Lesson 2: Unpacking the Self: The Political Self of Being Filipino

Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you should:
1. Develop a Filipino Identity.
2. Identify different Filipino values and traits.
3. Reflect on selfhood in relation to your national identity.

Who is 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
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 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. Generations after generations, common traits and values
have been passed on that the Filipinos of today still embody. https://depositphotos.com/vector-images/filipino-
culture.html

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. Tourists 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" and “opo” to the elders, leaving shoes or slippers at the front door before
entering a house, and the importunate asking of "Kumain ka na ba?" meaning "Have you eaten
yet? Indeed, it is a marvel to experience these unique traits of the Filipinos firsthand. Few of
these traits are as follows.
Bayanihan
Bayanihan is the spirit of communal unity 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 a 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.
"Bahala Na" Attitude
"Bahala na" is the Filipino version of the famous line "Hakuna Matata, meaning no worries.
The phrase is said to have originated from "Bathala na," 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 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. 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.
"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. It
is a poor habit of laziness that results in heavier workloads.
"Ningas Kugon"
"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. Ningas kugon refers to the attitude of eagerly starting
things but quickly losing eagerness soon after experiencing difficult just like how fast fire of a
Cogon grass burns out moments after being ignited. Laziness is a common problem among
Filipinos; that is why Filipinos are 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 party asks for an apology first.
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, resulting to no progress. Filipinos should
change this troublesome attitude and focus more on their own inadequacies to improve one's
 A famous Filipino legend is about the origin of the pineapple fruit. It is about a story of
a young and lazy girl named Pina who always asked where her mother kept the things she
needed without looking for them first. When Pina's mother got tired of being asked where she
hid her things, her mother wished that eyes be planted on Pina's face so she would start
using them. To her mother's surprise the next morning, Pina was gone and a fruit sprung in
the yard. implanted with "eyes" all around its body which was later called "pinya, "the Filipino
term for "pineapple."
4. Heroes and Icons
Heroes serve as a reminder of true patriotism and nationalism as they have sacrificed
their lives for the sake of their country's freedom and progress. Every year, we whole day to
celebrate our heroes, usually the last Monday of August, to remember their greatness,
bravery, and resilience that has led to the freedom we know today.
Famous Filipino icons such as Lea Salonga, Manny Pacquiao, and our very own
national hero, Jose Rizal, also serve as important Filipino markers as they have made the
Filipino name more pronounced worldwide through their own expertise.
How To Be a Good Filipino
Now you know that your traits and values are important indicators of being a Filipino.
The problem now is how to truly become one and how you can be useful to the development
and progress of our country. The following are a few ways on how to be a good Filipino:
1. Be an active Filipino citizen.
A good Filipino citizen is aware of the current events and participates in
government programs that aim for the country's progression and development. By
simply exercising your right to vote, you also become an active citizen. When it comes
to voting, the rich and the poor have equal voting rights every Filipino citizen of legal
age have a chance in choosing the right leaders for the Philippines who are genuine in
helping and caring for the Filipino people.
2. Study the Philippine history.
The road of the Philippine history is long and bloody, and by learning and fully
understanding the events of the Philippine history, you will learn so much as to why it
is so important for you to love your country with your life, extend help to your fellow
Filipinos in need, and recognize abuse of political power.
3. Support local products.
When you buy local products, you do not only support local manufacturers and
businessmen, but you also help strengthen the local economy. is this so? There will be
more demand of local products, thus, local businesses will be in need for more
employees, which will open new job opportunities. The business owners will also
invest within the country and are less likely to leave. Supporting our local products
also displays our creativity, innovativeness, and resourcefulness.
 4. Speak the Filipino language.
The history of the Filipino language was as long and hard as the Philippine
history. Jose Rizal highlighted the importance of speaking a national language as a
way of displaying the love for one's country. Speaking Filipino also serves as a unique
identifier of being a Filipino. It has been a decade-long debate whether to use Filipino
as the instructional language in school and to translate textbooks into Filipino,
however, this is still not strictly imposed.
5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging with dissent.
This period in the history of the Philippines has seen how the Internet has
spawned tons of possibilities for people, both good and bad. For instance, it is easier
for Filipinos working abroad to communicate with their loved ones left in the
Philippines through the Internet: Despite this, the Internet has also made the spread of
fake news very common. Likewise, the Internet has also made us engage in intense
arguments with people across the globe about our political positions, for example. It is
a part of being a good Filipino to understand and verify what you read online,
especially in social media, before actually believing in it and spreading it like wildfire. It
is also the responsibility of every Filipino to recognize disagreement in political views,
be tolerant, and argue intelligently without having to resort into name-calling people.

Reference:

Alata, E. J. P. et.al (2018). Understanding the Self. REX Book Store, Inc. Manila,
Philippines.

Additional Readings:

1. Filipino Culture https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/filipino-culture/filipino-culture-core-

concepts
2. Things to Know and Love about Filipino Culture and Values
https://everythingzany.com/filipino-culture-and-values/