Kapwa-kalikasan: Extending the scope of nature to kapwa

• Main Authors: Alquiros, Sandra Rose A., Bofill, Albert A., Dela Cruz, Patricia Mae A., Salvador, Adellie Z.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2022
• Subjects: Psychology > Philippines; Nature; Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdb_psych/30; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etdb_psych/article/1045/viewcontent/2022_Alquiros_Bofill_Kapwa_Kalikasan__Extending_the_Scope_of_Nature_to_Kapwa_Full_text.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Kapwa, a core concept in Filipino Psychology, refers to the shared identity that one has with the other human being. The concept, however, is mostly directed towards human beings and not nature despite Filipino culture being deeply-rooted in the natural world. As such, this study aimed to extend the scope of kapwa to nature and explored how Filipinos manifest pakikipagkapwa with nature. We conducted a qualitative study using a Filipino indigenous research method called pagtatanong-tanong. Upon gathering eight informants through chain referrals, we discovered that Filipinos exhibit pakikipagkapwa with nature in various ways. The themes found are pakikisangkot sa kalikasan (getting involved with nature), pagbawi (compensating for nature), pakikibaka (resisting for nature), paggalang (respecting), pakikihalubilo (assimilating with nature), pakikipag-ugnay (interconnecting), pagsasatao (personifying nature), pagsasabuhay ng mga pamahiing pangkalikasan (adhering to nature-related superstitions), pakikidama (feeling on behalf of nature), and pakikiisa sa kalikasan (oneness with nature). The implications of such findings were discussed in detail.