AKO BA ‘TO? ASAL PINOY?AKO BA ‘TO? ASAL PINOY?

Cross the street right beneath the footbridge.Cross the street right beneath the footbridge. Pwedeng magbigay ng tong sa pulis!Pwedeng magbigay ng tong sa pulis!

Pwedeng sakay-baba sa gitna ng daan. ‘Sandali lang’.Pwedeng sakay-baba sa gitna ng daan. ‘Sandali lang’. Don’t stare at another guy or you get in trouble.Don’t stare at another guy or you get in trouble. Kantiawan ang nagkakaraoke, saksak ang aabutin mo!Kantiawan ang nagkakaraoke, saksak ang aabutin mo! Very Filipino???!!!Very Filipino???!!!

•It is polite to be late!!! Be punctual in It is polite to be late!!! Be punctual in a party and get branded as too eager a party and get branded as too eager and greedy for food.and greedy for food.

• Magsabi ng Oo kahit Hindi!Magsabi ng Oo kahit Hindi!

To understand the behavior of the Filipino, we must answer the question:

The Filipino Personality & CultureThe Filipino Personality & Culture

To identify the Filipino personality is To identify the Filipino personality is difficult to pursue because:difficult to pursue because:

1.1. There is a problem of choosing a reliable method to analyze the traits There is a problem of choosing a reliable method to analyze the traits and values of Filipinos, a people whose country had been greatly and values of Filipinos, a people whose country had been greatly influenced by colonizers;influenced by colonizers;

2.2. Most researchers have used western models not applicable to Filipino Most researchers have used western models not applicable to Filipino culture. That is, according to Landa Jocano (1978), the discrepancies culture. That is, according to Landa Jocano (1978), the discrepancies between research findings and real Filipino behavior.between research findings and real Filipino behavior.

Despite the limitations, we find the essence of a Filipino Despite the limitations, we find the essence of a Filipino personality based on scientific research and observation of personality based on scientific research and observation of the the historyhistory and the and the culturalcultural way of life of Filipinos. way of life of Filipinos.

WHO IS THE FILIPINO?WHO IS THE FILIPINO?

In the 16th century, more than 7,000 islands were inhabited by Negritoes, Indonesians, Malays and the Chinese of the Ming dynasty. There was no

Filipino yet. Pedro Chirino (1969) in his book “The Philippines in 1600” likened the Philippines to a “Spanish seed planted in Malay soil and

nourished by Chinese and American influences.

The FILIPINO SOUL is a synthesis of:1. the Malay2. the Chinese mind, and3. the Indian art

1. 1. The MalaysThe Malays are charming, trusting as a child, naturally tolerant, are charming, trusting as a child, naturally tolerant, forbearing and kind. He laughs a good deal, and is convinced that forbearing and kind. He laughs a good deal, and is convinced that tomorrow everything will be better. He is generous and is usually tomorrow everything will be better. He is generous and is usually unwilling to press a point due to largeness of heart. He is brave to unwilling to press a point due to largeness of heart. He is brave to the point of recklessness. the point of recklessness.

The Malay is frivolous, characterized as lack of seriousness. His The Malay is frivolous, characterized as lack of seriousness. His religious rituals are occasion for merrymaking and enjoyment. His religious rituals are occasion for merrymaking and enjoyment. His meetings are reduced into a litany of green jokes and bawdy stories meetings are reduced into a litany of green jokes and bawdy stories about dancing girls. He praises the man who gets along well with about dancing girls. He praises the man who gets along well with others, ‘marunong makisama.’others, ‘marunong makisama.’

2. 2. The Chinese mindThe Chinese mind is a blend of philosophy and pragmatism. His is a blend of philosophy and pragmatism. His patience and perseverance, hardiness and foresight, frugality and patience and perseverance, hardiness and foresight, frugality and thrift have been transplanted into the Filipino psyche. The Confucian thrift have been transplanted into the Filipino psyche. The Confucian philosophy accounts for most of the values the Filipinos imbibed. philosophy accounts for most of the values the Filipinos imbibed.

During the Tang During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D), some 3,000 Chinese (618-907 A.D), some 3,000 Chinese traders came and established residence in the Philippines. traders came and established residence in the Philippines. According to Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil (1978), about 10% of Filipino According to Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil (1978), about 10% of Filipino genes is Chinese.genes is Chinese.

3. 3. The IndianThe Indian elements in the Filipino lie mainly in art, manners, elements in the Filipino lie mainly in art, manners, beliefs and language.beliefs and language.

