HBSE-2-SECOND-MODULE-1.docx

FILIPINO CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY: HIYA, AMOR
PROPIO, EMOTIONS AND THE INFLUENCES OF
CATHOLICISM
FILIPINO CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY:
 Filipinos have been described as friendly, outgoing, sensitive, easily offended, nosy, garrulous,
direct, hospitable, feisty, irreverent, good, clever, witty, gregarious, happy, generous, easy to
laugh, gracious, easy to befriend, casual, fun loving, sensitive and hospitable. Personal and
family honor are stressed, as well as dignity and pride. Education is highly valued and families
make great sacrifices to educate their children. Hiya (shame) is instilled in Filipinos at an early
age. To be shamed is the greatest form of disgrace. Filipino culture developed over centuries
in tandem with and in response to Western culture introduced by the Spanish and later
Americans.
 Filipinos are generally more easy going than other Asians. A survey conducted by the Hong
Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Constituency (PERC) ranked Filipinos as "the
easiest people in Asia to get along with." In the 2006 Happy Planet Index (HPI) by a British
think-tank New Economics Forum (NEF), the Philippines ranked 17th out of 178 countries, far
ahead of the United States, which ranked 150.

 Filipinos have a strong sense of family and community They are very social and like to talk and
hang out with family and friends. They love to fool around, gossip, make jokes and tease one
another. Rumors spread quickly. Some say Filipinos are happy-go-lucky people who are often
pessimistic about today but always optimistic that tomorrow will be better.
 People living in urban areas are more exposed to cosmopolitan values. They tend to be less
traditional and more modern. Those living in rural areas, on the other hand, still value tradition
Even though life appears to be a struggle, many people are happy with their lives.
 Filipinos are a mix of many ethnic tribes, including Chinese, Spanish and Malay. Thus it is truly
multiculturally advanced and integrated. Everyone is accepted, including misfits from other
countries, as long as they are nice, courteous and law abiding. People are not stuck up, but
warm, open and like to enjoy life. They are not too uptight or serious about relaxing and
partying. There is a very relaxed laid back attitude in the populace.
 In an article on Filipino stereotypes, Alisa Krutovsky wrote in Examiner.com:
1) We [Filipinos] drive only Japanese cars, because they are reliable and practical. (Even though
it’s not true to all Filipinos, many of us, and them, would agree with this one statement!)
2) Filipinos are always late...to everything.
3) Filipino parents would get their attention, by saying, "Psst!" and "Hoy!" You are a true "Filipino",
if you turn around.

Social Values and Organization in the Philippines
 The great majority of the Philippine population is bound together by common values and a
common religion. Philippine society is characterized by many positive traits. Among these are
strong religious faith, respect for authority, and high regard for amor proprio (self-
esteem) and smooth interpersonal relationships. Philippine respect for authority is based
on the special honor paid to elder members of the family and, by extension, to anyone in a
position of power. This characteristic is generally conducive to the smooth running of society,
although, when taken to extreme, it can develop into an authoritarianism that discourages
independent judgment and individual responsibility and initiative.
 Filipinos are sensitive to attacks on their own self-esteem and cultivate a sensitivity to the self-
esteem of others as well. Anything that might hurt others self-esteem is to be avoided or else
one risks terminating the relationship. One who is insensitive to others is said to lack a sense
of shame and embarrassment, the principal sanction against improper behavior. This great
concern for self- esteem helps to maintain harmony in society and within one's particular
circle, but it also can give rise to clannishness and a willingness to sacrifice personal integrity
to remain in the good graces of the group. Strong personal faith enables Filipinos to face great
difficulties and unpredictable risks in the assurance that "God will take care of things." But, if
allowed to deteriorate into fatalism, even this admirable characteristic can hinder initiative and
stand in the way of progress.
Filipino Values
Three main traits underlie Filipino values and value-orientation: 1) person-alism, 2) familialism,
and 3) particularism (popularism). These strongly influence Filipino behaviour and decision
making, and are the basis of his personal beliefs, and cultural traditions and practices. They are
the basis for acceptable behaviour.

