GROUP 4 - THE FILIPINO WAY

STRENGTHS OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER

Pakikipagkapwa-Tao - Filipinos are friendly and feel like they belong to everyone. We treat
other people with dignity and respect as if they were our equals.

Pakikipagkapwa-tao shows itself in a basic sense of fairness and justice and caring about others.
It shows in the Filipinos' ability to understand how other people feel, in their willingness to help
others in times of need (pakikiramay), in the way they help each other (bayanihan), and in their
famous hospitality.

Filipinos have pakikiramdam, or sensitivity to other people's feelings. They also have
pagtitiwala, or trust, and utang-na-loob, or a sense of gratitude. Filipinos are very aware of and
dependent on the quality of their relationships with other people because of pakikipagkapwa-tao.
If our relationships are good, we feel happy and safe.

Pakikipagkapwa-tao brings people together and makes them feel closer to each other. It brings
people together and makes them feel like the world is fair.

Family Orientation - Filipinos possess a genuine and deep love for the family, which includes
not simply the spouses and children, parents, and siblings, but also grandparents, aunts, uncles,
cousins, godparents, and other ceremonial relatives. To the Filipino, one's family is the source of
personal identity, the source of emotional and material support, and the person's main
commitment and responsibility.

Concern for the family is shown by honoring and respecting parents and older people,
taking care of children, helping family members in need, and making big sacrifices for the good
of the family. This sense of family gives people a sense of belonging, of being rooted, and of
basic safety.

Joy and Humor - Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving approach to life and its ups and
downs. Filipinos have pleasant personalities, a good sense of humor, and a propensity for
happiness that contributes not only to Filipino charm but to the indomitability of the Filipino
spirit.

Laughing at ourselves and our trouble is an important coping mechanism. We laugh at

the people we love and the people we hate, and we make jokes about both the good and bad
things that happen to us.
 This sense of joy and humor is shown by the fact that Filipinos love parties and
celebrations, and can laugh even when things are hard.

The result is a certain emotional balance and optimism, a healthy disrespect for power
and office, and a capacity to survive.

Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity - Filipinos are very good at adapting to their situations
and the physical and social environment around them. Unexpected or unplanned events don't
bother or confuse Filipinos too much because they can adapt to whatever happens.

We are able to deal with uncertainty and lack of information because we can handle
ambiguity. We are creative, resourceful, and adept at learning. We can also improvise and use
whatever is available to make things.

Filipinos show this quality by being able to adapt to life in any part of the world, by
being able to make new things out of old things and keep old machines running, and, of course,
by being creative in the arts. It also shows up in the way people deal with change.

Hard work and Industry- Filipinos can work hard if they have the right tools and conditions.
Filipinos work very hard because they want to improve their standard of living and give their
families the things they need to live a good life. They also work hard because they have the right
opportunities and incentives.

This is most clear when people are willing to take risks with jobs abroad and work two
or three jobs at the same time. Some people become more productive and start their own
businesses, while others manage to stay alive despite being poor.

Faith and Religiosity - Filipinos live very intimately with religion. We give a supernatural God
human traits, and we threaten and thank him, ask him for mercy or forgiveness, and try to make
him happy by making pledges. Praying is a big part of our lives

Ability to Survive - Filipinos have a survival skill that shows in their ability to keep going
through hard times and their ability to get by with so little. Filipinos make do with what they can
find in their surroundings, like making a living from a garbage dump. This instinct has to do with
how bravely Filipinos keep going even when their economic and social situations are bad. One
can't help but wonder what we might be able to do if things were better.

WEAKNESSES OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER

Extreme Personalism - Filipinos view the world through the lens of human relationships, and
our understanding of objects and people depends on how well we can relate to them. Objectivity
and emotional involvement are connected. This personalism leads to personalizing activities, or
"taking things personally."

A legitimate question may be perceived as a test of competency, while a positive response may
be interpreted as distinct affection. Filipinos are becoming more personal in their criticism and
praise. Personalism includes the need to cultivate personal relationships before professional ones.

