Maria Christina Lagarteja

AMORALRECOVERYPROGRAM:
BUILDINGAPEOPLEBUILDINGANATION
PATRICIALICUANAN

TheeventsatEDSAinFebruary1986notonlyoustedadictator,butalsodemonstratedtotheworldandtoourselvesourgreat
strengthsasapeople.AtEDSAwesawcourage,determinationandstrengthofpurpose;wesawunityandconcernforoneanother;we
sawdeepfaithinGod;andeveninthegrimmestmoments,therewassomelaughterandhumor.
WewereproudofourselvesatEDSAandweexpectedgreatchangesafterourmomentofglory.Today,sometimeafter,werealize
thatmostofourproblemsasanationstillremain.Wemayhaveoustedadictator,butthatwastheeasypart.Thetaskofbuildinga
nationissomuchmoredifficult.Now,withEDSAonlyaninspiringmemory,wearefacedwithourweaknesses.Selfinterestand
disregardforthecommongoodrearsitsuglyhead.Weareconfrontedwithourlackofdisciplineandrigor,ourcolonialmentality,
andouremphasisonporma(form).Despiteourgreatdisplayofpeople'spower,nowwearepassiveoncemore,expectingourleaders
totakeallresponsibilityforsolvingourmanyproblems.
Thetaskofbuildingournationisanawesomeone.Thereisneedforeconomicrecovery.Thereisneedtoreestablishdemocratic
institutionsandtoachievethegoalsofpeaceandgenuinesocialjustice.Alongwiththesegoals,thereisaneedaswelltobuild
ourselvesasapeople.Thereisneedtochangestructuresandtochangepeople.
Buildingapeoplemeanseliminatingourweaknessesanddevelopingourstrengths;thisstartswiththeanalysis,understanding,and
appreciationofthesestrengthsandweaknesses.Wemusttakeagoodlookatourselvesobjectivelywithscientificdetachment,but
alsoemotionally(i.e.,lovingly)and,whenappropriate,withdisgust.Wemustviewourselvesasmightaloverviewingalovedonebut
alsoasmightajudgecapableofaharshverdict.Wemustnotbeselfflagellating,butneithercanweaffordtobedefensive.
Wemustchange,andforthisunderstandingourselvesisthefirststep.
STRENGTHSOFTHEFILIPINOCHARACTER
PakikipagkapwaTao (regardforothers).Filipinosareopentoothersandfeelonewithothers.Weregardotherswithdignityand
respect,anddealwiththemasfellowhumanbeings.Pakikipagkapwataoismanifestedinabasicsenseofjusticeandfairness,andin
concernforothers.ItisdemonstratedintheFilipino'sabilitytoempathizewithothers,inhelpfulnessandgenerosityintimesofneed
(pakikiramay),inthepracticeofbayanihanormutualassistance,andinthefamousFilipinohospitality.
Filipinospossessasensitivitytopeople'sfeelingsorpakikiramdam,pagtitiwalaortrust,andasenseofgratitudeorutangnaloob.
Becauseofpakikipagkapwatao,Filipinosareverysensitivetothequalityofinterpersonalrelationshipsandareverydependenton
them:ifourrelationshipsaresatisfactory,wearehappyandsecure.
Pakikipagkapwataoresultsincamaraderieandafeelingofclosenessonetoanother.Ithelpspromoteunityaswellasenseofsocial
justice.
FamilyOrientation.Filipinospossessagenuineanddeeploveforthefamily,whichincludesnotsimplythespousesandchildren,
parents,andsiblings,butalsograndparents,aunts,uncles,cousins,godparents,andotherceremonialrelatives.TotheFilipino,one's
familyisthesourceofpersonalidentity,thesourceofemotionalandmaterial support,andtheperson'smaincommitmentand
responsibility.
Concernforfamilyismanifestedinthehonorandrespectgiventoparentsandelders,inthecaregiventochildren,thegenerosity
towardskininneed,andinthegreatsacrificesoneenduresforthewelfareofthefamily.Thissenseoffamilyresultsinafeelingof
belongingorrootednessandinabasicsenseofsecurity.
JoyandHumor.Filipinoshaveacheerfulandfunlovingapproachtolifeanditsupsanddowns.Thereisapleasantdisposition,a
senseofhumor,andapropensityforhappinessthatcontributenotonlytotheFilipinocharm,buttotheindomitabilityofthefilipino