1. Personalism is the emphasis Filipinos give to interpersonal relations or face-to-face
encounters. Successful leadership or being a good manager necessitates a personal touch,
and problem-solving is effective if handled through good personal relations.
2. Familialism emphasises the welfare and interest of the family over those of the community.
The family is the basis of group action and almost all community activity centers on the family.
The family, and not the individual, decides on important matters, and these are decided on the
basis of family, not individual interest. The family honour, and not that of the individual, is at
stake when a family member makes a mistake.
3. Particularism results from the strong family influence on individual and group behaviour.
Individuals strive to promote their own and their family’s interests over community interests.
Being popular among peer groups is highly desirable, hence Filipinos make special efforts to
entertain friends and relatives. Knowing how to entertain people (marunong umasikaso ng
kapwa) is important. Conformity to proper codes of conduct reaps the rewards of cooperation
and assistance; non-conformity is punished by withdrawal of support.
 Value orientation is the way individuals relate to objects, events and ideas. Three main
obligations underlie Filipino value orientation ‘ relational (pakikipagkapwa), emotional
(damdamin), and moral (karangalan). All, or one may influence work or social relationships.
 Relational obligations are interpersonal or face-to-face relationships and their resulting
obligations. This is relative to the personalism value in Filipino cultural orientation. The nature
of interpersonal relationships are determined by pakikiramay, pakikisama, bayanihan, and
galang. Pakikiramay means going out of the way to help, without being asked, i.e., unsolicited
help. Pakikisama or smooth interpersonal relations (SIR) means going along with someone’s
views, whether agreeing or not. This enhances camaraderie, trust, confidence, and loyalty.

This is related to bayanihan or reciprocal labour and giving help without compensation. In turn,
one can request help in time of need from those to whom you extended help.
 Galang or respect is part of most social encounters. It indicates deference to the opinions of
elders, peers, or those in authority, during important deliberations. Any verbal clash with older
people in public, or any sign of extreme familiarity with members of higher official status in
public meetings, are signs of disrespect.
Island Influence and the Philippines Multi-Cultural Stew
 It is said that Filipino culture is derived from all the cultures that have resided on the islands.
The bayanihan or spirit of kinship and camaraderie is thought to have taken from their Malay
ancestors. Close family ties are said to have been inherited from the Chinese.
 The Tagalog word tsismis, describes "stories, intrigue, lies, gossip, speculation, gathered like
rice in a basket and tossed up in the air, sending husks to the wind, leaving behind kernels of
truth. Truth and half truths, anyway." It is a "missing link, a smoking gun, the connective tissue
of random events, the effort to explain things that resist explanation.
 Filipino's are racially similar to Malays but culturally they are more like the Spanish. It could be
argued they are the most hot bloodied and macho of the tropical Asian cultures. Prostitution
and murder rates are high. It has many of the same problems as Latin American countries—
and for that matter developing countries: social inequality, large disparities of wealth and
income between rich and poor and small percentage of rich landowners and lots of poor.

Latin Influence on Filipinos
 The Filipinos character has been described as a mix of Hispanic and Asian cultures. Many say
Filipinos have more in common with Latin Americans than they do with Asians. Life in the
Philippines often has a slow pace. Big gatherings and fiestas are common. There is
a mañana attitude about time. Being punctual is called “American time.
 Latin American are very hospitable and generous and it often seems the poorer people are the
more they are willing to give. Guests are honored with special dishes and treats. Honor is
important and defended vigorously, sometimes even physically. Personal criticism is taken
very seriously and should be avoided. Because individuals are considered far more important
than schedules, punctuality at meetings may be admired but not strictly observed. A casual
stop over can sometimes turn into a visit that lasts a few days or a week. These guests often
disappear, however, if work need to be done. Children like house guest because they spoil the
children and give them lots of attention. These ideas and values also exist in the Philippines.
 Cleanliness is a virtue despite how dirty things seem on the street level. Much time is spent
making sure that the house is tidy and clean. Floors are mopped on daily basis and walls are
scrubbed weekly. The condition of a house is a reflection on the family and especially the
mother. The streets are beat up and full of trash but homes are clean. People keep their
homes clean but often litter in public.
Asian Influence on Filipinos
 Filipinos “are more expressive and emotional than other Asians, yet they still have a polite
Eastern restraint and civility about them and a strong aesthetic sense, an appreciation of

