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Strengths of The Filipino Character: A. Pakikipagkapwa Tao

The document outlines both strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character. The key strengths include pakikipagkapwa tao (empathy for others), strong family values, a sense of humor, creativity and adaptability, hard work, and strong spirituality. However, it also notes several weaknesses such as extreme personalism, extreme family centeredness that can enable nepotism, lack of discipline manifested in poor time management and an inability to follow through, colonial mentality preferring foreign things, a "kanya-kanya" selfish attitude, and a lack of self-reflection and thinking substantively rather than superficially.

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Dani Mae Manzanillo
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456 views3 pages

Strengths of The Filipino Character: A. Pakikipagkapwa Tao

The document outlines both strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character. The key strengths include pakikipagkapwa tao (empathy for others), strong family values, a sense of humor, creativity and adaptability, hard work, and strong spirituality. However, it also notes several weaknesses such as extreme personalism, extreme family centeredness that can enable nepotism, lack of discipline manifested in poor time management and an inability to follow through, colonial mentality preferring foreign things, a "kanya-kanya" selfish attitude, and a lack of self-reflection and thinking substantively rather than superficially.

Uploaded by

Dani Mae Manzanillo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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STRENGTHS OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER

a. Pakikipagkapwa Tao
This refers to pakikiramay or to the Filipinos ability to emphatize with others, intimating helpfulness and
generosity in times of need. Bayanihan or mutual assistance which reflects the sensitivity to other
peoples’ feelings and needs is also generally accepted trait of the Filipino. Pakiramdam, pagtitiwala or
trust, and a sense of gratitude or utang na loob are also aspects of the Filipino worker’s pakikipagkapwa
tao.

b. Family Orientation
The basic and most important unit of a Filipino’s life is the family. Concern for the family is shown by the
Filipino’s high regard accorded to the elderly, the care given to the women and the children, sympathy
towards relatives and the sacrifices they endure for their family’s well being. The Filipino puts a great
emphasis on the value of family and being close to one’s family members.

c. Sense of Humor
The Filipino’s sense of humor is shown in his ability to laugh even at the worst circumstances. This trait
singles out the Filipino’s infectious, joyful disposition in almost all types of varying situations. Every
celebrity, every politician and every Juan can be the subject of that witty Filipino sense of humor. I think
it is impossible for a Filipino to go a day without smiling and laughing.

d. Flexibility, Adaptability, Creativity


Creativity, resourcefulness and being a quick learner mark out the Filipinos success in his chosen field.
His propensity to improvise new systems and products out of whatever resources available makes him
famous. His flexibility makes him easily adaptable to the foreign work environment. These factors
explain the phenomenon of the overseas Filipino worker. A significant number of Filipino workers have
proven their resiliency and great capacity to adapt to foreign environments.

e. Hard work and Industry


Hard work or industry as a Filipino trait is considered superior to most nations. This is not only proven by
the Filipino’s willingness to take risks to work abroad but also by his stubborn will and effort to survive in
the most challenging times in abroad. With resourcefulness comes hard work. Filipinos are very
determined and persevering in accomplishing whatever they set their minds to.

f. Spirituality
The Filipinos strong faith in God gives him a strong moral conscience. Workers maintain their motivation
to works by God’s unending mercy. The sayings, “Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa”, “Bahala na
ang Diyos,” and “God will provide” seem to govern their decisions especially in times of uncertainties
and difficulties.
g. Ability to Survive
The Filipinos as a people who have been constantly under the rule of numerous powerful countries has
over time, developed a sense of resourcefulness or the ability to survive with whatever they have. The
Filipino has the ability to survive and live through the most challenging economic and political situations.
He has the ability to remain strong despite worst disasters. They have the extraordinary ability to make
something out of almost nothing.

WEAKNESSESS OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER


Extreme Personalism
This personalism is manifested in the tendency to give personal interpretations to actions, i.e., to "take
things personally.“ This is manifested in the tendency to give personal interpretations to actions such as
pakiusap (request), palakasan (power and influence), nepotism and favoritism. Extreme personalism
lead to graft and corruption, which is now pronounces evident in the Philippine society (Tulio, 2000).

Extreme Family Centeredness


Political dynasties, “compadreism”, “kamag-anak incorporated” are conspicuous manifestations of this
dysfunctional Filipino value in the workplace. It is ever strongly evident in the public sphere and even
the private organizations are not spared form its negative inference. The Filipino’s justification for this
value is his strong and earnest desire to promote his family’s interest. Sadly, though, its effect on
productivity be it in the public or the private spheres, are inefficiency and factionalism, which are
formidable stumbling blocks to national progress.

Lack of Discipline
Lack of discipline encompasses several related characteristics. We have the so called “Filipino time”,
which is considered as poor time management. Another is the palusot syndrome and the puede na iyan
syndrome. Another is the ningas cogon attitude, which simply means starting out projects with full vigor
and interest which will abruptly die down, leaving things unfinished, resulting to waste of time and
resources. The mañana habit or mamayan habit or saka na iyan attitude, the habit of putting off what
they can do at the moment until later indeed led to an inefficient and wasteful system, violation of roles,
leading to more serious wrongdoings, and a casual work ethic to carelessness and lack of follow through
(Tulio, 2000).

Colonial Mentality
This is made up of two dimensions: lack of patriotism, and an actual preference for foreign things like
fashion, entertainment, lifestyle, technology, consumer items, and so forth. This is manifested by the
Filipino’s penchant for buying imported goods instead of locally-made goods.
Kanya-kanya Syndrome
Filipinos have a selfish, self-serving attitude that generates a feeling of envy and competitiveness
towards others, particularly ones peers, who seem to have gained some status or prestige. This attribute
is related to the so-called “crab mentality” .Filipinos have the propensity to put others down through
gossips and destructive criticisms resulting in disunity and hindering group cooperation in the
workplace.

Lack of Self-Analysis and Self –Reflection


The Filipinos’ emphasis on form rather than substance misleads them into believing that impossible
things can be or are already made possible. Public as well as private lives are filled with flowery but
meaningless arguments and assumptions. But for the Filipino worker, as long as the right things are said,
proper documents and reports exist, and proper committees, task forces or offices are formed, there
will be no problem at all.

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