 Diplomacy should be understood as “mahusay na

pakikitungo”(tactful dealings), “mausay na

pakikibagay”(smooth personal relation) or
“magaling na pakikipag-ayos o
pakikipagkasundo”(excellent way of maiking
compromise,concssions, accomodations,
settlement, reapproachment) so that, by being
diplomatic means “mahusay na pakikitungo”,
“magaling makibagay”, “magaling makisama”,
“magaling makipag-ayos” o “makipagkasundo”
• Filipinos possess a common principle
regarding the priceless value of peace
and reconciliation, harmony and
brotherhood, and love for one
another.
 “Kapag ikaw ay pagparaan ay paparaanin ka
naman” (If you give way to others, you will be
given way too).
 “Ang salitang matamis, sa puso’y nkakaakit,
pampalubag ang galit sa taong naiinis” (A sweet
word is soothing to the heart, it will appease an
angry person’s hatred)
 “Mas malakas ang bulong kaysa sigaw” (A whisper
is louder that a shout)
 “ Kung magagawa rin lamang ng paupo, ay huwag
nang gawin ng patayo” (If it can be resolved by
means of sitting down, then it should not be done
by standing up).

 Diplomacy is a matter of give-and-take approach

to a problem or conflict as the case may be.
 Standing Position Approach or Fighting Stance
› It means the use of intimidation and veiled threat; it is
combative, confrontational, and disputative. One
would insist and stand on one’s ground and fight for
one’s own principle. One would try to win over the
other by means of argument to force, argumentum and
baculum.
 Sitting Stance
› BICOLANOS, “Ang sulting mahinay maca lucmay”
(Gentle words soften the heart)
› ILONGGOS, “Mahunuk nga palabton nga palayo sang
caaguig, apang ang matigas nga pulong pasaka sang
casingal” (A gentle way of speaking will appease
animosity, while harsh words will further fuel it)
 CEBUANOS, “ Ang humubo nga pulong mas
tunog kay sa makusog nga pulong”( Soft talk
sounds stronger than loud talk)
 TIRURAYS, “Mentahe ketanogi segurawe beh
ekesek”(To speak softly is better than to shout)
 MAGUINDANAOS, “Mabager su kambitagara
su aggulan nin di-mabager” (A shout is faint and
inaudible but a whisper is clear and forceful)
 ILOCANOS, “Ti nasakit a sarita kasla makapatay
a sabidong ngem ti nasayaat a panagsasao kasla
nabanglo a sabong” ( A hurtful word is like a
deadly poison, but a nice talk is like a fragnant
flower)
 “Ti naalumamay a sarita kasla batumalani a
napigsa”( Fine words are strong and attractive as a
magnet)
 AKLANOS,”Ro meaemig mga tubi kon
sumilapo, patay ro kaeayo”(Cold water is used to
put out fire)
 For the Filipinos, it is more effective to resolve any
strife in diplomatic way than to employ severe and
drastic means of force.
 The “sitting stance” approach to settle friction or
dissension is done through a suave, smooth, and
friendly process; whereas the “standing stance”
approach which is harsh and rough, will only add
more insult to injury.
 The diplomatic metaphor of the Aklanos is
water. As you pour out more water over fire, both
the heat and the fire itself will be put out; whereas
if you use fire to put out fire, you will end up with
a bigger fire.
 The Filipino terms papapasimuno, pakukusa,
pagpapanimula or pangunguna may correspond to
the term “initiative” ; so “self-initiative” connotes
sariling pagkukusa or sariling pagpapasimuno.
 The concept of initiative means the ability to take
the lead, the capacity to begin the first step, or the
power to blaze the trail.
 It refers to one’s own ability and power to begin,
to break the ground, to start the ball, to lay and
first stone, and to make the first move or first step
in any undertaking.
 In Filipino, a man of initiative is known as isang
taong mapagkusa, mapagpasimuno, or
mapgpasimula. He does not wait for others to
make the first move as long as he can do it
himself.
 “Daig ng maagap ang masipag” ( The foresighted
will outwit thw industrious).
 “Humukay ka ng balon bago ka mauhaw” (Dig up
a well before you became thirsty).
 “ Huwag kang maglagay ng gabay kung kailan pa
papalubog na ang bangka” ( Don’t install the float
at the time the boat is already sinking).
 “ Ang hipong tulog ay tinatangay ng agos” (A
sleeping shrimp is carried way by the current).
 “Wala ng silbi ang sariwang damo kung patay na
ang kabayo” (Useless is the fresh grass once the
horse is dead)
› This is the Filipino call sayang.
 The root word of the adjective maagap is the noun
agap, which means “punctuality”, “promptness” or
“timeliness”; so maaap means
“punctual”,”prompt”, “well-timed”, “on time”. “ at
the right time”. “on schedule”, or “in time”.
 On the other hand, sipag, “industriousness”, is the
rootword of masipag, which means “industrious”,
“diligent”, or “hardworking”. As far as the people
are concerned, a man of initiative beats an
industrious person.
 No matter how diligent and industrious an
individual may be, if he lacks the initiative, he will
definitely be surpassed by the one who takes the
first step in any human endeavor.
 Sira Metaphor
› Refer to any small problem of conflict which should be
mended and resolved the soonest to prevent it from
growing big.
 Crooked Tree
› Refers to the proper timing of instilling discipline into
our children to prevent them from becoming way ward
and delinquent.
 ILOCANOS, “Ti matmaturog makamukat, ti
nasalibukas agbiag” ( He who sleeps develops
gummy eye secretion; he who is alert survives)
