LESSON 4

THE POLITICAL SELF AND BEING FILIPINO

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LESSON OBJECTIVES:
1. To develop a Filipino identity
2. Identify different Filipino values and traits
3. Reflect on his or her selfhood in relation to his national identity

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WHO IS A FILIPINO?

According to the Philippine Constitution, Filipino

citizens are those whose fathers or mothers are
citizens of the Philippines, those born before
January 17,1973 of Filipino mothers, who elect
Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of
majority and those who are naturalized in
accordance with the law

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FILIPINO VALUES & TRAITS

The Philippines is a lush island paradise famous for its

grandiose mountain views, beaches, rich and diverse
culture changing from province to province.

Filipino phrases such as “Mabuhay!” and “Salamat” and

saying “po and opo”

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 THE FILIPINO HOSPITALITY
Filipinos welcome their guests and tourists as if they are their
own brothers and sisters by always making them feel at home.
They will bring out their best sets of plates for their honoured
guests and would even go as far as spending a lot of money
and going into debt just so they can satisfy them.

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Respect for Elders

Filipinos greet their elders by kissing their hand while

saying “Mano Po!” and constantly using “po and opo”.
Saying, “ate, kuya, lolo, lola, “

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Close Family Ties

Filipinos maintain a tight relationship with their family

regardless that the children are old enough and already
have their families of their own
They are also fond of family reunions during birthday,
holidays and fiestas

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Cheerful Personality

Filipinos have the habit of smiling and laughing a lot.

They smile when they are happy, sad or sometimes even
when they are angry.
Smiling has been a coping strategy for many Filipinos
especially during trying times and calamities

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 Self-Sacrifice

Filipinos go out of their way to extend their help to friends,

families and loved ones. OFW sacrifice a lot that is why they
are regarded as the modern day Filipino heroes. There also
times when the eldest among the children of the family
would give up school to work and provide for the rest of the
family and educate his or her siblings

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Bayanihan

The bayanihan spirit is giving without expecting something

in return. Filipinos are always ready to share and to help
friends and loved ones who are in need. In calamities, this
is especially showcased by filipinos.

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Bahala Na Attitude

The Filipino version of the famous line Hakuna Matata

meaning “No Worries”. This phrase is said to have
originated from “Bathala Na” Where Bathala means God

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Colonial Mentality

Lack of patriotism and the attitude where Filipinos favor

foreign products more than their own.

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Manana Habit

Filipino term for PROCRASTINATION, “Mamaya na”

Which means doing things that could have been done at
the present at a later time
It is poor habit of laziness which results in a heavier
workload

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 Ningas Kugon

Attitude of eagerly starting things, but quickly losing

eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty just as fast as the
fire has ignited.
Laziness is a common problem among Filipinos. – Juan Tamad

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 Pride

Most Filipinos hold on to their pride as if this is more precious

than keeping a good relationship with family and loved ones
They find it hard to apologize.

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 Crab Mentality

A toxic trait among Filipinos where one resents the

achievement of another, instead of feeling happy or that
person.
They pull each other down and ruin each other’s
reputation

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 Filipino Time

Arriving late at commitments. They tend to not observe

punctuality altogether.

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 FILIPINO MARKERS

The following are constant reminders of our nationality:

1. PROVERBS/SALAWIKAIN
-are sayings that convey a lesson and reflection on
Filipino practices, beliefs and traditions.
DAMIANA EUGENIO, regarded as the Mother of
Philippine Folklore

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 6 categories of proverbs:

1. Proverbs expressing a general attitude towards life &

the laws that govern life
2. Ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and
condemning certain vices
3. Proverbs expressing a system of values
4. Proverbs expressing general truth and observations
about life and human nature
5. Humorous proverbs
6. Miscellaneous proverbs

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 2. SUPERSTITIONS

Filipinos also subscribe to their own set of superstitions

passed down from generation to generation

Example:
A woman singing while cooking will end a spinster

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 3. MYTHS AND LEGEND

Due to the Philippine’s rich culture ad history, numerous

myths and legends have sprung about things that are
beyond one’s imagination

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 4. HEROES & ICONS

Heroes serve as a reminder of true patriotism and

nationalism as they have sacrificed their lives for the
sake of their country’s freedom and progress

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 HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO

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 progressions and
development
By simply exercising your right to vote, you also
become an active citizen

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 HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO

2. STUDY THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

To fully understand the events of the Philippine
history

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 HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO

3. SUPPORT LOCAL PRODUCTS

Supporting our local products display our creativity
innovativeness and resourcefulness

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HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO

4. SPEAK THE FILIPINO LANGUAGE

Speaking Filipino serves as a unique identifier of
being a Filipino.

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 HOW TO BE A GOOD FILIPINO
5. DO NOT SPREAD FAKE NEWS & BE DEMOCRATIC IN
ENGAGING WITH DISSENT
To sort out everything that one reads before actually
buying it and spreading it. Think before you click!

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