Chapter 1:

Introduction:

The Republic of the Philippines, an archipelago of 7,107 islands in the Pacific

Ocean, is home to a multi-ethnic and multilingual population primarily of Malayo-
Polynesian ancestry, with significant influences from Chinese, Indian, and
Spanish heritage. Known as the “third largest English-speaking country”, English is
widely spoken due to its use in American-oriented schools and as an official language
alongside Filipino, despite ongoing debates over Pilipino vs. Filipino and a Great
Cultural Divide in language usage. The country hosts a mix of religious traditions,
with Iglesia ni Kristo as a prominent homegrown religion, Christianized
animists in Luzon and Visayas, and Islam dominating in the Southern Philippines,
influenced by neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia. The Catholic Church retains
significant cultural and political power, despite land redistribution and internal struggles,
such as the conflict at the University of Santo Tomas. The assassination of Benigno
Aquino Jr. in 1983 was a pivotal event that led to a dictatorial regime's fall,
with Jaime Cardinal Sin advocating for justice and reconciliation. Traditional beliefs
like Christianized Bathalism, Islamized animism, and Anitism coexist with respect
for ancestral gods (anito) and nature, forming a unique blend of religious psychology
across the islands.

Early Philippine Psychology

Origins in Indigenous Practices

 Early Filipino psychology was practiced by spiritual leaders such as

the babaylan (Visayas), catalonan (Central Luzon), and baglan (Northern
Philippines).
 Techniques included dalangin (prayers), bulong (whispers), and the use
of anting-anting (amulets).
 Resistance movements like the Pulajanes integrated psychological practices into
their beliefs.

Influence of Early Literature

 Found in forms
like salawikain (proverbs), bugtong (riddles), alamat (myths), kuwentong
bayan (folk tales), and epiko (epics).

Ethnopsychology and Customs

 Knowledge passed down about childcare, interpersonal relationships, and

traditional practices forms a rich basis of Filipino psychology.
 True understanding requires immersion in Filipino communities rather than
foreign academic settings.
Four Lines of Filipino Psychology (Zeuz Salazar, 1974)

 Academic-scientific psychology: Introduced through American influence, it

traces back to Wilhelm Wundt and focuses on behaviorism.
 Academic-philosophical psychology: Originating from the University of Sto.
Tomas during Spanish rule, it integrates philosophical elements.
 Ethnic/Indigenous psychology: Also called katutubong sikolohiya, it reflects
Filipino traits shaped by local and foreign influences, countering colonial
stereotypes.
 Psycho-medical psychology: Incorporates religion as a unifying element,
emphasizing healing practices like those of the espiritista and herbolaryo.

Livelihood and Arts Psychology

 Emerging focus on sikolohiyang pangkabuhayan (livelihood psychology)

explores links to economics, agriculture, and business.
 Indigenous and contemporary Filipino arts inspire further exploration into
psychological expressions of culture.

The Indigenous Psychological Tradition

Indigenous Leadership and Resistance

Lapu-Lapu:
 Represented as the epitome of Filipino bravery, Lapu-Lapu’s defiance against
Ferdinand Magellan symbolizes the resilience and sovereignty of early Filipino
society. His psychology reflects the collective courage and independence of the
Filipino people during pre-colonial times.

Lakan Dula and Rajah Sulaiman:

 As leaders of Tondo and Maynilad, they navigated early interactions with
colonial powers, maintaining a sense of Filipino autonomy and diplomacy. This
highlights the psychology of leadership rooted in strategic thinking and
protection of cultural identity.

Diego and Gabriela Silang:

 Diego’s rebellion in Ilocos, followed by Gabriela’s leadership after his
assassination, symbolizes indigenous pride and unity, even in the face of
defeat. Gabriela’s role as a female revolutionary adds to the psychological
empowerment of Filipino women, making her a lasting icon.

Tamblot and Dagohoy:

  Tamblot, a babaylan (native priest-psychologist) in the Visayas, resisted
Spanish domination by invoking spiritual and cultural beliefs.
 Dagohoy led one of the longest resistance movements in Philippine history,
demonstrating the Filipino concept of justice, equality, and liberty. These
leaders reflect the spiritual and communal foundations of Filipino psychology.

Sultan Kudarat:
 As a ruler of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat united the Maranao and Tausug peoples
in resisting Spanish colonization, maintaining their sovereignty for centuries. His
psychology embodies strategic leadership and unwavering resistance, as
well as the cultural resilience of Mindanaoan communities.

