GENERAL INPUTS

CHAPTER 3: THE HUMAN PERSON In the context there is a phrase that says "it is essentially difficult to define man," yes, thats true because man is the most complex form of being created by God. Man has its own style of manipulating things according to what he want to do. It is essentially difficult to define man. This perspective aims to revisit and challenge, in all humility , our perception of human nature; and the possibility of achieving a productive society through the actualization of a person's highest potential. Eddie Babor discussed in his book “The Human Person, Not Real But Existing” that the human person have several characteristics, among which are the following: rational, free, unique, social being, and sexual. Considering the characteristics, and their definitions, given above, it can be deduced that a human person is the ultimate expression of the Supreme Being that has the freedom, capacity and ability to reason, reflect and relate to his co-existence. Maslow‟s theory pointed out that a person must satisfy first the other lower needs before he can actually realize his self worth and potential. Accordingly, when lower needs are unmet, the person cannot fully devote himself to fulfilling his potentials. He theorized that self - actualization is the driving force of human personality. Thus, a person cannot appreciate intellectual and aesthetic learning when the person is hungry and his safety is difficult to obtain. Furthermore, every person must be guided by the understanding that he exists in this world achieving his temporary assignments. Each person should start now by utilizing his gifts and talents in obtaining his goals to positively transform and help others realize their worth as person themselves. He must make use of it and fulfill the greatest challenge that the Supreme Being has bestowed upon him.

CHAPTER 4: FILIPINO CHARACTERISTICS

The purpose of this chapter, therefore, is to help us understand our Filipino values to enable us to put the positive side of Filipino values in use and to disregard the negative ones. Thus, in the end, through the development and use of positive Filipino values, we may bring out the best in the Filipino society in general and the individual in particular. Dr. Tomas Q. D. Andres (1986) would define values as “things, persons, ideas or goals which are important to life; anything which enables life to be understood, evaluated, and directed.” On the other hand, Edgar Sheffield Brightman defines value as “whatever is liked, prized, esteemed, desired approved, or enjoyed by anyone at any time. It is the actual experience of enjoying a desired object or activity. Hence, value is an existing realization of desire.” Significantly, Filipino values would be the standards or principles set forth by the Filipino society as basis for what is right or wrong, the principles on which every member of the Filipino society should persevere to attain in order to reach the ultimate realization of his life, regarding his person and in relation to his family and society in general. The Filipino society is composed of a mixture of different races and cultures, many of which influenced the lifestyle and values being practised in the Philippine community. Among those who influenced the Filipino culture and values are our ancestors – the Malays and Indons, our colonists – the Spaniards and the Americans, and nationals of other countries who have dealt with the Philippine society through trade – the Chinese and the Indians. The resulting blend of this mixture of influences, which are sometimes conflicting, is uniquely Filipino in character.

CHAPTER 5: FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP AND VALUES The given set of values is inherently within each Filipino. This part of the module aspires to awaken these values amongst us and hopefully, later on, inspire us to practice it in our everyday lives. These values, if carried out with one‟s heart can serve as a vehicle and reinforcement towards our goal of realizing social change and progress. The value of respect for life was well depicted by the mystic in the story—the house of life by Andrew Maria. Where in the mystic was the only one who knocked first before entering the beautiful house called life.. The value of concern for family and the future generations was well depicted by the father in the short story entitled “Father’s mistake—no time” by Bel San Luis. The father wanted to give everything to his wife and kids so he worked for long hours and because of that his relationship with his family was lessened to the point that he was left out. The father forgot about what they needed the most: a father who was around at nights to give love and support. With us getting too much involved on something keeps us forgetting our true purpose and this kind of action keeps us away from attaining the value of concern for family and the future generation. The value of truth proves to us that everything will turn out to be good if we believe in the truth and if we avoided the lies. Lies are what bring us close to the foe and farther from the saviour. The value of equality, through the story of Andrew Maria Almonte entitled Skulls, was highlighted through the conversation of the king skull and the slave skull. The story shows that people may have different standings in the society but each one bears the same amount of dignity as another and all share a common destiny. The value of the promotion of the common good can be seen clearly through the story of Benigno Beltran entitled “a Chinese legend”. In this story, the bamboo was the one who portrayed the value the most because it gave away his beautiful growth for its master to use its purpose. The bamboo allowed his master to cut and cleave for the sake of the other part of the garden to be prosperous in growth and in abundance. The story of the giving tree by Fr. Benigno Beltran emphasizes the importance of the value of concern of the environment through the acts of the boy and the tree. The tree showed so much love to the boy that anything that he needs the tree gives a part of its own. It justifies that we, as benefactors of nature, should not abuse the kindness of nature towards us. We should know our responsibilities towards nature and how we should treat nature as a part of our life. And in return, nature would provide us with our needs at the right amount.