Filipino Values: Rooted in Duty-Based Notion

Ballad, Ashley Nicole B.
GED 0114 – Sec 9
Filipino Values: Rooted in Duty-Based Notion

Filipinos are essentially known for their deep regard when it comes to their customs, practices,
and customs. Everything that has been handed down to them by their ancestors are deeply considered, and
among these practices and convictions is their ability to obtain great consideration when it comes to their
values (Gorospe, 1977). These Filipino values are greatly imbued within the social construct, allowing
Filipinos to act based on those, since it is only necessary to do so. As such, the fundamental purpose of
upholding such values is to assess their lives with sheer guidance and understanding. It is through these
values that Filipinos intend to comprehend the essence of life and how it impacts them immensely.
However, such values are never perfect; they are still filled with lapses and errors indicating that no value
is ever even honed flawlessly. More so, Filipino values, from the perspective of a Filipino landscape is
nothing but a duty-based notion, and through a thorough scrutiny of two values such as Pakikisama and
Respecting the Elderly, a profound understanding of why it is deemed as duty-based will persist even
more.
Comprehending the Filipino values through ethical notions are necessary to assess whether its
implication is either ethical, profound, and substantial. It is also through this method that the deeper
understanding when it comes to the context will take place even more. In this premise, there are two
ethical promulgations to be considered; consequentialist perspective and duty-based notion.
Consequentialism denotes that an event's quality is determined by the results it has. Good deeds are those
that have more positive outcomes than negative ones, while bad deeds have more negative outcomes than
positive ones (Arneson, 2005). This implies that an action will only be deemed as consequentialist if it is
inclined with some consequences or some ramifications to do so. On the other hand, the central tenet of
duty-based ethics is that some behaviors are inherently good or bad, and that people have an obligation to
act morally regardless of the outcomes (Louden, 1984). No matter the consequences, there are some
activities that are intrinsically wrong or right; and regardless of how they impact us, it is still beneficial to
uphold duties, since it is only the right thing to do.
Pakikisama is a one of the Filipino values that indicates the need to be one with others, regardless
of everyone’s differences. It is the ability to basically comprehend and understand one another, despite
the clashing of perspectives, opinions, and standpoints. This is the ability to get along with one another to
promote peace, unity, and stability (Herrig, 1983). This value then is regarded as a duty-based notion,
considering the fact that there are instances where we cannot get along with one another, and yet we are
bound by our duty to do so. For instance, whenever the mean relatives of our parents intend to visit us,
there is no choice but to basically interact and practice Pakikisama, because it is the duty that we must
fulfill. There should never be any excuses since we are taught to interact and socialize, even if we deeply
oppose the idea. In connection, another Filipino value that is integrated within the principle of the duty-
based notion is the concept of Respecting the Elderly. This emphasizes the regard for the elderly, which
intends to showcase the need to practice “pagmamano” to them, not talking back when being scolded, and
basically doing everything that they say (Morillo et al., 2013). Although this is concerning on so many
levels, as Filipinos, we are inclined to uphold the duty of respecting them, since it has been indicated that
they know better. Hence, Filipinos should switch to a consequentialist ethics so that the society won’t be
forced anymore to do something that the society built as a form of “respect”. This is because doing these
values does not necessarily mean that you would get the same in return.
These values are etched upon our duties, therefore promulgating the duty-based perspective. Even
if we are aware of the premise that respect is not easily imposed but is something that considers a great
deal of thorough understanding and wisdom, even if some elderly are too difficult to deal with, it is our
duty to respect them because it is a part of our value system. On the other hand, even if we do not owe
anyone anything, particularly in dealing with a lot of things involving interaction and getting along, it is
our duty to strengthen our Pakikisama, since it is one of the pinnacles of our value system. As Filipinos,
not abiding by these rules are too big of a deal, thus it is only necessary to uphold such and comprehend
that it is not just a practice that we ought to participate in, but duties that help us shape our identities even
more—hence making these values as duty-based, in its essence.
References
Arneson, R. (2005). Sophisticated rule consequentialism: Some simple objections. Philosophical Issues,
15, 235–251. http://www.jstor.org/stable/27749842
Gorospe, V. R. (1977). Sources of Filipino Moral Consciousness. Philippine Studies, 25(3), 278–301.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/42634560
Hennig, R. P. (1983). Philippine values in perspective: An analytical framework. Philippine Sociological

Review, 31(3/4), 55–64. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23898198
Louden, R. B. (1984). On Some Vices of Virtue Ethics. American Philosophical Quarterly, 21(3), 227–
236. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20014051
Morillo, H. M., Capuno, J. J., & Mendoza, A. M. (2013). Views and Values on Family among Filipinos:
An Empirical Exploration. Asian Journal of Social Science, 41(1), 5–28.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/23654807

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Ballad, Ashley Nicole B.

GED 0114 – Sec 9

Filipino Values: Rooted in Duty-Based Notion

Hennig, R. P. (1983). Philippine values in perspective: An analytical framework. Philippine Sociological

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