Filipinos' personalistic worldview makes them uncomfortable with impersonal stimuli.

Impersonal bureaucracy, rules, and processes make people uneasy. Or we make exceptions. (See
also: Morality)

Personal encounters are hard to refuse in any transaction. In hiring, service delivery, and voting,
family and friends are favored. Extreme personalism in the Philippines promotes bribery and
corruption.

Extreme Family-Centeredness - Extreme family devotion is one of the Filipino's greatest

strengths and weaknesses. Filipinos are intensely committed to the familial in-group at the
expense of the larger community or the general good.

Excessive regard for family displays in factionalism, patronage, political dynasties, and the
protection of rebellious family members. It undermines national awareness and the common
welfare.

Lack of Discipline - Filipino disdain encompasses various traits. Our casual and carefree attitude
toward time and space manifests in lack of accuracy and compulsiveness, poor time
management, and procrastination. We dislike following procedures strictly, which reduces
standardization and quality control.

We're impatient and unable to delay gratification or reward, leading to quick cuts, rule-breaking,
and foolhardiness. We start undertakings with zeal and interest, then lose interest and leave them
incomplete.

Our lack of discipline leads to inefficient and unproductive work processes, rule violations
leading to more serious offenses, and a casual work ethic leading to carelessness and lack of
follow-through.
Passivity and Lack of Initiative- Apathetic and lackluster, Filipinos. Waiting for instructions. We
rely heavily on leaders and the government to help us. This involves authority perception.
Filipinos require a strong authority figure to feel safe. One is generally docile to authoritative
figures and rarely questions decisions.

Filipinos are complacent and rarely react urgently to crises. Inefficiency, poor service, and
human rights abuses are condoned. In many aspects, the Filipino is too patient and long-suffering
(matiisin). Filipinos are easily repressed and exploited.

Colonial Mentality - Filipinos' colonial mentality has two dimensions: a lack of patriotism and a
craving for foreign products.

Filipino culture is open to the outside world, absorbing and assimiling foreign elements. This
artwork isn't based on Philippine history or language. Filipinos are especially vulnerable to the
healthy adoption of modern mass culture, which is often Western. Foreign fashion,
entertainment, lifestyle, technology, consumer products, etc. are preferred.

The Filipino colonial mindset manifests in the elite's estrangement from their roots and the
people and a sense of national inferiority that makes it hard for Filipinos to relate to Westerners
as equals.

Kanya-Kanya Syndrome - Filipinos' selfish, self-serving mindset promotes envy and competition
towards others, especially peers who have earned status or distinction. Filipinos used tsismis,
intriga, and unconstructive criticism to pull people down. Another's gain seems to be our loss.

The kanya-kanya syndrome is also seen in insensitive personal desire, power, and status.
Individual and group interests dominate. This is also visible in government bureaucrats' lack of
service. The public is persuaded to feel that these offices and civil officials are a paid perk.

Kanya-kanya syndrome dampens community spirit and denies others' rights.

Lack of Self-Analysis and Self-Reflection- Filipinos are shallow and flighty. Personal and social
problems need analysis and reflection. Joking about serious issues inhibits us from investigating.
Our hypotheses and explanations aren't validated. We accept flimsy explanations and answers.

Filipinos emphasize form (maporma) over substance. People often substitute rhetoric for reality.
Empty speech and endless words are common. Filipinos are fooled into believing that what
should be exists as long as the correct things are spoken, documentation, and committees, task
forces, or offices are constituted.

The Filipino lack of self-analysis and stress on form is encouraged by a judicial system that tends
to substitute law for reality.

THE MANY FACES OF THE FILIPINO

This discussion of the Filipino's qualities and shortcomings shows that there is much to like, but
also much to change. Weaknesses stem from our strengths.

As a people, we value personal relationships. Thus, we care for others. Extreme person
orientation leads to loss of objectivity and contempt for universal laws and processes so
everyone is treated equally. Our care for individuals makes us unfair to some.

