CHAPTER 3

The Essence of Values in NSTP

The Filipinos are a happy blend of several races, basically Malay with Chinese,
Spanish, Indian and American admixtures. Their values and ways of life were shaped by
several, sometimes conflicting cultures and the resulting blend is what makes their own
uniquely Filipino. In their veins run the rich Christian values of Europe, the pragmatic
and democratic values of America, and the spiritual values of Asia.

Characteristics of a Filipino
 Brown, spiritual, timeless, spaceless, humorist, resilient, somebody who has a
tendency always to think of others---before thinking of himself.

Definition of Values
 Values are ideals that guide or qualify our personal conduct;
 they also serve as a mirror of our personality and determinants of our behaviour.
 Values are always positive;
 they speak as the universal truth.

The Filipino Cultural Values

Filipino cultural values are widely-held beliefs which make some activities,
relationships, goals and feelings important to the Filipino people’s identity. When these
Filipino values coalesce and mesh in a mutually supportive system, it is called “Filipino
values system.”

Understanding the Filipino Culture

The Filipino culture has six distinct elements. These are values, basic personality,
basic social unit, politics, economics, and technology. Each of these aspects of the
Filipino culture has a body of ideas called “content” which gives form and meaning to
each aspect. This form and meaning are expressed through “structures” or institutions
which the Philippine society creates or the orderly regulation of behaviour in established
ways.

ELEMENTS CONTENTS STRUCTURE

1. Values - The Filipino myths and Filipino oral and
Filipinos religion written traditions,
internalize these churches, sacred
values of their places, temples and
culture and thus mosques
create for
themselves a
“world of
meanings.”

2. Basic Personality Filipino beliefs and Filipino initiation and

- It is determined knowledge various rituals and
by the Filipino formal and informal
culture because of education.
the selection of

NSTP MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER | Ms. Rowienzelle Osita Obleno, RSW

 those congruent
types that are
congruent with
the culture
3. Basic Social Unit Family, groups and Lineage, marriage
- The family is the community life descent,
basic social unit neighbourhood, peer
which constitutes group and villages.
to and maintains
the Filipino
values.
4. Politics - The Filipino traditional Law, parliament,
Filipino politics power units and councils, elders and
are the Filipino democracy chiefs.
ideas and
structures related
to the distribution
and channeling of
power within the
Philippine society
for its well-being,
order and
regulation.
5. Economy - The Production by private Capitalism and
Filipino economics enterprises socialism
are the ideas
which the Filipino
society develops
and the
structures which
it creates for
provision of food,
clothing and
shelter for its
members.
6. Technology - Communication and Various media,
includes all that health professional
the Filipinos have organizations,
invented to make medicine, hospitals
their life easier, and laboratories
less arduous, and
shifted from the
brink of mere
survival thus
changing their
way of life and
giving them more
control of their
physical
environment.

NSTP MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER | Ms. Rowienzelle Osita Obleno, RSW

The NSTP and the Four (4) Perspectives

The goal of NSTP is to develop the civic consciousness of the Filipino youth. It is
therefore important that every NSTP student should have a clear view or perspective of
oneself as he relates to others, his country or state, his environment and his own
personal God. At the heart of these four perspectives is the self which serves as the
object and subject of his actions and decisions.

Understanding Oneself – A Fundamental Value

Self-awareness
 Core foundation in understanding human behavior.
 It is the key to unlock one’s potentials;
 Develops a higher degree of self-fulfillment and satisfaction.
 Discovering the power of self provides us the backbone to pursue life goals in a
more rational and decisive manner.

Basic Considerations on Self-Awareness

 A person who knows oneself starts to learn about himself/herself the moment
he/she goes through challenging times.
 A person who does not speak well of one self or often times reflects a pessimistic
disposition manifests less love for him/herself.
 A person who knows oneself believes in himself or herself, anchors one’s choices
and actions based on one’s values.
 A person who knows oneself is never too selfish to express one’s appreciation and
gratitude towards others.
 A person who knows oneself always owns his/her actions and their consequences.
 A person who knows oneself is willing to laugh at one’s own mistakes or foolishness
without being embarrassed.
 A person who knows oneself recognizes his/her capacities and potential, his/her
weaknesses and limitations, and how he/she can continuously achieve personal
growth and change.

