The emergence of Filipino values among forgiveness studies

Abstract

This paper reviewed 6 forgiveness studies that were made to understand Filipino forgiveness behaviors. The aim was to extract general Filipino values as well as the cultural values that Enriquez proposed in his theory of kapwa. Using combined qualitative and quantitative approaches in the research reports of those studies, the values that were salient in the experience of forgiving a transgressor were identified. Results showed that certain personal (open-mindedness and understanding) and interpersonal (smooth interpersonal relationship and justice) characteristics become evident in forgiving another a transgressor. Likewise, loob-related values were recovered from the analysis. The value of freedom was contextualized in terms of its function in the forgiveness experience. Finally, a value-based forgiveness model was proposed based on the results.

What does it take to forgive? Predictors of forgiveness among Filipino late adolescents

“…Empathy in the frameworks of McCullough et al (1998) and Fehr et al (2010) was also found to be highly evident in Filipino forgiveness studies (Rungduin & Rungduin, 2013). Empathy is commonly defined as putting oneself in someone else's situation to understand the other person's feelings and experiences.…”

“…Furthermore, similar to relational determinants of McCullough et al (1998), andFehr et al (2010), pakikisama or accommodative value was also found to be evident in forgiving others. Pakikisama strengthens the likelihood of granting forgiveness due to the feeling of being obligated to do it (Rungduin & Rungduin, 2013).…”

“…Empathy is commonly defined as putting oneself in someone else's situation to understand the other person's feelings and experiences. In a study by Rungduin and Rungduin (2013), they extracted Filipino values that emerged in the process of forgiveness. They suggested that empathy could be equivalent to pakikiramdam, a Filipino interpersonal value.…”

“…Finally, related to the personal influences determinant of McCullough et al (1998) and dispositional correlates on constraints of Fehr et al (2010), religiosity or spirituality is an important contributing factor of forgiveness among Filipinos in the cultural/social level (Rungduin & Rungduin, 2013). Examination of the studies in the Philippines reveals that religiosity as the source of strength, relationship with the Supreme Being (Yabut, 2005), and spirituality (Galeon & Tiu, 2003) facilitate forgiveness.…”

“…Factors associated with forgiveness must be examined closely to allow a deeper understanding of how forgiveness happens which can help in improving interventions designed to promote forgiveness. In forgiveness research in the Philippines, some of the pressing issues include the absence of conceptual and theoretical explanations on how Filipinos forgive, the identification of contributing factors of forgiveness and how culture and personality play a role in this experience (Rungduin & Rungduin, 2013).…”