PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY – GOA CAMPUS

Title of Module: THE POLITICAL SELF AND BEING FILIPINO YL-___-___

Name of Student: ______________________ Week No.

I - OBJECTIVES:

The students are expected to:

1. Develop a Filipino Identity;

INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, you will learn that an individual’s race, ethnicity and physical characteristics are not the only
factors that make a person’s national identity. Values and traits are also important indicators that set apart
one nationality from the other. These values and traits may not always be a positive thing, but being able to
identify one’s self apart from other nationalities and point out weaknesses and mistake, paired with unity
and commitment, make progress a possibility. Through common goals, principles and values of its people, a
nation empowers itself.

Who is a Filipino?

Filipinos are often referenced globally renowned personalities like Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga and
Michael Cinco who have made Filipinos recognized around the world through their expertise. However,
being a Filipino is far more than just being related to these notable figures. Independence Day and Buwan
ng Wika celebrations prompt us to go back to our roots and reflect on the question: who is a Filipino?

Who is ‘truly Filipino’?

On the matter of whether Miss Catriona Gray — our newest (surely there shall be more) Miss Universe — is
truly Filipina, with her mixed race and multi-country upbringing, let me bring up the 2013/14 National Identity
survey in 32 countries of the International Social Survey Program (ISSP).

The survey interview tested eight attributes of national identity by means of a battery of questions, thus:
“Some people say that the following things are important for being truly Filipino. Others say they are not
important. How important do you think each of the following is?” Respondents could answer Very Important,
Fairly Important, Not Very Important, Not Important At All, or Can’t Choose.

In the Philippines, the survey was done by Social Weather Stations on a representative national sample of
1,200 adults on Feb. 19-23, 2014. Here are the SWS findings on the tested attributes of a true Filipino (“isang
tunay na Pilipino”), arranged in order of the percentage calling it very important.

Born in the Philippines, 83 percent. The Philippines is No. 1 in the ISSP group, far ahead of No. 2 India (68
percent), in calling place of birth very important. Only four other countries have majorities saying this. The
ISSP average is only 39 percent, or a minority.

Speaks Filipino, 81 percent. The Philippines is tied with Georgia for No. 1. Next come
the United Kingdom (76), France (75), Czech Republic (74), Switzerland (73) and the
United States (73). The ISSP average of 59 percent, or a clear majority, makes
knowing the language the top attribute for having “true nationality.”
Feels Filipino, 79 percent. The personal feeling of being a true national of the country is the second most
important attribute in ISSP as a whole (average 54 percent). Georgia (84) is No. 1, and the Philippines is No.
2. In the 60s are France, Estonia, Iceland, Hungary and Taiwan. Ten of the 32 countries have percentages
below 50.

Is a Filipino citizen, 78 percent. The Philippines is No. 1 in ISSP, followed by No. 2 United States (72), in
demanding citizenship. The ISSP average is 52. Fourteen of the 32 countries have percentages below 50.

Has Filipino ancestry, 77 percent. The Philippines is No. 1 in ISSP, followed by No. 2 Georgia (71). Nos. 3 and
4 are Turkey (58) and India (53) in calling ancestry very important. All other countries are below 50. The ISSP
average is 32—which suggests to me that only one-third of people in the world (for whom we have data)
might feel embarrassed that mestizas are winning beauty contests.

Lived in the Philippines for most of one’s life, 74 percent. With respect to residency, we are also No. 1 in
ISSP, followed by Georgia (57), Turkey (54) and Russia (52). All others are below 50. The ISSP average is only
39.

Belongs to the main (i.e. Catholic) religion, 73 percent. The Philippines is No. 1 in ISSP, followed by Georgia
(69), which is Eastern Orthodox Christian, and Turkey (68), which is Muslim, in seeking commonality of
religion. Then come Russia (42), Israel (41), and India (40). All others are below 40. The ISSP average of only
22 makes religion the weakest attribute for being a true national of a country.

Respects Philippine political institutions and laws, 65 percent. The Philippines is No. 5 in ISSP, after No. 1
Norway (84), No. 2 France (83), No. 3 Sweden (78), and No. 4 Denmark (66). Respect for laws is our weakest
demand, and yet it is still far above the ISSP average of 52. The percentages are below 50 in 16 countries.

Place of birth, speech, personal feeling, citizenship, ancestry, residence, religion and respect for laws: We
Filipinos are rather purist in defining what is true nationality.

