ASIAN MORAL

CHARACTER/BEHAVIOR – 2
Chapter 1V

INSTRUCTOR: HELEN C. FRIAS

C. Filipino Positive Values
Filipino values shape our relationships, behaviors, choices, and sense of who we are. Although
positive values help people to avoid risky behavior, they also help guide their day-to-day actions and
interactions. Thus, values inspire, not just prohibit. Consequently, people who have positive values are
more likely to listen to their conscience, help others, be independent, tell right from wrong, and feel
happy. Ultimately, positive values help people make their own decisions in upholding them to live in
harmony with their respective communities. Some of these values are as follow:
a. Hospitability. It’s one of the most popular traits of Filipinos. We are usually friendly and welcoming
to our guests. This Filipino attribute makes the Philippines one of the most favorite destinations by
tourists who want to enjoy the beauty of our nature and the friendliness of our people, not to mention
we can also understand and speak English.
b. Helpful to others/Bayanihan. Unity in Bayanihan spirit manifests our close relationship with our
neighbors. In our Barangays and most subdivisions, the people in the neighborhood know each other,
talk to each other, and protect each other. Our communities are organized. We help each other to
organize ourfiestas, festivals and other events lively and colorful to make sure that our visitors will
have a great experience.
c. Respectful (mano, po and opo, halik sa kamay). Filipinos are courteous people. The children and the
young Filipinos will always use the words “po” and “opo” to show respect to someone who is older or
who has higher position than them. We also do the “mano po” gesture as a sign of respect to our elders.
Moreover, workers will always address their customers with “sir” or ma”am” to show humility and
honor to serve them.
d. Bravery. There is a hero’s blood running on our veins. We have the most fearless heroes who only
think of defending our homeland. Remember Lapu-Lapu, Andres Bonifacio and Jose Rizal. Moreover,
our soldiers are probably the bravest in the world. General Douglas MacArthur was even quoted saying
“Give me ten thousand Filipino soldiers and I will conquer the world.”
e. Jolliness and Sense of Humor. The Philippines is a country of smiles. Nothing can take away the
humor and jolliness of many Filipinos…not even super typhoon Yolanda- the strongest recorded
typhoon that made a landfall. Despite the tragedy, Yolanda survivors can still be seen smiling, positive
and hopeful to rebuild their lives even better. The Filipino humor is evident everywhere, from comedy
films, TV shows, to every Filipino you will meet.
f. Discretion and dignity. Perhaps many of our politicians don’t have a delicadeza. But our people,
especially the Filipinas, still observe delicadeza. Despite the growing number of Filipinos who are giving up
their delicadeza, there are still many Filipinos who always think twice before they make a decision that can
affect their dignity and honor. Thanks to their parents who raised them up with high moral standards.
g. Gratefulness. Aside from being hospitable, Filipinos are also thankful. We don’t forget anyone who
helped us, whether he(she) is a Filipino or not. We even build monuments to show our utmost respect and
gratitude to our heroes and other foreign personalities who helped the Filipino people. We show our
warmest gratitude to the international communities who helped us rebuild our lives after Haiyan and other
disasters that struck us.
h. Honesty and commitment. Perhaps “palabra de honor” is not evident among our politicians, but it’s still
evident among the common Filipinos. When we make a promise, we try our best to fulfill that promise even
if it will undermine ourselves. For us, to fulfill a promise to others is a great self fulfillment. We are also
candid. What we see in you, we will tell you frankly.
I. Helpfulness. Finally, even if the Philippines is not a big and rich country, we still grant aids to other
countries in need. We also send our brave soldiers to protect other nations from threats and to preserve
world peace.
j. Family-oriented. Filipinos are willing to make big sacrifices just to make sure that their loved ones
will have a good life. Our parents will do anything just to give us brighter future. They are even willing
to work in a foreign soil just to achieve such goal. And in return, we study hard and even sacrifice our
personal lovelife just to fulfill the dreams of our parents for us. Furthermore, many Filipino
breadwinners work extraordinarily hard just to earn money to support their family.
k. Adaptability and resilience. Despite all the calamities that struck our country, like the strong
earthquake and Super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that devastated the central part of Visayas in 2013,
Filipinos are persistent enough to get back on their feet, even without the solid help from the
government. We can also adapt to any type of environment and mingle with any kind of people all over
the world.
l. Resourcefulness and creativity. Filipinos are known for ingenuity. We are creative in many ways,
whether it’s an art, music, science, technology and business. Some of our smartest countrymen can
come up with a brilliant idea despite poverty or lack of financial resources. We are also good in
recycling trash and turn them into ingenious products.
m. Faithfulness. The Filipinos are one of the most faithful people in the world. Whatever our religion is, we
remain faithful and we don’t loss hope for a better tomorrow. Our faithfulness and hopefulness keep us kind,
positive, peaceful and determined to achieve our goals no matter how impossible they may seem.
n. Thriftiness. There may be Filipinos who are living beyond their means. But on the brighter side, there are
also many Filipinos who are frugal. We shop wisely to save our money for future important uses. We are
conscious on the price tag, discounts and quality of the products we buy to get the most out of our money.
Filipino parents also do sacrifices like skipping the stuff they want to buy for themselves just to save their
money to buy things that can make their children happy.
D. Weakness of the Filipino Character
a. Extreme Personalism
1. Filipinos view the world in terms of personal relationships; no separation between objective task and
emotional involvement.
2. We tend to give personal interpretations to actions, i.e., “take things personally”. Thus, a sincere
question may be viewed as a challenge to one’s competence or positive feedback may be interpreted
as a sign of special affection.
3. We tend to be uncomfortable with bureaucracy, with rules and regulations and with standard
procedures, all of which tend to be impersonal. We tend to ignore them or we ask for exceptions.
4. Personal contacts are involved in any transaction and these are difficult to turn down. Preference is
usually given to family and friends in hiring, delivery of services and even in voting.
b. Extreme Family Centeredness
5. Excessive concern for family manifests itself in the use of one’s office and power as a means of
promoting the interest of the family, factionalism, patronage and political dynasties, and in the
protection of erring family members.

