Filipino Traits and Values

7/27/2019 Filipino Traits and Values

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Filipinos are known for being hospitable, but its not only the positive trait that Filipinos

possess. Having been colonized by various countries, the Philippine culture, in effect, is

mixed with Asian and Western influences. Thus, the Philippine culture is diverse and can

be reflected in our traits.

Hard-working

Filipinos over the years have proven time and time again that they are a people with an

industrious attitude. Sadly, this is seen by others as Filipinos being only useful as domestichelpers, working abroad to help their families in the country. This is also present in the countrysworkforce particularly the farmers. Even with little support, technological weaknesses and the

countrys seasonal typhoons, the Filipino farmer still strives to earn their daily meal.

Even though the government provides small support to the countrys workers, many peoplechoose to engage in micro businessesthe so-called sari-sari stores and tiangge, the Filipino

version of local markets and ukay-ukay, or second-hand stores.

Some would also pursue engaging in transportation with jeepneys, tricycles and such to offer

low-cost transportation to the ever mobile masses.

Though these are some examples on how Filipinos get by with everyday living, these workopportunities offer only minimum pay but Filipinos still pursue them in hopes of giving their

children a decent life and proper education so they could elevate themselves to a higher standard

of living.

Strong family ties

In the country the people put family ties and relations as one of their top priorities. Filipinos

would do all they could to provide and sustain their respective families. This is present inFilipino festivals where they invite the whole family and in Sundays where they would maketime to use it to spend the whole day for their families.

You will find that it is common in the country to include the extended members not just the

normal nuclear family. It is not unusual that in a single household it would reach up to ten


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members of a family living under the same roof. They value each others company, and everyone

strives to provide for the whole and not just for them.

Even grandparents still have an active role in the family. It is now the norm in the society thatboth parents are out working, leaving the care of their children to the lolos and lolas, especially if

the family cannot afford to hire a nanny. Grandparents therefore become responsible for

instilling into their grandchildren the values and morals they taught to their own children, furtherincreasing the importance of the elderly in our society.

Honesty

Being a hard-working people, the Filipinos are also honest. In general, they would prefer to

work hard for an honest days pay than to find an easier way like stealing or cheating.

As in the case of overseas Filipino workers or OFWs, they are mostly domestic helpers and

though given a job which requires a lot of trust from the employer as they are left alone with

their belongings or children, it is rare that Filipinos would do anything to betray or lose the trustthat is given to them. We see so many Filipinos working in the homes of other families precisely

because they can be trusted.

But even in our own country, Filipinos have displayed honesty in various forms, may it be froma taxi driver returning a dropped phone or wallet. Filipinos would choose to do the right thing,

though sometimes this is not necessarily true.

Religious

The Philippines is one the most religious countries in world, particularly in Catholicism and

Islam. Families would encourage and strengthen the values of their children and would at least

have one day a week for worship and at the same time strengthening family ties.

Religion is the foundation of most of the countrys morals and values and sometimes, the churchgreatly affects the minds and opinions of the general populace, affecting its decisions. Sadly, this

also applies to the government as they are troubled by whatever the Churchs stand is in every


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matter, as people see their opinion to be the right one. Thus, many of our politicians go with

whatever the Church says, fearing that they would lose vote if they go against it.

Resiliency

The Philippines is a hotspot for disasters, natural and otherwise. Couple that with poverty, andone would think that Filipinos have the most reason for being a depressed people. However, we

have demonstrated time and again that Filipinos can bounce back from a tragedy, emerging

stronger and better than before. In the middle of a disaster, Filipinos can still manage to smileand be hopeful that the next morning brings new hope.

We have shown the world that by working together as a nation, we have what it takes to recover

from a bad situation. This is something that all of us should be proud of, no matter where in theworld we are. With all of these good traits (and more!), one would really be proud to say, I am aFilipino. Filipinos have shown the world that by working together, we have what it takes to

recover from a bad situationand this is a trait that we should all be proud of.

Filipinos are gregarious, friendly and hospitable. They sing and dance even when its

storming, laugh at anything and have a communal sense of fun. However, some social

characteristics of Filipinos have both pluses and minuses. Here are some of them:

Filipino Traits

1. The Filipino attitude ofbahala na orcome what may enables a person to meet difficulties and

shortcomings with resignation by leaving it up to the Almighty to sort things out. This attitude

can also result in overconfidence that everything will work out in his interest without doing

anything.

2. The Filipinosmaana habitcauses the delays in many public transactions and even

corporations. This attitude can effect the engagement to wait until tomorrow or the next day

especially when the person involve is not interested or not in the mood. However, one mustremember that many Filipinos take their time in doing things or in making decisions.

3. The bahala na attitude is the outcome of the maana habit when the tasks are left undone.

This is usually shown and even expressed by people who do not care much of what lies ahead

and just leave everything in fate.


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4. Some Filipinos do not mostly practice being late or not showing up. There are few people who

are punctual for social meetings. In fact, it is not expected of them to arrive exactly on time

especially at a party. It is advised that you always check with the host or hostess the time of youare expected to arrive.

5. Some male Filipinos are proud and arrogant that they will not accept losing face, particularlyin the crowd. They dont like the idea of being defeated or embarrassed. In some cases, losing

face or being humiliated is the cause of street brawls, drinking bouts or even killings in the

country.

6. The Filipino hiya orshame trait stems from losing amor propio which is a Spanish word,

meaningpride. Filipinos find it difficult to confront someone so as not to humiliate the person orcause person to lose his amor propio.

15 positive and negative traits of Filipinos

POSITIVE TRAITS:- Say Opo/ Po To elders as respect in talking.- Filipinos Mano on the

elders when greeting them, which is also a part of respect.- Most Filipino schools dont bully, not

like in other foreign countries.- We believe in only one God, which is God (Most of us areCatholics)- We always pray, before going to eat, going to bed...etc.- We love to laugh.- Some are

helpful.- There's no such thing as nerds here in us, and we dont tease smart people.- We are

friendly.- In the old days, if a boy wants a girl, the boy should speak to the parents first, and doeverything just to accept him and to marry the girl.(that was in the OLD days)- The father is not

the only bread winner of the family, also their children.- Most of us dont care if your ugly or

beautiful, it all depends on the personality.

NEGATIVE TRAITS:- SOME give birth at an early age ...16- Some just dont mind their own

business.- Have many bad habits, like drinking, smoking....etc.- Some poor teenagers sell their

bodies just to have money (prostitutes).- Most Filipinos have sad/dramatic lives.- There are manybroken families.- There are a lot of holduppers, kidnappers, rapers, robbers and others which we

really cannot avoid.- Almost all Filipino Presidents corrupt out country.- A lot of Bad words to

choose from which Filipinos just cant avoid saying those.- A lot of Filipinos are hard workers.(

Same as students)- We tend to be with our friends most of the time than to be with our parents.

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Filipino Traits and Values