Our focus on family is both a strength and a weakness. It gives us a sense of being rooted and
safe, which are very important for reaching out to other people. At the same time, it makes us
more focused on our own group, which keeps us from reaching out to the larger community and
the country.

Our ability to be flexible, adaptable, and creative is a strength that helps us deal with any
situation and make the best of it. But being able to "play things by ear" makes us less precise and
less disciplined, which are needed to reach many work-related goals.

Having a sense of joy and humor helps us get through hard times. It makes life more fun, but
serious problems need to be thought about seriously, and humor can also be harmful.

Faith in God and religiosity give us strength and courage, but they also make us focus on things
outside of ourselves. This makes us passive and reliant on things outside of ourselves.

Filipinos have a lot of different sides, and some of these sides aren't the same. We have both the
pakikipagkapwa-tao way of thinking and the kanya-kanya way of thinking. We care about
other people and are very empathetic, but we are also self-centered, envious of others, and harsh
with each other.

We also hear that the Filipinos are both hardworking and lazy. In fact, we see that we can work
hard and long at any job. But our sloppy work habits and general lack of initiative at work are
also clear, as we wait for orders and instructions instead of taking the lead.
ROOTS OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER

The strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino have their roots in many factors such as: (1) the
home environment, (2) the social environment, (3) culture and language, (4) history, (5) the
educational system, (6) religion, (7) the economic environment, (8) the political environment, (9)
mass media, and (10) leadership and role models.

The Family and Home Environment- Home environment includes childbearing habits, family
connections, and family beliefs and orientation. High nurturing, low independent training, and
low discipline describe Filipino childrearing. Filipino children grow up in an affectionate and
overprotected environment, where they acquire security, trust, and dependence. In the Filipino
home's indulgent atmosphere, severe conduct or performance standards are seldom imposed,
resulting to a lack of discipline.

Many "no's" and "don'ts" and criticism are used to maintain discipline. Mothers control their
children with subtle sibling comparisons.

These can cause "crab mentality."

In a large household where we're encouraged to get along, we learn pakikipagkapwa-tao. In an
authoritarian setting, we revere authority and become submissive and dependent. Family teaches
youngsters to cherish and prioritize family.
The Social Environment - Interpersonal religious and communal contact are crucial social
environment components. Filipino society is feudal, with huge gaps between affluent and poor.
The elite is getting increasingly westernized and distanced from the population. This feudal
system encourages dependence and inactivity.

Filipinos are raised in a relationship-based culture. In a poor society with few resources and
insensitive, inadequate, or nonexistent procedures to address people's needs, Filipinos rely on
kinship and interpersonal bonds.

Existing relationships determine our actions. No constructive feedback is allowed, hence there
are no quality standards. We have trouble saying no and feel pressed to favor family and friends.
We can't improve our individual performance if we aim to be ahead of others. Survival and
reliance on relationships make us in-group orientated.

Culture and Language- Filipino culture is well-documented. Family, school, and peers promote
our culture of warmth, person-orientation, family dedication, joy, and humor.

Filipino culture promotes pleasant traits and behaviors to make life easy.
Without a foundational understanding of our culture, Filipino values are subject to outside
influences. Our colonial attitude and usage of English in schools cause this.

English as a language of instruction de-Filipinized and Americanized the youth. When using
English, Filipinos lose confidence.

Using a foreign language that outsiders can handle better implies inferiority. Young language
acquisition boosts self-esteem.

Foreign language use may explain Filipino mental laziness.

We lose confidence, become imprecise, and our intellectual development suffers when we think
in our native language but express ourselves in English.

History. Many criticize our colonial heritage and lack of nationalism. Filipinos viewed the
colonial power as superior because of colonialism. As Spanish and then American second-class
citizens, we no longer felt responsible for our country's fate.

We learnt English and the American way of life in American-built public schools in the
Philippines. Modern media supports colonial tendencies among the Filipino elite.

Our attitude toward the government is another legacy of our colonial heritage. We distrust the
government and refuse to comply. We spend hours trying to fool the colonial government.

