For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), keeping Filipino values alive while living abroad is super important. It’s about remembering where you came from and sharing that with your family, even if you’re miles away from the Philippines. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it!
The Heart of the Matter: Why Preserve Filipino Values?
Think of Filipino values as the glue holding our communities together. These aren’t just old-fashioned ideas; they are the foundations of how we treat each other, how we raise our kids, and how we see the world. When OFWs go overseas, they become ambassadors of Filipino culture. Preserving these values in their homes helps to:
Maintain Identity: Being away from home can sometimes make you feel lost. Keeping Filipino traditions alive helps you and your family stay connected to your roots. It reminds you who you are and where you came from even when you’re adapting to a new country.
Strengthen Family Bonds: Filipino values often emphasize family unity and respect for elders. Practicing these values reinforces family connections, which is especially important when family members are separated by distance.
Teach Future Generations: It’s our responsibility to pass on these values to our children, even if they are born and raised abroad. This ensures that Filipino culture remains vibrant and alive for generations to come. Imagine your grandchildren knowing about “mano po” or celebrating “Simbang Gabi”!
Promote Filipino Culture: OFWs play a vital role in showcasing Filipino culture on the global stage. By living out Filipino values, they demonstrate the warmth, resilience, and hospitality that Filipinos are known for.
Navigate Challenges: Many Filipino values such as faith, hardwork, and resilience help OFWs in adapting to a new culture and managing the difficulties of living overseas.
Key Filipino Values to Cherish and Nurture
Let’s dive into some specific Filipino values and how OFWs can actively keep them alive in their homes:
Bayanihan: Community Spirit and Helping Others
Bayanihan is all about helping each other out. Back in the Philippines, it’s seen when neighbors literally help someone move their house! While physically moving houses might not be practical abroad, the spirit of bayanihan can still thrive.
How to Practice it:
Join Filipino Community Groups: Every city usually has a Filipino association. These groups organize events, provide support to new arrivals, and celebrate Filipino holidays. Participating in these activities can help you connect with other Filipinos and practice bayanihan. For instance, many organizations help newcomers find housing or jobs.
Offer Help to Fellow OFWs: New OFWs often need help with everything from setting up bank accounts to understanding local transportation. Offer assistance to those who are new to the area.
Support Filipino Charities: Give back to your community in the Philippines by supporting charities that focus on education, healthcare, or disaster relief. Several organizations dedicate resources to help underserved communities in the country.
Volunteer Time and Resources: Lend a hand to community projects. For example, you could volunteer at a local food bank or help organize a fundraising event for a Filipino cause.
Family-Orientedness: Putting Family First
Family is at the heart of Filipino culture. This means prioritizing the needs and well-being of your family, both near and far. As an OFW, you might be physically separated from your loved ones, but you can still maintain strong family ties. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2021 Survey on Overseas Filipinos, a significant portion of remittances are used for family support, primarily for education, medical expenses, and basic necessities. This highlights the importance of family-orientedness among OFWs.
How to Practice it:
Regular Communication: Schedule regular video calls with your family in the Philippines. Make it a habit to talk to your parents, siblings, and children. Share your daily experiences and listen to theirs. Use technology to bridge the distance and actively participate in their lives.
Send Balikbayan Boxes: Sending balikbayan boxes is a great way to show your love and support. Fill them with items that your family needs or enjoys, such as clothes, food, or school supplies. It’s a tangible way to remind them that you’re thinking of them.
Plan Family Visits: Whenever possible, plan visits to the Philippines. Spending time with your family is invaluable and helps strengthen your bond. Make sure these visits are meaningful and create lasting memories.
Involve Family in Decisions: Involve your family in important decisions, even if you are abroad. Seek their advice and opinions, and let them know that their input matters. This makes them feel valued and respected.
Support Extended Family: Filipino culture often extends family support to aunts, uncles, and cousins. If possible, offer assistance to extended family members who are in need.
Respect for Elders (Paggalang): Honoring Our Seniors
Paggalang is showing respect to elders, and it’s deeply ingrained in Filipino culture. This includes using appropriate terms of address (po and opo), performing mano po (taking an elder’s hand and pressing it to your forehead), and valuing their wisdom and experience.
How to Practice it:
Teach Your Children: Teach your children the importance of respecting elders. Explain the meaning of po and opo and demonstrate how to perform mano po. Encourage them to listen to and learn from their grandparents and other older relatives.
Involve Elders in Family Life: If possible, involve elders in your family life. Seek their advice on important matters, and listen to their stories and experiences. Make them feel valued and appreciated.
Celebrate Special Occasions: Celebrate birthdays and other special occasions with your elders. Make them feel special and loved. Show them that you value their presence in your life.
