Understanding the Self PDF

# Chapter II - Unpacking the Self ## Lesson 3: Supernaturals: Believe It or Not! ### Lesson Objectives - Identify various religious practices and beliefs - Understand the self in relation with religious beliefs - Explain ways of finding the meaning of life ### INTRODUCTION Spiritual self is one o...

# Chapter II - Unpacking the Self ## Lesson 3: Supernaturals: Believe It or Not! ### Lesson Objectives - Identify various religious practices and beliefs - Understand the self in relation with religious beliefs - Explain ways of finding the meaning of life ### INTRODUCTION Spiritual self is one of the four constituents of the "self" according to William James in his book, *The Principles of Psychology* in 1890. The spiritual self is the most intimate, inner subjective part of self. It is the most intimate version of the self because of the satisfaction experienced when thinking of one's ability to argue and discriminate, of one's moral sensibility and conscience, and of our unconquerable will (James 1890) is purer than all other sentiments of satisfaction. (Green 1997) The ability to use moral sensibility and conscience may be seen through the expressions of religion, its beliefs and practices. In the same manner, cultural rituals and ceremonies are some manifestations what people believe in. Moreover, seeking the meaning of life is a journey that the spiritual self is on. ### ACTIVITY #### Art Recall - When was the first time you realized that there is a higher being than yourself? How old were you then? What made you believe that there is a higher being? - Make a poster about the instance or situation that made you believe in the existence of a higher being #### Show - Have a classroom Gallery Walk showcasing the posters you and your classmates have made - Observe similarities and differences in each other’s experiences, expressed in the artworks. - Initiate discussions about beliefs on higher being based on the showcased posters ## ANALYSIS ### Buzz Group Sharing - From the posters you see, what commonalities and differences did you observe? - How these experiences affect your belief on higher being? ### Big Group Sharing - Share the summary of your discussion from the buzz group. - Discuss the following questions: - How is the belief on higher being related to your self? - Do you consider having a spiritual self? Why or Why not? ## ABSTRACTION ### Religion Rebecca Stein (Stein 2011) works on the definition of religion "as a set of cultural beliefs and practices that usually includes some or all of basic characteristics. These characteristics are: - A belief in anthropomorphic supernatural being, such as spirit and gods - A focus on the sacred supernatural, where sacred refers to a feeling of reverence and awe - The presence of supernatural power or energy that is found on supernatural beings as well as physical beings and objects - The performance of ritual activities that involves the manipulation of sacred object to communicate to supernatural beings and/or to influence or control events - The articulation of worldview and moral codes through narratives and other means - Provide the creation and maintenance of social bonds and mechanism of social control within a community; provide explanation for unknown and a sense of control for individuals. An individual lives in a society where there are many practices of religion. The choice of religious belief lies within the spiritual self. Although the choice may be influenced by the society and its culture. ### Ritual Ritual is the performance of ceremonial acts prescribed by a tradition or sacred law (Britannica 2017). Ritual is a specific, observable mode of behavior exhibited by all known societies. It is thus possible to view ritual as a way of defining or describing humans. There are three fundamental characteristics of rituals according to Penner Britannica 2017). Ritual has the characteristics of: - a feeling or emotion of respect, awe, fascination, or dread in relation to the sacred - dependence upon a belief system that is usually expressed in the language of myth - is symbolic in relation to its reference The self can be described as a ritual being who exhibits a striking parallel between their ritual and verbal behavior. Just as language is a system of symbols that is based upon arbitrary rules, ritual may be viewed as a system of symbolic acts that is based upon arbitrary rules. Participation to rituals is expressions of religious beliefs. ## Some World Religious Beliefs and Practices There are different religions with different beliefs and practices. Some of the major world religions are Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. Excerpt of some religious beliefs and practices are found in the University of London's Religion and Belief Guide 2017. ### Buddhism #### Beliefs Buddhism believes that life is not a bed of roses. Instead, there are suffering, pain, and frustrations. When people suffer, they want to experience the goodness of life and avoid disappointments. It becomes a habit known as the reactive cycle of wanting and hating, like and dislike, and craving and aversion. This reactive cycle can be broken through the practice of mediation, acquiring more wisdom and deeper understanding, and acceptance of things as they are. #### Customs and Practices - There are two types of meditation practices: *samatha* and *vipassana.