Gened 8: Ethics

The Filipino Character

Universal Values
Corpuz, R. & Corpuz, B. (2020) Ethics. Lorimar Publishing, Inc.

Summer Class 2023

Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the sessions, the students are able to:

analyze crucial qualities of the Filipino moral

identity;
evaluate elements of Filipino character; and

explain why universal values are a necessity

for human survival.
Let’s Get Started!

What are good

qualities of
Filipinos?
 The Filipino Character: Strength and
Weaknesses
An excerpt of the Report “A Moral
Recovery Program: Building a People,
Building a Nation” submitted on April 27,
1988 by the Task Force to President
Corazon C. Aquino, the Senate and the
members of the press by then Senator
Leticia Shahani, the moving spirit behind
the program.

Former Senator Leticia Shahani

 The Filipino Character: Strength and
Weaknesses
The weaknesses of the Filipino character as cited in the Report
are as follows:

1. Extreme family centeredness

Excessive concern for the family means using
one’s office and power to promote family interests
and thus factionalism patronage, political
dynasties, and protection of erring family members.
It results in the lack of concern for the common
good and acts as a block to national
consciousness.
 The Filipino Character: Strength and
Weaknesses
The weaknesses of the Filipino character as cited in the Report
are as follows:

2. Extreme personalism
“Takes things personally”. Cannot separate objective task
from emotional involvement. Because of this, the Filipino is
uncomfortable with bureaucracy, with rules and regulations
and with standard procedures. He uses personal contacts
and gives preference to family and friends in hiring, services
and even voting.
 The Filipino Character: Strength and
Weaknesses
The weaknesses of the Filipino character as cited in the Report
are as follows:

3. Lack of discipline
A casual attitude toward time and space, manifested in lack of
precision and compulsiveness, in poor time management and
procrastination. Aversion to following procedures strictly
results in short cuts, ‘palusot’, ‘ningas cogon’. Lack f discipline
often results in inefficient work systems, the violation of rules
and a casual work ethic lacking follow through.
 The Filipino Character: Strength and
Weaknesses
The weaknesses of the Filipino character as cited in the Report
are as follows:

4. Passivity and lack of initiative

Waiting to be told what to do, reliance on others (leaders and
government), compliance, lack of sense of urgency. There is
high tolerance for inefficiency, poor service, and even
violations of one’s basic rights. Too patient and ‘matiisin’, too
easily resigned to his fate, the Filipino is easily oppressed and
exploited.
 The Filipino Character: Strength and
Weaknesses
The weaknesses of the Filipino character as cited in the Report
are as follows:

5. Colonial mentality
Lack of patriotism, or of an active awareness, appreciation
and love of the Philippines and an actual preference for the
things foreign.
 The Filipino Character: Strength and
Weaknesses
The weaknesses of the Filipino character as cited in the Report
are as follows:

6. Kanya – kanya syndrome, talangka mentality

Done by ‘tsismis’, ‘intriga’. Unconstructive criticism… It is
evident in the personal ambition that is completely insensitive
to the common good. Example, the lack of a sense of service
among people in the government bureaucracy. This results in
the dampening of cooperative and community spirit and in the
trampling upon other’s rights.
 The Filipino Character: Strength and
Weaknesses
The weaknesses of the Filipino character as cited in the Report
are as follows:

7. Lack of self – analysis and self - reflection

The tendency to be superficial and somewhat flighty. In the
face of serious personal and social problems, there is lack of
analysis or reflection and is instead satisfaction with superficial
explanations and solutions.
 The Filipino Character: Strength and
Weaknesses
The weaknesses of the Filipino character as cited in the Report
are as follows:

