Transcript EXPRESSIVENESS: “Uslawit”

UNDERSTANDING THE
FILIPINO
Felipe M. de Leon, Jr.
Filipinos are not Malays
 Filipinos did not descend from the
Malays (Manuel, Jocano, Hornedo, et al)
 Our culture and languages are not
derived from Malay
 “There is no such thing as a Malay race
in anthropological science” - Dr.Arsenio
Manuel
 Rizal is not the “Pride of the Malay
Race” (Ozaeta, 1949) but of the Filipino
people
 The belief that the Philippines was
inhabited by successive waves of
migration of Negritos, Indonesians and
Malays has no basis in historical fact.
 David Zorc, a world class linguist, with
specialization in Austronesian
languages had this to say:
“while Filipinos want to claim
Indonesians and Malaysians as their
progenitors (hence the Maragtas, Code
of Kalantiaw, etc.),
in truth it was from the
Philippines that the Indonesians
and Malays came, and at a much
greater time depth than anyone
estimated."
MILESTONES IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
 750,000 – 500,000 B.C. - Earliestdated flake stone tools found in
Solana, Cagayan
 49, 000 B.C. - Fossil remains of
modern man (homo sapiens
sapiens) found in the Tabon caves of
Quezon, Palawan
 895-775 B.C. – Manunggul burial jar
 900 A.D. - Laguna copperplate
document
Laguna Copperplate Document
Mabuhay! Taóng Siyaka 822,
buwán ng Waisaka, ayon sa
aghámtalà. Ang ikaapat na araw
ng pagliít ng buwán, Lunes. Sa
pagkakátaóng itó, si Dayang
Angkatán sampû ng kaniyáng
kapatíd na nagngangalang Buka,
na mga anák ng Kagalang-galang
na si Namwarán, ay ginawaran ng
isáng kasulatan ng lubós na
kapatawarán mulâ sa Punong
Pangkalahatan sa Tundún sa
pagkatawán ng Punong Kagawad
ng Pailáh na si Jayadewa.
Sa atas na itó, sa pamamagitan
ng Tagasulat, ang Kagalanggalang na si Namwarán ay
pinatawad na sa lahát at
inalpasán sa kaniyáng utang at
kaniyáng mga náhulíng kabayarán
na 1 katî at 8 suwarna sa harapán
ng Kagalang-galang na Punong
Kagawad ng Puliran na si Ka
Sumurán, sa kapangyarihan ng
Kagalang-galang na Punong
Kagawad ng Pailáh.
Dahil sa matapát na paglilingkód
ni Namwarán bilang isáng sakop
ng Punò, kinilala ng Kagalanggalang at batikáng Punong
Kagawad ng Binwangan ang lahát
ng nabubuhay pang kamag-anak
ni Namwarán na inangkín ng
Punò ng Dewatà, na kinatawán
ng Punò ng Medáng.
Samakatwíd, ang mga
nabubuhay na inapó ng
Kagalang-galang na si
Namwarán ay pinatawad sa
anumán at lahát ng utang ng
Kagalang-galang na si
Namwarán sa Punò ng Dewatà.
Itó, kung sakalì, ay
magpapahayag kaninumán na
mulâ ngayón kung may taong
magsasabing hindî pa alpás sa
utang ang Kagalang-galang...
 10th to 12th c. A.D. - Gold ornaments,
accessories and utensils reach high
degree of excellence, especially in
Butuan, Mindanao
 1100 A.D - Formal trading is
undertaken with China, India, Arabia,
and with Indonesia, Malaysia and
Cambodia
 13th c. A.D. - A Muslim settlement
rises in Sulu
 1417 A.D. - Treaty of Friendship and
Trade between the Sultan of Sulu
Paduka Batara and Emperor
Yong Le of the Ming Dynasty in China
 1565 - Spanish colonization begins
 1887 - National Hero Jose Rizal
publishes Noli Me Tangere
 1896 - Revolution against Spanish rule
begins
 1898, June 12 - Declaration of
Independence (first in Asia)
Symbolism of the Filipino Flag
 “Sus ocho rayos simbolizando las
ocho provincias de Manila, Cavite,
Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija,
Tarlac, Laguna y Batangas, que
fueron declaradas en estado de
guerra, casi tan pronto como el
primer movimiento insurreccional
se inicio”
“Las tres estrellas
representan las tres
principales islas de este
Archipielago: Luzon,
Mindanao y Panay, en
las cuales este
movimiento
insurreccional estallo”
 1899, January 23 – Inauguration of
Constitutional Republic
(first in Asia)
 1899, February 4 – 1913, December bloody Filipino-American War (4, 234
Americans and 600,000 - 1 million
Filipinos killed)
 1907 - effective beginning of American
rule
 1935 – 1945 - Commonwealth Period
 1941, December 8 - Manila is attacked
by Japanese forces
 1945, February 27 – End of Japanese
Occupation
 1946, July 4 - the United States
recognizes Philippine Independence;
beginning of Second Philippine
Republic
What is Culture?
