Chapter 5Chapter 5

The Philippine ValuesThe Philippine Values

What are values?What are values? According to Inkeles (1964: 74), values are the According to Inkeles (1964: 74), values are the

expressions of the ultimate ends, goals, or expressions of the ultimate ends, goals, or purposes of social action. purposes of social action.

Values influence a person’s behaviour towards a Values influence a person’s behaviour towards a large class of objects or persons although they large class of objects or persons although they are not related to any specific object, person, or are not related to any specific object, person, or group (Banks and Clegg 1973: 445-446). group (Banks and Clegg 1973: 445-446).

The Department of Education Culture and Sports The Department of Education Culture and Sports states, “a thing has value when it is perceived as states, “a thing has value when it is perceived as good and desirable.” Food, money, and housing good and desirable.” Food, money, and housing have value because they are perceived as good; have value because they are perceived as good; and the desire to acquire them influences and the desire to acquire them influences attitudes and behaviour.attitudes and behaviour.

The Study of valuesThe Study of values Because values determine, to a great Because values determine, to a great

extent, the behaviour of people, extent, the behaviour of people, sociologists are interested in examining sociologists are interested in examining them. Values cannot be readily identified them. Values cannot be readily identified since they are abstraction from reality. since they are abstraction from reality. One has to deduce these values from One has to deduce these values from social action. To identify the values social action. To identify the values operative in a given society, one may operative in a given society, one may apply the four-fold test of Robin Williams apply the four-fold test of Robin Williams (1970: 448). These are extensiveness, (1970: 448). These are extensiveness, duration intensity, and prestige of its duration intensity, and prestige of its carrier. carrier.

Extensiveness - when the value is recognized by Extensiveness - when the value is recognized by a representative number of people within the a representative number of people within the societysociety

Duration – when the value has been shared and Duration – when the value has been shared and practiced in common for sometimepracticed in common for sometime

Intensity – when the value involves the emotions Intensity – when the value involves the emotions and is taken seriously and sought after by many.and is taken seriously and sought after by many.

Prestige of its carrier – when the value provides Prestige of its carrier – when the value provides ready0made means for judging the social worth ready0made means for judging the social worth of persons or groups who share or practice it.of persons or groups who share or practice it.

The Forces That Shape The Forces That Shape Contemporary ValuesContemporary Values

The Filipinos of the last quarter of the twentieth The Filipinos of the last quarter of the twentieth century are the sum total of the social strains and century are the sum total of the social strains and cultural elements that are Aeta, Indonesian, cultural elements that are Aeta, Indonesian, Malaysian, Hindu, Arabian, Chinese, Spanish, Malaysian, Hindu, Arabian, Chinese, Spanish, Americans; in short, the Filipinos are Americans; in short, the Filipinos are cosmopolitan in nature, They are both oriental cosmopolitan in nature, They are both oriental and occidental.and occidental.

The compadre system initiated the Filipino into The compadre system initiated the Filipino into the practice of extended families and this has the practice of extended families and this has served to strengthen the notorious practice of served to strengthen the notorious practice of nepotism and favouritism in the social spheres.nepotism and favouritism in the social spheres.

The Americanization of the Filipino consisted The Americanization of the Filipino consisted mainly of the introduction of a democratic system mainly of the introduction of a democratic system of government.of government.

But the most significant among contemporary But the most significant among contemporary efforts to influence the Filipino value system efforts to influence the Filipino value system perhaps comes from the Department of perhaps comes from the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, which in 1988, Education, Culture and Sports, which in 1988, launched a comprehensive Values Education launched a comprehensive Values Education Program.Program.

Filipinos have displayed remarkable adaptability, Filipinos have displayed remarkable adaptability, resulting in a “many-sided” cultural heritage, for resulting in a “many-sided” cultural heritage, for whatever elements in Filipino culture were whatever elements in Filipino culture were borrowed had been “Filipinized” and in the borrowed had been “Filipinized” and in the process had become distinctly Filipino (Corpuz process had become distinctly Filipino (Corpuz 1965: 5-6)1965: 5-6)

Non-rationalism – RationalismNon-rationalism – Rationalism The philosophy of life implied in non-rationalism revolves The philosophy of life implied in non-rationalism revolves

around the idea that man has to adapt himself to nature around the idea that man has to adapt himself to nature and to forces outside of himself. Non-rationalism involves and to forces outside of himself. Non-rationalism involves an uncritical acceptance, reverence, and protection of an uncritical acceptance, reverence, and protection of traditions and rituals. There is a resistance to scientific traditions and rituals. There is a resistance to scientific methods, an unswerving loyalty to the group and methods, an unswerving loyalty to the group and unquestioning obedience to authority.unquestioning obedience to authority.

Rationalism, on the other hand, involves a belief that by Rationalism, on the other hand, involves a belief that by systematic planning, studying, and training, one can systematic planning, studying, and training, one can actively control and manipulate his or her destiny; one is actively control and manipulate his or her destiny; one is thus greatly responsible for his or her own success or thus greatly responsible for his or her own success or failure.failure.