The Educational System - Beyond the employment of foreign languages, the educational system
poses issues for us as a nation. Due to a lack of native textbooks and a reliance on foreign
textbooks, Filipino students and teachers are forced to use unneeded resources, particularly in
high school. This leads to the assumption that school is unimportant in real life.

The "hidden curriculum" influences the Philippine educational system in addition to the formal
curriculum. The instructor is the focal point of authoritarian schools. The Filipino student is
taught to be reliant on the teacher, as we try to record what the teacher says exactly and return it
during tests with minimal processing. Teachers prefer students who are well-behaved and
obedient over those who ask questions and dissent. Passivity and compliance are taught to
Filipinos. School does not teach critique.

Religion - Religion is the source of Filipino optimism and resilience in the face of adversity.
Religion, on the other hand, instills in Filipinos a sense of resignation and preoccupation with the
afterlife. We are also subject to victimization from opportunism, oppression, exploitation, and
superstition.
The Economic Environment - Many Filipino characteristics are rooted in the poverty and
hardship that most Filipinos face. Our troubles motivate us to take risks, push us to work
extremely hard, and instill in us the ability to live. Poverty, on the other hand, has become a
justification for bribery and corruption, particularly at the lowest levels of government. Unless
things become too difficult, passivity takes over.

The Political Environment- Power is centralized in the Philippines. The elite hold political
power, and the majority of Filipinos just vote in elections.
Basic government functions are concentrated in and around Manila. Most Filipinos continue to
lack access to water, power, roads, and health care. Ineffective or inefficient justice and
education systems

We rely on family, clan, and neighbors because the government rarely offers necessary services.
The absence of government emphasizes family and community. It is difficult to identify with a
nation-family since the government does not represent the state.

Passivity may result from power concentration. Inefficient government structures and systems
undermine the integrity and accountability of public authorities.

Mass Media - Mass media fosters colonialism. Ads with Caucasian models and imported brand
similarities are common.

Escapist movies, soap operas, comics, etc. feed Filipino passivity. We imagine instead of facing
poverty and persecution. Flashy settings, luxury attire, and superstars reinforce porma.

Leadership and Role Models - Filipinos hold their leaders up as role models. Political leaders
are the primary role models, but all other leaders also function as role models. Thus, when our
officials break the law or demonstrate that they are self-serving and motivated by personal
interests—when there is a lack of public accountability—the Filipino suffers.

GOALS AND STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE

Goals. The following aims for transformation are proposed based on the Filipino's strengths and
limitations. The Filipino should work on:
1. patriotism and national pride—a real love, affection, and dedication to the Philippines and all
things Filipino; 2. a feeling of the common good—the ability to look beyond selfish interests, a
sense of justice, and indignation at its violation
3. a sense of integrity and accountability—an antipathy to fraud and corruption in society and a
refusal to engage in the activity in one's everyday life;

4. the importance of discipline and hard work; and

5. the importance and practices of self-reflection and analysis, internalization of spiritual

principles, and a focus on essence rather than form

Principles of General Strategy Certain broad ideas must be considered while setting change
goals and improving our capacities to attain them:

1. Multi-layered and multi-sectoral strategies are required.

2. Strategies must focus both power-holder and masa (people) change.

3. Strategies should be holistic, focusing on both individual and systemic or structural

transformation.

4. A critical mass of individuals must be involved in the transformation.

5. The objectives should be broken down into manageable chunks for implementation.

6. Strategies must be relevant to people's daily lives; and

7. Strategies must be adopted through an act of will and self-sacrifice.

Multi-Layer, Multi-Sectoral Approaches A change program must employ multi-layered and

multi-sectoral strategies. These layers and sectors may include the following: (1) the
government; (2) non-governmental groups; (3) the populace or masa; and (4) the family.

(5) educational institutions, (6) religious institutions, and (7) the media Some strategies should
target all sections of society, while others should target certain sectors.

