loob and kapwa: filipino philosophy

Loob, Sarili and Kapwa in Social Philosophy

Joemar T. MaganteMATSS

Filipino Philosophy

Non-individualistic Tied with groups called

“SAKOP”

Filipino Social Philosophy

Sakop is the place where he says “TAYO”

Tayo-tayo is where fellowship prevails.


Sakop can be either one’s relatives, fraternity members, barkada and the like.

For indigenous Filipinos, their concept of sakop is tribe calling their members as “katribo”


Kapwa is “a recognition of shared identity, an inner self shared with other”

(Virgilio Enriquez, 1992)


KapwaThe “unity of the one-of-us-and-the-other”, according to Virgilio Enriquez who declared the concept as a Filipino core value.Kapwa, meaning ‘togetherness’, is the core construct of Filipino Psychology.

2 Categories of Kapwa1. Ibang Tao (outsider) 5 domains:

a. Pakikitungo: civility b. Pakikisalamuha: act of mixingc. Pakikilahok: act of joiningd. Pakikibagay: conformitye. Pakikisama: being united with the

group

2 Categories of Kapwa2. Hindi Ibang Tao (one-of-us) 3 domains:a. Pakikipagpalagayang-loob: act of mutual trustb. Pakikisangkot: act of joining othersc. Pakikipagkaisa: being one with others.

Pakikipagkapwa (shared identity) Definition:

This idea of “shared self” opens up the heart-doors of the I to include the Other. Here, it is not important if you are rich or poor, or status in society. “People are just people in spite of their age, clothes, diplomas, color or affiliations.”

Concept of Pakikipagkapwa1. Strangers2. Acquaintances3. Peers4. Friend5. Best friend6. Soul mate, Lover

Pakikiramdam: A Pivotal Value Definition:

Filipinos use damdam, or the inner perception of others’ emotions, as a basic tool to guide his dealings with other people. It characterizes Filipino emotion. Enriquez named this emotional quality “shared perception”.

Pakikisama/PakikipagkapwaTo Filipinos, “pakikisama” is a very important trait.

“Pakikisama” is the ability of a person to get along with others to maintain good and harmonious relationships.

It implies camaraderie and togetherness in a group and the cause of one’s being socially accepted.

Pakikisama/Pakikipagkapwa“Pakikisama” requires someone yielding to group opinion, pressuring him to do what he can for the advancement of his group, sacrificing individual welfare for the general welfare.

Pakikisama/Pakikipagkapwa One good aspect of pakikisama exists within close family kinship and is interpreted as helping each other. Pakikisama is defined as an apathy towards others with the readiness to help.

Comparative Oriental Philosophy

Metalinguistic Analysis – understanding the mind of the speaker

Phenomenology of behavior – direct experiences, how people behave

Concept of Loob

Javanese and Filipino culture strive for Harmony and Order

Javanese society is hierarchal manifested by their language.

Concept of Loob

Their group orientation discourages competition.

Individuals should be humble and low profile.

Concept of Loob

Batin means “inner realm of human experience”, also means inner, in the heart, hidden and mysterious.

Concept of Batin

Concept of Batin and LoobBahasa

IndonesiaFilipino

LanguageUtang Bodhi Utang na Loob

Jadilak Kehendakmo(Kehendak means will)

Sundin ang loob mo

Kebatinan Kalooban

Kebatinan is the place where someone meets the Absolute.

Rasa is the intuitive feeling or the way to essential knowledge.

Ngesti is the spiritual discipline.

Lahir is the physical body, outward appearance.

Concept of Batin and Loob

Traditional Filipino World View is that the world is full of spirits.

Aspects of the natural world has power in them. For example: mountains, trees, animals, rivers and also people.

Concept of Loob

Liwanag or light in the sun is the image of power and divine presence.

Life giving powers Also points out the path

of death Indicated the way of the

cross that revolutionaries must take.

Concept of Loob

Attainment of paradise through hardships is also the attainment of liwanag.

Extraordinary beings with transformed kaloobans.

A weak loob is an indication of the state of darkness.

Concept of Loob

Ileto defines LOOB as an inner being which is associated with the ideas of leadership, power, nationalism and revolution.

