AY 2021 - 2022

Common Module: 07

Civic Welfare and Training Service 1

/ Literacy Training Service 1

Self and Filipino Society

Duration: 3 hours
CWTS 1
LTS 1

Student’s Name: ________________________________________________

Year & Section: ________________ Date Received: ___________________
Teacher’s Name: _______________________________________________

Commission on Higher Education

LIGAO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Ligao City
 I. Module Title

Self and Filipino Society

II. Introduction/Overview

It is essentially difficult to define man. This perspective aims to revisit and challenge, in
all humility, our perception of human nature; and the possibility of achieving a productive
society through the actualization of a person’s highest potential.

III. Learning Outcomes

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

 Explain the importance of knowing yourself in becoming a better version of yourself and
a good citizen
 Create a Personal Development Plan
 Identify some Filipino values needed in the community and explain why they are needed
IV. Self-Assessment/Pretest

1. List down 3 positive characteristics/traits that most people notice on you.

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Which of these characteristics/traits can you consider as your “best trait”? Explain
why you consider it as your best trait.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. What are some Filipino values that you practice at home?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
V. Activity/ Discussion/ Lesson

ACTIVITY
Part 1.
Using a Venn Diagram, list down similarities and differences of “man” and “animal”.

man dog
Part 2.
List down positive (achievements, community projects, etc.) and negative things (crime,
violations of community rules, etc.) that you observe in your community or barangay.
POSITIVE NEGATIVE

When we talk about the human person, it is obviously everything that pertains to man -
physical, spiritual, emotional and intellectual attributes. There are several definitions of a human
person based on different perspectives:
Aristotle and Boethius described man as a rational being. As rational being, a person is
able to know, reason out and apply what he knows.
Theologians describe a human person as a substance of physical and spiritual. Spiritual
in nature because man has a soul and is created by a Superior Being with a divine purpose.
Physical in nature, because a person is created with body and faculty that correspond to his
relationship with society.
Dictionaries define a human person as a living, self-conscious animal or a thing.

To fully understand the meaning of a person, let us re-evaluate and understand the
characteristics of a person:

Characteristics of a Person
Eddie Babor discussed in his book “The Human Person, Not Real but Existing” that the
human person has several characteristics, among which are the following:
1. Rational - Every person is a rational being. This is what distinguishes a person from all
other creatures in the world. As a rational being, a person is free to think and has the
capacity to reason. He can distinguish what is right and what is wrong because he has
intellect.
2. Free - All human beings are born free. A person has the freedom to do or not to do a
specific action. However, every person must be responsible for his own action. In other
words, a person can do whatever he pleases but not to the extent of doing harm to his co-
creatures.
3. Unique - Every person is unique. Every person has his own identity such that no two
persons are the same. Generally speaking, human beings have the same characteristics
and physical features and but no two persons are the same because every person has its
own perception, has different sets of values and priorities in life.
4. Social being - Every person is intrinsically a social being. He cannot detach his “being”
from others and all other creatures in the universe. Human nature is characterized by his
togetherness and relationship towards other creatures; be it a thing, object or his
fellowman.
5. Sexual - All created living things are sexual in nature but the uniqueness of expression of
a person’s sexuality makes it all different. The expression of a person’s emotions,
attitudes, feelings, actions and thoughts in sexual activity best exemplifies his uniqueness
from animals.
 Considering the characteristics, and their definitions, given above, it can be deduced that
a human person is the ultimate expression of the Supreme Being that has the freedom, capacity
and ability to reason, reflect and relate to his co-existence.

CORE AND RELATED VALUES

The Essence of Human Person

By understanding the character and the definition of a person, the next question would be
“how are we going to maximize these characteristics to be able to create a positive result?”
There are several guiding principles in realizing a person’s competence and ability. The
totality of the person is best explored in the field of humanistic psychology. This study theorized
that a person’s behavior and relationship with others is shaped by his inner feelings and self-
image.