* *Samatha* is practiced as mindfulness of breathing and development of loving-kindness (*Metta Bhavana*). - *Vipassana* practices aim at developing insight into reality. Acquiring wisdom is by studying Buddha's teaching, the *Dharma.* Through the reflection of *Dharma,* Buddhists can achieve a deeper understanding of life. - Buddhists believe in non-violence principle. #### Some of the major Buddhist celebrations are - *Parinirvana Day* in February; - *Buddha Day (Wesak)* in May; - *Dharma Day* in July; - *Padmasambhava Day* in October; and - *Sangha Day* in November. ### Christianity #### Beliefs Christians believe in Trinitarian God. One God in three personas: God the Father (Creator), God the Son (Savior), and God the Holy Spirit (Sustainer). Eternal life after death will be achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is, God the Son, who came into flesh, to spread the Good News of Salvation. He died on the Cross for the sin of the humanity but resurrected from the death, so that anyone who believes in Him will be saved and have eternal life. The Holy Bible is a selection of books, which is divided into two, the Old Testament and New Testament. #### Customs and Practices - Sacrament of Baptism and Sacrament of Communion are practiced by Christian churches. - The Sacrament of Baptism symbolizes the birth in the Christian and the Sacrament of Communion is an act of remembrance of Jesus Christ's sacrificial love. - Jesus Christ teaching in unconditional love expressed in loving the poor, oppressed, and outcast of the society - Christmas and Resurrection (Easter) are the two major celebrations in Christianity. Christmas, usually on December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ while Resurrection Sunday (depends on the lunar calendar, sometime in March or April) celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death. ### Hinduism #### Beliefs Hinduism covers a wide range of traditional beliefs and religious groups; thus, there is no single founder or leader. Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death and rebirth, governed by Karma. *Karma* is a concept where the reincarnated life will depend on how the past life was spent. Hindus believe that the soul passes through a cycle of successive lives and its next incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life was lived. *Vedas* are sacred scriptures of Hindus. *Mahabharata* and *Ramayana* are two other important texts of the Hindus. #### Customs and Practices - *Diwali*, and *Navrati* are the most celebrated festivals of the Hindus. - *Diwali* is the Festival of Lights - * Navrati* is the festival of nine nights, which celebrate the triumph of good over evil. - Hindus have set dates to honor particular manifestations of God. ### Islam #### Beliefs Muslims believe in *Allah*, who is their "One God." They believe in the unity and universality of God. Muslims also have a strong sense of community or "ummah" and an awareness of their solidarity with all Muslims worldwide. Islam means "willing submission to God." #### Customs and Practices - Muslims believe that *Mohammed* is the last and final prophet sent by God. - Mohammed was born in Mecca in 570 CE and received revelations from God through the Angel *Gabriel* over a period of 23 years. - The Holy Book of Islam is called the *Quran*, which was taught to be recited in Arabic because any translation is seen as inadequate. - Muslims believe in the five pillars of Islam, which are the foundation of Muslim life: - *Shahadah* - statement of faith: "There is no God but the one true God and Mohammed is his messenger." - *Salat* - the prayer that is practiced five times a day. - *Zakat* - the monetary offering for the benefit of the poor. It comprises the 2.5% of a Muslim's assets. - *Hajj* - the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who can afford are asked to do the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. - *Sawm* - the fasting. Muslims do fasting, from food, drink, and sexual act, during the celebration of *Ramadan*. *Ramadan* is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The fast is from dawn to sunset. - Two of the major festivals in Islam are *Eidul-Fitr* and *Eidul-Adha*. - *Eidul-Fitr* is the celebration at the end of *Ramadan*, while - *Eidul-Adha* is celebrated within the completion of the Pilgrimage, the *Hajj*. ### Judaism #### Beliefs The Jews believe in the God of Abraham, the same God that liberated the Hebrew slaves from *Egypt* to *Canaan*, the Promised Land through the leadership of *Moses* and later, *Joshua*. The Jews believe in the coming of *Messiah*, the Savior. The sacred scripture of the Jews is called the *Torah* or the Law. The *Torah* is the guide of the Jewish living. The study and interpretation of *Torah* is part of the Jewish culture. #### Customs and Practices There are five major festivals observed by the Jews: - *Rosh Hashanah* - the New Year - *Yom Kippur* - the Day of Atonement - *Pesach* - Passover - *Shavuot* - Pentecost - *Sukkot* - Tabernacles. The Jewish Sabbath begins on Friday evening at sunset and is an important time when families gather for the Shabbat meal. ## Finding and Creating Meaning of Life Another extensive study of self can be found in the works of Dr. Viktor E. Frankl. The Viktor Frankl Institute in Vienna was created in 1992. The Institute has a website where there is a synopsis of his life and works and present programs (http://www.viktorfranklinstitute.org/About_Viktor_Frankl.html). The following are the excerpts from the website: ### The Psychiatrist Dr. Viktor E. Frankl was born on March 26, 1905 in Vienna, Austria, where famous psychiatrists Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler lived. At a young age, he wrote a short paper to Freud which was published after three years. Dr. Frankl graduated with a medical degree from the University of Vienna in 1930. He was assigned in Vienna Hospital suicide ward and headed the Rothschild Hospital, eight years later. A survivor of the Holocaust, Dr. Frankl published a book about logotherapy. In 1959, the book was translated to English and was revised in 1963 as *The Doctor and the Soul: An Introduction to Logotherapy.