FILIPINO VALUE

SYSTEM

Outline

Historical Perspective
Re-understanding Filipino Values
Notion of Value in Filipino Culture
The Filipino Value System
Halaga: The evaluative core
Asal: The Expressive Core
Diwa: The Spiritual Core

Historical Perspective

Pre-Spanish period (pre 1521)

Spanish era (1521-1898)
American Regime (1898 1946)
Japanese Occupation (1941- 1944)
Period of Republic (1946 1972)
Martial Law (1972 1986)
Continuation of the Republic

Historical Perspective
Native customary ways were set aside as
primitive
Conventional practices are called barbaric
Native character was seen as uncivilized
Local beliefs were labeled as superstitions

Historical Perspective
Examples
FILIPINO VALUES

HOW CRITICS SEE IT

Reciprocal obligations

Scheming

Concern for consensus

Lack of leadership

Silence due to sensitivity to

feelings of others

Concealed dishonesty

Kinship loyalties

Nepotism

Gift-giving

Bribery

Utang na loob

Source of corruption

Re-understanding Filipino Values

How do we define values?
Standards of excellence

Ideas of the desirable, characteristic of the

individual or group which is guide to
decision-making
Ideals want to achieve

Re-understanding Filipino Values

How do we re-understand Filipino Values?

Romance our culture

Back to basics

Emphasize similarities

Re-understanding Filipino Values

Back to basics
1. Dispel that exogenous models are superior to
indigenous model
2. Free ourselves from exogenous blinders
3. See traditional values in positive light
4. Examine the functions of our value system using
traditional model
5. Discover the inner strengths instead of continuously
looking for weaknesses
6. Release our hidden potentials (diwa) and inner
strength (bisa)

Notion of Value in Filipino Culture

Value is defined as standard
Standard is pamantayan which is used as a
generic concept for the value system
Labis
(more)
Pamantayan:
(standard)

Tama
(right)

Kulang
(less)

The Filipino Value System

Pamantayan system
Halaga
(evaluative core)
Pamantayan:
(value sytem)

Asal
(expressive core)
Diwa
(spiritual core)

The Filipino Value System

Pamantayan system
HALAGA
ASAL

DIWA

The Filipino Value System

Pamantayan system
ELEMENT FUNCTION NATURE
Halaga

Evaluative

Extrinsic

Asal

Expressive

Intrinsic

Diwa

Spiritual

Pyschic

ORIENTATION
Kamalayan
(conscious
knowledge)
Kalooban
(subconscious/
inner feelings)
Pananamplataya
(faith)

JUDGMENTS
Right/ wrong

Good / bad

Sacred/
Profane
Strong/ Weak

Halaga: The evaluative core

What is halaga?
Halaga refers to qualities we attach to ideas
we have, things we observe, sentiments we
feel, and events we experience.

Halaga: The evaluative core

Value
Subjects
reference

Material,
objects,
ideas,
actions

Cognitive
process

Evaluation

Identification

good, better, best

Classification

Relevant, important,
significant

Appeal

Sentiment, dignity,
moral worth

Acquisition
(price)

Cheap, affordable,
expensive

HALAGA

Halaga: The evaluative core

Process of identifying, assigning and affirming halaga
Feedback
Pagtanggap
(acceptance)

Pagpapahalaga
(valuing)

External
Stimulus

Pamantayan

HALAGA

Dating
(encounter)
Pagkilala
(cognition)

Pagtatasa
(evaluation)

Halaga: The evaluative core

Nature of halaga
An object , action, idea, feeling, event has no value
unless we endow it with one.
Halaga specifies the worth, relevance, significance
of things we observe or events we experience
Halaga links us to our physical or idea
environments. It transforms things or events into
objects of needs and desires or ideals and
aspirations

Halaga: The evaluative core

Katangian
(distinctive
quality)

Kagalingan
(excellence)

HALAGA
(worth)

Kabuluhan
(relevance)

Dominant evaluative components of halaga

Halaga: The evaluative core

Dominant Functions of Halaga
1. Halaga as an Orientation

It gives direction on how phenomena is evaluated

It consists not only of principles but also of feelings
Most halaga norms are closely associated with our
highly sensitive nature as a people
Communication techniques are indirect and not
confrontational.

Halaga: The evaluative core

2. Halaga as a Motive Force
-

It strengthens our self worth or pagkatao

It elevates our self worth to a higher level of
self esteem which brings us closer to other
people and guides as to handle relationships in
terms of pakikiapgkapwa-tao
In the process we become people-oriented or
makatao.

Halaga: The evaluative core

Pagkatao

Pakikipag-kapwatao

HALAGA
(worth)

Pagkamakatao

Halaga as motive force

Halaga: The evaluative core

3. Halaga as Source of Meanings
- It is the source of meaning we extend to
behaviors for them to become socially proper,
ethically appropriate, and morally right
- The generic term for the good and acceptable
behavior is uliran

Halaga: The evaluative core

Katimpian

Kasipagan

ULIRAN
(ideal behavior)
Pagpupunyagi

Katiyagaan

Halaga as source of meanings

Halaga: The evaluative core

4. Halaga and Social Appearance
- Uliran as an ideal is abstracted from everyday
life experiences through careful observation of
behavior called anyo.
- Anyo means appearance or the outward look
of things or behavior

Halaga: The evaluative core

Kilos
(action)

ANYO
Hilig
(tendency)

(social
appearance)

Gawi
(habit)

Asal: The expressive core

What is asal?
Asal as standard refers to sets of dominant and
commonly shared values and norms which Filipinos
use as point of reference in expressing themselves,
interpreting the actions of others, and in regulating
interpersonal and intergroup relations.
Asal is applicable only on human behavior, hence
limited to the expressive nature of character.

Asal: The expressive core

What is asal?
Mabuting asal is good character which refers to the qualities
which distinguish a person or a group of persons from other
members of the community.
Magandang asal is right conduct which refers to correct or
proper behavior
Persons with mabuting asal or magandang asal are conscious
of proper decorum on all occasions and in whatever they do.
They do not only know what is right, but feel obligated to do
right.

Asal: The expressive core

Elements of Asal
A character is judged good if it manifests the
following features:
hindi nakapipinsala sa kapwa
hindi nakakasakit ng damdamin
hindi nakakadungis ng karangalan

Asal: The expressive core

DAMDAMIN
(emotional
standard)
Hiya
Delicadeza
Amor propio

ASAL

DANGAL
(moral
standard)

(character)
KAPWA
(relational
standard)
Pakikisama
Pakikitungo
Pakikiramay

Pagkabahala
Galang
Utang na loob

Diwa: The spiritual core

What is diwa?
Diwa refers to the inner force which lies at the core
of our kalooban and from which emanate all personal
and social sentiments.
It holds together all elements of existence and
transforms into one functioning whole called buhay
Diwa is both abstract and concrete. It cannot be seen
but it can be experienced.

Diwa: The spiritual core

Moral/ ethical virtues
(karangalan/ panininidigan)
Legitimacy
(katwiran)
Validity
(katotohanan)
Meaning
(kahulugan)

DIWA

Diwa: The spiritual core

ELEMENTS OF
DIWA

BUHAY
(life)
KALOOBAN
(disposition)

BUDHII
(conscience)

BISA
(inner
strength)

DIWA
(spirit)

FILIPINO

Diwa: The spiritual core

Confidence in ones self
(enhances self-worth)

BAHALA NA

Belief in ones capability

(develops positive outlook)
Trust in God
(strengthens faith)