Filipinos have been influenced by western rationalism, Filipinos have been influenced by western rationalism, although they are still fundamental non rational.although they are still fundamental non rational.

The “bahala na” mentality has also led to lack of The “bahala na” mentality has also led to lack of punctuality, vulnerability to awa, dependence on punctuality, vulnerability to awa, dependence on the espiritista, the mangkukulam or witch. the espiritista, the mangkukulam or witch.

Other Filipino Other Filipino expressionsexpressions of this orientalism are of this orientalism are found in phrases such as “itinalaga ng Diyos,” found in phrases such as “itinalaga ng Diyos,” “iginuhit ng tadhana,” “gulong ng palad” (life has “iginuhit ng tadhana,” “gulong ng palad” (life has its ups and downs, or life is like a wheel of its ups and downs, or life is like a wheel of fortune), “malas” (bad luck), and “napasubo” fortune), “malas” (bad luck), and “napasubo” (forced into something).(forced into something).

Filipinos are also shame-oriented.Filipinos are also shame-oriented. Amor propio is high self-esteem and is shown in Amor propio is high self-esteem and is shown in

the sensitivity of a person to hurt feelings and the sensitivity of a person to hurt feelings and insults, real o imagined.insults, real o imagined.

PersonalismPersonalism Personalism attaches major Personalism attaches major

importance to personal factor which importance to personal factor which guaranties intimacy, warmth and guaranties intimacy, warmth and security of kinship, and friendship in security of kinship, and friendship in getting things done. getting things done.

ImpersonalismImpersonalism Impersonalism refers to the tendency Impersonalism refers to the tendency

to eliminate the influence of to eliminate the influence of friendship or kinship in working friendship or kinship in working situations.situations.

Particularism – UniversalismParticularism – Universalism Where a person’s concern is centered on Where a person’s concern is centered on

sub-groups made up of relatives, friends, sub-groups made up of relatives, friends, colleagues, associates, religious affiliates colleagues, associates, religious affiliates or members of his or her ethnic regional or members of his or her ethnic regional group in the larger society to which he or group in the larger society to which he or she belongs, that individual is she belongs, that individual is particularistic. When one’s main concern is particularistic. When one’s main concern is the advancement of the collective or the advancement of the collective or national good, he or she is universalistic.national good, he or she is universalistic.

Filipino NationalismFilipino Nationalism Nationalism is the advocacy of making Nationalism is the advocacy of making

ones’ own nation distinct and separate ones’ own nation distinct and separate from others in intellectual, social, cultural, from others in intellectual, social, cultural, economic, political, and moral matters.economic, political, and moral matters.

Nationalism can be a factor for either evil Nationalism can be a factor for either evil or good. If carried to its extreme, it may or good. If carried to its extreme, it may take the form of ethnocentrism, or racism, take the form of ethnocentrism, or racism, or of xenophobia.or of xenophobia.

The DECS Values Education The DECS Values Education FrameworkFramework

In 1986, the Department of Education, Culture In 1986, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports embarked on a Values Education and Sports embarked on a Values Education Framework to provide and promote values Framework to provide and promote values education a all levels of the educational system. education a all levels of the educational system. Its goal is the development of the human person Its goal is the development of the human person committed to the building of a “just and humane committed to the building of a “just and humane society” and an independent and democratic society” and an independent and democratic nation.nation.

Values education, pursued at the national, Values education, pursued at the national, regional, local, and institution levels.regional, local, and institution levels.

The over-all strategy is to make regions, The over-all strategy is to make regions, localities, and institutions construct their own localities, and institutions construct their own values map, with clearly defined priorities suited values map, with clearly defined priorities suited to their peculiar context and needs.to their peculiar context and needs.

Most specifically, it was directed towards the proper implementation of Most specifically, it was directed towards the proper implementation of the program that will develop Filipinos who:the program that will develop Filipinos who:

Are self-actualized, integrally developed Are self-actualized, integrally developed human beings imbued with a sense of human beings imbued with a sense of human dignity;human dignity;

Are social beings with a sense of Are social beings with a sense of responsibility for their community and responsibility for their community and environment;environment;

Are productive persons who contribute to Are productive persons who contribute to the economic security and development of the economic security and development of the family and the nation;the family and the nation;

As citizens, have a deep sense of As citizens, have a deep sense of nationalism, and are committed to nationalism, and are committed to the progress of the nation as well as the progress of the nation as well as of the entire world community of the entire world community through global solidarity;through global solidarity;

Manifest in actual life an abiding faith Manifest in actual life an abiding faith in God as a reflection of his or her in God as a reflection of his or her spiritual being.spiritual being.

Philosophy of the Values Education Philosophy of the Values Education Program ( The Human Persons )Program ( The Human Persons )

The Values Education Program Framework The Values Education Program Framework is based on rational understanding, that is is based on rational understanding, that is to say, a philosophy of the human person. to say, a philosophy of the human person. As a physical being, the human being has As a physical being, the human being has material needs.material needs.

