UNDERSTANDING

THE SELF
Table of Contents
Chapter II – Unpacking the Self
Lesson 1: The Physical and Sexual Self
Lesson 2: To Buy or Not to Buy? That
Is the Question!
Lesson 3: Supernaturals: Believe It or
Not!
Lesson 4: The Political Self and Being
Filipino
CHAPTER II
UNPACKING THE SELF
Lesson 1:
The Physical and Sexual Self
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Discuss the developmental aspect of the
reproductive system;
2. Describe the erogenous zones;
3. Explain human sexual behavior;
4. Characterize the diversity of sexual behavior;
5. Describe sexually transmitted diseases; and
6. Differentiate natural and artificial methods of
contraception.
ACTIVITY
Complete the sentences below.
1. For me, beauty means
_________________________________________________

2. A beautiful person is
_________________________________________________

3. I am beautiful because
_________________________________________________

4. List down names of people you know who are beautiful.

_________________________________________________
Fill out the table below by listing the common secondary
sexual male and female characteristics.
ANALYSIS
1. When do we usually observe the changes listed on
the previous slide for males and females?
2. Were you able to experience the same changes?
When?
3. If you were not able to experience the listed
changes, what might have caused such difference?
4. How does the society shape the sexual behavior of
an individual?
5. Can we really change our natural or innate sexual
organ and sexual response?
ABSTRACTION
- The gonads (reproductive glands that produce the gametes;
testis or ovary) begin to form until about the eighth week of
embryonic development.
- During the early stages of human development, the embryonic
reproductive structures of males and females are alike and are
said to be in the indifferent stage.
- The formation of male or female structures depends on the
presence of testosterone.
- The embryonic testes release testosterone, and the formation of
the duct system and external genitalia follows.
- Female embryos that form ovaries will cause the development
of the female ducts and external genitalia since testosterone
hormone is not produced.
- Any intervention with the normal pattern of sex hormone
production in the embryo results in strange abnormalities:
Pseudohermaphrodites are formed who are individuals having
accessory reproductive structures that do not “match” their
gonads;
Hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both ovarian and
testicular tissues but this condition is rare in nature.
- Puberty is the period of life when the reproductive organs
grow to their adult size and become functional under the
influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones (testosterone
in males and estrogen in females).
• Diseases Associated with the Reproductive System
In Females:
- Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly
women and in those whose resistance to diseases is low.
- Vaginal infections that are left untreated may spread throughout
the female reproductive tract and may cause pelvic
inflammatory disease and sterility.
- Escherichia coli which spread through the digestive tract; the
sexually transmitted microorganisms such as syphilis,
gonorrhea, and herpes virus; and yeast (a type of fungus)
- Painful or abnormal menses may also be due to infection or
hormone imbalance.
- Tumors of the breast and cervix are the most common
reproductive cancers in adult females.
In Males:
- Common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis,
and epididymitis, all of which may follow sexual contacts in
which sexually transmitted disease (STD) microorganisms are
transmitted.
- Orchiditis, or inflammation of the testes, can cause sterility
and most commonly follows mumps in an adult male.
- Prostate cancer (a common sequel to prostatic hypertrophy) is
a widespread problem in adult males.
- Although aging men show a steady decline in testosterone
secretion, their reproductive capability seems unending.
• Erogenous Zones
- They refer to parts of the body that are primarily receptive and
increase sexual arousal when touched in a sexual manner.
- Commonly known erogenous zones are the mouth, breasts,
genitals, and anus; other common areas of the body that can
be aroused easily may include the neck, thighs, abdomen, and
feet.
• Human Sexual Behavior
- It is defined as any activity—solitary, between two persons, or
in a group—that induces sexual arousal.
- There are two major factors that determine human sexual
behavior: the inherited sexual response patterns that have
evolved as a means of ensuring reproduction, and the degree
of restraint or other types of influence exerted on the
individual by society in the expression of his/her sexuality.
• Types of Behavior
1. Solitary Behavior
- Self-gratification means self-stimulation that leads to
sexual arousal and generally, sexual climax; most self-
gratification takes place in private as an end in itself.
- Self-gratification is most frequent among the
unmarried; there are more males who perform acts of
self-gratification than females.
