Discipline and Ideas in the Social Sciences

2nd Quarter

Chapter III Indigenizing the Social Sciences

Lesson 2: Institute of Philippine Culture’s Study on Philippine Values
Objectives:
a. Identify and explain important interpersonal values of the Filipinos;
b. Analyze the role of interpersonal relation values to Philippine culture;
c. Demonstrate understanding of the Filipino social interpersonal values to our culture and
its positive and negative implications to our country’s development.

Values are innate and important human concepts. Anthropologists and sociologists define
values differently.
 F. Lando Jocano (1999, 107) – defines values as “standards against which actions are organized
and experiences are interpreted and evaluated.”
 John Macionis (2006, 481) – values are culturally defined standards that people apply evaluate
prestige, goodness, and attractiveness and serve as basis for social living.
 Jaime Bulatao (1963, 50) – defines values as “an object of a positive attitude” or “a goal or vision
of which motivates him to action.”
 Hunt, Green, Espiritu and Quisumbing (1998, 95) – values are important motivators of behavior
that indicate what society considers are important.
 Fr. Frank Lynch (1963, 2) – values are “standard used in the making of decision.”

In the Philippines, Filipino values have been shaped by different factors. They are also influenced
by the country’s history, traditions, and beliefs through time. According to Lynch, some of the value
systems in the Philippines focus on principles, aims, and convictions of Filipino society. He argues that
two Filipino value systems are considered different from each other because of the “peculiar way in
which the individual values are weighted and combined in each system.”
Filipino values are considered as desirable conceptions but are not uniquely found in the
Philippines. Most of the Filipino values discussed in this lesson contain certain elements in the total
value system of other countries and societies. Values that aim to attain a good life include the following:
- Acceptance by one’s fellow for what one is, thinks oneself to be, or would like to be, and be
given the treatment due to one’s station;
- Economic security (e.g., freedom from debt)
- Movement to higher socioeconomic ladder

Social Acceptance
Social acceptance is an important Filipino value. These values are (1) smoothness of
interpersonal relations (SIR) and (2) shame and self-esteem or amor propio.
 Smooth Interpersonal Relations (SIR)
Filipinos are known for pleasantness in communicating with other people. This can be seen in
our smooth interpersonal relations or SIR. Lynch (1963, 8) defines SIR as “means being agreeable, even
under difficult circumstances, and of keeping quiet or out of sight when discretion passes the word. It
means sensitivity to what other people feel at any given moment.” SIR is acquired and preserved in
three different ways. These are through (1) pakikisama; (2) euphemism’ and (3) through the use of a go-
between.
Pakikisama or in English, “accompany or go along with,” refers to the practice of accepting the
decision of the leader or the majority of the group so that it will appear that the group’s decision is
undivided.
Euphemism refers to the respectful or polite manner of presenting a serious subject or an
unkind opinion or request. This value is highly prized in the Philippines because the use of harsh,
insulting, and negative speeches are frowned upon in Filipino society,
The use of a go-between is another common way of presenting or restoring smooth
interpersonal relations. This is done by a third party who is called upon to appease someone, mend
disagreements, or prevent conflicts. A go-between is needed in a number of common situations. These
include the following:
1. When an embarrassing request is made;
2. Complaint; was made against a person
3. Decision often communicated through a middle-person to prevent shame or hiya;
4. Traditional marriage negotiations through the use of spokespersons or mediators for the two
parties;
5. Remedy an existing state of conflict or tension by acting as mediators to bring about
reconciliation like family disputes or political conflicts;
6. Interdependence during times of need by seeking help from relatives as support system or allies
when disagreements occur with outsiders.

Shame and Self-Esteem

Contrary behavior to social acceptance is given sanctions in Filipino society. Two ways in which
contrary behavior are sanctioned is through (1) general and universal social sanction of shame (1963) or
hiya and (2) amor propio. Both hiya and amor propio, Jocano (1999, 120) argues, are “specific rules of
conduct” that are followed by Filipinos to prevent conflicts based on emotional standards or damdamin
to happen.
Lynch (1963) defines hiya as an uncomfortable feeling that accompanies awareness of being in a
position that is considered socially inappropriate or performing an action that is unacceptable to society.
Jocano (1999, 121) defines hiya as a norm that help define social behavior particularly those that deal
with “face-to-face relations.” Hiya or shame can be shown in different ways:
- One feels hiya when one is in a socially undesirable role that an uncomfortable response inhibits
further action
 - Violation of a socially approved norms of conduct, hence making that person commit merit
condemnation or called as “walang hiya” or a feeling of shamelessness
Amor propio or self-esteem is a special defense against severe interpersonal unpleasantness.
Amor propio is manifested by being sensitive to personal insult. It is considered as being sensitive not for
the attainment of social acceptance but to retain one’s social acceptance that he/she already has.

Economic Security and Social Mobility

Economic security means that Filipinos have the ability to meet ordinary material needs without
borrowing. He/she want economic security through his/her resources. Filipinos also value advancement
in the socioeconomic ladder. They always hope to move up to a higher economic class.

Reciprocity
Reciprocity is an important value among Filipinos. It refers to a situation when Filipinos ensure
that every favor or request received or asked must be returned. According to Mary Hollnsteiner (1963,
23-41), there are times classifications of reciprocity in the Philippines. These are (1) contractual
reciprocity; (2) quasi-contractual reciprocity; (3) utang na loob or debt of gratitude.
Contractual reciprocity, according to Hollnsteiner (1963, 23-24), refers to a voluntary agreement
between two or more individuals to behave in a particular manner in a specific time in the future.
Contractual reciprocity has the following arrangement:
1. Participants in the said transaction are aware and knowledgeable of what is expected of him and
his expectations of the others as well.
2. Participants are not compelled to do more than any other member because it is not expected of
them to do
3. Obligation is narrow in scope and emotions are not involved.
Quasi-contractual reciprocity regulates balanced exchanges and the terms of the repayment are
not implicitly discussed before any contract or agreement is drafted. The terms of the agreement are
implied in situations in which culture dictates or recognizes. Repayment is done always and failure to
respond or reciprocate brings about the contempt of the person.
According to Hollnsteiner (1963, 28-29), utang na loob reciprocity is generated when an
exchange of goods or services take place between individuals who belong to different groups. In this
transaction, the recipient is compelled to show his gratitude properly by returning the favor with
interest to ensure that he does not remain in the other’s debt. Utang na loob characterized by the
unequal repayment with no prior agreement, whether implicit or explicit.

Interpersonal relations and values practiced by Filipinos provide a unique flavor or identity to
the culture of the Filipinos. There are positive and negative effects for having these interpersonal values.
Some consider these Filipino values to be counterproductive and are usually frowned upon by other
cultures. However, many Filipinos consider these values to be positive because these portray our high
regard for acceptance, respect, sensitivity and peace. The values make the Filipino culture unique and
distinct from other societies.

Activity no. 1: Skit

Write a skit that shows

situations on how each (choose
two) interpersonal relations value
is demonstrated.

Quiz no. 2: Essay (write 2 to 3 sentences)

1. How is the smooth interpersonal relations or SIR acquired and preserved in Philippine
society?
2. How will you explain the concept of Filipino reciprocity?
3. Evaluate the importance of social interpersonal relations in Filipino culture.
4. Compare and contrast the different values of reciprocity among Filipinos.