Show Gratitude: Express gratitude for the sacrifices and contributions of your elders. Let them know how much you appreciate them.
Preserve Traditions: Share some local traditions to younger family members. It could spark their interest and develop appreciation for the Filipino culture.
Hospitality (Pagkamapagpatuloy): Welcoming Guests with Open Arms
Filipinos are known for their warm hospitality. We love welcoming guests into our homes and making them feel comfortable and cared for, and this trait shines brightly even when Filipinos are living abroad.
How to Practice it:
Open Your Home to Fellow Filipinos: If you have the space, offer to host fellow Filipinos who are new to the area or who are visiting. This is a great way to practice pagkamapagpatuloy and help others feel welcome.
Share Filipino Food: Food is a central part of Filipino culture. Share Filipino dishes with your friends and neighbors. This is a great way to introduce them to Filipino culture and show your hospitality. Prepare extra amount of local dish and share it.
Offer Assistance to Visitors: If you see someone who looks lost or needs help, offer your assistance. This is a simple way to show your hospitality and make a positive impression. This could mean giving direction to someone lost or providing immediate basic aid.
Celebrate Filipino Holidays: Celebrate Filipino holidays like Christmas, New Year, and Independence Day. Invite your friends and neighbors to join in the festivities and experience Filipino culture. Plan fun activities, cook food and celebrate together.
Promote Filipino Tourism: Encourage others to visit the Philippines. Share your experiences and recommendations, and help them plan their trip.
Resilience (Katatagan): Bouncing Back from Challenges
Katatagan refers to the Filipino’s ability to cope with adversity and bounce back from challenges. This strength is especially needed by OFWs who face numerous difficulties abroad, and maintaining this spirit is very important.
How to Practice it:
Maintain a Positive Attitude: Even when facing difficult situations, try to maintain a positive attitude. Focus on the good things in your life and believe that things will get better.
Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Talk to your family, friends, or a counselor. Remember, you’re not alone.
Learn from Your Experiences: Use your challenges as opportunities for growth. Reflect on what you’ve learned from your experiences and how you can avoid similar situations in the future.
Practice Self-Care: Take care of your physical and mental health. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. Engage in activities that you enjoy and that help you relax.
Strengthen Your Faith: Many Filipinos find strength and resilience in their faith. Pray regularly, attend church services, and participate in religious activities.
Practical Tips for Keeping Filipino Culture Alive at Home
Here are some actionable tips that OFWs can use to integrate Filipino values into their daily lives:
Language
Language is a powerful tool for preserving culture. Speaking Filipino at home helps children learn the language and connect with their roots. Start with basic greetings and everyday phrases. Incorporate Filipino into your daily conversations. Read Filipino books and watch Filipino movies and TV shows together. Visit the local library for resources.
Food
Food is a delicious way to celebrate Filipino culture. Cook Filipino dishes at home and share them with your family and friends. Teach your children how to cook Filipino food. Visit Filipino restaurants and markets in your area. Host potlucks where everyone brings a Filipino dish to share. You can even experiment with adapting Filipino flavors to dishes in your adopted country.
Festivals and Celebrations
Filipino festivals and celebrations are a vibrant expression of cultural identity. Celebrate Filipino holidays like Christmas, New Year, and Independence Day. Organize family gatherings and parties. Decorate your home with Filipino decorations. Share the history and significance of these celebrations with your children. If possible, attend Filipino community events and festivals.
Music and Dance
Music and dance are integral parts of Filipino culture. Listen to Filipino music at home and in the car. Teach your children Filipino folk dances. Attend Filipino concerts and cultural performances. Play Filipino musical instruments like the ukulele or guitar. Introduce your non-Filipino friends to Filipino music and dance.
Stories and Traditions
Sharing stories and traditions helps to pass on Filipino culture to future generations. Tell your children stories about your childhood in the Philippines. Share Filipino folktales, myths, and legends. Teach them Filipino customs and traditions. Show them photos and videos of your family and your home country. Create a family scrapbook or photo album to document your memories.
Interacting with the Filipino Community
Connecting with the Filipino community is a great way to reinforce your cultural identity. Join Filipino organizations and clubs. Attend Filipino community events and festivals. Volunteer your time to support Filipino causes. Make friends with other Filipino families. Share your experiences and learn from others.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
It’s important to be aware of some common challenges that OFWs face when trying to preserve Filipino culture in their homes:
Assimilation Pressure: Feeling pressure to conform to the dominant culture can lead to neglecting Filipino traditions. Remember, you can integrate into a new society without losing your cultural identity.
