THE POLITICAL SELF

AND BEING FILIPINO

LESSON OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson, you should be

able to:

develop a Filipino identity;

identify different Filipino values
and traits; and
reflect on your selfhood in relation
to your national identity
What makes a Filipino a genuine Filipino? Do physical characteristics
such as having dark hair, flat nose, and dark complexion make one a
Filipino? Or is it a person's language, birthplace, and ethnicity? If you
were to introduce yourself as a Filipino to a person of another
nationality and he or she asks, "Who are Filipinos?", what will you
reply?
Given the wide discrepancy between the
liberation period and today's time,
would it be safe to say that Filipinos
have truly developed an identity of their
own? Or are we still living in the shadow
of our colonial friends?
Who is a Filipino?
Technically, according to the 1987 Philippine
Constitution, Filipino citizens are "... those
whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the
Philippines, those born before January 17,
1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine
citizenship upon reaching the age of majority,
and those who are naturalized in accordance
with law."
Filipino Values and Traits
The Filipino Hospitality
a Filipino trait that is known everywhere
Filipinos welcome their guests and tourists as if they are their
own brothers and sisters
They will bring out their best set of plates and chinaware for
their honored guests
In most local shops, Filipino salespersons will greet their
customers with warm welcome and say thank you when they
leave even without buying anything Filipinos also anticipate
giving tours to friends who will visit their hometown and
treating them to the best restaurants and delicacies for free.
During festivals or fiestas, Filipinos serve heaps of festive food
and invite the whole barangay over.
They are also fond of giving pasalubong or tokens from their
travels and pabaon or farewell gifts to their visitors
 Respect for Elders

Filipinos greet their elders by kissing their hand while

saying "Mano po!" and constantly using "po" and
"opo" in conversations.
There is also a wide array of references to elder people
such as ate for older sister, kuya for older brother, Tito
and Tita for uncla and aunt, respectively, Lolo and
Lola for grandfather and grandfather, and Manong and
Aling for older people outside the family.
 Close Family Ties
Filipinos maintain a tight relationship with their
families
They are also fond of family reunions during
birthdays, holidays, or fiestas year-round
Some Filipino families even opt to live in a big
house where everyone can stay together.
Nursing homes are almost always not an option
for family members
Cheerful Personality

Filipinos have a habit of smiling and

laughing a lot.
Smiling has been a coping strategy for
many Filipinos especially during trying
times and calamities
They always try to maintain a positive
outlook in life
 Self-Sacrifice
can be seen as an extension the Filipino hospitality

Filipinos go out of their way to extend help to their

friends families, and loved ones

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sacrifice a lot

There are also times when the eldest among the

children of the family would give up school to work

and provide for the rest of the family and educate his

or her siblings.
 Bayanihan

the spirit of communal unity and cooperation of

Filipinos

It is also about giving without expecting something

in return.

This trait is particularly manifested in how Filipinos

rally themselves to send aid to those who are

severely affected by natural calamities

 "Bahala Na" Attitude

The Filipino version of the famous line "Hakuna Matata,"

meaning no worries.

The phrase is said to have originated from "Bathala na," where

Bathala means God, and the phrase meaning leaving

everything into God's hands.

 Colonial Mentality

Regarded as the lack of patriotism and the attitude where

Filipinos favor foreign products more than their own.

It is attributed to the centuries of colonization Filipinos had

experienced under the Spanish, American, and Japanese rule

 "Mañana" Habit

The Filipino term for procrastination

Derived from a longer Filipino phrased called

"Mamaya na" meaning dawdling things, which could

have been done at an earlier time.

 "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 refers to the attitude of eagerly starting things but quickly losing

eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty, just like how fast the

fire of a Cogon grass burns out moments after being ignited.

 Pride

Most Filipinos hold on to their pride as if they are

more precious than keeping a good relationship
with family and loved ones.
 Crab Mentality

A toxic trait among Filipinos where one resents the

achievement of another, instead of feeling happy for

that person

Filipinos should change this troublesome attitude

and focus more on their own inadequacies to

improve one's self

 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
What then are the hallmarks of our being Filipino? What makes us
truly relish in our being a Filipino?
 1. Proverbs or Salawikain...
Damiana Eugenio, regarded as the Mother of Philippine
Folklore, classified proverbs into six categories (Eugenio,
2000):

1. proverbs expressing a general attitude toward life and the

laws that govern life;
2. ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and
condemning certain vices;
3. proverbs expressing a system of values
4. proverbs expressing general truths and observations about
life and human nature
5. humorous proverbs
6. miscellaneous proverbs
 2. Superstitions

own set of superstitions passed down from generation to

generation.

may be influenced by beliefs from other cultures, but Filipinos

have retold these superstitions according to their own

experiences and they sometimes end up even more interesting.

 3. Myths and Legends

these stories are aimed to explain the origin of things, at the same

time, teach a valuable lesson. Some of these stories stemmed in

pre-Christianity period, but have evolved to the stories we know

today.
 4. Heroes and Icons

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

Every year, we lend a whole day to celebrate our

heroes, usually the last Monday of August, to

remember their greatness, bravery, and resilience

that has led to the freedom we know today.

 How To Be A Good Filipino
1. Be an active Filipino citizen
aware of the current events and
participate in government
programs that aim for the country's
progression and development
3. Support local products.
When you buy local products, you
do not only support local
manufacturers and businessmen,
but you also help strengthen the
local economy. How is this so?
2. Study the Philippine History
The road of the Philippine history is long and bloody, and by
learning and fully understanding the events of the Philippine
history, you will learn so much as to why it is so important for
you to love your country with your life, extend help to your
fellow Filipinos in need, and recognize abuse of political power.
4. Speak the Filipino Language
Jose Rizal highlighted the importance of
speaking a national language as a way of
displaying the love for one's country Speaking
Filipino also serves as a unique identifier of being
a Filipino
5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in
engaging with dissent

This period in the history of the Philippines has seen how the
Internet has spawned tons of possibilities for people, both good and
bad.
t is a part of being a good Filipino to understand and verify what you
read online, especially in social media, before actually believing in it
and spreading it like wildfire. It is also the responsibility of every
Filipino to recognize disagreement in political views, be tolerant,
and argue intelligently without having to resort into name-calling
people.
 THANKS FOR
LISTENING! 😸
TAKE CARE OF YOUR
MIND! 🧠

Tel Maglaya, RPm