- It becomes less frequent or is abandoned when
sociosexual activity is available.
2. Sociosexual Behavior
- Heterosexual behavior is the greatest amount of
sociosexual behavior that occurs between only one male
and one female.
- It usually begins in childhood and may be motivated by
curiosity, such as showing or examining genitalia.
- Physical contact involving necking or petting is considered
as an ingredient of the learning process.
- Petting differs from hugging, kissing, and generalized
caresses of the clothed body to practice involving
stimulation of the genitals.
- Coitus, the insertion of the male reproductive structure into
the female reproductive organ, is viewed by society quite
differently depending upon the marital status of the
individuals.
• Physiology of Human Sexual Response
1. Excitement phase. There is increase in pulse and blood
pressure, and skin temperature. Flushing and swelling
of all distensible body parts are also experienced.
Symptoms of arousal eventually increase to a near
maximal physiological level that leads to the next stage.
2. Plateau phase. It is generally of brief duration. If
stimulation is continued, orgasm usually occurs.
3. Sexual climax. It is marked by a feeling of abrupt,
intense pleasure.
4. Resolution phase. It is the last stage that refers to the
return to a normal or subnormal physiologic state.
• Nervous System Factors
- The autonomic system is involved in controlling the
involuntary responses.
- The hypothalamus and the limbic system are the parts of the
brain believed to be responsible for regulating the sexual
response.
- The lower spinal cord leads to erection and ejaculation for
male, and vaginal discharges and lubrication for female
when the genital and perineal areas are stimulated.
• Sexual Problems
- Physiological problems. Diseases that are due to abnormal
development of the genitalia or that part of the
neurophysiology controlling sexual response;
- Psychological problems. Caused by socially induced inhibitions,
maladaptive attitudes, ignorance, and sexual myths held by
society;
- Premature emission of semen is a common problem, especially
for young males;
- Erectile impotence is almost always of psychological origin in
males under 40; in older males, physical causes are more often
involved;
- Ejaculatory impotence, which results from the inability to
ejaculate in coitus, is uncommon and is usually of psychogenic
origin.
- Vaginismus is a strong spasm of the pelvic musculature
constricting the female reproductive organ so that penetration
is painful or impossible.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
These are bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections transmitted
from an infected person to an uninfected person through
sexual contact.
1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
4. Chancroid
5. Human Papillomavirus
6. Herpes Simplex Virus
7. Trichomonas Vaginalis
• Natural and Artificial Methods of Contraception
Natural Method
The natural family planning methods do not involve any chemical
or foreign body introduction into the human body.
a. Abstinence
b. Calendar Method
c. Basal Body Temperature
d. Cervical Mucus Method
e. Symptothermal Method
f. Ovulation Detection
g. Coitus Interruptus
Artificial Methods:
a. Oral Contraceptives
b. Transdermal Patch
c. Vaginal Ring
d. Subdermal Implants
e. Hormonal Injections
f. Intrauterine Device
g. Chemical Barriers
h. Diaphragm
i. Cervical Cap
j. Male Condoms
k. Female Condoms
l. Surgical Methods
APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT
1. Creative Work. Propose a program in school or
community that will raise the awareness of the
students and to help eliminate sexually transmitted
diseases especially among the youth.
2. Agree or Disagree. Are you in favor of legalizing
marriage among homosexuals and transgenders?
Why?
LESSON SUMMARY
- The formation of male or female structures depends on
the presence of testosterone.
- Any intervention with the normal pattern of sex hormone
production in the embryo results in strange
abnormalities:
Pseudohermaphrodites individuals having accessory
reproductive structures that do not “match” their
gonads;
Hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both
ovarian and testicular tissues.
- Puberty is the period of life when the reproductive
organs grow to their adult size and become functional.
- Diseases associated with the reproductive system :
In females:
o Tumors of the breast and cervix are the most common
reproductive cancers in adult females.
o Vaginal infections are more common in young and
elderly women and in those whose resistance to
diseases is low.
In males:
o Prostate cancer (a common sequel to prostatic
hypertrophy) is a widespread problem in adult males.
o Although aging men show a steady decline in
testosterone secretion, their reproductive capability
seems unending.
