The Political Self explores how our social and economic contexts profoundly affect our mental

health and well-being, and how modern neuroscientific and psychodynamic research can both
contribute to and enrich our understanding of these wider discussions. It therefore looks both
inside and outside—indeed one of the main themes of the book is that the conceptually discrete
categories of “inner” and “outer” in reality constantly interact, shape, and inform each other.
Severing these two worlds, it suggests, has led both to a devitalised and dissociated form of
politics, and to a disengaged and disempowering form of therapy and analysis.

IDENTIFYING FILIPINO IDENTIES

1. Hospitality
This is one of the most popular qualities of Filipinos. Foreigners who have gone to the
Philippines find themselves falling in love with the warm hospitality they are shown. It's a
different kind of value system, which has existed for thousands of years. Here are some
examples of the hospitality that Filipinos show, not only to foreigners, but also to their fellow
citizens:
 When a person visits a friend's house, the host greets him or her with a very warm
welcome. The host will immediately let their visitor sit down and will prepare a meal or a
snack plus drinks for the visitor. The host will insist that the friend not leave the house with
an empty stomach. A host will always make sure you had a great time visiting them.
 People offer their guest room to visitors if they're going to spend the night.
 Meals offered to guests are very special. A host always finds a way to prepare great
tasting food that her visitor wants to eat.

2. Respect
This is often observed—not just by younger people—but also by people of all ages.
 Children respect elders by saying "po" and "opo," which mean "yes," when answering
their elders.
 Children or young adults also show respect by putting their elders' hands on their
foreheads.
 Filipinos also show respect at work by making a bow to their employers.
3. Strong Family Ties and Religions
Yes. Filipinos value their families so much that they tend to keep families intact through the
generations.
 Families go to church and pray together because their religion is important and creates a
strong bond, marking God as the center of their lives.
  Families make sure to have quality time together especially after a day's work. Just
watching television or eating a family meal will be valued and prioritized in everybody's
schedules.

Everyone helps out and gathers together at Filipino parties. | Source

4. Generosity and Helpfulness

Filipinos are generous people. Even when we have very little, we always share with those around
us.
 During special occasions such as birthdays or "fiestas" —parties when people from other
places visit your home to celebrate with you—there are lots of foods specially prepared for
everyone! Friends, family, friends of friends, and even strangers can gather and they are
always willing to share food and help out.
 When a neighbor is in trouble, Filipinos are always ready to help them.
5. Strong Work Ethic
Yes, we are hardworking people to the point that we are willing to work almost the whole day
just to feed our families. That's how Filipinos are.
 One example of a hardworking person is a farmer. They earn so little but they still work
very hard for not much compensation.
 Filipinos always find creative ways to earn a living, like creating a small business from
their home where they sell foods or other items for the convenience of their neighbors.

Filipino farmers work hard for very little money. | Source

6. Love and Caring

This is so true! Filipinos are the sweetest and most loving people in the world. I'm not just saying
this because I'm a Filipino; if you know us well, you will soon figure this out.
 Men are so sweet and romantic when it comes to love. They will send their beloved
flowers, bring her to a very romantic place, text her sweet quotes, and tell often how special
she is to them.
 Filipino women are also romantic and very caring, which often makes foreigners want to
marry them. Women tend to prepare dinner before their husband comes home. They are
loving, and value the relationship, always staying faithful to their husbands. They love
deeply and sincerely.
Negative Traits of Filipinos

Politics in the Philippines can be brutal.

I don't want to sound totally arrogant. Awesome as Filipinos are, we are not perfect. Here are a
couple of more negative traits which also really represent Filipinos.
 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 helpful in adversity, but it can
also keep us from finding ways out of situations. Also, constantly expecting the worst can
get pretty depressing.
 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.

Positive traits of Filipinos

COMPASSIONATE

A Filipino trait of being sympathetic to others even if the person is a stranger. An example of this
is giving alms to beggar. This is observed when we hear Filipinos saying “kawawa naman or
nakakaawa naman”.

