LESSON 5: POLITICAL SELF: BEING FILIPINO

What makes a Filipino a genuine Filipino? Do physical characteristics make one a

Filipino? Or is it a person’s language, birthplace, and ethnicity? If you were to introduce yourself
as a Filipino to another nationality and s/he asks, “Who are Filipinos?” what will you reply?
.
The Philippines has only emerged in the 1890‟s after over three centuries of colonization
of the Spaniards. Liberation from the last colonizers, the Japanese, only occurred in 1946.
Foreign culture, beliefs, language, and religion have made a huge dent on our own by setting a
foundation to the contemporary Filipino identity and culture.
An individual’s race, ethnicity, and physical characteristics are not the only factors that
make a person’s national identity. Values and traits also important indicator that set apart one
nationality.
Through common goals, principles, and values of its people a nation empowers.

Who is a Filipino?
Filipinos globally renowned personalities; Manny Pacquiao; Lea Salonga; Michael Cinco
who have made the Filipinos recognized around the world through their expertise.

Buwan ng Wika and Independence Day celebrations prompt us to go back to our roots
and reflect on the question: Who is a Filipino? According to the 1973, of Philippine Constitution,
Filipino citizens are;
a. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines.
b. Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mother.
c. Who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority.
d. Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.

Citizenship is not only a marker of being a Filipino. Culture and history greatly influenced the
manner that Filipinos learn, live and behave to date.

Filipino Values and Traits

Philippines is a lush island paradise famous for its grandiose mountain views, pristine
beaches, and rich and diverse culture changing from province to province. Philippines well
known for its awe-inspiring beauty, perhaps the Filipinos unique traits, reputable values, and

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laudable talents make the country a place to be.
“Mabuhay!” and “Salamat" the common Filipino phrases. “Po” and “Opo” habits saying to
the elders. “Kumain ka na ba?” meaning “Have you eaten yet?” and importunate asking of a
Filipino.

The Filipino Hospitality

Filipino’s brand of hospitality is known everywhere. Filipinos welcome their guests and
tourists as if they are their own brothers and sisters.
They always make their guests feel at home, offering them something to eat, and or
even a place to stay. They are also fond of giving pasalubong or tokens and pabaon or farewell
gifts to their visitors.

Respect for Elders

Filipinos greet their elders by kissing their hand while saying “Mano Po!” constantly using
“Po" and “opo” in conversation. There is also a wide array of references to elder people such as
ate for elder sister; kuya for older brother; Tito and
Tita for uncle and aunt; Lolo and Lola for grandparents; and Manong and Aling for older
people outside the family.

Close Family Ties

Filipino maintains a tight relationship with their families regardless if the children are old
enough and already have a family of their own.

Cheerful Personality
Filipinos have a habit of smiling and laughing a lot. Smiling is a coping strategy for many
Filipinos especially during trying Times and calamities. Filipino always tries to maintain a
positive outlook in life which makes them resilient and able to manage almost everything with a
simple smile.

Self-sacrifice
The self-sacrificing attitude of Filipinos can be seen as an extension of the Filipino
hospitality. Filipinos go out of their way to extend help to their friends, families, and loved ones.

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Bayanihan
Is the spirit of communal unity and cooperation of Filipinos. Giving without expecting
something in return. Filipinos are always ready to share and help their friends and loved ones
who are in need.

“Bahala na” Attitude

“Bahala na” is a Filipino version of the famous line “Hakuna Matata,” meaning no
worries. The phrase said originated from the “Bathala na,” where Bathala means God, and the
phrase meaning leaving everything into God's hands. It can also view as cheerful and positive
attitude of Filipinos and allowing situations take care of themselves instead of worrying about
them.

Colonial Mentality
It is regarded as the lack of patriotism and the attitude where Filipinos favor foreign
products more than their own. It does not only concern goods, but also the desire to look more
foreign than local and keep up with foreign beauty trends. It is attributed to the centuries of
colonization Filipinos had experienced under the Spanish, American and Japanese rule.

“Mañana” Habit
Filipino term for procrastination. It was derived from a longer Filipino phrase called
“Mamaya na” means dawdling things, which could have been done at an earlier time. It was a
poor habit of laziness that results in heavier workloads.

“Ningas Kugon"
“Ningas" is a Filipino term for flame and “Kugon" is a Filipino term for Cogon grass that
easily burns out after it is put into flames. It is refers to the attitude of eagerly starting things but
quickly losing eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty. Filipinos are regarded as “Juan
Tamad” or Lazy Juan because of laziness.

Pride
When two parties are not in good terms, they find it so hard to apologize and wait until
the other party asks for an apology first.

Crab Mentality

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 Where one resents the achievement of another, instead of feeling happy for that person.
They pull each other down and ruin each other reputation rather than bringing them up, resulting
to no progress.

Filipino Time
Filipinos have this common attitude of arriving late at commitments, dinner, or parties
especially if they are meeting someone close to them. They tend to not observe punctuality
altogether.

Filipino Markers
1) Proverbs or Salawikain - Damiana Eugenio, regarded as the mother of Philippine
Folklore, classified proverbs into six categories (Eugenio,2000);
a. Proverbs expressing a general attitude toward life and the laws that govern life;
b. Ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning certain vices;
c. Proverbs expressing a system of values;
d. Proverbs expressing general truths and observations about life and human
nature;
e. Humorous proverbs; and
f. Miscellaneous proverbs.
2) Superstitions – Filipinos subscribe to their own set of superstitious passed down from
generation to generation. Some of the superstitious influenced by beliefs from other
cultures, but Filipinos have retold according to their own experiences and they
sometimes end up even more interesting.
3) Myths and legends
4) Heroes and Icons – Heroes serve as a reminder of true patriotism and nationalism as
they have sacrificed their lives for the sake of their country‟s freedom and progress. The
last monday of August we lend to celebrate our heroes to remember their greatness,
bravery, and resilience that has led to the freedom we know today. Lea Salonga, Manny
Pacquiao, and our national hero Jose Rizal, serve as important Filipino markers as they
have made the Filipino name pronounced worldwide through their own expertise.

How to be a Good Filipino

The following are a few ways on how to be a good Filipino;
1) Be an active Filipino citizen.

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2) Study the Philippine history.
3) Support local products.
4) Speak the Filipino language.
5) Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging with dissent

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