Activity #5

A writer wrote that the Filipino culture is a damaged culture characterized by a failure in nationalism, total devotion to
those within the circle, total war to those outside, contempt for the public good, submission to doctrine and authority,
and national ambition to change nationality. How do you react to this? Do you agree to this opinion? Why?

I come across an interesting topic on the internet that tries to explain why a great nation like ours, lagged behind
economically and socially. The country struggles with an image problem: excessive corruption, extreme poverty, and
source of cheap manual labor. These are some of the general impressions of the world about the Philippines that, while
unpleasant, are undeniably true. Despite the many negative comments that quite often overshadow the positive, there
are definitely so many things to be proud of.

 Our caring ways - We are a highly-relational people, proficient in emotionally and socially connecting with
others.
 Hospitality even abroad - Foreigners who come to visit the Philippines speak of Filipinos going out of their way
to help them when lost, or the heartwarming generosity of a Filipino family hosting a visitor in their home.
 Pinoy creativity - While being creative is not an exclusive trait possessed only by Filipinos, what makes ours
distinct is the artistry, expressiveness, spontaneity, and humor that altogether define Filipino creativity.
 Adaptability - We are highly adaptable to different people, cultures, and situations that generally make us well-
rounded beings.

These are just some of the qualities (among many others) that can truly make us proud of who we are and where we
come from. We should exemplify these traits for the benefit of others and our nation. By doing so, we continue to
embody the best and the positive in us.

There is nothing wrong with our culture. We Filipinos don’t have to get transfusions of Korean or Singaporean blood to
achieve inclusive economic growth. We just have to persevere in building inclusive, rather than extractive, political and
economic institutions. We definitely need better leaders to set examples, implement laws correctly and justly, to set the
right environment for the proper growth economically, politically, etc. The Filipino culture is not a damaged culture. It is
far from being damaged Filipino culture held its own body and soul wherever the Filipino might be, in identity and
spirituality. In spite of all the incursions by foreign cultures notably Spanish and American. In fact Filipino culture is
better characterized as a culture of invulnerability.

Activity #6

Cite the most serious social sin being committed against the following groups. What is/are the effect/s of that sin and
what can you possibly do to help eliminate that sin?

Group Sin and its effects I will …

1. Youth Drug and alcohol abuse - frequent use of
alcohol or drugs can result in tragedy:
alcohol overdose, an accident when under
the influence of alcohol or drugs, or an
arrest associated with alcohol or drugs that
may cost you your reputation and/or your
freedom.
2. Workers Minimum wage - workers are struggling to
get by working 2 or 3 low paying jobs. No
one should work full time and yet still live in
poverty. Minimum wage still leaves full-time
workers more than 16 % below the poverty
line.
To those that are suffering from alcohol and drug
addiction we should help them by helping them
through positive self-esteem, a supportive family,
and positive role models that help teens gain
confidence to make good choices.
We should help the workers to increase the
minimum wage because With salary adjustment,
Filipinos, will have access to better housing,
advanced medical services and avail to higher loan
options. If people are spending money it means that
consumption of goods and services are going up, this

3. Children Children without Parental care - Children
without parental care are at a high risk of
abuse, exploitation and neglect. Large
numbers of children end up in institutional
care. Inadequate individual care of
institutions can socially and emotional
impair children
4. Women Domestic violence - One in three female
homicide victims is killed by an intimate
partner. Twenty-four percent of adult
women have been physically assaulted by a
partner at some time in their lives.
5. Family Divorce - It interrupt the stability and
predictability that children need. Children
may feel a great loss as well as anxiety,
anger, and sadness. Children may fear being
abandoned or losing their parents' love.
action will then be bigger business for
entrepreneurs, which will later on lead to job
creation to supply that demand.
We should the help those children that have no
parents because Adoption has given and continues
to give parents the opportunity to lead fulfilling,
meaningful lives alongside their children, and in
turn, provides children with no parents
opportunities in life that once thought unachievable.
We should help those women by educating and
working with young boys and girls promoting
respectful relationships and gender equality.
Working with youth is a “best bet” for faster,
sustained progress on preventing and eradicating
gender-based violence.
We should help our family by making time to
connect lovingly with your spouse every day. A
couple can significantly improve their chances of
marital success by devoting as little as 15 minutes a
day exclusively to each other.

Activity #7

Based on your opinion, cite at least 3 positive and negative elements of the Filipino culture. Explain why you consider
them positive or negative

Positive
1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao
This is the shared sense of identity and consciousness of
the 'other'. It is treating others with the respect and
dignity as an equal- not someone below the individual.
2. Hard Work and Industrious
With resourcefulness comes hard work. Filipinos are very
determined and persevering in accomplishing whatever
they set their minds to.
3. Faith and Religiosity
The Philippines is approximately 85 percent Christian
(mostly Roman Catholic). This is a reflection of the
Filipinos' strong faith in God as seen in their various
practices.
Negative
1. Pakikisama
Submitting oneself to the will of the group for the sake of
camaraderie and unity. Failure to comply with the group
demand, the person will be called “walang pakikisama or
selfish”.
2. Jackpot mentality
A “get rich quick” mentality of some Filipinos who would
rather engage in fast ways of acquiring money than
through hard work and sacrifice by getting in lottery,
joining raffle draws and other.
3. Crab mentality
A Filipino attitude characterized by an attempt to “pull
down” someone who has achieved success beyond the
others. This is done out of jealousy and insecurity.