beauty—particularly beautiful women.” Despite have a reputation for being emotional, Filipinos
are surprised by overt expressions of emotion and don’t like when people raise their voice.
 An emphasis is placed on skills to smooth interpersonal relations and minimize interpersonal
conflict. When a difference of opinion arises, an effort is made to settle the matter with
euphemisms and go-betweens rather than open criticism. Pakikisama—the art of smooth
interpersonal relations—is of utmost importance to Filipinos. Social control is exerted through
customs similar to adat found elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
 Filipinos and Southeast Asians consider it rude to say "no" directly. They often say something
like "maybe," "I am busy," or even "yes" when they really mean "no," or convey a no answer in
a way that foreigners don't understand. This behavior sometimes causes confusion with
Westerners who like a "yes" or "no" answer, and who tend to believe there is a possibility of a
"yes" unless they are told "no" straight out.
Filipino Traits
1. The Filipino attitude of bahala na (“come what may”) enables a person to meet difficulties
and shortcomings with resignation by leaving it up to the Almighty to sort things out. This
attitude can also result in overconfidence that everything will work out in his interest without
doing anything.
2. The Filipino’s mañana habit causes the delays in many public transactions and even
corporations. This attitude can effect the engagement to wait until tomorrow or the next day
especially when the person involve is not interested or not in the mood. However, one must
remember that many Filipinos take their time in doing things or in making decisions.

3. The bahala na attitude is the outcome of the mañana habit when the tasks are left
undone. This is usually shown and even expressed by people who do not care much of what
lies ahead and just leave everything in fate.
4) Some Filipinos do not mostly practice being late or not showing up. There are few people who
are punctual for social meetings. In fact, it is not expected of them to arrive exactly on time
especially at a party. It is advised that you always check with the host or hostess the time of you
are expected to arrive.
5) The Filipino hiya or shame trait stems from losing amor propio which is a Spanish word,
meaning pride. Filipinos find it difficult to confront someone so as not to humiliate the person or
cause person to lose his amor propio.
6) Filipinos have been accused of being overly fatalistic and concerned only with the here and
now. Bahala na is popular expression that roughly translates to “I don’t care what happens in
the future, as long as I survive now.”
7) Utang na Loob- is a Filipino cultural trait which, when translated literally, means "a debt of
one's inner self (loob). It is also often translated as a "debt of gratitude."
8) Ningas Cogon is the attitude when we start something with interest and enthusiasm, then after
a very short time, we lose interest and stop whatever it is we are doing. Leaving things incomplete.
Just like a wild fire burning out quickly.

Some Positive Traits of Filipinos:
1) Say Opo/ Po To elders as respect in talking.
2) Filipinos Mano on the elders when greeting them, which is also a part of respect.
3) Most Filipino schools dont bully, not like in other foreign countries.
4) We believe in only one God, which is God
5) We always pray, before going to eat, going to bed...etc.
6) We love to laugh.
7) Some are helpful.
8) We are friendly.
9) In the old days, if a boy wants a girl, the boy should speak to the parents first, and do everything
just to accept him and to marry the girl.
Some Negative Traits of Filipinos:
1) Some give birth at an early age …
2) Some just don’t mind their own business.
3) There are many broken families.
4) Almost all Filipino Presidents corrupt out country.
5) We tend to be with our friends most of the time than to be with our parents.
Hospitality, Honesty and Resiliency of the Filipino People
 National Geographic photographer Karen Kasmauski said, “Filipinos are such warm,
hospitable people. Whenever I go there, I always feel like that I’m a special guest. People