 To culture is to cultivate, as in
agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture,
sericulture, beauty culture, voice
culture, etc.
 Any activity, product or expression
attained through the application of
human skill is CULTURE, that which is
not is NATURE, such as trees, rivers,
mountains, birds.
In its broadest sense, culture may
be defined as:
 Way of life, a design for living
 Shared patterns of behavior and
meaning, of expectations and
responses
 Shared system of vital ideas
about the world
UNESCO defines culture as:
“The whole complex of distinctive
spiritual, material, intellectual and
emotional features that
characterize a society or social
group. It includes not only the arts
and letters, but also modes of life,
the fundamental rights of the
human being, value systems,
traditions and beliefs.”
Cultural Questions (Being
Questions of Perception,
Valuing, and Meaning)
 What brings out the good, the best in
the Filipino? How do you inspire or
what inspires Filipinos towards
positive, productive or constructive
behavior/social action?
 How do you get Filipinos to cooperate
and work together harmoniously,
happily, efficiently and effectively?
 What are we most
productive/creative at/in? What
is the nature of the Filipino
cultural genius (both local and
nationally shared)?
 How do you bring out honesty,
sincerity, and loyalty?
 How do you resolve conflicts?
 How do you criticize one’s work
or raise standards of excellence
without arousing ill will and
resentment?
 How do you inculcate or
promote discipline and
dedication to one’s task?*
*The feeling of being taken advantage of;
being exploited, abused; being treated
unfairly, unjustly, or being demeaned,
insulted (pinagsasamantalahan,
minamaltrato, ginugulangan,
nilalamangan, iniinsulto o binabastos) is
abhorrent to the Filipino, it being a
serious affront to one’s dignity as an
ultimately sacred being.
A Filipino Perspective

Build on Our Strengths
- Need for Positive Self-Image:
-
Social Self-Images are Self-Fulfilling
- Root cause of Philippine underdevelopment:
Filipino tendency towards self bashing,
esp. among the Westernized elite,
preventing us from tapping our
greatest asset for sustainable
development - our cultural strengths
and resources.
Cult of smallness
Celebration of Defeat
Dona Victorina Syndrome
Work for the Good of the
Nation as a Whole:
ACT LOCALLY, THINK NATIONALLY,
ACT LOCALLY, THINK GLOBALLY
Pride, Commitment,
Excellence
also
Promoting Filipino Cultural Identity
 Cultural Identity as the Basis of
Economic Competitiveness:
Cultural identity has it source in
originality, indigenousness,
authenticity, uniqueness, historicity,
magnitude, and excellence
Anywhere in the world people
prefer the distinctive, one with
character, not anything bland
and featureless
FILIPINOS LOVE TO CONNECT,
ESPECIALLY TO PEOPLE
 Among the most
highly relational in
the world, Filipinos
are hardly alone.
They are happy
being together when they eat,
sleep, work, travel,
pray, create or
celebrate. They
feel connected to
the world, God and
nature, but most of
all to people.
“Nobody likes to be left out of a
photo op”
Togetherness is happiness
 Filipinos hardly eat alone
 Invite a person to your party,
how many will come?
 Bantay(watcher) & extra bed
 Picture-taking mania
 Prizes for everybody
 “Do not praise small items” Juan Flavier
 Pabalot, balato, bonus
(forms of sharing)
 Pasalubong( quasi-sacred
ritual: gift from a journey)
 Cannot keep secrets
 Relational terms for calling
each other
 Texting capital of the world
 No isolated notes (hagod,
slides, “scooping”)
Notes are People
Pitch Relations Reflect People Relations
 In individualistic
cultures where
people preserve
their private
space and
separateness from
others, musical
pitches also tend
to be discrete or
isolated from each
other.
