As individuals and organizations, we are inevitably part of a community: Filipinos part of a Filipino Nation.
Each of us possesses tremendous power to compel action. Everything we choose to do and not to do, impact our people and our nation. We then call each individual to an awareness of this power. We call each individual to change, gradually and with integrity, by starting doing the right thing, one day at a time. Not just because it is noble, but also because it makes sense.
We hope that we will all want to do the right thing; not just for a day, a week, a month, or a year – or at the very least, we hope that each of us may simply have that inner longing to make a difference in other people’s lives.
1) NATIONALISM – Act within your community for your community. You are part of a whole. What happens to that whole – directly or indirectly – affects you.
Examples:
a. Do something concrete that will benefit not only yourself or your family.
b. Support the efforts of other people to be successful, instead of bringing them down.
2) DISCIPLINE – Do what you need to do, as expected of you, without any excuses. A general culture of cutting corners will snowball to a greater detriment for everyone, including you.
Examples:
a. Follow traffic regulations whether or not there are traffic officers watching.
b. When obtaining official documents, abide by the processes and protocols set for all.
3) GRATITUDE – There’s always someone to thank and to be thankful for. Show your appreciation both in words and actions. Acknowledging good acts fosters a cycle of kindness that everyone will enjoy and benefit from, including you.
Examples:
a. Refer to those who serve us, such as guards, waiters, salesladies and the like, as "Ma'am " or "Sir" as your active way of expressing your recognition of them as people.
b. Smile at all the people who have helped you while undergoing your daily routine.
4) GENEROSITY – Be a reason for others to be grateful. Your generosity contributes to a culture of charity that we all aspire to belong to.
Examples:
a. Block out a set time to follow through on an advocacy that you usually put off.
b. Perform random acts of kindness, especially to strangers.
5) CONSERVATION – Just use what you need. Anything in excess will hurt the environment, hurt others, and sooner or later hurt you.
Examples:
a. Refrain from any act of wastefulness.
b. Ask "Who can I ride with?” or “Give a ride to?" today?
6) HONESTY – Seek, live, and speak the truth. You ought to free yourself from the burden of paying for lies.
Examples:
a. Object to a wrongdoing.
b. Do not cheat in any way.
7) CONSIDERATION – Always take time to think of what others need and act upon it. Being considerate challenges people around you to think of the needs of others, including yours.
Examples:
a. Be punctual for all your commitments.
b. Use your higher position to see how you can address the welfare of others that are under you.
8) COURAGE – Act according to your values and principles for these define who you are as a person. Compromising them means compromising yourself.
Examples:
a. Do not let fear and the possibility of exclusion prevent you from correctly acting.
b. Accept the consequences of value-grounded actions, whether pleasant or unpleasant.
