Lacson’s research on the mindsets of Filipinos speaks to me in a cultural level. I wonder why that in all observations, either I have experienced it or know someone who does. It also solidified on how I looked at Filipinos with our common behaviors. We are truly a unique race. Example, pointing at something or someone with the mouth is common in the Philippines, but not found else anywhere in the world. Let’s delve in Professor Jose’s paper!
Do you agree with Lacson’s observations? Which parts do you agree and which parts do you disagree with?
I couldn’t agree more with Lacson’s observations. There is nothing that I disagree with. I can see these behaviors among my family, relatives, friends or even with strangers. Each of his observations speak truth to Filipinos.
Can you think of specific examples in which the mindsets describe by Lacson apply?
Let’s start with Deprivation-Deservation Syndrome. We can see this especially to those in poverty. Poor people tend to complain that they deserve exemption from the responsibilities of regular citizens such as paying taxes. I am guilty of the mentality of “Sayang at Libre”. When opportunity rises, I would always take it. An example of this is when my friends offer free food, even if I know they have a hidden agenda, I would still go because you know, there’s nothing better than FREE food.
Next, the Kulang sa Pansin Syndrome and The Quest for Ownership and Credit Seeking. Looking back at my experiences, I realized that I had the KSP Syndrome after reading this mindset. There were many instances I was KSP. Before, I felt like I had to belong to a group so that I would get attention. I climbed on top of the honors to get praise from the people around me (This was because I was a nobody at that time and people bullied me. My mother told me to be excellent in my studies so I did.). Under this mindset is the toxic Crab Mentality. I find this usually with people starting in businesses. As entrepreneurs start, the people around them puts them down at first. The sad thing about this is that the one’s who are close to him/her are the one’s who first will resent to the progress of the starting businessman.
Another mindset is the Convenience Approach to Living. I am guilty of this. When I have chores at home, I would go for the ones that are easier and leave the tiresome ones to my siblings. Another situation is the people getting the driver’s license. It’s quite time consuming and rigorous so there’s a lot of monkey business revolving around it. There are fixers who offer their services in getting a driver’s license for a price. However, The Land and Transportation Office (LTO) solved this problem with fixer-proof by letting the applicant take an exam – both written and practical. In the driving test, a photo of the applicant is taken by a representative from LTO.
The 4th mindset is the Sense of Humor and Rumor. I love this observation of humor because this shows that Filipinos have ways to face life’s challenges. They laugh it off and continue on. Rumor on the other hand is quite common, people love the chismis that goes through. An example of this would still be me again. I have mababaw ang kaligayahan. I get easily pleased even by the small things like the time we have our usual lunches together with my group of friends, or the time I got to play Mobile Legends with my close friend. I take pleasure in small things in life.
Lastly, the Concept of Accountability. I see this usually with the corrupted rich. They think they can get away with anything. I also see these in drivers especially for motorcyclist. I am guilty of this too. When it’s already the orange light, I speed up and even it turns red, I still continue with speed.
Do you think that these mindsets are innately Filipino? Or are they the result of socio-historical and cultural influences? Explain.
I think that these mindsets are the result of the socio-historical and cultural influences. We, the Filipinos, have been colonized by the Spaniards, American and the Japanese. Even in our words, there are traces of the foreign. Our culture is even is very western due to the Americans. However, the Filipino within us stands strong with our mindsets and behavior – like our kababayan trait and our resiliency against all odds. The mindsets we have is the product of the environment we are in. The experiences and encounters we have in life are stored within us. The mindset we have is not innate, but acquired through time.
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