FILIPINO MORAL

CHARACTER: STRENGTHS
AND WEAKNESSES

CHIAM, EUGENE C.
CATAROJA, IRISHA NICOLE A.
CINCO, RUSSEL JOSH O.
CONCIO, LLOYD VINCENT C.
Filipino cultural morality, especially that which concerns
social ethics, centers on ideally having a “smooth
interpersonal relationship” (SIR) with others. The
definition of SIR in Philippine culture is principally
supported by and anchored on at least six basic Filipino
values.
The concepts of:

1. Pakikisama
2. Hiya
3. Amor Propio
4. Utang na loob
5. Filipino hospitality
6. Respect for elders.
PAKIKISAMA

Pakikisama is having and maintaining 'good public relations.'

This is usually being practiced to avoid clash with other people
or a certain group. However, “pakikisama” can work either
positively or destructively. To elude open displays of conflicts,
clashes, and confrontations, Filipinos, because of
“pakikisama,” may submit to group opinion, overgenerous
praise on one another, using metaphorical language rather
than candid terms, concealing negative feelings or unhappy
spirits underneath a pleasant demeanor, smiling even when
things go wrong, avoiding to say 'no,' and refraining from
venting anger or losing temper.
HIYA
Hiya is described as a feeling of lowliness, shame or
embarrassment, and inhibition or shyness which is experienced
as somewhat distressing. Integrally, it is related to the concept of
'face' and a concern with how one appears in the eyes of
others.This unique Filipino concept encompasses fear to do bad
things as it may damage one's reputation in the sight of other
people. A person's capacity for proper behavior with authority
figures is a reflection of his/her family upbringing and this fear of
losing face. Too much “hiya,” nonetheless, may lead to having
inferiority complex and losing self-confidence.
AMOR PROPIO
“Amor Propio” is derived from the concept 'face.' Although
commonly translated as 'self-respect' or 'self-esteem,' it has
been characterized as the high degree of sensitivity that
makes a person intolerant to criticism and causes him/her to
have an easily wounded pride. Concerning this Filipino
value, some observe that Filipinos learn to withstand a 'loss
of face' in some situations, particularly when they perceive
themselves to be at fault but it is devastating to be publicly
criticized, insulted, belittled, or humiliated, or to lose one's
self-respect"
UTANG NA LOOB

Utang na loob (debt of gratitude) is likewise a fundamental

aspect of upholding group harmony and relationships that
demand the balancing of obligations and debt. This involves
the concept 'reciprocity' or returning the received favor. The
inability to repay the "utang na loob" usually makes a person
"walang uta na loob" or "walang-hiya." To avoid being dubbed
as this, some Filipinos sometimes do things that may be bad
like voting for unworthy candidates just to receive a favor in
return.
FILIPINO HOSPITALITY

Filipino hospitality refers to the innate ability and trait of

Filipinos to be courteous and entertaining to their guests.
Generally speaking, Filipinos are indeed hospitable as
they are internationally known to be warm, welcoming,
and accommodating. This trait, however, makes Filipinos
prone to being abused or maltreated.
 RESPECT FOR ELDERS