Some Basic Guidelines to Self-Knowledge

1. Know your strengths and weaknesses.

2. Be open to feedback. The best way to discover oneself is to allow others to be

a mirror to you.

3. Develop one’s openness to feelings. People may not be comfortable when they
are asked to express their feelings but this could also be one authentic way of
freeing yourself from personal blocks and pretenses.

4. Be confident. Whatever you say, no matter what you feel, presents a picture
of who you are and what you are.

5. Learn to appreciate people. Good or bad, they are human beings. You can
only appreciate them, however, if you appreciate yourself.

6. Trust yourself.

NSTP MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER | Ms. Rowienzelle Osita Obleno, RSW

The Values of Being Makatao, MakaDiyos, Makakalikasan, and Makabayan

The promotion of the Filipino values is embodied in the Preamble of the 1987
Constitution.

 First, the value of being maka-Diyos which is articulated in the faith in the Almighty;
 second, the value of being maka-tao which focuses on truth, justice, freedom, love,
equality , and peace;
 third, the value of being maka-bayan which includes respect for law, the government
of the Republic of the Philippines and its instrumentalities , patriotism, promotion of
the common good and building a just and humane society;
 and lastly, the value of being makakalikasan which involves the conservation and
development of our patrimony.

Some indicators of these four values:

Faith and Spirituality (Being MakaDiyos)

 Respect for Life

 Order
 Integrity
 Concern for Family and Future Generation

Shared Being (Being MakaTao)

 Responsibility and Commitment

 Safety, Security and Comfort
 Commitment to Follow standards
 Respect of People’s Culture
 Community Spirit
 Compassion
 Unity
 Vigilance

Love of Country (Being Makabayan)

 Unity in Diversity
 Equality / Justice
 Respect for Law and Government
 Patriotism (Kabayanihan)
 Promotion of Common Good

Concern for and Love of Environment (Being Makakalikasan)

L - Green the Land

NSTP MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER | Ms. Rowienzelle Osita Obleno, RSW

 A - Clean the Air

W - Freshen the Water

Being MAKADIYOS

Filipinos are very spiritual. We are transcendent. We transcend the physical world,
see the unseen and hear the unheard. We have a deep sense of kaba (premonition) and
kutob (hunch).

God becomes our refuge when we experience problems. We draw our strengths
from our faith. “Bahala na ang Diyos” is the ultimate expression of our faith in the
Supreme Being.

Our spirituality makes us invoke divine presence or intervention at nearly every

bend of his journey . Rightly or wrongly, we are almost always acknowledging, invoking
or driving away spirits into and from their lives. Seemingly trivial or even incoherent
events can take on spiritual significance and will be given such space or consideration.

This inherent and deep spirituality makes us, once correctly Christianized, a major
exponent of the faith.

Being MAKATAO

Filipinos are a touching people. We have lots of love and are not afraid to show it. We
almost inevitably create human chains with our perennial akbay (putting an arm around
another shoulder), hawak (hold), and yakap (embrace).

We are always reaching out, always seeking interconnection.

We love human interaction and company. We always surround ourselves with people and
we hover over them, too. An average Filipino would have and know at least 300 relatives.

We live bayanihan (mutual help); at play, we want a kalaro (playmate) more than
laruan (toy). When there are gatherings, our invitations are open and it is more common
even for guests to invite and bring in other guests. When we travel, we do not want to be
separated from our group. So what do we do when there is no more space in a
vehicle? Kalung-kalong! (Sit on one another). No one would leave the group and wait for
another vehicle with more space!
Family Orientation
 Filipinos possess a genuine and deep love for family which includes not simply
spouse and children, parents and siblings, but also grandparents, aunts, uncles,
cousins, godparents and other ceremonial relatives.
 Therefore we call our friend's mother nanay or mommy; we call a friend's sister ate
(eldest sister), and so on. We even call strangers tita (aunt) or tito (uncle), tatang
(grandfather), etc.
 So extensive is our social openness and interrelations that we have specific title
for extended relations like hipag (sister-in-law), balae (child-in-law's parents),
inaanak (godchild), ninong/ninang (godparents) kinakapatid (godparent's child),
etc.

