Lesson: The political self and being a Filipino

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Identify different Filipino Values and traits

Activity:

Who is a Filipino?

Look for pictures or illustrations from magazines and newspapers that show what being a
Filipino is about. Paste them below.

Answer the questions below in relation to what you have posted in the previous activity.

1. How does the symbol/word remind you of your being a Filipino?

2. Are you proud of being a Filipino? Why and why not?

3. Imagine that you were of a different nationality. What would change in you aside from your
citizenship and origin?

4. How extensive are the effects of being a Filipino in your selfhood?

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 is it 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 1890s after over three centuries of
colonization of the Spaniards. Meanwhile, Liberation from the last colonizers, 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. To date, colonial mentality
remains an issue. Given the wide discrepancy between the liberation period and today’s 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?

In this chapter, you will learn that an individual’s race, ethnicity, and physical characteristics are
not only factors that make a person’s national identity. Values and traits are also important indicators
that set apart one nationality from the other. These values and traits may not always be a positive thing,
but being able to identify one’s self apart from other nationalities and point out weaknesses and
mistakes, paired with unity and commitment, make progress a possibility. Through common goals,
principles, and values of its people, a nation empowers itself.

Who is a Filipino?

Filipinos are often referenced 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 far more than just being related to these notable figures.
Independence Day and Buwan ng Wika celebrations 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, 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.
Generations after generations, common traits and values have been passed on that the Filipinos of
today still embody.

Filipino Values and Traits

 The Filipino 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 a place to stay.
 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
 Close family Ties. Maintain a tight relationship with their families regardless if the children are
old enough and already have families of their own.
 Cheerful Personality. 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.
 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.
  Bayanihan. Bayanihan is the spirit of communal unity and cooperation of Filipinos. it is also
about giving without expecting something in return.
 “Bahala na” attitude. “Bahala na” is the Filipino version of the famous line “Hakuna Matata,”
meaning no worries. It can also be viewed as something as a positive attitude of Filipinos
allowing 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.
 “Mañana” habit. This is the Filipino term for procrastination. It was derived from a longer
Filipino phrase called “Mamaya na” meaning dawdling things, which could have been done at an
earlier time.
 “Ningas Kugon”. Filipino term for flame and “kugon” is a Filipino term for Cogon grass that easily
burns out after it is put into flames. Ningas kugon 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.
 Crab Mentality.This is a toxic trait among Filipinos where one resents the achievement 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.
 Filipino Time. Filipinos have this common attitude of arriving late at commitments, dinner, or
parties especially if they are meeting someone close to them.

Activity:

 Give at least five Filipino values or traits and give an example of real life scenario which
it can be seen.
 Create a reflection paper about being a Filipino affects your “self.” How can becoming a
better Filipino influence your duty to becoming a better version of yourself?