* His book, *Man's Search for Meaning*, has been used as a textbook in high school and college courses. Dr. Frankl died in 1997. ### Logotherapy Logotherapy is a psychotherapy introduced by Dr. Viktor Frankl, who is considered the Father of Logotherapy. The main belief of logotherapy is that "man's primary motivational force is search for meaning." Logotherapy aids individuals to find personal meaning of life, whatever life situation they may be. In logotherapy, meaning can be discovered by creating a work or doing a deed, experiencing something or encountering someone and the attitude toward unavoidable suffering. According to the Victor Frankl Institute of Logotheraphy (n.d.), it uses the philosophy of optimism in the face of tragedy, where people are capable of "turning suffering into human achievement and accomplishment; deriving from guilt the opportunity to change oneself for the better; and deriving from life's transitoriness an incentive to take responsible action." ### Basic Concepts of Franklian Psychology The Franklian Psychology has the basic concepts. These are the following: - Life has meaning under all circumstances. - Main motivation for living is our will to find meaning in life. - Freedom to find meaning. Furthermore, Franklian-Psychology aims to: - Become aware of spiritual resources - Make conscious spiritual resources - Use "defiant power of the human spirit" and stand up against adversity. ### Logotherapy Assumptions All psychotherapies make philosophical assumptions about the human persons that cannot be proved with certainty. Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy (n.d.) states the assumptions of logotherapy, which include the following: - The human being is an entity consisting of body, mind, and spirit. This first assumption deals with the body (*soma*), mind (*psyche*), and spirit (*noos*). According to Frankl, the body and mind are what we have and the spirit is what we are. - Life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable. Assumption two is "ultimate meaning." This is difficult to grasp but it is something everyone experiences and it represents an order in a world with laws that go beyond human laws. - People have a will to meaning. The third assumption is seen as our main motivation for living and acting. When we see meaning, we are ready for any type of suffering. This is considered to be different than our will to achieve power and pleasure. - People have freedom under all circumstances to activate the will to find meaning. Assumption four is that we are free to activate our will to find meaning, and this can be done under any circumstances. This deals with change of attitudes about unavoidable fate. Frankl was able to test the first four assumptions when he was confined in the concentration camps. - Life has a demand quality to which people must respond if decisions are to be meaningful. The fifth assumption, the meaning of the moment, is more practical in daily living than ultimate meaning. Unlike ultimate meaning this meaning can be found and fulfilled. This can be done by following the values of society or by following the voice of our conscience. - The individual is unique. The sixth assumption deals with one's sense of meaning. This is enhanced by the realization that we are irreplaceable. In essence, all humans are unique with an entity of body, mind, and spirit. We all go through unique situations and are constantly looking to find meaning. We are free to do these at all times in response to certain demands. ### Frankl's Sources of Meaning Popova (2017) discussed Viktor Frankl's work. There are three possible sources of the meaning of life: purposeful work, courage in the face of difficulty, and love. - Purposeful Work. To find the meaning of life starts with holding a future goal. Each individual has each own future goal to achieve or a task to perform. That task or goal to fulfill becomes the meaning of their life. Therefore, meaning of life is unique to every individual. - Courage in the Face of Difficulty. A meaningful life is a life with suffering. Suffering is inevitable part of life. To find meaning of life is to recognize suffering, pain, and death as part of life and to have the courage to face these life difficulties. - Love. Popova (2017) quoted Dr. Frankl's notes about his experience in the Nazi Camp: "For hours I stood hacking at the icy ground. The guard passed by, insulting me, and once again I communed with my beloved. More and more I felt that she was present, that she was with me; I had the feeling that I was able to touch her, able to stretch out my hand and grasp