Religious and Cultural Psychology

Hermano Pule (Apolinario de la Cruz):

 His religious movement combined indigenous beliefs with Christian elements,
showcasing the Filipino ability to synthesize cultural influences while
maintaining local relevance. His psychology highlights charisma, faith, and
leadership in unifying people around shared values.
Pedro Serrano Laktaw and Isabelo de los Reyes:
 Their contributions to language and folklore explore how Filipinos preserved
and communicated their identity through oral traditions and written works. This
underscores the psychological importance of language in sustaining cultural
memory.

Insights from Literature and Reform Movements

Jose Rizal:
 His essay "Sobre la Indolencia de los Filipinos" explores the psychological
and social factors behind perceptions of Filipino indolence, offering a critique of
colonial narratives.
 Rizal’s works reflect a psychological analysis of colonial oppression,
emphasizing self-awareness and national pride.

Emilio Jacinto’s "Liwanag at Dilim" (Light and Darkness):

 Jacinto’s distinction between ningning (glitter) and liwanag (light) reflects a
deeper philosophical and psychological discourse on true versus superficial
values. This insight fosters critical thinking and encourages Filipinos to value
substance over appearances.

Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas):

 His poetry, particularly explored through modern studies, reveals themes of love,
suffering, and resilience, providing a rich psychological perspective on Filipino
emotions and social dynamics.
The Revolution of 1896:
 The revolution was not only a political movement but also a psychological
awakening, as Filipinos united under shared ideals of freedom, identity, and
equality. Figures like Mabini, Bonifacio, and Jacinto symbolize the intellectual
and emotional drivers of this transformation.

Cultural and Psychological Renewal

Filipino psychology is deeply intertwined with cultural expressions such as myths,

folklore, and reformist writings. These serve as mediums to explore:
 Filipino values: Justice, equality, resilience, and communal solidarity.
 Indigenous beliefs: Concepts like spirituality, interconnectedness, and respect
for ancestral traditions.
 Psychological resistance: Countering colonial oppression through a renewed
sense of identity and cultural pride.

American Colonial Psychology

Colonial Foundations of Psychology

 The formal teaching of psychology in the Philippines began during the American
colonial period, initially relying on American textbooks and the English language.
 Agustin Alonzo, trained in the United States, played a pivotal role in the early
development of psychology in the Philippines. He introduced educational
psychology and helped establish graduate psychology programs, though his
training leaned toward American experimental psychology.

Transition from Spanish to American Influence

 The term sikolohiya (psychology) originated from the Spanish psicologia, but its
development under American rule marked a shift from philosophical
rationalism to behavioral and experimental psychology.
 The use of English as the medium of instruction enabled the rapid assimilation
of American psychological theories and practices, but at the cost of de-
Filipinizing Filipino psychologists.

Education as a Colonial Tool

 Psychology, as part of the American educational system, became an instrument

of colonial policy, fostering values aligned with Western ideologies and
diminishing indigenous perspectives.
  American-trained Filipino psychologists, like Alonzo, returned home equipped
with Western methods but often struggled to reconcile these with Filipino
realities.

Early Psychological Research

 Alonzo’s shift from animal experiments to educational psychology reflected the

practical needs of the Philippines at the time, focusing on psychological
measurement and educational applications.
 The establishment of the Experimental Psychology Laboratory by Sinforoso
Padilla in 1928 marked a significant step in institutionalizing psychology in the
Philippines.

Cultural Divide and Colonial Impact

 The introduction of psychology reinforced the cultural divide between the elite,
educated in Western ways, and the masses, who retained indigenous traditions.
 American psychological education instilled a perception of Western superiority,
encouraging Filipino psychologists to view American models as inherently better.

Early Filipino Psychologists and Their Legacy

 Prominent figures like Alonzo, Sinforoso Padilla, and Estefania Aldaba laid the
groundwork for psychology in the Philippines but often perpetuated its American-
centric framework.
 Filipino psychologists made some strides in adapting psychology to local
contexts, but the Western orientationremained dominant for decades.

Highlight of the event:

1. Colonial Education's Role: Psychology in the Philippines was shaped as a tool

for promoting American ideals, marginalizing indigenous knowledge and
perspectives.
2. Language as a Vector: The imposition of English facilitated the integration of
American psychology but alienated Filipino psychologists from their cultural
roots.
3. Filipino Adaptation: Despite colonial constraints, early Filipino psychologists
attempted to make psychology relevant to local needs, such as in educational
psychology and psychological measurement.
4. Cultural Divide: The divide between Western-educated elites and the Filipino
masses persisted, highlighting the challenge of creating a truly indigenous
psychology.

