Submitted by: Dea Loreen BuenoSubmitted by: Dea Loreen BuenoSubmitted by: Dea Loreen BuenoUnderstanding Myself Through Philosphy, Sociology, Anthropology, and Psychologyᜀ

I realize what pagpupunyagiI realize what pagpupunyagi means when my parents put inmeans when my parents put in the effort to look after us.the effort to look after us. When I keep studying even whenWhen I keep studying even when it's hard, I show that I valueit's hard, I show that I value education.education. When I pray and think, I seeWhen I pray and think, I see pananampalataya as my guidingpananampalataya as my guiding light.light. I realize what pagpupunyagi means when my parents put in the effort to look after us. When I keep studying even when it's hard, I show that I value education. When I pray and think, I see pananampalataya as my guiding light.“Who Am I?”Philosophy taught me to ask myself, "Who am I?" For it relates not just to my name but to my values, beliefs, and purpose. Because I am Filipino, my identity has been influenced by the sacrifices of my family, the difficulties experienced by my community, and the history of my nation.The PantayongThe Pantayong Pananaw serves as aPananaw serves as a reminder toreminder to understand theseunderstand these experiences from ourexperiences from our own point of viewown point of view mula sa atin, para samula sa atin, para sa atin. It involvesatin. It involves respecting ourrespecting our worldview, ourworldview, our language, and ourlanguage, and our culture without havingculture without having to depend on peopleto depend on people outside of us to defineoutside of us to define us.us. The Pantayong Pananaw serves as a reminder to understand these experiences from our own point of view mula sa atin, para sa atin. It involves respecting our worldview, our language, and our culture without having to depend on people outside of us to define us. Philosophy has enabled mePhilosophy has enabled me to realise that my existence isto realise that my existence is not alone; since my life isnot alone; since my life is connected with that of myconnected with that of my people, I am Filipino. Mypeople, I am Filipino. My identity is not merely aboutidentity is not merely about 'ako' but about 'tayo''ako' but about 'tayo' it isit is about the shared journey ofabout the shared journey of resilience, faith, and hope.resilience, faith, and hope. Philosophy has enabled me to realise that my existence is not alone; since my life is connected with that of my people, I am Filipino. My identity is not merely about 'ako' but about 'tayo' it is about the shared journey of resilience, faith, and hope.

Sociology says that who we are is formed through society. In my day to day life, I notice this inSociology says that who we are is formed through society. In my day to day life, I notice this in small ways. My family guides me, my school sets my habits, and my community shapes mysmall ways. My family guides me, my school sets my habits, and my community shapes my choices.choices. Here are some things I see in real life.Here are some things I see in real life. During town fiestas, I join in bayanihan and pakikisama. People help one another. We getDuring town fiestas, I join in bayanihan and pakikisama. People help one another. We get along even when things get busy.along even when things get busy. In class, I follow rules and learn how to treat others with respect. It affects how I speak andIn class, I follow rules and learn how to treat others with respect. It affects how I speak and how I handle stress.how I handle stress. In barangay meetings, I watch neighbors work together. I also see people take the lead whenIn barangay meetings, I watch neighbors work together. I also see people take the lead when there is a need.there is a need. On social media, I spot both closeness and conflict among Filipinos. Some posts bring peopleOn social media, I spot both closeness and conflict among Filipinos. Some posts bring people together, while others divide us.together, while others divide us. At the same time, society brings problems. Poverty can limit opportunities. Inequality can make itAt the same time, society brings problems. Poverty can limit opportunities. Inequality can make it harder for some people. Peer pressure can also pull others in the wrong direction. These issuesharder for some people. Peer pressure can also pull others in the wrong direction. These issues make me pause and think about the kind of person I want to be.make me pause and think about the kind of person I want to be. Sociology says that who we are is formed through society. In my day to day life, I notice this in small ways. My family guides me, my school sets my habits, and my community shapes my choices. Here are some things I see in real life. During town fiestas, I join in bayanihan and pakikisama. People help one another. We get along even when things get busy. In class, I follow rules and learn how to treat others with respect. It affects how I speak and how I handle stress. In barangay meetings, I watch neighbors work together. I also see people take the lead when there is a need. On social media, I spot both closeness and conflict among Filipinos. Some posts bring people together, while others divide us. At the same time, society brings problems. Poverty can limit opportunities. Inequality can make it harder for some people. Peer pressure can also pull others in the wrong direction. These issues make me pause and think about the kind of person I want to be.“I am Shape by Society”In the end, society does shape me. StillIn the end, society does shape me. Still, I can help move things, I can help move things forward. As a young Filipino, I should take part in improving myforward. As a young Filipino, I should take part in improving my community. I should not only fit in.community. I should not only fit in. I should also act. I want to beI should also act. I want to be part of the answer, not part of the problem.part of the answer, not part of the problem. In the end, society does shape me. Still, I can help move things forward. As a young Filipino, I should take part in improving my community. I should not only fit in. I should also act. I want to be part of the answer, not part of the problem.

