 The Filipino Value System

 The Filipino value system or Filipino values – refers to the set of values or the
value system that a majority of the Filipino have historically held important in
their lives.
• Some examples are:
1. Hospitality
2. Cleanliness
3. Respect for elders
4. Loyalty to a Friend or Benefactor
5. Tendency to be indolent
6. Lack of initiative
7. Warm, Friendly and Intimate People
8. Caring and Sharing People
9. Family-centered people
10. Pagsasarili
• The main section against diverging from these values are the concepts
of “Hiya” roughly translated as “a sense of shame” and “Amor propio”
or “self-esteem”.
• Social approval, acceptance by a group, and belonging to a group are
major concerns. Caring about what others will think, say, or do, are
strong influences on social behavior among Filipinos.
• According to the anthropologist Leonardo Mercado, the Filipino
worldview is basically ‘nondualistic’.
• Florentino Timbreza, a cultural philosopher, concludes in his book
Pilosopiyang Pilipino (1982) that Filipinos values are based on the
significance of the world to man.
• Jeremiah Lasquety-Reyes has recently argued for a shift from Filipino
values to a Filipino virtue ethics. According to him, though it is
understandable that early Filipino anthropologists and Psychologist
used a values theory which was immediately available within their
disciplines, from philosophical and ethical point of view many Filipino
concepts reveal more similarities to the virtue ethics tradition of
Aristotle and Aquinas.
• Models of the Filipino Values
- F. Landa Jocano identified two models of the Filipino value system.
1. Exogenous model or the foreign model – is described to be “legal
and formal” model.
2. Indigenous model or traditional model – is described as a
“traditional and non-formal” model or guide but is deeply
embedded in the subconscious of the Filipinos.
• Elements and Composition of Filipino Values
Based on the studies, surveys, opinions, anecdotes, and other
literatures made by experts and researchers in relation to Filipino social
values or Filipino core values are found to possess inherent key elements.
One can note how Hiya (propriety/dignity), Pakikisama
(companionship/esteem), and Utang na Loob (gratitude/solidarity), are
merely Surface Values readily seen and observed values exhibited and
esteemed by many Filipinos.
This three values are considered branches from a single origin:
1. The actual Core Value of the Filipino Personality – Kapwa
• Kapwa – it means ‘togetherness’ it refers to community; not doing
things alone.
• Kapwa has two categories:
a. Ibang Tao (other people)
b. Hindi Ibang Tao (not other people)
2. The Surface Value spin of the Core Value through a predecessor or
the Pivotal Aspect of Pakikiramdam or shared inner perception;
“Feeling for another”.
• Other notable key elements or motivations are:
1. Optimism about the future
2. Pessimism with regards to present situations and events,
3. The concern and care for other people, the existence of friendship
and friendliness,
4. The habit of being hospitable,
5. Religious nature
6. Respectfulness to self and others,
7. Respect for the female members of society
8. The fear of God
9. Abhorrence of acts of cheating and thievery.
• The values of Filipinos specifically upholds the following items:
1. Solidarity of the family unit
2. Security of the Philippine economy,
3. Orientation to small groups
4. Personalism
5. The concept of “loob” or “kalooban” (meaning “what’s inside the
self,” the “inner-seld,” or the “actual personal feelings of the
self”),
Pakikiramdam – existence and maintenance of smooth
interpersonal relationships, and sensing of the feelings or needs of
others.
• In a larger picture, these values are grouped into general clusters or
“macroclusters”, namely:
1. The relationship cluster
2. The social cluster
3. The livelihood cluster
4. The inwardness cluster. And
5. The optimism cluster.

• Pakikipagkapwa-tao
- this is shared sense of identity and consciousness of the “other’. Ito
ang pagtanggap at pakikitungo sa ibang tao bilang kapantay, katulad.
• Family Orientation
- this value is the importance given to the basic unit of a Filipino’s life –
the family. Unlike in Western countries, Filipinos upon turning the age of
18, are not expected to move out of their parents home and get a place
to himself/herself.
• Hospitality
- refers to the relationship between guest and the host. The host
entertain and give comfort to the guest while staying in house of the host.
• Joy and Humour (Biro)
- this famous trait is the ability of Filipinos to find humour in
everything. It sheds light on the optimism and positivity of Filipinos in
whatever situation they are in so as to remain determined in going
through struggles or challenges.
• Flexibility, Adaptability, Creativity
- Studies show that Filipinos often have an aversion to a set of
standardized rules or procedures; They are known to follow a Natural
Clock or Organic sense of time – doing things in the time they feel is
right.
- They are present-oriented: which means that one attends to a task
or requirement at the time it is needed and does not worry much about
the future engagements.
• Faith and Religiosity
- The Philippines is approximately 92.5 percent Christian (mostly
Roman Catholic), 5.6 percent Muslim, and 1.9 percent ‘other’ religions,
including the Taoist-Buddhist religious beliefs of Chinse and the
‘indigenous’ animistic beliefs of some peoples in upland areas that
resisted 300 years of Spanish colonial rule.
• Ability to Survive
- The Filipinos as a people who have been constantly under the rule
numerous powerful countries has over time, developed a sense of
resourcefulness or the ability to survive with whatever they have.
They have the extraordinary ability to make something about of
basically nothing.
• Hard Work and Industry
-With resourcefulness comes hard work. Filipinos are very
determined and persevering in accomplishing whatever they set their
minds to. Filipinos over the years have proven time and time again that
they are a people with an industrious attitude.
• Gender-specific Values
- In relation to parenthood, bearing male and female children
depends on the preferences of the parents based on the expected roles
that each gender would assume once grown up. Both genders are
expected to become responsible members of the family and their
society.