Introduction:

Today, we will be discussing the strengths and the weaknesses of the filipino character. Schools are
really built to serve the society and everyone that's in it, and one of the roles of the school really is to
ensure that students are well informed, the students understand and the students are able or capable
of addressing different social issues that they are facing and one of the social issues that they really
have to address that they really have to resolve is the weakness of the filipino character. We are filipinos
and there are other things that we have to be proud of as filipinos but whether we accept it or not there
are also tons of attitudes and values that are to be eliminated and discarded that's why school is there
for us to help us rather to strengthen all these positive attitudes of filipinos and to help us get away from
the negative ones that we practice every day. So to start, we will be discussing first the strengths of the
filipino character.

Strengths
1. Pakikipagkapwa Tao
• Manifested in a basic sense of justice and fairness and concern for others. (Very good
in Pakikisalamuha)
• Exemplifies our ability to emphatize with others in helpfulness and generosity in times of
need (pakikiramay), in the practice of bayanihan or mutual assistance and in the famous
Filipino hospitality. (We always extend help sa iba because we cannot bear seeing them
suffering)

2. Family Orientation
• Concern for family is manifested in the honor and respect given to parents and elders.
(Kahit hindi kamag-anak as long as matatanda)
• Sacrifices for the welfare of the family. (OFW- to give better life for our families)
3. Joy and Humor
• Filipinos are cheerful and fun loving. (Happy and light spirited)
• Laughing at ourselves and the mess we are in is an important coping mechanism. (We
always find reasons to smile kahit hirap na hirap na nakakapag joke pa rin tayo)
• This sense of joy and humor is manifested in the Filipino’s love for socials and
celebrations. We are always willing to give our genuine smiles
4. Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity
• Very evident in us Filipinos is our great capacity to adjust and to adopt to circumstances
and to any eventualities that come our ways. (very flexible in adapting to the new
environment) (can easily talk to strangers) (can do something out of nothing)
5. Hardworking and Industrious
• The Filipinos’ desire to improve one’s standard of living and to live a decent life matched
with proper working conditions and motivations makes them work hard. (Side hustles)
6. Faith and Religiosity
• Filipinos’ are pre-dominantly Christians if not Catholics. We have deep faith in God and
are religious. (We always tend to pray; hopeful that God will help us, always asks for
forgiveness and mercy)
7. Ability to survive
• Filipinos’ are survivors and are resilient. We have the great capability to surpass all sad
experiences and recover easily from difficult times. (Like Bamboo, kahit gaano pa
karaming bagyo, yuyuko lang pero hinding hindi matutumba or masisira)
Weaknesses
1. Extreme Family centeredness
• Excessive concern for family, means using one’s office and power to promote family
interest. (abusing of power for the sake of the family) willing to pull some strings, willing
to cover mistakes just to protect the family)
• Leads factionalism, patronage and political dynasties.
• It results in lack concern for the common good and acts as a block to national
consciousness.
2. Extreme Personalism
• Take things personally. It is easier for us to be subjective and involve our emotions in
everything that we do. (we tend to be offended rather than change our wrong doings)
• Because of this, Filipinos’ are uncomfortable with bureaucracy, with rules and
regulations and with standard procedures. (we do not accept suggestions because you
think people are just jealous) do not follow SOP;bypass
• Leads to the graft and corruption evident in Philippine society.
3. Lack of Discipline
• A casual attitude toward time and space, manifested in lack of precision and
compulsiveness, in poor time management and procrastination. (Filipino Time)
(Ipinagpapabukas kahit kaya naming gawin ngayon)
• Aversion to following procedures strictly results in lack of standardization and equality
control. (hindi naman ginagawa ng iba kaya hindi mo rin gagawin)
• Short cuts, Palusot, Ningas Cogon
4. Passivity and lack of initiative
• Filipinos’ are generally seen as passive and lacking in initiative. We wait to be told what
has to be done.
• Reliance on others (leaders and government) (Lahat kasalanan ng gobyerno, walang
makain ang pamilya kaya sinisisi ang gobyerno)
• Lack of a sense of urgency
• Too patient and matiisin, the Filipino is easily oppressed and exploited. (we do not
complain kahit mali na)
5. Colonial Mentality
• Lack of patriotism, or of an active awareness, appreciation and love for the Philippines
and an actual preference for foreign things. (We prefer Iphones than cherry mobile) (We
prefer to travel abroad than in the PH)
6. Kanya-kanya syndrome (crab mentality)
• Done by chismis, intriga, unconstructive criticism. It is evident in the personal ambition
that is completely insensitive to the common good.
7. Lack of self-analysis and self-reflection
• In the face of serious personal and social problems, there is lack of analysis or
reflection, and instead satisfaction with superficial explanations and solutions.
(Natatakot alamin ang mga malalalim na bagay mas maniniwala sa mga pamahiin)
8. Emphasis on Porma rather than substance
• This lack of analysis and emphasis on form is reinforced by an educational system that
is more form than substance. (kahit walang saysay yung assignment na ginawa ng
student as long as maganda at malinis ang pagkakagawa, maraming designs,
binibigyan ng mataas na grade)
School’s Response

• Values Education now Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP) in K to 12 Curriculum, was

Closing:
All these things would at least help in eliminating these weaknesses that we have in our
character but the result would be better if the home would do its part in emphasizing the strengths
and eliminating the weaknesses of the filipino character. The home plays a very important role
in teaching the young ones’ their values and morals and the school would actually strengthen
those things that are learned at home. So, these are the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino
Character. We hope you learn something from this.