Understanding

Filipino Values

Values defined
Values are abstract and shared
ideas about what is desirable,
good or correct-they represent the
ideals of the culture. Values are
moral imperatives and feelings
about what should be or not be,
what is good or bad, what is
desirable or undesirable.

The Basis of Philippine Value

Orientation
Our values have been derived from the
racial strains and cultural elements that
are Aeta, Indonesian, Malayan, Hindu, and
Chinese, which form the foundations of
the core of our moral conscience and
cultural identity as well as cultural
elements that were derived from Spain,
the United States, and more recently the
global community.

The Study of Values

Sociologist are concerned about values as
they are used by an individual or groups.
Since values are abstract they cannot be
readily identified from what people do, think
or feel they study what motivates the
actions of people. They observed the way
people behave, listen to what they say, and
note the comments and insights made by
others who observed

Camilo Osias (1940) an educator,

writing on the Filipino way of life. He
enumerated some characteristic Filipino
traits such as hospitality, politeness,
devotion to family ties and reflected the
expression of bahala na
Marcelo Tangco (1951) an anthropologist
Filipino is being friendly, easy and
peaceful life, readily defending himself
with his bolo and knife

Filipino Values: Encarnacion Alzona (1956)

Filipino aspires:
1. courtesy- showing gentle manners,
saying po: at opo .
2. manliness- such as bravery and
defense oneself during a fight.
3. dignity- manifested in sensitivity to an
affront or slight, specially in the presence
of young lady.

Filipino Values: Encarnacion

Alzona (1956)
4. prudence or self control- to avoid
offending ones fellowmen and care in
speaking.
5. Honesty- upholding the promise and
being honest in commercial
transactions.
6. tolerance- shown in mutual respect
and cooperation with others.

Filipino Values: Horacio de la

Costa ( 1971)
composed the Filipino national tradition.
1 Pagsasarili, or the principle of self
reliance 2. Pakikisama, or sharing with
ones fellowmen
3. Pagkakaisa, or national unity.
4. Pagkabayani
5. Pakikipagkapwa-tao or human
solidarity.

Social Acceptance
:Through observation of what Filipino
say and do, do not say and do, the
choices they make or do not make, the
actions they reward and punish, Fr.
Lynch (1962) came out with the set of
values which have became the basis of
comparison between Filipinos and
Americans.

Two intermediate values:

1.Smooth interpersonal relations (SIR) - is a
mechanism to avoid potential situation for hiya
( shame or loss face).
2.2. Pakikisama- It is going along with others even
if one is not interested in suggestion or plan.
3.Reciprocity or Utang na Loob - It is an obligation
to repay a person from whom one has received a
favor. Payment may be in the form of token gifts
or services

Bahala na- An expression which is

widespread in its use in Bahala na, This
is used to express the fatalistic outlook
of the Filipino. Social scientists say that
this attitude is responsible for the
backwardness of the Filipino. It
reflected in such expression as Gulong
ng palad, iginuhit na tadhana, suwerte,
malas or tsamba.

Closeness and Security in the Family -This

is one of the values discerned by Bulatao.
The family is a stable unit for security and
support. Respect for Elders- Respect for
elder sis a value inculcated early in the
socialization process. Children are made
to say po or opo in talking with elders.
Paggalang can be a deterrent to initiative
and resourcefulness.

Personalism- This is the type of

security characterizes the relationship
in the larger family, especially when
personal problems like sickness,
financial difficulties, loss of
employment and other misfortune
occur. Hospitality- This is shown in our
generosity and kindness in treating our
visitors.

Patient Suffering or Pagtitiis is shown in

the attitude that certain frustrating forces,
whether poverty, injustice, sickness or
anything else are too powerful to be
overcome. Paninindigan- Subsumed in
paninindigan are respect and concern,
helping in times of crisis or distress
(pagdamay) understanding the limitations
of others and regard for other also.