Filipino Family and Cultural Values
Key Point: Filipinos value family highly and rely on family relations - whether real or fictive -
in defining and seeking help for problems or disorders. The well-being of the family (or the family name) is valued
more highly than that of the individual. The following values bind the individual to the family, making him/her to
consider how a decision will impact the family.
Values relevant to practice:
Utang na loob: debt of gratitude and reciprocal obligation
-- drives the individual to reciprocate any real of perceived favor or service; this value drives children to care
for their elderly.
Hiya: sense of shame
-- drives the individual to reciprocate any real of perceived favor or service; this value drives children to care
for their elderly.
Amor propio: sense of self-esteem
-- drives the individual to protect his/her personal reputation.
Pakikisama and Pakiramdam: ability to facilitate smooth interpersonal relations and to sense
other people's desires or feelings.
-- drives the individual to protect his/her social relations with the closest and dear to him/her.
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Practice Guidelines
Practitioner needs to be aware of the role of utang na loob in responding to client expression of gratitude,
and in general conduct of the client during the treatment plan.
Be aware of how direct and confrontational language will be received and interpreted. In order to reach and not to
offend Filipino clients, the practitioner needs to be aware of hiya, and amor propio.
Be aware of how pakikisama may or may not interfere with compliance to treatment. Practitioner must build
trust so that clients do not seemly agree in order to get along.
Family-centered therapy is more effective than individual-centered therapy when serving this population. The role of the
family is taken into account in reaching the client and guiding him/her to recovery.
Content of this page,
prepared by:
FILIPINO AMERICAN SERVICE GROUP, INC.
(FASGI)
135 N Park View Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Tel. No.: (213) 487-9804
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