8. Emphasis on ‘porma’ rather than substance

This lack of analysis and emphasis on form is reinforced by
an educational system that is more form than substance.
 The Filipino Character: Strength and
Weaknesses
The weaknesses of the Filipino character are rooted in many
factors:
1. home, social and economic environment;
2. culture and language;
3. history;
4. religion;
5. educational system;
6. mass media; and
7. leadership and role models
 The Filipino Character: Strength and
Weaknesses
Change is possible, however, and the following goals are
proposed to be developed among Filipinos:
1. a sense of patriotism and national pride;
2. a sense of the common good;
3. a sense of integrity and accountability;
4. the values and habits of discipline and hard work; and
5. the value and habits of self – reflection and analysis; the
internalization of spiritual values and emphasis on essence
rather than on form.
 The Filipino Character: Strength and
Weaknesses
The following are the strengths of the Filipino
character:
1. pakikipagkapwa – tao;
2. family orientation;
3. joy and humor;
4. flexibility, adaptability, and creativity;
5. hard work and industry;
6. faith and religiosity; and
7. ability to survive.
 Values Education in Schools
 Senator Shahani’s report was given in 1988 but its
findings as reported may still be true today. If the
Department of Education has to be true to its vision to
help develop…”Filipinos who passionately love their
country and whose values and competencies enable them to
realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to
building the nation” and to its core value – makaDiyos,
makatao, makakalikasan, and makabansa.
 Values Education in Schools
 In response to this report, Values Education now
Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao in the K to 12
Curriculum was introduced as a separate subject in
the basic education curriculum under the Values
Education Framework program of Dr. Lourdes
Quisumbing, then Department of Education, Culture,
and Sports Secretary in 1988 – 1990. The Values
Education Framework was conceptualized in 1987.
 Values Education in Schools
 In 2002, the Basic Education Curriculum (Grade 1 – 6,
the First – Fourth Year High School) integrated values
in major learning areas or subjects.
 Beginning with the K to 12 curriculum in 2013, Values
Education was renamed Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao
(EsP) for Grades 1 – 10.
 Values Education in Schools
 In Senior High School (Grades 11 – 12), there is no
Values Education or Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao but
core courses such as Introduction to the Philosophy of
Human Person and Personal Development are in
essence Values Education and Moral Education
subjects themselves.
 Other Studies of Filipino Moral
Character
Fr. Jaime Bulatao, Fr. Leonardo Mercado, Fr. Francis Senden, and Fr. Vitaliano
Gorospe
 In Fr. Bulatao’s research identified ‘kami’ mentality of
Filipinos. In ‘kami’ (a Filipino term which means ‘us’) he says,
“I identify with my family and relatives … We are opposed to
all who are not kami.” Fr. Vitaliano Gorospe, SJ referred to
this way of thinking as “group – centeredness” or “group
thinking”.
 Other Studies of Filipino Moral
Character
 “Group – centeredness” or “group thinking” is characterized
as one’s in – group determines for the individual what is right
or wrong.
 The individual who hasn’t attained moral independence and
maturity will ask: “What will my family, or relatives and
friends, or my barkada think or say?”, “What will others
say?”.
 For instance, your parents will tell you: “Iha, please entertain
your boyfriend at home. Do not go outside. What will the
neighbors say? Nakakahiya naman.”
Say something about this!
 What are Universal Values?
 Despite the claims of cultural relativism, the concept on the
reality of universal values persists.
 Plato talked about the values or virtues of temperance,
courage, and wisdom.
 Jesus Christ preached the value of love from which springs
patience, kindness, good will, forgiveness, and compassion.
 Confucius taught righteousness, human – heartedness, and
filial piety.
 What are Universal Values?
 The value of honesty and respect for human life are
characteristics individuated in all people who respect,
do not harm, injure or kill, human beings.
 All standards and values implied in the Ten
Commandments can be reduced to the value or rule
of love. This is because no one can wish or will the
opposite – hatred, killing, stealing, to be universal.
 What are Universal Values?
 Values are universalized because they can only be
wished to be the values for all. For instance, one
cannot wish that killing be obligatory because it is like
wishing anyone to come and kill you.
 What are Universal Values?
 Dr. Kent M. Keith (2003) came up with a list of fundamental, or universal moral
principles that can be found throughout the world. These are grouped into
negative and positive statements as follows:

Do No Harm. Do not do to others what you would not like them to

do to you. Do not lie. Do not steal. Do not cheat. Do not falsely accuse
others. Do not commit adultery. Do not commit incest. Do not physically
or verbally abuse others. Do not murder. Do not destroy the natural
environment upon which all life depends.
 What are Universal Values?

Do Good. Do to others what you would like them to do to

you. Be honest and fair. Be generous. Be faithful to your family
and friends. Take care of your children when they are young.
Take care of your parents when they are old. Take care of
those who cannot take care of themselves. Be kind to
strangers. Respect all life. Protect the natural environment
upon which all life depends.