Philippines Culture and Society: Stereotypes
Being both oversimplified and an opinion by definition, a stereotype about a group of people may have much or very little truth to it. While painting any group with a single brush can be risky, knowing that certain stereotypes exist can be an important step in understanding a culture. If you're a traveler, this knowledge can help you avoid offending the people of your host country.
The following stereotypes are presented in two sections: first, those often held by foreigners visiting this country; and second, those often held by the country's own inhabitants. The description below each entry attempts to explain why some people may believe the given stereotype.
Please note that these stereotypes do not necessarily represent the views of World Trade Press or its employees, but are presented here in an effort to make you a more informed researcher or traveler. Through your own experiences you may find some or all untrue, only partially true, unfair, or fairly accurate.
Stereotypes of Filipinos as Accepted by Some Foreigners
Asian Anomaly
Filipinos are a mix of Asian and European cultures topped off with a heavy dose of Catholicism.
The first clues that the Philippines has a strong Spanish influence are surnames like Marcos, Aquino, Arroyo, and Castro. Spain’s three centuries of occupation left traces in almost every aspect of Filipino life, as has the immigration of the Chinese into the archipelago. The indigenous Tagalog ethnicity dominates the current culture through language, but the “old family” remain Spanish. Even the politically active Aquino family had changed its Chinese name long ago to fit in better with the Filipino culture.
Tourist Haven
The Philippines is a beautiful country, and the Filipinos are an incredibly friendly and hospitable people.
Visitors have often remarked that Filipinos seem to take great pleasure in welcoming people to the Philippines, and it has made the country a regular stop for travelers to Southeast Asia. Their friendliness and hospitality put visitors at ease, and Filipinos take a great deal of pride in the traditions and landscapes of their country. They are also keen to show that their culture is on equal footing with their neighbors’. However, it still remains a poor country, and visitors have to stay alert for criminal activity.
Hierarchy Problems
Filipinos are always worried about position and pride even in the most trivial situations.
Filipino society is very hierarchical. Everyone knows their place and how they believe they are supposed to be treated. Since it is difficult for foreigners to know the pecking order, it is easy to put a Filipino’s nose out of joint and ruin their amor propio (self-esteem). Wounded pride is a common disorder in the Philippines, and reactions can be severe. Even The Beatles had to surrender their Manila concert gate receipts after “insulting” the Marcos family by turning down an offer to have a private audience with them at the presidential palace.
Controlled Chaos
Everything in the Philippines seems to be on the verge of breakdown any minute.
Poverty and political corruption have taken their toll on the infrastructure of the Philippines. Power outages blackouts and brownouts are as common as the sunrise and sunset. Flooding and dilapidated roads are the bane of the countryside, and, like many developing Asian nations, the national communication system has only been saved by cellular phones. But not every problem has a physical or economic cause. Filipinos are somewhat carefree (or careless) by nature and let things go to the last minute, preferring to repair something once it is defunct rather than maintain it regularly.
Corruption Icon
In a region known for graft, the Philippines stand out for the boldness and commonality of their corruption.
The battle still rages in the Philippines regarding the extent and hidden location of the massive wealth built up by the Marcos family during their decades of rule. However, few believe the fortune came about through legitimate means. Every “reformer” government is accused of accepting or demanding graft within months of taking office. Filipinos were stunned when President Estrada was impeached in 2000 and deposed from office in 2001 on corruption charges. The corruption was assumed, but it was the impeachment that shocked.
Stereotypes of Filipinos as Accepted by Some Filipinos
World-Class Gossips
We Filipinos are not happy unless we are talking badly behind our neighbors’ backs.
Filipinos are the gossip champions of Asia, and the Philippine tabloids make the British version look staid by comparison. Anyone with a modicum of celebrity is dragged through the mud, and the media loves to instigate “intrigues” to keep the pot well stirred. When the celebs aren’t enough, the Filipinos start in on their friends, neighbors, and relatives. Character assassination is a time-honored skill, and the motive for such goings on is often nothing more than a need for idle banter.
Fatalistic
We believe that most of what happens to us is predestined, and there is no sense trying to change it.
Filipinos often use the phrase “bahala na” (come what may) when confronted with a complex or difficult situation, and the phrase aptly describes their attitude towards much of life. Typhoons, blackouts, political skullduggery, floods, and just the general state of friendly confusion are all written off as the products of fate, to be endured and left unaltered. The Filipino approach to life lies somewhere between the procrastination of Mexico’s mañana ("tomorrow") philosophy and the “if Allah wills it” approach of Islam. At any rate, very few difficult tasks get completed.
Asian Equals
All of our Asian neighbors look down on us, but our culture is as every bit as good as any in Asia.
Unfortunately, the Philippines has a reputation for supplying the domestic help for the rest of Asia, and it has caused some of the region’s bigger powers to believe that this is the best the country can do. Some fellow Asians do not even consider Filipinos to be Asian. The Philippines has problems but they are not any different than those of the rest of developing Asia. Known for a long time as the “sick man” of Asia, the Philippine people resent the fact that they are always left at the bottom of the ladder.
Sacrifice and Harmony
We are very hard workers and we will sacrifice just about anything for our families and the nation.
Deep in the soul of Filipino culture are the traits of pakikisama and bayanihan, both of which translate as “cooperation.” The former defines the individual’s obligation to the group, and the latter defines the role that the community has in supporting individuals. Filipinos have a driving desire to move themselves forward as a group and the needs of individuals are always secondary. Family ties are very tight, and if one member succeeds, he or she is obligated to pave the way for others to follow.
The Diaspora
Too many of our people work overseas and we need to bring them home.
About 10 percent of Filipino citizens live and work overseas, sending home around US$10 billion in remittances every year to an economy that is forecast to continue to grow rapidly. The vast majority of these overseas jobs are in menial labor in the Middle East, and the reports of physical abuse abound. Many women leave home to work as domestic help and do not see their children for years. These balikbayan (“return home”) workers serve as the country’s major source of foreign currency, and their hard work is the subject of song and national pride.
Copyright © 1993—2024 World Trade Press. All rights reserved.