Anthropology showed me that culture is tiedAnthropology showed me that culture is tied to who we are. It shapes how we seeto who we are. It shapes how we see ourselves. Our traditions, the way we speak,ourselves. Our traditions, the way we speak, and the things we do dayand the things we do day to day help form ourto day help form our identity.identity. Some real moments stand out.Some real moments stand out. Saying “po” at “opo” is a way of showingSaying “po” at “opo” is a way of showing respect.respect. Sharing food during salo-salo brings theSharing food during salo-salo brings the family closer.family closer. Observing Undas keeps our bond withObserving Undas keeps our bond with those who came before us.those who came before us. Singing kundiman or OPM songs lets usSinging kundiman or OPM songs lets us share feelings in a way that feels Filipino.share feelings in a way that feels Filipino. With Pantayong Pananaw, I started to seeWith Pantayong Pananaw, I started to see these habits from the inside. I did not needthese habits from the inside. I did not need outside yardsticks to understand their value.outside yardsticks to understand their value. Anthropology showed me that culture is tied to who we are. It shapes how we see ourselves. Our traditions, the way we speak, and the things we do day to day help form our identity. Some real moments stand out. Saying “po” at “opo” is a way of showing respect. Sharing food during salo-salo brings the family closer. Observing Undas keeps our bond with those who came before us. Singing kundiman or OPM songs lets us share feelings in a way that feels Filipino. With Pantayong Pananaw, I started to see these habits from the inside. I did not need outside yardsticks to understand their value.“Kultura ang Ugat ng Pagkatao”I feel proud of my culture. It is a living account ofI feel proud of my culture. It is a living account of my people. It alsmy people. It also makes me feel distinct as ao makes me feel distinct as a Filipino. Choosing to hold on to my culture meansFilipino. Choosing to hold on to my culture means I honor my elders. It also means I passI honor my elders. It also means I pass along thealong the values that shape usvalues that shape us I feel proud of my culture. It is a living account of my people. It also makes me feel distinct as a Filipino. Choosing to hold on to my culture means I honor my elders. It also means I pass along the values that shape us

Psychology helped me notice what I think andPsychology helped me notice what I think and how I feel. I get stronger through what myhow I feel. I get stronger through what my family went through. I learn to care because Ifamily went through. I learn to care because I have seen what others carry. I keep movinghave seen what others carry. I keep moving toward mytoward my dreams when I remember what mydreams when I remember what my community wants.community wants. Here are sHere are some real moments:ome real moments: After a typhoon, people in the PhilippinesAfter a typhoon, people in the Philippines lift each other up. They rise and they help.lift each other up. They rise and they help. When school feels heavy, I slow down. IWhen school feels heavy, I slow down. I name what I feel. I ask for help instead ofname what I feel. I ask for help instead of shutting down.shutting down. When I reach small goals, I remind myselfWhen I reach small goals, I remind myself to value my effort.to value my effort. I do not brush it off. If a friend is hurting, II do not brush it off. If a friend is hurting, I show up. I share kindness and I listen.show up. I share kindness and I listen. Psychology helped me notice what I think and how I feel. I get stronger through what my family went through. I learn to care because I have seen what others carry. I keep moving toward my dreams when I remember what my community wants. Here are some real moments: After a typhoon, people in the Philippines lift each other up. They rise and they help. When school feels heavy, I slow down. I name what I feel. I ask for help instead of shutting down. When I reach small goals, I remind myself to value my effort. I do not brush it off. If a friend is hurting, I show up. I share kindness and I listen.“Pag-unawa sa Isip at Damdamin Being aware of myself helps me understandBeing aware of myself helps me understand others, too. My feelings are not onlyothers, too. My feelings are not only private. Theyprivate. They echo the Filipino idea of kapwa and compassion.echo the Filipino idea of kapwa and compassion. To know myself better is also to see how close ITo know myself better is also to see how close I amam to my people..to my people.. Being aware of myself helps me understand others, too. My feelings are not only private. They echo the Filipino idea of kapwa and compassion. To know myself better is also to see how close I am to my people..

After learning philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and psychology, IAfter learning philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and psychology, I realized that my identity is a tapestry woven by many threads:realized that my identity is a tapestry woven by many threads: Philosophy pushed me to ask hard questions about who I am.Philosophy pushed me to ask hard questions about who I am. Sociology showed me how my world and my community shapeSociology showed me how my world and my community shape my choices.my choices. Anthropology made me take my culture seriously.Anthropology made me take my culture seriously. Psychology helped me notice what I feel and why I feel it.Psychology helped me notice what I feel and why I feel it. Putting it together in real life, I see myself in small acts. I am FilipinoPutting it together in real life, I see myself in small acts. I am Filipino when I help neighbors when calamities hit. I am Filipino when I speakwhen I help neighbors when calamities hit. I am Filipino when I speak with respect to elders and when I look after family. I am Filipino whenwith respect to elders and when I look after family. I am Filipino when I keep my traditions in my daily life. I am Filipino when I aim for aI keep my traditions in my daily life. I am Filipino when I aim for a future that includes more than me.future that includes more than me. After learning philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and psychology, I realized that my identity is a tapestry woven by many threads: Philosophy pushed me to ask hard questions about who I am. Sociology showed me how my world and my community shape my choices. Anthropology made me take my culture seriously. Psychology helped me notice what I feel and why I feel it. Putting it together in real life, I see myself in small acts. I am Filipino when I help neighbors when calamities hit. I am Filipino when I speak with respect to elders and when I look after family. I am Filipino when I keep my traditions in my daily life. I am Filipino when I aim for a future that includes more than me.“Pagbubuo ng Pagkatao”Last thought: I am not only “me.” I belongLast thought: I am not only “me.” I belong to “us.” My identity is Filipino. It comes fromto “us.” My identity is Filipino. It comes from culture, it is formed by society, andculture, it is formed by society, and it shows up init shows up in how I think and feel. To be Filipino means going onhow I think and feel. To be Filipino means going on with grit. It also means caring for others and beingwith grit. It also means caring for others and being proud. It means facing the weight left by the past. Itproud. It means facing the weight left by the past. It means using the strength I have now. It meansmeans using the strength I have now. It means holding on to hope for whatholding on to hope for what comes next.comes next. Last thought: I am not only “me.” I belong to “us.” My identity is Filipino. It comes from culture, it is formed by society, and it shows up in how I think and feel. To be Filipino means going on with grit. It also means caring for others and being proud. It means facing the weight left by the past. It means using the strength I have now. It means holding on to hope for what comes next.