Values can be defined as broad preferences concerning appropriate courses of action or outcomes. They serve as a reference for what is good, beneficial, important, useful or desirable. As time goes by, unfortunately they are forgotten little by little. Moreover, they are replaced by patterns of behavior which are deemed to be morally unacceptable.
Parents and the significant people around seem do not take action to resolve the problem. This is why even education finds it hard to stop this reality.
In the present time, some Filipino values are dispensed from display. Filipino children have started deviating from these values for couple of years.
Respect is one of them. The use of “po” and “opo” is buried inside the wooden trunk of our grandparents together with their old and priceless sentiments. Children today harshly utter profane language even in front of the elders.
Piousness is another. Prayer is the best way to communicate and strengthen our faith with God. Sad to say, children only find time to pray or resort to God if they need something.
Obedience cannot be erased from the list. We, Filipinos give so much importance to docility. For us, it is one way of showing respect. Regrettably, the youth today has become regular law breakers.
These are few of those Filipino values which are now neglected. They are once historically held important in our lives. They are very valuable in having a good education. Just as C.S. Lewis stated, “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a much clever devil.”
We all have to get out and move before they phase out. They are the rudder of our lives in order to stay on the right track. Without values, life is like a vehicle without a steering wheel.
By: MICHAEL M. MALIBIRAN | Teacher I | PILAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Pilar,Bataan