- Erogenous Zones refer to parts of the body that are
primarily receptive and increase sexual arousal when
touched in a sexual manner
- Human Sexual Behavior is any activity—solitary, between
two persons, or in a group—that induces sexual arousal.
- The types of behavior are:
1. Solitary Behavior. Self-gratification means self-
stimulation that leads to sexual arousal and
generally, sexual climax; it takes place in private as an
end in itself.
2. Sociosexual Behavior. Heterosexual behavior is the
greatest amount of sociosexual behavior that occurs
between only one male and one female.
- Physiology of Human Sexual Response
1. Excitement phase – increase in pulse and blood pressure,
skin temperature, flushing, and swelling of all distensible
body parts
2. Plateau phase – generally of brief duration; if stimulation is
continued, orgasm usually occurs.
3. Sexual climax – marked by a feeling of abrupt, intense
pleasure
4. Resolution phase – the last stage that refers to the return
to a normal or subnormal physiologic state
- Nervous System Factors
o The autonomic system is involved in controlling the
involuntary responses.
o The lower spinal cord and leads to erection and ejaculation
for male, vaginal discharges and lubrication for female
when the genital and perineal areas are stimulated.
- Sexual Problems
o Physiological problems, diseases that are due to
abnormal development of the genitalia
o Psychological problems, caused by socially induced
inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes, ignorance, and sexual
myths held by society
o Premature emission of semen
o Erectile impotence, a psychological origin in males under
40; in older males, physical causes
o Ejaculatory impotence, inability to ejaculate in coitus; is
uncommon and is usually of psychogenic origin
o Vaginismus, a strong spasm of the pelvic musculature
constricting the female reproductive organ
- Examples of sexually transmitted diseases are chlamydia,
gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid, human papillomavirus,
herpes simplex virus, and trichomonas vaginalis.
- Natural methods of contraception are abstinence, calendar
method, basal body temperature, cervical mucus method,
symptothermal method, ovulation detection, and coitus
interruptus.
- Artificial methods of contraception are oral contraceptives,
transdermal patch, vaginal ring , subdermal implants,
hormonal injections, intrauterine device, chemical barriers,
diaphragm, cervical cap, male condoms, female condoms,
surgical methods.
Lesson 2:
To Buy or Not to Buy? That Is the
Question!
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, you should be
able to:
1. Explain the association of self and
possessions;
2. Identify the role of consumer culture
to self and identity; and
3. Appraise one’s self based on the
description of material self.
ACTIVITY
Debit Card Challenge
A very wealthy person gave you a debit card
and told you to use it as much as you want to
make yourself happy. What are you going to
do with it? Make a list of what you want to
have. Write as many as you want.
ANALYSIS
Answer the following questions:
1. How do you feel as you do the Debit Card Challenge?
2. Which among the items on your list you like the most? Why?
3. If ever you were given the chance in real life to have one
among the list, which would you choose? Why?
4. Does your choice differ from your answer in question number
2? Why or why not?
5. Let your classmate read your list. Ask him/her to give or write a
quick impression of yourself based on the list you showed
him/her.
6. Is the quick impression of your classmate has some truth about
who you are?
ABSTRACTION
•Material Self
-William Jame, understanding the self can be examined through its
different components:
(1) its constituents; (2) the feelings and emotions they arouse—self-
feelings; (3) the actions to which they prompt—self-seeking and self-
preservation
-The constituents of self are composed of the material self, the social
self, the spiritual self, and the pure ego.
-The material self, according to James primarily is about our bodies,
clothes, immediate family, and home.
-The more investment of self-given to the particular thing, the more we
identify ourselves to it. We also tended to collect and possess
properties. The collections in different degree of investment of self,
becomes part of the self.
• We Are What We Have
- Russel Belk posits that “…we regard our possessions
as part of ourselves. We are what we have and what
we posses.”
- As we grow older, putting importance to material
possession decreases.
- Material possession gains higher value in our lifetime
if we use material possession to find happiness,
associate these things with significant events,
accomplishments, and people in our lives.
- The possessions that we dearly have tell something
about who we are, our self-concept, our past, and
even our future.
APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT
Debit Card Challenge List
1. Go back to your Debit Card Challenge List. Put a
mark on the left side of each item with the
following categories:
B – if the item is related with your body
C – if the item is related with clothes
F – if the item is related or intended to your
family
H – if the item is related with home
2. Answer the following questions:
• Which among the categories you have the
most in your list?
