5 traits we should do to #changeforthebetter

MANILA, Philippines – The end of the year signals a start of another one. But before planning on what you should for next year, take time to examine what you have accomplished this year. After assessing what you have done for your personal life and your career, take a moment to ask yourself one of the most important, yet often forgotten questions: what have I done for my country this year?

Because of our own personal goals, we often overlook that the slightest of deeds that we do, whether bad or good, to achieve these goals affect the community as a whole. More so, even small changes that we think we are only doing for ourselves, can create a huge impact in the community when put or done together.

For that reason, Alaska Milk Corp.’s Krem-Top coffee creamer launched a campaign to encourage all the Filipinos to kindle and challenge individuals to exercise a habit of changing for the better.  The campaign called 'Change for the Better' is a call to action for people to commit and sustain the change to become better individuals, not just during the turn of the year but all throughout the year and beyond.

But the question is – how do we change for the better?  The campaign believes that there are five core values that Filipinos must have to be able to implement that change. These are innate values that should be embedded in the hearts of the Filipinos to positivize the image of each individual and the country as a whole. These values, when practiced every day, can make our lives and country better.

With the guidance of renowned phenomenological sociologist Dr. Mina Ramirez of the Asian Social Institute, here are the core values  based on the Basic Aspirations of a Filipino:

Mapagpasalamat
Dr. Ramirez said that one of the most enticing characters of Filipino is that being grateful to people and for the things that we have despite not having everything. And it is reflected with the smiles that Filipinos show despite the hardships that they are going through. Filipinos are naturally cheerful and sociable. This is because we always look at the bright side of life. We would always say “Salamat sa Diyos” (Thank God) whenever good things happen because Filipinos, from whatever religion, would attribute life’s blessings to the Higher Being. We also acknowledge the good deeds of other people towards us and we do our best to return the favor. 

Matatag
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. We continue to stand up, be firm, and fight because we have our loved ones and life’s aspirations to be strong for. This strength is drawn from our love for our family and to the higher being we believe in. We, Filipinos long for “Kaayusan” and we will endure everything and be strong amidst hardships and challenges until we surpass the obstacles.   

Masigasig
When Filipinos dream of something, we do everything possible to get it. We do it for our families and loved ones.   This is based on Filipinos’ aspiration for “Kasaganaan” (Abundance) and “Ginhawa” (Relief).  A Filipino aspires for abundance not for himself but for his family.  The Filipino translation for Happy New Year is Masaganang Bagong Taon (Bountiful New Year) because we equate happiness and celebration with abundance.  In Bisaya, “Ginhawa” means breath.  And the smooth flow of breath is the smooth flow of life which we call “Ginhawa”.  “Ginhawa” according to lay theologian Dr. Jose de Mesa is the feeling of well-being in a Filipino.  An example would be Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who endure being away from home to give their families a good life – abundance and relief from hardships.

Mapagmalasakit
It is because of our love for the family extended to friends, neighbors and other people that make Filipinos naturally compassionate. This compassion enables us to help other people without asking for anything in return. This is based on Filipinos’ aspiration for “Loob at Damdamin” and “Kapwa” (Other People) as explained in Dr. Mina’s The Filipino Worldview and Values.  “Loob” is the seat of Filipinos’ dignity.  The personhood of Filipino is manifested in his “kalooban”.  Filipinos tune in each other’s “kalooban” by checking on each other’s condition and chatting about each other’s lives.  Filipinos reach out to other people.  Due to our family-oriented culture, Filipinos use “kapwa” to refer not just to a stranger but to a relative, a next-door neighbor, a distant relative or a friend.  Our “Mapagmalasakit” trait makes it easy for us to champion the Bayanihan spirit - to unite and help each other during calamities and celebrate together during special occasions. 

Magalang
The use of po, opo, and pagmamano (kissing of the hand) are distinct Filipino ways of respect. We say these words and use this gesture to show our respect and love for the elderly. The Filipinos’ respect is not just limited to the elderly but also to other people’s properties, emotions, and ideas. We are polite people.  Our language itself is also respectful because it does not have anygender bias. Examples would be the words kapatid (brother / sister) or asawa (husband / wife) or biyenan (father-in-law / mother-in-law) or anak (son / daughter) which do not manifest differences in gender. 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.”

For more information about Krem-Top Change for the Better campaign, visit www.facebook.com/AlaskaKremTop or follow @kremtopPH on Twitter.