LESSON 2

FILIPINO CHARACTER AND VALUES

 - Value is derived from Latin word, valere, to be worth, to
be strong something instrinsically valuable or desirable.
Develop is to acquire gradually, by successive change, to
move from the original position to one providing more
opportunity for effective use. Thus, values develop is the
act, process or result of developing the values for a Human
Dignity.
HEALTH
- Implies physical fitness and
cleanliness. The physical nature
of man calls for a certain
harmony with the material
universe. He perceives his
affinity with the world and
apprehends beauty in the forms
and shapes of nature and the
artifacts of man. Endowed with
the aesthetic sense, he must
develop his appreciation of
beauty and art.
TRUTH
- Implies the tireless quest for
knowledge in all its forms.
Furthermore, it is not enough to
discover data and know facts,
but one must develop creative
and critical thinking to meet the
challenges of the modern world.
The objective is a creative
understanding and imagination
that would transform the
environment, develop culture
expressive ideals and highest
aspiration of people, and built
structures and institution in the
pursuit of a “ just and humane
society”.
MORAL
- The moral nature of man places
primacy in the value of love. It
also implies the quest for personal
integrity and the development of
self-worth or self-esteem,
honesty, and personal discipline
which are marks of a mature
person and a useful citizen.
LOVE
- Human existense especially
such experiences as love and
suffering – points to a reality
beyond, through experiences
indicating that far from being
closed is upon himself, man is
more than man, a creature open
to the dimension of the infinite,
which religious believers call by
the name of God(Preamble).
The response to this
transcendent spiritual
dimension is the surrender of
faith. The cultivation of faith
SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
- Social responsibility means,
first of all, strengthening the
family as the “ foundation of
the nation” and “a basic
autonomous social institution: If
we wish to be vigorous society
weathering the impact of
modernization and technology.
Mutual love, mutual respect and
fidelity are traditional values,
which preserve the unity and “
sanctity of family life”.
ECONOMIC
EFFICIENCY
- Is achieved by man through
work, the exercise of human
mastery over the resources of
nature and creative imagination
in the solution of complex
problems. In this regard, the
objective of the Filipino today is
the attainment of a “self-reliant
and independent national
economy”.
NATIONALISM AND
GLOBAL
SOLIDARITY
-The spirit of nationalism and
patriotism means the love of
country and its people as a
distinct political unit bound by a
common history(the past),
committed to a common
cause(the present), and sharing a
common destiny(the future).
Filipinos, whether Tagalog
Ilocanos, Bicolanos, Ilongos ,
Cebuanos, Mangyans, Muslims, or
Christians, whether of American,
European, or Chinese ancestry ,
share a common identity by
reasons of their common history,
contributory to this sense of
common identity is the esteem of
our national heroes whose lives
and deeds are part of our
heritage.
A MORAL RECOVERY
PROGRAM: BUILD A
NATION
In discussing the moral imperatives of national
renewal, Senator Leticia Ramos Shahani(1993)
asserts that there is a need to change structure
and to change people. She further explain that :
“ Building a people means eliminating our
weaknesses and developing our strength,
and its starts with analysis, understanding
and appreciation of these strengths and
weaknesses. We must take a good look to
ourselves- objectively, with scientific
detachment and also emotionally, lovingly
and when appropriate, with disgust … We
must change. And understanding ourselves
is the first step.”
SHE IDENTIFIES THE ROOTS OF FILIPINO
CHARACTERS AND VALUES IN MANY
FACTORS SUCH AS:
⦿ The home environment,
⦿ The social environment,
⦿ Culture and language,
⦿ History,
⦿ Educational system,
⦿ Religion,
⦿ The economic environment,
⦿ The political environment,
⦿ Mass media,
⦿ Leadership and role model.
GIVEN THE STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES OF THE
FILIPINO, SENATOR LETICIA SHAHANI PROPOSES
THE FOLOWING GOALS FORE CHANGE. TO
DEVELOP IN THE FILIPINO:
⦿ A sense of patriotism a national pride, a genuine
love, appreciation and commitment to the
Philippines and Filipino things.
⦿ A sense of the common good, the ability to look
beyond selfish interest, a sense of justice and a
sense of outrage at its violation.
⦿ A sense of integrity and accountability, and
aversion towards graft and corruption in society
and an avoidance of the practice in one’s daily
life.
⦿ The value and habits discipline and hard work,
self-reflection and analysis, along with the
internalization of spiritual values, the emphasis
on essence rather than form.
Strengths of the Weaknesses of the
Filipino Character Result Filipino Character Result
Camaraderie and feeling Leads to graft and
1. Pakikipagkapwa- of closeness to one 1. Extreme corruption
Tao another; foundation for Personalism
unity as well as sense of Lack of concern for the
social justice common goods and acts
as the block to national
Feeling of belongingness consciousness
2. Family Oriented and rootedness and a 2. Extreme Family
Centeredness Inefficient and wasteful
basic sense of security
work systems, violation
Emotional balance of rules leading to more
3. Joy and Humor Optimism, a healthy 3. Lack of Discipline serious transgressions
disrespect for power and and a casual work ethic
office and the capacity to leading to carelessness
survive. and lack of follow
through
Productivity, innovation,
4. Flexebility entrepreneurship for some
4. Passivity And Lack Easily resigns to one’s
Adaptability Of Initiative fate and thus easily
and survival, equanimity
and survival. oppresses and exploited.
5. Hardwork And Productivity and Basic feeling of
entrepreneurship for some nationality inferiority
Industry
survival despite poverty for5. Colonial Mentally that makes it difficult
others. for them to relate to
Courage, daring, equals to Western.
6. Faith And optimism, inner peace, as Dampening of
well as capacity to 6. Kanya- kanya cooperative and
Religiosity
genuinely accept tragedy Syndrome community spirit and in
and death the trampling upon of
the rights of others
Bravely live through the
7. Ability To hardest economic and 7. Lack of Self Analysis Emphasis on form
Survive social circumstances. and Self Reflection more than substance.