• What do you think these things tell you
about yourself?
3. Make a reflection paper about material self.
You may use your answers from the above
questions in making your paper.
Collage Making
Create a collage of your treasured possessions
including your current clothing style. You may
use symbols or pictures of your treasured
possessions. Put a short note why you
treasure each item.
Research Paper
Make a research on the role of Filipino
consumer culture to Filipino self and identity.
LESSON SUMMARY
• Material Self
- Understanding the self can be examined through its
different components:
(1) its constituents; (2) the feelings and emotions they
arouse—self-feelings; (3) the actions to which they
prompt—self-seeking and self-preservation.
- The constituents of self are composed of the material
self, the social self, the spiritual self and the pure ego.
- The material self, primarily is about our bodies,
clothes, immediate family, and home.
• We Are What We Have
- Russel Belk posits that “…we regard our
possessions as part of ourselves. We are what we
have and what we posses.”
- Material possession gains higher value…to find
happiness, associate these things with significant
events, accomplishments, and people in our lives;
- The possessions that we dearly have tell
something about who we are, our self-concept,
our past, and even our future.
Lesson 3:
Supernaturals: Believe It or Not!
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, you should be
able to:
1. Identify various religious practices and
beliefs;
2. Understand the self in relation with
religious beliefs; and
3. Explain ways of finding the meaning of
life.
ACTIVITY
Art Recall
Recall:
When was the first time you realized that there is a higher
being than yourself? How old were you then? What made you
believe that there is a higher being?
Draw:
Make a poster about the instance or situation that made you
believe in the existence of a higher being.
Show:
Have a classroom Gallery Walk showcasing the posters you and
your classmates have made. Observe similarities and
differences in each other’s experiences, expressed in the
artworks. Initiate discussions about beliefs on a higher being
based on the showcased posters.
ANALYSIS
Buzz Group Sharing
In groups of three or five, answer the following questions:
1. From the posters you see, what commonalities and differences
did you observe?
2. How do these experiences affect your belief on a higher being?
Big Group Sharing
3. Share the summary of your discussion from the buzz group.
4. Discuss the following questions:
a. How is the belief on a higher being related to yourself?
b. Do you consider having a spiritual self? Why or why not?
ABSTRACTION
• Religion
1. A belief in anthropomorphic supernatural being, such as spirit
and gods
2. A focus on the sacred supernatural, where sacred refers to a
feeling of reverence and awe
3. The presence of supernatural power or energy that is found on
supernatural beings as well as physical beings and objects
4. The performance of ritual activities that involves the
manipulation of sacred object to communicate to supernatural
beings and/or to influence or control events
5. The articulation of worldview and moral codes through
narratives and other means
6. Provide the creation and maintenance of social bonds and
mechanism of social control within a community
• Ritual
- Performance of ceremonial acts prescribed by a tradition or
sacred law
- A specific, observable mode of behavior exhibited by all known
societies; as a way of defining or describing humans
- Ritual has the characteristics of:
1. A feeling or emotion of respect, awe, fascination, or dread
in relation to the sacred
2. Dependence upon a belief system that is usually expressed
in the language of myth
3. Is symbolic in relation to its reference
Some World Religious Beliefs and Practices
• Buddhism
Beliefs:
Life is not a bed of roses. Instead, there are suffering, pain, and
frustration. This reactive cycle can be broken through the practice
of mediation, acquiring more wisdom and deeper understanding,
and acceptance of things as they are.
Customs and Practices:
Samatha is practiced as mindfulness of breathing and development
of loving kindness; Vipassana practices aim at developing insight
into reality. Acquiring wisdom is by studying Buddha’s teaching, the
Dharma.
Buddhist celebrations are Parinirvana Day in February; Buddha Day
(Wesak) in May; Dharma Day in July; Padmasambhava Day in
October; and Sangha Day in November.
• Christianity
Beliefs:
Christians believe in Trinitarian God, one God in three
personas: God the Father (Creator), God the Son (Savior), and
God the Holy Spirit (Sustainer). Eternal life after death will be
achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Bible is a
selection of books, which is divided into two ‒ the Old
Testament and New Testament.
