The event I was to attend that day calls for an after lunch pick up time. Naturally, by lunch time, I am already on my way to the pick up point. IT was the usual hot summery day (yes, at this time of the year!) and because I am now obsessed with skin care, naturally, I have my umbrella with me..

Comes  the highlight of my day (except for the event itself.. pero related din sya eh) .. there was this old couple waiting for a ride and there was no shed on that waiting area. I am not usually this caring but I went near them and offered my umbrella to the grandma..

That was just a simple act.. but the woman.. OH MY! If you had seen her eyes and heard the way she thanked me.. you’d think I gave her so much! Muntik na ako maiyak sa sobrang touched.. 

I think that’s one of the best quality that we Filipinos can be proud of.. ang pagiging mapagpasalamat. 

Actually the event I attended that day talks about Mapagpasalamat as one the FIVE CORE VALUES that defines the Filipino. These Five Core Values were identified by Krem-Top’s Change for the Better campaign, with the guidance of Dr. Mina Ramirez of Asian Social Institute.

photo from Alaska Krem-Top Facebook Page

Krem-Tops’s Change For The Better Campaign was inspired by the idea of creating a New Year’s Resolution and making a change for the better. Di ba every end of year, we reflect on our lives and make plans for our future and we always make a list of things we need to change and set goals in order to change it. Ganyan din ang Change For The Better Campaign, but more than that, it also calls for the commitment of the people to sustain the change to become better individuals, not just during the turn of the year but all throughout the year and beyond.

 photo from Alaska Krem-Top Facebook Page

O sya, I know you’re excited to know the other 4 Core Values since I already mentioned Mapagpasalamat.. 

Baaed on Dr. Ramirez’s study “The Filipino Worldview and Values” and her insights from decades of practice as a phenomenological sociologists, here are the Five Core Filipino Values based on the Basic Aspirations of a Filipino:

Tayo lang yata ang lahi na kahit walang pera, nagahahnda pa rin pag birthday no? Mortal sin ang huwag maghanda di ba (kahit pancit na kalahating kilo lang)? Bakit? Kase it’s our way of saying Thank You for giving us another year. In fact, ang hilig natin sa okasyon to express our gratitude. Madalas din nating sabihin ang, “Salamat sa Diyos” whenever good things happen.. even as simple as when arriving safely to our destination. Filipinos, in whatever religion, attribute life’s blessings to the Higher Being.

Mapagpasalamat is based on Filipinos’ aspiration for “Pamumuhay” and “Pananalig sa Diyos at Kapwa”

I remember after Ondoy, I had never seen a defeated face. That is after a 2 meter deep flood ha..everyone took in charge. They started cleaning their houses, helped in the community and made sure everything is “Ayos na”.

Ang pagiging mamatag ay nakabase sa paghahangad nating mga Pilipino ng “Kaayusan” o Order.

Being in a country prone to natural disasters, Filipinos have adapted and learned to be strong in times of need and in hard situations life throws at us.

Based on Filipinos’ aspiration for “Kasaganaan” and “Ginhawa”, Filipinos are masigasis. When we we dream of something, we do everything possible to get it. A very good example of this core value are the Overseas Filipino Workers, they endure being away from home to give their families a good life.

Remember how Bayanihan was instilled to us during our History lessons? Obviously, this trait is still very much practiced by our society. Our Mapagmalasakit trait makes it easy for us to champion the Bayanihan spirit- to unite and help each other during the calamities and celebrate together during special occasions.

Mapagmalasakit trait is based on Filipino’s aspiration for “Loob at Damdamin” and “Kapwa”.

Alam nyo ba na sa Pampanga, kahit ate or kuya mo lang, dapat magmano ka.. actually, this was share to me by my Mother in law. One time, we went to Father in law’s relatives in San Simon, Pampanga.. si mother in law, nagmano sa hipag (ate ng asawa nya yata) nya. That’s respectful Filipinos are, specially to the elders! And yes, the po and opo are a must!

And more than that, our language itself is also respectful because it does not have any gender.. think of kapatid, anak, asawa, byenan. These words are uniquely Filipino definitely respectful of the sexes.

Our respect for other individuals is embedded in our culture and in our language.  This is based on our aspiration for “Lakas ng Loob” or “Kagandahang Loob”.  Malakas and Maganda, Filipinos’ original creation story brings dignity to both the Filipino and Filipina.  Both the man and the woman sprang from the bamboo.  The man bowed to the woman.  They held hands and went off together. Dr. Ramirez said, “This is a very non-sexist indigenous version of the creation story.”

If you noticed it, the Five Core Filipino Values are in Filipino language, as Dr Mira Ramirez explained, “If you want to get to know the Filipino, learn the language. most of our values are deeply rooted in how we express ourselves. The Five Core Filipino Values based on the Basic Aspirations of a Filipino are in Filipino language because there are no direct translations of these traits. The words are unique to us. Understanding these traits would mean dissecting the soul of a Filipino.”

During the event, Singer, songwriter, blogger and photographer Jim Paredes shared his insights on some core values such as respect for elders, Bayanihan and exemptionalism.

He used the story of how Banaue Rice Terraces was built as an example of Bayanihan. He proudly told us the kwento behind the Hagdan Hagdang Palayan and how our ancestors carved it out of Bayaniihan and not because a ruthless leader froced them to do so. That is something to be proud of di ba? 

Krem-Top Change for the Better campaign lead Blen Fernando (also the Alaska Milk Corporation’s Vice President for Marketing) is optimistic that this project will help create awareness about the need to keep or enrich or restore these core values of Filipinos. “We hope that Krem-Top’s Change for the Better campaign will inspire us to be the better version of ourselves for the benefit of our families and our country. The public can count on our continued support to champion the Filipino spirit that will help make us better and stronger nation.”

Now that you know that Five Core Filipino Values, would you like to share some stories where these values are shown? I want to know!

*****

Alaska Krem-Topis a non-dairy coffee creamer that gives all the rich taste which best complements your coffee. Krem-Top is a product of Alaska Milk Corporation, a leading company in consumer goods and was launched nationwide in 2012.

For more information about Krem-Top Change for the Better campaign, visit Alaska Krem-Top Facebook Page or follow @kremtopPH on twitter.