What are values?

Before delving into the discussion of values – Filipino values, in particular – it is worth
analyzing the word itself. The word “value” has its root in the Latin word “valere” which means
to be strong and vigorous. This proceeds from the premise that a human person has to have
strength or valor in every endeavor. It is the basis on which his strength in facing the challenges
of life should be directed.
Dr. Tomas Q. D. Andres (1986) would define values as “things, persons, ideas or goals
which are important to life; anything which enables life to be understood, evaluated, and
directed.”
 On the other hand, Edgar Sheffield Brightman defines value as “whatever is liked,
prized, esteemed, desired approved, or enjoyed by anyone at any time. It is the actual experience
of enjoying a desired object or activity. Hence, value is an existing realization of desire.”
Collectively, the values of a society would be the “standards or principles for which an
act is judged to be what is right or wrong, correct or incorrect”. As such, it is the goal set for
every member of the community to attain what is desirable. In other words, values in a society
give meaning and direction to every individual’s life and influence his human behavior.
Based on these definitions, we can say that values are those which are considered by the
society as desirable and important and have attained the status as moral impetus behind every
action of each member geared towards the desired end or goal.

What are Filipino Values?

Significantly, Filipino values would be the standards or principles set forth by the
Filipino society as basis for what is right or wrong, the principles on which every member of the
Filipino society should persevere to attain in order to reach the ultimate realization of his life,
regarding his person and in relation to his family and society in general.