The FILIPINO HEART: The FILIPINO HEART: Spanish ChristianSpanish Christian..

Christianization and social organizations along Christianization and social organizations along western lines were contributions of the western lines were contributions of the

Spaniards. Eighty percent (80%) of Filipinos Spaniards. Eighty percent (80%) of Filipinos embraced Spanish Catholicism, embraced Spanish Catholicism, a religion based a religion based

on folk Catholicism mixed with pre-Spanish on folk Catholicism mixed with pre-Spanish superstitions and pagan beliefs.superstitions and pagan beliefs.

Many of the value judgments or the social Many of the value judgments or the social standards of Filipino life are Spanish in origin. standards of Filipino life are Spanish in origin.

Delicadeza is a Spanish concept. Emphasis on Delicadeza is a Spanish concept. Emphasis on appearance, reputation, privilege and status are appearance, reputation, privilege and status are

all Spanish.all Spanish.

The MIND OF THE FILIPINO: The MIND OF THE FILIPINO: AMERICANAMERICAN

Some of the elements are:Some of the elements are: the public health system, the public health system, road system, mass education, English language, road system, mass education, English language,

Western democracy, presidential system, Congress.Western democracy, presidential system, Congress.The American regime made the Filipinos The American regime made the Filipinos

pragmaticpragmatic. . For many centuries inside a monastic culture, the For many centuries inside a monastic culture, the

Filipinos suddenly were exposed to Filipinos suddenly were exposed to HollywoodHollywood. . Where before he had an obedient mind, now he is Where before he had an obedient mind, now he is

askingasking questions. questions.

Under the Americans, Filipinos became materialistic Under the Americans, Filipinos became materialistic and individualistic, no longer the Oriental’s and individualistic, no longer the Oriental’s

““What is the thinking of others.”What is the thinking of others.”

The Filipino Value OrientationThe Filipino Value Orientation The Filipino is frequently diagnosed as one suffering from The Filipino is frequently diagnosed as one suffering from identity crisisidentity crisis. .

He is ambivalent in his convictions and distrustful of his competence. He is ambivalent in his convictions and distrustful of his competence. He is He is AsianAsian by birth but matured with a by birth but matured with a WesternWestern mind. mind. The Filipino value isThe Filipino value is more outer-directedmore outer-directed than inner-directed. than inner-directed.

They are little more than unfortunate clones of the West. They are little more than unfortunate clones of the West. They suffer from a They suffer from a ‘lack of their own culture.’‘lack of their own culture.’ (says Delia Aguilar, 1995). (says Delia Aguilar, 1995).

His sense of inferiority was wrought in the Filipino mind by the Spaniards: His sense of inferiority was wrought in the Filipino mind by the Spaniards:

He is not as good as the white man because he He is not as good as the white man because he isis native, brown and small- native, brown and small-nosed, and an Asian.nosed, and an Asian.

The Filipino psychology permeates four histories and four The Filipino psychology permeates four histories and four cultures: Malay, Spanish, American and Japanese. cultures: Malay, Spanish, American and Japanese.

He is a creation of diverse social, economic, cultural, He is a creation of diverse social, economic, cultural, political and psychological stresses. political and psychological stresses.

The Filipino Aims, Goals and The Filipino Aims, Goals and AspirationsAspirations

Fr. Frank Lynch (1976) identifies the three Fr. Frank Lynch (1976) identifies the three basic aims that predominantly motivate and basic aims that predominantly motivate and control the behavior of the Filipino:control the behavior of the Filipino:

1. social acceptance 1. social acceptance 2. economic security, and 2. economic security, and 3. social mobility 3. social mobility (considered the most (considered the most

important).important).

1. 1. Social acceptanceSocial acceptance

Social acceptanceSocial acceptance as goal is defined as as goal is defined as being taken by one’s fellow for what he is being taken by one’s fellow for what he is or is believed to be and being that image in or is believed to be and being that image in accordance with his status. Attainment of accordance with his status. Attainment of social acceptance is assisted by two social acceptance is assisted by two intermediate values which are recognized intermediate values which are recognized as important and satisfying goals: as important and satisfying goals: Smoothness of interpersonal relationsSmoothness of interpersonal relations, , on one hand, and on one hand, and sensitivity to personal sensitivity to personal affrontaffront, on the other., on the other.

Smooth Interpersonal Relationship (SIR)Smooth Interpersonal Relationship (SIR) is the ability is the ability to get along with others in such a way as to avoid signs to get along with others in such a way as to avoid signs of conflict. The method used to maintain SIR includes of conflict. The method used to maintain SIR includes pakikisama, euphemism, pakikisama, euphemism, andand the use of go-between. the use of go-between.

