Understanding the Psychology of Pilipinos

Lately, I’ve been deeply listening to what the following technology of youth care about, the tales of my neighborhood, and the teachings from my ancestors. As a Pilipina-American, I’m inherently rooted in Sikolohiyang Pilipino, or Pilipino psychology. My listening periods have led me to grasp that it’s greater than a method to clarify particular person conduct—it is a method to see the world (even, maybe, the components of it which can be invisible to us).

Pilipinos are the third largest sub-Asian group in the USA, however we proceed to be understudied or missed; because of this, little or no is thought about us. But with rising consciousness of range, inclusion, positionality, and social justice has come a resurgent curiosity in ethnic psychologies. This is why Sikolohiyang Pilipino is extra related than ever and what the existence of distinctive cultural values and psychology means for these of us who inhabit these identities.

A Transnational Worldview

Virgilio Enriquez first coined the time period Sikolohiyang Pilipino in 1975 to explain how indigenous ideas and distinctly Pilipino values translated to traditional Western psychological theories and constructs. Since then, Sikolohiyang Pilipino has developed right into a extra complete illustration of the vestiges of colonial mentality, reframing of values, and, more and more, strengths-based interpretations. Broadly accepted definitions of Pilipino psychology now embrace parapsychological parts, native therapeutic treatments, folks beliefs, and evidence-based science.

Professor Carl Cervantes explains that the big variety of beliefs displays “the Filipino transpersonal worldview,” which he describes as three circles. The primary of those three is the person’s kaluluwa, or soul, referring to a way of self. The following circle is kapwa, or shared humanity, referring to interconnectedness with others, which can embrace one’s ancestors and supernatural beings like fairies. The ultimate circle is kalikasan, or nature, referring to the connection with nature. This transpersonal worldview is why kapwa consists of the assumption that relationships should embrace paranormal forces corresponding to spirits within the pure world.

Psychology By the Lens of Pilipino Historical past

The Spanish used the sword and the cross to take over the archipelago they’d later title after Spanish King Philip, calling natives “Filipinos” (although there proceed to be no “F’s” within the Pilipino language). Ladies healers have been labeled witches and killed, and rebellious tribes have been subdued via Catholicism, however the Spanish may by no means utterly erase indigenous beliefs or rituals.

Pilipinos have at all times revered the pure world for the reason that pre-colonial apply of animism (worship of the pure world). In truth, they used animist practices as a basis for Catholicism. Asia Society’s Jack Miller notes, “(It is) Filipino folks Christianity, combining a floor veneer of Christian monotheism and dogma with indigenous animism.” For example, it’s normal for house altars to have Santo Nino statues (statues of Jesus as a baby), a Buddha, grains of rice, and mythological creatures of carved wooden.

By the Treaty of Paris in 1898, Spain offered the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the USA for $20 million and the second colonial interval started (Mulligan, 2022). The Individuals provided schooling—albeit via reconstructionist-era textbooks (Agoncillo, 1969). Renato Constantino’s essay “The Mis-Training of the Filipino,” highlights how Pilipinos’ colonial mentality was additional cemented, main many to consider that something Western and/or White was superior, and the continued erasure of indigenous tradition, nationalism, and native data and beliefs.

Reclaiming Diwa, the Pilipino Psyche

Is Sikolohiyang Pilipino culturally distinct or is it simply cultural identification improvement? What does it imply to be Pilipino—or Filipino or Pilipin@ or Pilipinx? Within the spirit of a transpersonal worldview, can it imply the whole lot?

Whether or not Pilipinos are within the Philippines or a part of the ten million Pilipinos presently dwelling elsewhere, an interconnected thread of kapwa tethers them to the Philippines. Espiritu and Wolf discovered that inter-generationally, the Philippines is also known as “house” even for these not born there. Moreover, the constant transmission of conventional Pilipino values strongly means that Sikolohiyang Pilipino is critical to understanding this neighborhood (Tuazon, 2021).

Kapwa because the Foundation of Wellbeing

Kapwa could be so simple as connecting via shared references of place. Certainly, the primary query Pilipinos ask each other is, “The place are you from… within the Philippines?” This dedication of commonality is the primary strand of connectedness.

Professor Aquino-Adriatico states, “Kapwa is not only about your current neighborhood, it’s about drawing from the facility of ancestors, making intergenerational therapeutic each a bodily and metaphysical expertise.” Kapwa is a method to construct neighborhood via shared identification and experiences, apply empathy, interact in mindfulness, and foster a way of belonging (Paez and Covington, 2023). All of these items not solely assist and strengthen psychological well being outcomes however nurture general wellbeing (Petalio, 2022).

Odd Magic in Motion

Sikolohiyang Pilipino is holistic, sustaining beliefs that mystical, parallel worlds coexist and are woven into their on a regular basis life, such because the apply of asking permission from the anitos, or spirits to stroll via. Attempt one thing new that can make it easier to connect with a number of the values of Sikolohiyang Pilipino:

1. Utang ng Loob: This conventional worth actually interprets to “debt of gratitude” and has been described as “prolonged gratitude and reciprocity.” Highschool college students from the Philippines recommend training Utang ng Loob by “paying it ahead.” Do one thing good for somebody right this moment.
2. Kapwa: Create some interconnectedness with somebody in your life you’ve got which means to spend time with, however life retains getting in the best way. Attain out and plan to share a meal, go for a stroll, and even simply have a cellphone name.
3. Lunas: Lunas means “treatment” or “antidote” in Tagalog. Many indigenous and native treatments for therapeutic are embodied like breath work, reiki, and motion like meditative strolling or yoga. Attempt one in all these embodied therapeutic modalities—or one in all your individual well-being treatments.