Human Fellowship

 Kapwa-tao – fellow human

 Pakikipagkapwa-tao (Human
fellowship) – act of mutually
acknowledging each other as fellow
human.
 We can better realize that human life is
more meaningful and worth living only
in the presence and help of others, in
communion with others and for the
benefit of others.
 Our parents, classmates, teachers, friends,
and co-workers give meaning to our life.
 Who I am and the value of my life depend
upon others. I am a Filipino through other
nationalities, a father through my sons, a
husband through my spouse, and a professor
through my students.
 We need one another to become fully human
and to become fully ourselves.
 The value of pakikipagkapwa-tao is a
recognition of the fact that “you and
I” are fellow human beings. I am I
and you are you, and so without me
you cannot be you, and without you I
cannot be me.
 Filipino cultural heritage – value of human
fellowship (Timbreza 1982)
For the Tagalogs
 “Isang uri ng karunungan and gawaing
pakikibagay” (Getting along well with
others is a unique kind of wisdom)
 “Hindi siya nakatuntong ng paaralan
subalit marunong makisama” (He has not
gone to school but he knows how to get
along well with others)
 Ilocanos say
 “No saanmo a kayat tay tao, dika latta
pabpabainan” (If you don’t like a person, you
should not shame or embarrass him)
 “Di man pakaibigin, huwag lang pakahiyain”
(You may not love an individual but you should
not insult him)
 “Maghirap man ang katawan, huwag lamang
ang kalooban” ( I may suffer from physical
hardship but not from internal resentment or
hurt feelings)
 Human fellowship, Filipino style, frowns upon
personal shame, humiliation, or
embarrassment. The people are known for
their sensitive and emotional character. They
tend to avoid any derogatory, shameful, and
humiliating situation. They prefer to be hurt
physically rather than to be afflicted
emotionally or psychologically.
 Unforgivable enemies of human fellowship –
shame, insult and humiliation
 Truthfulness and honesty – are the other
salient points of the value of human fellowship.
 “Ang pagsasabi ng tapat ay pagsasama ng
maluwat” (Telling the truth means lasting
companionship)
 “Paa na ang madulas, ang dila lamang ay
huwag” (It’s alright for the foot to slip but the
tongue should not)
 Ilocanos – “Tay ulbod a tao, mailunlunod
uray inton kaano” (A liar will be condemned
forever and ever)
 Tirurays – “Itewe ke endah tindegen, medooy
keset elaan noweh” (A shameless person does
not value his word)
 Filipinos gauge lasting friendship and
companionship by means of tranparency and
open-mindedness.
 Lying - poisons any kind of human relationship.
 People who value their word of honor are
esteemed with respect and trust, whereas those
who peddle false-hoods are regarded as
congenital liars.
 In Filipino experience, cheating is the worst
enemy of human relations, be it ordinary
friendship or conjugal union.
 The value of human fellowship is also
characterized by reciprocity and
understanding.
 “Kapag ikaw ay nagparaan ay pararaanin ka
naman” ( if you give others their right of way,
you will be granted yours, too)
 Affirmed by the Maguindanaos – “Mataw
peddabang engay ka, engayan ka” (You should
give way and you will be given way, too)
 Tirurays say “Feimo gob dumuweh inoke
fe imonoh so beem” (You shall give and
you shall be given in return)
 Ilocanos preach “No adda mangtedka, ta
kastanto met no sika” (Give if you have
something to give, and it will be done unto
you, too)
 “No naimbag ti sidam, padiguam ti
kaarrubam” (If your viand is delicious,
share it with your neighbor)
 Reciprocity – is very important element of
human fellowship. Mutual sharing of whatever
we have is the trademark of unselfishness and
affection for each other. Concerted efforts,
collective decision, participatory endeavors and
communal or consensual understanding will
surely build up community spirit and mutual
helpfulness among people.
 Ilocano version “Aramidem iti padam a
tao ti kayatmo a maaramid met kenka”
(Do unto your fellow human what you
would like to be done unto you)
 Non-judgmental attitude - another significant
aspect of human fellowship.
 Pampangos - “Emi tataasan ing metung tao”
(You shall not judge your fellow human)
 Cebuanos - “Silhigi usa imong balay usa ka
manilhig sa uban” (You should first sweep your
house before that of others)
 Ilocanos - “Dika uyawen ti kaarrubam no dika
pay nakaykayan ti arubayam” (You should not
chide your neighbor if you have not yet swept
your backyard)
 Judgmental or faultfinding propensity is taboo
in Filipino fellowship. To maintain and sustain
an orderly and smooth relationship with others,
any judgmental proclivity should be avoided, if
not totally discarded. Judgmental tendencies
are distractive of mutual respect and trust.
 We should look at our-selves in the mirror, so
to speak, and examine our own character and
personality.
 As we become conscious of our own misdeeds,
we realize the reason of other people’s wrong
doings.
 Self-knowledge will enable us to better
understand our fellowmen.
 Lastly, humility is another notable element of
human fellowship.
 Ilocanos – “Manmano laeng ti mangayat itay
tao a naparammag” (Only a few like a self-
conceited individual)
 “Tay tao a natangsit, buwisit” (A vain glorious
person brings bad luck)
 “Dika agparparammag no dika pay
nadakulap” (Don’t ever brag about if you have
not yet seized it)
 Tagalogs – “Ang taong mahangin, tinatangay
ng hangin” (A braggart is blown away by the
wind)
 Ivatan metaphor – “Aya bo a tanto a
pukubinasaan na sa mala kayo igira-a miyaka
uma so mabayog a undu” (what are being
uprooted by the storm are the tall trees, not the
low ones)
 Filipino regard humility as a respectable value.
Pride and arrogance are considered “thorn in
the throat” that ruins one’s appetite.
 Fellow ship is an internal , not an external,
thing.
 Fellowship can exist only where there is a
likeness, a similarity, where the same elements
exist in the different persons.
 We can have fellowship with people in
anything where there is a common tie or
common interest.
 Good people find each other and seek each
other’s society. Evil men do the same.