MODULE 1:
INTRODUCTION ON PERSONALITY
UNIT 2:
FILIPINO PERSONALITY
Filipino psychologists have felt the need to re-examine several of the psychological
theories and their applications that were proposed as though they were universally
applicable.
A development that has caught among many circles is that of INDIGENIZATION.
Dr. VIRGILIO G. ENRIQUEZ noted that while various indigenization approaches can
be developed, there are basically two kinds of indigenization that can occur:
Indigenization from w/out: research studies applying western theoretical models &
methodologies to the local setting.
Indigenization from w/in: indigenous research utilizing the local’s own methods to elicit &
study culture specific social behaviors.
**The process of indigenization from w/in is superior to that from w/out. When culture is the
source of indigenous knowledge, a model toward global psychology through a
cross-indigenous perspective becomes more possible.
Filipino Concepts in Understanding Personality Enriquez (1994) notes that we have actually
a long tradition of theorizing.
Three reflections on the Filipino personality:
1. the Ma’aram concept of PAGKATAWO (personhood), w/c contains 5 elements:
ginhawa (vital principle),
buot (perception),
isip (mind),
dungan (sleep spirit), &
kalag (life spirit)
2. Baltazar’s
bait (sanity),
muni (reflection), and
hatol (judgment)
3. Covar’s Filipino personhood based on 4 elements:
kaluluwa (spirit),
budhi (conscience),
katauhang panlabas (external appearance), &
katauhang panloob (innermost being)
Covar’s conceptualization of Filipino personality, the kaluluwa is life’s source,
while budhi guides a person in his actions & judges the life he leads. Katauhang panlabas -
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physical characteristics associated w/ body parts & its related meanings. Loob – innermost
feeling of an individual. The complex interrelationship among these elements
embodies fulfilment” (Enriquez, 1994).
STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER
Ambivalence characterizes Filipino characters; Filipinos tolerates a double standard
mentality. Fr. Gorospe (1969) “Filipino values are ambivalent in the sense that they are
potential for good or evil”. They may help or hinder personal & national development.
Depending on how they are understood & practiced or lived.
STRENGTHS OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER
1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao: refers to pakikiramay
(Filipino’s ability to empathize w/ others), intimating
helpfulness & generosity in times of need. Bayanihan
(mutual assistance) w/c reflects the sensitivity to other
people’s feelings & needs, is also a generally
accepted trait of the Filipino. Pakikiramdam,
pagtitiwala (trust), & a sense of gratitude/utang na
loob are also aspects of the Filipino’s
pakikipagkapwa-tao.
2. Family Orientation: shown by the Filipino’s high
regard accorded to the elderly, the care given to
women & children, sympathy towards relatives & the
sacrifices they endure for their family’s well-being.
3. Sense of Humor: shown in his ability to laugh even
at the worst circumstances. This trait singles out the
Filipino’s infectious, joyful disposition in almost all
types of varying situations.
4. Flexibility, Adaptability, and Creativity:
Creativity, resourcefulness and being a quick learner mark out the Filipino’s success in
his chosen field. His propensity to improvise new systems and products out of whatever
resources available makes him famous. His flexibility makes him easily adaptable to the
foreign work environment.
5. Hard work or Industry as a Filipino trait is considered superior to most nations. This is not
only proven by the Filipino’s willingness to take risks to work abroad but also by his stubborn
will and effort to survive in the most challenging times abroad.
6. Spirituality: The Filipino’s strong faith in God gives him a strong moral conscience. For
example, workers maintain their motivation to work by God’s unending mercy.
The sayings, “Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa,” “Bahala na ang Diyos,” and
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“God will provide” seem to govern their decisions especially in times of uncertainties and
difficulties.
7. Ability to Survive: The Filipino has the ability to survive and live through the
most challenging economic and political situations. He has the ability to remain strong
despite worst disasters.
WEAKNESSES OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER
1. Extreme Personalism
Manifested in the tendency to give personal interpretations to actions such as pakiusap
(request), palakasan (power & influence), nepotism and favoritism. Extreme
personalism leads to graft & corruption, w/c is now pronounced in
Philippine society (Tulio, 2000).
2. Extreme Family Centeredness
Political dynasty, “compadreism,” “kamag-anak
incorporated” are conspicuous manifestations of this
dysfunctional Filipino value. It is ever so strongly evident in
the public sphere that even the private organizations are
not spared from its negative influence.
3. Lack of Discipline: encompasses several related
characteristics. We have the so-called
“Filipino time,” w/c is considered as poor time
management. Another is the palusot syndrome and
the “pwede na yan” syndrome. Another is the ningas
cogon attitude, which simply means starting out projects
w/ full vigor & interest w/c will abruptly die down, leaving
things unfinished, resulting to waste of time & resources.
The mañana habit or “mamaya na” habit or “saka yan”
attitude, the habit of putting off what they need to do which leads to an inefficient &
wasteful work system, violation of rules, leading to more serious wrongdoings,
and a casual work ethic leading to carelessness & lack of follow-through (Tulio, 2000).
4. Colonial Mentality: made up of two dimensions: lack of patriotism, & an
actual preference for foreign things like fashion, entertainment, lifestyle, technology,
consumer, & so forth. This is manifested by the Filipino’s penchant for buying imported
goods instead of locally-made goods.
5. Kanya-Kanya Syndrome: related to the so-called “crab mentality” (referring to the
tendency of crabs in a basket to pull each other down). Filipinos have the propensity to
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put others down through gossips & destructive criticisms resulting in disunity & hindering
group cooperation in the workplace.
6. Lack of Self-analysis and Self-reflection: emphasis on form rather than substance
misleads them into believing that impossible things can be or are already made possible.
Public as well as private lives are filled w/ flowery, but meaningless arguments
and assumptions
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means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
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