The Weaknesses of Filipino Character
The Weaknesses of Filipino Character
The Weaknesses of Filipino Character
1. Extreme personalism.
Filipinos view the world in terms of personal relationships and the extent to which
one is able personally to relate to things and people determines our recognition of
their existence and the value. There is no separation between an objective task and
emotional involvement.Because of this the Filipino is uncomfortable with
bureaucracy, with rules and. regulations and with standard procedures. It always says
Thank you with “but”, a compliment followed by criticism and another
commendation to counterbalance the commentary.
While concern for the family is one of the Filipino's greatest strengths, in the extreme
it becomes a serious flaw. excessive concern for the family creates an in-group to
which the Filipino is fiercely loyal to the detriment of concern for the larger
community or for the common good.Filipino place high regard and put importance on
their family before anything else. They work all day and do all they can to feed and
provide for their family, even if their son/daughter are already married they still
shoulder the financial aspect and because of it, their children rely to them and forget
that they should be the one to provide for their respective family and not their parents.
In some other countries, when their children turned 18,He/she lived away from their
parents and create their own life.
3. Lack of Discipline.
4. Lack of Initiative.
Filipinos are generally passive and lacking in initiative. One waits to be told what has
to be done. There is a strong reliance on other. This is related to the attitude towards
authority. Filipinos have a need for a strong authority figure and feel safer and more
secure in the presence of such an authority. One is generally submissive to those in
authority, and is not likely to raise issues or to question decisions. Filipino is too
patient and long-suffering (matiisin" Bahala na System" - No matter what, At least we
tried.), too easily resigned to one's fate. Filipinos are thus easily oppressed and
exploited.
5. Colonial Mentality.
Filipinos have a colonial mentality which is made up of two dimensions: the first is a
lack of patriotism or an active awareness, appreciation, and love of the Philippines;
the second is an actual preference for things foreign.
Filipino culture is characterized by an openness to the outside--adapting and
incorporating the foreign elements into our image of ourselves. Yet this image is not
built around a deep core of Philippine history and language. The result is a cultural
vagueness or weakness that makes Filipinos extraordinarily susceptible to the
wholesome acceptance of modern mass culture which is often Western. The Filipino
colonial mentality is manifested in the alienation of the elite from their roots and from
the masses, as well as in the basic feeling of national inferiority that makes it difficult
for Filipinos to relate as equals to Westerners.
On July 16, 2016, the PCA tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines. In a 501-
page decision, the PCA said that China violated Philippine sovereignty over its EEZ
and continental shelf based on the rules set forth by UNCLOS, which overrides
China’s “nine-dash line” rule.
The PCA said that China must henceforth respect Philippines rights and
uphold its obligations under UNCLOS.
Because it did not participate in the proceedings with the PCA, China has
rejected the ruling claiming it has no binding force. However, the PCA decision puts
the Philippines on higher ground in the eyes of the world and adds international
diplomatic pressure on China.
In fact, China has stepped up its game. In May 2018, US intelligence reported
that China has installed anti-ship cruise missile, surface-to-air missile systems, and
electronic jammers in three of its outposts in the Spratlys. China also announced
deploying bomber planes to the Parcel Islands, an area of the Spratlys that is also
being claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.
In response to the PCA decision, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that he
would not “go to war for a battle I cannot win.” He and his administration have been
under fire, with 84% of Filipinos wanting a more assertive stance against China’s
aggressions, according to Pulse Asia.