Lack of Time: OFWs often work long hours, making it difficult to find time to participate in cultural activities. Prioritize activities that are meaningful to you and your family, and find ways to incorporate them into your daily routine.
Generational Differences: Children who are born and raised abroad may not fully understand or appreciate Filipino culture which can cause misunderstanding and conflict. Have open conversations with your children about the importance of their heritage, and find ways to make it relevant to their lives.
Distance from Family: Being separated from family in the Philippines can make it harder to maintain cultural connections. Make an effort to stay connected with your family through regular communication and visits.
Financial constraints: Balancing financial obligations abroad with the desire to support family and maintain cultural traditions can be difficult. In such situations, it is best to focus on simpler, cost-effective ways of sharing Filipino values and traditions like story telling and communicating through language.
Finding a Balance: Integrating Filipino Values into a New Culture
Preserving Filipino values doesn’t mean rejecting the culture of your adopted country. It’s about finding a balance between the old and the new. OFWs can successfully integrate into a new society while still maintaining their cultural identity. By embracing both cultures, you can enrich your lives and create a more diverse and inclusive community.
How to Find the Balance:
Embrace Diversity: Teach your children to appreciate different cultures. Encourage them to learn about other languages, customs, and traditions.
Participate in Local Events: Get involved in your local community by attending events and festivals. This is a great way to learn about the local culture and meet new people.
Share Your Culture: Share your Filipino culture with your friends and neighbors. Cook Filipino food, teach them Filipino dances, and share stories about your heritage.
Find Common Ground: Look for common ground between Filipino and other cultures. This can help you bridge cultural gaps and build relationships with people from different backgrounds.
Be Open-Minded: Be open-minded and willing to learn from others. This will help you adapt to a new culture and build a more inclusive community.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here are some commonly asked questions about preserving Filipino values in OFW homes:
How can I teach my children about Filipino culture when they are growing up in a different country?
Start by speaking Filipino at home, cooking Filipino food, and celebrating Filipino holidays. Share stories about your childhood in the Philippines, and teach them about Filipino customs and traditions. Connect with the Filipino community in your area and involve your children in cultural activities. Make it fun and engaging for them, and show them why you value your heritage.
I work long hours and don’t have much time to devote to cultural activities. What can I do?
Even small efforts can make a big difference. Incorporate Filipino into your daily conversations, listen to Filipino music in the car, and watch Filipino movies and TV shows together. Celebrate Filipino holidays in simple ways, such as cooking a special meal or decorating your home. Prioritize activities that are meaningful to you and your family, and find ways to fit them into your busy schedule.
My children don’t seem interested in learning about Filipino culture. What should I do?
Try to make it more engaging and relevant to their lives. Find ways to connect Filipino culture to their interests, such as music, sports, or technology. Talk to them about the benefits of being bilingual and bicultural. Show them how Filipino values can help them succeed in life. Be patient and persistent, and don’t force them to do anything they don’t want to do. When they come to understand the importance of their heritage, they will become more willing to engage in such activities.
How can I stay connected to my family in the Philippines when I live abroad?
Schedule regular video calls with your family, and make it a habit to talk to them regularly. Send balikbayan boxes filled with items they need or enjoy. Plan visits to the Philippines whenever possible. Involve them in important decisions, and seek their advice and opinions. Let them know that you are thinking of them and that you care about their well-being.
What are some resources that can help me preserve Filipino culture in my home?
There are many resources available online and in your local community. Search for Filipino organizations and clubs in your area. Visit Filipino restaurants and markets. Check out Filipino websites, blogs, and social media groups. Talk to other Filipino families and share ideas and resources. The Philippine embassy can also refer some community centers and associations in your area.
References
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2021). Survey on Overseas Filipinos.
De Guzman, P. (2018). Filipino Values and Culture. Manila: Rex Bookstore.
Landa Jocano, F. (1997). Filipino Value System: A Cultural Definition. Punlad Research House.
It’s our responsibility to pass on these values to our children, and to promote Filipino culture wherever we are. So, take a moment today to think about how you can celebrate Filipino values in your home. Speak Filipino to your kids, prepare classic dishes, or simply share a story about your childhood. Every little bit counts!
Ready to make a difference? Here’s what you can do now:
Join a Filipino community: If you haven’t already, search for organizations in your area!
Share this article: Spread the word and inspire other OFWs to preserve Filipino culture in their homes.
Start a family tradition: Pick one Filipino tradition that you want to start practicing with your family this week!
Connect with your family back home: Send a message or schedule a call with your loved ones in the Philippines to reinforce family ties.
Together, we can ensure that Filipino values continue to thrive for generations to come, no matter where we are in the world!
