Filipino Traits

Positive
Hospitality
It is said that the Filipino people are known for their hospitality. When compared
to the western world, there is no comparison.
However when we talk about hospitality within the confluence of the South East
Asian region, hospitality is an inherent part of the culture of the people of Asian.
I had been fortunate enough to travel to most parts of Asia and with that the good
fortune to experience not only the hospitality of the Filipinos but also that of the
Thaïs, Indonesians, the Laotians, Singaporean and the Malaysians.
If you ever drop by the home of any of these cultures, your host will definitely
offer you something to drink or eat. All these cultures practice the same values,
like close family ties, respect for the elder and loyalty among their countrymen.
Family Oriented
Filipinos are also family oriented. They value greatly their families, which is
always on top of their priorities.
Happy People
Filipinos are also happy people, always smiling and never forget to have a good
laugh amidst the problems and hardships that come their ways.
Respectful
Filipinos are very respectful. They show respect to their elders by saying 'po' and
'opo' and kissing their hands.
Religious
Filipinos are also religious. They devote time to reconnect with God. They have
strong faith, believing that problems and adversities in life will surpass with the
help and providence of God.
Negative
“Balimbing”(Double Faced)
Perhaps, it is due to the former colonial Americans that gave the impression that
Filipinos are exceedingly hospitable people. Interestingly, the Filipinos do have
their own unique traits like any other race.
Filipinos, they themselves are said to be ‘Balimbing” (double faced) when it

comes to political situations. This does not refer to just mainstream politics but
also to everyday household politics.
Bahalana
The Filipino attitude of bahala na or come what may enables a person to meet
difficulties and shortcomings with resignation by leaving it up to the Almighty to
sort things out. This attitude can also result in overconfidence that everything will
work out in his interest without doing anything.
Mañana Habit
The Filipino’s mañana habit causes the delays in many public transactions and
even corporations. This attitude can effect the engagement to wait until tomorrow
or the next day especially when the person involve is not interested or not in the
mood. However, one must remember that many Filipinos take their time in doing
things or in making decisions.
Filipino Time
Some Filipinos do not mostly practice being late or not showing up. There are few
people who are punctual for social meetings. In fact, it is not expected of them to
arrive exactly on time especially at a party. It is advised that you always check
with the host or hostess the time of you are expected to arrive.
Amor Propio
The Filipino hiya or shame trait stems from losing amor propio which is a
Spanish word, meaning pride. Filipinos find it difficult to confront someone so as
not to humiliate the person or cause person to lose his amor propio.
Hiya (shame)
Negative, because it arrests or inhibits one's action. This trait reduces one to
smallness or to what Nietzsche calls the "morality of slaves", thus congealing the
soul of the Filipino and emasculating him, making him timid, meek and weak.
Positive, because, it contributes to peace of mind and lack of stress by not even
trying to achieve.
Ningas-cogon (procrastination)
Negative, by all standards, because it begins ardently and dies down as soon as it
begins. This trait renders one inactive and unable to initiate things or to persevere.
Positive, in a way, because it makes a person non-chalant, detached, indifferent,

nonplussed should anything go wrong, and hence conducive to peace and
tranquillity.
Pakikisama (group loyalty)
Negative, because one closes one's eyes to evils like graft and corruption in order
to conserve peace and harmony in a group at the expense of one's comfort.
Positive, because one lives for others; peace or lack of dissension is a constant
goal.
Patigasan (test of strength)
Negative, because it is stubborn and resists all efforts at reconciliation. The trait
makes us childish, vindictive, irresponsible, irrational. Actions resulting from this
trait are leaving the phone off the hook to get even with one's party line; stopping
the engine of the car to prove that one has the right of way; standing one's ground
until the opposite party loses its patience.
Positive, because it is assign that we know our rights and are not easily cowed
into submission. It is occidental in spirit, hence in keeping with Nietzsche's "will
to power."
Bahala na (resignation)
Negative, because one leaves everything to chance under the pretext of trusting in
Divine providence. This trait is really laziness disguised in religious garb.
Positive, because one relies on a superior power rather than on one's own. It is
conducive to humility, modesty, and lack of arrogance.
Kasi (because, i. e., scapegoat)
Negative, because one disowns responsibility and makes a scapegoat out of

someone or something. One is never to blame; one remains lily white and has a
ready alibi for failure.
Positive, because one can see both sides of the picture and know exactly where a
project failed. One will never suffer from guilt or self-recrimination.
Saving Face
Negative, because, being closely related to hiya and kasi, it enables a person to
shirk responsibility. One is never accountable for anything.
Positive, because one's psyche is saved from undue embarrassment, sleepless

nights, remorse of conscience. It saves one from accountability or responsibility.
This trait enables one to make a graceful exit from guilt instead of facing the
music and owning responsibility for an offense.
Sakop (inclusion)
Negative, because one never learns to be on one's own but relies on one's family
and relatives. This trait stunts growth and prevents a person from growing on
one's own. Generating a life of parasitism, this trait is very non-existential.
Blaring music, loud tones are a result of this mentality. We wrongly think that all
people like the music we play or the stories we tell. This mentality also makes us
consider the world as one vast comfort room.
Positive, because one cares for the family and clan; one stands or falls with them.
This trait makes a person show concern for the family to which he belongs.
Utang na loob (indebtedness)
Negative, because one overlooks moral principles when one is indebted to a

person. One who is beholden to another person will do anything to please him,
thinking that by doing so he is able to repay a debt. One condones what the other
person does and will never censure him for wrongdoing.
Positive, because it is a recognition of one's indebtedness. This trait portrays the

spirit behind the Filipino saying, "He who does not know how to look to the past
will never reach his destination."
Kanya-kanya (self-centeredness)
Negative, because self-centered; one has no regard for others. So long as my

family and I are not in need, I do not care about he world. Positive, because one
takes care of oneself and one's family: "Blood is thicker than water."

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Positive

Filipinos, they themselves are said to be ‘Balimbing” (double faced) when it

Positive, in a way, because it makes a person non-chalant, detached, indifferent,

Pakikisama (group loyalty)

Patigasan (test of strength)

Kasi (because, i. e., scapegoat)

Negative, because one disowns responsibility and makes a scapegoat out of

Positive, because one's psyche is saved from undue embarrassment, sleepless

Utang na loob (indebtedness)

Negative, because one overlooks moral principles when one is indebted to a

Positive, because it is a recognition of one's indebtedness. This trait portrays the

Negative, because self-centered; one has no regard for others. So long as my

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