welcome me into their homes, to their weddings, their funerals, their religious celebrations.
Because so many Filipinos emigrate to other countries they know what it feels like to be a
stranger in a foreign country; they know hard it can be. So when a visitor comes to their
country, they want to be welcoming. And their strong sense of family and community extends
to everyone.”
 The Philippines is a hotspot for disasters, natural and otherwise. Couple that with poverty, and
one would think that Filipinos have the most reason for being a depressed people. However,
we have demonstrated time and again that Filipinos can bounce back from a tragedy,
emerging stronger and better than before. In the middle of a disaster, Filipinos can still
manage to smile and be hopeful that the next morning brings new hope. We have shown the
world that by working together as a nation, we have what it takes to recover from a bad
situation. This is something that all of us should be proud of, no matter where in the world we
are. With all of these good traits (and more!), one would really be proud to say, “I am a
Filipino.” Filipinos have shown the world that by working together, we have what it takes to
recover from a bad situation—and this is a trait that we should all be proud of.”
Filipinos Definitely Love to Get and Hate to Give
 Filipinos definitely love to GET and HATE to give. This explains in part why salaries are so
low in the Philippines that many have to go abroad to work or resort to receiving funds from
overseas relatives or foreigners. They are so low because everyone hates giving and is super
stingy, while of course they are always happy to receive as much as possible from others. This
creates an obvious imbalance in their society that leads to problems.
 The basic hypocrisy here is that everyone is always wanting to get but no one wants to give.
This creates an imbalance that leads to consequences. To them, there is no shame at all in

taking, but there is in giving. When Filipinos do give, it's always very little, and if it goes beyond
that, there will be extreme reluctance and an attempt to make you feel guilty for forcing them to
give. Giving goes against their nature. This is why foreigners who live in the Philippines or
have done business there will tell you that "When money is flowing from you to them (Filipinos)
they will be nice and friendly to you. But when money is flowing from them to YOU, they will
see you as a devil.
 “Many are also not shy to ask you directly for a gift either, hence the popular cultural line they
give you when you are about to travel: "Don't forget my pasalubong (gift)." Even jokes like that
are revealing in regards to a culture's mentality.
 Hiya
 “Hiya” is an important idea in the Philippines. It literally translates to ‘a sense of shame.
Sometimes hiya is interpreted as ‘face’, as in ‘losing face’, but that is not the whole story.
“Filipinos are very sensitive to personal affront. They try, as much as possible, to avoid feeling
“hiya”, a painful emotion or deep shame arising from a realization of having failed to live up to
the standards of Filipino society. It is a kind of anxiety, a fear of being left exposed,
unprotected and unaccepted. It is a fear of being shunned by their society, which would mean
personal humiliation.
 ““Hiya” is one value that regulates the Filipinos social behavior. Just as one is very careful not
to be subjected to embarrassment or “mapahiya” one must also make it a point NOT to cause
another person’s embarrassment. For example, in asking favor, both parties are careful not to
offend the other. So if a favor cannot be granted, the person who cannot oblige apologizes for

