Lesson 6

Cultural Values and Cultural Heritage Issues

Cultural gives meaning to man’s existence. There is no society that does not have
culture. Through culture, the existence of the members of the society became more
meaningful and with a purpose. Although culture and cultural heritage serve as
distinguishing mark of the Filipino people, there has been issues and concerns concerning
acceptable cultural values and practices.

Among these are the Filipino indolence, the “ningas cogon” attitude, the manana
habit, bahala na attitude, hiya complex, amor propio, lagay and areglo, palakasan
scheme, and the “suerte and malas” form of fatalism.
1. Filipino Indolence

It was Rizal who stated that the “Filipinos in general are indolent people.” If this
statement was true during his time, this is still true and happening now. There are Filipinos
who do not care of their future. They prefer to play game of chance like “bingo”,
“mahjong”, “tong-its”, “lucky 9”, “cara y cruz” and other gambling activities.

Many children and adolescents could be found in internet cafes in corner places
hanging around most of the time instead of doing household chores or helping the family
members doing households duties. “Istambay” of “idler” today are being arrested by the
police-but this strategy by the government to prevent criminal activities are being legally
questioned.
2. “Ningas-Cugon” attitude

This is an unacceptable cultural value that most Filipinos do even today. At the
beginning, Filipinos are very eager and ready to do finish a work but after some time, they
become complacent and lazy at the end. In Tagalog, “masipag sa simula pero tamad sa
huli”. It is like a cogon grass that easily kindle and burn and nothing is left but ashes at the
end.

3. “Manana Habit” attitude

This is the tomorrow-attitude or procrastination attitude. People set aside their work for
tomorrow what they can already do today. People can accomplish many things if they only
make use of their time profitably.
4. “Bahala na” attitude

This is kind of fatalism in which the person leaves everything to fate. He lets fate
control his destiny and decides his success. This term comes from “Bathala na” which
means that God will take care of everything. Some students, for instance, do not bring
their books, notes, or handouts to class, or read their books or work on their assignments.
They care less on their studies but they care books or work on their assignments. They
care less on their studies but they care more on texting and social networking. He is then
called a “one-day millionaire”.

5. Indulging in gambling

This one favorite pastime of Filipinos which has more negative effects than positive
ones. Jueteng, tongits, jai-alai, cara y cruz, pintakasi (sabong) mahjong are some of the
forms of gambling that bring evil to society because of negative effects they bring
especially to the young adults.
6. “Hiya” Complex

This is an uncomportable feeling of being found in an unacceptable position or

uncomportable feeling of doing something not socially acceptable, dealing with an
authority figure. When “hiya” is given too much importance, it becomes a threat to
progress. A feeling of confidence and personal worth can reduce the “hiya” complex.

7. Amor Propio

This is associated closely with “hiya”. It is a Spanish term meaning self-love, or self-
esteem, the fear of losing social acceptance. Once a person has attained social
acceptance, he will do everything to keep that status. A person will certainly feel hurt and
insulted if the criticism is directed against those qualities that he holds dear or has value
to him.
8. “lagay” and “Areglo”

These are established socio-political connections for some material consideration to be

able to obtain favors. These negative practices often occur in government offices where
special privileges and favors may be obtained in return for which certain considerations are
exchanged.

9. “Palakasan” scheme

Obtaining a job, getting a promotion transfer, and other special privileges and favors
Are often done in “palakasan.” This scheme is manifested in a society where there is strong
family ties and the influence of power and wealth.

10. Use of euphemistic expression

Euphemistic expression is stating an unpleasant opinion, truth or request as pleasantly as

possible to please another person so as not to directly hurt his ego.
It is sometimes called “white lies”. To avoid direct confrontation, one uses the euphemistic
expression like tsaka na lang (later on), okey lang or marahil (perhaps), Seguro nga (could
be) or bahala na.

11. The “suerte”, “tadhana”, “malas”, and Buena form of fatalism.

These are beliefs in fate, predestination, in horoscope and hula (fortune telling). This
fatalism still persist today when a Filipino accepts with resignation and tolerance his pain
and frustration. These undesirable values can be minimized if parents, teachers, and elders
emphasize to the individual the value of hard work and savings, by personal achievement,
that environment can be controlled and that life is what we make it.

