UNPACKING THE SELF:

THE POLITICAL SELF

SEMI-FINAL LESSON 2
Are you a Filipino?
 WHO IS THE FILIPINO?

Dimensions of being a Filipino (Yacat, 2005 )

 WHO IS THE FILIPINO?
Pinagmulan (Socio-political dimension)
 being born in the Philippines
 having parents who are Filipinos
 residing in the Philippines
 a Filipino citizen
Based on the 1987 Constitution…
a) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at
the time of the adoption of this
Constitution;
b) Those whose fathers or mothers are
citizens of the Philippines;
c) Those born before January 17, 1973, of
Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine
citizenship upon reaching the age of
majority
d) Those who are naturalized in accordance
with law.”
 WHO IS THE FILIPINO?

Kinalakhan (Cultural roots)

Revolves around participation and being immersed in a
cultural milieu acknowledged as Filipino

Culture shapes the way we think, do things, how we feel,

behave, and relate.
 FILIPINO VALUES

Hiya
- timidity, shyness, embarrassment
- sensitivity to others, consideration of the
feelings of others
Why?
- may be tied to the need to be
accepted by others
- in relation to social expectations
and the need to conform
 FILIPINO VALUES

Utang na loob (debt of gratitude)

- signifies the principle of reciprocity
- Filipino’s way of expressing gratitude
- The nature and proportion of the return is contingent
on the person’s status and the kind of exchange that
befits.
 FILIPINO VALUES

Pakikisama
- Maintaining SIR (smooth interpersonal
relations)
- Going along with, or giving in ---
conformity
- may be extended to pakikipagkapwa
Pakikiramdam
- Heightened awareness and sensitivity
- Similar with empathy, sensitivity and
awareness
- Measuring (pagtantya) of the other,
being observant and watchful,
cautious “feeling” of the other.
 SOME BASIC FILIPINO VALUES
BY JAIME BULATAO

Close Family Ties

Respect For Elders
Economic and Social Upliftment
Patience and Endurance
 WHO IS THE FILIPINO?
Kinalakhan (Cultural roots)
Revolves around participation and being immersed in
a cultural milieu acknowledged as Filipino

Two types of political involvement:

− political participation as proactive engagement in the public
arena (e.g. running for public office, joining political rallies and
street demonstrations)

− political participation as public problem solving (e.g. community

organizing)
 WHO IS THE FILIPINO?

Kamalayan (Consciousness)
• The psychological dimension
• awareness of the self as Filipino
• acceptance of membership in the category "Filipino“
• pride in this membership
 BEING FILIPINO

• While Filipino represents the social category

“pagka-Filipino” (being Filipino or Filipino-ness) denotes an
evaluative aspect of being a member of that social group

• Refers to the quality of being Filipino; Filipino-ness is the

identity's performative aspect that brings impetus to personhood
(Tolentino, 2001).
 GRADIATIONS/LEVELS OF
BEING A FILIPINO

Pilipino sa Pangalan Pilipino sa Puso

an image of a passive citizen
may accept or recognize that he
or she is a Filipino but may not be
involved in activities that highlight
the identity.
implies a superficial (mababaw)
integration
considers Filipino-ness a
conviction - paninindigan
can only be recognized through
his or her actions
suggests a deeper (malalim)
integration
 BEING FILIPINO

In order for an identity to be validated, it has

to be performed. Through performance, the
identity is rehearsed and strengthened.
 CHALLENGES IN FORGING
A FILIPINO IDENTITY

At the individual level.. At the Institutional level…

 There are contradictions in
the everyday behavior of
some Filipinos.
 Filipinos do not usually acquire a sense of
national identity from the family.
 Part of the reason why Filipinos have difficulty in
developing a sense of community is the nature
of kinship affiliation in the Philippines.

 Some Filipinos do not exercise  While families teach children basic human
values and instil discipline, they look to schools
their rights unless their
to teach nationhood and its associated values.
interests are threatened.
 Government infrequently appears as a role
model of positive values.
 ENHANCEMENT OF NATIONALISM

What is nationalism?
− “Devotion to or advocacy of national unity and independence”
− “Most important prerequisite to the formation of national
consciousness”
− “It thus serves to bind individuals or groups to “common values,
attitudes, purposes, and ways of action”
How do we show nationalism?
 HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO?

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
your country. Below are few ways on how one can practice nationalism and patriotism:

1. Be an active Filipino citizen

- A good Filipino citizen should be aware of the current events and participate in
government programs that aim for the country’s progression and development ( ex.
Exercising your right to vote).
 HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO?

2. Study the Philippine History

- By learning and fully understanding the events of the Philippine history, one will
learn so much as to why it is so important to love one’s country, with your life, extend
help to fellow Filipinos in need, and recognize abuse of political power.

3. Support local products

- Buying local products, do not only support local manufacturers and businessmen
but you also help strengthen the local economy.
- Supporting our local products also displays our creativity, innovativeness and
resourcefulness
 HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO?

4. Speak the Filipino Language

-Jose Rizal highlights the importance of the speaking the national language as way of
displaying the love for one’s country.
- Speaking Filipino also serves as a unique identifier of being a Filipino.

5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging with dissent

-It is a part of being a good Filipino to sort out everything that one reads before actually
buying 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.