6. Family centeredness results to a lack of concern for the common good and acts a block to national
consciousness.
c. Lack of Discipline
1. The Filipino’s lack of discipline is manifested in a casual and relaxed attitude towards time and space
which manifests itself in lack of precision and compulsiveness, in poor time management and
procrastination.
2. We are impatient and unable to delay gratification or reward, resulting in the use of short-cuts, in
skirting the rules (the palusot syndrome) and in foolhardiness. We are guilty of ningas cogon, starting
out projects with full vigor and interest which abruptly die down leaving things unfinished.
3. Our lack of discipline often results in efficient and wasteful work systems violations of rules leading
to more serious transgressions and a casual work ethic leading to carelessness and lack of follow-
through.
d. Passivity and Lack of Initiative
Filipinos are generally passive and lacking in initiative. There is strong reliance on others (e.g., leaders,
government) to do things for us related to our need for a strong authority.
e. Colonial Mentality
Filipinos have colonial mentality which is made up of two dimensions: the first is a lack of patriotism or
an active awareness, appreciation and love of the Philippines; the second is an actual preference for
foreign things.
f. Kanya-Kanya Syndrome
Filipinos have a selfish, self-serving attitude that generates a feeling of envy and competitiveness toward
others, particularly one’s peers who seen to have gained some status or prestige.
g. Lack of Self-analysis and Self-reflection
There is a tendency in the Filipino to be superficial and even somewhat flighty. In the face of serious
problems, both personal and social, there is lack of analysis or reflection.
The Filipino’s lack of self-analysis and our emphasis on norms is reinforced by an educational system that is
often more form than substance and a legal system that tends to substitute law for reality.