NSTP MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER | Ms. Rowienzelle Osita Obleno, RSW

  To the Filipino, one’s family is the source of personal identity, the source of
emotional and mental support, and one’s commitment and responsibility.
 Concern for family is manifested in the honor and respect given to parents and
elders, in the care given to children, the generosity towards kin in need, and in the
great sacrifices one endures for the welfare of the family.
 This sense of family results in a feeling of belongingness and rootedness and in a
basic sense of security.

Pakikipagkapwa-Tao
 Filipinos have the profound 'ka' institution, loosely translated as "equal to the
same kind" as in kasama (of the same company), kaisa (of the same cause),
kapanalig (of the same belief), etc. In our social fiber, we treat other people as co-
equals.
 We are social weavers. We always have a way to gather all parts so that they
become one. We place a lot of premium on pakikisama (getting along) and
pakikipagkapwa (relating). Two of the worst labels, walang pakikipagkapwa
(inability to relate), and walang pakikisama (inability to adjust) will be avoided by
the Filipino at almost any cost.
 Filipinos, because of their social "weaving" traditions, make for excellent team
workers.
 Filipinos have pakiramdam (deep feeling/discernment). We know how to feel what
others feel, sometimes even anticipate what they will feel. Being manhid (dense) is
one of the worst labels anyone could get and will therefore, avoid at all cost. We
know when a guest is hungry though we are assured of his/her being full..
 We can tell if people are lovers even if they are miles apart. We know if a person is
offended though he may purposely smile. We know because we feel. In our
pakikipagkapwa (relating), we get not only to wear another man's shoe but also
his heart.

Being MAKABAYAN

Also known as nationalism, being makabayan is defined as

 the attitude that the members of a nation have when they care about their national
identity;
 it also includes the actions that the members of a nation take when seeking to
achieve (or sustain) self-determination.
 It is also referred to as a firm sense of community and shared fate;
 a capacity to feel compassion for countrymen.

Suffrage: An Exercise of What It Means to be MAKABAYAN

Understanding the Philippine Electoral Process

Suffrage Defined

It refers to the right and obligation to vote of qualified citizens in the election
of certain national and local officers of the government and in the decision of public
questions submitted to the people.

NSTP MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER | Ms. Rowienzelle Osita Obleno, RSW

Scope of Suffrage

1. Election

It is the means by which people choose their officials for definite and fixed
periods and to whom they entrust, for the time as their representatives, the exercise
of powers of government.

2. Plebiscite

It is the name given to a vote of the people expressing their choice for or
against a proposed law or enactment submitted to them.

3. Referendum

It is the submission of a law or part thereof passed by the national or local

legislative body to the voting citizens of a country for their ratification or rejection.

1. Initiative

It is a process whereby the people directly propose and enact laws. Congress
is mandated by the Constitution to provide as early as possible for a system of
initiative and referendum.

2. Recall

It is a method by which a public officer may be removed from the office during
his tenure or before the expiration of his term by a vote of the people after
registration of a petition signed by a required percentage of the qualified voters.

The Holding of Elections

A. Every 2nd Monday of May for national and local elections

1. President and Vice-President : every 6 years
2. Senators, Congressmen, Provincial, City, and Municipal Officials : every
3 years
B. Every last Monday of October, every 3 years for barangay and SK officials
C. Every 3 years from March 1993-ARMM elections

Registration Defined

It refers to the act of accomplishing and filing of a sworn application for

registration by a qualified voter.

Why Register?

To exercise the right and obligation to vote in the election of certain national
and local officers of the government and in the decision of public questions
submitted to the people.

NSTP MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER | Ms. Rowienzelle Osita Obleno, RSW

 To have the opportunity to choose our leaders and to be heard and be
counted.

Qualifications of a Voter

Article 5 Section 1 of the Philippine Constitution

One must be:

1. A Filipino citizen (male or female)

2. At least eighteen (18) years old of age or over

3. Have resided in the Philippines for at least (1) one year and in the place
wherein he proposes to vote for at least 6 months preceding the election.
4. Not otherwise disqualified by law

Where to Register

COMELEC Office of any barangay office where one resides.

