40 Critique Paper

RUIZ, Conrado Dominic O. 2C MT September 3, 2014

A MORAL RECOVERY PROGRAM: BUILDING A PEOPLE-BUILDING A NATION talks about the
strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character. It aims to strengthen Filipino positive traits and
change the negative ones. The strengths of the Filipino character are:
1
pakikipagkapwa-tao,
2
family
orientation,
3
joy and humor,
4
flexibility, adaptability and creativity,
5
hard work and industry,
6
faith
and religiosity, and the
7
ability to survive. On the other hand, there are weaknesses of the Filipino
character namely:
1
extreme personalism,
2
extreme family-centeredness,
3
lack of discipline,
4
passivity
and lack of initiative,
5
colonial mentality,
6
kanya-kanya syndrome, and
6
lack of self-analysis and self-
reflection. These strengths and weaknesses have their roots in many factors such as:
1
the home
environment,
2
the social environment,
3
culture and language,
4
history,
5
the educational system,
6
religion,
7
the economic environment,
8
the political environment,
9
mass media, and
10
leadership and
role models. Based on the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino, the following goals for change
are proposed. The Filipino should develop:
1
a sense of patriotism and national pride,
2
a sense of the
common good,
3
a sense of integrity and accountability,
4
the value and habits of discipline and hard
work, and
5
the value and habits of self-reflection and analysis, the internalization of spiritual values,
and an emphasis upon essence rather than in form. There are certain general principles to be
considered in identifying goals for change and developing our capabilities for their achievement
namely:
1
multi-layered, multi-sectoral strategies,
2
roles of power-holders and the masa,
3
holistic,
individual and systemic/structural change,
4
critical mass or network of change initiators,
5
restricted
bite-size goals,
6
goals related to peoples lives, and
7
act of the will and self-sacrifice.

As to what we can observe, the Filipino nation at present is on the verge of a crisis. We can
say we, Filipinos, generally have a considerable number of strengths but these strong points are also
the root of our weaknesses.

We, Filipinos, are generally person-oriented and are sensitive to what others feel.
Pakikipagkapwa-tao (regard for others) runs in our blood. We value the relationships we have
towards other people. We get easily attached and put our trust to others, and consequently have
care and concern for them. This eventually leads to unfairness, which is a downside of this value we
have as a people. Most of us are preoccupied with the fact that the persons whom we established
interpersonal relationships with are the ones we should prioritize and be concerned of. For us, what
matters most is the sake of those people who are close to us, not taking into account what is
beneficial or what brings forth goodness to the majority. We give priority to those whom we know
regardless of what the situation is. This is evident in our society nowadays. Most of our transactions
involve personal contacts. Indeed, this value gives rise to a kumpadre system wherein those who
have personal connections are highly favored which in turn results to unfairness and graft and
corruption.

What the Filipino people have that others do not posses is family orientation. Typical Filipino
families have strong family ties. Our deep-rooted, genuine love towards our family members and
other ceremonial relatives is what sets us apart to the rest of the world. As a matter of fact, we
consider our family as our most valuable treasure, as the most important thing we have at hand -
one that we should protect, have responsibility to, and cherish for the rest of our lives. However,
extreme family-centeredness could become one of the most serious shortcomings the Filipino nation
can have. It can have a detrimental effect on the life of a Filipino, and worse, on the whole Filipino
nation. As for me, I have been raced and nurtured in an environment wherein all my needs and
wants were provided. I personally have a family that is somewhat overprotective, and gives me all
the things they thought to be beneficial to me. At first, I was quite happy and was satisfied on how
they nurtured me. But in the long run, when I came to the point of realization, I thought that it
would have been better if they have not been overprotective and just let me got wounded. It could
have been better if they taught me how to get my needs and wants in my own through hard work
instead of just giving them to me without exerting effort. Based on my experience, being highly
dependent to your family will give you a hard time for it leads to passivity - you think that someone
will start and do the work for you, well in fact you should do it yourself.

Filipinos certainly have a sense of faith and religiosity. We put God above all in everything we
do, and in whatever pursuit we are going to take. Our faith is the source of our strength. No matter
how strong the calamities are, no matter how hard the problems that come to our lives, no matter
how many times we fall, we still do not fail to rise up, stand in our feet and continue life as if nothing
happened. This is the power of our strong belief in God. We put God in our hearts and think that God
is always there to help us. But some of us think that God will give us everything we need without
doing something for ourselves. This will then lead to passivity. As to what I observed, some often say
bahala na si Lord. We should remember, Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.

Filipinos are generally happy and are full of humor. In fact, we are regarded as one of the
happiest people in the world. We laugh at our problems, we laugh at our mistakes, and we laugh at
our undertakings. Even in the hardest of times, we still do not fail to wear a smile. It can be a
negative trait at times, but in general, it is our advantage towards other cultures.

Indeed, there is much to change in our values. There are things we should do to make our
weaknesses our strengths. This will be a long process, but as long as we start changing ourselves
now, with enough patience and will, we will eventually build a people and create a better nation.