Characteristics of Filipino Thought

The search for an indigenous Filipino philosophy has been the goal of several Filipino thinkers. While there are some who claims that Filipino philosophy could be found in folk saying and traditions, there are others who claim that it is the mere act doing philosophy that constitutes Filipino philosophy.

Introduction

Most of the values Filipinos hold dear are integrated into the characteristics of the people. These beliefs and practices have been acquired from generation to generation and have been incorporated in the personality of the Filipino. To understand them their connection with the Filipino personality must be realized since the Filipino is the embodiment of the values which influence his whole being.

Fortunately or unfortunately most studies of the Philippine culture and personality have been undertaken by Western-oriented scholars who used western standards in analyzing the nature of Philippine culture. It is only in recent times that Filipino scholars have come up with studies based on historical and cultural perspective of the Filipino.

The philosophy of the Filipino are being influenced by the Eastern and Western Philosophy in the last quarter of the 19th century.

Our Filipino thoughts are characterized by Personalism, Nonrationalism and Supernaturalism, Particularism.

THE PHILIPPINE VALUE SYSTEM 

Predominant value orientation:Personalism, Nonrationalism

and Supernaturalism, Particularism

 Lynch, Bulatao, Gorospe,

Hollnsteiner,Landa Jocano, Mercado,

Quisumbing

  Aims, Goals, andAspiration

  Beliefs, Convictions,and Attitudes

  Principlesand Norms

PERSONALISM

A. Social Acceptance Acceptance of the Persons-fear of rejection, Sensitivity to personal Affront SIR – pleasantness (desire to please, not to hurt); pakikisama euphemism use of go between B. Economic Security C. Social Mobility

SUPERNATURALISM

A. Personalistic view of the Universe Supernaturalistic world View Nonscientific, Nonrational B. Perception of reality Nondualistic Harmonizing Interpersonal Concrete, elaborate Poetic, artistic, Intuitive C. Time-orientation Cyclic, not linear Psychological, not Mathematical D. Good is limited E. Success or failure is Undeserved Bahala na, suwerte, Awa ng Diyos

PARTICULARISM

A. Structural Segmentation Family Kinship system Age-grading and Generation Social class Power Region Language Religion Ranking Vertical Horizontal B. Operational Equivalence Solidarity Reciprocity utang na loob compassion awa noninterference

Value Themes A. Emotional Closeness     And Security in the     Family B. Approval by Authority C. Economic and Social    Betterment D. Patience, Endurance,     Suffering  

      

  

Social Sanctions:

    

Hiya   (kaulaw ka-ikong kataha)   Amor Propio   Deep sense of personal   worth   Self-esteem

with People   

with Nature

  Harmony

Personalism

Characteristics of Filipino Thought

The aims, goals and aspiration of Filipino in general converge around the following value theme arrange in the order of importance.

Aims, Goals and Aspiration

Social  acceptance  is enjoyed when one is taken by ones fellows for what he is or believes he is, and is treated in accordance with his status. It is desire to be accepted by the significant others.

Social acceptance

Pakikisama – is the desire to please and to avoid hurting others. The indirectness of his answers, his inability to say no, his silence when he disagrees, his tendency toward overt approval, especially in front of persons in authority.

Example:

Hiya – has no appropriate equivalent in English. It means more than mere embarrassment or shame; it means the uncomfortable feeling of being found in an unacceptable position or doing something not socially acceptable. Hiya makes a person sensitive to other people’s opinions.

Example:

Amor Propio – This is a Spanish term meaning self-esteem. This is a defense mechanism against hiya. It is a keen sense of personal dignity.

Example:

Supernaturalism

Characteristics of Filipino Thought

In spite of modern influences, the rural Filipino still looks at the world and nature as peopled by supernatural beings and governed by forces above him. His world-view is personalistic and his explanation of reality is religious or metaphysical.

Beliefs and Convictions

“Suerte/swerte”, “tadhana”, “malas”, “buenas” – all beliefs in fate, predestination, beliefs in horoscopes, numerology and “hula” (fortune telling). This attitude has help individual to endure suffering, poverty, sickness, tragedy and bad luck.