Sensitivity to Personal Affront --- Sensitivity to Personal Affront --- the loss of social the loss of social acceptance is guarded against by two sanctions that acceptance is guarded against by two sanctions that discourage behavior descriptive of those relations: discourage behavior descriptive of those relations:

i. hiya i. hiya

ii. amor propioii. amor propio

2. Economic Security2. Economic Security

Economic Security. For the average Filipino, economic security as a goal means the desire to possess the essentials for a decent human life and the opportunities for improving onself. It suggests self-sufficiency to maintain one’s dignity and family. Instrumental to this goal-value of economic security is the value of reciprocity.

Reciprocity is that principle of behavior wherein every service, solicited or not,

demands a return, the nature and proportion of which is determined by the relative status of the parties involved and the kind of exchange of issue. The utang na loob reciprocity is most consciously generated when a transfer of goods or services takes place between individuals belonging to two different groups.

3. Social Mobility3. Social Mobility

Social Mobility Social Mobility (is considered the most (is considered the most important).important).

It is going up the ladder of social class--- from It is going up the ladder of social class--- from lower class to elite class;lower class to elite class;

It is emerging from poverty to riches.It is emerging from poverty to riches.

The Filipino Hierarchy of NeedsThe Filipino Hierarchy of Needs

Dr. Tomas Andres has observed that the Dr. Tomas Andres has observed that the Filipino is motivated by the following Filipino is motivated by the following hierarchy of needs:hierarchy of needs:

FAMILISM

RECIPROCITY

SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE

SOCIAL MOBILITY

HEROISM

1. FAMILISM1. FAMILISM

As against Maslow’s Physiological Needs) the As against Maslow’s Physiological Needs) the Filipino has the need Filipino has the need to belongto belong. More than any . More than any physical need, he must be part of the family. In physical need, he must be part of the family. In times of need, times of need, mayroon siyang matutuluyan, may mayroon siyang matutuluyan, may dadamay, may masisilungan.dadamay, may masisilungan. If hungry, If hungry, hindi hindi sya matitiis ng pamilya at may mauuwian.sya matitiis ng pamilya at may mauuwian. For For the Filipino, he would rather suffer hunger with the Filipino, he would rather suffer hunger with the family. the family.

2. RECIPROCITY2. RECIPROCITY

The Filipino has the need to be The Filipino has the need to be reciprocatedreciprocated. . Kung Kung may itinanim, may aanihin. may itinanim, may aanihin. He is governed by He is governed by Utang na Loob. Utang na Loob. Someday, those with whom the Someday, those with whom the Filipino was generous enough will be able to repay Filipino was generous enough will be able to repay somehow in any way. somehow in any way.

3. SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE3. SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE

The Filipino has the need to be accepted in a The Filipino has the need to be accepted in a bigger group. No wonder he wants to preserve bigger group. No wonder he wants to preserve balance and harmony, employ SIR, reciprocatebalance and harmony, employ SIR, reciprocate (magbayad ng ‘utang’ na loob), huwag manghiya (magbayad ng ‘utang’ na loob), huwag manghiya at ayaw mapahiya.at ayaw mapahiya.

4. SOCIAL MOBILITY4. SOCIAL MOBILITY

The Filipino aspires to climb the socio-economic The Filipino aspires to climb the socio-economic ladder: From being poor, to middle class and ladder: From being poor, to middle class and probably becoming an elite. Improving from rags probably becoming an elite. Improving from rags to riches, to riches, ‘ala-Nora Aunor’‘ala-Nora Aunor’ is a dream. Education is a dream. Education is a value to transport one from prestige to is a value to transport one from prestige to economic stability. The Filipino will do any economic stability. The Filipino will do any means, even going abroad as an OFW, to improve means, even going abroad as an OFW, to improve the lot of the family.the lot of the family.

5. HEROISM 5. HEROISM (or(or Pagkabayani Pagkabayani))

The Filipino has the ultimate need The Filipino has the ultimate need to be to be esteemed and reveredesteemed and revered. He gets a lifting . He gets a lifting spirit when he does good to his family or spirit when he does good to his family or society and this achievement is society and this achievement is recognized and acknowledged. He is recognized and acknowledged. He is kilalang-tao, kilalang-tao, an esteemed and revered an esteemed and revered member of the family or society. member of the family or society. Certainly, the ultimate sense of heroism is Certainly, the ultimate sense of heroism is when the Filipino sheds blood for ones when the Filipino sheds blood for ones own country, becoming a hero.own country, becoming a hero.