12. The existence of Spirits, Ghost and Supernatural Beings.

The belief on these “unseen beings” still persists in our thoughts and we imagine them
to be existing in this material world. Many people believe that spirits possess
Supernatural powers and so we pray to them, offer food to the “anitos” and “anitas” so that
they will not harm us or bring bad luck to our activities. Sometimes, we ask these spirits to
cure our illness or to provide us safety, good harvest, and luck. Most of these beliefs and
values are already deeply rooted in our culture. Even young children believe in these
“beings” because of the practice of “yayas”, parents and elders to frighten children to stop
crying or to let them sleep.

13. The Gaya-Gaya Practice

Generally, imitation is not bad per se because it is one form of learning especially if there
is a good model to imitate. On the other hand, “gaya-gaya” has a negative value if it
indicates lack of creativity, imitativeness, pioneering spirit or as a consequence of timidity to
go into a new field of endeavor and rely on just mere imitation. It does not bring good result
to the individual’s ingenuity and resourcefulness.
14. Utang na Loob (Sense of Gratitude).

This type of Filipino values system involves returning the favor that others have
extended to a certain individual. As stated by a lot of Filipinos, among all the debts that an
individual has received from others, this type of debt is the hardest one to repay. At
present, it is very obvious that finding a job is very difficult to do. But a friend of yours who
is working in a certain company, aided you to be hired on the same firm. You know it will
be hard to pay back, but you believe that in any way you can, you will have to return the
favor.

15. Pakikisama (Desire for Smooth Interpersonal Relation)

This type of Filipino values system is where a person initiatively extends his help or
favor to others just to keep a lasting friendship. Filipinos are good at extending assistance
to persons around them. In fact, they are good at providing help even when not needed
just to please others.
To illustrate, a group of friends hang out on a bar. A friend is so drunk that he cannot take
any more liquor. But you cannot stop him from drinking more because he wants to please
his friends.

16. Thriftiness

There may be Filipinos who are living beyond their means. But on the brighter side,
there are also many Filipinos who are frugal. We shop wisely to save our money for future
important uses. We are so conscious on the price tag, discounts and quality of the
products we buy to get the most out of our money. Filipino parents also do sacrifices like
skipping the stuff they want to buy for themselves just to save their money to buy things
that can make their children happy.
17. Karma

Many Filipinos believe in karma, the Indian word which means “the law of nature”. The
saying “for every action, there is also an equal reaction and opposite reaction” is referred
to karma. There is also a saying in Tagalog: Kung ano ang itinanim, ay siyang aanihin” (What
you sowed, is what you will reap). If you do harm to others, that harm goes back to you.

To sump up, most of these values, beliefs, and practices have been integrated or
incorporated into the characteristics of the people in a certain society. Since they have been
ingrained and rooted, they are very difficult to change or eliminate and thus they are being
repeated from generation to generation.

Today, we are confronted with many Filipino cultural values, beliefs, and practices. In this
modern age, if we want our society to survive morally, we must emphasize and build moral
and ethical standards among the people.
The agents of change in society (parents, teachers, community leaders, elders) should be
proactive in developing and enriching those values, beliefs, and practices that are
desirable, worthy of approval, satisfying and worthwhile. Those that are unacceptable,
because of their negative effects to the personality and character of the individual,
should be changed, modified, or entirety eliminated.

On cultural Heritage Issues

Some of these are:

1. Seemingly apathy and lack of concern of the government and the public in general
about the deteriorating state of the various places around the country showcasing how
the Filipino live at a given time, their customs, arts and conveniences. These places are
the Banawe Rice Terraces, the cobble streets and Spanish houses in Vigan City and
Intramuros, Manila, baroque churches in the Philippines, the Casagwa Ruins in Bicol,
various museums, archives and historical places in other parts of the country.
 It is lamentable that these cultural heritage have been almost forgotten due to the
absence of comprehensive program in preserving or restoring them.

