expressiveness: “uslawit”
TRANSCRIPT
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. - Earliest-
dated 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 Kagalang-galang 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 Kagalang-galang 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 under- development: 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, also
ACT LOCALLY, THINK GLOBALLYPride, Commitment,
Excellence
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 happinessFilipinos hardly eat alone Invite a person to your party,
how many will come?Bantay(watcher) & extra bedPicture-taking maniaPrizes 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 otherTexting capital of the worldNo isolated notes (hagod,
slides, “scooping”)
Notes are PeoplePitch 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 OPEN HOUSE: 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?
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 41% Malaysians 36% Singaporeans 31% Thais 30% Indians 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 well-groomed 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)
KAPWASHARED 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
(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
SHARED INNER PERCEPTION
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)
PAKIKISAMADEEPEST 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, deeply-felt, 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 PERSONHOODKALAYAAN (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 God-inspired: 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 selfless-ness, 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 FollowTop 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, pantay-pantay 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 lamanganPagbibigayan, 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, makipag- kamay, makipag-usap makipag - an makipag-agawan, makipagsagutan makipagka - an makipagkaibigan,
makipagkasunduan
ka - an kasunduan, kaibigan, kasintahan pakiki- pakikiramay, pakikiramdam, pakikiisa, pakikiapid pakikipag- pakikipagtalo, pakikipag-
sayaw, 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 CHOICESDevelopment 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 CommunityWithin 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
Preference for human scale in social organization, including size of political constituency (governance with a face)
Giving everybody an active role. Decision-making 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
HIGHLY PARTICIPATORY, CONSENSUS-BUILDERS
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
WAKASWAKAS
Salamat Po!