Validation for Registration

A process wherein fingerprints of the voter would be captured electronically

at no expense for the voter.

Where to Validate Registration

Barangay Office where the electorate resides.

What To Do About Transferring Registration

 Apply with the Election officer of new residence for the transfer of
registration records
 Ask to accomplish 6 application forms from the Barangay office where one
resides

Voting Practices

 Voting by popularity
 Vote-buying

The Elected Leaders and Good Governance

Governance typically involves well-intentioned people who bring their ideas,

experiences, preferences and other human strengths and shortcomings to the policy-
making table.

Good governance never depends upon laws, but upon the personal qualities of those
who govern. (Frank Herbert) The machinery of government is always subordinate to the

NSTP MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER | Ms. Rowienzelle Osita Obleno, RSW

will of those who administer that machinery. The most important element of government,
therefore, is the method of choosing leaders.

Good governance is often used to describe the desired objective of a nation-state’s

political development. Good governance is anti-corruption; authority and its institutions
are accountable, effective and efficient, participatory, transparent, responsive,
consensus-oriented, and equitable.

Some characteristics attached to good governance are: participatory, accountable,

transparent, responsive, and effective and efficient. The views of minorities are taken into
account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-
making. It also responds to the present and future needs of society.

Characteristics of Good Governance

Participation

People’s participation is a key cornerstone of good governance. Participation could

be either direct or through legitimate intermediate institutions or representatives.
Representative democracy does not necessarily mean that the concerns of the most
vulnerable in society would be taken into consideration in decision making. Participation
necessitates freedom of association and expression on the one hand and an organized
civil society on the other hand.

All men and women, inclusive of the physically challenged, should have a voice in
decision-making, either directly or through legitimate intermediate institutions that
represent their interests. Such broad participation is built on freedom of association and
speech, as well as capabilities to participate constructively. Participation is a process
whereby policy-making, prioritizing issues, accessibility to public goods and services and
also allocating resources is influenced by key stakeholders. It varies from one context to
another and subject to different projects and visions. Participatory processes in a poverty
reduction strategy promote information exchange and transparency in decision-making
processes.

Transparency

Transparency means that decisions taken and their enforcement are consistent to
rules and regulations. It also means that information is available and accessible to those
who will be affected by such decisions and their enforcement. Enough information is
provided using understandable forms and media.

Responsiveness

Good governance requires that institutions and processes serve all stakeholders
within a reasonable timeframe.

Institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable

timeframe.

Effectiveness and efficiency

NSTP MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER | Ms. Rowienzelle Osita Obleno, RSW

 Good governance speaks of processes and institutions that produce results which
are responsive to the needs of society while making the best use of resources at their
disposal. In the context of good governance, efficiency also covers the sustainable use of
natural resources and the care and protection of the environment.

Accountability

The key requirement of good governance is accountability. Government

organizations, private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to the
public and to their institutional stakeholders. Accountability, however, varies depending
on whether decisions or actions taken are internal or external to an organization or
institution. An organization or an institution is accountable to those who will be affected
by its decisions or actions. Accountability cannot be imposed without transparency and
the rule of law.

Servant Leadership: Attempts at Achieving Good Governance

Who is a servant leader?

The servant-leader is servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants
to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person
is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage
an unusual power drive or acquire material possessions. The leader-first and the
servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that
are part of the infinite variety of human nature.

Expressions of a Servant Leader:

1. “YOU ARE IMPORTANT” – considers everyone’s capacity to share

and contribute ideas and opinions.
2. “I TRUST YOU” – listens to the words and wisdom of others in the group.
3. “YOU ARE A LEADER TO ME” – provides opportunities for growth and
development in leadership among members.
4. “IF YOU ARE BURDENED WITH OTHER THINGS OTHER THAN YOUR JOB,
FEEL FREE TO COME TO ME” – sensitive to the personal issues and concerns of
members which may have a direct or indirect effect in his/her assigned job.

