Readings in Philippine History

LESSON 2: FILIPINO
T R A I T S A N D VA L U E S
Introduction
What makes a Filipino a genuine Filipino? Do physical characteristics such as
having dark hair, flat nose and dark complexion make one a Filipino? Or it is a person’s
language, birthplace and ethnicity? If you were to introduce yourself as a Filipino to a
person of another nationality and he or she asks, “Who are Filipinos?” what will you
reply?
The Philippines as we know it today has only emerged in the 1980s after over three
centuries of colonization of the Spaniards, meanwhile liberations from the last
colonizers the Japanese only occurred in 1946. Foreign culture, beliefs, language,
religion have made a huge dent on our own by setting a foundation to the
contemporary Filipino identity and culture. To date colonial mentality remains an issue.
Given the wide discrepancy between the liberation period and todays time, would it be
safe to say that Filipinos have truly developed an identity of their own? Or are we still
living in the shadow of our colonial friends.
Who is a Filipino?
Filipinos are often reference to globally renowned personalities
like Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga and Michael Cinco who have
made Filipinos recognized around the world through their expertise.
However being a Filipino is a far more than just being related to these
notable figures. Independence Day and Buwan ng Wika celebration
prompt us to go back to our roots and reflect on the question: Who is
a Filipino?
Technically according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Filipino
citizens are those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the
Philippines, those born before January 17,1973 of Filipino mothers,
who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority,
and those who are naturalized in accordance with law. However,
citizenship is not the only marker of being a Filipino. Culture and
history have greatly influenced the manner Filipinos learn, live and
behave to date. People who were born and grew up in the same
culture develop and share common personality, traits and values.
Generation after generations common traits and values have been
passed on that Filipinos of today still embody.
Filipino Values and Traits
The Philippines is a lush island paradise famous for its
grandiose mountain views, pristine beaches, and rich and
diverse culture changing from province to province. While
the Philippines may be well known for its awe-inspiring
beauty, perhaps the Filipinos unique traits, reputable
values, and laudable talents make the country a place to
be.
Tourist who have visited the Philippines can never
forget the big and bright smiles that greeted them. The
colorful and loud jeepneys, the common Filipino phrases
such as “Mabuhay” and “Salamat” and habits such as
saying “po” at “opo” to the elders, leaving shoes or slippers
at the front door before entering a house, and the
importunate asking of “kumainkanaba?” meaning “have you
eaten yet? “It is marvel to experience these unique traits of
the Filipinos firsthand. Few of these traits are as follow.
The Filipino Hospitality
A Filipino trait that is known everywhere is the Filipinos brand of hospitality, Filipinos welcome
their guests and tourists as if they are their own brothers and sisters; they always make their guests
feel at home, offering them something to eat, or even place to stay. They will bring out their best sets
of plates and chinaware for their honored guests and would even go as far as spending a lot of money
and going into debt just so they can satisfy them. In most local shops, Filipinos salesperson will greet
their customers with warm welcome and say thank you when they leave even without buying
anything. Filipinos also anticipate giving tour to friends who will visit their hometown and treating them
to the best restaurants and delicacies for free. During festivals or fiestas, Filipinos serve heaps of
festive food and invite the whole barangay over. They are also fond of giving pasalubong or tokens
from their travels and pabaon or farewell gifts to their visitors.
Respect for Elders
Filipinos greet their elders by
kissing their hand while saying “Mano
po!” and constantly using “po” and
“opo” in conversations. Forgetting to
address older people properly will
regard them as rude and impolite.
There is also a wide array of
references to elder people such as Ate
for older sister; Kuya for older
brother;tito and tita for uncle and aunt,
respectively; Lolo and Lola for
grandfather and grand father; and
Manong and Aling for older people
outside the family.
Close Family Ties
Filipinos maintain a tight relationship with their families
regardless if the children are old enough and already have
families of their own. They are also fond of family reunions during
birthdays, holidays, or fiesta year-round. Some Filipino families
even opt to live in a big house where everyone can stay together.
Nursing homes are almost always not an option for family
members and choose to take care of their elders themselves.
Cheerful Personality
Filipinos have a habit of smiling and laughing a lot. They smile when they
are happy, or sometimes even when they are sad or angry. Smiling has
been a coping strategy for many Filipinos especially during trying times and
calamities. For instance, Filipinos smile and wave at the camera while being
interviewed even after a fire or flooding incident. They always try to maintain
a positive outlook in life which makes them resilient and able to manage
almost everything with a simple smile.
Self- Sacrifice
The self-sacrificing attitude of Filipinos can be
seen as an extension of the Filipino hospitality.
Filipinos go out of their way to extend help to their
friends, families, and loved ones. They wish comfort
and better lives for their loved ones and would even
go to the extent of working abroad hundreds of
miles away to earn more money and save up for
them. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sacrifice
a lot; that is why they are regarded as the modern
day Filipino heroes. There are also times when the
eldest among the children of the family would give
up school to work and provide for the rest of the
family and educate his or her siblings.
Bayanihan
Bayanihan is the spirit of communal unity and cooperation of
Filipinos. It is also about giving without expecting something in
return. Filipinos are always ready to share and help their
friends and loved ones who are in need. It may not always be
in monetary form, but the time and effort they give also count
as form of help for them. This trait is particularly manifested in
how Filipinos rally themselves to send aid to those who are
severely affected by natural calamities.
“Bahalana” Attitude
“Bahala Na” is the Filipino version of
the famous line “hakunamatata” meaning
no worries the phrase is said to be
originated from “bathalana” where bathala
means God, and the phrase meaning
leaving everything into God’s hands. It
can also be viewed as something similar
to the cheerful and positive attitude of
Filipinos and following situations take
care of themselves instead of worrying
about them.
Colonial Mentality
Colonial mentality is regarded as the lack of patriotism
and the attitude where Filipinos favor foreign products
more than their own. This does not only concern goods
but also the desire to look more foreign than local and
keep up with foreign beauty trends. It is attributed to the
centuries of colonization Filipinos had experienced under
the Spanish, American and Japanese rule.
“Maṅana” Habit
This is the Filipino term of procrastination, it was derived from
a longer Filipino phrase called “mamayana” meaning dawdling
things, which could have been done at an earlier time. It is a
poor habit of laziness that results in heavier workload.
“NingasKugon”
“Ningas” is a Filipino term for flame and “Kugon” is a Filipino term
for cogon grass that easily burns out after it is put into flames.
Ningaskugon refers to the attitude of eagerly starting things but
quickly losing eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty, just like
how fast the fire of a cogon grass burns out moments after being
ignited. Laziness is a common problem among Filipinos; that is why
Filipinos regarded as “Juan Tamad” or lazy Juan.
Pride
Most Filipinos hold on to their pride as if they are more
precious than keeping a good relationship with family and loved
ones. When two parties are not in good terms, they find it so
hard to apologize and wait until the other partyasks for an
apology first.
Crab Mentality
This is a toxic trait among Filipinos
where one resents the achievements of
another, instead of feeling happy for that
person. Just like crabs in a container
they pull each other down and ruin each
other’s reputation rather than bringing
them up, resulting to no progress.
Filipino should change this troublesome
attitude and focus more on their own
inadequacies to improve one’s self.
 
Filipino Time
Filipinos have this common attitude of arriving late at
commitments, dinner, or parties especially if they are meeting
someone close to them. They tend to not observe punctuality
altogether. The 7:00 pm call time becomes adjusted to 7:30
pm, and almost everyone arrives at the same time because
everyone is using Filipino time.
DIOS MABALOS!