Jerico Calawan

Utang na loob Reciprocity

Summary:
It is the most consciously generated when a transfer of goods or services
takes place between individuals belonging to two different groups.
Since one does not ordinarily expect favors of anyone not of his own
group, a service of this kind throws the norms into bold relief. Utang na loob is an
ancient Filipino operating principle.

Every Filipino is expected to posses utang na loob; that is, he should be

aware of his obligation to those from whom he receives favors and should repay
them in any acceptable manner. Since utang na loob invariably stems for service
rendered, even though a material gift may be involved, quantification is
impossible.

The utang na loob repayment, where it is made or attempted, is

underfined in the sense that it can encompass any acceptable form within the
reach of the one reciprocating.

In the former case, failure to dischange one’s utang na loob repaying

with interest brings hiya, or shame, on the side of guilty party; in the latter case,
failure to recognize and admit that one has a debt is cause hiya. A word hiya is
called for. Hiya is the universal social sanction that regulates the give and take of
reciprocity and, general, all social behavior. Hiya may be translated as “a sense
of social propriety;” as a previentive, it makes for conformity to community norms.

When on violates such a norm he ordinarily feels deep sense of shame, a

realization of having failed to live up to the standards of the society.

To call a Filipino walang hiya, or “shameless” is to wound him seriously.

By not settling an obligation when opportunity arises, the Filipino violates a

highly valued operating principle and experiences a consequent hiya. To avoid
this painful experience, he makes every effort to repay his obligations in the
manner prescribed by his culture.