The Filipinos' inherent values of empathy and kindness

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Jansel Ferma

 In a simple term, empathy is defined as sharing the feelings of others, usually in unfortunate and miserable situations. Among the many human values, empathy is very special and different, for it has something to do with one’s feelings and emotions for others. 

By the way, Filipinos show their sympathy in different situations and occasions. This is the soft side of the Filipinos. They easily get carried away by their emotions and feelings. Filipinos easily cry when witnessing someone being oppressed, be it staged or in real life. 

Sadly, some opportunistic individuals take advantage of this emotional weakness and frailties of the Filipinos. In the Philippines, Filipinos being duped, deceived, or tricked into buying, giving or entering into fraudulent business transactions are normal. Worse, the perpetrators of these opportunistic acts are their fellow Filipinos themselves. Filipinos victimizing their own countrymen. It’s really sad, but true. 

But contrary to the perception of many, Filipinos are not that gullible. They are just empathetic. They are just putting their situation in the unfortunate situation of others which would lead them to getting victimized usually by opportunists. 

Filipinos' empathy 

Filipinos’ empathy is exemplified in the following circumstances. Watching a game. When a team does not have a chance to win because of the opposing team’s superior skills and talents, Filipinos would just shed tears or leave the venue, because they could not afford to prolong their agony watching the other team on the verge of losing. 

Watching tear-jerking stories. Funny but many Filipinos cry when watching tear-jerking stories on television or in movies when the lead characters are being physically, emotionally or psychologically abused.

Boxing match. When watching a boxing match or any contact sports, when the opponent, regardless of nationality, is badly beaten, Filipinos would stop watching or look for another show. They could not hold back their emotions witnessing a person physically beaten. 

Other manifestations of Empathy. Filipinos also express their sympathy in the following situations like when their friends failed in subjects or unable to graduate, loss of loved ones or pets, and other emotionally touching situations and incidents. 

During calamities 

Among the aforementioned circumstances, Filipinos’ empathy is exemplified after a destructive disaster where Filipinos will wholeheartedly provide urgent needs to the disaster-stricken countrymen. Help provided to their fellow Filipinos are in the form of beddings, housing materials, food, clothing, and other urgent needs. It is during these challenging times where Filipinos value empathy. 

Filipinos, particularly the women, are emotional and empathetic. They will easily get carried away by their emotions such as when their favorite characters on television or movies are being physically and emotionally maltreated, Filipinos will easily cry. 

Empathy is just one of the many values of the Filipinos. This virtue showcases the Filipinos' emotional vulnerability when triggered or provoked by emotionally touching situations. Ironically, Filipinos are also brave and resilient people and in contrast with these values of empathy and kindness. 


By: Samuel A. Escabarte
samuelescabarte@gmail.com





Let’s have a trivia: 

What are the three (3) modes of amending the provisions in the 1987 Philippine Constitution? 

Answer: 

Amending any provision of Philippine Constitution can be done through:

1. People’s Initiative 

2. Constituent Assembly 

3. Constitutional Convention

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