Significance of Studying Filipino Values

Several studies have been made on Filipino Values. They have always been interested in
examining Filipino values because it influences a Filipino’s behavior in particular and shaping
the Philippine Society in general. How Filipinos feel and motivated to do 1 a specific task is
directed and evaluated by his set of values. In order to understand the Filipino culture and the
development of the Filipino individual, one has to understand the underlying values on which
every Filipino acts. Thus, a study on the Filipino values would provide us a deeper
understanding of the Filipino culture.
The shaping of the Philippine society into a successful and progressive nation would
depend on understanding and appreciating the positive side of Filipino values and how they are
applied to attain such goal. Thus, it is imperative that a full understanding and appreciation of the
positive side of our very own principles be made and used for our personal and national success.
The purpose of this chapter, therefore, is to help us understand our Filipino values to
enable us to put the positive side of Filipino values in use and to disregard the negative ones.
Thus, in the end, through the development and use of positive Filipino values, we may bring out
the best in the Filipino society in general and the individual in particular.
Understanding Filipino Values and Culture
The Filipino society is composed of a mixture of different races and cultures, many of which
influenced the lifestyle and values being practiced in the Philippine community. Among those
who influenced the Filipino culture and values are our ancestors – the Malays and Indons, our
colonists – the Spaniards and the Americans, and nationals of other countries who have dealt
with the Philippine society through trade – the Chinese and the Indians. The resulting blend of
this mixture of influences, which are sometimes conflicting, is uniquely Filipino in character.
Most of the prominent Filipino values are the result of a blend of the rich Christian
values of Europe, the pragmatic and democratic values of America, and the spiritual values of
Asia.
 The basic social unit in the Philippine society is the family. It is here where values and
principles are nurtured and imbibed in each and every member of the family. The tradition of
close family ties has long been practiced and considered as the foundation of the Philippine
society. So much is the effect of this tradition that the members of the constitutional commission
of the 1987 Philippine Constitution deemed it proper to include it as a State Policy and a chapter
of the fundamental law of the land. Thus, Article XV, Section 1 of the said constitution provides
that “The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation.”
It is in the family that the Filipino individual is introduced to the concept of structure and
hierarchy of power. He is always reminded to submit to the authoritarian familial set-up, where
roles are prescribed especially for younger members of the family. The Filipino family is
structured in a way that autocratic leadership rests on the elder members, where the young
submit themselves to the decision of family elders. He is indoctrinated of the tradition of primacy
of the extended family over that of the individual and that the only source of emotional,
economic, and moral support is the family.
The Filipino individual identifies himself with his family. Right from childhood he is
made to believe that he belongs to the family. The Filipino individual is always encouraged to
get advice from his parents and submit to his parents’ direction, counsel and advice. He is
admonished to be good because any disgrace that he commits is a disgrace to the family. In times
of misfortune, he is assured of his family’s support, sympathy and love.
Thus, Filipino society, in contrast with Western societies, prefers a rather "structured"
way of life, and not where he can be assertive of his own individuality.
However, modern era is catching up with the Filipino society. Changes must occur if the
Filipino society is to survive in a changing world. The Filipino society will have to keep up with
the changes brought about by modernization. The society must prepare itself for a serious
reevaluation of its values. In most instances, it will have to break away from its past and adjust
itself towards the future.
FILIPINO CHARACTERISTICS
The characteristic that makes a Filipino vary from different society is his uniquely
blended culture and values from different influences. Filipino values, for reason of several
influences that shaped its identity, are bipolar like a coin that has two sides. They may either be
positive or negative in polarity. Let us take for example the value of utang na loob, or debt of
gratitude. The value of utang na loob, the altruistic drawing of interior goodness of a person by
returning a debt of gratitude, is by itself positive. However, when one is coerced to honor a debt
of gratitude and return the favor, then it becomes negative.
Due to this ambivalence of Filipino values, they have the potential of being used for good
or evil. They may either help or hinder personal and national development, depending on how
they are understood or practiced or lived.
In order to shape the Filipino society into a successful and progressive nation, there is a
need to reevaluate the different values that influence every Filipino individual’s action to a set of
circumstances. We need to identify the positive side
of every Filipino value and develop them in order to
yield a more successful and developed society.
Utang na Loob
There is no specific translation that can
approximate the meaning of this Filipino value of
utang na loob. Debt of gratitude is a lean excuse of a translation because it does not even
approximate the fertile concept of the Filipino “loob”.
Utang na loob is a situation where an individual is required to return a favor or service
received. However, the return of such service or favor cannot be translated into monetary
equivalent and may reciprocated in a month of service or even a lifetime.
For example, a congressman proudly gives a town a new chapel, a bridge, or a waiting
shed (no matter whether the money came from his pocket or from the government), this makes
the people indebted to him. And when elections come, he recites the litany of his projects and
people “ought” to repay these through their votes. Not to repay this form of debt means that
those who were benefited are walang utang na loob. After having been elected, the people would
approach this congressman for return of the favor by seeking employment for them. Thus, this
would end into a vicious cycle, where the person na pinagkakautangan ng loob becomes the
giver and the giver becomes the person na may utang na loob.
However, utang na loob may be interpreted in a positive outlook. If it is used with the
concept of justice, truth and human dignity, it would reflect the beautiful aspect of the Filipino
character. Thus, this altruistic feeling must voluntarily come from within the person himself,
kusang loob; and should not be demanded by coercing the person who has utang na loob, so as
blind his sense of judgment.
Furthermore, this value should be used discriminately. The pagtatanaw ng utang na loob
should emerge from within the self of an individual with sense of justice so as to repay the
person for the favor or services rendered.
We should always remember that in demanding for the return of indebtedness, the golden
rule “Do unto other as you would want them to do unto you.” By demanding the return of the
favor, would you wish to become indebted in return? And when indebted, would you want that
person to act the same way when they are demanding the return of the favor?
Bahala na
Filipinos, by nature, are a religious group of people.
They firmly believe in the supernatural and in all kinds of spirit
dwelling in individual persons, places or things. They believe in a
Supreme Being who will take care of things for them. The
Filipino is very religious who has a saint to pray to each day of
the week.
The term bahala na comes from the words Bathala na. It reflects
the Filipino’s dependence on the supernatural being and on fate.
This tends to move toward the commonly conceived
procrastination character of the Filipino.