The human person is inevitably social.The human person is inevitably social. He or she belongs to a family, that basic He or she belongs to a family, that basic

unit of society or, in the words of the unit of society or, in the words of the Constitution, “the foundation of the Constitution, “the foundation of the nation,”nation,”

He or she is also economic.He or she is also economic. Last, the human being is political.Last, the human being is political.

Core ValuesCore Values On the basis of the foregoing philosophy of the human On the basis of the foregoing philosophy of the human

person, the supreme and overarching value that person, the supreme and overarching value that characterizes education is human dignity: the human characterizes education is human dignity: the human person is of infinite value.person is of infinite value.

As physical (made of matter) As physical (made of matter) As spiritual (capable of higher concerns and or rising above As spiritual (capable of higher concerns and or rising above

the material)the material) As intellectual (gifted with mind, the faculty of knowing)As intellectual (gifted with mind, the faculty of knowing) As moral (endowed with the faculty of freely choosing and As moral (endowed with the faculty of freely choosing and

loving)loving) As a social being (living in a community)As a social being (living in a community) As economic (bound to concerns of livelihood)As economic (bound to concerns of livelihood) As political (member of the nation)As political (member of the nation)

Related ValuesRelated Values The seven core values are further explained and ramified The seven core values are further explained and ramified

into particular values. Attempt has also been made to into particular values. Attempt has also been made to include values indicated in the Philippine Constitution.include values indicated in the Philippine Constitution.

1. Health implies physical fitness and cleanliness. The 1. Health implies physical fitness and cleanliness. The physical nature of the human being calls for harmony with physical nature of the human being calls for harmony with the material universe.the material universe.

2. Truth implies the tireless quest for knowledge in all its 2. Truth implies the tireless quest for knowledge in all its forms. Further-more, it is not enough to discover data and forms. Further-more, it is not enough to discover data and know facts, but one must develop creative and critical know facts, but one must develop creative and critical thinking to meet the challenges of the modern world.thinking to meet the challenges of the modern world.

3. The moral nature of the human being places primacy in 3. The moral nature of the human being places primacy in the value of love, it also implies the quest for personal the value of love, it also implies the quest for personal integrity and the development of self-worth or self esteem, integrity and the development of self-worth or self esteem, honesty, and personal discipline, which are marks of a honesty, and personal discipline, which are marks of a mature person and a useful citizen.mature person and a useful citizen.

4. Human existence – especially experiences such as love 4. Human existence – especially experiences such as love and suffering – points to a reality beyond one’s and suffering – points to a reality beyond one’s experiences. This indicates the dimensions of the infinite, experiences. This indicates the dimensions of the infinite, which religions believers call by the name of God.which religions believers call by the name of God.

5. Social responsibility means, first of all, strengthening 5. Social responsibility means, first of all, strengthening the family as “the foundation of the nation” and “a basic the family as “the foundation of the nation” and “a basic autonomous social society,” weathering the impact of autonomous social society,” weathering the impact of modernization and technology.modernization and technology.

Social interaction among individuals and groups must be Social interaction among individuals and groups must be characterized by concern for others and the common characterized by concern for others and the common good, the love of freedom, the democratic principle of good, the love of freedom, the democratic principle of equality, and respect for human rights.equality, and respect for human rights.

6. Economic efficiency is achieved by 6. Economic efficiency is achieved by people through work, the exercise of people through work, the exercise of human mastery over the resources of human mastery over the resources of nature and creative imagination in the nature and creative imagination in the solution of complex problems.solution of complex problems.

7. Lastly, the spirit of nationalism and 7. Lastly, the spirit of nationalism and patriotism means love of country. Its patriotism means love of country. Its people has a distinct political unit bound people has a distinct political unit bound by a common history ( the past ), by a common history ( the past ), committed to a common cause ( the committed to a common cause ( the present ), and sharing a common destiny present ), and sharing a common destiny ( the future )( the future )

Strategies and Approaches Strategies and Approaches Translating the Values Education Framework Translating the Values Education Framework

into Programsinto Programs The foregoing values education framework The foregoing values education framework

provides the parameters for the development of provides the parameters for the development of programs at the national, regional, division, programs at the national, regional, division, district, and school levels. All seven core values district, and school levels. All seven core values shall permeate such programs.shall permeate such programs.

1. Establish school-community linkages and 1. Establish school-community linkages and networks.networks.

The values education program is seen as a total The values education program is seen as a total endeavor. The school and community are endeavor. The school and community are partners in this program, and inter-agency partners in this program, and inter-agency linkages and networks are needed so that efforts linkages and networks are needed so that efforts are reinforced.are reinforced.

2. Maximize the use of community, human, and 2. Maximize the use of community, human, and material resources.material resources.

Indigenous community resources need to be Indigenous community resources need to be identified.identified.

3. Consolidate efforts of both government and 3. Consolidate efforts of both government and non-government agencies and institutions for non-government agencies and institutions for the purpose of minimizing costs and maximizing the purpose of minimizing costs and maximizing results.results.

The integration of efforts of various sectors The integration of efforts of various sectors needs to be continuously explored for the needs to be continuously explored for the purpose of minimizing results towards purpose of minimizing results towards inexpensive measures without sacrificing inexpensive measures without sacrificing quality.quality.