Ethics Ch.1:Lesson 7

Characteristics of Filipino Culture

1. The Filipino people are very resilient 2. Filipinos take pride in their families 3. Filipinos are very religious 4. Filipinos are very respectful 5. Filipinos help one another 6. Filipinos value traditions and culture 7. Filipinos have the longest Christmas celebrations 8. Filipinos love art and architecture 9. The Filipinos are hospitable people

Death

Death in the Philippines is one of the most important occasions in family life. For many Filipinos, a death of a relative is an opportunity to strengthen ties in the family. To pay respect and honor the relationship to the deceased, long lost relatives, friends, and even relatives working abroad are reunited.

Fiestas

Every town and city in the Philippines has a fiesta of its own; whatever time of the year it is, there's sure to be a fiesta going on somewhere.

Living with Parents

Filipinos highly value the presence of family more than anything. Adult children living with their parents are another Filipino traditional that make them exceptional.

Marriage and Wedding Customs

In the country, marriage is a sacred union of man and woman after a period of courtship and engagement. It is a sacrament between two people who love each other. For many Filipinos, the eternal quality of dedication to God pervades a truly sacred marriage. A sacred marriage is a covenant between two who love each other in God and with God, whose joining becomes an expression of the desire of each to love and serve God together.

Bayanihan

It is the spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a particular objective. A famous example of this is the neighbors carrying a hut or house to a new location. People nowadays use it to describe an outpouring of community spirit - as people give their all to the common good, without expecting recognition or personal gain.

"Mano Po"

Mano is a Spanish word for "hand" while po is used at the end of the sentence when addressing elders or superiors.

Filipino Family Values

Paggalang, Pakikisama, Utang na Loob, Pagpapahalaga sa Pamilya, Hiya, Damayan System, Compassionate, and Fun loving Trait.

Religion

The Philippines is one of two predominantly Roman Catholic nations in Asia-Pacific. Their habit of going to church and often praying reflects that Filipinos have a deep faith and belief when it comes to religion. They are very devoted to religions that sometimes many take the risk of their lives just to touch the Black Nazarene (in Quiapo, Manila). For many, it is just a choice between their faith and fears. Filipinos believe that having a strong devotion may lead to a better life and their guidance to face everyday life.

Society

The primary ancestors of Filipinos are Malays who came from the southeastern Asian country. The Philippines is a combined society, both singular and plural in form. It is singular as one nation, but plural in that it is fragmented geographically and culturally. The nation is divided between Christians, Muslims and other religious-ethno-linguistic group; between urban and rural people; between upland and lowland people; and between the rich and the poor.

Superstition

These beliefs have come from the different saying and beliefs of our ancestors that aim to prevent danger from happening or to make a person refrain from doing something in particular. These beliefs are part of our culture, for one derives his/her beliefs from the influences of what his/her customs, traditions and culture have dictated to explain certain phenomena or to scare people. Some are practiced primarily because Filipinos believe that there is nothing to lose if they will comply with these beliefs.

Courtship

We Filipinos are very romantic when it comes to heart affairs. Serenading or harana in Tagalog is one of the most popular forms of courtship to show that a man is very serious with his intentions to a woman.

Social Values of the Filipinos

a. High regard for amor propio b. smooth interpersonal relationship. c. Personal Alliance System d. Compadre System (compadrazgo) e. Utang ma loob f. Suki Relationship g. friendship

Weaknesses of the Filipinos Character

a. Passitivity and lack of initiative b. colonial mentality c. kanya-kanya syndrome d. extreme personalism e. extreme family centeredness f. lack of discipline g. lacknof self analysis and reflections h. Ningas cogon 9. Gaya gaya attitude

Close family ties

also one of their unique traits. It is one of the outstanding cultural values that Filipinos have. The family takes care of each other and is taught to be loyal to family and elders by simply obeying their authorities

Christmas in the Philippines

is considered as one of the biggest holidays in the archipelago. We earned the distinction of celebrating the world's longest Christmas season with Christmas carols heard as early as September and lasting until Epiphany, the feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9 or the Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebu on the third Sunday of January. In one article, Archbishop Cruz told in his Christmas message that "the essence of Christmas is God made flesh, God who has come among us" in an act of love "that joins humankind to the living God through our Lord Jesus Christ". For many Filipinos, the true essence of Christmas is not gift giving but sharing this special holy day with family.