OTHER STRENGTHS OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER

Strengths of the Filipino

Results
Character
 Camaraderie and feeling of closeness to one another; foundation
1. Pakikipagkapwa–Tao
for unity as well as sense of social justice.
  Feeling of belongingness and rootedness and a basic sense of
2. Family Oriented
security.
 Emotional balance, optimism, a healthy disrespect for power and
3. Joy and Humor
office and the capacity to survive.
4. Flexibility and  Productivity, innovation, entrepreneurship, equanimity and
Adaptability survival.
 Productivity and entrepreneurship for some and survival despite
5. Hard work and Industry poverty for others.

 Courage, daring, optimism, inner peace, as well as the capacity to

6. Faith and Religiosity
genuinely accept tragedy and death.
7. Ability to Survive  Bravely live through the harshest economic and social
circumstances.

OTHER WEAKNESSES OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER

Weaknesses of the
Results
Filipino Character
1. Extreme Personalism  Leads to graft and corruption.
2. Extreme Family  Lack of concern for the common good and acts as the block to
Centeredness national consciousness.
3. Lack of Discipline  Inefficient and wasteful work systems, violation of rules leading to
more serious transgressions and a casual work ethics

4. Passivity and Lack of leading to carelessness and lack of follow-through.

Initiative
 Easily resigned to one‟s fate and thus easily oppressed and
exploited.

 Basic feeling of national inferiority that makes it difficult for them

5. Colonial Mentality
to relate as equal to Westerners.

[Link]-kanya Syndrome  Dampening of cooperative and community spirit and in the

trampling upon of the rights of others.

7. Lack of Self- Analysis  Emphasis on form more than substance.

and Self – Reflection

GOOD CITIZENSHIP VALUES

Definition of Citizenship -the fact or status of being a citizen of a particular place. The qualities
that a person is expected to have as a responsible member of a community (Merriam Webster)
The 16 Basic Values Enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution

1. Faith in God Almighty 9. Truth

2. Respect for Life 10. Justice
3. Order 11. Unity
4. Work 12. Equality
5. Concern for The Family and Future 13. Respect for Law and Government
Generations 14. Patriotism
6. Love 15. Promotion of The Common Good
7. Freedom 16. Concern for The Environment
8. Peace
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
Education in a globalized world is increasingly putting emphasis on the importance of
values, attitudes and communication skills as a critical complement to cognitive knowledge and
skills. The education community is also paying increasing attention to the relevance of education
in understanding and resolving social, political, cultural and global issues. This includes the role
of education in supporting peace, human rights, equity, acceptance of diversity, and sustainable
development.
Global Citizenship is the application of the concept of citizenship to a global level; it is
strongly connected with globalization and cosmopolitanism. Globalization is a common term for
processes of international integration arising from increasing human connectivity and
interchange of worldviews, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture. Cosmopolitanism is the
ideology that all kinds of human ethnic groups belong to a single community based on a shared
morality. Global citizenship can be defined as a moral and ethical disposition which can guide
the understanding of individuals or groups of local and global contexts, and remind them of their
relative responsibilities within various communities. In this century children and students are
meant to become "global citizens" through their education. This is possible through an
integration of the "scientific and technical skills" as well as the "traditional academic
disciplines".
Citizenship is motivated by local interests (love of family, communal fairness, self-
interest), global interests (a sense of universal equality), and concern for fellow human
beings, human rights and human dignity. The key tenets of global citizenship include respect for
any and all fellow global citizens, regardless of race, religion or creed and give rise to a universal
sympathy beyond the barriers of nationality.
When translated into participatory action, global citizenship entails a responsibility to
reduce international inequality (both social and economic), to refrain from action which
compromises an individuals' well-being, and avoids contributing to environmental degradation.
ACTIVITY
Answer the following questions:
1. From the 3 positive traits/characteristics you identified in item no. 1 in the “Self-
Assessment/Pretest, which one do you think can help you the most in your future career?
Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Give two Filipino values which you think are very important in the society and explain why
they are important.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. How can you help in preserving the Filipino values that we have in the society?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