 In communal
cultures where
togetherness and
connectedness
with others is
highly valued,
musical pitches
tend to be bridged
by slides or a
microtonal
continuum.
FILIPINO PROXEMICS OF PRIVACY
 To be alone a German needs four thick
walls which shut off all light and sound
from the outside.
 A Japanese needs only thin paper
screens
 A Filipino does not need a physical
structure to spend time alone. All that
is needed is for him to stay in a corner
and keep quiet.
This is proof that even in our precious
moments of solitude, we are still
willing to share our whole being,
should the need arise
MY SPACE IS YOUR SPACE
In most Western
cultures, guests are allowed to
move around only within the
confines of the living room.In
Filipino culture, guests may
roam anywhere inside or outside
the house, even in the bedrooms
“FEEL AT HOME”: How long can
your relative or close friend
temporarily stay in your house?
 OPEN HOUSE:

Filipino Sociableness
 Beth Day Romulo: “Of all Asian
capitals, Manila is the friendliest.
Manilans embrace the diplomatic
community and love to entertain them.
One Western diplomat marveled at
being invited to dinner at a local home
the next night after he arrived in
Manila.”
 Beijing diplomats live in an enclave
and entertain one another. In Tokyo,
locals sometimes take diplomats out to
dinner at a restaurant but never invite
them to their own homes.”
 “Manila is not only socially
hospitable. People here also like
to get the diplomatic set involved
in local projects”.
 “No matter how bad a press the
Philippines may occasionally get
abroad, the foreigners who have
actually lived here love it, and
usually hope to return.”
 Filipinos call their spouses with
the highest frequency (66% are
daily callers), followed by
Indonesians and Malaysians-FEER
 Filipinos most remember their
spouse’s birthday. 95% always
remember. 3% remember most of
the time.
 Among the highest-income groups
of 13 countries in Asia, Filipinos
most prefer to stay and relax at
home as a mode of leisure
 Filipinos most perceive
themselves as fashionable in
dressing, followed by South
Koreans
Most Romantic in Southeast Asia
 A Mobile Lifestyle Survey conducted by
Asia Market Intelligence for Siemens in
late 2002 among six SEA’n countries
found that Filipinos send “I love you”
messages the most often:
Filipinos
58%
Indonesians
Malaysians
Singaporeans
Thais
Indians
41%
36%
31%
30%
24%
WORKPLACE AS EXTENSION OF
THE HOME
 Filipinos are strongly family-oriented
and most comfortable in a homey
setting
 Superiors tend be regarded as filial
authority
 As in the family, rituals for affirming
togetherness would be very helpful,
such as prayers, singing, recreational
activities, sharing of concerns
 Like parents, superiors are expected to
provide care and support in all levels
FASHIONABLE ELEGANCE
 The highly
sociable Filipino
always likes to be
in style – neat, fit
and smart.
Whether rich or
poor, reformer or
rebel, manager or
laborer, the
Filipino dresses
well and smells
nice. A wellgroomed person is
socially attractive.
Loners More Prone to Heart Disease
 People with lots of friends are usually
the healthiest in the world
 Lack of friends and close social ties are
the hidden cause of heart disease
 As social ties increase, mortality rates
decrease
 Married people, members of religious
groups and the like often live longer
 Social isolation breeds depression,
which may lead to lower immunity to
disease and even suicide
MULTI-SIGNIFICANCE:
Bringing People Together
 An effective
Filipino tool for
connecting people
to each other is to
endow an activity,
presentation or
creation with as
many different
meanings,
functions and
qualities as
possible.
TRANSPARENCY:
Openness and Trust
 The Filipino is a
highly accessible
and
accommodating
person, basically
trusting and
open, yet quite
sensitive and
demanding of
respect and
recognition of
one’s dignity.
Bukas ang kalooban, not private
Windows all around ancestral
houses
Aliwalas, airy spaciousness
and openness of interiors
“Space surrounds space”
High value placed on being
natural, informal, personal
LISTEN TO THE FEELING TONE
 Do not listen to what the Filipino says
as much as how he says it.
