UNIVERSAL VALUES

Why there are Universal Values?

- The dangers that the cultural relativism present led thinkers such as ethics expert Dr. James
Rachels to reject cultural relativism because it is implausible. The empirical basis of cultural
relativism is that cultures are dramatically different in their views of what is right or wrong.
However, when it comes to important moral issues, there are three values that are
universal. (Rachels, 2004).

The three (3) universal values shared by all cultures are:

1. Caring for the young

2. Murder is wrong
3. Tell the truth

The theoretical point is that “there are some moral rules that all societies will have in common
because those rules are necessary for society to survive” (Rachels, 2004). Imagine if human beings do
not care for the young. Homo sapiens will eventually be an extinct species. In the same manner, we will
eventually be wiped out too if people were free to kill other people. Moreover, what kind of society will
it be if everyone’s statement presumes that it is a lie? What reason do you have to pay attention to
anyone? If lying is our way of life, how can you believe what your teacher is teaching? What is the use of
teachers in the first place? What is the use of talking to each other at all?

FILIPINO WAY
Qualities of the Filipino Moral Identity

Filipino culture is a mix of both Eastern and Western cultures. The beliefs and traditions of pre-
colonial Philippines were mainly indigenous Malay heritage (Baringer, 2006). Then the Spanish colonized
the islands and the Hispanic culture influenced the natives. In turn, the Americans shaped the modern
Filipino culture and this is primarily manifested by the wild use of the English Language in the Philippines
today. It was from these influences that formed the Filipino character. The brief occupation of the
British (1762 – 1764) and the Japanese (1942 – 1945) however had no cultural influence in the
Philippines at all.

Psychologist, educator, and former Chairperson of the Commission of Higher Education Dr.
Patricia B. Licuanan wrote the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character are rooted in factors
such as:

1. The home environment

 2. The social environment
3. Culture and language
4. History
5. The education system
6. Religion
7. The economic environment
8. The political environment
9. Mass media, and
10. Leadership and role models

Licuanan said that in the Home Environment, Filipino children are taught to value family and
give it primary importance. The Filipino Social Environment is characterized by depending on one
another to survive. This dependence relationships and the struggle for survival make Filipino group-
oriented (1994).

Meanwhile, Filipino Culture and Language depict openness to foreign elements with no basic
consciousness of our cultural core (Licuanan, 1994). Filipino colonial mentality such as the importance of
the English Language in our educational system, the wider following of Hollywood movies, foreign soap
operas/TV shows, and foreign songs/singers over Filipino movies, shows and music is a manifestation of
our attachment to foreign elements.

Licuanan added that our colonial History is regarded as the culprit behind our colonial mentality.
Unfortunately, most Filipino elite are of no help in setting an example of overcoming colonial mentality
because they are even more westernized in their ways. Present-day media, on the other hand,
reinforced these colonial influences (1994).

The Philippines Educational System is also instrumental in molding the strengths and
weaknesses of the Filipino character. Schools are highly authoritarian. Early on, children learn that well-
behaved and obedient students are praised and rewarded. This teaches positivity and conformity. The
Filipino is also religious. Religion taught us optimism and resilience. However, it also instilled in us a
fatalistic attitude. Since religious communities are also highly authoritarian, this further reinforced our
being passive and a conformist (Licuanan, 1994).

Several Filipino traits are rooted in our economic environment. The hard life drove Filipinos to
work hard and take risks, such as leaving our families to work abroad. This further developed our ability
to survive. Unfortunately, our political environment and government structures and systems are fought
with problems, For instance, the fact that political power is mainly in the hands of the elite and the
absence of a strong government presence enhanced the Filipino’s already extreme family centeredness
(Licuanan, 1994). The economic and political environment are among the elements that developed the
culture of corruption in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, how did Mass Media reinforce our colonial mentality? What did you notice with the
ads, the music, movies, fashion, etc. shown on TV, aired on radio, printed in the newspaper/magazines,
or went viral online? These were greatly based on American pop culture. The emphasis on the
superiority of an imported brand or product through mass media is, in fact, part of a Filipino’s daily life.
 Filipinos highly respect authority, we lean on Leaders and role models. Any person with
authority is looked up to. Thus, when our leaders violate the law and when there is a lack of
accountability for leaders who break the law, the Filipino mindset is hugely affected negatively
(Licuanan, 1994).

Strengths of the Filipino Character:

The strength trait listed is certainly not exclusive, but these are what we have in common the
most. The strong aspects of the Filipino character are:

1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao
2. Family Orientation
3. Joy and Humor
4. Flexibility, Adaptability, and Creativity
5. Hard work and Industry
6. Faith and Religiosity
7. Ability to Survive

Pakikipagkapwa-tao is demonstrated in the Filipino’s openness, helpfulness and generosity; in

the practice of bayanihan or mutual assistance; the famous Filipino hospitality (Licuanan, 1994; Guevara
& Gripaldo [Ed.] 2005). Filipinos also possess a genuine love for family. This love is not just for one’s
spouse and children but also to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins (even very distant ones),
and even to ceremonial relatives. This love is known through giving honor and respect to parents and
elders, care for the children, generosity towards kin, and the personal sacrifices that Filipino endures for
the welfare of the family (Manauat & Gripaldo [Ed.] 2005). This strong family orientation gave Filipinos a
sense of belonging and security.

