The Political

Self and Being

a Filipino
By:
Phillip Kristoffer B. Cuizon
James R. Dichos
 INTRODUCTION
The Philippines that we know today has only emerged in the 1890's
after 3 centuries of Spaniard colonization. It was only in 1946 where
the last colonizer, the Japanese, have been driven out by our country.
After for so many years of being colonized by the Spaniards,
Americans, and the Japanese do we still have our own identity as a
Filipino? Do we still have the defining features, traits, and beliefs that
can be identified as Filipino culture? Or are we still living in the shadows
of our previous colonizers? In this lesson we are about to know the
traits, values, and habits that makes us as the Filipinos that we are
today
 WHO IS A FILIPINO?

People like Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, and Michael Cinco. They
are the Filipino personalities that made the Filipinos known to the
world through their expertise. However, being a Filipino is so much
more that just to be related to them. According to 1987 Philippine
Constitution, Filipinos are those whose parents are also a citizen
of the Philippines. However, citizenship is not also the only marker
of being a Filipino. We have our own culture, beliefs, habits, values,
traits, and so much more which can help us identify on what being
a Filipino really is.
FILIPINO VALUES AND TRAITS
Tourists who have visited the Philippines will never forget the big and bright smiles
that the Filipinos have shown them. The loud and colorful jeepneys, the phrases
such as "Mabuhay" and "Salamat". The habit of saying "po" and "opo" to show sign
of respect to the elders. These are just some of the things that tourists can't forget
about the traits of the Filipinos

THE FILIPINO HOSPITALITY

A Filipino trait that has been known throughout the world is the "Filipino Hospitality".
We Filipinos always welcome guest, foreigners, and tourists like they are one of our
own brothers and sisters. We even bring out the best plates, chinawares, utensils just
for our guests. Even if friends are just visiting our hometown, we are more that happy
to give them a tour to our lovely place and we even let them bring some "pasalubong"
for them to take with when they go home.
 RESPECT FOR THE ELDERS
We Filipinos greet our elders by putting their hand on our forehead and saying
"Mano po" and constantly using "po" and "opo" when talking to the elders. If we
forget to use that phrase we are seen as rude and impolite. We also say "ate" for
older sister and "kuya" for older brother. Referring "tito" to our uncles and "tita"
for our aunties. We also call "lola" to our grandmothers and "lolo" for our
grandfathers. We also have a term to older people that are outside our family
like "manong" if male and "aling" if female.

CLOSE FAMILY TIES

We Filipinos maintain a tight connection to our families regardless if the children
are old enough to have a life of their own. Filipinos are also fond of family reunions
during birthdays, holidays, or fiestas. Some Filipinos even want to have one big
house for all of them family members to stay in one roof so that they wont be
separated. Nursing homes are almost non existent in Filipino culture because we
prefer to take care of them on our own.
 CHEERFUL PERSONALITY
Filipinos have a habit of smiling and laughing a lot. They smile when they are
happy, even when times get tough they still smile the worries away. Even in
typhoons which is very common in the Philippines, Filipinos still try to put up a
smile. Whenever there are tourist vlogging in the Philippines, Filipinos always
smile back and even wave at the camera which shows our cheerful personality
even more.

SELF SACRIFICE
The self sacrificing nature of the Filipinos is an extension to their hospitality.
Filipinos go out of their way to help out a friend, family, or love ones in their time
of need. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) sacrificed a lot just to have better jobs
and better pay in order to support their family back in the Philippines. There are
even times when the oldest member of the family would give up school just to
find a job in such an early age to help the parents in lessening their burden.
 MAÑANA HABIT
This is the Filipino term for laziness. Mañana habit is from the
word "Mamaya na" which means "Later". It could have been
done earlier but its because of this habit we have more
workloads.
NINGAS KUGON
This Filipino term comes from the word "Ningas" which means
flame and "Kugon" a type of grass which burns quickly. This
term is when we are eager to start things fast but quickly lose
interest in them when we face some kind of struggle with it.
Laziness has been associated with Filipino culture that we
even have a term for it called "Juan Tamad" or " Lazy Juan".
 PRIDE FILIPINO TIME
Most Filipinos hold onto their pride even if it ruins the
relationship between two person. When two parties are not in
Filipinos have this common attitude of arriving late even if
good terms neither will be the one who will apologize first
the meeting place is just near to their location. When the call
because of their pride.
time is 7:00 pm they usually arrive 7:30pm or even 8:30 pm.
Everyone usually arrive in the same time because we are

CRAB MENTALITY
using the Filipino time.

This is a toxic trait among the Filipinos. where ones

achievement is being resented instead of being celebrated.
Just like a crab in a container, we pull each other down
instead of lifting them up and making them feel proud.
FILIPINO HALL MARKERS
PROVERBS OR SALAWIKAIN
We Filipinos have our own proverbs also. Just like any proverbs these quotes are our way of living life. Damiana
Eugenio, regarded as the Mother of Philippine Folklore classifies proverbs into six categories:

EXPRESSING A GENERL ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE

"Kung may tiyaga, may nilaga" HUMOROUS PROVERBS
ETHICAL PROVERBS "Kay tagal niya nanindahan, kabili bili'y kanindang
"Wag putulin ang kahoy para lang sa bunga"
EXPRESSING SYSTEM OF VALUES
"Ang pawis ng paghihirap ay mapalaan talaga yan" MISCELLANEOUS PROVERBS
EXPRESSING GENERAL TRUTHS "Hangga't makitid ang kumot, matutong
"Huli man daw at magaling" mamaluktot"
 SUPERSTITIONS MYTHS AND LEGENDS
We Filipinos also have our own superstitions passed down
from generations to generations some examples are: Due to the Philippine's rich culture and history we are
1. Don't go home immediately after attending a funeral. bound to get some myths and legends on where certain
2. Be careful when showing fondness over a baby. things have originated from some examples are:
3. When you bite your tongue someone is thinking of you 1. Pina - origin of pinya
2. The man with coconuts

HEROES AND ICONS

Here in the Philippines we also have our own heroes and
icons. We celebrate the heroes who fought for our country.
We adore the icons who made our country known through
their expertise. Some examples are :
1. Jose Rizal (Hero)
2. Manny Pacquiao (Icon)
3. Andres Bonifacio (Hero)
4. Lea Salonga (Icon)
HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO
BE AN ACTIVE FILIPINO

STUDY PHILIPPINE HISTORY

SUPPORT LOCAL PRODUCTS

SPEAK THE FILIPINO LANGUAGE

DO NOT SPREAD FAKE NEWS AND BE DEMOCRATIC IN ENGAGING WITH DISSENT

 THANK YOU
FOR LISTENING!