 Listen to the feeling tone, read
between the lines
 Filipinos communicate non-verbally
most of the time
 Be sensitive to non-verbal symbols,
facial expressions, gestures, or body
language to understand what the
Filipino is really trying to say
“Makuha Ka Sa Tingin”
88 WAYS OF LOOKING IN TAGALOG
 TINGIN – to look
 DILAT, PANDILATAN – stare
squarely at
 MASID, MASDAN – observe or
look at searchingly
 MALAS – observing look
 MATYAG – close observation
 LIYAW – to spy, watch, observe
 ANINAG – see thru a transparent
or translucent medium
 ANINAW – see thru a haze
 TANGHOD – to look fascinatedly
 TANGA, TUMANGA – to look at
something absentmindedly
 SULILING – to glance sideways,
affectedly or disdainfully
 MATA, MATAHIN – to look at
something with critical eyes,
condescendingly
 SILAY – briefly but seriously
 TITIG – steadfastly and fixedly
 IRAP – with annoyance
 LISIK – sparkling of the eyes as
when one is extremely irked or
irritated
 LIING – to look out of the corner
of one’s eyes
 MUSING – with a frown
 SULI – vexedly
 DAYAP – with an evil eye
 ILAM – to look sideways
 SULYAP – sidewise quickly
 DUNGSOL – look again and again
 LINGAP – cast a glance
 LINGA – look here and there as if
searching for something
 LINGI, LINGIGIG – look here and
there, worriedly because of some
noise
 LINGOS – here and there,
unmindfully
 BALILILING – with a turn of the
head
 LINGON – over one’s shoulders
 TUNGO – downwards
 TINGALA – upwards
 SIPAT – looking over (a surface)
to check levelness, (or a line,
row) to check alignment
 SUMIK – looking as if listening
 BANTAY – to look at what is one’s
own (to keep an eye on)
 TANAW – looking from a distance
 TANGHAL – looking from a
distance contemplating the
beauty or grandeur of something
 NOOD – to look at something
that brings delight
 TINGHAD – strain one’s neck in
order to see an object not on the
level of one’s eyes
 MULAGAT – stare
 SILIP – peep
 SIGLAP – superficial, accidental
glance without much attention
 SIGLAW – glimpse; involuntary
passing notice
 PATUMANGA or DANGA – look
born of awe or dread
 LISAW – disquieting look because
of anger
 LILAP – peculiar flushing of the
eyes of drunks
 TUNGANGA – open-mouthed
curiosity or indifference
 BALING – look from one side to
another
 SULINDING, PASULINDING –
glance obliquely, superciliously
 MANGANINO, MANALAMIN – to
look into a mirror
 SILAW – dazzled
 ALIBAY – follow a moving object
with one’s eyes
 BANAAG – glimpse, have a
glimmer of
 MULAT – open eyed
 At marami pang iba
EXPRESSIVENESS:
Maximalism
 The common
Filipino is a
maximalist, filling
up every available
space with forms
and things. It
springs from an
expressive
exuberance
deeply rooted in
emotional
sensitivity and the
strong urge to
connect.
Treat the other person as you treat
yourself because the other person
is also yourself - Filipino core idea
THE CORE VALUES
 KAPWA
(Shared Identity)
 PAKIRAMDAM
(Shared Inner Perception)
 KAGANDAHANG LOOB
(Shared Humanity)
KAPWA
SHARED IDENTITY (Shared Inner Self, “The
other person is also yourself”)
 the core of Filipino psychology, it is
humaneness at the highest level
 implies unique moral obligation to treat
one another as equal fellow human beings
PAKIRAMDAM
SHARED INNER PERCEPTION
(Knowing Through Feeling or
Tacit Knowing; Participatory Sensitivity)
 A unique social skill inherent in Filipino
personhood
 The need for openness and basic trust is a
precondition for this active process of
sensing subtle cues
KAGANDAHANG LOOB
SHARED HUMANITY (Pagkamakatao; A
Shared Inner Nobility; A Quiet Sense of
Responsibility for Others; A Great
Compassion for All Living Beings)
 Nudges a person towards genuine acts of
generosity, kindness and caring
Levels of Filipino Social Interaction
AMONG OUTSIDERS:
 PAKIKITUNGO (courtesy)
 PAKIKISALAMUHA (mixing)
 PAKIKILAHOK (joining)
 PAKIKIBAGAY (adapting)
 PAKIKISAMA (getting along with)
PAKIKISAMA
DEEPEST LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT WITH
ANOTHER PERSON STILL CONSIDERED AN
OUTSIDER (IBANG TAO)
 Characteristic tendencies of this trait are giving
in to another person’s wish, demands, wants or
desires. The motive for this could be politeness or
expectation of future concessions or immediate
rewards
Levels of Filipino Social Interaction
AMONG INSIDERS:
 PAKIKIPAGPALAGAYANG-LOOB
(rapport)
 PAKIKISANGKOT (involvement)
 PAKIKIISA (oneness, unity with)
KAPWA: THE OTHER PERSON IS
ALSO YOURSELF
 The Filipino tends to do business with
friends and relatives, or those with
whom he has the closest personal
ties.
