KAPWA AND THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND DIGNITY

SIKOLOHIYA NG KAPWA

Filipino social interaction, observed in everyday life and reflected in language, reveals much about Filipino social psychology, worldview, and values. Interpersonal relations are highly valued in the Philippines, making them a significant focus for understanding Filipino personality and culture.

True

Food serves as a lens for understanding Filipino interpersonal relationships.

Ibang-tao (outsider): Guests are served special dishes and formal tableware.

Hindi ibang-tao (one-of-us): Family shares everyday meals and tableware.

True

The use of sawsawan (dipping sauces) highlights the collaborative and non-imposing nature of Filipino hospitality, where people enhance their food’s flavor to suit their taste.

Kapwa,

meaning " shared identity, " unites both " outsider " and " one-of-us " categories. It is the central idea in Filipino interpersonal behavior, encompassing all levels of interaction. Through kapwa, Filipinos foster justice, freedom, and dignity in relationships.

True

The Shared Inner Self

Kapwa translates to "both" or "fellow-being, " but its deeper meaning is the shared identity between the self and others. Unlike the English " others, " which separates the self and others, kapwa represents unity and shared identity. It emphasizes interconnectedness and mutual respect.

Kapwa vs. Smooth Interpersonal Relations (SIR)

Kapwa is rooted in values like dignity (dangal) and shared humanity, while SIR focuses on avoiding conflict through conformity and politeness (pakikisama). Kapwa goes beyond this—it reflects deep respect for the inherent worth of others.

Pagtutunguhan:

Superficial interactions, like basic courtesy.

Pakikipagkapwa:

Profound connection based on shared humanity, emphasizing equality and dignity. In kapwa psychology, the self (ako) and others (ibasa-akin) are united. Viewing oneself as separate from others denies the essence of kapwa.

True

Saling-pusa:

Filipinos have unique ways of distinguishing insiders and outsiders but draw these lines flexibly.

_______ A nonmember treated informally as part of the group, reflecting the value placed on harmony and inclusiveness.

Pronouns like kita, kami, and tayo emphasize varying levels of inclusion, always rooted in respect for kapwa.

Pakikipagkapwa as a Value

Pakikipagkapwa involves treating everyone as equals, regardless of differences in status or roles.

It is inconsistent with exploitation or injustice and emphasizes fairness and respect.

Kapwa in Action

Even in adversity, Filipinos demonstrate pakikibaka (joining struggles) as part of pakikipagkapwa. The 1986 People Power Revolution exemplified this value in resisting oppression.

Proverbial Wisdom

Filipino proverbs capture the essence of kapwa:

"Madali ang maging tao, mahirap ang magpakatao." ("It is easy to be born human, but hard to live as one.")

"Kung mahirap ang maging tao, lalong mahirap ang makipagkapwa-tao." ("If it is hard to be human, it is even harder to live in harmony with others.")

In essence, kapwa embodies deep respect for shared humanity, guiding Filipino values and relationships.

Kagandahang-loob

reflects a person ' s inner nobility, expressed through spontaneous acts of kindness and generosity (kabutihan).

True ________ comes from a pure heart (kabaitan) and must not have any ulterior motives.

Examples include lending items to neighbors or welcoming guests warmly—not out of obligation, but from genuine goodwill.

True

Filipino dignity (karangalan) is more profound than the commonly misunderstood hiya (translated as “shame”).

It has two key components:

Puri: External recognition or praise for achievements (e.g., public awards or compliments).

Dangal: Internal dignity—self-worth and inner strength, regardless of external validation.

Dangal enables individuals to face challenges with confidence, whether or not society acknowledges their worth. When a person stakes their dangal for a principle or cause, it represents a complete commitment, tied to their very identity (pagkatao)

True

For Filipinos, kalayaan (freedom) isn’t just the liberty to act within societal norms or laws.

It often carries survival implications:

For marginalized communities like the Aetas of Zambales or duck farmers in Laguna, kalayaan means the ability to do what is necessary to live, even if it defies laws (e.g., shifting farming areas or gathering food in restricted zones).

This understanding of kalayaan transcends Western ideas of freedom as mere "license to act" and highlights its life-anddeath importance in the Filipino context.

Katarungan

is considered a fundamental requirement for peace in Philippine society, akin to food and livelihood.

It gained prominence during key political movements, such as those advocating for "Justice for Aquino, Justice for All" and the broader pursuit of national reconciliation, qualified as " reconciliation with justice."

These movements highlight that justice is not merely about following laws but addressing historical wrongs, inequality, and ensuring accountability.

Justice Beyond the Law

Unlike in Western contexts where laws often align with people ' s sense of justice, Philippine laws were imposed during colonization and reflect foreign systems (Spanish Civil Code and American Constitution).

This created a gap between the batas (law) and the people ' s idea of katarungan.

Filipinos commonly express that justice is often lost in how laws are implemented: “Wala sa batas, nasa pamamalakad ng batas” (Justice lies not in the law but in its enforcement).

1. Karapatan (Basic Rights)

2. Katotohanan (Truth) & Katwiran (Reason)

3. Kapayapaan (Peace) & Pagkakaisa (Unity)

CORE ELEMENTS OF KATARUNGAN

Karapatan (Basic Rights)

Every person has inherent rights, such as the right to personal wellbeing, possessions, and livelihood.

Violations of these rights constitute injustice.

The root word dapat (appropriate or correct) underscores the connection between what is just and what is right in Filipino culture.

Katotohanan (Truth) & Katwiran (Reason)

These elements emphasize fairness and logic in decision-making, especially in court actions. Justice requires truthfulness and sound reasoning.

Kapayapaan (Peace) & Pagkakaisa (Unity)

Derived from the Filipino value of kapwa (shared identity), these elements prioritize harmony and collective wellbeing over strict legal procedures.

Filipinos prefer compromise over confrontation, often saying, “Diyos na lang ang bahala” (Leave it to God), to maintain peace and unity.

Justice

Filipinos view katarungan as both personal and social.

________ means restoring a wronged individual’s dignity or circumstances to their rightful state.

It also involves addressing societal inequalities, ensuring fair distribution of resources, and advocating for the marginalized (“Those who have less in life should have more in law”).

This perspective highlights the Filipino emphasis on balance, equity, and inclusivity in justice.

Fairness

means equal treatment for all, regardless of wealth or power, and is integral to katarungan.

Achieving justice in an unequal society requires prioritizing the interests of the majority, often the poor, as fairness demands addressing systemic inequalities.

Access to justice should be quick and affordable, but the judicial system currently favors the rich due to costly and lengthy processes.

Truth

ensures protection from false accusations and is central to justice, requiring honesty (katapatan).

Reason (katwiran)

relates to the justification of actions and the acknowledgment of legitimate grievances, emphasizing just causes and mutual understanding.

True

Justice involves social unity (pagkakaisa) through consensus rather than confrontation.

Dialogues and compromises are preferred over formal legal actions.

Pagkakaisa represents the ideal realization of pakikipagkapwa (shared identity), where parties act with mutual trust and recognition of each other ' s dignity.
However, true unity in settlements is rare due to social inequalities, with the rich often having an unfair advantage.

True

Peace (kapayapaan) is both a goal and a method of achieving katarungan. Its nonconfrontative nature often leads to compromises, reflecting the Filipino preference for harmony.

Graded justice is a notable characteristic of katarungan: situations are rarely fully just (makatarungan) or unjust (di-makatarungan). Instead, compromises that ensure some degree of peace are accepted, even if they perpetuate inequality.

This graded approach is expressed in the plea for " maski kaunting katarungan lamang " (even a little justice).