Maria Christina Lagarteja

spirit. Laughing at ourselves and our trouble is an important coping mechanism. Often playful, sometimes cynical, sometimes
disrespectful,welaughatthoseweloveandatthosewehate,andmakejokesaboutourfortune,goodandbad.
ThissenseofjoyandhumorismanifestedintheFilipinoloveforsocialsandcelebrations,inourcapacitytolaugheveninthemost
tryingoftimes,andintheappealofpoliticalsatire.
Theresultisacertainemotionalbalanceandoptimism,ahealthydisrespectforpowerandoffice,andacapacitytosurvive.
Flexibility,AdaptabilityandCreativity.Filipinoshaveagreatcapacitytoadjust,andtoadapttocircumstancesandtothesurrounding
environment,bothphysicalandsocial.Unplannedorunanticipatedeventsareneveroverlydisturbingordisorientingastheflexible
Filipinoadjuststowhateverhappens.Wepossessatoleranceforambiguitythatenablesustoremainunfazedbyuncertaintyorlackof
information.Wearecreative,resourceful,adeptatlearning,andabletoimproviseandmakeuseofwhateverisathandinorderto
createandproduce.
ThisqualityoftheFilipinoismanifestedintheabilitytoadapttolifeinanypartoftheworld;intheabilitytomakenewthingsoutof
scrapandtokeepoldmachinesrunning;and,ofcourse,inthecreativetalentmanifestedintheculturalsphere.Itisseenlikewisein
theabilitytoacceptchange.
Theresultisproductivity,innovation,entrepreneurship,equanimity,andsurvival.
HardworkandIndustry.Filipinoshavethecapacityforhardwork,givenproperconditions.Thedesiretoraiseone'sstandardof
livingandtopossesstheessentialsofadecentlifeforone'sfamily,combinedwiththerightopportunitiesandincentives,stimulatethe
Filipinotoworkveryhard.Thisismanifestedmostnoticeablyinawillingnesstotakeriskswithjobsabroad,andtoworkthereattwo
orthreejobs.Theresultisproductivityandentrepreneurshipforsome,andsurvivaldespitepovertyforothers.
FaithandReligiosity.FilipinoshaveadeepfaithinGod.Innatereligiosityenablesustocomprehendandgenuinelyacceptrealityin
thecontextofGod'swillandplan.Thus,tragedyandbadfortuneareacceptedandsomeoptimismcharacterizeseventhepoorest
lives.
Filipinosliveveryintimatelywithreligion;thisistangibleapartofeverydaylife.WeascribehumantraitstoasupernaturalGod
whomwealternatelythreatenandthank,calluponformercyorforgiveness,andappeasebypledges.Prayerisanimportantpartof
ourlives.
ThefaithoftheFilipinoisrelatedtobahalana,which,insteadofbeingviewedasdefeatistresignation,maybeconsideredpositively
asareservoirofpsychicenergy,animportantpsychologicalsupportonwhichwecanleanduringdifficulttimes.This pampalakasng
looballowsustoactdespiteuncertainty.
OurfaithanddaringwasmanifestatEDSAandatothertimesinourhistorywhenitwasdifficulttobebrave.Itisseenalsointhe
capacitytoacceptfailureanddefeatwithoutourselfconceptbeingdevastatedsincewerecognizeforcesexternaltoourselvesas
contributingtotheunfoldingofeventsinourlives.
TheresultsoftheFilipino'sfaitharecourage,daring,optimism,innerpeace,aswellasthecapacitytogenuinelyaccepttragedyand
death.
AbilitytoSurvive.Filipinoshaveanabilitytosurvivewhichismanifestedinourcapacityforendurancedespitedifficulttimes,andin
ourabilitytogetbyonsolittle.Filipinosmakedowithwhatisavailableintheenvironment,even,e.g.,byekingoutalivingfroma
garbagedump.Thissurvivalinstinct isrelatedtotheFilipinoswhobravelycarryonthroughtheharshesteconomicandsocial
circumstances.Regretfully,onewonderswhatwemightbeabletodounderbettercircumstances.
WEAKNESSESOFTHEFILIPINOCHARACTER
ExtremePersonalism.Filipinosviewtheworldintermsofpersonalrelationshipsandtheextenttowhichoneisablepersonallyto
relatetothingsandpeopledeterminesourrecognitionoftheirexistenceandthevalue.Thereisnoseparationbetweenanobjective
taskandemotionalinvolvement.Thispersonalismismanifestedinthetendencytogivepersonalinterpretationstoactions,i.e.,to
"takethingspersonally."Thus,asincerequestionmaybeviewedasachallengetoone'scompetenceorpositivefeedbackmaybe
interpretedasasignofspecialaffection.Thereis,infact,somebasisforsuchinterpretationsasFilipinosbecomepersonalintheir

