Padayon: The Importance of Sikolohiyang Pilipino in Modern Society

One of the most remarkable traits that defines Filipinos is our inherent ability to connect with diverse individuals. This adaptability showcases our strength in building relationships and thriving in various environments. However, this same flexibility can sometimes blur our personal values and cultural identity, leading to a loss of connection with our roots.

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Our history of colonization by different countries has mixed foreign values and traditions with our own. This has made us more open to adopting trends and practices from Western and neighboring nations. From fashion to entertainment, we often follow these influences, which can sometimes overshadow our unique cultural heritage.

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This openness to external influences is also seen in how we handle mental health. Many of our current mental health practices come from Western models. While these have been helpful, it's important to blend them with Filipino culture and traditions. 

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This is where Sikolohiyang Pilipino, or Filipino Psychology, comes in. It provides a way to address mental health that is deeply rooted in our own experiences and values.

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Brief History of Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology)

Virgilio Enriquez founded Sikolohiyang Pilipino (SP), which began as a movement and eventually became a discipline of academia. Enriquez defines SP as Filipino experiences, ideas, and cultural orientations.

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According to Enriquez, our predecessors regarded the Babaylans as the first psychologists in the Philippines. Babaylans were primarily women who had important roles in our culture at the time, including healers, priestesses, and mentors. Our babaylans, together with our forefathers' prayer rituals and oral traditions, were crucial in creating the framework for SP.

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Additionally, we are indebted to the Filipino psychologists who, among other things, helped to promote and develop Sikolohiyang Pilipino as a legitimate academic institution. Below, we list the pioneers and the challenges they faced while establishing indigenous psychology in our country.

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Agustin Alonzo's Contributions

i. Agustin Alonzo, the first Filipino psychologist, was the head of the University of the Philippines’ Psychology Department.

ii. Alonzo's M.A. in Psychology was written in English, focusing on the psychology of feeling. He merged the Filipino characteristic of feeling with rat experiments in the United States.

iii. He was successful in creating the first steps towards the establishment of Filipino psychology that were relevant to Philippine culture.

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Mario Carreon's Contributions

i. Manuel Carreon, a Filipino psychologist, was instrumental in creating a relevant psychological test for Filipinos.

ii. Despite his efforts, Carreon's work was not widely read due to its obscurity in the Filipiniana section of libraries.

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Alfredo V. Lagmay’s Contributions

i. Alfredo V. Lagmay was mentored by B.F. Skinner when he was studying Experimental psychology at Harvard University.

ii. He was appointed head of the University of the Philippines’ Department of Psychology, which was under the College of Education back then. He aimed to transform the educational perspective of psychology into a scientific orientation; that’s why he worked on its transfer to the psychology department of the College of Liberal Arts.

iii. His efforts revamped the perception of psychology in the Philippines.

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Virgilio Enriquez's Contributions

i. Virgilio G. Enriquez, part of a global movement to create "culture-oriented psychologies," was a pioneer in the indigenous psychology movement.

ii. Enriquez started teaching his classes in Filipino in 1965, marking the start of the indigenization of psychology in the Philippines.

iii. He aimed to negate the claim that western psychology had a universal application and that universal psychology is the understanding of a different culture other than the west.

iv. Enriquez campaigned for an indigenous psychology that was culturally appropriate to the characteristics of the Filipino.

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From Virgililio Enriquez’ definition, he considers SP a “psychology that branches out from FIlipino experience, thought, and orientation.” It is the study of diwa - the whole essence of the Filipino. Nonetheless, Enriquez does not completely reject Western and non-Western psychology. He recognized its significance—both concepts and processes—as he worked to pave the way for psychology by developing a framework in psychology that was relevant to Pinoys' local point of view and experiences. He developed an indigenization framework and researched psychological concepts for understanding Filipinos from a local perspective, with a focus on kamalayan, ulirat, isip, diwa, bait, loob, and kaluluwa. 

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Importance of Sikolohiyang Pilipino

As we navigate this ever-changing world, Sikolohiyang Pilipino becomes increasingly relevant and significant, as it assists Filipinos in discovering their sense of self and belonging while also recognizing their culture. This helps us set ourselves apart from the effects of neighboring and Western countries.

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Even though Sikolohiyang Pilipino has had obstacles since Enriquez's death (1994), many Filipino psychology students and newly licensed psychologists and counselors continue to show interest and conduct research.

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The use of the Filipino language in teaching psychological concepts, as well as adapting our culture's traditions and beliefs, allows us to better understand our fellow citizens while also educating them on the factors that contribute to one's mental health, specifically Filipino mental health. As Empath strives to provide effective mental healthcare services that empower the community, we collaborate with our Filipino psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors to understand and continuously improve Sikolohiyang Pilipino.

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Reference:

• Antonio, C. V. (2020, April 9). A Historical Account of Research in Filipino Psychology: Milestones, Methods, and Ethical Issues. Retrieved from Course Hero: https://www.coursehero.com/file/59217360/A-Historical-Account-of-Research-in-Filipdf/
• Importance of Filipino Psychology. (2024, June 5). Retrieved from IPL: https://www.ipl.org/essay/Importance-Of-Filipino-Psychology-F3JJYC92PCED6

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