fil psych mod 4

decolonizing filipino psychology

Surface and underlying values in Filipino interaction, reinterpreting concepts mislabeled by Western Scholars.

western colonial mislabels

Reinterpreting Mislabeled Concepts

• Early foreign scholars framed Filipino values through a “deficit model” – labeling them as passive conformity, burden of shame, and feudal debt obligations.

Indigenous SP Perspective

Reinterpreting Mislabeled Concepts

• Indigenous SP Perspective

  Sikolohiyang Pilipino reveals a holistic relational ethics built on shared inner identity (Kapwa), mutual care, propriety, and moral reciprocity.

Kapwa & Pakikiramdam

Enriquez’s Core Value Structure

• Kapwa forms the core ontological foundation (shared identity), while Pakikiramdam operates as the pivotal emotional processor.

Kagandahang-loob

Enriquez’s Core Value Structure

• Functions as the linking socio-personal value (shared humanity), connecting inner personhood directly to genuine benevolent action.

Shared inner self

The self in the other - De Guia (2005) & Enriquez emphasize that Kapwa is not “the other” (iba), but the recognition of shared identity — treating another person as an equal fellow human being.

Pakikiramdam

Pivotal Interpersonal Value

• Is the request to feel or be sensitive to others — an “emotional a priori”.

• It involves hesitation to react, acute attention to non-verbal cues, and active empathy before taking social action.

Empathy Pivot

Functions of Pakikiramdam

• acts as the processor that spins off surface values from the core value of kapwa.

Relational Compass

Functions of Pakikiramdam

• guides behavior in ambiguous or sensitive social contexts where verbal expression is subtle.

Key Prerequisite

Functions of Pakikiramdam

• essential foundation, without pakikiramdam, one cannot truly exhibit Hiya or Utang na Loob.

Hiya

Sense of Propriety

• Javier (2010) highlights that Hiya is not mere shame, embarrassment, or inferiority.

• It is a socially regulative feeling — an active sense of propriety and dignity that protects both one’s honor and the kapwa from loss of face.

Colonial reductionism

Utang na Loob : Sacred Reciprocity

• Mislabeled as a commercial transaction, feudal burden, or unending material obligation created by a favor.

Javier (2010) Reinterpretation

Utang na Loob : Sacred Reciprocity

• An enduring norm of reciprocity rooted in human dignity and relational gratitude emanating from Kagandahang-Loob.

Western Misconstruction

Pakikisama :Companionship vs Conformity

• equated with blind conformity, yielding to the majority, or avoiding conflict to maintain smooth interpersonal relations (SIR)

Authentic SP Concept

Pakikisama :Companionship vs Conformity

• basic camaraderie in the Ibang-Tao domain. It is subordinate to pakikiramdam and guided by the higher imperative of pakikipagkapwa.

Value Expressions in Community Service

Aguiling-Dalisay demonstrates how Pahinungod volunteers activate Pakikiramdam and Utang na Loob as drivers of genuine community participation.

De Guia : Kapwa & Culture Bearers

The Self in the Other

• Kathrin De Guia (2005) explores indigenous worldviews and wisdom of culture-bearers.

• Kapwa serves as a relational philosophy that fosters community healing, non-violence, and mutual flourishing.

Sikolohiyang Malaya

Sikolohiyang Malaya at Mapagpalaya

• a liberated psychology that resists academic dependency and rejects inappropriate Western frameworks imposed on local contexts.

Sikilohiyang Mapagpalaya

Sikolohiyang Malaya at Mapagpalaya

• a liberating psychology that actively serves the underserved (kapos-palad) and champions social justice and pagbabangong-dangal.

1970s, Virgilio Enriquez

Evolution of Value Reinterpretation

• Introduces Sikolohiyang Pilipino and the kapwa core value framework.

1980s-90s, Santiago, Enriquez, and Aguiling-Dalisay

Evolution of Value Reinterpretation

• map levels of interaction and voluntarism.

2005, Katrin De Guia

Evolution of Value Reinterpretation

• publishes “Kapwa” : the self in the other, emphasizing culture-bearers.

2010s+, R.E. Javier and modern scholars

Evolution of Value Reinterpretation

• solidify virtue ethics models of hiya and utang na loob.