Maria Christina Lagarteja

criticismandpraise.Personalismisalsomanifestedintheneedtoestablishpersonal relationshipsbeforeanybusinessorwork
relationshipcanbesuccessful.
Becauseofthispersonalisticworldview,Filipinoshavedifficultydealingwithallformsofimpersonalstimuli.Forthisreasononeis
uncomfortablewithbureaucracy,withrulesandregulations,andwithstandardproceduresallofwhichtendtobeimpersonal.We
ignorethemorweaskforexceptions.
Personalcontactsareinvolvedinanytransactionandaredifficulttoturndown.Preferenceisusuallygiventofamilyandfriendsin
hiring,deliveryofservices,andeveninvoting.ExtremepersonalismthusleadstothegraftandcorruptionevidentinPhilippine
society.
ExtremeFamilyCenteredness.WhileconcernforthefamilyisoneoftheFilipino'sgreateststrengths,intheextremeitbecomesa
seriousflaw.ExcessiveconcernforthefamilycreatesaningrouptowhichtheFilipinoisfiercelyloyal,tothedetrimentofconcern
forthelargercommunityorthecommongood.
Excessiveconcernforfamilymanifestsitselfintheuseofone'sofficeandpowerasameansofpromotingtheinterestsofthefamily,
infactionalism,patronage,andpoliticaldynasties,andintheprotectionoferringfamilymembers.Itresultsinlackofconcernforthe
commongoodandactsasablocktonationalconsciousness.
LackofDiscipline.TheFilipino'slackofdisciplineencompassesseveralrelatedcharacteristics.Wehaveacasualandrelaxedattitude
towards time and space which manifests itself in lack of precision and compulsiveness, in poor time management and in
procrastination.Wehaveanaversiontofollowingstrictlyasetofprocedures,whichresultsinlackofstandardizationandquality
control.Weareimpatientandunabletodelaygratificationorreward,resultingintheuseofshortcuts,skirtingtherules(the palusot
syndrome)andinfoolhardiness.Weareguiltyofningascogon,startingoutprojectswithfullvigorandinterestwhichabruptlydie
down,leavingthingsunfinished.
Our lack of discipline often results in inefficient and wasteful work systems, the violation of rules leading to more serious
transgressions,andacasualworkethicleadingtocarelessnessandlackoffollowthrough.
PassivityandLackofInitiative.Filipinosaregenerallypassiveandlackingininitiative.Onewaitstobetoldwhathastobedone.
Thereisastrongrelianceonothers,e.g.,leadersandgovernment,todothingsforus.Thisisrelatedtotheattitudetowardsauthority.
Filipinoshaveaneedforastrongauthorityfigureandfeelsaferandmoresecureinthepresenceofsuchanauthority.Oneisgenerally
submissivetothoseinauthority,andisnotlikelytoraiseissuesortoquestiondecisions.
Filipinostendtobecomplacentandthererarelyisasenseofurgencyaboutanyproblem.Thereisahightoleranceforinefficiency,
poorservice,andevenviolationsofone'sbasicrights.Inmanyways,itcanbesaidthattheFilipinoistoopatientandlongsuffering
(matiisin),tooeasilyresignedtoone'sfate.Filipinosarethuseasilyoppressedandexploited.
ColonialMentality.Filipinoshaveacolonialmentalitywhichismadeupoftwodimensions:thefirstisalackofpatriotismoran
activeawareness,appreciation,andloveofthePhilippines;thesecondisanactualpreferenceforthingsforeign.
Filipinocultureischaracterizedbyanopennesstotheoutsideadaptingandincorporatingtheforeignelementsintoourimageof
ourselves.YetthisimageisnotbuiltaroundadeepcoreofPhilippinehistoryandlanguage.Theresultisaculturalvaguenessor
weakness that makes Filipinos extraordinarily susceptible to the wholesome acceptance of modern mass culture which is often
Western.Thus,thereispreferenceforforeignfashion,entertainment,lifestyles,technology,consumeritems,etc.
TheFilipinocolonialmentalityismanifestedinthealienationoftheelitefromtheirrootsandfromthemasses,aswellasinthebasic
feelingofnationalinferioritythatmakesitdifficultforFilipinostorelateasequalstoWesterners.
KanyaKanyaSyndrome.Filipinoshaveaselfish,selfservingattitudethatgeneratesafeelingofenvyandcompetitivenesstowards
others,particularlyone'speers,whoseemtohavegainedsomestatusorprestige.Towardsthem,theFilipinodemonstratedtheso
called"crabmentality",usingthelevellinginstrumentsoftsismis,intrigaandunconstructivecriticismtobringothersdown.There
seemstobeabasicassumptionthatanother'sgainisourloss.
Thekanyakanyasyndromeisalsoevidentinpersonalambitionanddriveforpowerandstatusthatiscompletelyinsensitivetothe
commongood.Personalandingroupinterestsreignsupreme.Thischaracteristicisalsoevidentinthelackofasenseofservice

Maria Christina Lagarteja

amongpeopleinthegovernmentbureaucracy.Thepublicismadetofeelthatservicefromtheseofficesandfromthesecivilservants
isanextraperkthathastobepaidfor.
Thekanyakanyasyndromeresultsinthedampeningofcooperativeandcommunityspiritandinthedenialoftherightsofothers.
LackofSelfAnalysisandSelfReflection.ThereisatendencyintheFilipinotobesuperficialandevensomewhatflighty.Intheface
ofseriousproblemsbothpersonalandsocial,thereislackofanalysisorreflection.Jokingaboutthemostseriousmatterspreventsus
fromlookingdeeplyintotheproblem.Thereisnofeltneedtovalidateourhypothesesorexplanationsofthings.Thuswearesatisfied
withsuperficialexplanationsfor,andsuperficialsolutionsto,problems.
RelatedtothisistheFilipinoemphasisonform(maporma)ratherthanuponsubstance.Thereisatendencytobesatisfiedwith
rhetoricandtosubstitutethisforreality.Emptyrhetoricandendlesswordsareverymuchpartofpubliclife.Aslongastheright
thingsaresaid,aslongastheproperdocumentsandreportsexist,andaslongasthepropercommittees,taskforces,orofficesare
formed,Filipinosaredeludedintobelievingthatwhatoughttobeactuallyexists.
TheFilipinolackofselfanalysisandouremphasisuponformisreinforcedbyaneducationalsystemthatisoftenmoreformthan
substanceandalegalsystemthattendstosubstitutelawforreality.
THEMANYFACESOFTHEFILIPINO
FromthisdiscussionofthestrengthsandweaknessesoftheFilipino,itisclearthatthereismuchthatisgoodhere,butthereisalso
muchthatneedstobechanged.Manyofourstrongpointsarealsothesourcesofourweakness.
Asapeople,wearepersonoriented,andrelationshipswithothersareaveryimportantpartofourlives.Thus,wearecapableofmuch
caringandconcernforothers.Ontheotherhand,intheextremeourpersonorientationleadstolackofobjectivityandadisregardfor
universalrulesandproceduressothateveryone,regardlessofourrelationshipwiththem,istreatedequally.Ourpersonorientation
leadsustobeconcernedforpeople,andyetunfairtosome.
Ourfamilyorientationisbothastrengthandaweakness,givingusasenseofrootednessandsecurity,bothveryessentialtoanyform
ofreachingouttoothers.Atthesametime,itdevelopsinusaningrouporientationthatpreventsusfromreachingoutbeyondthe
familytothelargercommunityandthenation.
Ourflexibility,adaptabilityandcreativityisastrengththatallowsustoadjusttoanysetofcircumstancesandtomakethebestofthe
situation.Butthisabilityto"playthingsbyear"leadsustocompromiseontheprecisionanddisciplinenecessarytoaccomplishmany
workorientedgoals.
Oursenseofjoyandhumorservesuswellindifficulttimes.itmakeslifemorepleasant,butseriousproblemsdoneedserious
analysis,andhumorcanalsobedestructive.
OurfaithinGodandourreligiosityaresourcesofstrengthandcourage,buttheyalsoleadtoanexternalorientationthatkeepsus
passiveanddependentonforcesoutsideourselves.
ThereareothercontradictionsinthemanyfacesoftheFilipino.Wefindpakikipagkapwataoandthekanyakanyamentalityliving
comfortablytogetherinus.Weareotherorientedandcapableofgreatempathy;andyetweareselfserving,enviousofothers,and
unconstructivelycriticalofoneanother.
WealsofindtheFilipinodescribedalternatelyashardworkingandlazy.Indeedweseethatwearecapableofworkinglongandhard
atanyjob.However,ourcasualworkethicaswellasourbasicpassivityintheworksettingalsoisapparentaswewaitforordersand
instructionsratherthantakingtheinitiative.
ROOTSOFTHEFILIPINOCHARACTER
ThestrengthsandweaknessesoftheFilipinohavetheirrootsinmanyfactorssuchas:(1)thehomeenvironment,(2)thesocial
environment,(3)cultureandlanguage,(4)history,(5)theeducationalsystem,(6)religion,(7)theeconomicenvironment,(8)the
politicalenvironment,(9)massmedia,and(10)leadershipandrolemodels.

