The Political Self
Developing a Filipino Identity: Values, Traits, Community and Institutional Factors
Strengths of the Filipino Character
Weakness of the Filipino Character
Democracy
The Filipino culture is a mix of both eastern and western cultures.
1. Malays: The Malays made a large contribution to Philippine history. Temperament and Family.
2. Americans: English Language
3. Spaniards: Christianity and Political Organization
4. British and Japanese: No cultural influence
Filipino Character are rooted in factors:
1. Home Environment: Filipinos are taught to value family and give it primary importance.
2. Social Environment: Characterized by depending on one another to survive.
3. Culture and Language: Depict openness to foreign elements with no basic consciousness of our
cultural core.
4. History: Regarded as the culprit behind our colonial mentality.
Infographic Style
Mass Media: The emphasis on the superiority of an imported brand or product through mass
media.
The political environment: The political power is mainly in the hands of the elite, and the
absence of a strong government.
The Educational System: It is also instrumental in molding the strengths of the Filipino character.
Schools are highly authoritarian.
The economic environment: The hard life drove Filipinos to work hard and take risks, such as
leaving our families to work abroad.
Religion: Taught us optimism and resilience; however, it also instilled in us a fatalistic attitude.
Leaders and Role Model: When our leaders violate the law and when there is lack of accountability for
leaders who break the law, the Filipino mindset is hugely affected in a negative way.
Strengths of the Filipino Character
Pakikipagkapwa-tao: Demonstrated in Ile Filipino's openness, helpfulness, and generosity; in the
practice of bayanihan or mutual assistance; and the famous Filipino hospitality
Family orientation: This love is shown through giving honor and respect to parents and elders,
care for the children, generosity toward kin, and the personal sacrifices that a Filipino endures
for the welfare of the family.
Flexibility, Adaptability, and Creativity: Filipinos are also tremendous in adapting to any
circumstances.
Hardwork and Industry: This trait is most noticeable in our willingness to take risks and work in
other countries.
Joy and Humor: Filipino are also cheerful and fun-loving. Our various fiestas and social
gatherings demonstrate the Filipino joy and humor.
Faith and Religiosity: Filipinos also value faith and religiosity. This can be related to our bahala
na mindset. There is actually a positive side to this fatalistic trait. For Filipinos, the bahala na
attitude could serve as a "kickstarter'' or a "pampalakas loob” to move him or her into action.
Ability to Survive: The salawikein or proverb “matutong mamaluktot kabang maikli ang kumot”
depicts our survival instincts. This trail is the reason why Filipinos continue to, carry on even
through our harsh, economic and social circumstances.
Weaknesses of the Filipino Character
1. Colonial Mentality: Filipinos love anything foreign. Foreign elements are adapted and
incorporated into our image, and in the process, we are losing our cultural identity.
2. Kanya-kanya syndrome: Has dampened our sense of community and cooperation, and we
trample on one another 's light as well
3. Lack Of Self-Analysis and Self-Reflection: It is the expression that Filipinos are madaling
makalimot or have a short memory.
4. Extreme Personasm: Filipinos find it difficult to separate objective tasks from emotional
involvement. This is where palakasan system springs from.
5. Lack of Discipline: Characterized by the idiomatic expressions “ningas cogon” and relates to
Filipino time.
6. Extreme family-centeredness: Is manifested in our political system where political dynasties lord
over our elected government posts starting from the barangay level to the national positions.
Democracy is a government in which the supreme power is vested in and exercised by the people
directly or indirectly through a system of representation, usually involving periodically held free
electrons
Example 1: Democracy helps prevent cruel and vicious autocrats from the ruling.
Example 2: It fosters human development more fully than do other forms of government.
Example 3: Democracy helps protect fundamental individual rights and interests.
Example 4: Democratic societies provide people the maximum opportunity to take moral
resporrisibiltiy for their choices and decisions.
Example 5: Democratic societies offer a relativity high chance of political equality.
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