his failure to do so with an explanation that it is not his intention to refuse but that other factors
beyond his control keep him from doing so.
 “Hiya is the currency applied within the society, controlling and motivating a person’s social
behavior. This is the reason why a vast majority of Filipinos still remain conservative in their
actions in the modern age. Everyone is expected to have hiya in the way they behave in order
to win respect from the community. Dressing cleanly, being friendly and living up to your word
are good ways avoiding “hiya”.
 “Public ridicule, or to be censured openly, or to fail to do what is expected of one, is to suffer
hiya, a loss of esteem. Inversely, if one has not acted improperly, or continued to behave in a
manner disapproved of by the community, it's to be without hiya. This label automatically
results in the withdrawal of acceptance within one’s group, if not the entire community. To be
charged with not having this sense of hiya is regarded as a grave social sin, for one to be
called “walang hiya” is an ultimate insult.
Importance of Social Approval to Filipinos
 Jeff Harvie wrote in filipinawives.wordpress.com: “Filipinos are very aware of the opinions of
others and what people think of them. While this might seem a bit silly to westerners, it is how
it is and you’re not going to change it, even if change was a good thing. Social approval, or
acceptance by the group, is very important to Filipinos. If you, as the fiancé or husband of a
Filipina, do something to cause her to feel hiya within her social group, then you have
offended her and hurt her in ways you might never be able to appreciate.

 “Going out in public unshaven, unkempt and wearing dirty clothes, old flip flops and looking
like you just crawled off Smokey Mountain (a giant garbage dump in Manila) will cause her to
feel hiya. She wants the world to be proud of you because you are the living embodiment of
how well she can take care of her family. You never see Filipinos at the mall dressed like
beggars unless they are, indeed, begging. No matter how poor, when they go out in public
they will make sure every member of the family is clean and as well dressed as circumstances
allow.
Filipino "Amor Propio "
 “Amor propio” is Spanish word which means self –love; a sense of self-esteem or self
respect that prevents a person from swallowing his pride. Amor propio often implies a
vindictive reaction to questioning an individual’s action, integrity, or honor. Injury is personal
and does not need to be shared; it is enough to the aggrieved person that injury has been
inflicted. Amor propio is like a high tension wire, which holds an individuals self-respect and
esteem and provides protection from rebuff. Amor propio is not aroused by every insult or
offensive remark, but only by those which hit at an individual’s most highly valued attributes. If
amor propio is aroused, the impulse to hit back physically or verbally often overrides
pakikisama and the desire to avoid violence. [Source: Philippines Australia Business Council]
Importance of “Go-betweens” in the Filipino Society
 A breach of etiquette involving the inter-play between “hiya” and “amor propio” can be a
serious matter and face to face situations resolving the matter can be too potentially explosive
to be handled delicately and appropriately. An intermediary or “go-between” (locally termed as
“padrino”) is needed to defuse the situation.

 To avoid situations where hiya or amor propio may come into play, a go-between, or
intermediary is often used. It is easier to solve a problem, or turn down a request this way. For
example a child learns to approach their mother for solving disciplinary problems involving
their father; an employer rejecting a job applicant, may find it appropriate to use a go-between
to relay the information to diffuse what may be an awkward situation for both employer and
intending employee. A go-between helps maintain SIR. He can relay an unpleasant message
with less pain than if it comes directly from the sender. The receiver can then let off steam
without directly affecting the sender, and conflict can be avoided.
“Pakikisama”
 Pakikisama is involved in important idea in the Philippines. In its most basic sense,
‘pakikisama’ means going along with others. Its basic etymological source is ‘sama’ (to go
with). A derived term is ‘kasama’ (companion; together with). In the social interaction context,
‘pakikisama’ means ‘getting along with others’, and ideally getting along ‘well’ with others. The
first part of the term ‘paki-’ is also significant, since it also happens to be the Tagalog affix for
‘please’. It’s as if the individual is being requested to ‘please’ get along well one’s fellow
human beings.
 To be polite is to use paki- or maki-. This is part of the so-called “S.I.R.” coined by Filipino
social scientists. SIR stands for Smooth Interpersonal Relationship. Filipinos go to great
lengths to avoid offending another’s feelings which is why they have this linguistic social
convention. It is also part of this whole system of pakikisama and pakikipagkapwa-tao.
Pakikisama is the opposite of individualism. In Filipino culture, a person who has no
pakikisama is a loner, an individualist disdained by others who seek his company. He does not
know how to “go with the crowd.” A related word is makibagay, “to conform” with the group in
order to maintain a Smooth Interpersonal Relationship.

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