How does the Filipino preserve How does the Filipino preserve equilibrium?equilibrium?

Not to rock the boat, the Filipino looks for meaning in Not to rock the boat, the Filipino looks for meaning in what is not said.what is not said. The silence for the Filipino together with the The silence for the Filipino together with the pauses between silences are very meaningful. They convey pauses between silences are very meaningful. They convey messages. The Filipino seek mainly to receive messages that messages. The Filipino seek mainly to receive messages that often do not have to be stated directly or explicitly. The often do not have to be stated directly or explicitly. The Filipino is indirect because he wants to keep his interpersonal Filipino is indirect because he wants to keep his interpersonal encounters pleasant and friendly. In that way, the channel of encounters pleasant and friendly. In that way, the channel of communication will remain open. The Filipino cannot be communication will remain open. The Filipino cannot be frank.frank.

When a Filipino listens to a person, his immediate instinctive When a Filipino listens to a person, his immediate instinctive reaction is to try to figure out what the speaker likes, what he reaction is to try to figure out what the speaker likes, what he is like, what kind of a person he is and by identifying himself is like, what kind of a person he is and by identifying himself with the speaker, he can understand what he is talking about.with the speaker, he can understand what he is talking about.

For the Filipino, his concept of society For the Filipino, his concept of society is the absence of conflict and existence is the absence of conflict and existence

of equilibrium in society.of equilibrium in society.

If a Japanese or an American is slapped, they If a Japanese or an American is slapped, they will either ask for the reason or simply go will either ask for the reason or simply go away. away. But generally, a classical Filipino will But generally, a classical Filipino will go away but will come back with a weapon in go away but will come back with a weapon in hand to kill the one who slapped him.hand to kill the one who slapped him.

Example of Filipino’s IndirectnessExample of Filipino’s Indirectness

ParinigParinig - letting the other party hear by speaking to a different person. - letting the other party hear by speaking to a different person. In the Jeepney: “God knows who does not pay!In the Jeepney: “God knows who does not pay! BiruanBiruan – ‘Biru-biro kung sanglan, totoo king tamaan’ – ‘Biru-biro kung sanglan, totoo king tamaan’ ‘ ‘Batu-bato sa langit ang tamaan huwag magagalit.’Batu-bato sa langit ang tamaan huwag magagalit.’ The Filipino uses a The Filipino uses a camouflagecamouflage of words of words para hindi makasakit ng damdamin at para hindi makasakit ng damdamin at

kalooban. kalooban. Therefore, the Filipino can talk anything under the sun because he will Therefore, the Filipino can talk anything under the sun because he will not hurt anyone. The Filipino feels safe and secure.not hurt anyone. The Filipino feels safe and secure.

But when directly, frankly, singled out for derogation, and pushed to the wall and is But when directly, frankly, singled out for derogation, and pushed to the wall and is hurt, the defense mechanism of the Filipino is often lively: hurt, the defense mechanism of the Filipino is often lively: verbally and verbally and behaviorally.behaviorally.

Pakipot – ‘to close up’ not to lay self open; The Filipino is not making the first Pakipot – ‘to close up’ not to lay self open; The Filipino is not making the first move towards involvement or commitment. move towards involvement or commitment.

““Hinihingi ko lang, hindi nagagalit.” Hinihingi ko lang, hindi nagagalit.” ““Hindi mapagtanim, masama lang magalit.”Hindi mapagtanim, masama lang magalit.” Pakitang tao – He is showy for the benefit of social approval. The Filipino feels he Pakitang tao – He is showy for the benefit of social approval. The Filipino feels he

is being watched. Thus, he is expected some roles and evaluated by the community.is being watched. Thus, he is expected some roles and evaluated by the community.

Communication is peculiar among Communication is peculiar among FilipinosFilipinos

‘‘YES’YES’ for Pinoys has seven (7) meanings: for Pinoys has seven (7) meanings: He does not know;He does not know; He is annoyed;He is annoyed; He wants to impress;He wants to impress; He wants to end the conversation;He wants to end the conversation; He half understood the instruction or what is being said;He half understood the instruction or what is being said; He is not sure of himself; and,He is not sure of himself; and, He knows better than the one speaking to him.He knows better than the one speaking to him. The Filipino says ‘YES’ and ‘NO’ in order not to offend.The Filipino says ‘YES’ and ‘NO’ in order not to offend. Yes has various meanings, one of them is Yes has various meanings, one of them is ’NO’.’NO’.