Customs and Practices:
The Sacrament of Baptism symbolizes the birth in Christian
World. The Sacrament of Communion is an act of remembrance
of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial love.
Christmas and Resurrection (Easter) are the two major
celebrations in Christianity.
• Hinduism
Beliefs:
Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death, and
rebirth, governed by Karma, a concept where the reincarnated
life will depend on how the past life was spent. Vedas are
sacred scriptures of Hindus. Mahabharata and Ramayana are
two other important texts of the Hindus.
Customs and Practices:
Diwali is the Festival of Lights. Navrati is the festival of nine
nights, which celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Hindus
have set dates to honor particular manifestations of God.
• Islam
Beliefs:
Islam means “willing submission to God.” Muslims believe in
Allah, who is their “One God”, in the unity and universality of
God, that Mohammed is the last and final prophet sent by God.
The Holy Book of Islam is called the Quran.
Customs and Practices:
Muslims believe in the five pillars of Islam, which are the
foundation of Muslim life:
1. Shahadah – statement of faith: “There is no God but the
one true God and Mohammed is his messenger.
2. Salat – the prayer that is practiced five times a day.
3. Zakat – the monetary offering for the benefit of the poor. It
comprises the 2.5% of a Muslim’s assets.
4. Hajj – the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who can afford
are asked to do the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.
5. Sawm – the fasting. Muslims do fasting, from food, drink, and
sexual act, during the celebration of Ramadan. Ramadan is
the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The fast is from
dawn to sunset.
Eidul-Fitr is the celebration at the end of Ramadan, while Eidul-
Adha is celebrated within the completion of the Pilgrimage, the
Hajj.
• Judaism
Beliefs:
The Jews believe in the God of Abraham, in the coming of
Messiah, the Savior. The sacred scripture of the Jews is called
the Torah or the Law.
Customs and Practices:
There are five major festivals observed by the Jews:
1. Rosh Hashanah – the New Year
2. Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement
3. Pesach – Passover
4. Shavuot – Pentecost
5. Sukkot – Tabernacles
The Jewish Sabbath begins on Friday evening at sunset and is
an important time when families gather for the Shabbat meal.
• Logotherapy
- A psychotherapy introduced by Dr. Viktor Frankl
- The main belief is that “man’s primary motivational
force is search for meaning.”
- Aids individuals to find personal meaning of life,
whatever life situation they may be
- It uses the philosophy of optimism in the face of
tragedy.
The Franklian Psychology has these basic concepts:
- Life has meaning under all circumstances.
- The main motivation for living is our will to find
meaning in life.
- Freedom to find meaning
Franklian Psychology aims to:
1. Become aware of spiritual resources;
2. Make conscious spiritual resources; and
3. Use “defiant power of the human spirit” and
stand up against adversity.
Logotherapy Assumptions
1. The human being is an entity consisting of body,
mind, and spirit.
2. Life has meaning under all circumstances, even
the most miserable.
3. People have a will to meaning.
4. People have freedom under all circumstances to
activate the will to find meaning.
5. Life has a demand quality to which people must
respond if decisions are to be meaningful.
6. The individual is unique.
Frankl’s Sources of Meaning
1. Purposeful Work. Each individual has his/her own
future goal to achieve or a task to perform; the
meaning of life is unique to every individual.
2. Courage in the Face of Difficulty. To find meaning of
life is to recognize suffering, pain, and death as part
of life and to have the courage to face these life
difficulties.
3. Love. “The ultimate secret on the spiritual
foundation of life is that love is salvation and joy
eternity.” The ultimate factor to find the meaning of
life is love.
APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT
1. Video Clip. Make a video clip with reflection on any
of the following topics:
a. Filipino rituals and ceremonies covering all regions of
the Philippines
b. Filipino indigenous religious practices featuring five
tribes from Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao
c. Modern day expression of spiritual being
Make sure to showcase the origin, meaning of each
ritual and ceremony, and your personal reflection.
2. Documentary. Make a documentary about a World
War II Filipino survivor. Feature the following:
- Life story during the war
- How he/she survived the war
- Description of his/her meaning of life
- Compare to Viktor Frankl’s sources of meaning
- Test logotherapy assumptions
3. Reflection Paper. Reflect on Viktor Frankl’s sources
of the meaning of life.
