Utang Na Loob : Extraordinary Debt

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The Philippines identity is rooted with its imbued culture, traits and traditions. The great majority of our country’s population is bounded by common and ideals. These characterize Filipinos in many different ways. Having been colonized by foreign cultures for almost four hundred years or so, the Filipino cultural identity has been ambiguous. With this cultural identity of traits and values comes with it positive and negative effects in the society. One of the most common Filipino traits is expressing gratitude and indebtedness. This Filipino quality is more often called “utang na loob.” This so called debt of goodwill takes place when a person benefits of great favor by another. Typically, the one benefited is in dire need of immediate help to be granted by another person because of sympathy. This trait of indebtedness of distinguish Filipinos from other cultures that also show gratitude since it depicts the Filipino saying, “He who does not know how to look to the past will never reach his destination.” This proverb serves as a kind of reminder that one has to be thankful, grateful, and always remember those people who have helped them reach their goals in life. Utang na loob is often created by the person’s goodwill (“kagandahang loob”) of helping which is not compelled for anticipation of reward (bansa.org). Ironically, the recipient has a self inflicted obligation to pay back with premium the kind of help received with goodwill as well (de Castro, 2001). However, this value of indebtedness has been interpreted in different ways, frequently with a corresponding consequence. It has been repeatedly misused and misunderstood. Given a situation where a person lends money to someone who is in urgent need of the money even though it is almost impossible for it to be paid. On a different perspective, the person who helped the one in need might not truly want the

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