Political self

• Dimensions of being a Filipino

  • Pinagmulan (socio-political dimension)
  • Kinalakihan (cultural roots)
  • Kamalayan (consciousness)
• Pinagmulan (socio-political dimension)


  • Being born in the Philippines
  • Having parents who are Filipinos
  • Residing in the Philippines
  • A Filipino citizen
• Kinalakihan (cultural roots)


  • Revolves around participation and being immersed in a cultural milieu acknowledged as Filipino
  • Culture refers to all socially learned behaviors, beliefs, feeling and values that the members of society experience
  • Culture shapes the way we think, do things, how we feel, behave, and relate
• Types of Political Involvement

  • Proactive engagement in the public arena (running for public office, joining political rallies and street demonstration)
  • Public problem solving (community organizing)
• Filipino Values


  • Hiya (timidity, shyness, embarrassment, sensitivity to others, consideration of the feelings of others)
  • Utang na loob (debt of gratitude, signifies the principle of reciprocity, Filipinos' way of expressing gratitude)
  • Pakikisama (maintaining smooth interpersonal relationships, going along with or giving in – conformity)
  • Pakikiramdam (heightened awareness and sensitivity, similar with empathy, sensitivity and awareness, measuring (pagtantya) of the other, being observant and watchful, cautious "feeling" of the other)
• Some Basic Filipino Values

  • Close family ties
  • Respect for elders
  • Economic and social upliftment
  • Patience and endurance
• Kamalayan (consciousness)


  The psychological dimension, Awareness of the self as a Filipino, Acceptance of membership in the category of Filipino, Pride in the membership
• Pagka-Filipino (being Filipino or Filipino-ness)


  Refers to the quality of being Filipino; Filipino-ness is the identity's performative aspect that brings impetus to personhood
• Gradiations/levels of being a Filipino


  • Pilipino sa Pangalan
  • Pilipino sa Puso
• The identity of the Filipino today is of a person asking what is his identity
• Challenges in Forging a Filipino Identity

  • At the individual level (There are contradictions in the everyday behavior of some Filipinos, Some Filipinos do not exercise their rights unless their interests are threatened)
  • At the institutional level (Filipinos do not usually acquire a sense of national identity from the family, While families teach children basic human values and instill discipline, they look at schools to teach nationhood and its associated values, Part of the reason why Filipinos have difficulty in developing a sense of community is the nature of kinship affiliation in the Phillipines, Government infrequently appears as a role model of positive values)
• Nationalism


  Devotion to or advocacy of national unity and independence, Most important prerequisite to the formation of national consciousness, It thus server to bind individuals or groups to common values, attitudes, purposes, and ways of action
• How to be a Good Filipino

  • Be an active Filipino citizen (be aware of the current events and participate in government programs that aim for the country's progression and development, exercise your right to vote)
  • Study the Philippine history (learn and fully understand the events of the Philippine history, learn why it is so important to love one's country, with your life, extend help to fellow Filipinos in need, and recognize abuse of political power)
  • Support Local Products (buying local products do not only support local manufacturers and businessmen but also strengthens the local economy, displays our creativity, innovativeness, and resourcefulness)
  • Speak the Filipino Language (Jose Rizal highlights the importance of speaking the national language as way of displaying the love for one's country, speaking Filipino also serves as a unique identifier of being a Filipino)
  • Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging with dissent (sort out everything that one reads before actually buying it and spreading it like wildfire, recognize disagreement in political views, be tolerant, and argue intelligently without having to resort into name-calling people)