LESSON SUMMARY
• Religion
1. A belief in anthropomorphic supernatural being
2. A focus on the sacred supernatural…feeling of
reverence and awe
3. The presence of supernatural power or energy
4. The performance of ritual activities
5. The articulation of worldview and moral codes through
narratives and other means
6. Provide the creation and maintenance of social bonds
and mechanism of social control within a community
• Ritual
- Performance of ceremonial acts prescribed by a
tradition or sacred law.
Ritual has the characteristics of:
1. A feeling or emotion of respect, awe,
fascination, or dread in relation to the sacred;
2. Dependence upon a belief system that is
usually expressed in the language of myth;
and
3. Is symbolic in relation to its reference.
• Buddhism
Beliefs:
Life is not a bed of roses. Instead, there are suffering,
pain, and frustration.
Customs and Practices:
Samatha is practiced as mindfulness of breathing and
development of loving kindness.
Vipassana practices aim at developing insight into reality.
Acquiring wisdom is by studying Buddha’s teaching, the
Dharma.
Parinirvana Day in February; Buddha Day (Wesak) in
May; Dharma Day in July; Padmasambhava Day in
October; and Sangha Day in November
• Christianity
Beliefs:
One God in three personas: God the Father (Creator), God the
Son (Savior), and God the Holy Spirit (Sustainer); Eternal life
after death will be achieved through faith in Jesus Christ.
Customs and Practices:
The Sacrament of Baptism symbolizes the birth in Christian
World.
Sacrament of Communion is an act of remembrance of Jesus
Christ’s sacrificial love.
Christmas and Resurrection (Easter) are the two major
celebrations in Christianity.
• Hinduism
Beliefs:
Believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death and rebirth,
governed by Karma.
Customs and Practices:
Diwali is the Festival of Lights.
Navrati is the festival of nine nights, which celebrate the
triumph of good over evil.
Hindus have set dates to honor particular manifestations of
God.
• Islam
Beliefs:
Islam means “willing submission to God.” Allah, who is their
“One God”, Mohammed is the last and final prophet sent by
God.
Customs and Practices:
The five pillars of Islam:
1. Shahadah – statement of faith: “There is no God but the one
true God and Mohammed is his messenger.
2. Salat – the prayer that is practiced five times a day.
3. Zakat – the monetary offering for the benefit of the poor.
4. Hajj – the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca.
5. Sawm – Muslims do fasting, from food, drink, and sexual act,
during the celebration of Ramadan. The fast is from dawn to
sunset.
Eidul-Fitr is the celebration at the end of Ramadan.
Eidul-Adha is celebrated within the completion of the
Pilgrimage, the Hajj.
• Judaism
Beliefs:
The Jews believe in the God of Abraham, in the coming of
Messiah, the Savior.
Customs and Practices:
Five major festivals observed by the Jews:
1. Rosh Hashanah – the New Year
2. Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement
3. Pesach – Passover
4. Shavuot – Pentecost
5. Sukkot – Tabernacles
The Jewish Sabbath begins on Friday evening at sunset.
• Logotherapy
- A psychotherapy introduced by Dr. Viktor Frankl
- “Man’s primary motivational force is search for
meaning.”
- Uses the philosophy of optimism in the face of
tragedy
The Franklian Psychology has the basic concepts:
- Life has meaning under all circumstances.
- The main motivation for living is our will to find
meaning in life.
- Freedom to find meaning.
Franklian Psychology aims to:
1. Become aware of spiritual resources;
2. Make conscious spiritual resources; and
3. Use “defiant power of the human spirit” and
stand up against adversity.
Logotherapy Assumptions
• The human is an entity consisting of body, mind and
spirit.
• Life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most
miserable.
• People have a will to meaning.
• People have freedom under all circumstances to activate
the will to find meaning
• Life has a demand quality to which people must respond
if decisions are to be meaningful.
• The individual is unique.
Frankl’s Sources of Meaning
1. Purposeful Work. Each individual has each
own future goal to achieve or a task to
perform;
2. Courage in the Face of Difficulty. To find
meaning of life is to recognize suffering, pain,
and death;
3. Love. “The ultimate secret on the spiritual
foundation of life is that love is salvation and
joy eternity.”
