Annaver Arias Tuesday 6:00-9:00

BS-PSYCH 4 Sir. Marlon Poe

Activity #1

Topic: Filipino Value System (Sikolohiyang Pilipino)

Article: Reyes (2015). Loób and kapwa: An introduction to a Filipino virtue ethics. Asian Philosophy, 25,

2, 148-171. doi: 10.1080/09552367.2015.1043173

Instructions: Answer only THREE out of the five questions below. Respond to each of the selected

question as fully and comprehensively as possible [10 pts each].

1. Based on the article, why is loób’s culturally accurate translation is “relational will? How is the
Filipino loób different from the Western conception of will?

- The word loob is literally translated into English as “inside”. It is used to describe the inside of
physical objects such as a house or a jar. But the literal translation can confuse other people
when we talk about the loob of the person it does not necessarily mean physical insides of the
person, like their body organs or also known as mang-loob, but rather the will of the person. So,
based in the article that I’ve read the cultural accurate translation on the word loob is related
will especially when it talks about a person meaning his will towards his kapwa. Filipino loob is
different from the Western conception of will because Filipino loob is always leaning towards
relationship with other or to their kapwa while Western conception of will is very subjective.

2. Why do you think the core value of kapwa is a culturally unique concept in the Philippines? If
not, why? Do you also think that the spirit of kapwa or pakikipagkapwa is still evident in the
Filipinos’ way of living in these modern times?
- Kapwa is a recognition of a shared identity, an inner self, shared with others. A person who
treats another as a kapwa has a shared a sense of identity and consciousness with that ‘other’
person. This Filipino linguistic unity of the self and the other is unique and unlike in most
modern languages because implied in such inclusiveness is the moral obligation to treat one
 another as equal fellow human beings. Kapwa in Filipino is the unity of the self and others and it
is the core value of Filipinos. For me the spirit of kapwa or pakikipagkapwa is still evident in the
Filipinos way of living in these modern times, especially today that we experienced health crisis
and it is very evident that we still show pakikipagkapwa to other people. We are here to help
and support one another. Example for kapwa is when Filipinos go abroad they immediately
connect with other people whom they know are also Filipinos like them. They are proud to be
able to meet their kapwa in a foreign country because they can easily relate to one another in
that both of them share the same cultural background. Another example is whenever a Filipino
is competing in the pageant Miss Universe, earns an international award, or becomes
recognized in some other way, Filipinos are quick to show their support because they
automatically identify with that representative of the Philippines and wish for his or her success
for the sole reason they are Filipino like them.

3. According to Holnsteiner (1973), as cited in the article, there is a “circular or alternating dynamic
between kagandahang-loob and utang na loób” (p.73). Explain the complementing dynamics of
these two values and provide a concrete example.
- When you say kagandahang-loob it is literally translated as “beauty-of will” and it is likely similar
with another term kabutihang-loob or also known as “goodness-of-will”. The concept of
kagandahang-loob is manifested through an act of generosity or kabutihan towards your kapwa.
A display of kagandahang-loob must have no motive save that of kindness and inherent
graciousness. When you lend money to your friend because she doesn’t have food for lunch or
buying food for the street children these are all examples of kagandahang loob, but you should
put this in mind that it is not only the that counts but also the motivation to help other people.
The act of kindness must not be guided by an ulterior motive to be paid back, meaning you
should not expect anything in return this is what kagandahang-loob really means. You can tell if
an act is considered to convey kagandahang-loob only if it is done out of free will or kusang loob
and can only be considered to have been done out of kusang loob if the agent is not acting
under external compulsion, and if it is motivated by positive feelings towards the beneficiary like
for example donating for charity, love and sympathy towards other people. And if it is not
motivated because of the reward. Kagandahang-loob inspires the reverse current of this
dynamic which is called utang-na-loob. So, when you say utang it means debt, so utang-ng-loob
means a debt of will. But utang na loob doesn’t mean debt nut rather gratitude. There is a
cyclical or alternating dynamic between kagandahang-loob and utang na loob. It is a kind of
repayment with interest, a kind of “one-upmanship” as Holnsteiner would describe it. As they
constitute one dynamic, utang na loob is expected to possess many of the same characteristics
as kagandahang-loob. Such as its personal and sympathetic character and being free from
external compulsion.