hers. The feeling was very strong: she was there. Then, at that very moment, a bird flew down silently and perched just in front of me, on the heap of soil which I had dug up from the ditch, and looked steadily at me." Dr. Frankl's wife, parents, and some relatives were victims of gas chambers. His love for his wife kept him fight for his life. Popova (2017) also quoted Dr. Frankl's definition of love: "Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the innermost core of his personality. No one can become fully aware of the very essence of another human being unless he loves him. By his love, he is enabled to see the essential traits and features in the beloved person; and even more, he sees that which is potential in him... Furthermore, by his love, the loving person enables the beloved person to actualize these potentialities. By making him aware of what he can be and of what he should become, he makes these potentialities come true." Costello (2015) captured Viktor Frankl's message: "The ultimate secret on the spiritual foundation of life is that love is salvation and joy eternity." The ultimate factor to find the meaning of life is love. ## APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT - Make a video clip with reflection on any of the following topics: - Filipino rituals and ceremonies covering all regions of the Philippines - Filipino indigenous religious practices featuring five tribes from Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao - Modern day expression of spiritual being - Make sure to showcase the origin, meaning of each ritual and ceremony, and your personal reflection - Make a documentary about a World War II Filipino survivor. Feature the following: - Life story during the war - How he/she survived the war - Description of his/her meaning of life - Compare to Viktor Frankl's sources of meaning - Test logotherapy assumptions - Reflect on Viktor Frankl's sources of the meaning of life. ## REFERENCES - Green, Christopher. 1997. "Classics in the History of Psychology." An Internet resource developed by Christopher D. Green. Ontario: York University. Accessed October 20, 2017. http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/James/Principles/. - Goldsmiths, University of London. n.d. "Religion and Belief Guide." Accessed October 16, 2017. https://www.gold.ac.uk/media/documents-by-section/life-on-campus/student-support-services/Religion-and-Belief-Guide.pdf. - Penner, Hans. 1998. "Ritual." In Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed October 17, 2017. https://www.britannica.com/topic/ritual. - Popova, Maria. 2013. "Viktor Frankl On the Human Search for Meaning." In Brainpickings. Accessed October 20, 2017. https://www.brainpickings.org/2013/03/26/viktor-frankl-mans-search-for-meaning/. - Stein, Rebecca. 2015. Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft. Accessed October 17, 2017.https://books.google.com.ph/books/about/Anthropology_of_Religion_Magic_and_Witch.html?id=KNdRCgAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y. - Victor Frankl Institute of Logotheraphy. n.d. "About Victor Frankl." Accessed October 20, 2017. http://www.viktorfranklinstitute.org/Home.html. - Victor Frankl Institute of Logotheraphy. n.d. "Logotherapy." Accessed October 20, 2017. http://www.logotherapyinstitute.org/About_Logotherapy.html. # Lesson 4: The Political Self and Being Filipino ### Lesson Objectives - Develop a Filipino identity - Identify different Filipino values and traits - Reflect on your selfhood in relation to your national identity ### ACTIVITY - Cut out pictures or illustrations from magazines and newspapers that show what being a Filipino is about. Paste them below. ## ANALYSIS - How do the pictures remind you of your being a Filipino? - Are you proud of being a Filipino? Why and why not? - Imagine that you were of a different nationality. What would change in you aside from your citizenship and origin? - How extensive are the effects of being Filipino in your selfhood? ## ABSTRACTION What makes a Filipino a genuine Filipino? Do physical characteristics such as having dark hair, flat nose, and dark complexion make one a Filipino? Or is it a person's language, birthplace, and ethnicity? If you were to introduce yourself as a Filipino to a person of another nationality and he or she asks, "Who are Filipinos?", what will you reply? The Philippines as we know it today has only emerged in the 1890s after over three centuries of colonization of the Spaniards. Meanwhile, liberation from the last colonizers, the Japanese, only occurred in 1946. Foreign culture, beliefs, language, and religion have made a huge dent on our own by setting a foundation to the contemporary Filipino identity and culture. To date, colonial mentality remains an issue. Given the wide discrepancy between the liberation period and today’s time, would it be safe to say that Filipinos have truly developed an identity of their own? Or are we still living in the shadow of our colonial friends? In this chapter, you will learn that an individual's race, ethnicity, and physical characteristics are not the only factors that make a person's national identity. Values and traits are also important indicators that set apart one nationality from the other. These values and traits may not always be a positive thing, but being able to identify one's self apart from other nationalities and point out weaknesses