COLLEGE OF OUR LADY OF MT.

CARMEL
Health Education
BSN 1

Finals Activity 4

Submitted to:
Mr. Raymundo Espino

Submitted by:

Calaramo, Dweine Geffry D.

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 COLLEGE OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL
Health Education
BSN 1

Introduction

This paper examines the Filipino cultural traits, health care benefits in health

education techniques utilizing credible, accurate, and reliable data from articles and

research. The latter explains the common Filipino beliefs and practices that will be

discussed throughout the study.

Background

The Philippines is an archipelago consisting of 7,107 islands and there are 175

ethnolinguistic groups each with their own unique cultural identity and health beliefs and

practices. This cultural groups evolved as a mixture of indigenous as well as imported and

borrowed elements. The cultural background of Filipino nurses may have a strong

influence on their selection of nursing as a profession, because caring for others is

emphasized and valued, especially among females. Cultural views, like in other sectors of

medicine, are increasingly being recognized as an important component in the genetic

counselling process (Cohen et al. 1998; Edwards et al. 2008; Penn et al. 2010).

Filipinos are resilient because they haven't had the option not to be. Our people

have lived through a dictatorship, corruption, centuries of colonialism and imperialism,

and natural disaster after natural disaster. Resilience is ingrained in our ancestors,

history, and blood. They are frequently compared to bamboo trees, which bend in the

wind and straighten out when it stops. Patterson claims that "no matter how precisely the

strokes of fate appear to be aimed at him, there is always something that remains unhit,

as if part of him were perpetually elsewhere."

The Philippines' healthcare system is generally of good quality, but the facilities in

which doctors work are of a lower quality than those in high-end US or European

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 COLLEGE OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL
Health Education
BSN 1

healthcare institutions. Medical personnel in the Philippines are highly qualified, but

their facilities are not as good as those in Europe or the US. Public healthcare in the

Philippines is generally of good quality, although it differs greatly across rural and urban

locations. English is widely spoken and expats should face few linguistic difficulties when

seeking treatment in the country. Private healthcare is more consistent and often better

equipped than public clinics; private clinics frequently have better equipment and

facilities.

Despite the fact that public hospital employees are highly skilled, there are

considerable geographical variations in public healthcare in the Philippines. The

Philippines' public healthcare system is excellent in urban regions but deficient in rural

ones. Nonetheless, there is a trend for Filipino medical personnel to emigrate to Western

countries, putting the system under strain. As a result, several hospitals are understaffed,

and patients may experience treatment delays. Philhealth, a government-owned

organization, is in charge of the public healthcare system in the Philippines. Some medical

treatments and expenses, like as inpatient care and non-emergency procedures, are

covered by Philhealth, but not all. With the passage of the Universal Healthcare Act in

early 2019, PhilHealth's coverage was expanded to include consultations and lab tests. All

Filipino citizens are eligible for free medical treatment.

Filipino Cultural Characteristics and Health Care Benefits and Practices in

Health Education

Filipinos usually deal with illness with the help of family and friends, as well as

their trust in God. A miracle is defined as a complete cure or even a modest improvement

in a disease or ailment. Filipino families have a huge influence on the health-care

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 COLLEGE OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL
Health Education
BSN 1

decisions of their patients. Patients sacrifice personal desires to maintain group peace and

tend to comply with the requests of a more authoritative family figure. Prior to seeking

professional help, Filipino older people tend to manage their illnesses by self-monitoring

symptoms, examining potential causes, determining the severity and threat to functional

capacity, and accounting for the financial and emotional load on the family.

Filipinos will even resort to conventional home remedies such as alternative or

complementary treatments. They can discuss their problems with a trustworthy family

member, friend, spiritual counselor, or healer (Yeo, 1998). When major somatic issues

arise, Filipino seniors and their families usually seek medical assistance from family

members or acquaintances who are health specialists (Anderson, 1983).

Common Filipino Cultural Beliefs and Characteristics

Inheritance (Namamana)

• Having a behavioral or illness trait from one's parents. It is believed that if a

relative has the ailment, he or she will pass on the trait to the next generation. The

transmission of a trait to the next generation.

Conception or maternal cravings (Lihi)

• During the lihi phase, also known as the first trimester of pregnancy, the pregnant

woman feels a variety of physical discomforts such as dizziness, nausea, irritability,

and overall body weakness (Jocano 1973). During this time, the pregnant lady has

an extreme hunger for particular meals as well as an intense liking for certain

objects. It is believed that an offspring will inherit the characteristics of the food

that the mother craved while in the lihi phase.

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 COLLEGE OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL
Health Education
BSN 1

Hot and Cold Syndrome (Pasma)

• The pasma concept is based on the interaction of hot and cold elements (Tan 2008)

• Pasma is loosely defined as a "exposure disease" that develops when a "hot" state

is assaulted by a "cool" element and vice versa (Tan 2008).

• Homeostasis is achieved by balancing the heat and cold elements, while disease is

produced by a dominance of either hot or cold.

• It is thought that childbirth opens the mother's pores, rendering her exposed to the

invasion of "lamig" or "hangin," which are chilly elements.

• The location of the lamig in the woman's body that creates pasma or palpable

"knots" in muscles or subcutaneous tissues determines how this expresses itself

(Jocano 1973; Tan 2008).