Maria Christina Lagarteja

The Family andHome Environment.Childbearing practices, family relations, and family attitudes and orientationare the main
componentsofthehomeenvironment.ChildbearingintheFilipinofamilyischaracterizedbyhighnurturance,lowindependence
training,andlowdiscipline.TheFilipinochildgrowsupinanatmosphereofaffectionandoverprotection,whereonelearnssecurity
andtrust,ontheonehand,anddependence,ontheother.IntheindulgentatmosphereoftheFilipinohome,rigidstandardsofbehavior
orperformancearenotimposed,leadingtoalackofdiscipline.Attemptstomaintaindisciplinecomeintheformofmany"no's"and
"don'ts"andasystemofcriticismtokeepchildreninline.Subtlecomparisonsamongsiblingsalsoareusedbymotherstocontroltheir
children.Thesemaycontributetothe"crabmentality."
Inalargefamilywhereweareencouragedtogetalongwithoursiblingsandotherrelatives,welearn pakikipagkapwatao.Inan
authoritariansettingwelearnrespectforageandauthority;atthesametimewebecomepassiveanddependentonauthority.
Inthefamily,childrenaretaughttovaluefamilyandtogiveitprimaryimportance.
The Social Environment. The main components of the social environment are social structures and social systems such as
interpersonalreligiousandcommunityinteraction.ThesocialenvironmentoftheFilipinoischaracterizedbyafeudalstructurewith
greatgapsbetweentherichminorityandthepoormajority.Thesegapsarenotmerelyeconomicbutculturalaswell,withtheelite
beinghighlywesternizedandalienatedfromthemasses.Thisfeudalstructuredevelopsdependenceandpassivity.
TheFilipinoisraisedinanenvironmentwhereonemustdependonrelationshipswithothersinordertosurvive.Inapoorcountry
whereresourcesarescarceandwherethesystemsmeanttorespondtopeople'sneedscanbeinsensitive,inefficient,ornonexistent,
theFilipinobecomesverydependentonkinshipandinterpersonalrelationships.
Sensitivityabouthurtingestablishedrelationshipscontrolsourbehavior.Wearerestrainedfrommakingcriticismsnomatterhow
constructive,sostandardsofqualityarenotimposed.Wehavedifficultysayingnotorequestsandarepressuredtofavorourfamily
andfriends.Thattryingtogetaheadofothersisnotconsideredacceptableexertsastrongbrakeuponeffortstoimproveourindividual
performance.Thestruggleforsurvivalandourdependenceonrelationshipsmakeusingrouporiented.
Culture and Language. Much has been written about Filipino cultural values. Such characteristics such as warmth and person
orientation,devotiontofamily,andsenseofjoyandhumorarepartofourcultureandarereinforcedbyallsocializingforcessuchas
thefamily,school,andpeergroup.
Filipinoculturerewardssuchtraitsandcorrespondingbehavioralpatternsdevelopbecausetheymakeonemorelikableandenablelife
toproceedmoreeasily.
Aside from emphasizing interpersonal values, Filipino culture isalso characterized byan openness to the outside which easily
incorporatesforeignelementswithoutabasicconsciousnessofourculturalcore.Thisisrelatedtoourcolonialmentalityandtothe
useofEnglishasthemediumofinstructioninschools.
TheintroductionofEnglishasthemediumofeducationdeFilipinizedtheyouthandtaughtthemtoregardAmericancultureas
superior.TheuseofEnglishcontributesalsotoalackofselfconfidenceonthepartoftheFilipino.Thefactthatdoingwellmeans
usingaforeignlanguage,whichforeignersinevitablycanhandlebetter,leadstoaninferioritycomplex.Ataveryearlyage,wefind
thatourselfesteemdependsonthemasteryofsomethingforeign.
TheuseofaforeignlanguagemayalsoexplaintheFilipino'sunreflectivenessandmentallaziness.Thinkinginournativelanguage,
butexpressingourselvesinEnglish,resultsnotonlyinalackofconfidence,butalsoinalackinourpowerofexpression,imprecision,
andastunteddevelopmentofone'sintellectualpowers.
History.Wearetheproductofourcolonialhistory,whichisregardedbymanyastheculpritbehindourlackofnationalismandour
colonialmentality.ColonialismdevelopedamindsetintheFilipinowhichencouragedustothinkofthecolonialpowerassuperior
andmorepowerful.AsasecondclasscitizenbeneaththeSpanishandthentheAmericans,wedevelopedadependenceonforeign
powersthatmakesusbelievewearenotresponsibleforourcountry'sfate.
TheAmericaninfluenceismoreingrainedinthePhilippinesbecausetheAmericanssetupapublicschoolsystemwherewelearned
EnglishandtheAmericanwayoflife.Presentdaymediareinforcethesecolonialinfluences,andtheFilipinoelitesetstheexampleby
theirwesternways.

