FILIPINO VALUE
SYSTEM
Outline
Historical Perspective
Re-understanding Filipino Values
Notion of Value in Filipino Culture
The Filipino Value System
Halaga: The evaluative core
Asal: The Expressive Core
Diwa: The Spiritual Core
Historical Perspective
Pre-Spanish period (pre 1521)
Spanish era (1521-1898)
American Regime (1898 1946)
Japanese Occupation (1941- 1944)
Period of Republic (1946 1972)
Martial Law (1972 1986)
Continuation of the Republic
Historical Perspective
Native customary ways were set aside as
primitive
Conventional practices are called barbaric
Native character was seen as uncivilized
Local beliefs were labeled as superstitions
Historical Perspective
Examples
FILIPINO VALUES
HOW CRITICS SEE IT
Reciprocal obligations
Scheming
Concern for consensus
Lack of leadership
Silence due to sensitivity to
feelings of others
Concealed dishonesty
Kinship loyalties
Nepotism
Gift-giving
Bribery
Utang na loob
Source of corruption
Re-understanding Filipino Values
How do we define values?
Standards of excellence
Ideas of the desirable, characteristic of the
individual or group which is guide to
decision-making
Ideals want to achieve
Re-understanding Filipino Values
How do we re-understand Filipino Values?
Romance our culture
Back to basics
Emphasize similarities
Re-understanding Filipino Values
Back to basics
1. Dispel that exogenous models are superior to
indigenous model
2. Free ourselves from exogenous blinders
3. See traditional values in positive light
4. Examine the functions of our value system using
traditional model
5. Discover the inner strengths instead of continuously
looking for weaknesses
6. Release our hidden potentials (diwa) and inner
strength (bisa)
Notion of Value in Filipino Culture
Value is defined as standard
Standard is pamantayan which is used as a
generic concept for the value system
Labis
(more)
Pamantayan:
(standard)
Tama
(right)
Kulang
(less)
The Filipino Value System
Pamantayan system
Halaga
(evaluative core)
Pamantayan:
(value sytem)
Asal
(expressive core)
Diwa
(spiritual core)
The Filipino Value System
Pamantayan system
HALAGA
ASAL
DIWA
The Filipino Value System
Pamantayan system
ELEMENT FUNCTION NATURE
Halaga
Evaluative
Extrinsic
Asal
Expressive
Intrinsic
Diwa
Spiritual
Pyschic
ORIENTATION
Kamalayan
(conscious
knowledge)
Kalooban
(subconscious/
inner feelings)
Pananamplataya
(faith)
JUDGMENTS
Right/ wrong
Good / bad
Sacred/
Profane
Strong/ Weak
Halaga: The evaluative core
What is halaga?
Halaga refers to qualities we attach to ideas
we have, things we observe, sentiments we
feel, and events we experience.
Halaga: The evaluative core
Value
Subjects
reference
Material,
objects,
ideas,
actions
Cognitive
process
Evaluation
Identification
good, better, best
Classification
Relevant, important,
significant
Appeal
Sentiment, dignity,
moral worth
Acquisition
(price)
Cheap, affordable,
expensive
HALAGA
Halaga: The evaluative core
Process of identifying, assigning and affirming halaga
Feedback
Pagtanggap
(acceptance)
Pagpapahalaga
(valuing)
External
Stimulus
Pamantayan
HALAGA
Dating
(encounter)
Pagkilala
(cognition)
Pagtatasa
(evaluation)
Halaga: The evaluative core
Nature of halaga
An object , action, idea, feeling, event has no value
unless we endow it with one.
Halaga specifies the worth, relevance, significance
of things we observe or events we experience
Halaga links us to our physical or idea
environments. It transforms things or events into
objects of needs and desires or ideals and
aspirations
Halaga: The evaluative core
Katangian
(distinctive
quality)
Kagalingan
(excellence)
HALAGA
(worth)
Kabuluhan
(relevance)
Dominant evaluative components of halaga
Halaga: The evaluative core
Dominant Functions of Halaga
1. Halaga as an Orientation
It gives direction on how phenomena is evaluated
It consists not only of principles but also of feelings
Most halaga norms are closely associated with our
highly sensitive nature as a people
Communication techniques are indirect and not
confrontational.
Halaga: The evaluative core
2. Halaga as a Motive Force
-
It strengthens our self worth or pagkatao
It elevates our self worth to a higher level of
self esteem which brings us closer to other
people and guides as to handle relationships in
terms of pakikiapgkapwa-tao
In the process we become people-oriented or
makatao.
Halaga: The evaluative core
Pagkatao
Pakikipag-kapwatao
HALAGA
(worth)
Pagkamakatao
Halaga as motive force
Halaga: The evaluative core
3. Halaga as Source of Meanings
- It is the source of meaning we extend to
behaviors for them to become socially proper,
ethically appropriate, and morally right
- The generic term for the good and acceptable
behavior is uliran
Halaga: The evaluative core
Katimpian
Kasipagan
ULIRAN
(ideal behavior)
Pagpupunyagi
Katiyagaan
Halaga as source of meanings
Halaga: The evaluative core
4. Halaga and Social Appearance
- Uliran as an ideal is abstracted from everyday
life experiences through careful observation of
behavior called anyo.
- Anyo means appearance or the outward look
of things or behavior
Halaga: The evaluative core
Kilos
(action)
ANYO
Hilig
(tendency)
(social
appearance)
Gawi
(habit)
Asal: The expressive core
What is asal?
Asal as standard refers to sets of dominant and
commonly shared values and norms which Filipinos
use as point of reference in expressing themselves,
interpreting the actions of others, and in regulating
interpersonal and intergroup relations.
Asal is applicable only on human behavior, hence
limited to the expressive nature of character.
Asal: The expressive core
What is asal?
Mabuting asal is good character which refers to the qualities
which distinguish a person or a group of persons from other
members of the community.
Magandang asal is right conduct which refers to correct or
proper behavior
Persons with mabuting asal or magandang asal are conscious
of proper decorum on all occasions and in whatever they do.
They do not only know what is right, but feel obligated to do
right.
Asal: The expressive core
Elements of Asal
A character is judged good if it manifests the
following features:
hindi nakapipinsala sa kapwa
hindi nakakasakit ng damdamin
hindi nakakadungis ng karangalan
Asal: The expressive core
DAMDAMIN
(emotional
standard)
Hiya
Delicadeza
Amor propio
ASAL
DANGAL
(moral
standard)
(character)
KAPWA
(relational
standard)
Pakikisama
Pakikitungo
Pakikiramay
Pagkabahala
Galang
Utang na loob
Diwa: The spiritual core
What is diwa?
Diwa refers to the inner force which lies at the core
of our kalooban and from which emanate all personal
and social sentiments.
It holds together all elements of existence and
transforms into one functioning whole called buhay
Diwa is both abstract and concrete. It cannot be seen
but it can be experienced.
Diwa: The spiritual core
Moral/ ethical virtues
(karangalan/ panininidigan)
Legitimacy
(katwiran)
Validity
(katotohanan)
Meaning
(kahulugan)
DIWA
Diwa: The spiritual core
ELEMENTS OF
DIWA
BUHAY
(life)
KALOOBAN
(disposition)
BUDHII
(conscience)
BISA
(inner
strength)
DIWA
(spirit)
FILIPINO
Diwa: The spiritual core
Confidence in ones self
(enhances self-worth)
BAHALA NA
Belief in ones capability
(develops positive outlook)
Trust in God
(strengthens faith)