• Post-partum psychosis, also known as nabaliw among Filipinos, is caused by the

chilly elements of lamig or hangin lodged in the mind, generating post-partum

melancholy and psychosis, disrupting well-being.

Curse (Sumpa and Gaba)

• The curse is inflicted by a human person in sumpa. Gaba, on the other hand, is a

curse inflicted by a divine being, most often God. This is inflicted on a person as a

result of committing a social offense. Sumpa and gaba have an impact on the entire

family and even the next generation (Tan 2008). To counteract its effects, the

affected individual and family members may engage in ceremonial rituals and wear

amulets.

God’s Will (Kaloob ng Diyos)

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Health Education
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• When a Filipino encounters an unexpected incident in their life, whether pleasant

or negative, it is commonly attributed to God's grace. Highlights the Filipino value

of religiosity and faith in a higher being as someone who is all-knowing and all-

powerful. Should not be interpreted as a weakness on the part of the patient, but

rather as a willingness to surrender his or her predicament to God in order to

achieve a greater level of understanding. This is quite similar to the Filipino

mindset of bahala na. What actually happens in both kaloob ng Diyos and bahala

na is that people do whatever they can and then accept whatever happens (Tan

2008).

Common Filipino Healthcare Practices and Benefits

Traditional forms of self-medication

• They utilize oils or ointments to relax, heat, and quiet the muscles in order to cure

dizziness, colds, headaches, sore throats, and other diseases.

Folk healing techniques

• Ventosa is used to treat joint pains believed to be caused by stale air.

Alternative therapy

• Filipinos instead seek for Hilot for pain and ache relief instead of seeking medical

attention. A chiropractor or the practice of chiropractic manipulation and massage

for the diagnosis and treatment of musculoligamentous and musculoskeletal

problems may also be referred to as hilot.

Home remedies

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Health Education
BSN 1

• There are also Filipino nurses who believe in the healing power of plants. Plants

can be used to treat common ailments. It is readily available and reasonably priced.

Seeking the help of a local healer, who may employ a variety of cures, such as the

use of herbs and roots (McKenzie and Chrisman, 1977). Midwives, masseurs, and

specialists in supernaturally caused illnesses are all common types of healers in the

Philippines.

Flushing

• The body is viewed as a vessel or container that accumulates and expels impurities

by physiological processes such as sweating, vomiting, gas expulsion, or having an

acceptable volume of menstrual blood.

Heating

• Adapts the concept of "hot" and "cold" balance to prevent illness and disorder.

Protection

• Protects the limits of the body against outside influences such as supernatural and

natural forces.

Response to Illness

• Filipinos cope with disease through the support of family and friends, as well as

their trust in God. Prior to obtaining professional assistance, Filipinos tend to self-

manage their illnesses by watching symptoms, analyzing potential causes,

determining the severity and threat to functional capacity, and taking into account

the financial and emotional strain on the family. Using complementary or

alternative therapies, such as traditional home remedies (Yeo, 1998)

Compassionate & competent, Assertive & accomplished, Resilient & respectful, Moral & ethical, Excellence & enthusiastic, Lifelong-learner

Ut Serve Est Amare

 COLLEGE OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL
Health Education
BSN 1

References
An introduction to the healthcare system in the Philippines. (2022). Retrieved from
Future Learn: https://www.futurelearn.com/info/futurelearn-international/an-
introduction-to-the-healthcare-system-in-the-philippines
Custodio, E. (2020). Filipino Cultural Characteristics and Health Care beliefs. Retrieved
from prezi: https://prezi.com/p/iik-ofu6mcpx/filipino-cultural-characteristics-
and-health-care-beliefs/
Dacian, A. (n.d.). Filipino Cultural Characteristics and Health Care Beliefs. Retrieved
from Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/presentation/424596366/Filipino-
Cultural-Characteristics-and-Health-Care-Beliefs-pptx
Do You Believe in These Pinoy Health Superstitions? ( 2019). Retrieved from Makati
Medical Center: https://www.makatimed.net.ph/blogs/do-you-believe-in-these-
pinoy-health-superstitions/
Genet, J. C. (2014 ). Cultural beliefs on disease causation in the Philippines: challenge
and implications in genetic counseling. Retrieved from NCBI:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4159471/ doi: 10.1007/s12687-
014-0193-1
Health Care in The Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved from Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
https://www.rvo.nl/sites/default/files/2021/06/Healthcare-in-The-
Philippines.pdf
Ordonez, R. V. (2004). Integrating Traditional Beliefs and Modern Medicine: Filipino
Nurses’ Health Beliefs, Behaviors, and Practices. Retrieved from Researchgate:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/244916604_Integrating_Traditional
_Beliefs_and_Modern_Medicine_Filipino_Nurses'_Health_Beliefs_Behaviors_
and_Practices DOI:10.1177/1084822304268152
The Filipino Culture And Health Care. (n.d.). Retrieved from barleby research:
https://www.bartleby.com/essay/The-Filipino-Culture-And-Health-Care-
PKLAQN9JPL95
The Philippines: Culture and Views on Health. (2021). Retrieved from Studycorgi:
https://studycorgi.com/the-philippines-culture-and-views-on-health/

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Ut Serve Est Amare

 COLLEGE OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL
Health Education
BSN 1

“UT SERVE EST

AMARE” To Love is To
Serve

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