Masa and power-holders. Proposed solutions must emphasize power-holder or decision-maker

change as much as masa change to be meaningful. These power-holders and decision-makers are
crucial to establishing structures and mechanisms before change can occur. Without top-level
changes, true transformation is unlikely. As the masa are the majority of Filipinos, any
transformation initiative must target them. Our tactics rely on their participation and support.
Individual and systemic/structural change. Our change initiatives should enable individual and
systemic or structural change. Social transformation requires individual conversion or renewal,
as seen in transformed values, attitudes, habits, and behavior. Individual conversion or renewal
must be accompanied by systemic or structural change. Otherwise, individual rejuvenation
would be shallow and limited, since many Philippine systems and structures impede it.

Change Initiators or Critical Mass. Change should be started by a critical mass or network of
committed people. The critical mass or network must persevere in implementing these tactics
after commencing transformation. Prevents ningas cogon.

"Bite-Size" goals. Everyone must focus on one goal at a time when developing change
strategies. For easier management, break goals into little, manageable bits.

Life goals. Change strategies must be tied to economic activities, enterprises, professions,
occupations, and jobs. Value transformation must also address our families and communities,
where change must begin.

Self-Sacrifice and Willpower. Implementing these tactics requires willpower. If we desire

change, we must lead. Start by sacrificing yourself.

SPECIFIC STRATEGIES
A. To Foster Patriotism and National Pride:
1. Political ideology. We require a national philosophy capable of mobilizing all of our resources
to the job of boosting national morale, pride, and production.

2. History.
a. We must write and teach our true history; history textbooks must be rewritten from our point
of view.

b. We should integrate in our teaching those pieces of the past that cultural communities are still
preserving. These minorities' cultures and customs should be maintained and valued.

c. We can begin teaching national pride by first cultivating community pride. This can be
accomplished by establishing community museums that display materials representing local
history: old people re-telling our town or community history in public gatherings; revitalizing
local cultural groups; tracing family trees; holding family reunions, and so on.

3. Different languages.
We should incorporate Filipino into our cultural and intellectual lives. Some of our colleges and
other institutions have begun to do so; the practice should be maintained and developed.
4. Education.
a. We must work to get the entire educational system Filipinized.

b. Value formation should be taught in schools, as well as pride in being Filipino.

c. National pride should be instilled through literature.

5. Trade and Industry. We should support the "Buy Filipino" movement by:

a. identifying and publicizing the centers of product excellence in the Philippines; and dispersing
economic activities based on local product expertise and indigenous materials; and distributing
economic activities based on local product expertise and indigenous materials (i.e., industries
should be developed in the respective regions where the required skills and resources already
abound).

b. Having a big brother-little brother relationship between businesses, in which large businesses
help smaller businesses enhance the quality of their products. The government might also serve
as a big brother by assisting these tiny businesses in improving their output quality.

c. Having a "order-regalo" or "order-pasalubong" (gift) project that targets expatriate Filipinos.

Both the government and businesspeople could initiate this.

d. Promoting a "Sariling Atin" day in which only Filipino clothing and products are worn and
used.

6. Media/Advertising.

a. We can collaborate with KBP, PANA, and other media agencies on the following projects:
Refusing "kalabasa" or incentives to colonial-minded advertising.
- Banning overseas models in ads.

b. We can hold patriotism-related contests (oratory, narrative, drama, essay, etc.) These stories,
plays, articles, and similar works could become school materials.

c. We must use media programs (such cartoons and multilingual programs) that reach the masa.
R. Constantino's "How to Decolonize the Filipino Mind" could be converted into comics.
7. Government.

a. Executive, legislative, and judicial leaders should have positive Filipino attributes.
b. To foster national unity and integration, the government must try a long-term democratic
transformation approach.
c. The government must maintain and even strengthen its attempts to have a more autonomous
economic strategy: it must diversify its sources of aid and not rely solely on the U.S.
B. Developing a Sense of the Common Good:
1. Government.

a. The government must decentralize power and empower the grassroots.

b. Instead of repressing change agents from cause-oriented groups, NGOs, and people's
organizations, the government must broaden democratic space, foster political plurality, and
safeguard and encourage them.

c. The government should introduce essential services to poor areas in a participatory way,
allowing locals a role in administering and improving them.