 He prefers a trust-based, long-term
and deep relationship rather than one
based on short-term, material gains.
 An impersonal, formal, legal, purely
business transaction – devoid of
emotional depth - is alien to the
Filipino and may only bring out the
worst in him.
SCOLD IN PRIVATE
PRAISE IN PUBLIC
 NEVER SCOLD IN PUBLIC. It is
tantamount to banishment from
group membership, and thus
entails a serious loss of a sense of
being
 Filipinos are very sensitive to the
qualities of worth, equality and
connectedness
 One who is abused or treated
badly arouses sympathy
LAWS ARE MERE SUGGESTIONS IF…
 Anything purely legal, bureaucratic,
formal and impersonal is shallow,
manipulative and selfish. It has no real
binding force and resorted to when the
relationship is only for short–term
material gains and not based on trust.
 Anything based on a sincere, deeplyfelt, sacred covenant works best in the
long term and brings out the best in the
Filipino. The other person and yourself
become one.
LAYING THE GROUND RULES
TOGETHER
 Rules are more effective if based upon
mutually agreed principles
 These principles can easily be
appreciated and understood if derived
from core or surface Filipino values
 The form of expression or pattern of
communicating these principles must
likewise conform to these values
 It is best to achieve consensus in all
levels of the organizational hierarchy
SOCIETAL VALUES ASSOCIATED
WITH FILIPINO PERSONHOOD
KALAYAAN (Freedom)
KATARUNGAN (Justice,
Equality)
KARANGALAN (Honor,
Dignity)
FILIPINOS: ACHIEVE MATURITY
THROUGH SOCIAL INTEGRATION
 ARE EXCEEDINGLY ACTIVE AND
CREATIVE IN INTERPERSONAL
RELATIONS, SOCIAL INTERACTIONS
AND SOCIAL PROBING; ALWAYS
SEEKING AND EXPLORING NEWER,
DEEPER AND RICHER WAYS OF
HARMONIZING AND CONNECTING
WITH OTHERS
Filipinos are masters of interpersonal
skills
Filipinos are adept in pakiramdam and
non-verbal communication
 ARE A HIGHLY NURTURING,
CARING, SHARING PEOPLE, WITH
A STRONG MATERNAL
ORIENTATION
Filipinos, because of their genius in
interpersonal communication and a
nurturing, caring attitude, excel in the
service professions or industry
 ARE DEEPLY DEVOTIONAL AND
SPIRITUAL YET WITH A
VIGOROUS ZEST FOR LIVING OR
JOIE DE VIVRE
Filipino Religiosity
 Filipinos, followed by Indians and
Brazilians, score highest in
emphasis on religion and religious
beliefs (1979 Gallup Survey). 1991
and 1995-96 surveys confirm Filipino
religiosity as highest in the world.
 Large scale Filipino social
movements were always Godinspired: Katipunan, EDSA Revolution,
Compassion for Flor Contemplacion, etc.
Organize Around Sacred or
Noble principles
 Transcend ego, cultivate passion for
excellence
 Leader must be an example of selflessness, nurturing and caring but firm and
strong
 Filipinos appreciate leadership by
example
 A superior who can do the work he
demands of his subordinate is highly
respected and more effective.
Leaders That Filipinos Follow
Top Five Clusters:
 Makatao, mapagkalinga, may
magandang kalooban (nurturant
qualities)
 Matapat, matuwid, maka-Diyos, may
moralidad (upright, God-centered)
 Malakas ang loob (courageous, with
political will)
 Makatarungan, demokratiko, pantaypantay ang tingin sa lahat (fair, just)
 Magaling, marunong (intelligent,
capable)
FILIPINOS ARE ONE WITH THE
MULTIDIMENSIONAL
WHOLENESS OF LIFE
 FILIPINOS DO NOT LIKE A PARTIAL,
FRAGMENTED VIEW OF LIFE; AND
RESPOND TO LIFE SYNERGISTICALLY
(COOPERATIVE ACTION OF ALL THE
FACULTIES, AGENCIES, OR LEVELS OF
BEING)
 WE DO NOT LIKE TO BELONG TO ONLY
ONE SIDE OF A RELATIONSHIP. OUR
KINSHIP SYSTEM IS BILATERAL.