Filipinos are also cheerful and fun-loving. Our various fiestas and social gatherings demonstrate
the Filipino Joy and Humor. We can laugh at those we love and hate, and can make jokes about our
good or bad fortunes. Even in the most trying times, Filipinos will always find a reason to smile or laugh.
This pleasant disposition contributed to our ability to overcome life’s challenges. Filipinos are also
tremendous in adjusting and adapting to any circumstances. We can improvise and make us of whatever
is at hand to create and produce. Our flexibility, adaptability, and creativity are reasons why many
Filipinos thrive in various parts of the world (Licuanan, 1994).

Filipinos are valued at Hard Work and Industry. This trait is most noticeable in our willingness to
take risks and work in other countries. Filipinos also value Faith and Religiosity. This can be related to
our bahala na mindset. There is a positive side to this fantastic trait. For Filipinos, the bahala na attitude
could serve as a “Kickstarter” or a “pampalakas loob” to move him or her into action (Gripaldo, 2005).

All these positives Filipino traits mentioned contribute to our ability to survive. The salawikain or
proverb “matutong mamaluktot habang maikli ang kumot” aptly depicts our survival instincts. We can
endure, make do, and get by on so little while looking forward to the coming of better days. This trait is
the reason why Filipinos continue to carry on even though our harsh economic and social circumstances
(Tianco & Gripaldo [Ed.] 2005; Licuanan, 1994).

Weakness of the Filipino Character:

Aside from identifying the roots and strengths of the Filipino character, Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan
also pointed out our weaknesses. This is important because this enables Filipino in identifying the areas
that need improvement to grow and develop as a person. An informed and improved Filipino will also
result in a stronger and more progressive nation.

Generally, these weaknesses are:

1. Extreme Personalism
2. Extreme Family-Centeredness
3. Lack of Disciplinesw
4. Passivity and Lack of Initiative
5. Colonial Mentality
6. Kanya kanya Syndrome
7. Lack of Self-Analysis and Self-Reflection

Licuanan noted that Filipinos function in the world by personally relating to things, events, and
people. We find it difficult to separate objective tasks and emotional involvement. This is where the
palakasan system spring from. Filipinos want to get special treatment and will always look for “inside
connections” in most (if not all) of his or her transactions. For example, family and friends are given
preference in hiring; in the delivery of services; and even in voting (Licuanan, 1994). Since personal
contacts are involved, requests of this nature also become difficult to turn down. Extreme personalism
is another element that led to the prevalence of graft and corruption in the country.

The family may be a source of strength for Filipinos, but Extreme Family – Centeredness is also
his/her flaw. Family is valued above anything and everyone else. Thus, concern for the rest of the
community and the common good is less important. Extreme family – centeredness is manifested in our
political system where political dynasties lord over our elected government posts starting from the
barangay level up to the national positions (McCoy, 1994; Licuanan, 1994).

The Filipino’s Lack of Discipline is characterized by our idiomatic expression “ningas cogon”.
Projects start with full enthusiasm and interest, but no sooner was started that the enthusiasm and
interest just as soon died down (Licuanan, 1994). Another related characteristic is “Filipino time”.
Filipinos are known to be always late – we arrive late or we start late. Since global trends strictly follow a
schedule, this trait that disregards the importance of time is adversely affecting Filipino productivity
(Tan, 2016).

Filipinos have very high respect for authority. Unfortunately, this also led to the general
Passivity and Lacking Initiative. For instance, there is a strong reliance on leaders and government to
solve the nation’s problems but ordinarily, Filipinos also do not feel the need to initiate or contribute to
the solution. This trait is also related to our lack of discipline. Look at our traffic problem. We expect the
government to solve the monstrous traffic jam; yet, traffic rules are also blatantly ignored every day.

Generally, Filipinos love anything foreign. Foreign elements are adapted and incorporated into
our image. In the process, we are also losing our cultural identity. Licuanan noted that this Colonial
Mentality is connected to our general feelings of inferiority, where we think foreigners – especially
Westerners, are superior (1994).

The Kanya-kanya Syndrome is related to the Filipino traits of extreme personalism and extreme
family-centeredness. Personal and in-group interests are supreme and the drive to fulfill these interests
is completely insensitive to the common good. The kanya-kanya syndrome dampened our sense of
community and cooperation – and we trample on each other’s right as a result. The expression crab
mentality, where we tend to pull others down to climb up, exemplifies the kanya-kanya syndrome.

Dr. Licuanan further observed that the joyful and fun-loving Filipino also tends to be superficial
and somewhat flighty. This means that in times of crisis, other personal or social, there is a general lack
of analysis and reflection (1994). A manifestation of this lack of self-analysis and self-reflection is the
expression that Filipinos are “madaling makalimot” or have a short memory. This means, as a nation, we
easily forget the mistakes we made; hence we make the same mistake again. This is one reason why
traditional politicians or “trapos” are always re-elected into office.

The Filipino character is a contradiction. For example, our bayanihan culture exists comfortably
with our kanya-kanya syndrome. Many of our strong points are linked to our weaknesses, however,
there is still much good in the Filipino character. What is important is that we know our values as a
nation because these help us grow and develop. We need to understand our character as a Filipino
because this is the first step towards creating the future, we want us an individual and as a nation.

LEGEND:

ARCHELLE CATRO – Archelle Castro

RONALYN DUMAGUING – Ronalyn Dumaguing

GENESIS LUEGO – Genesis Luego

DHARYL DAYOLA – Dharyl Dayola

NELSON ONTING – Nelson Onting

ERNEL PULIRAN – Ernel Puliran

JULY BALSAMO – July Balsamo

DOMINADOR RANQUE JR. – Dominador Ranque Jr.

Wako kaila baji – Wako kaila baji

Wako kaila laki – Wako kaila laki

Regie Berdos – Regie Berdos