2.1.4. The Political Self
Who is a Filipino?
According to the 1987 Constitution, Filipino citizens are “…those whose father 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 law.”
Filipino Values and Traits
- The Filipino hospitality - Colonial mentality
- Respect for elders - “Mañana” habit
- Close family ties - “Ningas kugon”
- Cheerful personality - Pride
- Self-sacrifice - Crab mentality
- Bayanihan - Filipino time
- - “Bahala na” attitude
Filipino Markers
1. Proverbs or Salawikain– sayings that convey lessons and reflections on Filipino
practices, beliefs, and traditions. Damiana Eugenio, regarded as the Mother of
Philippine Folklore, classified proverbs into 6 categories (Eugenio, 2000):
a. proverbs expressing a general attitude toward life and the laws that govern life;
b. ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning certain vices;
c. proverbs expressing a system of values;
, d. proverbs expressing general truths and observations about life and human
nature;
e. humorous proverbs; and
f. miscellaneous proverbs.
2. Superstitions – influenced by beliefs from other cultures, but Filipinos have retold
these superstitions according to their own experiences and they sometimes end
up even more interesting
3. Myths and Legends – sprung about things that are beyond one’s imagination. These
stories are aimed to explain the origin of things, at the same time, teach a valuable
lesson. Some of these stories stemmed in pre-Christianity period, but have evolved
to the stories we know today.
4. Heroes and Icons – heroes serve a reminder of true patriotism and nationalism as
they have sacrificed their lives for the sake of their country’s freedom and
progress.
Famous Filipino icons also serve as important Filipino markers as they have made
the Filipino name more pronounced worldwide through their own expertise.
Understanding Politics
Politics – Kendall (1998) defines politics as a social institution through which power is
acquired and exercised by people and groups.
- In Aristotle’s works, Politics, he describes the role that politics and the political
community must play in bringing about the virtuous life in the citizenry. He
observes that “man is by nature a political animal.”
- Politics is an important part of human development because it promotes
ideologies about democracy, citizenship, human rights, freedom, family, health,
and other social issues.
Who is a Filipino?
According to the 1987 Constitution, Filipino citizens are “…those whose father 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 law.”
Filipino Values and Traits
- The Filipino hospitality - Colonial mentality
- Respect for elders - “Mañana” habit
- Close family ties - “Ningas kugon”
- Cheerful personality - Pride
- Self-sacrifice - Crab mentality
- Bayanihan - Filipino time
- - “Bahala na” attitude
Filipino Markers
1. Proverbs or Salawikain– sayings that convey lessons and reflections on Filipino
practices, beliefs, and traditions. Damiana Eugenio, regarded as the Mother of
Philippine Folklore, classified proverbs into 6 categories (Eugenio, 2000):
a. proverbs expressing a general attitude toward life and the laws that govern life;
b. ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning certain vices;
c. proverbs expressing a system of values;
, d. proverbs expressing general truths and observations about life and human
nature;
e. humorous proverbs; and
f. miscellaneous proverbs.
2. Superstitions – influenced by beliefs from other cultures, but Filipinos have retold
these superstitions according to their own experiences and they sometimes end
up even more interesting
3. Myths and Legends – sprung about things that are beyond one’s imagination. These
stories are aimed to explain the origin of things, at the same time, teach a valuable
lesson. Some of these stories stemmed in pre-Christianity period, but have evolved
to the stories we know today.
4. Heroes and Icons – heroes serve a reminder of true patriotism and nationalism as
they have sacrificed their lives for the sake of their country’s freedom and
progress.
Famous Filipino icons also serve as important Filipino markers as they have made
the Filipino name more pronounced worldwide through their own expertise.
Understanding Politics
Politics – Kendall (1998) defines politics as a social institution through which power is
acquired and exercised by people and groups.
- In Aristotle’s works, Politics, he describes the role that politics and the political
community must play in bringing about the virtuous life in the citizenry. He
observes that “man is by nature a political animal.”
- Politics is an important part of human development because it promotes
ideologies about democracy, citizenship, human rights, freedom, family, health,
and other social issues.
