FILIPINO CULTURE

Milene Braga Valerie Park Maria Villanueva

Overview

Philippine archipelago consists of 7107 islands located in southeastern Asia. Landmass of about 300,000 square km, slightly larger than Arizona 3 major islands: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao mostly mountainous terrain with narrow-toextensive coastal lowlands. Climate consists of dry and rainy seasons In 2005, total population was estimated at 89.5 million with annual growth rate of 2.36%. 40% of people lived in poverty level in 2001. Spaniards colonized the country for over 3 centuries from 1556 to 1989, Las Islas Filipinas or Philippine Islands, gained independence from United States in 1946

Map of the Philippines

Heritage and Residence

The people are predominantly of Malayan ancestry with overlays of Chinese, Japanese, East Indian, Indonesian, Malaysian and Islamic cultures. Major influences from Spanish and American colonizations. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in the country. Americans introduced public education and English Close-knit, kin based group known as barangays Outsiders recognize these values as collective loyalty, generosity, hospitality, and humility. Strong sense of family beyond the nuclear family. By 2050 API are projected to increase from 4-11% Majority reside in California, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Washington and Texas.

Reasons for migration and associated economic factors

First Filipinos, were part of the labor force in Spanish galleons in Louisana as early as 1753. Filipino immigration to the United States began in 1902. From 1909 to 1920s, male Filipino laborers were recruited to work on Hawaiian plantations and the West Coast. Tydings-McDuffie Act (Philippines Independence Act) ended immigration in 1934. Immigration restrictions were eased and naturalization rights were granted in 1946. The Immigration act of 1965 started a period of mass immigration. An estimated 6 million Filipino professionals work overseas and in 2006, as much as 300,00 emigrated.

Education Status and Occupations

in 1900, Americans introduced public education , early education. Since 1970, all nursing curricula have been converted to a 4 year degree program leading towards a BSN. Philippines has 96% literacy rates in Asia and is the third largest English-speaking country. Schools are either public or private, formal education starts at 7 years old, with 6 years of primary education followed by 4 years secondary education. Filipinos view education as a pathway to success, status, and prestige. Family members contribute to decisions towards education and ones choice of profession is usually a family decision. Teachers are seen as the authority in schools in which age and position mark status and power.

Communication

There are over 100 dialects spoken, the 8 major are: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Ilonggo, Bicolano, Waray, Pampango and Pangasinenses. English is used for business and legal transactions. Common Spanish words used include: sopa (soup), calle (street), hija/hijo (daughter/son), respeto (respect). Social hierarchy can be seen in language, for example Manang/Manong are used when talking to an older woman or man. Gender neutral pronouns are used siya (he/she) and sila (they/them) Difficulty understanding American idiomatic expressions. Saving face or concealment is a characteristic behavior. Communication is highly contextual, including the presence of outsiders vs insiders. One may not disagree, talk loudly, or look directly at an older person or a person who has a higher standing in the social hierarchy. Honorific terms are used when addressing an individual. Communication is generally ambiguous to avoid offending others. To many, actions speak louder than words.

Cultural communication patterns

Filipino core values include shame (hiya), collectiveness (pakikisama), gratitude (utang na loob) and sensitivity to personal affront (amor propio) Pakikipagkapwa or being one with others means accepting other individuals. Eight levels of social interaction: civility, interacting, participating, conforming, adjusting, understanding and accepting, getting involved, being one with. Speaking the same language or dialect to another reinforces being one with others. Smiling and giggling are displayed often by young Filipino women. Conflict avoidance behaviors are common to conceal discomfort and is evident in denial of anger, minimization of pain or silence. Suppressed emotions and resentment may result in explosive anger, depression and somatization. Offering pain medication and recognizing non-verbal communication are acceptable approaches. Health-care providers should be comfortable with deferential attitude of clients without using authoritarian approaches. Action-oriented strategies may be perceived as intrusive to those who are accustomed to indirect communication. Direct eye contact varies among Filipinos. Filipinos are comfortable with silence allowing others to initiate verbal interaction as a sign of respect. Touch is used freely, especially with insiders and distance is seen when interacting with outsiders or authority figures. Same-gender closeness and touching is normal behavior. A subordinate does not directly confront superiors but communicates through a mediator.

Temporal Relationships

Filipinos have a healthy respect for the past, enjoy the present and hope for the future. Respect for older people and dead ancestors; gratitude is evident of their respect for the past. Future orientation is seen in familys support to provide education towards the younger generation. Present orientation is evident in maintaining positive relationship with others. Filipinos enjoy families, fiestas, festivals and life and make events memorable and enjoyable. Filipino time means arriving much later than scheduled appointment ranging from 1 to several hours in social events. http://youtu.be/qtHLOMj9H5I

FAMILY ROLES AND ORGANIZATION

Authority in the family is considered egalitarian. Traditional female roles include caring for the sick and children, home management and maintaining kin relationship Older siblings, older relatives and grandparents are also involved in the discipline of younger sibling. Family loyalty is important Filial respect for ones parent ultimately shows respect and reciprocal obligation. Children are taught shame (hiya) which reinforces the value of gratitude (utang na loob) Utang na loob is personal sense of indebtedness and loyalty to family. Mechanism of shame or hiya reinforces utang na loob. Children are taught to behave differently towards outsiders and insiders. Dating at an early age is discouraged for young females. Traditionally, the grooms parents ask the brides parents consent for marriage of their children. Pregnancy before marriage brings shame to the family.

Family goals and Priorities

Families are extended on both sides to several generations. Fictive kinship is formed through the compadrazgo system which friends are invited to be godparents in baptisms and weddings. Family relations influence decisions and are the basic social and economic unit. Prestige is measured by the upbringing of the children. Emphasis on religious obligations is tied with the cultural values. Older parents and grandparents are integrated in the family. Pakiramdam or shared perception and kapwa or shared identity is the familys defining goal. Primary support during illness. Caring by the family, relatives and friends is done first before seeking professional help.

ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLES

Traditional Filipino parents seldom offer sex education. Homosexuality may be recognized as unusual behavior and may not be openly practiced. Recently, younger generations of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender Filipinos are taking active roles in their rights. High incidence of HIV/AIDs among Filipinos. Divorce can carry a stigma for traditional Filipinos. Role of men and women are blurred with increased education, urbanization and new culture in the U.S. Traditional families expect men and female children to pursue college education. Caregivers consist of grandparents, relatives, and acquaintances

Workforce Issues

Longer residence is associated with increased stress among Filipino nurses and nurses aid. Business model for recruiting Filipino nurses removed supportive training that were available under the Exchange Visitors Program Grouping new recruits into the same setting reduced cultural mentors who can help the acculturation process into the organization. Shared identity with other Filipinos creates the tendency to speak in their own dialect. Lack of fluency in speaking English creates anxiety. Assertive communication is often difficult for most Filipinos to avoid conflict. Confrontation or challenging a superior maybe considered impolite. Different values about caring may result to conflict. Conflict can arise from different views about a coworker. Puts the group above individual gains. Bahala na is a Filipino concept, which places trust in the Divine Providence or Social hierarchy to solve problems. Filipino nurses may be hesitant to assume leadership in the workforce. Proud Filipinos place importance on dignity and maintaining selfesteem by avoiding shame and saving face. Leader is followed and respected and is the decision maker on behalf of the group members.

Reference

Purnell,

L.D. (2012). Transcultural health care: A culturally competent approach. (4th ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company
Stuart,

B. (2011). Pocket Guide to culturally sensitive healtg care. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company