The Meaning of Kapwa

The Meaning of Kapwa

1. Submitted to:Submitted to:
Prof. Agnes MontalboProf. Agnes Montalbo
Rizal Technological UniversityRizal Technological University
KapwaKapwa, meaning 'togetherness', is the core , meaning 'togetherness', is the core
construct of Filipino Psychology. Kapwa refers to construct of Filipino Psychology. Kapwa refers to
community; not doing things alone. community; not doing things alone. KapwaKapwa has two has two
categories, categories, Ibang TaoIbang Tao (other people) and (other people) and Hindi Hindi
Ibang TaoIbang Tao (not other people (not other people).).

2. 
If you saw a word kapwa , one word that If you saw a word kapwa , one word that
comes to our mind is the English word “ comes to our mind is the English word “
others”. However, the Filipino word kapwa others”. However, the Filipino word kapwa
is very different from the English word “ is very different from the English word “
other” because kapwa is the unity of the “ other” because kapwa is the unity of the “
self ” and self ” and
“ “ others” . The English “ others “ is actually others” . The English “ others “ is actually
used in opposition to the “ self “ and used in opposition to the “ self “ and
implies the recognition of the “ self “ as a implies the recognition of the “ self “ as a
separate identity. In contrast, kapwa , is a separate identity. In contrast, kapwa , is a
recognition of share identity.recognition of share identity.

3. 
The concept of pakikipagkapwa turns out The concept of pakikipagkapwa turns out
to be very important psychologically as to be very important psychologically as
well as philosophically. While well as philosophically. While
pagtutunguhan is another term which can pagtutunguhan is another term which can
be used to refer to all levels of interaction, be used to refer to all levels of interaction,
only the term pakikipagkapwa can be only the term pakikipagkapwa can be
used for the same purpose and at the used for the same purpose and at the
same time indicate an idea, values or same time indicate an idea, values or
paninindigan which Filipinos consider paninindigan which Filipinos consider
most important.most important.

4. According to BRISLIN (1977) between the According to BRISLIN (1977) between the
“in- group“ and the “out-group” , the “in- group“ and the “out-group” , the
“members” and the “non-member”, or the “members” and the “non-member”, or the
“outsider” and the “insider”. He surmised “outsider” and the “insider”. He surmised
that this might be an example of a that this might be an example of a
“universal” or “etic” distinction.“universal” or “etic” distinction.

5. The three kind of Philippine values “ evil” The three kind of Philippine values “ evil”
characteristics in Philippine interpersonal characteristics in Philippine interpersonal
relation.relation.
1.1.The walang pakisama ( “ one inept at the level The walang pakisama ( “ one inept at the level
of adjustment” )of adjustment” )
2.2.The walang hiya ( “ one who lack a sense of The walang hiya ( “ one who lack a sense of
propriety” )propriety” )
3.3.The walang utang na loob (“ one who lacks The walang utang na loob (“ one who lacks
adeptness in reciprocating by way of gratitude”) adeptness in reciprocating by way of gratitude”)

6. PAKIKIPAGKAPWA – is
much deeper and profound
in its implication. It also
means accepting and
dealing with the other person
as an equal. The company
president and the clerk in an
office may not have an
equivalent role, status, or
income but the Filipino way
demands and implements
the idea that they treat one
another as fellow human
beings ( kapwa-tao)

8. 
According to LYNCH (1964) the construct According to LYNCH (1964) the construct
of “smooth interpersonal relation” as of “smooth interpersonal relation” as
acquired and perceived through acquired and perceived through
pakikisama ,euphemism and use of go-pakikisama ,euphemism and use of go-
between. He was successful in between. He was successful in
penetrating and teaching the highest level penetrating and teaching the highest level
of interpersonal relation in the ibang-tao of interpersonal relation in the ibang-tao
category, thus making him believe that category, thus making him believe that
pakikisama is a value.pakikisama is a value.

9. 
According to KAULT (1961) The single out According to KAULT (1961) The single out
utang na loob as akey concept for the utang na loob as akey concept for the
analysis of Tagalog interpersonal relation analysis of Tagalog interpersonal relation
while hiya has been interpreted by FOX while hiya has been interpreted by FOX
(1956) as “self esteem” and by BULATAO (1956) as “self esteem” and by BULATAO
(1964) as “ a painful emotion from a (1964) as “ a painful emotion from a
relationship with an authority figure or with relationship with an authority figure or with
society, inhibiting self assertion in a society, inhibiting self assertion in a
situation which is perceived as dangerous situation which is perceived as dangerous
to one’s ego. It is a kind of anxiety. A fear to one’s ego. It is a kind of anxiety. A fear
of being left exposed”of being left exposed”

10. PAKIKISAMAPAKIKISAMA

In its most basic sense, ‘pakikisama’ means In its most basic sense, ‘pakikisama’ means
going along with others. Its basic etymological going along with others. Its basic etymological
source is ‘sama’ (to go with). A derived term is source is ‘sama’ (to go with). A derived term is
‘kasama’ (companion; together with). In the ‘kasama’ (companion; together with). In the
social interaction context, ‘pakikisama’ means social interaction context, ‘pakikisama’ means
‘getting along with others’, and ideally getting ‘getting along with others’, and ideally getting
along ‘well’ with others. The first part of the term along ‘well’ with others. The first part of the term
‘paki-’ is also significant, since it also happens to ‘paki-’ is also significant, since it also happens to
be the Tagalog affix for ‘please’. It’s as if the be the Tagalog affix for ‘please’. It’s as if the
individual is being requested to ‘please’ get individual is being requested to ‘please’ get
along well one’s fellow human beings.along well one’s fellow human beings.

11. HALIMBAWAHALIMBAWA

Makikiabot nga ako ng dokumentongiyan.Makikiabot nga ako ng dokumentongiyan.
-Please pass me that document.-Please pass me that document.
Pare, makikigamit nga ng cellphone mo, Pare, makikigamit nga ng cellphone mo,
sandali?sandali?
--Buddy, may I please use your cellphone briefly?Buddy, may I please use your cellphone briefly?
Makisama kanaman.Makisama kanaman.
--Join us, be one with us.Join us, be one with us.
Wala kanamang pakikisama eh.Wala kanamang pakikisama eh.
--You have no sense of fellowship/camaraderieYou have no sense of fellowship/camaraderie..