THE POLITICAL SELF
WHAT IS POLITICAL SELF?
Kendall (1998) defines politics as a social institution through
which power is acquired and exercised by some people and
groups.
In Aristotle’s work Politics, he describes the role that politics and
the political community must play in bringing about the various life
in the citizenry. He observes that “man is by nature a political
animal”.
GOVERNMENT
The institution which resolves conflicts that are public in nature and
involve more than a few people is called a government. It can be
city, provincial, national or even international.
POLITICS
A pattern of human interaction that serves to resolve
conflicts between people, institutions, and nations
ADMINISTRATION
Refers to the aggregate of persons in whose hands the
reigns of government are for the time being.
MAIN STRENGTHS OF FILIPINO CHARACTER
“Pakikipagkapwa-tao”
This is referred to the Filipino’s openness to others and feeling of
belongingness to and oneness with them.
Family Orientation
The Filipino is a family-centered individual. The family is not only the
center of his life but also the source of his name and status. His family is for
him an abode of protection and support. In return he protects and
promotes the family. “There is no place like home” – Filipino quote
Joy and Humor
Is said to be fun-loving and cheerful. He laughs out his problems. Whether in
times of trouble or in good times he keeps on smiling. The Filipino has a sense of
humor.
Flexibility , Adaptability and Creativity
The Filipino manages to survive in times of natural calamities such as
earthquake, strong typhoons, volcanic eruptions or flood. He is flexible,
adaptable, creative and resourceful enough to face the situation.
Hardwork and Industry
The Filipino is a hard-working individual. He strives to work for the support of
his family. This party explains the prevelance of child- labor and
underemployment in country, just as the best of professionals and skilled
laborers go abroad for better pay.
Faith and Religiousity
Filipinos are known for their religious faith which is predominantly
Christian. The country is dotted with churches where the faithful flock on
Sundays to worship their God.
Ability to Survive
Flexible, adaptable and creative, the Filipino has the ability and
endurance to survive during difficult times. He has the capacity to counter
and overcome calamities, natural or political.
NEGATIVE VALUES/TRAITS
Extreme Personalism
There is nothing wrong for a person to protect his identity and welfare, because
that is his duty. He has to love and support himself. But if such acts are done to
the extreme, going beyond legitimate limits, they become negative, however,
because they encroach the rights and interests of others.
Extreme Family-centeredness
A working head of a family, who provides the financial support and whose
motivation and concern are centered too much on the family without due
consideration of other’s interest, has the tendency towards graft and corruption.
Lack of Discipline
There are instances where Filpinos manifest lack of discipline. Filipinos are
generally in keeping time; many are habitual late-comers.
Passivity and Lack of Initiative
Filipinos are said to be generally dependent on institutional leaders or authority
to do things for them instead of taking the initiative. As a result, Filipinos tend to
be complacent and easily oppressed and exploited.
Colonial Mentality
For many Filipinos, foreign goods are preferred and local products are less
appreciated.
“Kanya-kanya” Syndrome
While Filipinos generally have the feeling of oneness and belonging, there are
situations where selfish individualism or “to each his own” is manifested.
Lack of Self-Analysis
Filipinos have the tendency to be superficial in the face of serious problems.
Serious matters are taken for granted instead of deeply studying for analysis
and eventually for solution.
BASIC FILIPINO VALUES
Social Acceptance – as he needs it for group membership, in the
community and for peaceful co-existence with others. This is a value basic to him
as he cannot live alone, aloof from social groups.
*Elements: smooth interpersonal relationship and pakikisama
Economic Security – because of the demand to support the family and
the aim of providing economic abundance and security to society at large,
economic security becomes a basic value. For this reason, the individual needs to
acquire property, money, education and skills.
Social Justice – group life or societal living cannot be maintained and
developed without social justice alive among the members. In the social
group, big or small, the individual’s human rights and all the rights thereto
appertaining such as right to fair share of wealth, right to equal protection,
by law, right to be free without encroaching the rights of others, have to be
respected and promoted.
Education – the fact that Philippines is dotted with several colleges and
universities is a concrete indication that Filipinos value education very much.
This is because they believe that education is the best means to social climb
and solution to problems.
The Family – the center of life of the Filipinos is the family. this is a basic
value because it is the source of the individual’s support, security, love,
identity and status.
Christian Faith – with due respect of the Muslim faith in the south, the
Philippines is a predominantly Christian nation. Almost in every town, there is
a church where the Christian faithful flock on Sundays to worship and thank
their God.
Social Prestige – this refers to the individual’s reputation, influence, or
distinction as a result of his known abilities, achievements, accompanied by
moral integrity, commanding high respect and esteem from the people.
Love of Country, Democracy, and Freedom – interrelated to one another,
patriotism, democracy and freedom are national values Filipinos cherish and
fight for. Our nation’s history reveals to us how our predecessors valiantly
fought and died for said values.
OTHER VALUES
HIYA (a Filipino term for shyness)
Is a social value in the sense that the individual has to act discretely and with accepted manners in a
given situation.
AMOR PROPIO (sensitivity to personal affront)
Is an ego-value of the individual which he protects from getting thwarted by others. If the thwarted,
the individual gets offended.
UTANG NA LOOB (debt of gratitude)
Is another strong prevalent value of the Filipino. This is a personal thought and act of thanksgiving for
what has been received as a favor. It is an act of reciprocation between giver and receiver. Since this
has become obligatory in the Filipino society, it is a social value.
Ambivalence of Value
Ambivalence refers to the potentiality of values for good or for evil. This means a value seems to be
good when it is employed for good ends and bad when it is used fro evil purposes.