IDENTIFIED FILIPINO NEGATIVE VALUES

No culture is perfect. Filipino is one. As much as we want to sustain our valued characteristics,
there are still negative traits we cannot deny becoming prevalent at times.
1. Fatalism
An attitude of “what goes around, comes around” or “come what may”. We have a tendency to
surrender our future to fate. We often accept bad news or circumstances without trying to stop or change
them. This can sometimes be helpfulin adversity, but it can also keep us from finding ways out of situations.
Also, constantly expecting the worst can get pretty depressing.
2. Crab mentality
This is prevalent in politics where people tend to push each other down to clear the way for their
own gain. Politicians, especially, try their best to ruin each other, but this can also happen among regular
people. I think it goes to the point of selfishness.
Simply put, this refers to the behavior of preventing someone from achieving something due to
jealousy or envy. Instead of praising or rendering assistance, someone with crab mentality would think “if I
can’t have it, then you can’t as well” and will purposely try to bring his/her victim down. And just like the
crabs who could have scaped from the bucket if they only stopped pulling each other down, nothing ever
gets accomplished.
3. Ningas-kugon
One reason why we sometimes exert half-hearted effort in our undertakings is due to this attitude.
Translated to ‘burning cogon grass” in English, this idiom is meant to illustrate how Filipinos initially
exhibit great enthusiasm at the beginning of a project. Our eagerness however, fades away just as quickly as
the fire is extinguished, leaving our work either half-baked or unfinished.
4. Filipino Time
Related to manana habit, Filipino time refers to the Filipinos’ own unique brand of time,
which is known to be minutes or hours behind the standard time. In other words, we tend not to
observe punctuality at all. This behavior usually drives time-observant foreigners crazy. While we
Filipinos with our easy-going ways have somewhat become used to Filipino time, it still is a bad habit
that needs to be dropped.
5. Colonial Mentality
Probably one of the biggest flaws we have as nation is our colonial mentality, defined as a
preference for all things foreign over our own, negative trait we acquired from our days under the
Spanish and the Americans. As a result, we Filipinos have been indoctrinated with the misconception
that our culture is inferior to that of our past colonizers.
Glaring examples of colonial mentality include patronizing foreign instead of
local brands, favoring foreign values over our own, and even desiring to look more “Western” (think
whitening products). If we can’t even have pride in our own country, then unfortunately we will
always be stuck with this self-defeating mentality.
6. General Disregard for Rules
Filipinos are known law abiding individuals but with stronger inclination to disregard these
laws. Ironically, Filipinos abroad follow rules and laws because they know they cannot get away with not
following them. Most advance countries have very organized law enforcement agencies. In short, anyone
who violates the laws and rules will be punished. In foreign land. Filipinos cannot simply bribe
authorities. Whereas, many Filipino enforcers are corrupt, incompetent and ill equipped to enforce the
law. So the tendency is to break and even ignore the laws. Another hindrance to follow the law is so
called padrino system where one contacts relatives or known enforcement officer. Public officials or
prominent individual who will make areglo on their behalf. This behavior makes the enforcement of the
law impossible.
7. Procrastination or “Manana Habit”
This is another habit which keeps the development of our country slow. Look at the government
projects which have been left undone for years. If only they were completed immediately, then many
Filipinos would have already benefited from them. This is also true with many of us. Instead of working
on a task while there is much time, we wait for the deadline because we feel lazy to start on them, or we
want to use the time in other things. Of course, the outcome of our completed work would not be of high
quality because they were rushed.
8. Corruption
One of the biggest social ills our country has continued to face since time immemorial is
the issue of corruption. Let’s face it, our “culture of corruption” is embedded deep within our
system and reinforced by a complex web of economic and social factors which include personal
ambitions and a twisted sense of loyalty to friends and kin. The Philippines is in for a long haul if
our officials and we ourselves do not get rid of this very negative habit.
9. Gossiping
Filipinos are fond of talking about other’s business. It is not true that only women are into
gossiping. Even men can also be noisy on other people’s lives. Sadly, this does not bring any good
to the subjects. Secrets are brought out; failures and flaws are emphasized; and relationships are
destroyed. Worse, as gossips are passed around, they tend to be twisted until the final story
becomes too far from the original-thus, causing more damage.
10. Passivity (lack of leadership)
Filipinos’ lack of initiative for change is also one reason why our country does not
progress. We keep on complaining against the government and other societal issues. However, we
do not do anything about them. One of our excuses is the lack of faith that our small actions can
bring change. However, the worse reason for this could be our lack of care for what is happening
around us.
Common Filipinos also lack courage and and confidence. If you can notice it, in classrooms,
churches, or conference rooms, most of us don’t like to sit in the front seat.
These are just few of the many Filipino bad habits that hinder us to move forward as a
progressive nation. The country is endowed with hardworking and generous natural resources
which can be utilized as one nation to achieve the goals to prosperity. Recognition of these
negative traits provides us a sense of rectifying these mistakes, and to maximizing our assets in
confronting national and global challenges.