Kanya-Kanya Syndrome: AS1: Peace and Global Education Weakness in Filipino Characters

AS1:
W
Peace and Global Education
Weakness in Filipino Characters
Kanya-Kanya Syndrome
What is Kanya-Kanya Syndrome?
We desire to live in an environment where peace and unity is being practiced. An

environment where individuals exercise self-determination, responsible and participative in
society’s decision making. On social media and other platforms, we can see a lot of awareness about
how to build confidence, respect people’s viewpoints, be glad and proud of other people’s
accomplishments, etc. But, despite this widespread understanding, Filipinos continue to make
harsh comments about other people’s lives. They’ll still come up with a means to bring someone
down. That is why, we always encounter this question “Why are the Filipinos so pessimistic and
incapable of seeing the positive aspects of his fellow Filipinos?”
We all have a toxic trait, which we refer to as a weakness. However, we cannot expect children
or adults to be upright and law-abiding citizens if they were up in an environment where they were
not taught the proper ideals for growing into a good person. As we all know, the family is the basic
unit of society and they play a very important role in the growth of the child. A parent must lead by
example, whose thoughts, word and actions embody the very values and virtues he wishes to
propagate.
One of the weaknesses of the Filipino character that we should analyze is the “Kanya-Kanya
Syndrome.” According to several studies, Filipinos have a selfish, self-serving attitude that generates
a feeling of envy and competitiveness towards others, particularly one’s peers who seem to have
gained some status or prestige. Towards them, the Filipino demonstrates the so-called crab
mentality (referring to the tendency of crabs in a basket to pull each other down) using the levelling
instruments of tsismis, intriga, and unconstructive criticism to bring others down. There seems to
be a basic assumption that other’s gain is one’s loss.
The Kanya-Kanya syndrome is also evident in the personal ambition and the drive for power
and status that is completely insensitive to the common good. Personal and in-group interests reign
supreme.
HISTORY OF KANYA-KANYA SYNDROME
When we grew up in a place where people are full of negative mindset and negative
energy, we tend to adapt their way of thinking and the way they behave. As a result, we are often
envious and disappointed when we witness someone succeed. In an earliest year, children must
be taught the ethical and moral values in order for the child to grow up with a positive
personality.
HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE KANYA KANYA SYNDROME?
You, yourself can determine that you have a kanya kanya syndrome or mentality the
moment you realized that you are unhappy when you see how blessed others are. The moment
you feel threatened by other people’s success and when you feel that you are entitled.
Example (1)
When you feel so highly of yourself, you become afraid in failing. I have a friend. He’s an
intelligent and a very talented student. He always ranks first in class and he never disappoints.
One time, when the ranking was announced everyone was already expecting that he is the rank
one. But suddenly, it wasn’t him. After the awarding’s I can no longer find him. He didn’t attend
class for almost a week. But I still tried to talk to him and he cried. According to him, it feels so
weird, it was not kind of big deal, but it was painful. One thing I learned from this experience is
that his emotions are valid but being afraid of failing is a weakness trait. Failure is part of our
life and we cannot be the best version of ourselves if we didn’t fail. Failure is a lesson and it
won’t make you less as a person.
Example (2)
Gossiping is one of the symptoms of kanya kanya syndrome. Nothing good comes from
gossip. It’s often untrue and almost always hurtful, and, typically, people who gossip are very
insecure.
Example (3)
The Kanya-Kanya syndrome can also be applied in a situation where someone doesn’t
want to extend help due to selfishness. Selfish people are sometimes afraid of or resentful of
doing more for others because they believe it would obstruct their own wants. Not all selfishness
is considered negative, however selfishness becomes a problem when it leads to a lack of
consideration, lack of respect and lack of empathy.
EFFECTS TO THE SELF, FAMILY, FRIENDS AND THE COMMUNITY
We are not born perfect and we grew up in a different environment. At an early

age some of us were already aware of the proper values a person should have and some
of us are not, due to how children are being brought up and what distortions are
introduced in the process. The moment we become mature we are able to realize the
toxic trait within us. We, then start contemplating how can we eliminate these
weaknesses and start with developing our strengths. Only we can achieve change if
our patriotism will be developed including our sense of integrity and accountability,
discipline and self-reflection. If we continue to be concerned about other people’s
lives, gossip, and be selfish, we will never be happy, contented, united, or at peace.
Keep in mind that there is no competition in this world between you and anyone
else. Continue to support and appreciate each other’s accomplishments because we
are all destined for our own happy endings. Continue to work hard because your time
will come.
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your

words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your
habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your
character, it becomes your destiny.” – Lao Tsu
Submitted by: Aldrin Nacion and Ezelle Nyka Ebol

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AS1:

We desire to live in an environment where peace and unity is being practiced. An

HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE KANYA KANYA SYNDROME?

We are not born perfect and we grew up in a different environment. At an early

“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your

Submitted by: Aldrin Nacion and Ezelle Nyka Ebol

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