2. Equally becoming irrelevant and almost forgotten to the present generation are the
other important repositories of our culture, our folk songs and folk devices. Folk songs
such as the “kundiman” which used to float on air waves of radio stations until pop music
took over was not anymore promoted and preserved. Folk dances, such as the “Tinikling”,
“Maglalatik”, “Pandango sa Ilaw”, “Sayaw sa Bangko”, and others which could be the
finest forms and most popular ways of depicting Filipino culture are slowly extinguished.
These artifacts of our behavior in the past would have given us a clear and distinct
portrait of a true Filipino in thoughts, words, and deeds.

3. Another landscape of heritage structure which is laid to waste for commercial

enterprise is the Rizal Memorial Complex. This Complex has been declared a National
Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and an
important Cultural Property by the National Museums of the Philippines comes as a
Timely and welcome intervention plans by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada to convert the
historic area into a mall in a joint project with private group.

Built in 1934 in the art deco style by architect Juan Arellano, the Rizal Memorial
Stadium hosted various international events in its prime, including the Beatles concert
and the Far Eastern Championship Games. It was also used as a garrison by the Japanese
during World War II. In 1989, tennis rivals Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe matched skills in
its courts. And for the lonest time, it is also served as a training ground for some of the
country’s finest athletes.

The twin declarations by the NHCP and the NMP would now ensure the sports
comple’x preservation and protection against modifications that might violate Republic
Act No. 10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. By declaring the structure’s
heritage value, the government is also obligated to provide funds to maintain and
preserve it.
 Some quarters may argue that the stadium, which has barely undergone structural
improvements and upgrading since the 1950s, is now unsuitable and unsafe for training
athletes, and as a venue for local and international games. Others may say that Manila has
become too congested and polluted-and, therefore, unhealthy-for athletes, thus the
proposal to move the training site to Clark in Pampanga.

4. In Iloilo, the San Joaquin Covent ruins have become an unsightly warren of makeshift
stalls and kiosks notwithstanding its heritage status as a National Cultural Treasure. The
call of commerce is irresistible and that of survival even more so.

5. The value of old churches such as those in Intramuros like the Manila Cathedral and the
San Agustin Church; The Our Lady of Purification Parish Church in Binmaley, Pangasinan,
San Fernando City, and Bawang churches in La Union and all other churches located in
Dagupan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, Balagtas, Visayas, Mindanao churches-which are a
link to our past and a reflection to our identity becomes a source of pride to national
unity.
6. Lecturers from the Heritage Conservation Society recalled massacred cultural
properties and vista corridors destroyed by structures like the “Torre de Manila” and also
the case of the adoration chapel of the St. Martin de Tours basilica of Taal and that
Spanish masonry aqueduct of San Juan City. This lost relic was part of the Carriedo water
system built by Genaro Palacios of the Inspection Genral de Obras Publicas. Ironically
enough, its sudden disappearance in early 2000s was due to a court order of the
Department of Public Works and Highways prohibiting its destruction. Apparently, the
mayor of San Juan had other plans so the historic aqueduct-bridge was demolished,
somewhat surreptitiously. That aqueduct which had supplied potable water to Manila and
environment survived more than a century of revolutions and wars could have been
preserved, if only for its touristic value. It had six arches of adobe and was an essential
part of the Carriedo water system that had supplied Manila and environs with water from
Montalban.

7. At around the same time, another vintage water system, almost a century old, was
severely endangered-the water tower of San Fernando City, in Pampanga.
That was built during the American colonial period and since then become a veritable
landmark of the city. To improve on what Spain had left behind, the American colonial
administration established a modern water supply system to distribute the precious liquid
directly to end-users through a complicated network of pipes. The water tower could
distribute as much as a hundred thousand gallons when it was in full use. Lamentably, it
was decommissioned in the late 1990s after a foreign consultant said the structure had
become “unsafe”.

The San Fernando water tower tilts several degrees to the southeast, which is why
residents fondly refer to it as their “leaning tower of Pisa”. Roundabout 2005, the officials
of Barangay Lourdes passed a resolution to demolish it ostensibly to protect an
elementary school located within crumbling distance. Surprisingly enough, it was the San
Fernando District Office that differed action in order to conduct public consultations,
which involved the University of the Philippines Urban Design Laboratory.