Lesson 4:
The Political Self and Being
Filipino
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, you should be
able to:
1. Develop a Filipino identity;
2. Identify different Filipino values and
traits; and
3. Reflect on your selfhood in relation to
your national identity.
ACTIVITY
Who Is a Filipino?
Cut out pictures or illustrations from magazines and
newspapers that show what being a Filipino is about. Paste
them below.
ANALYSIS
Answer the questions below in relation to what you have
posted in the previous activity.
1. How do the pictures remind you of your being a Filipino?
2. Are you proud of being a Filipino? Why and why not?
3. Imagine that you were of a different nationality. What
would change in you aside from your citizenship and
origin?
4. How extensive are the effects of being Filipino in your
selfhood?
ABSTRACTION
- The Philippines as we know it today has only emerged in
the 1890s after over three centuries of colonization of the
Spaniards;
- Liberation from the last colonizers, the Japanese, only
occurred in 1946.
- Foreign culture, beliefs, language, and religion have made
a huge dent on our own by setting a foundation to the
contemporary Filipino identity and culture.
• Who Is a Filipino?
- According to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Filipino
citizens are:
“…those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the
Philippines, those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino
mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the
age of majority, and those who are naturalized in
accordance with law.”
- Citizenship is not the only marker of being a Filipino; People
who were born and grew up in the same culture develop
and share common personality traits and values
Filipino Values and Traits
The Filipino Hospitality
Filipinos welcome their guests and tourists as if they are their
own brothers and sisters. They always make their guests feel at
home, offering them something to eat, or even a place to stay.
• Respect for Elders
- Filipinos greet their elders by kissing their hand while saying
“Mano po!” and constantly using “po” and “opo” in
conversations.
- A wide array of references to elder people such as ate for older
sister; kuya for older brother; tito and tita for uncle and aunt;
lolo and lola for grandfather and grandmother; and manong
and aling for older people outside the family.
• Close Family Ties
- Filipinos maintain a tight relationship with their families. They
are fond of family reunions during birthdays, holidays, or fiestas
year-round.
- Some Filipino families even opt to live in a big house where
everyone can stay together. Nursing homes are almost always
not an option for family members.
• Cheerful Personality
Filipinos smile when they are happy, or sometimes even when
they are sad or angry. Smiling has been a coping strategy for
many Filipinos especially during trying times and calamities.
• Self-sacrifice
- Filipinos go out of their way to extend help to their friends,
families, and loved ones.
- Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sacrifice a lot. That is why
they are regarded as modern-day Filipino heroes.
• Bayanihan
It is the spirit of communal unity and cooperation of Filipinos.
It is also about giving without expecting something in return.
• “Bahala Na” Attitude
- It is the Filipino version of the famous line “Hakuna Matata,”
meaning no worries.
- The phrase is said to have originated from “Bathala na,” where
Bathala means God, and the phrase meaning leaving
everything into God’s hands.
Colonial Mentality
It is regarded as the lack of patriotism and the attitude where
Filipinos favor foreign products more than their own; but also
the desire to look more foreign than local and keep up with
foreign beauty trends.
• “Mañana” Habit
Filipino term for procrastination; derived from a Filipino phrase
called “Mamaya na” meaning dawdling things, which could
have been done at an earlier time.
• “Ningas Kugon”
- “Ningas” is a Filipino term for flame and “kugon” is a Filipino
term for Cogon grass that easily burns out after it is put into
flames. It is the attitude of eagerly starting things but quickly
losing eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty.
• Pride
Most Filipinos hold on to their pride as if they are more
precious than keeping a good relationship with family and
loved ones.
• Crab Mentality
It is a toxic trait among Filipinos where one resents the
achievement of another, instead of feeling happy for that
person; just like crabs in a container, they pull each other
down.
• Filipino Time
Filipinos have this common attitude of arriving late at
commitments, dinner, or parties especially if they are meeting
someone close to them.
Filipino Markers
1. Proverbs or Salawikain
a. proverbs expressing a general attitude toward life and
the laws that govern life
b. ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and
condemning certain vices
c. proverbs expressing a system of values
d. proverbs expressing general truths and observations
about life and human nature
e. humorous proverbs
f. miscellaneous proverbs
2. Superstitions
- Filipinos’ set of superstitions passed down from generation
to generation
- Some of these may be influenced by beliefs from other
cultures, but Filipinos have retold these superstitions
according to their own experiences.
