SESSION 11

FILIPINO CULTURE OF PAKIKIPAGKAPWA

I. OBJECTIVES
• At the end of the session, that students will
1. Have a deep understanding of Filipino behavior and culture of
“pakikipagkapwa”
2. The students will clearly understand the meaning and concept of kapwa.
3. Understand the eight levels how Filipino relates to others, local and
foreign.
4. Understand the. difference of Pakikisama and Pakikipagkapwa.

II. UNDERSTANDING THE WORD “KAPWA”

• “Kapwa” - It is the “others” besides yourself (e.g. Parents, siblings, neighbors
etc.) (Agapay 1991)
• Filipino-English dictionaries generally give the words "both" and "fellow-
being" as translations of kapwa [Panganiban 1972, Enriquez 1979, de
Guzman 1968, Calderon 1957].
• However, when asked for the closest English equivalent of kapwa, one word
that generally comes to mind is the English word "others". In meaning, the
Filipino word kapwa is very different from this: kapwa is the unity of the "self"
and "others".
• In English the word "others" is actually used in opposition to the "self", and
implies the recognition of the self as a separate identity. In contrast, kapwa is
a recognition of shared identity.
• A person starts having a kapwa not so much because of a recognition of
status given him by others but more so because of his awareness of shared
identity.
• The ako (ego) and the iba-sa-akin (others) are one and the same in kapwa
psychology: Hindi ako iba sa aking kapwa (I am no different from others).
• Once ako starts thinking of himself as different from kapwa, the self, in
effect, denies the status of kapwa to the other.
III. PAKIKIPAGKAPWA
• It is relating to others besides yourself.
• It is having a good and right relationship and connection to others and an
ability to involve once self in a group or occasions that involves connecting to
others.
• Eight levels and modes of Filipino Social interaction. Santiago and Enriquez
[1976] identified eight such levels:
1. Pakikitungo (transaction/civility with)
2. Pakikisalimuha (interaction with)
3. Pakikilahok (joining/participating with)
4. Pakikibagay (in conformity with/in accord with)
5. Pakikisama (being along with)
6. Pakikipagpalagayan/pakikipagpalagayang-loob (being in
rapport/understanding/acceptance of)
7. Pakikisangkot (getting involved)
8. Pakikiisa (being one with)

IV. THE FOUR ASPECTS OF SELF BUILT BY “KAPWA”

• Knowing and relating to others is the beginning of cultivating different aspect
of our self and these are the following.
1. Intellectual aspect
2. Social aspect
3. Economic aspect
4. Political aspect
5. Familial aspect
• The Pakikipagkapwa is being strengthen by the virtue of love and justice.
• The different organization and institution help us build our Pakikipagkapwa
(socializing) if there is a
1. A good communication and conversation with others
2. Solidarity
3. Cooperation/unity
• Through your participation in a community, your needs can be met by others
that cannot be met in isolation.
V. PRINCIPLE OF DEVELOPMENT IN ENGAGING WITH OTHERS
• Be respectful to others as kapwa tao by:
1. Listening and responding according to what other people are saying.
(James 1:19)
2. Showing deep empathy to others. (Romans 12:15; Hebrews 13:3)
3. Be caring and considerate to others. (Galatians 6:2)
4. Always aim for peace and reconciliation.
5. Using effective ways in communication.
6. Always be ready to listen and be understanding.