Example:

Bahala na – this means leaving matters as they are or leaving nature to take its course. “Bahala na” is a contraction of the word “Bathala na” meaning God will take care. “Bahala na” is expressed in many areas of life from household chores, planting of rice, setting up business, choosing a career, and others.

Example:

Particularism

Characteristics of Filipino Thought

Particularistic values imply that one’s loyalty is to the subgroup of which he is a part. The welfare of the nation or, for that matter, the province or the city, is only incidental. The important consideration is the use of any power the individual gains to strengthen his subgroup. One with particularistic values in government will use the appointive power to give his friends jobs.

Particularistic

Compadre system (ninong) – Usually the sponsor is selected from within their own social class or from a higher social class status. There are certain expectations relative to the choice. Usually a promotion or job is assured to the newlyweds from their ‘Ninong” or “Ninang” who may be an influential man in the community or a leading politician. In return favors are also expected from the family specially when election comes. This is an “Utang na loob” syndrome.

Example:

“Utang na loob” – This denotes a sense of gratitude. This value system comprises a network of behavior with different degrees of connotation – it is a complicated system of mutual obligation. Everybody owes a debt of gratitude to someone; everyone also in some way has done something for someone who therefore owes him in return. There are certain utang na loob which cannot be repaid in kind and remains outstanding throughout life. To our parents we owe our life so no matter what happens it is utang na loob which cannot be repaid.

Example:

Different examples of Filipino thoughts

Animism – beliefs in spirits Pakiusap Lagay and areglo (fixing) Palakasan (power and

influence) Nepotism and favoritism Ningas cogon Manana Habit Hospitality The Fiesta Syndrome Puspusang loob

Kababaang loob Daop-palad Palabra de honor Mapagmalasakit Panalangin Gaba or bad luck Pagtitiis Bayanihan Nahiya sa tao, sa Diyos ay

hindi Kusang loob

Different examples of Filipino thoughts

Mapamaraan (resourceful) Mapanuklas (ingenuous) Anting-anting (amulet and

charms) Kayang kaya mo yan Lakas ng loob (self-

confidence) Tiwala (strong faith in God,

fellowmen and self) Katarungan

PakiusapPagdadamayanPakikipagkapwa-taoBahala sa diyosAko ang bahalaPaggalangAwa

Filipino Thoughts

+Positive Polarity

-Negative Polarity

Lakas ng loob(Self Confidence)

Kusang loob(Initiative)

Nasiraan ng loob(Lack of self-confidence)

Walang kusang loob(Lack of initiative)

Utang na loob(Sense of gratitude)

Sama ng loob(Resentment)

Manloloob(Dishonesty)

Tapat na loob(Honesty)

Strong family ties – family oriented, close family relation Religiosity – strong faith in God Humor – sense of joy/happiness even in the midst of problems Pakikisama/pakikipagkapwa-tao – companionship, friendship,

camaraderie Isang salita – fidelity with one’s promise Balato – sharing one’s fortune Hospitality – generosity,Filipino hospitality Pagsasabi ng “po” at “opo” / paggalang – obedience to elders using word

of respect Pagmamano/paghalik  sa  kamay  ng  nakatatanda – obedience to elders

using actions Lambing – careness Kapit-bisig – brotherhood, helping others in time of needs Sikap at tiyaga – patience and perseverance, hardwork

Other positive Filipino values

Colonial mentality – believing in other country’s/culture’s capabilities than one’s own

Inferiority complex – believing that one’s self is inferior to others Lack of discipline Crab Mentality – does not allow others to get ahead of one’s self Manana habit – also known as “mamaya na” procrastination Hiya – shame lack of confidence Biro or katyaw – joke or tease Ningas-kugon/ningas cogon – doing too many things at the same time that

none is accomplished Tampo – resentment; affective disappointment Metikuloso – meticulousness and attention to detail Sisi – blaming oneself or others Mapamahiin – believing in superstitions Inggit - jealousy

Other negative Filipino values

The EndThank You For

ListeningBye bye