MESSIAH COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC.
406 West Tower, Tektite Tower Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City,
Philippines, Pasig, Philippines
SESSION 3
FILIPINO MORAL VALUES:
Integrating Biblical perspective to Filipino Values and Ethics
I. OBJECTIVE
• Knowledge
1. That the students gain basic knowledge about the history of Filipino Spirituality and
how our ancestors develop values, morality and ethical standards.
2. That the students will know the meaning of values and morality and understand its
connection to our every life.
3. The students will know and understand the importance of integrating Biblical ethical
standards and morality in the development of Filipino moral values.
• Character
1. To personally develop Biblical ethical standards, and moral values in their lives.
2. To become a good Christian citizen of the Nation, guided by the Ethical standards
and moral values presented by the Bible.
• Behavioral and skills
1. Apply the principles in their own lives.
2. The students will be able to discover in themselves Biblical ethical standards and
moral values and write their own values statements that will guide their everyday
lives.
II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF VALUES?
• Values comes from a Latin word “valere” which means “to be strong” and/or “to be
worth”
• The principles that help you to decide what is right and wrong, and how to act in various
situations1
• Values are the fundamental beliefs that govern our lives. They inspire how we act and
speak. They guide our decisions about everything from career to personal growth. They
embody the person we want to be, influencing how we treat others and how we interact
with the world2
• Some common synonyms of value are appreciate, cherish, prize, and treasure. While all
these words mean "to hold in high estimation," value implies rating a thing highly for its
intrinsic worth3
1 https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/values
2 https://www.tonyrobbins.com/mind-meaning/our-set-of
3 https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/value
MESSIAH COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC.
406 West Tower, Tektite Tower Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City,
Philippines, Pasig, Philippines
• In a cultural sense, values are those standards by which groups of society judges the
desirability persons ideas, actions and objects.
• A shared conceptions of beliefs that has developed by a particular groups or community
to protect and develop their community.
III. THE FILIPINO MORAL VALUES
• THE ORIGIN OF FILIPINO SPIRITUALITY (PRE – HISPANIC ERA)
o The pre-Hispanic belief system of Filipinos consisted of a pantheon of gods (belief on
a higher being or groups of important people), spirits, creatures, and men that
guarded the streams, fields, trees, mountains, forests, and houses.
o They called the highest of them all by the name of Bathala, who created earth and
man, was superior to these other gods and spirits.
o Regular sacrifices and prayers were offered to appease these deities and spirits--
some of which were benevolent, some malevolent. Wood and metal images
represented ancestral spirits, and no distinction was made between the spirits and
their physical symbol.
o Reward or punishment after death was dependent upon behavior in this life
(Miller,1982).
o Every village in the islands had its share of shamans and priests who competitively
plied their talents and carried on ritual curing.
o Many gained renown for their ability to develop “anting-anting”, a charm guaranteed
to make a person invincible in the face of human enemies. Other sorcerers
concocted love potions or produced amulets that made their owners invisible.
• THE CHRISTIANIZATION OF OUR NATION (HISPANIC ERA)
o In the 1500s, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan encountered the
Philippines while sailing under the flag of Spain in search of a western route to the
East Indies, the source of the spice trade.
o He and his men landed on the island of Cebu in the central Philippines.
o Magellan's arrival in Cebu represents the first attempt by Spain to convert Filipinos
to Roman Catholicism.
o Magellan met with Chief Humabon of the island of Cebu, who had an ill grandson.
Magellan (or one of his men) was able to cure or help this young boy, and in
gratitude Chief Humabon allowed 800 of his followers to be 'baptized' Christian in a
mass baptism, and the rest was History.
o After the death of Magellan, another group of explorer came to the Philippines by
the name of Legaspi, and he conquered a Muslim Filipino settlement in Manila in
1570.
MESSIAH COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC.
406 West Tower, Tektite Tower Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City,
Philippines, Pasig, Philippines
o Islam had been present in the southern Philippines since sometime between the
10th and 12th century. It slowly spread north throughout the archipelago,
particularly in coastal areas. Had it not been for Spanish intervention, the Philippines
would likely have been a mostly Muslim area.
o For the next few century, most lowland Filipinos were converted to Roman
Catholicism. Some of the successful attempt of the Hispanic missionaries to convert
the indigenous Filipino are the following.
- Mass baptism - the initial practice of baptizing large numbers of Filipinos at
one time enabled the initial conversion to Christianity. The Spaniard
missionaries took advantage the ignorance of the Filipinos during that time,
for they say that water baptism has a power to heal the sick.
- Reduccion policies - in areas where Filipinos lived scattered across the
landscape in small settlements, this policy was called reduccion, and
essentially meant a forced relocation of small, scattered settlements into one
larger town.