and mistakes, paired with unity and commitment, make progress a possibility. Through common goals, principles, and values of its people, a nation empowers itself. ### Who Is a Filipino? Filipinos are often referenced to globally renowned personalities like Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, and Michael Cinco who have made Filipinos recognized around the world through their expertise. However, being a Filipino is far more than just being related to these notable figures. Independence Day and Buwan ng Wika celebrations prompt us to go back to our roots and reflect on the question: Who is a Filipino? Technically, according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Filipino citizens are "...those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines, those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority, and those who are naturalized in accordance with law." However, citizenship is not the only marker of being a Filipino. Culture and history have greatly influenced the manner Filipinos learn, live, and behave to date. People who were born and grew up in the same culture develop and share common personality traits and values. Generations after generations, common traits and values have been passed on that the Filipinos of today still embody. ## Filipino Values and Traits The Philippines is a lush island paradise famous for its grandiose mountain views, pristine beaches, and rich and diverse culture changing from province to province. While the Philippines may be well known for its awe-inspiring beauty, perhaps the Filipinos' unique traits, reputable values, and laudable talents make the country a place to be. Tourists who have visited the Philippines can never forget the big and bright smiles that greeted them, the colorful and loud jeepneys, the common Filipino phrases such as "Mabuhay!" and "Salamat!" and habits such as saying "po" and "opo" to the elders, leaving shoes or slippers at the front door before entering a house, and the importunate asking of "Kumain ka na ba?" meaning "Have you eaten yet?" Indeed, it is a marvel to experience these unique traits of the Filipinos firsthand. Few of these traits are as follows. ### The Filipino Hospitality A Filipino trait that is known everywhere is the Filipino's brand of hospitality. Filipinos welcome their guests and tourists as if they are their own brothers and sisters; they always make their guests feel at home, offering them something to eat, or even a place to stay. They will bring out their best sets of plates and chinaware for their honored guests and would even go as far as spending a lot of money and going into debt just so they can satisfy them. In most local shops, Filipino salespersons will greet their customers with warm welcome and say thank you when they leave even without buying anything. Filipinos also anticipate giving tours to friends who will visit their hometown and treating them to the best restaurants and delicacies for free. During festivals or fiestas, Filipinos serve heaps of festive food and invite the whole barangay over. They are also fond of giving pasalubong or tokens from their travels and pabaon or farewell gifts to their visitors. ### Respect for Elders Filipinos greet their elders by kissing their hand while saying "Mano po!" and constantly using "po" and "opo" in conversations. Forgetting to address older people properly will regard them as rude and impolite. There is also a wide array of references to elder people such as ate for older sister; kuya for older brother; *Tito* and *Tita* for uncle and aunt, respectively; *Lolo* and *Lola* for grandfather and grandfather; and *Manong* and *Aling* for older people outside the family. ### Close Family Ties Filipinos maintain a tight relationship with their families regardless if the children are old enough and already have families of their own. They are also fond of family reunions during birthdays, holidays, or fiestas year-round. Some Filipino families even opt to live in a big house where everyone can stay together. Nursing homes are almost always not an option for family members and choose to take care of their elders themselves. ### Cheerful Personality Filipinos have a habit of smiling and laughing a lot. They smile when they are happy, or sometimes even when they are sad or angry. Smiling has been a coping strategy for many Filipinos especially during trying times and calamities. For instance, Filipinos smile and wave at the camera while being interviewed even after a fire or flooding incident. They always try to maintain a positive outlook in life which makes them resilient and able to manage almost everything with a simple smile. ### Self-sacrifice The self-sacrificing attitude of Filipinos can be seen as an extension of the Filipino hospitality. Filipinos go out of their way to extend help to their friends, families, and loved ones. They wish comfort and better lives for their loved ones and would even go to the extent of working abroad hundreds of miles away to earn more money and save up for them. *Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)* sacrifice a lot; that is why they are regarded as the modern day Filipino heroes. There are also times when the eldest among the children of the family would give up school to work and provide for the rest of the family and educate his or her siblings. ### Bayanihan *Bayanihan* is the spirit of communal