UNPACKING THE SELF:

THE POLITICAL SELF

SEMI-FINAL LESSON 3
Who is A Filipino?
 WHO IS THE FILIPINO?

Dimensions of being a Filipino (Yacat, 2005 )

 WHO IS THE FILIPINO?
Pinagmulan (Socio-political dimension)
 being born in the Philippines
 having parents who are Filipinos
 residing in the Philippines Based on the 1987 Constitution…
a) Those who are citizens of the
 a Filipino citizen Philippines at the time of the adoption
of this Constitution;
b) Those whose fathers or mothers are
citizens of the Philippines;
c) Those born before January 17, 1973,
of Filipino mothers, who elect
Philippine citizenship upon reaching
the age of majority
d) Those who are naturalized in
accordance with law.”
 WHO IS THE FILIPINO?
Kinalakhan (Cultural roots)
Revolves around participation and being immersed in a cultural
milieu acknowledged as Filipino

Culture refers to all socially learned behaviors, beliefs, feeling

and values that the members of society experience.

Culture shapes the way we think, do things, how we feel,

behave, and relate.
 FILIPINO VALUES
Hiya
-timidity, shyness, embarrassment
-sensitivity to others, consideration of the
feelings of others
Why?
- may be tied to the need to be
accepted by others
- in relation to social expectations
and the need to conform
 FILIPINO VALUES

Utang na loob (debt of gratitude)

- signifies the principle of reciprocity
- Filipino’s way of expressing gratitude
- The nature and proportion of the return is
contingent on the person’s status and the kind of
exchange that befits.
 FILIPINO VALUES

Pakikisama
- Maintaining SIR (smooth
interpersonal relations)
- Going along with, or giving in ---
conformity
- may be extended to
pakikipagkapwa
Pakikiramdam
- Heightened awareness and
sensitivity
- Similar with empathy, sensitivity and
awareness
- Measuring (pagtantya) of the other,
being observant and watchful,
cautious “feeling” of the other.
 SOME BASIC FILIPINO VALUES
BY JAIME BULATAO

Close Family Ties

Respect For Elders
Economic and Social Upliftment
Patience and Endurance
 WHO IS THE FILIPINO?
Kinalakhan (Cultural roots)
Revolves around participation and being immersed in a
cultural milieu acknowledged as Filipino

Two types of political involvement:

− political participation as proactive engagement in the public arena
(e.g. running for public office, joining political rallies and street
demonstrations)

− political participation as public problem solving (e.g. community

organizing)
 WHO IS THE FILIPINO?

Kamalayan (Consciousness)
• The psychological dimension
• awareness of the self as Filipino
• acceptance of membership in the category
"Filipino“
• pride in this membership
 BEING FILIPINO

• While Filipino represents the social category

“pagka-Filipino” (being Filipino or Filipino-ness)
denotes an evaluative aspect of being a member of that
social group

• Refers to the quality of being Filipino; Filipino-ness

is the identity's performative aspect that brings impetus
to personhood (Tolentino, 2001).
 GRADIATIONS/LEVELS OF
BEING A FILIPINO

Pilipino sa Pangalan Pilipino sa Puso

an image of a passive citizen
may accept or recognize that he
or she is a Filipino but may not be
involved in activities that highlight
the identity.
implies a superficial (mababaw)
integration
considers Filipino-ness a
conviction - paninindigan
can only be recognized through
his or her actions
suggests a deeper (malalim)
integration
 BEING FILIPINO

In order for an identity to be validated, it has

to be performed. Through performance, the
identity is rehearsed and strengthened.
 CHALLENGES IN FORGING
A FILIPINO IDENTITY

At the individual level …

 There are contradictions in the everyday behavior
of some Filipinos.
 Some Filipinos do not exercise their rights unless
their interests are threatened.
 CHALLENGES IN FORGING
A FILIPINO IDENTITY
At the Institutional level …
 Filipinos do not usually acquire a sense of national identity from
the family.
 While families teach children basic human values and instil
discipline, they look to schools to teach nationhood and its
associated values.
 Part of the reason why Filipinos have difficulty in developing a
sense of community is the nature of kinship affiliation in the
Philippines.
 Government infrequently appears as a role model of positive
values.
 ENHANCEMENT OF NATIONALISM
What is nationalism?
−“Devotion to or advocacy of national unity and
independence”
−“Most important prerequisite to the formation of national
consciousness”
−“It thus serves to bind individuals or groups to “common
values, attitudes, purposes, and ways of action”
How do we show nationalism?
 HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO?

Traits and Values are important indicators of being a Filipino, the problem
now is how to truly become one and how you can be useful to the
development and progress of your country. Below are few ways on how
one can practice nationalism and patriotism:

1. Be an active Filipino citizen

- A good Filipino citizen should be aware of the current events and
participate in government programs that aim for the country’s
progression and development ( ex. Exercising your right to vote).
 HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO?

2. Study the Philippine History

- By learning and fully understanding the events of the Philippine
history, one will learn so much as to why it is so important to love
one’s country, with your life, extend help to fellow Filipinos in need,
and recognize abuse of political power.
 HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO?

3. Support local products

- Buying local products, do not only support local manufacturers
and businessmen but you also help strengthen the local economy.
- Supporting our local products also displays our creativity,
innovativeness and resourcefulness
 HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO?

4. Speak the Filipino Language

-Jose Rizal highlights the importance of the speaking the
national language as way of displaying the love for one’s
country.
- Speaking Filipino also serves as a unique identifier of being
a Filipino.
 HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO?

5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging

with dissent
-It is a part of being a good Filipino to sort out everything that one
reads before actually buying it and spreading it like wildfire.
- It is also the responsibility of every Filipino to recognize
disagreement in political views, be tolerant, and argue intelligently
without having to resort into name-calling people.