Filipino Culture, Values, and Practices in Relation to Healthcare

Purnell 2005

Culture:

• Totality of socially transmitted pattern of thoughts, values, meanings, and beliefs

Fisher 1996

Culture:

• not limited to any specific ethnic group, geographical area, language, religious belief, manner of clothing, sexual orientation, & socioeconomic status

Tan 2008

Culture:

• inscribed in our bodies and in our minds

Filipino Culture

summation of indigenous forces & foreign influences that had come to bear upon the people in varying degrees during the last centuries

• Malays

• China

• Hindu

• Indian

• Spanish

• Americans

Contributory factors to Filipino Culture

1. Traditional Concept

2. Nationalistic View

3. Cultural Dualism

Filipino Cultural Perspective

• believers of religion

• believe so much in supernatural powers

• they only see themselves as a speck in this wide unverse

• success is a blessing from above as a result of goodluck and faith

• hospitality is a practice

Belief System of Filipinos

Culural Values

shared assumptions of what is right, good or important

Value System

• Cultural Values

• Guide man's behavior and action

• Majority of filipinos value more their honor (karangalan) rather than wealth

Bayanihan

Filipinos engaged themselves in mutual cooperation

1. Utang na loob

2. Pakikisama

3. Bahala

4. Authoritarianism

5. Amor-propio

The Filipino Values

1. Namamana (inheritance)

2. Lihi (conception/Maternal Cravings)

3. Pasma (hot and cold syndrome)

4. Sumpa and Gaba (curse)

5. Namalugno (mystical and supernatural causes)

6. Kaloob ng diyos (God's Will)

Common Filipino Cultural Beliefs

• Public health education campaigns

• Genetic counseling session

Namamana: Nursing Interventions

Birth defects/physical deformities

Namamana: Example

Ectrodactyly

Lamellar Ichthyosis

Lihi: Examples

Ectrodactyly

split-hand/split-footmal formation

a genetic congenital anomaly where all or part of one or more fingers is absent, & the hands & feet of people with this condition are described as “claw-like”

Lamellar Ichthyosis

an affected person manifests dry, thickened, and flaky skin which resembles fish scales

local folks explain the cause as lihi since the mother was reportedly attracted to the look of crocodile skin = children acquired the skin of a reptile

Post-partum psychosis

Pasma: Example

Post-partum psychosis

colloquially known among Filipinos as nabaliw, the cold elements of lamig/hangin settles in the mind causing post-partum depression & psychosis disrupting well-being