VI. Summary/Key Points

As discussed previously, the person himself is the best qualified in changing and
directing his life. He has always been given an alternative whether to do or not to do an
act, but this action should be accompanied by responsibility.
 Being human, our dealings may not always be positive but that does not negate our value
as a person. Self-actualized persons allow their innate positive values to transform further
and realize that by understanding his self-first is the best way that he can effectively
relate to others.
Furthermore, every person must be guided by the understanding that he exists in this
world achieving his temporary assignments. Each person should start now by utilizing
his gifts and talents in obtaining his goals to positively transform and help others realize
their worth as person themselves. He must make use of it and fulfill the greatest
challenge that the Supreme Being has bestowed upon him.
The shaping of the Philippine society into a successful and progressive nation would
depend on understanding and appreciating the positive side of Filipino values and how
they are applied to attain such goal. Thus, it is imperative that a full understanding and
appreciation of the positive side of our very own principles be made and used for our
personal and national success.

VII. End of Module Assessment (EMA)

1. How does knowing yourself help you become a better person and citizen?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2. Fill out the Personal Development Plan below with the needed information:
My Strengths My Weaknesses

How can I use my strengths others in the What can I do to turn my weaknesses into
community? strengths?

How I imagine myself to be after 8 years

3. Which of the Filipino values discussed/mentioned in this module are rarely observed or are no
longer observed in our modern society?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Score Descriptor
5 Demonstrates an accurate and complete understanding of the
question.
4 States a relevant and justifiable answer. Uses only one idea to
support the answer
3 Present accurate answer with valid explanation
2 Present considerable correct answer
1 Does not demonstrate accurate understanding of the question.
0 No answer

VIII. Looking Ahead

1. What is volunteerism?

IX. Self-Learning Module Evaluation

Rate your learning experience in using this module according to the following scale. Put
a check mark on your response.
 4 – I learned a lot from this module.
 3 – I learned just right.
 2 – I still need guidance on certain topics.
 1 – I did not understand anything.

X. References/Suggested Readings

 Atkinson, Atkinson, Smith and Bem. Introduction to Psychology 10th edition: Harcourt
Brace Jovanavich Publishers, 1990.
 Babor, Eddie R. The Human Person: Not Real but Existing: C & E Publishing
Incorporated, 2001.
 Boeree, George C. Personality Theories: 1988.
 Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life: OMF Literature Inc, 2002.
 Simons,Janet A. Irwin,Donald B.; Drinnien, Beverly A.: The Search for Understanding:
 NewYork, West Publishing Company, 1987.
 Andres, Tomas Quintin and Pilar Corazon Ilada-Andres.: Making Filipino Values Work
for You. Makati, Philippines: St. Paul Publications, 1986.
 Effective Discipline through Filipino Values. Manila, Philippines: Rex Book Store, Inc.,
1996.
 Andres, Tomas Quintin.: “And the Pinoy Manager said… „Bahala na! ‟” Philippine
Values Digest. Manila, Philippines: Values and Technologies Management Centre, 1986.
 Kartagi, Grietje.: “Introduction to Values.” Reflections on Values. Manila, Philippines:
 Rex Book Store, Inc., 2000.
 Panopio, Isabel S.: Sociology: Focus on the Philippines. Quezon City, Philippines: KEN
Incorporated, 1994.
 Covey, S.: Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
 Maxwell, John C.: 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader.
 Espiritu, Socorro C. [Link].: Sociology in the Philippine Setting Fifth Edition. Quezon City:
SIBS Publishing House, Inc. 1998.
 Gonzales, Vivian A.: Values Integration and Promotion: A Civic Welfare Service. Los
Baños, Laguna: Society Towards Reinforcing Inherent Viability for Enrichment
(SIKAP/STRIVE), Inc. 1997