Bianca C. Baculi | Jona Mae Q. Garapo | Lois L. Polvoriza
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts
ABSTRACT
Utang na loob is a Filipino value that family members, particularly firstborns, manifest. Utang na loob for some Filipinos is entailed with standards needed to be attained before they can repay their gratitude. Although the original intent of the value remains the same to some, the practice of utang na loob is impacted by how it was introduced to Filipino families and the expectations set for the firstborns as they practice it. The researchers aimed to understand the experiences of firstborns from different social classes in Baguio City about pagtanaw ng utang na loob toward their family. The participants’ experiences were gathered through pakikipagkuwentuhan with the guidance of a semi-structured interview guide and were analyzed using thematic analysis. The following themes were identified: giving back through financial support, giving back through non-financial support, positive experiences in giving back, negative experiences in giving back, education is put on hold, career decisions are being dictated, and family’s needs come first before family formation. Based on the findings of the study, utang na loob as a value is practiced depending on the family dynamics, and it does not differ in the firstborns’ respective social classes. Although, the differences in experiences of the firstborns still had an apparent link to their respective social class. Contrary to what has often been assumed, firstborn participants from the middle class appear to be more pressured to manifest pagtanaw ng utang na loob than the firstborn participants from the lower class. The findings also indicate that a role reversal occurred wherein the firstborns, previously the beneficiaries, became the benefactors to manifest pagtanaw ng utang na loob to their family, previously the benefactors who now became the beneficiaries.
Keywords: Utang na loob, Firstborns, Social class, Pakikipagkuwentuhan, Sikolohiyang Pilipino
