Strengths and Weaknesses of the Filipino Character

STRENGTHS

1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao : Opening yourself to others and feel one

with others with dignity and - Respect life as fellow human beings
- Sense of fairness and justice
- Concern for others
- Ability to empathize with others
- Helpfulness and generosity
- Practice of hospitality
- Sensitive to other feelings and trust
2. Family Orientation : A genuine and deep love for family.
- Commitment and responsibility
- Honor and Respect
- Generosity and Sacrifice
- Sense of trust and Security
3. Joy and Humor : Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving
approach to life and its up and down, Pleasant Disposition, a
Sense of Humor and Propensity for happiness that contribute not
only to the Filipino charm but also to the Filipino Spirit.
* Laughing or smiling at those we love and hate.
* Tend to make joke about our good and even bad fortune
* Smiling and heads up even in the most trying of times
- Emotional balance and optimism
- Healthy disrespect for power and office.
4. Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity
5. Hard Work and Industry : Capacity for hard work given to
raise one's standard living of a decent life for one's family.
6. Faith and Religiosity : Faith in God - accepting reality to
comprehend as a human created by God. "Pampalakas-loob"
7. Ability to Survive
WEAKNESS

1. Extreme Personalism
- always trying to give personal interpretation to actions
- thank you with "but" (compliment-criticism-compliment)
2. Extreme Family Centeredness
- Very strong family protection whether it is in good or bad condition and situation
3. Lack of Discipline : Very relaxed attitude but POOR Time Management (the
famous Filipino Time)
- Impatient and unable to delay gratification or reward
- Love to take short-cuts or 'palusot' system
- Carelessness
4. Passivity and Lack of Initiative : Strong reliance to others fate (Makapag-
Asawa ng Mayaman - or Manalo sa Lotto)
- Yeah the best Pinoy pride. It's all because of the race (nationality/blood) not by
persons attitude, hard-work, dream and perseverance etc.
- Claiming someone achievement even they are not representing the same flag just
because of ethnicity.
- Very complacent (relax) but their rarely is a sense of urgency (It's OK we have 1
day left to finished, just relax)
- Strong personality but Lack of Self-Confidence and strong determination to
achieve goals
- Good at start but NO Sense of Continuity (sometimes no direction at all or no
plan at all)
- Too patient without any plan or action (matiisin) "Bahala na System" - No matter
what, At least we tried.
- Doubt and Debate first than study, discuss until planning and action
5. Colonial Mentality : Patriotism vs Active awareness - (mas maganda and
magaling kasi ang ibang bansa, mas masarap)
- To much appreciation to other nationality and foreign products than native one
- Lack of LOVE and Appreciation on what they have
- Open outside but Side-open or Close inside
6. Kanya-kanya Syndrome : Self-serving attitude that generates feeling of envy
and competitiveness towards others (status vs prestige).
- Personal ambition but insensitive to common good (people & own country)
- Crab mentality
- Lack of appreciation resulting unhealthy competition
7. Lack of Self Analysis and Reflection
- Superficial and flighty or dreamy