Maria Christina Lagarteja

Anothervestigeofourcolonialpastisourbasicattitudetowardsthegovernment,whichwehavelearnedtoidentifyasforeignand
apartfromus.Thus,wedonotidentifywithgovernmentandaredistrustfulanduncooperativetowardsit.Muchtimeandenergyis
spenttryingtooutsmartthegovernment,whichwehavelearnedfromourcolonialpasttoregardasanenemy.
TheEducationalSystem.Asidefromtheproblemsinherentintheuseofaforeignlanguageinoureducationalsystem,theeducational
system leads toother problems for us asa people. The lack of suitable local textbooks and dependence on foreign textbooks,
particularlyinthehigherschoollevels,forceFilipinostudentsaswellastheirteacherstouseschoolmaterialsthatareirrelevanttothe
Philippinesetting.Fromthiscomesamindsetthatthingslearnedinschoolarenotrelatedtoreallife.
Aside from the influences ofthe formal curriculum, there are the influencesof the "hidden curriculum" i.e., thevalues taught
informallybythePhilippineschoolsystem.Schoolsarehighlyauthoritarian,withtheteacherasthecentralfocus.TheFilipinostudent
istaughttobedependent ontheteacherasweattempt torecordverbatim what theteachersaysandtogivethisbackduring
examinations in its original form and with little processing. Teachers reward wellbehaved and obedient students and are
uncomfortablewiththosewhoaskquestionsandexpressadifferentviewpoint.TheFilipinostudentlearnspassivityandconformity.
Criticalthinkingisnotlearnedintheschool.
Religion.ReligionistherootofFilipinooptimismanditscapacitytoacceptlife'shardships.However,religionalsoinstillsinthe
Filipino attitudes of resignation and a preoccupation with the afterlife. We become vulnerable also to being victimized by
opportunism,oppression,exploitation,andsuperstition.
The Economic Environment.Many Filipino traitsare rooted inthe poverty and hard life that isthe lot of most Filipinos.Our
difficultiesdriveustotakerisks,impelustoworkveryhard,anddevelopinustheabilitytosurvive.Poverty,however,hasalso
becomeanexcuseforgraftandcorruption,particularlyamongthelowerrungsofthebureaucracy.Unlessthingsgettoodifficult,
passivitysetsin.
ThePoliticalEnvironment.ThePhilippinepoliticalenvironmentischaracterizedbyacentralizationofpower.Politicalpowerand
authorityisconcentratedinthehandsoftheeliteandtheparticipationofmostFilipinosoftenislimitedtovotinginelections.
Similarly,basicservicesfromthegovernmentareconcentratedinManilaanditsoutlyingtownsandprovinces.Agreatmajorityof
Filipinosarenotreachedbysuchbasicservicesaswater,electricity,roads,andhealthservices.Governmentstructuresandsystems
e.g.,justiceandeducationareoftenineffectiveorinefficient.
Sincethegovernmentoftenisnottheretoofferbasicservices,wedependonourfamily,kin,andneighborsforoureverydayneeds.
Theabsenceofgovernmentenhancesourextremefamilyandevencommunitycenteredness.Wefinditdifficulttoidentifywitha
nationfamily,sincethegovernmentisnottheretosymbolizeorrepresentthestate.
The fact that political power is still very much concentrated in the hands of a few may lead to passivity. The inefficiency of
governmentstructuresandsystemsalsoleadstoalackofintegrityandaccountabilityinourpublicservants.
MassMedia.Massmediareinforcesourcolonialmentality.AdvertisementsusingCaucasianmodelsandemphasizingaproduct's
similaritywithimportedbrandsarepartofourdailylives.
Thetendencyofmediatoproduceescapistmovies,soapoperas,comics,etc.,feedthFilipino'spassivity.Ratherthanconfrontour
povertyandoppression,wefantasizeinstead.Thepropensitytouseflashysets,designerclothes,superstars,andotherbonggafeatures
reinforceporma.
LeadershipandRoleModels.Filipinoslookuptotheirleadersasrolemodels.Politicalleadersarethemainmodels,butallother
leadersserveasrolemodelsaswell.Thus,whenourleadersviolatethelaworshowthemselvestobeselfservinganddrivenby
personalinterestwhenthereislackofpublicaccountabilitythereisanegativeimpactontheFilipino.
GOALSANDSTRATEGIESFORCHANGE
Goals. BasedonthestrengthsandweaknessesoftheFilipino,thefollowinggoalsforchangeareproposed.TheFilipinoshould
develop:
1.asenseofpatriotismandnationalprideagenuinelove,appreciation,andcommitmenttothePhilippinesandthingsFilipino;

