In Search of Kaginhawahan

We have heard and read so much of Pinoy Pride. I guess time longs for the Pinoys to live it out and be the kind of people that other nations would begin to respect. Shall we wait for our country to be “developed” for this to take place? Perhaps more importantly, “What should we BE as a people so that we gain the respect of others?”

I don’t long for the current form of development that seems to be the goal of our government and most development practitioners. In tagalong – we call it “Kaunlaran” which is a rather foreign concept to us. Perhaps it is taken from the root word “unlad” which is closer to the word “growth” in which case it does not necessarily refer to the material sense alone. But really “Kaunlaran” seems closer to the word “Kanluran” which means “west”. And rightly so, for the development that preoccupies us directs us to be a copy cat of the west where the indicators are mostly measured in the material sphere. Ultimately, the more we become like our western counterparts, the more “developed” we are supposed to be. Developed? Perhaps. Respected? Hmmmm

Now what is truly a Pinoy aspiration then? From my dealings with various people from all walks of life, I am beginning to see a glimpse of this aspiration. Like pieces of the puzzle, all the pieces make sense only in the context of being together. Each piece finds meaning and value as it allows itself to be attached to another piece so that in community the larger picture is seen and appreciated.

I would like then to focus on one of this puzzle piece. Kaginhawahan – from the root word “ginhawa” which means “comfort”. This I first heard from Senator Dick Gordon in a speech he delivered then at UPLB while I was a student in the 80s. I agree with him when he said that most of our people are going out of our country as OFWs simply to find a little comfort for their family here. This they are willing to do even if they must sacrifice being away from their love ones. So when even the very little things are taken away to ensure “kaginhawahan”, like land and the means to be productive, the Pinoy would venture out to the unknown.

This is true for our Kulot brothers (curly-kinky hair) –Indigenous People specifically the aetas and badjoas– who take to the streets and beg for what ever resource we can share. Begging is the only hard work left for them as they are natural hunters and fishermen.
And certainly even for the Unats (straight hair) – the dominant people. Our teachers, being unable to earn a decent living to sustain their family, would prefer to be domestic helpers and serve other people. Both begging and being domestic helpers have their own set of risks and sacrifices but it is all worth it for the Pinoys as they meet the need for kaginhawahan.

We are a simple people with simple dreams. Our song – “Bahay Kubo” says it all. Kaginhawahan is aspiring for the basic needs and the capacity to be a blessing to others. That’s from the other word, “hawa” which means to “affect or infect”. How true it is for a genuine Pinoy comfort can not be isolated. One cannot find rest knowing that the other is in need.

I have seen this mostly expressed by Pinoys who are not in a state of abundance but more in a state of contentment. Giving is very natural to us, and consequently, we aspire to give more especially to the hurting and needy. We see this every year, from one calamity to the next; the Pinoys will sacrifice and share so that others will have a little Kaginhawahan.

There is just so much to say about this puzzle piece but I guess its best to stop for now. I now feel a sense of “kaginhawahan” being able to share my thoughts even as I actually workt hard to “walk the talk” daily.

Until the next puzzle piece.