Unit 2 - Pamilya (Family)

INTRO:

Ang Pamilya
Family

The Filipino Family

The Filipino family, Isip (Handog at Papuri, 1996) states, is a close and strong social unit wherein children obeyed and the older members demanded respect and obedience. Position of respect is formed and defined by roles and social structure.

The extended family is the basic economic unity of society. Parents and children help each other, assistance from relatives comes in form of cooperation and support which is the very foundation of the value of “Bayanihan”. (Isip, 1996).

For Filipinos, a harmonious family unit is of primary value (Aspillera, 1986; Bernardin, 1990; Castillo, 1990; Chan, 1992; Isip, 1990). There is strong stress on interdependence and togetherness and family is extended to relatives and trusted friends (Bernardin, 1990; Hockings, 1993; Isip, 1990). Respect is instilled for elders and authority figures and there is strong family pride. Before Hispanic colonization, the family was matriarchal in structure; Irma Isip, Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ consultant to Asian & Pacific Islander Catechesis, said that a perceived shift to a patriarchal structure could possibly be an effect of Hispanic colonization that installed the male as the authority figure (personal communication, March 18, 1998).

Unlike their Asian counterparts, Filipino women occupied high positions in the family and society: they were the first in Asia to vote and to be elected to office (Zaide, 1994); they shared decision-making with their husbands and they held the purse strings (Bernardin, 1990; Brough, 1988; Castillo, 1990; Isip, 1990). “Unlike other Asian groups, family authority is not patriarchal, but more egalitarian, where husband and wife share almost equally in financial and family decisions” (Agbayani-Siewert & Revilla, 1995, p. 160; Chan, 1992). Moreover, there is even a Filipino legend that has both man and woman emerging simultaneously from a bamboo branch, in contrast to the Judeo-Christian explanation of Eve being created from Adam’s rib. This legend is interpreted as illustrating the equality of man and woman (Andres & Ilada-Andres, 1987).
           
Filipinos are noted for their child-centeredness.  Children are looked upon as blessings. Filipino families tend to be large, averaging five or more children (Castillo, 1990; Isip, 1990). The first-born has the greatest responsibility, taking care of her/his parents and younger siblings’ day-to-day needs, such as school expenses (Bernardin, 1990).
(Juanita S. Nacu)
           

            Isip, I. (1996, June). Handog at Papuri: A concert & a tribute with Fr. E. P. Hontiveros, S.J. (p. 4) Archdiocese of Los Angeles
           
            Santos Nacu, J. (2002). Storytelling in Project Heart to Heart: A means to bridge generational gap in post-1965 Filipino immigrant families.Philippines: Self-publication.