THE STRENGTHS

AND WEAKNESSES
OF THE FILIPINO
CHARACTER
Moral Recovery Program: “Building a People,
Building a Nation”

Submitted on April 27, 1988 by the Task

Force to President Corazon Aquino, Senate
and the members of the press by then Senator
Leticia Shahani, the moving spirit behind the
program.
The Weaknesses of the Filipino character as
cited in the Report are as follows:
EXTREME FAMILY CENTEREDNESS
Excessive concern for family means using one’s office and
power to promote family interests and thus factionalism
patronage, political dynasties and protection of erring
family members. It results in lack of concern for the
common good, and acts as a block to national
conciousness.
The Weaknesses of the Filipino character as
cited in the Report are as follows:
EXTREME PERSONALISM
- Takes things personally, cannot separate objective task from emotional
involvement.
- Because of this the Filipino is uncomfortable with bureaucracy, with
rules and regulations and with standard procedures.
- He uses personal contacts, and gives preference to family and friends
in hiring, services and even voting.
- Leads to the graft and corruption evident in Philippine Society.
The Weaknesses of the Filipino character as
cited in the Report are as follows:
LACK OF DISCIPLINE
- A casual attitude toward time and space manifested in lack of precision
and compulsiveness, in poor time management and procrastination.
- Aversion to following procedures strictly results in lack of
standardization and equality control
- Impatience can result in shortcuts, palusot and nigas cogon.
- Often results to inefficient work systems, the violation of rules and a
casual work ethic lacking follow through.
The Weaknesses of the Filipino character as
cited in the Report are as follows:
PASSIVITY AND LACK OF INITIATIVE
- Waiting to be told what to do, reliance on others (leaders and
government), complacence, lack of sense of urgency.
- There is a high tolerance of inefficiency, poor service, and
even violations of one’s right.
- Too patient and matiisin, too easily resigned to his fate, the
Filipino is easily oppressed and exploited.
The Weaknesses of the Filipino character as
cited in the Report are as follows:
COLONIAL MENTALITY
- Lack of patriotism, or of an active
awareness, appreciation and love of the
Philippines and an actual preference for
things foreign.
The Weaknesses of the Filipino character as
cited in the Report are as follows:
Kanya-kanya syndrome, Crab Mentality
Done by tsismis, intriga, unconstructive
criticism, it is evident in the personal
ambition that is completely insensitive to the
common good.
The Weaknesses of the Filipino character as
cited in the Report are as follows:
Lack of self-analysis and self-reflection
- The tendency to be superficial and somewhat flighty.
- In the dace of serious personal and social problems,
there is lack of analysis or reflection, and instead
satisfaction with superficial explanations and
solutions.
The Weaknesses of the Filipino character as
cited in the Report are as follows:
Emphasis on “porma” rather than substance
This lack of analysis and emphasis on form is
reinforced by an educational system that is
more from than substance.
These weaknesses are rooted in many factors:

• Home
• Social and economic environment
• Culture and language
• History
• Religion
• Educational system
• Mass media
• Leadership and role models
However, change is possible and the following
goals are proposed to develop in the Filipinos:
• Sense of patriotism and national
• A sense of the common good
• A sense of integrity and accountability
• The values and habits of discipline and hard work.
• The value and habits of self-reflection and analysis; the
internalization of spiritual values and the emphasis on
essence rather than on form.
The strengths of the Filipino character are:
PAKIKIPAGKAPWA-TAO
The strengths of the Filipino character are:
FAMILY ORIENTATION
The strengths of the Filipino character are:
JOY AND HUMOR
The strengths of the Filipino character are:
Flexibility, adaptability and creativity
The strengths of the Filipino character are:
Hard work and industry
The strengths of the Filipino character are:
Faith and religiosity
The strengths of the Filipino character are:
Ability to survive
WRITTEN WORK

How can the strengths of

the Filipinos can also be
their weaknesses?