Filipino values

Notwithstanding the massive influx of western ideas and influences, our people have retained much of their native values and traditions. Isang duguan (one blood, one people), bayanihan (volunteerism), pagtutulungan (helping one another), pagbibigay galang (respectfulness), kasipagan (industriousness), mapagkakatiwalaan (trustworthiness), pakikipagkapwa-tao (neighborliness), katapatan (loyalty), kusang-loob (initiative), kapatiran (brotherhood), sama-sama (all together) are some of the many values embedded in Filipino culture and history. Together, they indicate the humaneness innate in our people where kinship, family, and community ties are the core of their way of life.

Other countries have enriched our storehouse of values. The Spaniards bequeathed to us their amor propio (pride), palabra de honor (word of honor), delicadeza (sense of propriety); the Americans their "American time" (not being late for one’s appointment), the Japanese their discipline and obligation; and the Chinese their entrepreneurial values.

Unfortunately, many of our people have copied the vices rather than the virtues of foreigners who came and lived with us. We took to gambling, ostentatious celebrations, among others. Dr. Jose P. Rizal highlighted these vices in his essays ("Message to the Young Women of Malolos" and "The Indolence of the Filipinos") and cited them as the reasons for the backwardness of the Filipino people. He stressed that positive values, especially respect for man’s dignity and honor, make men productive.

Presidential Proclamation No. 479 declared November as Filipino Values Month. The proclamation stresses the message that positive values help a people to create their own future and preserve their freedom.

Let us cultivate positive values in our children, in our people, in ourselves. They are the key to a nation’s growth and progress

Tempo Editorial