Fipmidtermm

• National character


  The concepts of national character in general and Filipino personality in particular are wrought with difficulties
• Bartolome (1985): 'The very "idea of a Filipino personality …can work against or even be used against the Filipino themselves"'
• Personality


  A distinction should be made between the concepts of "personality" and "pagkatao"
• Pagkatao


  Perhaps best rendered as "personhood". Pagkataong Pilipino, asserts the shared humanity and the kapwa psychology of the Filipino
• The Filipino is primarily characterized from the judgmental and impressionistic point of view of the colonizers

  
• The Native Filipino suffers from comparison and Western behavior patterns are being put forward as models for the Filipino

  
• Sikolohiyang Pilipino is not simply concerned with the image of the Filipino or the motive behind invidious comparisons. Rather, it is concerned on the evaluation of the Filipino values and patterns of behavior which became a question of national interest

  
• The issue is not simply the nationality of the stranger observer (such as American) or his length of exposure to the Filipino way of life. The question rather, is: From whose national interest should Philippine culture be evaluated?
• The colonial character of the Philippine social science, developed and written in the English language, is particularly and painfully evident in studies of Filipino "national character" and values
• These studies usually conclude by identifying supposed Philippine values and patterns of behaviour

  
• The studies have failed to see the values in terms of the Filipino world view, experience, and milieu

  
• The continued denial of the proper role of the indigenous language in social science research only results in an unstructured collection of indigenous affixed to supposedly Filipino values
• Some Supposedly Filipino National Values

  • Hiya (shame)
  • Pakikisama (yielding to the leader or the majority)
  • Utang na loob (debt of gratitude)
  • Amor Propio (sensitivity to personal affront)
  • Bayanihan (togetherness in common effort)
• Some Regional Values


  • Maratabat (a complex combination of pride, honor, and shame)
  • Balatu (sharing of one's fortune)
  • Ilus (sharing surplus food)
  • Kakugi (meticulousness and attention to details)
  • Patugsiling (compassion)
  • Kalulu (empathy)
  • Hatag gusto (generosity)
  • Paghiliupod (faithfulness in need or plenty)
  • Pagsinabtanay (fidelity of one's promises)
• Surface values


  Readily apparent attributes appreciated and exhibited by many Filipinos
• Hiya, Utang na Loob, and Pakikisama


  A triad whose legs emanate from a single trunk, the actual core value of the Filipino personality, KAPWA
• Surface values are not freestanding values which anyone can assume at will
• The core value must be cultivated and understood first before the full meaning of the surface values can become apparent and appreciated
• Pakikiramdam


  The underlying precondition for the existence of the surface values. It acts as the processor, or pivot which spins off the surface values from the core value of kapwa
• A person without pakikiramdam cannot possibly have pakikisama and utang na loob. Similarly, one cannot expect hiya from someone who has no pakikiramdam
• Masamang tao (bad or evil person)


  Characterized as one who does not exhibit the accommodative values of hiya, utang na looob, and pakikisama
• Denial of absence of accommodative values

  • Walang pakisama (one inept at the level of adjustment)
  • Walang hiya (one who lacks a sense of karangalan or honor/propriety)
  • Walang utang na loob (one who lacks adeptness in respecting a shared dignity, karangalan, and kagandahang-loob)
• Walang pakiramdam


  Worse off than any of the three "evil" characters mentioned. Captured in one Filipino word: Manhid
• If one is walang pakisama, others might still say, "He would eventually learn" or "Let him be: that's his prerogative." If one is walang hiya others say, "His parents should teach him a thing or two." If one is walang utang na loob others might advise, "Avoid him." BUT if one is walang kapwa-tao, people say, "He must have reached rock bottom. Napakasama na niya. He is the worst."
• Pakikiramdam


  The pivotal value of shared inner perception. It refers to a heightened awareness and sensitivity. It is an active process involving great care and deliberation manifested in "hesitation to react, attention to subtle cues, and nonverbal behavior in mental role playing"
• Pakikiramdam is a legitimate move leading to pagkakaisa (being one with others)
• Without pakikiramdam, there is no sense of time and kalooban
• Without pakikiramdam, one cannot acquire a sense of utang na loob. Neither can one know when and how to express this sense of gratitude
• Hiya


  Has two aspects: The Labas (external/interpersonal) and The Loob (internal/being)
• Utang na loob


  Can be translated in English as debt of gratitude and is tagged as "reciprocity". It is not uniquely Filipino because it can also be found among other foreign countries
• Concepts such as lakas ng loob and kusang-loob were summarily ignored because of the minimal appreciation given to the Filipino language
• Utang na loob


  A commitment to human solidarity (such as the debt owed to another person who shares common humanity exists just because we are fellow human beings)
• The absurdity of the mercantile interpretation of utang na loob is embarrassingly humorous in a woman's "bargaining leverage" when in dire need of protection from physical abuse
• Utang na loob is therefore a value which moves to recognize, respect, promote, and, at times, defend the basic dignity of each person
• Pakikisama


  Companionship/esteem. It was used by Lynch (1961, 1973) as a primary basis for the construction of smooth interpersonal relationships or SIR
• Pakikipagkapwa NOT pakikisama is what Filipino value the most. Pakikipagkapwa and pakikisama are different in a sense that the former is both a paninindigan (conviction) and a value. It includes all other mentioned modes and levels of interaction. While the latter, is a form of pakikipagkapwa and is considered as a building block in the development of a higher level of relationship
• Bahala Na


  Among the first studies leading to the inculcation of "Bahala Na" as one of the Filipino's most important cultural values was that done by Lynn Bostrom (1986). She compared bahala na to fatalism
• Osias (1940) expressed the more balanced view that bahala na is a combination of fatalism and determinism. He wrote, "It is the expression of courage and fortitude, a willingness to face difficulty, and a willingness to accept the consequences"
• Lagmay (1976) corrected some of the misconceptions about bahala na which gave the value, and to some degree the Filipino, a bad name
• Bahala Na


  • Stimulates action
  • Not used in order to avoid or forget problems
  • Implies perseverance & hardwork
  • Gives a person lakas ng loob to see himself through hard times
  • Stimulates creativity