THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE FILIPINO most concerned with, but pakikipagkapwa which means treating
the other person as kapwa or fellow human being.
What is Psychology?
Cherry Kendra (2020) defined "psychology" as the study of
mind and behavior that encompasses the biological influences
(genes and heredity), social pressures (society, peers and family)
and environmental factors that may affect on how a person think
and feel.
The Sikolohiyang Filipino (Filipino Psychology) as defined in
the Asian Journal of Psychology (2000) is the psychology that
was anchored to the experience, thoughts and orientation of the
Filipino.
Thinking about the Filipino behavior, it was always been
analyzed and interpreted in the light of the western theories
which mainly caused of the colonization that happens in our
country back then. Since this theories are inevitably culture
bound, the picture of Filipino has been in accurate, if not
distorted.
Rethinking Filipino values based on Filipino orientation some of
the Filipino values looks negative when it comes to other
perspective. Some of this are:
 "BAHALA NA"
A Filipino attitude that accepts suffering and problem and
leaving everything to an end which also show Filipino
determination but with other perspective, the value "bahala na"
is a fatalistic attitude of resignation, withdrawal from crisis and
sharing from personal responsibility.
 "HIYA"
In Philippine culture, hiya is generally defined and translated to
mean "shyness or shame" which is connected to dignity. in other
perspective hiya is the uncomfortable feeling that accompanies
awareness of being in socially unacceptable position or
performing socially un acceptable action it also said that hiya is
an ingredient in why Filipino overspend during fiestas in order
to please their visitors to the extent of going into debt
 "UTANG NA LOOB"
A Filipino values known as gratitude or solidarity but for others
perspectives, it is a principle of reciprocating the help of other to
an individual. It is a feeling of obligation to repay the debt in
future when the benefactor is in need of help. It is also known as
showing gratitude by returning the favor with interest. Looking
to the Filipino 's point of view in "utang na loob" it is not
necessarily burden as the word "debt" connotes because in
Filipino pattern of interpersonal relations, there is always an
opportunity to return a favor which is not absolutely obligatory.
"ANG HINDI LUMINGON SA PINANGGALINGAN AY
HINDI MAKAKARATING SA PAROROONAN"
 "PAKIKISAMA vs PAKIKIPAGKAPWA
Pakikisama is a Filipino value that shows smooth interpersonal
relations by going along with the group or the majority decision.
The concept of kapwa (shared identity), which is at the core of
Filipino social psychology, and which is at the heart of the
structure of Filipino values. It was discovered that it is not
maintaining smooth interpersonal relationships that Filipinos are
There are two categories of kapwa: the Ibang-Tao (outsider) and
the Hindi-Ibang-Tao (‘‘one-of-us’’). In Filipino social
interaction, one is immediately ‘‘placed’’ into one of these two
categories; and how one is placed determines the level of
interaction one is shown. For example, if one is regarded as
ibang-tao, the interaction can range from pakikitungo
(transaction/civility with), to pakikisalamuha (inter-action with),
to pakikilahok (joining/participating), to pakikibagay (in-
conformity with/in-accord with), and to pakikisama (being along
with). If one is categorized as hindi-ibang-tao,then you can
expect pakikipagpalagayang-loob (being
in-rapport/understanding/ acceptance with), or pakikisangkot
(getting involved), or the highest level of pakikiisa (being one
with).
Using the Sikolohiyang Pilipino perspective, It was re-
conceptualized the Filipino behavior patterns and value structure
where he designated hiya(‘‘propriety/dignity’’), utang na loob
(‘‘gratitude/solidarity’’) and pakikisama
(‘‘companionship/esteem’’) as colonial/accommodative surface
values; and bahala na (‘‘determination’’),sama/ lakas ng loob
(‘‘resentment/guts’’) and pakikibaka (‘‘resistance’’) as
confrontative surface values. He emphasized kapwa (‘‘shared
identity’’) as core value; pakikiramdam (‘‘shared inner
perception’’) as pivotal interpersonal value; and kagandahang-
loob (‘‘shared humanity’’) as linking socio-personal value.
Associated with the above are societal values such as karangalan
(‘‘dignity’’), katarungan (‘‘justice’’), and kalayaan
(‘‘freedom’’).
Thus, the area of Filipino personality developed as a strong area
using the Sikolohiyang Pilipino perspective. The Filipino is a
blend of East and West. The Western influence can be seen
more in external ways – dressing, liking for hamburger and
other food, Western music and dance, etc. However, the internal
aspect, which is at the core of his pagkatao (personality), is
Asian – deference for authority, modesty/humility, concern for
others, etc.
Knowing the Psychological perspective of the Filipino will help
us understand why Filipinos do or behave in that manner.