Hard Work and Industry

HARD WORK AND INDUSTRY

With resourcefulness comes hard work. Filipinos are very determined and persevering in
accomplishing whatever they set their minds to.

Filipinos over the years have proven time and time again that they are a people with an
industrious attitude. Sadly, this is seen by others as Filipinos being only useful as domestic
helpers, working abroad to help their families in the country. This is also present in the country’s
workforce particularly the farmers. Even with little support, technological weaknesses and the
country’s seasonal typhoons, the Filipino farmer still strives to earn their daily meal.

SPIRIT OF KINSHIP AND CAMARADERIE

A Filipino community spirit and cooperation wherein a group of individuals extends a helping
hand without expecting any remuneration. It is characterized by communal work towards one
goal exmplified in carrying a nipa house or pushing a passenger jeepney.

ABILITY TO SURVIVE

The Filipinos as a people who have been constantly under the rule of numerous powerful
countries has over time, developed a sense of resourcefulness or the ability to survive with
whatever they have. They have the extraordinary ability to make something out of almost
nothing. If a Filipino waThis is the shared sense of identity and consciousness of the ‘other’. It
means treating others with respect and dignity as an equal, not someone below the individual.

s given just a screwdriver, plastic bags, and some tape, he would still be able to build a bird tree,
especially for the sake of survival, and provided that he be allowed to hunt for some needed
surrounding material.

FAITH AND RELIGIOUSITY

The Philippines is approximately 85 percent Christians (mostly Roman Catholic Christians), 10

percent Muslim, and 5 percent ‘other’ religions, including the Taoist-Buddhist religious beliefs
of Chinese and the ‘indigenous’ animistic beliefs of some peoples in upland areas that resisted
300 years of Spanish colonial rule. This is a reflection of the Filipinos’ strong faith in God as
seen in their various practices. This includes the numerous Church Holidays they observe, the
customary (and obligatory) Sunday Mass, the individual’s basis of their moral standpoints, the
influence of the Church on the minds, actions, and opinions of the majority, importance of the
Sacraments, Praying at almost any possible time of the day, the extreme practices during Holy
Week.

PAKIKIPAGKAPWA TAO

This is the shared sense of identity and consciousness of the ‘other’. It means treating others with
respect and dignity as an equal, not someone below the individual

FLEXIBILITY, ADAPTABILITY, CREATIVITY

Studies show that Filipinos often have an aversion to a set of standardised rules or procedures;
They are known to follow a Natural Clock or Organic sense of time- doing things in the time
they feel is right. They are present-oriented: which means that one attends to a task or
requirement at the time it is needed and does not worry much about future engagements. This
allows the Filipino to adapt and be flexible in doing the tasks at times not bound to a particular
schedule or timeframe. This allows them think on their feet and be creative in facing whatever
challenge or task they have even when it is already right in front of them.

JOY AND HUMOR

This famous trait is the ability of Filipinos to find humour in everything. It sheds light on
the optimism and positivity of Filipinos in whatever situation they are in so as to remain
determined in going through struggles or challenges. It serves as a coping technique, the
same way a child who has fallen laughs at himself/herself to hide his/her embarrassment.

FAMILY ORIENTATION

This famous trait is the ability of Filipinos to find humour in everything. It sheds light on
the optimism and positivity of Filipinos in whatever situation they are in so as to remain
determined in going through struggles or challenges. It serves as a coping technique, the
same way a child who has fallen laughs at himself/herself to hide his/her embarrassment.

HOSPITALITY

Foreigners who come to visit the Philippines speak of Filipinos going out of their way to help
them when lost, or the heartwarming generosity of a Filipino family hosting a visitor in their
poverty-stricken home. Meanwhile, most foreigners who attend Filipino gatherings abroad
(which are frequently organized for hundreds of reasons) testify to the warmth and friendliness
of Filipinos as they experience that feeling of “belongingness.” Indeed, the legendary Filipino
hospitality is not limited to the Philippines. It is everywhere wherever there are Filipinos.