Culture and values in the Philippines

• Values


  Standards that one's culture has defined
• Culture


  The sum of the customs, beliefs, and practices of a group of people
• Economic security


  Being able to provide for one's needs without borrowing
• Social acceptance


  The value of being accepted for what one is in accordance with one's status
• Reciprocity


  An act of gratitude
• In the 1960s, Filipino values became the focus of research of social scientists in the Philippines to explain why the Philippines has not yet achieved a developed nation's status
• Many social scientists' argument back then was that Filipino values in the area of interpersonal relationships such as pakikisama, close family ties, and bahala na did not foster entrepreneurial traits and impeded economic progress in the Philippines
• To counteract the skewed narrative, Filipino academics such as Virgilio Enriquez started a movement seeking to indigenize knowledge about the Filipino culture and psyche, thus Sikolohiyang Pilipino was born
• Economic security


  The ability to meet ordinary material needs without borrowing; that is, through one's resources or those of his own segment
• Social mobility


  Advancement up the social class to another class
• Social acceptance


  Being accepted by others for what one is, or believes one is, and being treated in accordance with one's status
• Social approval


  Includes an expression of liking which does not seem essential to social acceptance among Filipinos
• Smooth interpersonal relations


  A facility at getting along with others in such a way as to avoid outward signs of conflict
• Pakikisama


  An act of giving in or following the lead or suggestion of another
• Virgilio Enriquez, the Sikolohiyang Pilipino movement founder, reconceptualized pakikisama and gave it a new meaning, which is "companionship" or "esteem"
• Pakikipagkapwa


  Treating other people as fellow human beings
• Euphemism


  The stating of an unpleasant truth, opinion, or request as pleasantly as possible
• Euphemistic devices


  • "Siguro nga" (probably) to express weak agreement instead of disagreement
  • Opening with a feeler to first check if the other party is busy or receptive
• Go-between


  A third party who is used to assuage a bruise, heal a wound, or prevent injury
• Hiya


  The uncomfortable feeling that accompanies awareness of being in a socially unacceptable position or performing a socially unacceptable action
• Amor propio


  Sensitivity to personal affront
• Contractual reciprocity


  A voluntary agreement between two individuals or groups of people regarding a future activity
• Utang na loob (debt of gratitude)


  An exchange of goods or services between individuals who belong to different groups
• Quasi-contractual reciprocity


  A kind of reciprocity that is automatically given without any prior agreement or arrangement
• Many Filipino families still manage to practice values that have been handed down to them from one generation to another, such as attending church services
• Modern technology allows people to attend church services and keep in touch with loved ones, especially for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)
• OFWs have to leave their families behind to work abroad
• Through apps such as Skype or Viber


  OFWs can have face-to-face communication with their families and make family members feel as if they have never left home
• OFWs can still celebrate important occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries, with their families even if they live or work in another country
• Values


  Standards that have been defined by one's culture and are used to evaluate prestige, goodness, and attractiveness and serve as a basis for social living
• Social acceptance


  A value that is enjoyed when one is accepted by his or her fellow men and women "for what he is, or believes he is, and is treated in accordance with his status"
• Pakikisama


  Companionship or esteem
• Hiya


  Sense of propriety
• Reciprocity


  A situation wherein every favor or request is repaid one way or the other
• Types of reciprocity


  • Contractual reciprocity
  • Utang na loob or debt of gratitude
  • Quasi-contractual reciprocity