Filipino traits and values

What do Filipinos value? The term kapwa, or a shared inner self, lies at the core of Filipino values and
psychology. A person who treats another as a kapwa has a shared a sense of identity and consciousness with
that ‘other’ person. Both in the individual and community level, strong emphasis is placed on social
acceptance and maintaining social harmony. As such, social approval and caring about what others will
think, say, or do strongly influence social behavior. Here are some of the values that Filipinos have
historically held important:

The family

The family is at the center of the Filipino community. Children are not expected to leave their parents’ house
until they themselves get married; and even after then, many couples opt to stay with or close to their or
their spouse’s parents. Also, they’re expected to care for their ageing parents instead of sending them to a
retirement home. This is why it’s common to see different generations or multiple families living in a single
residence. The value that Filipinos put into caring for one’s family can also be seen as one of the reasons
why nurses and caregivers from the country provide their patients and clients with a high level of care.

Humor and positivity

Optimism, humor, and positivity are valued traits in the Philippines. The country has a long list of national
holidays, and many provinces and cities have their own sets of local holidays. At the same time, in the face
of difficult or challenging situations, members of the community are encouraged to look at the brighter side
of things. The inclination for finding the good in the bad can be traced to the country’s location, which lies in
the path of typhoons and sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire. In a place where natural calamities are
commonplace, humor and positivity work as a coping mechanism, much like how some children laugh to
hide their embarrassment after slipping or falling.

Flexibility and adaptability

The term bahala na, which can be translated to whatever happens, happens, is one of the more familiar
phrases used in the country and is perhaps the most representative of how Filipinos value adaptability and
quick thinking. It exemplifies one’s belief in a higher power and submitting one’s fate to elements that
cannot be controlled. People who use the term bahala na do not see anything wrong with it, as it serves as a
sort of positive affirmation that allows them to deal with a problem right then and there. However, those
who do see it negatively often view it as a form of fatalistic submission or a way to absolve one from the
responsibility of their actions.

Faith and religion

Spirituality is deeply ingrained in Filipinos. A form of animism was already being practiced in many pre-
colonial societies and Islam has been firmly established in the southern islands even before the Spanish
brought Catholicism to the country. These days, religion still plays a big part in society and in the everyday
lives of Filipinos.

Filipino hospitality

Filipinos in the country and around the globe can be expected to extend a warm welcome to their guests
regardless of where they come from, how well they know their host, and why they’re visiting someone’s
home. Hosts typically provide their guest with food and entertainment and, if there’s time, a tour around
the local destinations. Before they leave, guests are entreated to take home pasalubong or souvenirs, which
often come in the form of delicacies and local sweets.

Filipino Markers

What then are the hallmarks of our being a Filipino? What makes us truly relish in our being a Filipino? The
following are constant reminders of our nationality.

Proverbs or Salawikain

Filipino proverbs, just like any other proverbs, are sayings that convey lessons and reflections on Filipino
practices, beliefs and tradiyions. Damiana Eugenio, regarded as the Mother of Philippine Folklore, classified
proverbs into six categories (Eugenio, 2000):

Proverbs expressing a general attitude toward life and the laws that govern life;

Ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning certain vices;

Proverbs expressing a system of values;

Proverbs expressing general truths and observations about life and human nature;

Humorous proverbs; and

Miscellaneous proverbs.

An example of a Filipino proverb is the saying ‘Kung may tiyaga, may nilaga,” which means that hard
workwill be rewarded if one is persistent.
Superstitions

Filpinos also subscribe to their own set of superstitions passed down from generation to generation. Some
of these 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.

According to a Filipino superstition, a woman singing while cooking will end up a spinster so parents remind
their daughters to avoid singing while preparing their meals. Filipinos also avoid taking picture in three as
the one in the center is said to die, according to another superstition.

20 Ways to Be a Responsible Filipino Citizen

We, the citizens, are the first leaders of this democratic republic country. We are the roots of our leaders. In
other words, we are the ones who choose the people who will lead our government. Our leaders and
government officials originate from our votes. Thus, for our country to improve, progress must begin with
us. We have to be responsible citizens to achieve personal and national development. So without further
ado, here are 20 things we can do to become responsible Filipino citizens.

1. Follow traffic rules. Be a responsible driver, commuter or pedestrian. If we will follow simple traffic rules,
we will have better, safer and more efficient roads.

4. Pay your tax. It’s our duty to pay our tax dues to the government. Employees’ salaries are automatically
deducted with income tax by their employers. Hence, it would be unfair for them if self-employed taxpayers
and business owners will not pay taxes to the BIR.

5. Be a responsible parent. The youth are the hope of our nation. That’s why parents should raise their
children well and teach them with good habits, attitudes and values so that when they grow, they’ll become
great citizens of our country.

6. Love your husband or wife. Honor your marriage and vow with your loved one. If the husband and wife
can’t love each other and can’t be united, then how can they build a great family?