HAVING TWO KIDS IS ENOUGH AS
LONG AS THEY ARE A BOY AND A GIRL.
 A FILIPINO IS NOT HAPPY JUST
KNOWING ANOTHER PERSON’S NAME.
HE WOULD ALSO INQUIRE ABOUT HIS
WORK, HOMETOWN, RELATIVES,
MARITAL STATUS, EVEN HIS SALARY.
 FILIPINOS HAVE GREATER ENERGY
FOR WORK OR ACTIVITY THAT
INVOLVES ALL THE LEVELS OF BEING
(BODY, ALL THE SENSES, FEELINGS, INTELLECT, SPIRIT)
 A FILIPINO RELATES TO OTHERS NOT
ONLY FUNCTIONALLY(BASED ON THE
TASK ON HAND) BUT WHOLISTICALLY.
OPENING ONE WINDOW OPENS ALL.
BIPOLARITY:
The Unity of Opposites
 An intuitive logic
vastly superior to
the either/or of
mechanistic
cultures is Filipino
bipolarity.
 In bipolaristic
logic, it is
axiomatic that if a
thing is true or
valid, then its
opposite must
also be true or
valid.
A PERSON AND HIS ACTIONS
ARE ONE, NOT SEPARATE
 To criticize a person’s work is also to
criticize the person himself, so how
does one urge him to improve his work
and raise standards without hurting
him?
 The solution is to use a bipolar
approach: Praise-Criticize or Better,
PRAISE-CRITICIZE-PRAISE
(KISS-KICK-KISS)
BRIDGING DIFFERENCES:
Curves not Angles
 The Filipino
prefers mediation
to confrontation.
Pahiwatig,
pakiusap,
pakikibagay, biro
are only a few of
the orchestral
wealth of
techniques for
bridging
differences.
Vitalistic, Life Energy-Seeking
Filipinos love
biomorphic, non-architectonic
shapes
informal, asymmetrical balance
rich tactile values
kinaesthetic interaction
KINESTHETIC INTERACTIVENESS:
Connecting Through Touch
 Filipinos love to
feel, literally
touching their
way through life.
Rich textural
qualities,
biomorphic
shapes, tasty
foods, lush sounds
and social
clustering make
life exceedingly
warm and
intimate.
A hundred words for touch
 DAMA, HIPO, KAPA, KAPKAP, HIMAS,
LAMAS, HAPLOS, HAGOD, SALAT,
HAWAK, KAPIT, DIIT, LAPAT, SUNGGAB,
SAMBILAT(clutch, grab, snatch
violently), AKAP, SAGI, ANTIG,
LAMUKOS, LAMYOS, KUYUMOS,
KUSKOS, KALABIT, KAMOT, KALMOT,
DAITI, KANTI, TAPIK, TIPA, KUTOS,
SANGGI, KADYOT, SABUNOT, SAMPAL,
BUNTAL, PALO, SUNTOK, SUNGGO
(bump against lightly), SIPA, SIKO
SIIL (violent pushing or shoving with
the elbow), SALAGOY (touch lightly),
LUKOT, SIKLOT, KALIKOT, LAPIROT,
BALUTBOT, DUTDOT, SUNDOT,
KUTKOT, KUROT, PINGGER, KALKAL,
KALIKAW, BUTINGTING, BULATLAT,
DIKIT, KISKIS, KIMIS, KILITI, SINTAK,
SUONG, AKAY, AKBAY
 DALA, KARGA, BUHAT, BITBIT, SAPO,
SALO, KIMKIM, KIPKIP, SUKBIT, BABA,
PASAN, SUNONG, KANDONG, KALONG,
PANGKO, SAKBIBI, etc.
KINESTHETIC INTERACTIVENESS:
The Magical, Healing Touch
 Traditional rituals
are a way of
connecting to the
divine. Through
touch people get
healed. A
“magical”
transference of
vital energy
occurs in many
levels, physical
and metaphysical.
