Specific traits and values reflective of the Filipino as a whole
Generally, Filipinos are sociable. We are a people who love mingling with others regardless of background or ethnic groups. This is quite evident in the way we relate first to our family, relatives, and friends then to the people we don’t usually associate with.
Our being family-oriented and clannish are obvious in the way we accommodate relatives who live a great distance from us. Sometimes we give them favor at the expense of our own comfort. When there are occasions, we take pride in serving them. Our hospitable nature dictates that we make sure our ‘extended family-members’ find our place homey enough for the short time they will stay with us. Lest we hear some ‘not-so-pleasant comment,' we had better put our act together. I guess we are simply scared about having our ego bruised.
Not only are we amiable to the people we know, we Filipinos are also good in engaging into small talk or conversations even with people we happen to meet the first time. In some instance, if asked for small favors, we find it hard to say ‘no’ as it is culturally deemed rude not to extend assistance to someone who asks it. This is typical of a Filipino, I guess embedded in our sense of ‘hiya’ or ‘nakakahiya naman’ mentality.
We embrace, in many ways, the philosophy of the Cult for Harmony. We tend to avoid chaos or strife in our relationships and this is quite seen in the foregoing instances.
Another quality of a Filipino is our resiliency and fortitude in facing national catastrophe and personal tragedy. Come hell or storm, we stand our ground. We maintain an optimistic attitude in the face of calamity. We have the ability to bounce back and again to the playing field once we’re through recovery. Our pain is cushioned by the loving support of our family members and friends.
Cognizant of the ‘diaspora’ of the Filipinos all over the world, I also believe that we are a people who have the ability to adapt to change and different culture. Overseas Filipino workers strongly demonstrate this especially when the motivation behind is the family back home. We have a strong sense of direction for our family and it rewards us to have achieved something good for them.
One negative attribute, though, typical of a Filipino is what I’ll call mediocrity. True, we have the fight within us if it were to our goals and aspirations, if it were to our family. This is not so true, however, if it concerns our service to other people. Mediocrity is about workmanship sans excellence, the lack of quality, inferior output, and the attitude or disservice that goes with it. I am aware that in certain areas we are pitted against an ethnic group who simply won’t stop working nor yielding results, then at the end of the stick there we are labeled as lazy, mediocre people. In grade school I was told that Filipinos are by nature that way. Now I am challenged to change this mindset by helping eradicate this from our system in my own ‘little’ way.
Generally, Filipinos are sociable. We are a people who love mingling with others regardless of background or ethnic groups. This is quite evident in the way we relate first to our family, relatives, and friends then to the people we don’t usually associate with.
Our being family-oriented and clannish are obvious in the way we accommodate relatives who live a great distance from us. Sometimes we give them favor at the expense of our own comfort. When there are occasions, we take pride in serving them. Our hospitable nature dictates that we make sure our ‘extended family-members’ find our place homey enough for the short time they will stay with us. Lest we hear some ‘not-so-pleasant comment,' we had better put our act together. I guess we are simply scared about having our ego bruised.
Not only are we amiable to the people we know, we Filipinos are also good in engaging into small talk or conversations even with people we happen to meet the first time. In some instance, if asked for small favors, we find it hard to say ‘no’ as it is culturally deemed rude not to extend assistance to someone who asks it. This is typical of a Filipino, I guess embedded in our sense of ‘hiya’ or ‘nakakahiya naman’ mentality.
We embrace, in many ways, the philosophy of the Cult for Harmony. We tend to avoid chaos or strife in our relationships and this is quite seen in the foregoing instances.
Another quality of a Filipino is our resiliency and fortitude in facing national catastrophe and personal tragedy. Come hell or storm, we stand our ground. We maintain an optimistic attitude in the face of calamity. We have the ability to bounce back and again to the playing field once we’re through recovery. Our pain is cushioned by the loving support of our family members and friends.
Cognizant of the ‘diaspora’ of the Filipinos all over the world, I also believe that we are a people who have the ability to adapt to change and different culture. Overseas Filipino workers strongly demonstrate this especially when the motivation behind is the family back home. We have a strong sense of direction for our family and it rewards us to have achieved something good for them.
One negative attribute, though, typical of a Filipino is what I’ll call mediocrity. True, we have the fight within us if it were to our goals and aspirations, if it were to our family. This is not so true, however, if it concerns our service to other people. Mediocrity is about workmanship sans excellence, the lack of quality, inferior output, and the attitude or disservice that goes with it. I am aware that in certain areas we are pitted against an ethnic group who simply won’t stop working nor yielding results, then at the end of the stick there we are labeled as lazy, mediocre people. In grade school I was told that Filipinos are by nature that way. Now I am challenged to change this mindset by helping eradicate this from our system in my own ‘little’ way.
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