3. Myths and Legends
- Due to the Philippines’s rich culture and history, numerous
myths and legends have sprung.
- These stories are aimed to explain the origin of things, at
the same time, teach a valuable lesson.
4. Heroes and Icons
- Heroes serve as a reminder of true patriotism and
nationalism as they have sacrificed their lives for the sake
of their country’s freedom and progress.
- Famous Filipino icons such as Lea Salonga, Manny
Pacquiao, and our very own national hero, Jose Rizal, have
made the Filipino name more pronounced worldwide
through their own expertise.
How to Be A Good Filipino
1. Be an active Filipino citizen.
2. Study the Philippine history.
3. Support local products.
4. Speak the Filipino language.
5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in
engaging with dissent.
APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT
1. Make an acrostic below which will describe you in
relation to your being a Filipino.

F
I
L
I
P
I
N
O
2. Discuss how being a Filipino affects your “self.”
How can becoming a better Filipino influence
your duty to becoming a better version of
yourself?
LESSON SUMMARY
- The Philippines…emerged in the 1890s after
over three centuries of colonization of the
Spaniards.
- Liberation from the last colonizers, the
Japanese, only occurred in 1946.
- Foreign culture, beliefs, language, and
religion have made a huge dent…to the
contemporary Filipino identity and culture.
• Who Is a Filipino?
- According to the 1987 Philippine Constitution,
Filipino citizens are:
“…those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of
the Philippines; those born before January 17,
1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine
citizenship upon reaching the age of majority; and
those who are naturalized in accordance with law.”
Filipino Values and Traits
• The Filipino Hospitality
- Filipinos welcome their guests and tourists as if they
are their own brothers and sisters;
• Respect for Elders
- Saying “Mano po!” and constantly using “po” and
“opo” in conversations.
- Ate for older sister; kuya for older brother; tito and
tita for uncle and aunt, lolo and lola for grandfather
and grandmother; and manong and aling for older
people outside the family.
• Close Family Ties
- Fond of family reunions during birthdays, holidays, or
fiestas year-round
- Opt to live in a big house where everyone can stay
together
• Cheerful Personality
Filipinos smile when they are happy, or sometimes
even when they are sad or angry.
• Self-sacrifice
Filipinos go out of their way to extend help to their
friends, families, and loved ones.
• Bayanihan
It is the spirit of communal unity and cooperation of
Filipinos. It is also about giving without expecting
something in return.
• “Bahala Na” Attitude
Said to have originated from “Bathala na,” where
Bathala means God, and the phrase meaning leaving
everything into God’s hands
Colonial Mentality
Is regarded as the lack of patriotism and the
attitude where Filipinos favor foreign products
more than their own
• “Mañana” Habit
Filipino term for procrastination; derived from a
Filipino phrase called “Mamaya na”
• “Ningas Kugon”
The attitude of eagerly starting things but quickly
losing eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty
• Pride
Most Filipinos hold on to their pride as if they are
more precious than keeping a good relationship
with family and loved ones.
• Crab Mentality
Where one resents the achievement of another,
instead of feeling happy for that person
• Filipino Time
Arriving late at commitments, dinner, or parties
Filipino Markers
1. Proverbs or Salawikain
a. proverbs expressing a general attitude toward
life and the laws that govern life
b. ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues
and condemning certain vices
c. proverbs expressing a system of values
d. proverbs expressing general truths and
observations about life and human nature
e. humorous proverbs
f. miscellaneous proverbs
2. Superstitions
Some of these may be influenced by beliefs from
other cultures, but Filipinos have retold these
superstitions according to their own experiences.
3. Myths and Legends
These stories are aimed to explain the origin of
things, at the same time, teach a valuable lesson.
4. Heroes and Icons
Heroes serve as a reminder of true patriotism and
nationalism as they have sacrificed their lives for
the sake of their country’s freedom and progress.
How to Be a Good Filipino
1. Be an active Filipino citizen.
2. Study the Philippine history.
3. Support local products.
4. Speak the Filipino language.
5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in
engaging with dissent.