Maria Christina Lagarteja

2.asenseofthecommongoodtheabilitytolookbeyondselfishinterests,asenseofjusticeandasenseofoutrageatitsviolation;
3.asenseofintegrityandaccountabilityanaversiontowardgraftandcorruptioninsocietyandanavoidanceofthepracticeinone's
dailylife;
4.thevalueandhabitsofdisciplineandhardwork;and
5.thevalueandhabitsofselfreflectionandanalysis,theinternalizationofspiritualvalues,andanemphasisuponessenceratherthan
onform.
GeneralStategicPrinciples.Inidentifyinggoalsforchangeanddevelopingourcapabilitiesfortheirachievement,itisnecessaryto
considercertaingeneralprinciples:
1.Strategiesmustbemultilayeredandmultisectoral;
2.Strategiesmustemphasizechangeinthepowerholdersaswellasinthemasa(people);
3.Strategiesshouldbeholistic,emphasizingindividualaswellassystemicorstructuralchange;
4.Thechangeshouldinvolveacriticalmassofpeople;
5.Thegoalsshouldbedividedintosmallpiecesforimplementation;
6.Strategiesmustbeconnectedtothedailylifeofpeople;and
7.Strategiesmustbeimplementedbyanactofthewillandinvolveselfsacrifice.
MultiLayered,MultiSectoralStrategies.Aprogramofchangemustadoptstrategiesthataremultilayeredandmultisectoral.These
layersandsectorscouldconsistofthefollowing:(1)thegovernment;(2)nongovernmentalorganizations;(3)peopleorthe masa;(4)
thefamily;
(5)educationalinstitutions;(6)religiousinstitutions;and(7)media.Somestrategiesshouldtargetallsectorsofsociety,whileother
strategiesshouldfocusonparticularsectors.
RolesofPowerHoldersandtheMasa.Toensurethatmeaningfulchangewilltakeplace,proposedstrategiesmustemphasizechange
amongpowerholdersordecisionmakersasmuchasamongthe masa.Thesepowerholdersanddecisionmakersholdthekeyto
structuresandsystemswhichinmostcasesneedtobesetupfirstbeforechangecantakeplace.Unlessthepeopleontopchange,it
willbedifficulttoexpectrealchange.Ontheotherhand,asthe masa constitutethegreatermajorityofPhilippinesociety,any
programforchangewillhavetotargetthiscriticalmass.Theiractiveparticipationandsupportareindispensablecomponentsofour
strategies.
Holistic,IndividualandSystemic/StructuralChange.Ourapproachtochangeshouldbeholisticinthatourstrategiesshouldfacilitate
individualaswellassystemicorstructuralchange.Individualconversionorrenewal,asmanifestedinchangedvalues,attitudes,
habitsandbehavior,isaprerequisitetosocialchange.However,individualconversionorrenewalneedstobecomplementedand
reinforcedbyacorrespondingsystemicorstructuraltransformation.Otherwise,theeffectofsolelyindividualrenewalwouldbe
shallowandlimited,especiallysincemanysystemsandstructuresinPhilippinesocietythemselvesarethestumblingblocksto
individualrenewal.
CriticalMassorNetworkofChangeInitiators.Theinitiatorsofchangeshouldnotbeafewindividuals,butacriticalmassornetwork
ofpeoplehighlycommittedtothegoalsofchange.Asidefrominitiatingchange,theroleofthecriticalmassornetworkofpeopleis
tofollowthroughwithpersistenceontheimplementationofthesestrategies.Thispreventsningascogonfromsettingin.
Restrictedor"BiteSize"Goals.Strategiesforchangemustbeworkedononegoalatatime,witheveryone'seffortconcentratedonthe
goalchosenforthatdesignatedtimeperiod.Thegoalsmustbecutupintobitesize,realisticpieces,foreasiermanagement.

