 Filipino values encompass a set of

principles deeply rooted in the culture of

the Philippines. These include close
family ties, respect for elders
(pagmamano), hospitality (pakikisama),
PHILIPPINE bayanihan (community spirit), and a
VALUES strong sense of community and social
harmony. Additionally, values like
pakikipagkapwa (social connection), hiya
(shame or embarrassment avoidance),
and utang na loob (reciprocity) are
integral to Filipino cultural identity.
SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE
Social acceptance is an important
Filipino value. Two values help
attain social acceptance. These are
(1) smoothness of interpersonal
relations (SIR) and (2) shame and
self-esteem or amor propio.
  Smooth Interpersonal Relations
(SIR) generally refer to the ability to
interact effectively and
Smooth harmoniously with others. It involves
Interpersonal communication skills, empathy,
Relations active listening, and understanding
(SIR) social cues to build positive
relationships. Developing SIR is
crucial in both personal and
professional settings for successful
collaboration and cooperation.
SIR is very important in Filipino society. It is
easily observed and practiced in almost all
human encounters of Filipinos. SIR is
acquired and preserved in three different
ways. These are through (1) Pakikisama; (2)
Euphemism; and (3) through the use of a go-
between.
  “Pakikisama” is a Filipino term that can be loosely
translated to “getting along” or “harmony” in English.
In the context of Smooth Interpersonal Relations (SIR),
“pakikisama” emphasizes the importance of fostering
good relationships, cooperation, and camaraderie with
others. It embodies the Filipino value of social harmony
and the ability to work well with different personalities.
PAKIKISAMA An example of "pakikisama" in Smooth Interpersonal
Relations (SIR) could be a team collaborating on a
project. Despite individual differences, team members
actively listen to each other's ideas, respect diverse
perspectives, and work together to achieve common
goals. This exemplifies the spirit of "pakikisama" by
creating a positive and cooperative environment within
the team.
  In Smooth Interpersonal Relations (SIR),
euphemism refers to the use of polite,
mild, or indirect expressions to convey a
message or discuss sensitive topics. It
involves choosing words that are less
EUPHEMISM harsh or offensive to maintain a positive
and considerate communication style.
Euphemisms can be particularly useful in
delicate situations where maintaining
harmony and avoiding conflict is
essential.
  Another example of euphemism in SIR
could be in providing feedback on
someone’s work. Instead of saying, “Your
report is full of mistakes,” a more
euphemistic approach would be, “There
EUPHEMISM are a few areas in the report that might
benefit from some additional attention
and refinement.” This way, the message
is communicated with consideration,
promoting a more positive and
collaborative atmosphere.
  In Smooth Interpersonal Relations (SIR),
a “go-between” typically refers to an
intermediary or a person who facilitates
communication and understanding
between two parties. This role is crucial in
resolving conflicts, clarifying
GO-BETWEEN misunderstandings, or promoting
cooperation. The go-between acts as a
bridge, helping to maintain harmony and
promote effective communication
between individuals or groups with
differing perspectives.
  Ex. A manager mediating a conflict
between two team members is an
GO BETWEEN example of a “go-between” in SIR,
facilitating communication and
resolution.
  In Filipino values, shame, or “hiya,” is a cultural
concept associated with a sense of honor and
dignity. It involves avoiding behaviors that may
bring disgrace to oneself or one’s family. On the
other hand, self-esteem, or “amor propio,” is
about having a positive regard for oneself and
SHAME AND maintaining a sense of dignity and self-worth.
SELF-ESTEEM  Contrary behavior to social acceptance are
given social sanctions in Filipino society. There
are two ways in which contrary behaviors are
sanctioned. They are through the (1) general
and universal social sanction of shame (1963) or
hiya and (2) amor propio.
  The “General and Universal Sanction of Shame”
in Filipino values means that if someone goes
GENERAL against what is culturally accepted, there’s a
shared disapproval from the community.
AND
 It’s important because it helps everyone in the
UNIVERSAL
community follow the same rules and behave
SANCTION OF in ways that keep things running smoothly. This
SHAME shared understanding makes sure everyone
feels connected and helps prevent actions that
could cause problems.
  Imagine in a Filipino community where
GENERAL everyone believes in respecting elders. If
AND someone doesn't do that and others
disapprove, that person might feel
UNIVERSAL embarrassed. This shared disapproval
SANCTION encourages them to change their
OF SHAME behavior to fit in with the community's
value of respecting older people.
  Amor propio, or self-esteem, refers to the overall
opinion and perception one has of oneself. It involves
feelings of self-worth, self-respect, and a positive
Amor Propio regard for one's own abilities and qualities. High self-
esteem is associated with confidence and a healthy
or sense of one's value, while low self-esteem can lead to
self-doubt and negative self-perception.
Self-esteem  Ex. Taking Risks: A person with high self-esteem may
be more likely to take on challenges and risks, believing
in their ability to overcome obstacles.
  Economic security became a significant
value in the Philippines due to historical
ECONOMIC and socio-economic factors. The country
has experienced periods of economic
SECURITY instability, poverty, and external
AND SOCIAL pressures. As a result, Filipinos have
MOBILITY come to prioritize economic security as a
means of ensuring stability and
improving their quality of life.
  In the Philippines, cultural values, such as
the emphasis on education, hard work,
ECONOMIC and strong family bonds, contribute to
SECURITY the aspiration for social mobility. Despite
AND SOCIAL challenges like economic inequality,
MOBILITY these values reflect a collective desire for
upward economic and social
advancement, particularly through
education and perseverance.
  Reciprocity in Filipino values means
helping each other out and sharing
responsibilities. It's about giving and
receiving support within the community,
promoting cooperation and maintaining
RECIPROCITY strong social bonds.
 There are three classifications of
reciprocity in the Philippines. These are
(1) contractual reciprocity; (2) quasi-
contractual reciprocity; (3) utang na loob
or debt of gratitude.
  Contractual reciprocity means that when
two parties make a deal, they agree to
give or do something for each other. It's
CONTRACTUAL
like a fair exchange where both sides
RECIPROCITY
have responsibilities and get something
in return based on what they agreed
upon in a contract.
  Imagine two friends agree to help each other
with their homework: one is good at math, and
EXAMPLE OF the other is skilled in English. They create a deal
– the friend good at math will assist with math
CONTRACTUAL problems, and the one good in English will help
RECIPROCITY with writing. This mutual agreement is a form
of contractual reciprocity where both benefit
from the exchange of services.
  In Filipino values, quasi-contractual reciprocity
QUASI- is like helping each other out because you’re
part of the same community, not because you
CONTRACTUAL signed a formal agreement. It’s about mutual
RECIPROCITY support and coming together, following
cultural values rather than strict contracts.
  In a Filipino community, neighbors might
spontaneously help rebuild a house
damaged by a typhoon without a formal
EXAMPLE OF
agreement. This quasi-contractual
QUASI-
reciprocity stems from a shared sense of
CONTRACTUAL
community, where people come together
RECIPROCITY
to support each other in times of need,
guided by cultural values rather than
written contracts.
  In Filipino values, a "debt of gratitude" means if
someone helps you or does something nice, it's
expected that you'll do something nice for
them in return. It's about giving back and
UTANG NA showing appreciation for the kindness you
LOOB OR received.
DEBT OF  Ex. If a neighbor helps you fix your roof after a
GRATITUDE storm in the Philippines, there's a sense of debt
of gratitude. You might later help them with
something or express your thanks through a
gesture, following the cultural expectation of
reciprocating kindness.