lesson4

• the filipino culture is a mixture of both eastern and western cultures. the beliefs and traditions of pre-colonial philippines was mainly indigenous malay heritage
• according to Baringer, 2006


  the filipino culture is a mixture of both eastern and western cultures. the beliefs and traditions of pre-colonial philippines was mainly indigenous malay heritage
• The Spaniards colonized the islands and the Hispanic culture influenced the natives; whereas, the Americans shaped the modern Filipino culture and this is primarily manifested by the wide use of the english language in the philippines today
• Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan, 1994


  former chairperson, CHED, a psychologist and educator wrote that the strengths and weaknesses of Filipino character are rooted in factors
• Prospero "popoy" de vera 


  currently holds the positions of Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Adviser of the Philippine Negotiating Panel with the National Democratic Front/Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (NDF/CPP/NPA), and Commissioner of United Nations Educational
• 9 factors of the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character

  home environment and social environment, culture and language, history, educational system, religion, economic environment, political environment, mass media, leaders and role models.
• home environment and social environment


  filipino children are taught to value family and give it primary importance. It is characterized by depending on one another to survive. this dependence on relationships and the struggle for survival make filipinos group-oriented
• culture and language 


  depicts openness to foreign elements with no basic consciousness of our cultural core. the Filipino colonial mentality such as the importance of english language in our educational system, the wider following of Hollywood movies, foreign soap operas, tv shows, and music is a manifestation of our attachment to foreign elements.
• history


  our colonial history is regarded as the culprit behind our colonial mentality. unfortunately, most elite Filipinos are of no help in setting an example of overcoming colonial mentality because they are even more Westernized in their ways. present day media reinforced these colonial influences.
• educational system 


  it is instrumental in molding the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character. schools are highly authoritarian; children learn that well-behaved and obedient students are praised and rewarded. this teaches passivity and conformity.
• religion 


  it teaches us optimism and resilience but also instilled in a fatalistic attitude. since religious communities are also highly authoritarian, they reinforce our being passive and conformist
• economic environment


  the hard life drove Filipinos to work hard and take risks such as leaving our families to work. this further developed our ability to survive
• political environment 


  government structures and systems are fraught with problems. the fact that political power is mainly in the hands of the elite and absence of a strong government presence enhanced the filipino's already extreme family centeredness.
• economic and political environments 


  are among the elements that developed the culture of corruption in the philippines
• mass media 


  reinforce our colonial mentality thru the ads, music, fashion, etc. shown on the tv, aired over the radio, printed in the newspapers, magazines, or went viral on-line which were greatly based on American pop culture
• leaders and role models


  any person with authority is looked up to, thus, when our leaders violate the law and when there is lack of accountability for leaders who break the law, the Filipino mindset is hugely affected in a negative way
• strengths of the filipino character:

  pakikipagkapwa-tao, family orientation, joy and humor, hard work and industry, faith and religiosity
• pakikipagkapwa-tao


  demonstrated in the Filipino's openness, helpfulness, and generosity; in the practice of bayanihan or mutual assistance; and the famous Filipino hospitality
• family orientation


  Filipinos also possess a genuine love for family. this love is not just for one's spouse and children but also to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even to ceremonial relatives. This love is shown through giving honor and respect to parents and elders, care for the children, generosity towards kin, and personal sacrifices that a Filipino endures for the welfare of the family.
• this strong family orientation gave filipinos a sense of belongingness and security
• joy and humor


  Filipinos are also cheerful and fun-loving. our various fiestas and social gatherings demonstrates this . we can laugh at those we love and hate, and can make jokes about our good or bad fortune. even in the most trying times, filipinos will always find a reason to smile or laugh. this pleasant disposition contributed to our ability to overcome life's challenges.
• our flexibility, adaptability, and creativity


  reasons why many Filipinos thrive in various parts of the world
• hard work and industry


  this trait is most noticeable in our willingness to take risks and work in other countries
• faith and religiosity 


  this can be related to our bahala na mindset. there is actually a positive side to this fatalistic trait. for filipinos, the bahala na attitude could serve as a kickstarter or pampalakas-loob to move an individual into action.
• bahala na attitude


  for filipinos, this could serve as a kickstarter or pampalakas-loob to move an individual into action.
• weaknesses of the filipino character:

  extreme personalism, extreme family-centeredness, colonial mentality, kanya-kanya syndrome, lack of discipline, passivity and lacking initiative, madaling makalimot
• extreme personalism 


  Filipinos find it difficult to separate objective tasks and emotional involvement. this is where the palakasan system springs from, that is, to get special treatment and always loof for inside connections in most transactions. since personal contacts are involved, request of this nature also become difficult to turn down hat led to the prevalence of graft and corruption.
• palakasan system 


  to get special treatment and always loof for inside connections in most transactions.
• extreme family-centerdness


  this is manifested in our political system where political dynasties lord over our elected government posts starting from the barangay level all the way up to the national positions
• lack of discipline


  this is characterized by the filipino idiomatic expression "ningas cogon" which means that we start out our project with enthusiasm and interest but no sooner it has started, these enthusiasm and interest just soon dies. the so-called Filipino time is related characteristics because Filipinos are known to be always late which adversely affected productivity
• ningas cogon 


  which means that we start out our project with enthusiasm and interest but no sooner it has started, these enthusiasm and interest just soon dies
• filipino time 


  Filipinos are known to be always late which adversely affected productivity
• passivity and lacking initiative


  Filipinos have very high respect for authority; a strong reliance on leaders and government to solve the nations's problems; but, ordinarily filipinos also do not feel the need to initiate or contribute to the solution. we always expect the government to solve problems such as traffic jams; yet, traffic rules and regulations are also blatantly ignored everyday
• colonial mentality 


  this is connected with our general feelings of inferiority for we think that foreigners, especially the westerners are superior. as such, we anything foreign
• kanya-kanya syndrome


  this refers to the filipino trait of extreme personalism and family-centeredness. personal and in-group interests are supreme and the drive to fulfill these interests is completely insensitive to the common good. it dampened our sense of community and cooperation, and we trampled on each other's rights as a result. the expression, crab mentality where we tend to pull others down to clim up.
• crab mentality where we tend to pull others down to clim up.
• according to dr. licuanan, the joyful and fun-loving filipino has the tendency to be superficial and somewhat flighty. this means that in times of crisis, either personal or social, there is a general lack of analysis and reflection which is a reflection that filipinos are madaling makalimot, or have a short memory. we easily forget the mistakes we made; hence we make the same mistakes again.
• superficial and somewhat flighty


  this means that in times of crisis, either personal or social, there is a general lack of analysis and reflection which is a reflection that filipinos are madaling makalimot
• traditional politicians or trapos are always re-elected into office.
• according to Baringer, 2006
the filipino culture is a mixture of both eastern and western cultures. the beliefs and traditions of pre-colonial philippines was mainly indigenous malay heritage