How Should We Erase the 'Filipino Time' Mentality

https://www.christianfilipina.com/
forum/thread.php?id=47521

 I was interviewed by a group of computer engineering students two days ago.  They are testing a cell phone application, an alarm that can sound at random prior to the final time set to wake up (for example).  I then asked them what my role is in the creation of the application.  They mentioned being interrogated by their professor related to how this could respond to the "Filipino time" concept interpreted as "always late" in the psychological perspective.

So the main question that they asked for me to respond was: "How could we erase the 'Filipino time' mentality?"  given my background in psychology.

My answer sounded like this:

http://primer.com.ph/tips-guides
/2016/02/15/expat-guide-filipino-time/

The "Filipino time" may have sprung somewhere in the past... handed down from generation to generation.  We may not know exactly who started such a concept ( i did not dare read more about this).   The psychology behind the formation of behaviour may have come from a reinforced and repeated practice that may be acknowledged and accepted everytime it occurs or happens.  

To change a behaviour is a personal decision.  I was also getting the impression that the app seemed to reinforce further the behaviour at not waking up immediately due to the randomized alarm prior to the final waking up.  So how would you be able to solve "Filipino time" practice of adolescents? Your application has to ignite and motivate the person setting the alarm to wake up immediately.  Randomized alarm set will defeat that purpose.

https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts
/filipino-time-with-steve-and-james-
steve-9pTtyx73FDM/

For the student researchers, they were so desperate to solve the concern/challenge thrown to them by their professor.  They even wanted to add a feature of the app such as the use of either reinforcement or punishment whenever the person will not still with the time set to wake up. However, I told them punishment may change the behaviour but the motivation to do that is out of fear compared to the positive approach to changing a behaviour or attitude.

My dear readers, our attitude could be changed by personal decision.  Others may be giving us information or ideas how to go about it but the action comes from us.  I further told the students to continue with the project.  They can experiment also on the use of either positive reinforcement or those that may challenge personal accountabilities (for not waking up or coming to agreed meeting time).  However, the emphasis and focus are on the establishment of personal discipline and commitment with time.   Having positive reinforcements also may form behaviour.  But a person cannot be dependent on this all the time to change oneself.  It should be that even without the reinforcement the person continues and firmly resolves to stick with what is agreed upon, upholds personal discipline and shows up or wakes up on time.

Does this make sense to you?