CHAPTER 4

THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER: A SOCIO-CULTURAL ISSUE

1. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character; and

Introduction:
Schools are there for society. Their relevance is proven by their ability to address socio-cultural problems. What are these
social issues or problems that schools should help address? We have a number of them but let’s focus on the weaknesses of
the Filipino character. The strengths of the Filipino character will also be cited for a balanced presentation. Besides, schools
can capitalize on the strengths of the Filipino character to eliminate the weaknesses.

Activity: Song: Mabuhay Ang Pilipino

Are you proud to be a Filipino? What makes you proud to be a Filipino? What are the strengths and weaknesses
of Filipinos?

Source: Report on “Moral Recovery Program: Building People, Building a Nation” submitted on April 27, 1988 by the Task
Force to President Corazon Aquino, the Senate and the members of the press by then Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani, the
moving spirit behind the program.

STRENGTHS OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER

1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao – (Regard for others). Filipinos are open to others and feel one with others. We regard others with
dignity and respect, and deal with them as fellow human beings. Pakikipagkapwa-tao is manifested in a basic sense of justice
and fairness, and in concern for others. It is demonstrated in the Filipino's ability to empathize with others, in helpfulness
and generosity in times of need (pakikiramay), in the practice of bayanihan or mutual assistance, and in the famous Filipino
hospitality.

2. Family orientation - Filipinos possess a genuine and deep love for the family, which includes not only the spouses and
children, parents, and siblings, but also grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents, and other ceremonial relatives. To
the Filipino, one's family is the source of personal identity, the source of emotional and material support, and the person's
main commitment and responsibility.

3. Joy and humor - Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving approach to life and its ups and downs. There is a pleasant
disposition, a sense of humor, and a propensity for happiness that contribute not only to the Filipino charm, but to the
indomitability of the Filipino spirit. Laughing at ourselves and our trouble is an important coping mechanism. Often playful,
sometimes cynical, sometimes disrespectful, we laugh at those we love and at those we hate, and make jokes about our
fortune, good and bad.

4. Flexibility, adaptability and creativity - Filipinos have a great capacity to adjust, and to adapt to circumstances and to the
surrounding environment, both physical and social. Unplanned or unanticipated events are never overly disturbing or
disorienting as the flexible Filipino adjusts to whatever happens. We possess a tolerance for ambiguity that enables us to
remain unfazed by uncertainty or lack of information. We are creative, resourceful, adept at learning, and able to improvise
and make use of whatever is at hand in order to create and produce.

5. Hard work and industry - Filipinos have the capacity for hard work, given proper conditions. The desire to raise one's
standard of living and to possess the essentials of a decent life for one's family, combined with the right opportunities and
incentives, stimulate the Filipino to work very hard. This is manifested most noticeably in a willingness to take risks with jobs
abroad, and to work there at two or three jobs. The result is productivity and entrepreneurship for some, and survival despite
poverty for others.

6. Faith and religiosity - Filipinos have a deep faith in God. Innate religiosity enables us to comprehend and genuinely accept
reality in the context of God's will and plan. Thus, tragedy and bad fortune are accepted and some optimism characterizes
even the poorest lives.

7. Ability to survive (Resilient)- Filipinos have an ability to survive which is manifested in our capacity for endurance despite
difficult times, and in our ability to get by on so little. Filipinos make do with what is available in the environment, even, e.g.,
by eking out a living from a garbage dump.

WEAKNESSES OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER

1. Extreme family centeredness – Excessive concern for family means using one’s office and power to promote family
interests resulting to factionalism patronage, political dynasties and the protection of erring family members. It results in
lack of concern for the common good, and acts as a block to national consciousness.

2. Extreme personalism – Takes things personally, cannot separate objective task from emotional involvement. Because of
this the Filipino is uncomfortable with bureaucracy, with rules and regulations and with standard procedures. He uses
personal contacts, and gives preference to family and friends in hiring, services and even voting. Extreme personalism
leads to the graft and corruption evident in Philippine society.

3. Lack of discipline – a casual attitude toward time and space, manifested in lack of precision and compulsiveness, in poor
time management and procrastination. Aversion to following procedures strictly results in lack of standardization and
equality control. Impatience results in short cuts, palusot, and ningas cogon. Lack of discipline often results to inefficient
work systems, the violation of rules and a casual work ethic.