‘‘I’ll Try’I’ll Try’

I’LL TRY means according to how it is said.I’LL TRY means according to how it is said.

‘‘Drop by dinner tonight’ --- ‘Ill try’ --- means he is Drop by dinner tonight’ --- ‘Ill try’ --- means he is asking you to repeat the invitation more strongly asking you to repeat the invitation more strongly because:because: invitations to a person’s home are not made lightly in the invitations to a person’s home are not made lightly in the

Philippines. Therefore, repeat strongly and repetitively;Philippines. Therefore, repeat strongly and repetitively; ‘‘Pakikisama’ demands that invitations are made frequently Pakikisama’ demands that invitations are made frequently

when the host does expect the guest to accept. Or else, when the host does expect the guest to accept. Or else, ‘pabalat bunga lang’. Thus, say, “I’ll try’.‘pabalat bunga lang’. Thus, say, “I’ll try’.

SILENCESILENCE The Filipino SILENCE means something should The Filipino SILENCE means something should

not reveal anything big.not reveal anything big. (For other countries it means ‘yes’ or agree or (For other countries it means ‘yes’ or agree or

approve or consenting). However, do not force him to approve or consenting). However, do not force him to talk. Otherwise, he will tell you nothing. Filipino talk. Otherwise, he will tell you nothing. Filipino feels that he should not reveal anything because he feels that he should not reveal anything because he fears to stir up conflict with people. If he reveals his fears to stir up conflict with people. If he reveals his thoughts to individuals, he reveals some only which thoughts to individuals, he reveals some only which he thinks would be acceptable to you. Even when a he thinks would be acceptable to you. Even when a Filipino could not agree with you, Filipino could not agree with you, he will choose he will choose weak agreement by sayingweak agreement by saying: : ‘Siguro nga’ or ‘Baka’ ‘Siguro nga’ or ‘Baka’ or ‘Yata’or ‘Yata’ rather than disagree with you.rather than disagree with you.

The Filipino Concept of TimeThe Filipino Concept of Time For Westerners, ‘time is gold’, or ‘time is money’. For Westerners, ‘time is gold’, or ‘time is money’.

They count every second and every minute and hours. They count every second and every minute and hours. Time is limited and must not be wasted. It is Time is limited and must not be wasted. It is linearlinear in in nature and has an end.nature and has an end.

For Filipinos, times is unending and limitless asFor Filipinos, times is unending and limitless as a a circlecircle (cyclical). Time (cyclical). Time has no beginning and no end. has no beginning and no end.

Being close to nature, he says:Being close to nature, he says: ‘‘Sisikat pa ang araw’, Sisikat pa ang araw’, ‘‘May bukas pa!’ May bukas pa!’ ‘‘Magbubukang liwayway na’Magbubukang liwayway na’

Thus, unlike the westerners who track down time by Thus, unlike the westerners who track down time by the clock, the Filipino would rather measure time the clock, the Filipino would rather measure time according to nature. There is no wonder then that the according to nature. There is no wonder then that the Filipino can not come on time.Filipino can not come on time.

The Filipino’s Split Level Christian The Filipino’s Split Level Christian PersonalityPersonality

Ang Pinoy, sisimba; paglabas sa simbahan:Ang Pinoy, sisimba; paglabas sa simbahan: MagmumuraMagmumura MagsusugalMagsusugal Mangangaliwa o mambababaeMangangaliwa o mambababae magnanakaw sa gobyernomagnanakaw sa gobyerno magsusugalmagsusugal iinom ng alakiinom ng alak magsasabongmagsasabong tataya sa juetengtataya sa jueteng

History tells us, the Spaniards imposed Catholicism on animist Filipinos History tells us, the Spaniards imposed Catholicism on animist Filipinos without educating them. Moreover, they preached religion but acted without educating them. Moreover, they preached religion but acted otherwise. Filipinos do not understand Catholicism fully. Thus, they prefer otherwise. Filipinos do not understand Catholicism fully. Thus, they prefer to go to Quiapo for the magic (milagro ng Nazareno). The Filipino prays to go to Quiapo for the magic (milagro ng Nazareno). The Filipino prays and acts differently.and acts differently.

SUCH IS THE FILIPINO SUCH IS THE FILIPINO PERSONALITY - - -PERSONALITY - - -

VIBRANTVIBRANT

ALIVEALIVE & &

INTERESTING!!!INTERESTING!!!

The EndThe End