 “Dika itungtungkua, amangan no magabayka”
(Don’t procrastinate, or else it will be too late)
 “No kabaelam nga aramidenen. Dika ipabigaten”
(If you can do it now, don’t wait for tomorrow)
 PAMPANGOS, “Samantalahan mu ing panaun
anggang oras, e na magbalic ng panaun milabas”
(Take advantage of the opportunity while there’s
still time; time past will never come back)
 “Cabang muran caleldo mibunton cang are, canita
potang muran eca mabande”
(Save while the sun still shines, so that you have
something to harvest during rainy season)
 It is the worst enemy of self-initiative.
 For the man of initiative, time is gold ans so it is
too important to be taken fro granted. A dilly-dally
attitude will mean nothing but time wastage.
 IVATANS, “Nu tokon am rumanon ava diimo ta
imo u magay du tokon” ( The mountain will not
come near you, you have to approach it for
yourself).
 “Nauri ava u chad mo sa takey mo ano tayoca.
Nacavalac a vinayu moha moha” ( Don’t fence the
field after the wild animals have already destroyed
the crops).
 BUKIDNONS, “Isan an ubay co hari elegan, hari
no ma oma” ( A place may be near, but unless
you approach it, you cannot reach it).
 IGOROTS. “Adem am-mo na cayat mo ay
aramiden no di adi ca padasen” ( You can never
know your capability until you try it yourself).
 Self-inititiative comes from within, not from
without.
 A man of initiative knows the importance of
proper timing, foresight, and anticipation. One
may be industrious and patient, but if he lacks
foresight. He will be outwitted or surpassed by the
one who is bold enough to initiate the move.
 A man of initiative is ready to engage in daring
action, to make the opening move, to undertake
experiment, to originate the action, to lead off, to
embark on something else.
 For him, “mahalaga ang unang hakbang”. He has
what is known as “self-push”, “self-drive”, and
“self-ambition”.
 Dr. Jorge Garcia, a Filipino Surgeon, conducted
the first heart transplant operation on Mr. Rainier
Lagman at the Makati Medical Center in June
1994.
 Dr. Horonata Giongco-Baylon’s initiative that the
first bone marrow transplant was conducted
between two Gonzales brothers in 1990.
 Men of initiative like them are risk takers who,
rather than being daunted by the uncertainty and
risk of making a moral decision, are emboldened
by it.
 Human beings are naturally inclined to preserved
themselves. They have learned, for instance, that
under extreme oppression and exploitation, they
have to stand up and defend themselves against
their oppressors, and against aggression.
 TAGALOGS, “Ang taong nagigipit kahit sa
patalim ay kakapit” (A man in danger will cling
even to a knife)
 “Kapag ang tao ay nagkikikahos, handa siyang
makikipaghamok” ( Whenever a person is
impoverished, he is ready to fight anybody)
 VISAYANS, “Ang tao nga kapiot bisan sa patalom
makapiot” (A man who is hard up will hang even
to a knife)
 BICOLANOS, “An tawong malalamos, maski sa
tunok minakurapot” ( A drowning person will
clutch or seize even a thorn).
 Self preservation is paramount in the minds of the
Filipinos. They are ready and prepared to do
anything possible, fair or foul, if only to survive.
 It is clear that if only to quench his thirst and
satisfy his hunger, The Filipino will resort to
anything possible under the sun.
 He seems not to care whatever happens as long as
what he does is necessary for survival.
 The Filipinos does not run away from a fight,
especially if he is provoked; he stands on his
ground and defends himself to death.
 No matter what kind of adversity the Filipino is
facing, he will do anything possible to overcome it,
if only to survive.
 Any form of healing ritual that goes beyond logic
and scientific explanation appeals ti him for the
sake of survival.
 The value of survival is a built-in rule of conduct
which predominates over Philippine culture and
finds expression in the attitudes, actuations, and
behavior of the people.
 The Filipino’s desire to live well with dignity and
freedom overcomes his fear of physical
destruction. He risk everything because of his
desire to protect his life and honor.
 Life without self-respect, freedom, and justice is
even worse than death.
 Hostage taking crisis of Angelo de la Cruz in Iraq.
› Ofw’s being interviewed:
 “Mas mabuti pang mapugutan na lang ng ulo sa Iraq,
kaysa mamatay ng gutom sa Pilipinas”
› The Filipino will do anything, good or bad, to resolve
his crucial predicaments and to overcone his
adversities.
 Philosophy knows no race, no culture, and knows no
language as well.
 Philosophy knows no gender, knowledge is neither
male nor female or gay. Truth is truth for all.
 Filipinos have conceived and formulated their
Philosophy of life and values for their own survival,
sanity, and peace of mind, insofar as no people can
survive without values. They realize the value of
diplomacy in resolving conflicts and differences.
 The value of initiative spells out the people’s
forward-looking attitude, giving importance to
proper timing, anticipation, and foresight in all
human undertakings. What counts most is the first
move, the first step. The value of survival makes
the Filipino a risk taker and a life saver at all costs.
This Filipino value may serve as an eye opener
not only for civil authorities but also church
officials.
 Moraleja, Marjorie O.
 BS ECE-3A