unity and cooperation of Filipinos. It is also about giving without expecting something in return. Filipinos are always ready to share and help their friends and loved ones who are in need. It may not always be in monetary form, but the time and effort they give also count as a form of help for them. This trait is particularly manifested in how Filipinos rally themselves to send aid to those who are severely affected by natural calamities. ### "Bahala Na" Attitude "Bahala na" is the Filipino version of the famous line "Hakuna Matata," meaning no worries. The phrase is said to have originated from "Bathala na," where *Bathala* means God, and the phrase meaning leaving everything into God's hands. It can also be viewed as something similar to the cheerful and positive attitude of Filipinos and allowing situations take care of themselves instead of worrying about them. ### Colonial Mentality Colonial mentality is regarded as the lack of patriotism and the attitude where Filipinos favor foreign products more than their own. This does not only concern goods, but also the desire to look more foreign than local and keep up with foreign beauty trends. It is attributed to the centuries of colonization Filipinos had experienced under the Spanish, American, and Japanese rule. ### "Mañana" Habit This is the Filipino term for procrastination. It was derived from a longer Filipino phrase called "Mamaya na" meaning dawdling things, which could have been done at an earlier time. It is a poor habit of laziness that results in heavier workloads. ### "Ningas Kugon" "Ningas" is a Filipino term for flame and "kugon" is a Filipino term for *Cogon grass* that easily burns out after it is put into flames. *Ningas kugon* refers to the attitude of eagerly starting things but quickly losing eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty, just like how fast the fire of a Cogon grass burns out moments after being ignited. Laziness is a common problem among Filipinos; that is why Filipinos are regarded as "Juan Tamad" or Lazy Juan. ### Pride Most Filipinos hold on to their pride as if they are more precious than keeping a good relationship with family and loved ones. When two parties are not in good terms, they find it so hard to apologize and wait until the other party asks for an apology first. ### Crab Mentality This is a toxic trait among Filipinos where one resents the achievement of another, instead of feeling happy for that person. Just like crabs in a container, they pull each other down and ruin each other's reputation rather than bringing them up, resulting to no progress. Filipinos should change this troublesome attitude and focus more on their own inadequacies to improve one's self. ### Filipino Time Filipinos have this common attitude of arriving late at commitments, dinner, or parties especially if they are meeting someone close to them. They tend to not observe punctuality altogether. The 7:00 PM call time becomes adjusted to 7:30 PM, and almost everyone arrives at the same time because everyone is using Filipino time. ## Filipino Markers What then are the hallmarks of our being a Filipino? What makes us truly relish in our being a Filipino? The following are constant reminders of our nationality. ### Proverbs or Salawikain Filipino proverbs, just like any other proverbs, are sayings that convey lessons and reflections on Filipino practices, beliefs, and traditions. *Damiana Eugenio*, regarded as the Mother of Philippine Folklore, classified proverbs into six categories (Eugenio, 2000): - Proverbs expressing a general attitude toward life and the laws that govern life - Ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning certain vices - Proverbs expressing a system of values - Proverbs expressing general truths and observations about life and human nature - Humorous proverbs - Miscellaneous proverbs An example of a Filipino proverb is the saying "Kung may tiyaga, may nilaga," which means that hard work will be rewarded if one is persistent. ### Superstitions Filipinos also subscribe to their own set of superstitions passed down from generation to generation. Some of these may be influenced by beliefs from other cultures, but Filipinos have retold these superstitions according to their own experiences and they sometimes end up even more interesting. According to a Filipino superstition, a woman singing while cooking will end up a spinster so parents remind their daughters to avoid singing while preparing their meals. Filipinos also avoid taking picture in threes as the one in the center is said to die, according to another superstition. ### Myths and Legends Due to the Philippines’s rich culture and history, numerous myths and legends have sprung about things that are beyond one's imagination. These stories are aimed to explain the origin of things, at the same time, teach a valuable lesson. Some of these stories stemmed in pre-Christianity period, but have evolved to the stories we know today. A famous Filipino legend is about the origin of the pineapple fruit. it is about a story of a young and lazy girl named Pina who always asked where her mother kept the things she needed without looking for them first. When Pina’s mother got tired of being asked where she hid her things, her mother wished that eyes be planted on Pina’s face so she would start using them. To her mother’s surprise the next morning, Pina was gone and a fruit