Lesson 5

The Political Self

INTRODUCTION

The Philippines today has only emerged in the 1980s after over three centuries’ colonization of the
Spaniards. Meanwhile, the Japanese only occurred in 1946. Foreign culture, beliefs, language, and
religion have made a huge dent on our own by setting a foundation to the contemporary Filipino identity
and culture. Have Filipinos truly developed an identity of their own? Or are we still living in the shadow
of our colonial friends?
The individual's race, ethnicity, and physical characteristics are not the only factors that make a person's
national identity. The importance of values and traits are set apart nationality from the other. These values
and traits may not always be a positive thing, but being able to identity one's self apart from other
nationalities and point out weakness and mistakes, paired with unity and progress a possibility.

Developing Self Identity

According to Yacat (2005), the question of who the Filipino is can be explained by looking at the three
facets that form the identity of a Filipino.

First: Social-Political dimension

A Filipino is a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines. By citizen, it pertains to a member of a political
community who has the right and privileges to participate in political activities and public affairs
(Baldomar, et. Al., 2015). Article IV, section 1 the 1987 Constitution defines a Filipino as:

1. Born in the Philippines

2. Having parents who are citizens of the Philippines
3. Born before January 17, 1973 Filipina mothers
4. Naturalized in accordance of law

As a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines, a Filipino may enjoy full political and civil rights, and is
obliged to pledge allegiance to the state, and the state in return provides protection and public goods and
services to him.

Second: Cultural Roots

Culture is defined as all socially-learned behaviors, beliefs, feelings, and values the members of society
experience. Culture in general affects almost every aspect of an individual socially, economically, and
politically. Culture shapes the way we think, do things, how we feel, behave, and relate (Dy, 1994). Our
values are, likewise, the products of culture. As a social being, a Filipino is influenced by his cultural
milieu, which can be seen through the manifestation of values. Values when manifested in action can
reveal the kind of person we are. Filipino values are generally ambivalent because in applying them, it
results in positive and negative consequences. Some of the Filipino values are:

1. Hiya
 It is timidity, shyness, or feeling of embarrassment. It results from the sensitivity of the
Filipinos in relation to others.

2. Utang na Loob (Debt of gratitude)

 It signifies the principle of reciprocity or a give-and-take relationship among Filipinos. It is a
Filipino way of expressing gratitude.

3. Pakikisama
 It attests to the fact that a Filipino is a relational being. As a social being, he must be able to
get along with the others to maintain harmonious relationship.

4. Pakikiramdam
 It refers to heightened awareness and sensitivity to the situation others are into.

There are two types of Political involvement:

1. Political engagement as a proactive engagement in the public arena. This can be seen when one
campaigns for an elected position, joins political rallies or street demonstrations.

2. Political participation in any organization to address social problems, such as community

organizing.

Third: Consciousness

It is the psychological dimension or awareness of oneself as a Filipino, which leads to the pride of being a
Filipino. Unfortunately, captive consciousness is still prevalent in the Filipinos primarily because of their
long period of colonization. The Filipino consciousness was developed and shaped to fit the needs of the
colonizers. There is a need to counter this consciousness by instilling a kind of nationalist consciousness,
especially among the youth.

Being a Filipino (Pagka-Filipino)

Pagka-Filipino refers to the quality of being a Filipino. Filipino-ness is the identity’s permative aspect
that brings impetus to personhood. While Filipino represents the social category, Pagka-Filipino denotes
evaluative aspects of being members of a social group. For an identity to be validated, it has to be
performed. Through performance, an identity is rehearsed and strengthen. Therefore, as a Filipino, we
cannot just become a Filipino by name (Filipino sa pangalan) but by our whole being (Filipino sa puso,
diwa, salita, at gawa). Filipino sa pangalan indicates a superficial integration of oneself as a Filipino
while Filipino sa puso reflects an active pursuit of being a Filipino through a way of life, a deeper
integration into being a Filipino.

There are three areas of concerns in the building of Filipino identity:

1. Instrumental
  Both Filipino citizens and government officials act in accordance with rules and identities in
consonant with and supportive of democratic practices.

2. Moral
 It involves the formation and integration of values and beliefs into the democratic process.
Values and beliefs embody and reinforce democratic principles.

3. Transformative
 It pertains to the continuous effort to encourage the process of self-reflection, redefinition of
individuals, institutions, and community.

The challenges in forging a Filipino Identity

1. At the individual level

 There are contradictions in the daily behavior of the Filipino. There are Filipinos who fail to
live out their values and beliefs in their daily lives. Some are indifferent to their own rights
and duties as Filipino citizens.

2. At the institutional level

 Filipinos do not usually acquire a sense of national identity from the family.
 The nature of kingship affiliation and sense of regionalism in the Philippines hamper the
process of creating and developing a sense of community.
 While families teach their children basic human values and instil discipline, they take to
school to teach their children nationhood and its associated values.
 The government is inconsistent in becoming a role model of positive values.

Enhancement of Nationalism

Nationalism refers to the spirit, aspirations, loyalty and devotion of an individual to the nation. Does
nationalism matter for the Filipinos? It is crucial for us to enhance nationalism because the goal of
nationalism is to form national identity and unity, lay the foundation for the formation of national
consciousness, and bind the individuals or groups with shared values, attitudes, purpose, and actions.

References:

link.springer.com
www.karnacbooks.com

PubMedpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

journals.sagepub.com

Degho, Degho, De Claro & Lajano (2018). Understanding the Self (pp. 107-111)