As other countries, Filipinos have a unique values that differs from other countries. These values help Filipinos to have their own identity even though they are being mixed with other culture because they are being colonized by three countries in the past. Even though the Philippines is an archipelago, all the people in this country still have the same values.
Philippines is known for having its natural beauty. It is being visited by the tourists because of its natural resources like mountains, hills, oceans, and other natural landscapes. Having natural destinations is an advantage but it is also better having a rich and unique culture so that the country will be known better. The tourism of the Philippines is being developed time to time not only because of the destinations but also the culture and values it has.
Through tourism, the Philippines can promote many things that can help the country to develop and to be known in the world. We can promote the cultural values of the Filipinos. The uniqueness of our cultural values is giving us our own identity. Promoting one cultural value like respect for the elderly can be a good idea. The idea of “pagmamano” and saying of “po” and “opo” can be an example. The tourism industry can use this so that we can show how Filipinos are courteous especially to the elders. There’s also a posibility that the tourists from other countries can adopt this specific cultural values so that after visiting our country, they will have a memory that the Filipinos are known for being courteous and if they met a person that is doing “pagmamano”, they can easily identify that those are Filipino people.
Even though we are not that rich country in terms of economy like others, still, we can say that the Philippines is one of the richest country in terms of natural resources and especially in culture. Even though those natural destinations fade away, we can still be rich because of the culture and values we have because those two things make us who we are, and that is being a Filipino.
One of the things that can build a bond is respect. If you respect other people, they will also respect you. In this way, you can meet many people and you will have a strong relationship with them.
Filipinos are known for always showing respect to others, especially to the elderly. Since childhood, they are already being practiced by their parents to say “po” and “opo” to the person who is older to them. In every sentence they say, they always have “po” and “opo” to give courtesy. Also, Filipinos are known for doing the “pagmamano” or putting the hands of the elder to their head. When they are meeting or greeting an elder person, they always say “mano po” and then they take the hands of the elder and put it to their head. In this way, the Filipinos show respect to the elders and receiving a blessing from them. It is always important to do these things because for Filipinos, respect is a big thing for them.
Showing respect is the first step to have good manners. As a Filipino, you must not be shy to practiced these things even in public because it is a sign that you are a good Filipino.
Filipino Cultural Values 