Concerning respect to elders, Filipinos are not only

respectful to elders, but also have unique ways of
expressing this respect. These include the use of “po” and
“opo” when talking to elders and “pagmamano” or the
putting of the elder's hand to one's forehead. When
excessive, nonetheless, respect to elders make one
dependent or irrationally obedient to parents or elders.
UNIVERSAL VALUES
Universal values are formed by implied behavioral
standards that are necessary to live in a harmonious and
peaceful society. Values are associated with morality
and ethics, which is difficult to transpose or refer to the
level of the group. In other words, all people have certain
values that come from their interior and guide their
actions. Values can vary from one person to the another
because humans do not think all the same way.
BASIC UNIVERSAL
HUMAN VALUES
 HAPPINESS
IN THE ANCIENT PAST, THE FOUNDERS
OF THE BIG RELIGIONS IN THE WORLD
HAVE ALREADY TAUGHT ABOUT THE
REWARD FOR A RELIGIOUS LIFE BY AN
AFTERLIFE IN PARADISE, HEAVEN,
NIRVANA, ETC., TO ENJOY THERE AN
ULTIMATE AND ETERNAL HAPPINESS.
AND FROM THIS, WE CAN UNDERSTAND
THAT ETERNAL HAPPINESS IS THE
ULTIMATE VALUE OF ALL RELIGIOUS
PEOPLE, FOR NOBODY WOULD LIKE TO
GO TO ANY DULL OR MISERABLE
PARADISE OR SO
PEACE LOVE
THIS HAS TO BE SEEN AS A BASIC LOVE IN A GENERAL SENSE CAN BE BEST
CONDITION FOR FREEDOM AND DEFINED AS FEELINGS, OR AN EXPERIENCE
HAPPINESS, FOR WITHOUT PEACE OR DEEP CONNECTEDNESS OR ONENESS
THERE CANNOT BE REAL FREEDOM. WITH ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING, AND
WHEREVER THERE IS FIGHT, THEREAT ANIMAL, PLANT, TREE, THING, OR
OR HOSTILITY, OUR FREEDOM AND UNNAMABLE. LOVE CAN ALSO BE
HAPPINESS ARE INHIBITED OR EXPERIENCED AS SOMETHING FAR BEYOND
TOTALLY PREVENTED. ANY COMPREHENSION, AND TOTALLY
INDESCRIBABLE. LOVE MAY HAPPEN TO US
WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO BE OPEN TO THE
BEAUTY AND NATURE OF OTHER PEOPLE, OR
TO THE BEAUTY AND MYSTERY OF NATURE IN
GENERAL, OR EVEN BEAUTIFUL THINGS.
 FREEDOM
THIS MEANS THE EXPERIENCE OF
UNRESTRICTED, AND TO BE AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE INDEPENDENT OF THE SOCIAL
PRESSURE OF OTHERS. A BASIC CONDITION
FOR HAPPINESS IF HOWEVER, THE
EXPERIENCE OF AN INNER, OR MENTAL
FREEDOM; FREEDOM FROM ALL KINDS OF
STRESS, WORRY, ANXIETY, PROBLEMS,
OBLIGATIONS AND FEARS, OFTEN DIRECTLY
OR INDIRECTLY CAUSED BY THE
RESPECTLESS EGOCENTRIC OR POWER-
ORIENTED MENTALITY OF MANY OTHERS IN
OUR SOCIETY.
SAFETY
THIS MEANS FREE OF THREAT, FEAR
AND SURVIVAL-STRESS. WITHOUT
SAFETY, PEOPLE TEND TO LIVE OUT
OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL SURVIVAL
INSTINCT, AND LONG TERM
INSECURITY CREATES AN
EGOCENTRIC SURVIVAL-MENTALITY.
ALSO, WITHOUT SAFETY, PEOPLE IN A
SOCIETY ARE BURDENED BY
EMOTIONAL FEAR, HELPLESSNESS,
AND ANXIETY.
INTELLIGENCE
THIS HAS BEEN DEFINED IN MANY
DIFFERENT WAYS TO INCLUDE THE
CAPACITY FOR LOGIC,
UNDERSTANDING, SELF-AWARENESS,
LEARNING, EMOTIONAL KNOWLEDGE,
REASONING, PLANNING, CREATIVITY,
AND PROBLEM SOLVING.
 HUMAN RESECT
THE MOST BASIC PRINCIPLE OF ANY
SOCIAL COMMUNITY IS FEELINGS OF
CONNECTEDNESS WHICH COME OUT
OF OUR PERCEPTION, EMPATHY AND
AWARENESS THAT THE OTHER
HUMAN IS BASICALLY AS WE ARE
OURSELVES. THIS CREATES TRUST
AND A FRIENDLY ATTITUDE TOWARDS
THE OTHER.
EQUALITY
THIS ORIGINATED FROM OLD
FRENCH/LATIN WORDS “AEQUALIS”,
“AEQUUS”, AND “AEQUALITAS”,
WHICH MEAN EVEN, LEVEL, AND
EQUAL. THUS THE MEANING OF THE
WORD ‘EQUALITY’ USED IN POLITICAL
SCIENCE CORRESPONDS TO THE
MEANING FROM WHICH IT
ORIGINATES.
JUSTICE
IT IS THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION
OF THE LAW; THE FAIR AND
EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF ALL
INDIVIDUALS UNDER THE LAW. IN
GENERAL, JUSTICE IS NEEDED TO
REALIZE AND MAINTAIN OUR HIGHEST
HUMAN VALUES OF FREEDOM, PEACE,
LIFE, LOVE, AND HAPPINESS; AND IT
CAN PREVENT OR INHIBIT THESE
HIGHEST HUMAN VALUES.
 NATURE
UNDERSTANDING OUR PHYSICAL
DEPENDENCE OF NATURE, AND OUR
AWARENESS OF BEING PART OF IT ARE
NEEDED TO SEE THE BASIC VALUE OF
NATURE. MAN IS PART OF NATURE,
AND OUR VERY HUMAN EXISTENCE IS
DEPENDENT OF NATURE AND ITS
ECOLOGY. HENCE, OUR HIGHEST
HUMAN VALUES OF LIFE ITSELF AND
FREEDOM, SAFETY, PEACE LOVE AND
HAPPINESS CAN ONLY BE REALIZED
IN HARMONY WITH NATURE.
Designer Portfolio
HEALTH
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
DEFINED HEALTH AS BEING “A STATE OF
COMPLETE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SOCIAL
WELL-BEING AND NOT MERELY THE ABSENCE
DISEASE OR INFIRMITY.” IN 1986, WHO ALSO
SAID THAT HEALTH IS A “RESOURCE OF
EVERYDAY LIFE, NOT THE OBJECTIVE OF LIVING.
HEALTH IS A “POSITIVE CONCEPT EMPHASIZING
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL RESOURCES, AS WELL
AS PHYSICAL CAPACITIES”. ALSO, THERE IS A
TERM KNOWN AS “MENTAL HEALTH” AND IT
DESCRIBES EITHER A LEVEL OF COGNITIVE OR
EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OR AN ABSENCE OF
MENTAL DISORDER.
DEVELOPING VIRTUE AS HABIT

Moral character refers to the existence or lack of virtues such as integrity,

courage, fortitude, honesty, and loyalty. To say that a certain person has a
good moral character means that he/she is a good person and a good citizen
with a sound moral compass.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!