Journal 6 (Sandiwa): "Who is my Neighbor?"
1. In what way can you concretely show your being kapwa your relationships with
other people, nature (both visible and the invisible) in an inclusivist way? Explain.
One of the oldest and most enduring Filipino ideals is "pakikipagkapwa-tao." It is a shared
identity to be human. Pakikipagkapwa is a way of thinking and the capacity to treat others
with the same respect that you treat yourself. Filipinos treat you with the dignity that you
merit as a person. To never judge people differently depending on their money, religion, or
skin color is a way to show "pakikipagkapwa." We understand that to relate to people
smoothly, we need to build interpersonal skills.
Socializing is just the beginning of "pakikipagkapwa"; nevertheless, it is not the end. Putting
yourself in another person's shoes also goes beyond simple empathy. You are aware that the
other person is a fellow human being. At the very least, we should cooperate, engage,
interact, and be nice to one another. In addition, "pakikipagkapwa" also supports the most
vulnerable people caused by incidents that create injustices.
There should always be camaraderie in protecting not only the rights of human beings but
also the environment's right to be protected from the unlawful forms of activities that
continuously depletes it. Pakikipagkapwa-tao should not always be an attitude but can also
be an ability to change the world for the better.
2. What are your concrete actions to sustain your compassionate service to your
neighbors who are nasa laylayan (at the margin)? Explain.
3.
The best way to start is with a willingness and enthusiasm to support the underprivileged in
your neighborhood. It's crucial to consider your beliefs about how to help the poor and what
that entails. Consider ways to empower the poor so they can enjoy a long-term
improvement in their quality of life rather than seeing poverty as a condition that must be
temporarily alleviated.
The education many people who live in poverty require to acquire valuable life skills or land
well-paying employment is often lacking. Reading and writing skills allow people access to a
wide range of otherwise unavailable opportunities. When I have the resources, I'd like to
support programs for sustainable development that encourage literacy among young people,
work with charitable organizations to help people access clean water and a better supply of
food, and assist the rural health unit in distributing medications and vaccines that are crucial
during pandemics.