5. “DON’T WORRY, YOU CAN DO IT” – motivates and encourages members of the
group.
6. “PLEASE CONSIDER THIS...” - presents options, does not dictate.
7. “THIS WILL HELP US IN THE FUTURE.” – plans with members on long-term basis
, not on a short-term basis.

8. “I WILL NOT BE LIKE THIS IF IT WERE NOT FOR YOU.- shares

NSTP MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER | Ms. Rowienzelle Osita Obleno, RSW

 credits and accomplishments with members, does not only think of himself/herself
when the group experiences success in their activities.
_____________________________________
(Inspired by the article written by Skip Prichard, posted January 2013.)

Ten Principles of Servant Leadership (adapted from the book of Robert Greenleaf)

1. Listening - Servant-leaders seek to identify and clarify the will of a group. They
seek to listen receptively to what is being said (and not said). Listening also
encompasses getting in touch with one's inner voice, and seeking to understand
what one's body, spirit, and mind are communicating.
2. Empathy - Servant-leaders strive to understand and empathize with others.
3. Healing - One of the great strengths of servant-leadership is the potential for
healing one's self and others.
4. Awareness - Self-awareness strengthens the servant-leader.
5. Persuasion - Servant-leaders seek to convince others, rather than coerce
compliance or use the positional authority.
6. Conceptualization - Servant-leaders must seek a delicate balance between
conceptualization and day-to-day focus (think beyond day-to-day realities).
7. Foresight - Foresight is a characteristic that enables servant-leaders to
understand lessons from the past, the realities of the present, and the likely
consequence of a decision in the future. It is deeply rooted in the intuitive mind.
8. Stewardship – Every member of an institution plays significant roles in holding
their institution in trust for the great good of society.
9. Commitment to the Growth of People - Servant-leaders believe that people have
an intrinsic value beyond their tangible contributions as workers. As such, servant-
leaders are deeply committed to a personal, professional, and spiritual growth of
each and every individual within the organization.
10. Building Community - Servant-leaders are aware that the shift from local
communities to large institutions as the primary shaper of human lives has
changed our perceptions and has caused a feeling of loss. Servant-leaders seek to
identify a means for building community among those who work within a given
institution.

Being MAKAKALIKASAN

Our country needs to be industrialized but it should not be at the expense of the
environment. Development is necessary but it has to come hand in hand with
environment conservation, for our country to become more productive.

Every living being has an intrinsic and inviolable right to a healthy planet in which
to live, thrive, reproduce and sustain life in accordance with the laws of nature. A healthy

NSTP MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER | Ms. Rowienzelle Osita Obleno, RSW

mother earth has clean and pure air and water, naturally fertile soil, clean and renewable
energy and rich biodiversity.

Living things have inherent responsibilities to be active stewards of the Earth.

Thus, our lifestyles must have harmony with nature, fully protective of present and future
generations. Any act that harms the environment, or failure to protect it, is a crime
against every living being.

Man as the steward of nature should be responsible in maintaining the balance

and proper use of resources. Any damage we do to our environment will be given back
to us in destructive forms. The slogan, “ang basurang itinapon mo ay babalik din sa iyo”
emphasizes how nature responds to man’s interaction with his physical environment.
The continuous flooding of Metro Manila is proof of how an irresponsible act could result
to a life-threatening experience. A lot of environmental groups have been lobbying
against the use of non bio-degradable materials to protect the environment.

Message from Ms. Obleno,

I know that you’ve been struggling a lot because of the pressures from yourself and
your family. You’re jampacked with school works and some of your time are used for
other important activities that you forget to think of your own health and take a break.
But, please do remember, that you have to take it slow. It may get harder each day but
the end goal will always be worth the hardships, pains, tears -- endless breakdowns. You
just have to believe that He will guide you and then do the rest to succeed. Wishing you
all the best this Midterms. I hope you get the grades that you deserve. Don’t forget to
reward yourself too after.

Review hard. Eat and rest harder (char!). Pray hardest! Good luck my dear student.
You are important, you are enough! I believe in you and I will always be proud of you, no
matter what! Xoxo

God bless and all the best!

NSTP MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER | Ms. Rowienzelle Osita Obleno, RSW