.

•The Department of Education in the Philippines aims to develop citizens

who love their country and contribute meaningfully to nation- building.
However, Philippine schools face challenges in realizing these values due to
factors such as extreme family- centeredness, lack of discipline, and
colonial mentality.
• To address this, values education was included in the curriculum, starting
with the introduction of Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (ESP) in 1988-1990.

•Values education is integrated into the major learning areas from Grade 1 to
Fourth Year High School. In the Senior High Curriculum, core courses like
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person and Personal
Development serve as values education subjects.
Thank you