4. Passivity and lack of initiative – Waiting to be told what to do, reliance on others (leaders and government),
complacence, lack of a sense of urgency. There is high tolerance of inefficiency, poor service, and even violations of one’s
basic right. Too patient and matiisin, too easily resigned to his fate, the Filipino is easily oppressed and exploited.

5. Colonial mentality – Lack of patriotism, or of an active awareness, appreciation and love of the Philippines and an actual
preference for things foreign.

6. Kanya-kanya syndrome, crab mentality – Done by tsismis, intriga, unconstructive criticism. It is evident in the personal
ambition that is completely insensitive to the common good, example is the lack of a sense of service among people in
the government bureaucracy. This results in the dampening of cooperative and community spirit, and in the trampling
upon other’s rights.

7. Lack of self-analysis and self-reflection – The tendency to be insincere and somewhat unreliable. In the dace of serious
personal and social problems, there is lack of analysis or reflection, and instead satisfaction with superficial explanations
and solutions.

8. Emphasis on porma rather than substance – This lack of analysis and emphasis on form is reinforced by an educational
system that is more than substance.

• Do you agree with the findings? Why or why not?

Solution:
 So that the Philippine education will not be “more form than substance”, Philippine schools have to intensify values
education in the curriculum. In response to this Report, Values Education, now Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao in K to 12
Curriculum, was introduced as a separate subject in the Basic Education curriculum.

DepEd Vision

We dream of Filipinos who passionately love their country and whose values and competencies enable them to realize
their full potential and contribute meaningfully in building the nation.

DepEd Core Values: Maka-Diyos, Makatao, Maka-kalikasan , Makabansa

Application

1. Teacher observes that when students submit report, the more ornate and artistic the folder is, the less substantial the
report. Which weakness in the Filipino character is pointed to? If you were the teacher how do you counteract such?

2. In line with the government's austerity program, DepEd reiterates the following policies:

a. Graduation rites should be simple but meaningful to encourage civil rights, a sense of community, and personal
responsibility. While these rites mark a milestone in the life of the learners, these should be conducted without excessive
spending, extravagant attire or extraordinary venue;

b. Moving Up or Completion Ceremonies should be simple, involving only the learners, their parents and the school; and

c. Non-academic projects such as attendance to field trips, film showing, Junior-Senior promenade, and other school events
should not be imposed as requirements for graduation or completion. (D.O. # 02, s. 2019)

Which of the weaknesses of the Filipino does this DepEd Order wish to help eliminate? Explain.

3. In a post-observation conference, school head cites points for improvement for the teacher observed. It happens that there
are more points for improvement than positive points. Teacher concludes the school head is biased against her.
Which Filipino weakness is revealed? What should be done?

4. What should be done in the Philippine basic education system so that it is more substance than form?

5. Cite instances where 1) extreme family centeredness, 2) lack of discipline, 3) passivity and lack of initiative, 4) colonial
mentality, 5) kanya-kanya syndrome, talangka mentality, 6) lack of self-analysis and self-reflection are manifested in
Philippine' society.

Explain how schools can help counteract such negative traits.

6. Based on Sen. Shahani's Report, Chapter IV as written by Patricia B. Licuanan, once Chair of the Commission on Higher
Education of the Philippines, schools have contributed to the development of Filipino passivity and lack of critical thinking:
Aside from the influences of the formal curriculum, there are the influences of the 'hidden curriculum', i.e., the values taught
informally by the Philippine school system. Schools are highly authoritarian with the teachers as central focus. The Filipino
student is taught to be dependent on the teacher, so he attempts to record verbatim what the teacher says and to give this
back in its original form with little processing during examination. Teachers reward well-behaved and obedient students and
are uncomfortable with those who ask questions and express different viewpoints. Critical thinking is not learned in school.
Does this picture still hold true today? Why or why not?
Clinchers:

1. How can schools help fight the Filipino lack of analysis?

2. When does the Filipino’s faith and religiosity become a weakness?

A. When he does nothing to help himself and waits or God to save him.
B. When he totally submits himself to God’s will after having done all he could.
C. When he forgives his enemies and so appears weak.
D. When he prays every day and every night.