A Moral Recovery Program

40

Critique Paper

RUIZ, Conrado Dominic O.

2C MT

September 3, 2014

“A MORAL RECOVERY PROGRAM: BUILDING A PEOPLE-BUILDING A NATION” talks about the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character. It aims to strengthen Filipino positive traits and change the negative ones. The strengths of the Filipino character are: 1pakikipagkapwa-tao, 2family orientation, 3joy and humor, 4flexibility, adaptability and creativity, 5hard work and industry, 6faith and religiosity, and the 7ability to survive. On the other hand, there are weaknesses of the Filipino character namely: 1extreme personalism, 2extreme family-centeredness, 3lack of discipline, 4passivity and lack of initiative, 5colonial mentality, 6kanya-kanya syndrome, and 6lack of self-analysis and selfreflection. These strengths and weaknesses have their roots in many factors such as: 1the home environment, 2the social environment, 3culture and language, 4history, 5the educational system, 6

religion, 7the economic environment, 8the political environment, 9mass media, and 10leadership and

role models. Based on the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino, the following goals for change are proposed. The Filipino should develop: 1a sense of patriotism and national pride, 2a sense of the common good, 3a sense of integrity and accountability, 4the value and habits of discipline and hard work, and 5the value and habits of self-reflection and analysis, the internalization of spiritual values, and an emphasis upon essence rather than in form. There are certain general principles to be considered in identifying goals for change and developing our capabilities for their achievement namely: 1multi-layered, multi-sectoral strategies, 2roles of power-holders and the masa, 3holistic, individual and systemic/structural change, 4critical mass or network of change initiators, 5restricted “bite-size” goals, 6goals related to people’s lives, and 7act of the will and self-sacrifice.

As to what we can observe, the Filipino nation at present is on the verge of a crisis. We can say we, Filipinos, generally have a considerable number of strengths but these strong points are also the root of our weaknesses.

We, Filipinos, are generally person-oriented and are sensitive to what others feel. Pakikipagkapwa-tao (regard for others) runs in our blood. We value the relationships we have towards other people. We get easily attached and put our trust to others, and consequently have care and concern for them. This eventually leads to unfairness, which is a downside of this value we have as a people. Most of us are preoccupied with the fact that the persons whom we established interpersonal relationships with are the ones we should prioritize and be concerned of. For us, what matters most is the sake of those people who are close to us, not taking into account what is beneficial or what brings forth goodness to the majority. We give priority to those whom we know regardless of what the situation is. This is evident in our society nowadays. Most of our transactions involve personal contacts. Indeed, this value gives rise to a kumpadre system wherein those who

have personal connections are highly favored which in turn results to unfairness and graft and corruption.

What the Filipino people have that others do not posses is family orientation. Typical Filipino families have strong family ties. Our deep-rooted, genuine love towards our family members and other ceremonial relatives is what sets us apart to the rest of the world. As a matter of fact, we consider our family as our most valuable treasure, as the most important thing we have at hand one that we should protect, have responsibility to, and cherish for the rest of our lives. However, extreme family-centeredness could become one of the most serious shortcomings the Filipino nation can have. It can have a detrimental effect on the life of a Filipino, and worse, on the whole Filipino nation. As for me, I have been raced and nurtured in an environment wherein all my needs and wants were provided. I personally have a family that is somewhat overprotective, and gives me all the things they thought to be beneficial to me. At first, I was quite happy and was satisfied on how they nurtured me. But in the long run, when I came to the point of realization, I thought that it would have been better if they have not been overprotective and just let me got wounded. It could have been better if they taught me how to get my needs and wants in my own through hard work instead of just giving them to me without exerting effort. Based on my experience, being highly dependent to your family will give you a hard time for it leads to passivity - you think that someone will start and do the work for you, well in fact you should do it yourself.

Filipinos certainly have a sense of faith and religiosity. We put God above all in everything we do, and in whatever pursuit we are going to take. Our faith is the source of our strength. No matter how strong the calamities are, no matter how hard the problems that come to our lives, no matter how many times we fall, we still do not fail to rise up, stand in our feet and continue life as if nothing happened. This is the power of our strong belief in God. We put God in our hearts and think that God is always there to help us. But some of us think that God will give us everything we need without doing something for ourselves. This will then lead to passivity. As to what I observed, some often say “bahala na si Lord”. We should remember, “Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.”

Filipinos are generally happy and are full of humor. In fact, we are regarded as one of the happiest people in the world. We laugh at our problems, we laugh at our mistakes, and we laugh at our undertakings. Even in the hardest of times, we still do not fail to wear a smile. It can be a negative trait at times, but in general, it is our advantage towards other cultures.

Indeed, there is much to change in our values. There are things we should do to make our weaknesses our strengths. This will be a long process, but as long as we start changing ourselves now, with enough patience and will, we will eventually build a people and create a better nation.