Indigenizing Psychological Tests: From Apples to Papayas

Early Efforts in Indigenous Psychological Testing

 Sinforoso Padilla developed the Philippine Mental Abilities Test, an initial attempt
at local psychological testing. His work was continued by his daughter, Leila
Padilla, and later Filipino psychologists such as Emeteria Lee, Annadaisy
Carlota, Ma. Angeles Guanzon, and Gundelina Velasco.
 Manuel Carreon contributed significantly with his dissertation, Philippine Studies
in Mental Measurement (1926). However, his choice to write in English limited its
impact, as it was relegated to the Filipiniana section of libraries, reducing
readership.

Misalignment with Local Realities

 Carreon’s ideas on culturally relevant psychological testing were largely ignored.

Meanwhile, American psychological tests were widely administered, often with
minor modifications (e.g., the “change-apples-to-papayas” approach) to suit
Philippine conditions.
 Traditional Filipino diagnostic techniques, such as pagpapatawas, were
overlooked in favor of Western methodologies like the Rorschach test.

Colonial Challenges and Missed Opportunities

 The shift in governance from Governor-General Harrison to Major-General

Leonard Wood, who dismissed Filipino readiness for independence, stifled
progressive developments in local psychology.
 Carreon’s work was underappreciated during his time, and his advocacy for
culturally grounded psychological practices went largely unheard amidst the
dominance of Western paradigms.

Cultural Symbolism in Psychology

 The apple serves as a metaphor for colonial influence and the persistence of
Western ideals in Filipino psychology and culture. Just as imported apples
replaced local fruits like atis and kaimito, Western psychological models
supplanted indigenous practices, reflecting the enduring effects of colonial
mentality.

Emphasis on Major Issues:

1. Western Dominance in Testing: Filipino psychologists adopted and modified

American tests instead of creating culturally appropriate ones, perpetuating
the miseducation initiated during the colonial period.
2. Marginalization of Indigenous Practices: Traditional Filipino psychological
practices, like pagpapatawas, were ignored by early psychologists in favor of
Western methodologies, missing opportunities to integrate indigenous
knowledge.
 3. Colonial Language Barriers: Carreon’s decision to write in English exemplifies
how colonial language policies restricted the accessibility and relevance of
psychological scholarship in the Philippines.
4. Cultural Resistance: While Filipino psychologists critiqued Western models,
actions to develop and institutionalize indigenous psychological methods were
slow and inconsistent.

Identifying with the New Culture: From Apalachicola to Punk

Panlasigui’s Americanization:

 Isidoro Panlasigui, hailing from Northern Philippines, exemplified

the Americanization of Filipino intellectuals. After his American education, he
proudly embraced various aspects of American culture, including
its sports(baseball, basketball, etc.), educational system, and even economic and
industrial practices. His admiration for America extended to its democratic ideals,
government structure, and even the colonial language.
 Panlasigui justified his admiration by quoting H.G. Wells and the idea that
the language of the conquered could be adopted by the conqueror. He believed it
was beneficial for the Philippines to be “culturally classified with the great nations
of Europe and the Americas,” aligning with European and American traditions
and languages, thus elevating the country’s cultural standing.

Colonial Influence on Filipino Psychology:

 Panlasigui's writings on Filipino psychology and education reflected his

Americanized mindset. Despite writing about Filipino psychology, his
perspectives were deeply shaped by the American colonial experience,
promoting the view that adopting American language and culture was a form
of national dignity.
 This mindset reveals the deep cultural assimilation that took place, where even
educated Filipino intellectuals distanced themselves from their indigenous roots
in favor of Western ideals.

Opposition from Manuel L. Quezon:

 Panlasigui’s views were countered by figures like Manuel L. Quezon, who

advocated for a Philippine national language to assert Filipino identity and
independence from American colonial influences.
 Quezon's famous quote, “I would rather have a government run like hell by
Filipinos than a government run like heaven by Americans”, emphasized his
preference for Filipino governance over foreign control, reflecting his nationalist
views in stark contrast to Panlasigui’s Americanization.
Panlasigui’s Academic Contributions:

 Despite his ideological leanings, Panlasigui's academic works, including his

book Elementary Statistics, Educational Measurement, and Evaluation (1951),
were seen as technical and devoid of true cultural relevance to the Filipino
context. These contributions mainly discussed statistical methods and lacked
depth in understanding Filipino psychology.
 More authentic works by Panlasigui included Ti Agtutubo and Ti Ubing, which
explored Filipino traditions and practices, offering a more culturally relevant
approach to Filipino education and psychology.