Culture and How It Defines Our Moral Behavior

POSITIVE
VALUE EXPLANATION PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
As a Filipino, I can say that I'm family
oriented, even if I'm at the right age to
Filipinos have a strong sense of family. Filipinos are
decide on my own. I still ask for their
very family-oriented. Most of the family eat together
permission and advice. I also have strong
and most of the Filipino live with their parents even if
and close family ties. We also have family
they got married, that's why there is no usual
gatherings with extended family every
Family distinction among extended families. Filipinos are
month which is when we talk about life.
Oriented known for having strong and close family ties. In other
We also enjoy every occasion because
countries, especially in western countries when a
you can expect a lot of food and good
person turns 18, he/she can live away from his/her
conversation with our family. Since
family. In the Philippines, they value their family so
Filipinos do not mind talking about
much that they keep them intact through the years.
personal aspects of their life, my sister
always asks about her marital status.

Filipinos are known for being hospitable. When there When there are visitors my parents
are visitors at home, they will do a lot of preparations prepare a lot of food. Regardless of how
for good entertainment and accommodation so that small our house is, we will do our best to
Hospitable they will feel at home and enjoy the stay. Other make guests comfortable and feel at
countries love to visit the Philippines because Filipino home. My parents offer everything that
are very accommodating. they can give to make our guest happy.

We are taught when we are young to respect others

Every time we visit our grandparents, we
and our elders. We are told that we have to “mano”
have to “mano” and kiss their cheeks to
and say “po and opo” to our elders. Although some of
show our love and respect. Even with our
Respecting the kids nowadays doesn’t perform this anymore,
godparents, we are told to do it.
others many of us still doing this. It’s one of the unique
Sometimes, if we forgot to perform this,
practices here in the Philippines and I don’t want it to
our parents will remind us because for
be forgotten. I think that we are Filipinos, because we
them, it’s an important gesture.
give respect to everyone.
 Philippines is a small country but the people in here In my childhood, even though there are
have big smiles in their faces. No matter what problem times that our table and stomach were
we might encounter, we will stand tall and smile in it. empty, no one in our family gives up and
Being Happy
We can find a source of light when we are in dark complain about our situation. I and my
at all times times. We will not give up and we will push our way brothers were exposed to the real world
forward. Everyone one has different problems but we in our young age but it doesn’t affect our
have the same smile that we share every day. happiness.

When I was in grade school, I saw that my

friend crying outside of our classroom. It
is just before lunchtime and I’m going
back to our room from our home. I asked
No matter who you are, when you are in a difficult
him why he was crying and I found out
situation, there will be someone who will help you.
that his stomach was aching because he
We even have the ‘bayanihan’ were everyone
doesn’t eat and they don’t have
cooperate to move a nipa house. It shows that
something to eat. Luckily, I have a bread
Generous and Filipinos has a sense of unity and we will surpass any
in my pocket and gave it to him. I think
Helpful problem as long as we will cooperate. You can also
that my other classmate saw my actions
witness this every day. There are those who doesn’t
and they also volunteered to help him.
hesitate to help others. Even the people who doesn’t
With our actions, even though it was
have much will give something, sometimes everything,
small, I think that it will affect our way of
to those who needs it.
thinking. It is better to help others as it
will bring everyone closer. We didn’t
have to be greedy and must look for each
other.
 NEGATIVE
VALUE EXPLANATION PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Manana habit is one of the most negative traits of As a student, sometimes I procrastinate.
Procrastination some people. It means mamaya na in Filipino. Before I had a lack of time , I hurriedly
or “Mañana Filipinos are fond of saying “bukas na lang” or “sa did the things I needed to do at the last
Habit susunod na lang” due to laziness. It is delaying doing minute. Because I procrastinate I tend to
things instead of doing things now. panic and am not able to concentrate.

During high school days I was known for

always being late. I'm always late in class
when my teacher doesn't accept me to
It is related to Mañana Habit. When the invitation
her class and takes the exam because I'm
Filipino time says the program will start at 7am, it is expected to
always late. Even if my friends set a date
(tardiness) begin at 9am. When the date is set at 3pm, the
or time at 3pm, I will come at 5 pm. But
partner will arrive at 5 o’ clock.
now, I already changed these negative
traits because I realized that I'm not only
wasting my time but their time.

In grade school, some parents of my

classmates doesn’t believe that I don’t
deserve to be one of the achievers. I can
hear them talking in our backs and I think
It is the mentality where people doesn’t let other
that it was my Mom who was affected by
people to achieve their goals. It is common here in
it. I can remember her reminding me
the Philippines. Most of the time it was seen on
that I don’t have to think that it was a
Crab mentality politics where both sides doesn’t value the things
competition and I must enjoy learning.
they do even though it was good to the people. If
There is also a time where as I want to
they can’t get the interest of the people, they will also
do something, there will be people who
not let the opposing party to get their interest.
will look down on me. I think that it is
always present but I learned that I don’t
have to invest my time on their
arguments.
 Here in our area, even there are
pedestrian lanes and overpasses, people
Laws and rules are present to ensure the safety of the
doesn’t use them. It is because they
people. In the Philippines, even those who are in the
think that it is more convenient to risk
government break the rules they set. If the higher
Lack of self- their lives than using those to ensure
officials can’t obey it, it is obvious that almost
discipline their safety. Even in my way to go to our
everyone will disobey. Even segregating our trash
school, even there’s a pedestrian lane
seems to be a problem here. If we can’t follow
and police officers that stationed in the
something so small, we will face big problems.
area, there are people who can’t follow
the rules.

I start things energetically and full of

A term which means flaming grass quickly burns
effort, but sometimes I become
Ningas cogon outand this best describes one of the negative Filipino
inconsistent and tend to be lazy and do
traits.
other things out of personal interest.