Hug If You Want To Live
 Hugging is a key to happiness – Leo
Buscaglia
 Hugs make you feel psychologically
more secure and together
 Touching releases endorphins (the
“happy hormones”), which kill pain and
increase immunity to disease
 Positive feelings strengthen the blood’s
immune system
PAKIKIRAMDAM AND LAMBING:
Soft, Flowing Movements
 Pakikiramdam,
knowing through
feeling or
participatory
sensitivity makes
the Filipino
especially
compassionate,
affective,
malambing,
gentle, and kind.
Sharing of Moods and Feelings
 Pakikiramdam is the ability to
participate in the inner life
process or monitor the flow of
feelings in others, especially if
deeper feelings are involved.
 This is the source of the much
vaunted Filipino affinity with the
underdog, melodrama, and
sentimental and compassionate
nature.
 Pakikiramdam is more than
sympathy or empathy: it is dynamic,
profound and immeasurable.
For ex, whereas in the U.S., funeral
parlors have fixed opening and closing
hours, in the Philippines they are open 24
hours. It is simply unthinkable for
Filipinos to subject lamay to fixed, limited
schedules just because of commercial
considerations.
When Filipinos bury their dead, it is not
only close relatives who attend the ritual but
even distant relatives, friends of relatives,
relatives of friends, all those who have
become neighbors of the deceased, peers,
officemates, classmates and friends.
FILIPINOS ARE HIGHLY
PARTICIPATORY
 DEMAND COLLECTIVE, EQUAL
PARTICIPATION IN THE CREATIVE
PROCESS, DECISION-MAKING AND
SELF-DETERMINATION
Participation in the creative process is
primary
Everybody must have an active role, no
matter how small (salimpusa)
Decision-making is a collective activity. No
one must have a monopoly of the
decision-making process
In Filipino society, everybody is a
participant/performer.
Nobody is a mere spectator. There is no
separation of performer/creator and
audience/spectator.
Filipinos prefer consensus as a mode of
reaching decisions or settling conflicts.
The Participatory Filipino:
Pantay-pantay, walang lamangan
Pagbibigayan, sharing, interdependence;
equitable distribution of resources
 micro interweaving of colors, visual
elements
 interlocking/ interconnected wide
spaces (non-compartmentalized)
 salitan, interlocking rhythms in
music
Verbs expressing mutual, reciprocal
action and equal possession of
similar qualities





magsi- magsilabas, magsigising,
magsitayo
magsipag- magsipaghanda,
magsipagkalat
magka- magkaisa, magkasundo
magka- magkasama, magkapatid,
magkatulad, magkakulay
magkasing- magkasingganda,
magkasimpangit
 ka - karamay, katuwang, katulong,
katabi, kaklase, kalahi, kauri,
kalaro, kasapi
 kasing - kasintigas, kasinlapit,
kasintanda, kasindali,
kasing-asim, kasinggaling
 mag-an- magsagutan, magsabunutan,
magtakbuhan,magtawanan
 magka-an magkalinawan, magkainisan,
magkarinigan, magkasintahan
 magsing- magsing-irog
 maki- makisangkot, makialam,
makiisa,makibahagi, makibaka,
makisama, makigawa,
makibili, makihalo, makitulog
 makipag- makipag-away, makipagkamay, makipag-usap
 makipag - an makipag-agawan,
makipagsagutan
 makipagka - an makipagkaibigan,
makipagkasunduan
 ka - an kasunduan, kaibigan,
kasintahan
 pakiki- pakikiramay, pakikiramdam,
pakikiisa, pakikiapid
 pakikipag- pakikipagtalo, pakikipagsayaw, pakikipag-usap
 pakikipag - an pakikipagtulungan,
pakikipagtawanan, pakikipag-ugnayan,
pakikipag-unawaan, pakikipagsulatan,
pakikipagsapalaran
 pakikipagka - an pakikipagkasunduan,
pakikipagkaibigan
 paki- pakialam, pakisuyo, pakibasa
 paki – an pakibagayan, pakisamahan,
pakilapitan, pakibihisan
 ta- kain ta
PROVIDING CHOICES
Development as the Proliferation of Options
 The deepest social
aspirations of the
Filipino are
freedom, justice,
and dignity.
Monopoly,
dictatorship and
the curtailment of
choices are
anathema.
Decision-making
is participatory.