Maria Christina Lagarteja

GoalsRelatedtoPeople'sLives.Changestrategiesmustbeconnectedtoourdailylives,particularlytooureconomicactivities,
businesses,professions,occupationsandjobs.Valuechangemustlikewiseaddressmattersclosetoourhearts,thatis,activitiesand
affairsofourfamiliesandcommunitiesfromwhichchangemuststart.
ActoftheWillandSelfSacrifice.Theimplementationofthesestrategiesmustbeanactofthewill.Ifwewantchange,kailangang
kayaninnatin.Wemustbereadyfortremendoussacrificestartingwithourselves.
SPECIFICSTRATEGIES
A.ForDevelopingPatriotism,andNationalPride:
1. Ideology.We need a national ideologythat can summonall our resources for the task oflifting national morale, pride and
productivity.
2.History.
a.Wehavetowriteandteachourtruehistory;historybooksmustberewrittenfromourperspective.
b.Weshouldincludeinoureducationthoseaspectsofthepastthatarestillpreservedbyculturalcommunities.Thecultureand
traditionsoftheseminoritiesshouldbeprotectedandgivenimportance.
c.Wecanstartinstillingnationalpridebynurturingcommunitypridefirst.Thiscanbedonebysettingupcommunitymuseumswhere
materialsreflectingoflocalhistoryaredisplayed:oldfolkretellingourtownorcommunityhistoryinpublicgatherings;reviving
localculturalgroups;tracingfamilytrees;havingfamilyreunions,etc.
3.Languages.WeoughttouseFilipinoinourculturalandintellectuallife.Someofouruniversitiesandotherinstitutionshavestarted
doingthis;thepracticeshouldbecontinuedandexpanded.
4.Education.
a.WemustpushfortheFilipinizationoftheentireeducationalsystem.
b.WemusthavevalueformationintheschoolcurriculumandteachprideinbeingaFilipino.
c.Literatureshouldbeusedtoinstillnationalpride.
5.TradeandIndustry.Weshouldsupportthe"BuyFilipino"movementby:
a.IdentifyingandmakingknownthecentersofproductexcellenceinthePhilippines;anddispersingeconomicactivitiesbasedon
localproductexpertiseandindigenousmaterials(i.e.,industriesshouldbedevelopedintherespectiveregionswheretherequired
skillsandresourcesalreadyabound).
b.Havingabigbrothersmallbrotherrelationshipbetweencompanies,wherebigcompaniescouldhelprelatedcompaniesimprove
thequalityoftheirproducts.Thegovernmentcouldalsoactasabigbrotherhelpingthesesmallcompaniesimprovethequalityof
theiroutput.
c.Havingan"orderregalo"or"orderpasalubong"(gift)projectwhichtargetsFilipinosabroad.Thiscouldbeinitiatedbyboththe
governmentandbusinessmen.
d.Promotinga"SarilingAtin"daywheneverybodywouldwearanduseFilipinoclothesandproductsonly.
6.Media/Advertising.
a.WecancoordinatewithKBP,PANAandothermediaagenciesinsuchprojectsasthefollowing:

Maria Christina Lagarteja

Givingawardsorotherincentivestoadvertisementsthatpromotenationalprideandpatriotism.Conversely,giving "kalabasa"
awardsordenyingincentivestoadvertisementsthatpromotecolonialmentality.
Prohibitingtheuseofforeignmodelsinadvertisements.
b.Wecanorganizecontests(i.e.,oratorical,story,drama,essay,etc.)aboutloveforcountry,andaboutwhatFilipinoslikeabouttheir
countryortheircountrymen.Thesestories,dramas,essays,andthelikecanthenbemadeintoteachingmaterialsforourschools.
c.Weneedtousemediaprograms(suchascomicsandprogramsinthevariousdialects)thatwillreachwiththe masa orgreat
majorityofpeople.Forinstance,R.Constantino's,"HowtoDecolonizetheFilipinoMind",couldbewrittenincomicsforminthe
variousdialects.
7.Government.
a.Theleadershipintheexecutive,legislativeandjudicialbranchesofthegovernmentshouldbemodelsofpositiveFilipinotraits.
b.Inordertopromotenationalunityandnationalintegration,thegovernmentmustattemptalongrangestrategyfordemocratic
transformationinPhilippinepolitics.
c.Thegovernmentmustcontinueandevenincreaseitspresenteffortstohaveamoreindependenteconomicstrategy:itmustdiversify
itssourcesofassistanceandnotmerelyrelyontheU.S.oronanyotherforeignnation.
B.DevelopingaSenseoftheCommonGood:
1.Government.
a.Thegovernmentneedstodecentralizeitspowerandgivemorevoiceandgreaterparticipationtopeopleatthegrassroots.
b.Governmentmustwidendemocraticspace,establishpoliticalpluralism,andprotectandsupporttheforcesworkingforchange
(e.g.,changeagentsfromcauseorientedgroups,nongovernmentalorganizationsandpeople'sorganizations)insteadofrepressing
them.
c.Thegovernmentshouldbringbasicservicestothedepressedareasinaparticipatorymanner,givingthelocalpeopleamoreactive
roleinadministeringandenhancingsuchservices.
2.Nongovernmentalorganizations.
a.Theroleofourcauseorientedgroupsornongovernmentalorganizationsshouldbebothcrusadingorconsciousnessraisingand
problem solving. Our community groups or people's organizations can conduct their own projects with the support of non
governmentalorganizations,religiousgroupsandthegovernment,andempowerthemselvesintheprocess.
b. Our social institutions need to be mobilized towards a common purpose and shared priorities with the government and the
Philippinesocietyasawhole.
c.Ourcommunitygroups,people'sorganizationsandnongovernmentalorganizationscouldpromotepublicforumsanddiscussions
whereinpressingnationalconcernslikelandreform,graftandcorruption,unemployment,etc.,canbediscussed.Thegovernment
shouldparticipateintheseforaandreligiousshouldbeencouragedtodothesame.
d.Wecanformsmallstudygroupsinourschools,workplacesorcommunities.Throughthesegroups,wecanstudythevariousways
bywhichwecaninitiatechangeinourspheresofinfluenceandencourageeachothertobecomerolemodelsforourfamily,peers,and
community.
3.ReligiousOrganizations/Movements.