- Attitude of the Spanish clergy in the early phase - Spanish friars were forced
to learn the native language of the peoples they sought to convert.
- Adaptation of Christianity to the local context - Filipinos were mostly
animistic in their religious beliefs and practices prior to Spanish intervention.
• 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines
o Right now, we are celebrating the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines.
o Many missionaries from the Western nations came to us and evangelize the nation.
o What we have now a days, Christian Churches and denominations, was a courageous
work and passionate heart of men and women who love God and love Filipino
people.
o Now, the Philippines is the only country in Asia in which Christianity is the national
religion.
o This is probably the result of the Spanish Catholic reign in The Philippines for more
than 300 years.
o Religion still plays a central role in the lives of most Filipino Americans. An estimated
92.5% of Filipinos are Christians; the major Christian denominations are as follows:
- Roman Catholic (80.9%),
- Evangelical (2.8%)
- Iglesia ni Cristo (2.3%)
- Aglipayan (2%)
- Other Christian groups (4.5%) including Protestant, Baptist, Pentecostal
- Anglican, Orthodox, Methodist, and Seventh Day Adventist.
MESSIAH COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC.
406 West Tower, Tektite Tower Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City,
Philippines, Pasig, Philippines
• The Values of the Filipino People
o Filipino values refers to the shared cultural beliefs of what is socially desirable in the
way Filipinos deal with each other. These values are cultivated by our experiences as
a nation through centuries.
1. Amor Propio (loving oneself )
2. Awa (compassion for others)
3. Bahal na! (let go and let God)
4. Bayanihan (helping each other)
5. Hospitality
6. Delicadeza (value for reputation)
7. Family first! (pagpapahalaga sa pamilya)
8. Kasiyahan (joy or humor)
9. Kagalingan (pursue of excellence)
10. Karangalan (honor)
11. Magalang
12. Katapan
IV. INTEGRATING BIBLICAL ETHICAL STANDARDS AND MORAL VALUES IN THE FILIPINO PEOPLE
• The role of the Church in the Community as the bearer of God’s Word to the World.
o The church, as an integral part of society, plays a vital role in fostering spiritual,
social, and emotional well-being within the community.
o Beyond its religious functions, the church serves as a beacon of hope, compassion,
and service, offering support to individuals, families, and the entire community.
1. To promote Love, Unity, and Fellowship for the community.
- The church serves as a gathering place where believers come together to
worship, fellowship, and build meaningful relationships.
- Through the power of love and unity, the church creates an environment that
transcends social, economic, and cultural boundaries. The Scriptures
emphasize the importance of love and unity in the community:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one
another.” (John 13:35)
- The church, guided by this scripture, acts as an agent of reconciliation and
unity, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for all individuals.
2. To offer Compassion and Care for the needy and the poor.
MESSIAH COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC.
406 West Tower, Tektite Tower Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City,
Philippines, Pasig, Philippines
- In a world marked by pain, suffering, and brokenness, the church is called to
extend compassion and care to those in need. It reaches out to the
marginalized, the oppressed, and the vulnerable, providing support, comfort,
and hope.
- Jesus, the ultimate example of compassion, teaches us to care for one
another:
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and
sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
- Through acts of charity, counseling services, and outreach programs, the
church embodies Christ’s teachings and brings healing to broken hearts and
lives.
3. To promote Social Justice and Advocacy.
- The church serves as a voice for justice and advocates for societal
transformation. It confronts injustice, inequality, and oppression, working
towards the betterment of the community.
- Scripture calls believers to act justly and seek the welfare of others:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require
of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
(Micah 6:8)
- Through its social justice initiatives, the church addresses systemic issues,
fights for human rights, and champions the cause of the marginalized,
thereby contributing to a more equitable society.
4. To nurture Spiritual Growth and Transformation.
- The church is a place where individuals can cultivate their spiritual lives, grow
in faith, and deepen their relationship with God.
- It provides spiritual guidance, discipleship, and biblical teaching, empowering
individuals to live according to God’s principles. The Scriptures emphasize the
importance of spiritual growth:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
MESSIAH COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC.
406 West Tower, Tektite Tower Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City,
Philippines, Pasig, Philippines
- The church, acting as a spiritual guide, assists individuals in their journey of
transformation, helping them become agents of positive change within the
community.
V. Conclusion:
• The role of the church in the community cannot be overstated.
• Guided by scriptural teachings, the church serves as a catalyst for love, compassion,
justice, and spiritual growth.
• It offers a sanctuary of hope, healing, and transformation, positively impacting
individuals and the community as a whole.
• As the church continues to embody the principles and values outlined in Scripture, it has
the potential to create a lasting, profound impact, making the world a better place for
all.