7. Conserve water and energy. Save yourself from paying higher electric and water bills. Save our Mother
Earth from global warming.

8. Protect our environment. Save our planet further. Dispose your garbage properly. Fix your car to
minimize emission of air pollutants. Plant a tree. And lastly, don’t cause too much noise pollution in your
neighborhood, especially during sleeping time.

9. Report crimes. Help our law enforcers solve and reduce crimes in the Philippines. And don’t forget to
expose the biggest crime of all – corruption in the government. Robbery inside the government involves
millions and even billions of pesos. This crime can make millions of Filipinos hungry. Moreover, substandard
public infrastructures that were built by corrupt politicians can kill many lives during calamities. Therefore,
be brave and help our country fight corruption.

10. Obey the laws and local ordinances. Laws and ordinances were made for a good reason. They are based
on our constitution. So whether it’s a criminal law, business law, a civil law or a simple local ordinance, as
long as it’s constitutional, let’s obey it. If you think the law is too much, obey first before you complain.

11. Be kind to our foreign visitors. Be a good role model or a good representative of all Filipinos in front of
our visitors. Give our country a good name. Show to them how good, honest, hospitable and helpful we are.
Do this with all your heart, and of course, do this also to our countrymen, not only to foreigners.
12. Respect other Filipinos, especially the elders. Filipinos are known to be polite and respectful (at least
during the old times). Let’s preserve this good trait or habit despite of our time’s modernization.

13. Build a good relationship with your neighbors. Stop gossiping. It will only create tensions and quarrels
among your neighbors. Rather, lend your arms to help them. Befriend them to encourage close and good
relationship in the neighborhood. Keep the “Bayanihan” spirit in your community strong.

14. Help your own town achieve progress. Instead of leaving your own town to live in a squatter area in
Metro Manila and other urban cities, do your best to leverage the resources of your own town to contribute
to its economic development. Farming, fishing and other countryside jobs can actually make you successful
financially if you will only do them right.

15. Give support to our countrymen. Cheer for our athletes. Provide moral support to Filipinos who are
working hard to achieve their own success in a good way. Avoid the negative qualities of crab mentality,
such as envy, selfishness and insecurity.

16. Be a responsible worker. Wherever you are, whether you’re working in the Philippines or abroad, honor
your employer and be a responsible worker. We have to preserve the dignity of Filipino workers who are
known to be hardworking, honest, and competitive.

17. Love your employees. Follow the labor laws. Respect your workers’ rights and provide them with the
right employees’ benefits (e.g., SSS, Phil Health, Pag-Ibig and bonuses) . If you will take good care of your
workers and make them happy, they will be more motivated and your business will be more productive.

18. Make your customers happy. No matter how big or small your business is, do your business with quality
and integrity. Let’s not only promote Filipinos as competitive workers but also as globally competitive
business people and entrepreneurs.

19. Be a responsible netizen. Think twice before you click, post or make a comment on Facebook, Twitter or
any other social media network. Be considerate and respect the feelings, belief and opinions of other
netizens to avoid useless conflicts and arguments. We can always have a friendly and healthy debate,
without losing our calmness, respect and maturity.

20. Make an honest vote. Finally, exercise your right to vote. Aside from exercising the power to vote, a
responsible citizen also makes efforts to research, investigate all political candidates, and make the best
vote. And even more than that, he (she) must also guard and protect his (her) vote against electoral
fraudsters.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Make an acrostic below which will describe you, in relation to your being a Filipino;

N
O

Discuss how being a Filipino affects your “self”. How can becoming a better Filipino influence your duty to
becoming a better version of yourself?

ASSESSMENT TASK:

Discuss how being a Filipino affects your “self”. How can becoming a better Filipino influence your duty to
becoming a better version of yourself?

REFERENCES/LEARNING RESOURCES

Alata, Eden Joy, Caslib, Jr., Bernardo Nicolas, et al., (2018). Understanding the Self. Manila: Rex Book Store,
Inc.

Abrugar , Victorino. 2014. “20 Ways to Become a Responsible Filipino Citizen”. Accessed July 12, 2020.
[Link]

Beilharza, Peter, and Trevor Hogan, 2002. Social Self, Global Culture: An Introduction to Sociological Ideas.
Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Chaffee, John. 2015. The Philosopher’s Way: Thinking Critically About Profound Ideas. 5th Ed. Boston:
Pearson.

Mangahas, Mahar., (/ 05:22 AM December 22, 2018) “What is ‘truly’ Filipino”.,Philippine Daily Inquirer .

David, Randolph, 2002. Nation, Self, and Citizenship: An Invitation to Philippine Sociology. Quezon City:
University of the Philippines Press.

Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved:

ERNESTO V. VILLANOBO JR. PHD