2. Non-governmental organizations.

a. Cause-oriented organizations or NGOs should crusade and solve problems. Community

groups or people's organizations can execute their own projects with help from NGOs, religious
groups, and the government.

b. Our social institutions must work toward a single goal and shared priorities with the
government and Philippine society.

c. Community groups, people's organizations, and non-governmental organizations could

encourage public forums and discussions on land reform, graft, corruption, unemployment, etc.
Government and religious leaders should attend these forums.

d. We can organize study groups in schools, workplaces, and communities. Through these
organizations, we may explore how to transform our spheres of influence and encourage each
other to be role models for our family, peers, and community.

3. Religious Organizations/Movements.
a. Religious family movements, such as Marriage Encounter or the Christian Family Movement,
can be encouraged to reach out to the poorest members of society, who are the least prepared for
family life. Poor-people programs should be coordinated with government and religious groups.

b. The charismatic, cursillo, and born-again groups should be encouraged to concretize spiritual
doctrines via outreach to the impoverished and nation-building.

4. Education.

a. The communization of our schools should be expanded to provide pupils with a shared
educational experience and promote greater social equality.

b. Our schools' social orientation courses should include not only socialization activities but also
socially-oriented and socially-relevant activities.

C. For Developing Integrity and Accountability:

1. Government Leadership Structure/Systems

a. Our top officials should be models for lower-level bureaucrats.

b. Our leaders are too sheltered from the bottom, thus they require social exposure.

c. The government must implement comprehensive, concrete, and operational anti-corruption

measures. These procedures need police-powered groups or institutions.

d. A less cumbersome bureaucracy is needed. Information dissemination should be standardized.

The public should know how a government agency provides services. This strategy and others
could reduce "fixers" and graft.

e.The federal bureaucracy must create a system to reinforce good behavior. Honest officers and
hardworking Metro aides can be rewarded, for example.

2. Education/Training.

a. The career executive program for government officials should be expanded, and a similar
program should be developed for other government employees. "Public Service" could be the
name of the training program.
b. Our government staff should attend seminars on value clarification.

D. For Developing Discipline and Hard Work

1. In both government and commercial institutions, we must:

a. offer positive controls, keep performance records, and maintain reward and recognition
systems; and
b. eliminate meaningless and unnecessary regulations.

2. We should recognize excellence in whatever that Filipinos do by:

a. finding and publicizing Philippine centers of excellence;

b. locating, documenting, and disseminating success or excellence stories (e.g., successful local
businesses) through various media;

c. recognizing and encouraging commercials that promote excellence and strong Filipino values;
and

d. utilizing media (such as comics and radio programs in the many dialects) that will speak to the
masa in order to reflect positive Filipino values, and awarding radio, television, and film
programs that portray these values.

E. For Developing Self-reflection and Analysis

1. Religion/Religious Movements. Religion and catechism instruction should be concrete,

incorporated into daily life, and socially relevant. Not only should our religious movements
engage in "spiritual" activities, but they should also reach out to the poor and needy.

2. Small groups/NGOs.
a. We can form small groups (community groups, work groups, parish groups) where people can
reflect on their condition and the country's.

b. Some big companies teach observation-action-reflection through experiential training. Expand

these efforts. Training programs could be redesigned for usage in small groups, for example.

3. Government Leadership.

a. We should urge "conversion" at the highest degree, as evidenced by "repentance" or

confession in public.
b. Beginning in childhood, the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) and
private learning institutions must instill the value and practice of self-reflection. Instead of
emphasizing memorization, educational systems should promote thought and analysis.

c. We may organize a "national contemplation weekend" for all government officials and
employees. During this weekend, government personnel can repeat the process of the Moral
Recovery project, i.e., reflect on Filipino traits, then consider goals for enhancing the positive
traits and modifying the negative ones; or a commission or similar unit can travel to regional and
provincial levels to assist regional and provincial government officials and employees in their
reflection.

d.We can boost the research arms of government agencies by connecting them to universities and
non-government organizations.