sprung in the yard, implanted with "eyes" all around its body which was later called "pinya," the Filipino term for "pineapple." ### Heroes and Icons Heroes serve as a reminder of true patriotism and nationalism as they have sacrificed their lives for the sake of their country's freedom and progress. Every year, we lend a whole day to celebrate our heroes, usually the last Monday of August, to remember their greatness, bravery, and resilience that has led to the freedom we know today. Famous Filipino icons such as Lea Salonga, Manny Pacquiao, and our very own national hero, Jose Rizal, also serve as important Filipino markers as they have made the Filipino name more pronounced worldwide through their own expertise. ## How To Be A Good Filipino Now you know that your traits and values are important indicators of being a Filipino. The problem now is how to truly become one and how you can be useful to the development and progress of our country. The following are a few ways on how to be a good Filipino: - Be an active Filipino citizen. - A good Filipino citizen is aware of the current events and participates in government programs that aim for the country's progression and development. - By simply exercising your right to vote, you also become an active citizen. - When it comes to voting, the rich and the poor have equal voting rights-every Filipino citizen of legal age have a chance in choosing the right leaders for the Philippines who are genuine in helping and caring for the Filipino people. - Study the Philippine history. - The road of the Philippine history is long and bloody, and by learning and fully understanding the events of the Philippine history, you will learn so much as to why it is so important for you to love your country with your life, extend help to your fellow Filipinos in need, and recognize abuse of political power. - Support local products. - When you buy local products, you do not only support local manufacturers and businessmen, but you also help strengthen the local economy. - How is this so? There will be more demand of local products, thus, local businesses will be in need for more employees, which will open new job opportunities. - The business owners will also invest within the country and are less likely to leave. - Supporting our local products also displays our creativity, innovativeness, and resourcefulness. - Speak the Filipino language. - The history of the Filipino language was as long and hard as the Philippine history. - Jose Rizal highlighted the importance of speaking a national language as a way of displaying the love for one's country. - Speaking Filipino also serves as a unique identifier of being a Filipino. - It has been a decade-long debate whether to use Filipino as the instructional language in school and to translate textbooks into Filipino, however, this is still not strictly imposed. - Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging with dissent. - This period in the history of the Philippines has seen how the Internet has spawned tons of possibilities for people, both good and bad. - For instance, it is easier for Filipinos working abroad to communicate with their loved ones left in the Philippines through the Internet. - Despite this, the Internet has also made the spread of fake news very common. - Likewise, the Internet has also made us engage in intense arguments with people across the globe about our political positions, for example. - It is a part of being a good Filipino to understand and verify what you read online, especially in social media, before actually believing in it and spreading it like wildfire. - It is also the responsibility of every Filipino to recognize disagreement in political views, be tolerant, and argue intelligently without having to resort into name-calling people. ## APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT - Make an acrostic below which will describe you, in relation to your being a Filipino: - F - I - L - I - P - I - N - O - Discuss how being a Filipino affects your "self." How can becoming a better Filipino influence your duty to becoming a better version of yourself? ## REFERENCES - Beilharz, Peter, and Trevor Hogan. 2002. *Social Self, Global Culture: An Introduction to Sociological Ideas.* Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Chaffee, John. 2015. *The Philosopher's Way: Thinking Critically About Profound Ideas.* 5th Ed. Boston: Pearson. - David, Randolph. 2002. *Nation, Self, and Citizenship: An Invitation to Philippine Sociology.* Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. - Descartes, René, and Bernard Williams. 1996. *Meditations on First Philosophy: With Selections from the Objections and Replies.* Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Ganeri, Jonardon. 2012. *The Self: Naturalism, Consciousness, and the First- Person Stance.* Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Marsella, Anthony, George De Vos, and Francis L. K. Hsu. 1985. *Culture and Self: Asian and Western Perspectives.* London: Tavistock Publications. - Mead, George Herbert. 1934. *Mind, Self, and Society: From the Standpoint of a Social Behaviorist.* Chicago: University of Chicago Press. - Plato. 2000. *The Republic.* Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Accessed November 1, 2017. http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/samples/cam031/00024471.pdf. - Plato. 2012. *Six Great