Loob in Historical Perspective

A purified kalooban requires a special knowledge which was given more to the leaders and less to the members.


LOOB must be continually purified and strengthened.

The forms of sacrifice like prayers and abstinence can purify the soul.

Through sacrifice, a “new man” will emerge.


In the revolutionary sense, Prospero Covar noted that it is necessary to purify the body so that it will be a worthy temple of anting anting or agimat.


Revolutionaries regarded their leaders as men of psychic powers in winning wars.

Powers should be used in good terms and necessary occasions.

Taking advantage of other people is not advised.


Filipino Philosophy is non-dualistic or holistic.

It means that the body is one. Any part can assume the whole.

“I am a body” not “I have a body concept.”

LOOB and KATAWAN

LOOB and KATAWAN: Metalinguistic Analysis – Intellectual ThemeLOOB BODIL Y

EXPRESSIONSMEANING

Alapaap ang kalooban

Gumugulo ang isip

To doubt

Bugaw ang loob

Gulo ang isip Scatter brained

Buhos ang loob

Buo ang atensyon

Concentrated

Bumabagabag na loob

Nalilito ang damdamin

Worried

Hindi maatim ng kalooban

Hindi masikmura

Against the conscience

LOOB and KATAWAN: Metalinguistic Analysis – VolitionalLOOB BODIL Y

EXPRESSIONSMEANING

Bukal sa loob Pusong bato Stubborn

Buong loob Taos puso VoluntaryKaisang loob Kaisa sa puso Mutual

Malamig ang loob

Malamig na pagtingin

Coolness

Wala sa loob Walang gana No desire

LOOB and KATAWAN: Metalinguistic Analysis – Emotional

LOOB BODIL Y EXPRESSIONS

MEANING

Bigat ng loob Bigat ng dugo Ill feelings

Lumuwag ang loob

Ginhawa At ease

Pait ng loob Sakit sa damdamin

Bitterness

Sama ng loob Hinanakit Troubled heart

LOOB and KATAWAN: Metalinguistic Analysis – Ethical

LOOB BODIL Y EXPRESSIONS

MEANING

Bukas ang loob Bukas palad Charitable

Kagandahang loob

Kabaitan Goodness

Tinig sa loob Budhi Conscience

Loob na halaghag

Halang ang bituka

Greedy

Kaputol or utol means brother or sister

Kapatid or patid also means brother and sister.

Laman sa aking katawan and Dugo sa aking dugo or offspring

Social Dimensions of Loob

Sarili as SELF Sarili as FREEDOM Sarili as PROPERTY Sarili as EXPRESSION

Loob and Sarili

Sarili points to the man’s being or personhood.

Sarili means pagkatao. Self is not separate from

personhood. It is the whole self.

Sarili as SELF

Sabi ko sa sarili ko (I said to myself)

Aking sarili (Myself) Iyong sarili (Yourself) Paggalang sa sarili (Self

respect) Makasarili (Selfish)

Sarili as SELF

Sariling pag-iisip – free thinking

Sariling paraan – own ways and means

Magsarili – live independently

Kasarinlan – indepence and autonomy

Sarili as FREEDOM

Sariling bayan – own country

Sariling pera – own money Sariling gamit – own things Sariling atin – our very own Walang sarili – nothing of

one’s own

Sarili as PROPERTY

No original word for privacy. No other party should see and

hear what you are doing. Example is “mag usap tayo ng

sarilinan”, “hayaan mo akong makapag-isa”

It applies to sakop as well – communal.

“Pahiram nga ng ating batya”

Sarili as PRIVACY

Differentiate ISIP (reason) from BAIT.

ISIP is thought, intelligence, sense or judgment.

BAIT is intrinsic goodness and sense or consciousness.

Filipino concept of bait is both emotional and intellectual or hollistic.

LOOB and BAIT

Sarili is a bigger umbrella which embraces loob and katawan which is inseparable with soul and spirit.

Loob is an interior aspect of sarili.

Conclusion

The Filipino looks at himself as a self, as one who feels and wills, as who thinks and acts as a total whole conscious of his freedom, dignity and sensitive to the violation of these.

Conclusion

loob and kapwa: filipino philosophy

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