FILIPINO

THINKING: From
Local to Global
It may sound presumptuous to
speak of “Filipino Thought” for
the reason that the Philippines
could not very well speak of a
tradition such that of China,
India, or Greco-Roman.
Like any other people, the
Filipino must eventually take
consciousness of his own
particular life and his world, his
society and his gods in the light
of Truth and thereby realize his
proper being (Reyes, 1990)
However, the pioneering
attempts to formulate a Filipino
philosophy share the fate of
most pioneering works: the
lack of refined tools and the
lack of predecessors upon
whom to stand (Mercado, 1992).
Nevertheless, Filipinos do have
their own philosophy.

The three dimensions of Filipino

thought are: Loob, Filipino
Philosophy of Time, and Bahala Na.
These attitudes and values
constitute the hidden springs of
the Filipino Mind.
 1. Loob: Holistic and
Interior Dimensions
Kagandahang-loob, kabutihang-loob, and
kalooban, are terms that show sharing of one’s
self to others.

Interiority manifests itself in freedom. Loob puts

one in touch with his fellow beings. Great
Philippine values, in fact, are essentially
interpersonal.
 1. Loob: Holistic and
Interior Dimensions
The Filipino generally believes in the innate
goodness of the human being.
The Filipino, who stresses duties over rights, has
plenty in common with his Oriental neighbors such
as the Chinese and the Indian.
 1. Loob: Holistic and
Interior Dimensions
In short, the Filipino as individual looks at himself
as holistic from the interior dimension under the
principle of harmony.

The Filipino looks at himself as a self, as a total

whole – as a “person”, conscious of his freedom,
proud of his human dignity, and sensitive to the
violation of these two (Mercado, 2000)
 2. Filipino Philosophy of
Time
The Filipino – whether Ilokano or Kapampangan –
proves that he believes in the gulong ng palad
(literally, “wheel of fortune”) and hence, looks at
life as a series of ups and downs.

The philosophy of life makes the Filipino an

unmitigated optimist.
 2. Filipino Philosophy of
Time
The Filipino looks upon every event, fortunate or
unfortunate, as fleeting or transitory.

Life may be sorrowful, but precisely because

suffering is ultimately salutary, there is hope
beyond suffering (Timbreza, 1996).
 2. Filipino Philosophy of
Time
As the saying goes, “If one has reached the
lowest ebb, there is no way to go but up.” Time is
considered cyclic. Gulong ng palad nonetheless
blends well with foreign philosophical ideas in the
Asian region. It approaches karma of the Indians
and yang and yin thought of the Chinese.
 2. Filipino Philosophy of
Time
Pakikisama, on the other hand, is close to the
Chinese and Japanese philosophy of “living in
harmony with nature.”

Often, Filipino Time is mistakenly interpreted as

always delayed in the committed time of arrival.
 3. Bahala Na
The pre-Spanish Filipino people believed in
Supreme Being, Batula or Bathala. However, in
this regard, the originality of Filipino thought will
probably be precisely in his personalistic view of
the universe (Timbreza, 2002).

The Filipino seems to signify that ultimately in life,

we have to reckon not only with nature and human
nature, but also with cosmic presences or spirits,
seen to be the ultimate origin to the problem of
evil.
 3. Bahala Na
Bathala is not an impersonal entity but
rather a personal being that keeps the
balance in the universe.

The Filipino puts his entire trust in this

Bathala who has evolved into the
Christian God (Mercado, 2000).
 3. Bahala Na
The Filipino subconsciously accepts the bahala na
attitude as a part of life. Bahala na literally means
to leave everything to God who is Bathala in the
vernacular.

Bahala na (come what may) nonetheless, is one of

the most outstanding Filipino virtues. It is one
aspect perceived as courage to take risks.
 3. Bahala Na
Bahala na, on the other hand, is seen as
fatalistic; sort of leaving everything to God
or to chance – such is the uncertainty of
life. On the other hand, fatalism is
universal. The will of God/Allah, tao to the
Chinese, rta to the Indians and fate in
Buddhism – all signify, in one way or
another, fatalism.
 PHILOSOPHY:
Transcending and
Aiming for a Life
of Abundance
Abundance is not what we
gather but what we
scatter.
Often, abundance is equated with
materialism, but it is when we raise our
empty hands and surrender, when we do not
grab, when we are unattached to anything or
anyone, when we offer oneself – all these
are abundance. Only if we have empty
hands can we receive full blessings.
Abundance is not what we
keep but what we give
away.
It is truly paradoxical because to be able to
have, we must first let go. To be able to
acquire, we must first control ourselves.

Aguilar (2010) believes that to be abundant, we

must learn to control our appetites and desires,
for they have impact on other people.
Abundance is not what we
keep but what we give
away.
Harsh words, pollution, and eating
unhealthy foods are some examples
where our choices influence or affect
not only ourselves but others as well.
Abundance is not what we
hold but what we share.
Undoubtedly, money counts in our globalized
society. However, Aguilar (2010) reminds us
that money should not matter much, for
every moment is a blessing, even if one does
not have money. Abundance comes to the
one who has money and heart, money and
values, money and relationships, money and
deeper happiness.
Abundance is a choice.
As we aspire for our dreams, we should try
our best to be positive in our thoughts,
motives, and efforts.

Abundance is more of an effort of the heart

than mind alone (Aguilar, 2010). Only the
heart can commit. Abundance, therefore, is a
choice which translates to commitment,
determination, and perseverance.
Abundance is to evolve
into a higher being..
It becomes clear that the concept of
abundance covers both external and internal
life.

Thus, to live in abundance means evolving to

a higher being in following one’s mission; a
deliberate or conscious desire to act upon
what can make us and others happy.
 Thanks!
ANY
QUESTIONS?