ARROGANCE IS A NO-NO
 The Filipino concept of kapwa (shared
identity/goodness) and non-duality of
life make people absolutely equal in
principle and nobody has a right to
regard himself as above or more
important than others
 Humility is highly-prized, at least
outwardly
 The privilege of one must be the
privilege of all. Equal application of the
law is a must
PROVIDING CHOICES:
Variability of Form, Medium and Technique
 A greater range of
materials, forms,
techniques, ideas
and possibilities for
engaging in
productive or
creative work allows
for wider and
democratic social
participation
FILIPINO DIGNITY IS THE
CREATIVE HUMAN ESSENCE
 There is nothing more
dehumanizing to a human being
than to feel he is merely being
treated as a machine The
consequences for an organization
are a rapid turnover rate,
absenteeism, safety violations,
high accident rate, high rates of
illness, and low productivity.
FILIPINO DIGNITY IS THE
CREATIVE HUMAN ESSENCE
 In the work place and in other
relationships which fail to
recognize the individual as
more than a robot, we see
negative behavior such as lack
of cooperation and
absenteeism – John W. Burton
CREATIVE IMPROVISATION
 Extemporaneous
or on-the-spot
creativity comes
very naturally to
the Filipino who
has the finest
artistic yet
improvisatory
traditions such as
the duplo,
balagtasan,
balitaw, tultul,
kulintang, kuntao
and okir. Creative
spontaneity is
highly valued.
ROUTINE KILLS CREATIVE
SPONTANEITY
 Filipinos tend to fall into a stupor if
work becomes routine. The solution
is job rotation, multi-tasking, change
of activity, breaks, leisure and play or
better, to make work INTRINSICALLY
REWARDING and
CULTIVATE A PASSION FOR
EXCELLENCE so that every moment
of the work situation becomes A
CREATIVE CHALLENGE.
Personal Identity
Within The Community
Within a shared matrix of
communal values, every
person’s inherent
uniqueness must be
socially recognized. His/
her personal identity must
find creative expression in
a particular social role.
FILIPINO CULTURAL GENIUS
HIGHLY RELATIONAL
 Most active in the exploration of meaning in
relationships as seen in our prolific affixation
system, one of the richest in the world
 Promotion of togetherness through activities,
practices, and creations characterized by
multiple functions, values and qualities
 A highly caring, nurturing orientation
 Strong family values
 Genius in interpersonal skills
 Excellence in service industries
 Highest in religiosity
 Superior in mental health
 The phenomenon of EDSA and other
manifestations of our genius in designing
social institutions
HIGHLY PARTICIPATORY,
CONSENSUS-BUILDERS
 Preference for human scale in social
organization, including size of political
constituency (governance with a face)
 Giving everybody an active role. Decisionmaking is a collective activity
 There is no separation of
participant/performer/creator and
observer/audience/spectator
 The individual is recognized within a shared
social matrix
THE ASSUMPTION THAT ALL OF HUMANITY
ARE ROOTED IN A COMMON CORE OF
BEING(UBOD),
A CREATIVE, LIVING
AND DIVINE GOODNESS
 A contagious joie de vivre and optimistic attitude,
a great capacity for happiness
 A highly adaptable, versatile, flexible, creative and
expressive people
 Amazing babaylans, psychic healers and
practitioners
 Passion for freedom, justice and dignity
THE NOTION OF LIFE AS AN
INTEGRATED WHOLE
 The principle of absolute equality of man and
woman
 Non-sexist languages
 Strong educational, knowledge orientation
Happiest People
 Filipinos are happiest in Southeast
Asia, 43%, Malay, 42%, Thai, 39%
(SRG Happiness Index, 9,000 surveyed in
1987)
 Young Filipinos are the happiest in
Asia, 78%, Thai, 77%, Malay 76%,
Indian, 73%…Taiwanese, 7%,
Hongkong youths are the saddest, 5%.
(Channel V Network Survey,Nov. 2000)
 Filipinos are the happiest in East Asia
(2003 survey)
Happiness Protects Against Colds
 People who are energetic, happy and
relaxed are less likely to catch colds,
research has found.
 Conversely, those who are depressed,
nervous or angry are more likely to
complain about cold symptoms –
whether or not they get bitten by the
cold bug.
 A team from Carnegie Mellon
University, Pittsburgh found that
people who had a positive emotional
attitude were not infected as often as
people with a negative emotional
style – BBC News July 26, 2003
WAKAS
Salamat Po!