6 Cultural Values of the Philippines

1. Irrationalism. This refers to a certain superstitious beliefs of Filipinos that still practiced up to now. People still believed in gods of the nature and spirits and offer them foods and placate the sprits to heal the illness and provide them a good harvest. It is rarely practiced in the urban areas but in rural areas it is a common practice. Filipinos common irrationalism is shown in fatalism or the bahala na syndrome. We always looked upon what fortune can make us. We are the captain of our life so whatever happened in our life depends on the decisions we made. 2. Social Belongingness. Filipinos want to be accepted by the group or to the community, so, sometimes Filipinos are doing things just to please somebody. We are not true to ourselves. Sometimes we avoided to be franked to others just not hurt others feelings, because we are so sensitive. 3. Close family ties. The family is the most important in our life. We are totally dependent with our family. We are doing things for the common good or for the benefits of the family. Children should obey their parents because if they will defy parental advises it will bring misfortune or their life becomes tragic. 4. Sense of debt gratitude. In Filipino term, it is utang na loob. We are obliged to do something in return for what others do for us. We are very particular in stressing this owing a debt of gratitude, thats why we are always expecting for repayment. This value has been taken advantage by others especially the politicians. This utang na loob may result to faithfulness and a cause for graft and corruption. 5. Emphasis on authority. Father is the head of the family; Mayor is the head of the town and whatsoever. We give more emphasis to what the person is. The status of the person depends on his wealth and acquisition of land. 6. Personal improvement. Most Filipinos are aiming to raise their family in standard living. We believed that we will obtain success only when we will finish our education. Education has played a major role in obtaining success thats why parents would sacrifice themselves just to send their children to school. In return, older brother and sister would help their younger ones to go to school and would not get married until they help their parents.

Culture and Values

The complexity of the history of the Philippines had made the Filipino culture diverse as it has been under many influences. The Spanish colonizers greatly shaped our culture and values since its regime lasted for more than three and a half centuries. This is most evident in our folk music, dance, language, art, and religion. Family. The family is the basic unit of society. Family ties are valued highly because Filipinos tend to be very close with family members. The nuclear family setup is the standard with Filipinos, which is why divorce is illegal in the Philippines.

Common Values. Being respectful is one of the most common Filipino values that is being especially instilled in the minds of young Filipinos. The use of Po and opo, for instance, is an expression of respect to elders in the Tagalog culture (especially true among those living in Luzon). Grandparents and the elderly are also shown a special gesture of respect by the placing of the back of the elders hand (at the fingers) against ones forehead, called mano. Most of the time, you will hear children calling their neighbors and distant relatives auntie and uncle or tiyo and tiya in the Visayan area. Shame or hiya is the Filipino way of living up to accepted standards of behavior. Utang na loob or debt of gratitudes, is owed by one to a person who has helped him through some difficulties he had undergone. Death. Death in the Philippines is one of the most important occasions in family life. It is a tradition to hold a wake where families, relatives, neighbors, and friends gather to pay respect to the deceaseds remains. This is one of the biggest gatherings of family members and friends, aside from weddings and baptism. Similar to Latin America, women also wear white veils and black pins to show that they are mourning.