363005231 08PHILIP
Chapter Eight Peace, Tolerance and Harmony as Core Values of Philippine Culture
Lourdes R. Quisumbing, President, Asia Pacific Network for International Education & Values Education
This chapter presents a Philippine perspective on the concepts of peace, tolerance and harmony as core values of Philippine life and culture that have endured through- out the evolution and development of the nation from traditional to contemporary times. Although changes have occurred in their modes of manifestation, these core values remain as major themes in Philippine life and behaviour. The use of an influential person as a go-between for important matters such as asking for the hand of a daughter in marriage or negotiating for a peace settlement, instead of a face-to-face arrangement, and the use of euphemistic and indirect language in saying unpleasant things, so as not to incur hiya (a sense of shame) or to hurt the other person's amor propio (sense of personal worth or esteem) may have become mostly dysfunctional, but may still be effective at times.
Today's Filipinos who have been exposed to modern and western influences, particularly those living in urban areas, have acquired more direct ways in their inter- personal relationships. Yet it may be said that peaceful and harmonious relation- ships and smooth interpersonal skills retain great importance in Philippine life. Some features of personalistic, particularistic and supernaturalistic values-orientations found amongst peasant and rural societies which have characterised Philippine traditional culture, have remained in contemporary Filipino life. Thus the Filipino retains close personal ties with her/his family and social group, puts a premium on harmonious relationships, is religious and believes in the supernatural.
The advent of Christianity has made deep and lasting contributions to the Filipino way of life. It was not difficult for the people to relate to a
Lourdes R. Quisumbing, President, Asia Pacific Network for International Education & Values Education
This chapter presents a Philippine perspective on the concepts of peace, tolerance and harmony as core values of Philippine life and culture that have endured through- out the evolution and development of the nation from traditional to contemporary times. Although changes have occurred in their modes of manifestation, these core values remain as major themes in Philippine life and behaviour. The use of an influential person as a go-between for important matters such as asking for the hand of a daughter in marriage or negotiating for a peace settlement, instead of a face-to-face arrangement, and the use of euphemistic and indirect language in saying unpleasant things, so as not to incur hiya (a sense of shame) or to hurt the other person's amor propio (sense of personal worth or esteem) may have become mostly dysfunctional, but may still be effective at times.
Today's Filipinos who have been exposed to modern and western influences, particularly those living in urban areas, have acquired more direct ways in their inter- personal relationships. Yet it may be said that peaceful and harmonious relation- ships and smooth interpersonal skills retain great importance in Philippine life. Some features of personalistic, particularistic and supernaturalistic values-orientations found amongst peasant and rural societies which have characterised Philippine traditional culture, have remained in contemporary Filipino life. Thus the Filipino retains close personal ties with her/his family and social group, puts a premium on harmonious relationships, is religious and believes in the supernatural.
The advent of Christianity has made deep and lasting contributions to the Filipino way of life. It was not difficult for the people to relate to a
References: Carroll, J (1986) Looking beyond EDSA: Part II. Values, power and social transformation. The ‘miracle’ of the Philippine Revolution: interdisciplinary reflections. Manila: Ateneo de Manila University Press. Catholic Relief Services (15 Dec 1999) Notes on the Bishop-Ulama Dialogue Forum. Lynch, F and Guzman, A (eds.) (1973) Four readings on Philippine values. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press. Mercado, M (ed) (1986) People power: the Philippine Revolution of 1986. Manila: James B. Reuter Foundation. Pope John Paul II (1 Jan 2000). Peace on earth to those whom God loves! Message for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace, The Vatican. Quisumbing, L R (1985) Values/beliefs framework (PRODED) expanded for the tertiary level. Paper presented at WCCI-MECS-CEAP-ACSC Conference Workshop, May 30-31. Quisumbing, L R (1987) Philippine values. In Hunt, C (ed.) Sociology in the Philippine setting: a modular approach. Quezon City: Phoenix.