Maria Christina Lagarteja

a.Religiousfamilymovements,likeMarriageEncounterortheChristianFamilyMovement,canbeencouragedtoreachouttothe
poorwhoaretheleastpreparedforfamilylife.Programsforthepoorshouldbecoordinatedwiththegovernmentandreligious
institutions.
b.Thecharismatic,cursillo,andbornagainmovementsshouldbeencouragedtoconcretizespiritualdoctrinesbyreachingouttothe
poorandcontributingtonationbuilding.
4.Education.
a.Communizationofourschoolsshouldbedevelopedtogiveacommonexperiencetostudentsandtofostergreaterequalityin
society.
b.Socialorientationcoursesinourschoolsshouldbenotonlyforsocializationactivities,butalsoforsociallyorientedandsocially
relevantactivities.
C.ForDevelopingIntegrityandAccountability:
1.GovernmentLeadershipStructure/Systems
a.Ourtopgovernmentofficialsshouldserveasmodelsforotherworkersinthelowerechelonsofthebureaucracy.
b.Sinceourleadersaretooinsulatedfromwhatisactuallyhappeningatthebottom,theyneedtobeexposedtotherealitiesofsocial
life.
c.Thegovernmentneedstoimplementcomprehensive,concreteandoperationalmeasurestominimizegraftandcorruption.These
measuresmustbegiventeethbyestablishinggroupsorinstitutionsvestedwithpolicepower.
d.Thereisaneedforamoreefficientbureaucracy,withaminimumofredtape.Thegovernmentshouldsystematizeinformation
dissemination.Forinstance,thepublicshouldbeinformedhowagovernmentagencyadministersitsservices.Thisandothersimilar
strategiescouldminimize"fixers"andlessengraftandcorruption.
e.Asystemofreinforcingdesirablebehaviormustbeformulatedbythegovernmentbureaucracy.Forexample,honestpolicemenand
industriousMetroAidescanbegivenappropriaterecognition,awards,orotherincentives.
2.Education/Training.
a.Thecareerexecutiveprogramgiventogovernmentofficialsshouldbeextended,thatis,asimilarprogramshouldbedrawnupfor
allgovernmentemployees.Theprogramcanbeatrainingpackagecalled"PublicService".
b.Ourgovernmentemployeesshouldbegivenvalueclarificationseminars.
D.ForDevelopingDisciplineandHardWork
1.Inbothgovernmentandprivateinstitutions,weneedto:
a.providepositivecontrols;keepperformancerecords;andmaintainrewardandrecognitionsystems;and
b.getridofuseless,meaninglessrules.
2.WeoughttorewardexcellenceinwhateverFilipinosdoby:
a.identifyingandmakingknowncentersofexcellenceinthePhilippines;
b.lookingfor,documentingandpublicizingsuccessorexcellencestories(e.g.,localentrepreneurswhohavesucceeded)usingvarious
media;

Maria Christina Lagarteja

c.recognizingandencouragingadvertisementsthatconveythevalueofexcellenceanddepictpositiveFilipinovalues;and
d.usingmedia(suchascomics,radioprogramsinthevariousdialects),thatwillcommunicatetothemasainordertodepictpositive
Filipino values, and giving awards to radio, TV programs, and movies that convey these values.

E.ForDevelopingSelfreflectionandAnalysis
1. Religion/ReligiousMovements.Theteachingofreligionorcatechismshouldbeconcrete,integratedtodailylife,andsocially
relevant.Ourreligiousmovementsshouldnotonlyengagein"spiritual"activitiesbutshouldspecificallyreachouttothepoorand
needy.
2.SmallGroups/NGO's.
a.Wecanstartamovementofsmallgroups(e.g.,communitygroups,workgroups,andparishgroups)wherepeoplecanbeginto
reflectontheirsituationandthatofthecountry.
b. Some big companies are already inculcating the habit of observationactionreflection through training programs that use
experientialmethods.Theseeffortsshouldbeexpanded.Specifically,thetrainingprogramscouldberedesignedforuseinother
contexts,suchasinthesmallgroupsmentionedintheprecedingparagraph.
3.GovernmentLeadership.
a.Weshouldencourage"conversion"atthetoplevel,asmanifestedinpublic"repentance"orconfession.
b.TheDepartmentofEducation,CultureandSports(DECS)andprivatelearninginstitutionsshouldinculcatethevalueandhabitof
selfreflectionstartingfromchildhood.Educationalmethodsshouldnotfocusonrotelearning,butshouldemphasizereflectionand
analysis.
c.Wecanconducta"nationalreflectionweekend"forofficialsandemployeesinalllevelsandbranchesofthegovernment.During
thisweekend,governmentpersonnelcanrepeattheprocess(seeAppendixB)oftheMoralRecoveryproject,thatis,reflecton
Filipinotraits,thencontemplategoalsforstrengtheningthepositivetraitsandchangingthenegativetraits;oracommissionorsimilar
unitcangotoregionalandprovinciallevelstohelptheregionalandprovincialgovernmentofficialsandemployeesintheirreflection.
d. We can strengthen the research arms of government agencies by linking them with universities and nongovernmental
organizations.
CONCLUSIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONS
Inconclusion,itisrecommendedthatoncethisreportissubmittedtotheSenateandbecomesaSenateReport,theprojectshouldbe
allowedtodeveloponitsown,independentof,butincollaborationwith,thelegislature.Itisenvisionedthattrainingmodulescould
bedevelopedthatwouldenableacriticalmassofpeopletoreflectonourstrengthsandweaknessesasapeople.Itisimportantthat
thesemodulesnotsimplycommunicatethefindingsoftheproject,but,moreimportantly,shouldattempttoreplicatetheprocessof
communalreflectionthatwasanessentialingredientoftheprojectmethodology.
Theprojectwasapowerfulexperienceforthemembersofthetaskforce.Alongwiththeprojectfindingswewishtosharethis
experienceaswell,sothattogetherwemayunderstandourselves,andtogetherwemaymakeanactofthewilltobecomeabetter
people.
AteneodeManilaUniversity
Manila