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Marie Gabatbat
Filipinizing Catholicism
If asked the question, “what does it mean to be a Filipino?” one might say that it is being born and living
in the country that is dubbed as the “Pearl of the Orient,” or that it is being positive and resilient even in
the face of non-stop political, social, and economic disasters that perpetually plague our beloved nation,
or that it is experiencing all things Pinoy, such as riding the jeepney, eating adobo, and, of course, getting
stuck in terrible city traffic. Indeed, we, Filipinos, are known for a multitude of things: we are the “Social
Media Capital” of the world; our country is home to countless breathtaking natural wonders; and we are
the 5th largest Christian country in the world.
The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic nation, with 93% of the country’s total population adhering
to the teachings of Jesus Christ (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2011)1. So who is the “Filipino Catholic”? In
its book titled “Catechism for Filipino Catholics” (Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines,
1997)2, the CBCP eloquently described what it means to be a Filipino Catholic. According to them, our
identity as Catholics is greatly shaped by our culture and “national historical experiences of pain and
struggle, of victory and celebration.”
In order to know what it means to be a Filipino Catholic, five questions were asked:
1. From whom do we naturally draw our self-identity?
2. Where do we find the deepest meaning in our lives?
3. How do we react to suffering?
4. How do we commit ourselves to our ideals in life?
5. What is our view of the world in all its depth and hidden reality?
In answering these questions, the book integrated five Filipino characteristics together with five essential
traits of Jesus Christ. Moreover, it posited that the outstanding characteristic of the Church in the
Philippines is to be a “people in love with Mary.” The Holy Mother of God is so deeply beloved by our
nation that she is also involved in each of the five Filipino characteristics leading us to Christ.
The following table summarizes the discussion of the Filipino Catholic identity in the first chapter of CFC:
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Doctrines Filipino Characteristics Jesus Christ Mary
3. Sufferings Kundiman-Oriented Jesus as the Suffering Mary is venerated as the
in Life - Kundiman is a song about Servant reaches out to us Sorrowful Mother whose
wounded love. Filipinos are Filipinos as a healing and “Perpetual Help,”
naturally attracted to heroes forgiving Savior. compassion, and love is
sacrificing everything for sought through popular
love. novenas and devotions.
4. Life Bayani-Oriented Filipinos see Jesus Christ as Mary is our Queen, the
Commitment - A bayani is a hero. We the Conqueror who was loving mother of Christ
Filipinos are natural hero- sent to bring glad tidings to our King. She is the
followers, instinctively the poor, proclaim liberty, young maiden whose life
personalizing any good recover the sight of the commitment is repeated
cause in terms of a leader, blind, and release the thrice a day in the
who should defend the weak prisoners. Angelus.
and the oppressed.
5. World Spirit-Oriented Jesus as the “miracle- Mary is venerated
View - Filipinos continue to worker” who promised to precisely as the woman
invoke the spirits in various send his Spirit to his upon whom the Holy
undertakings, especially in disciples, uniting them in Spirit came, that her
faith-healings and the teaching of the apostles, offspring would be called
exorcisms. is very appealing to us “Son of God.”
Filipinos.
These five doctrines that reflect who we are as Filipino Catholics still hold true even in today’s modern
age. In the midst of political changes and technological advancements, our identity as Filipino Catholics
remains the same. Catholicism in the Philippines is heavily rooted in our culture, and the opposite is also
true. It is not contested that one has a strong influence over the other.
Adding to the discussion in the book, as to family-orientedness, in the same way that Filipinos refer to
complete strangers as ate or kuya, as if they were members of one family, some Filipinos would, albeit
disputable, refer to Christ as “Papa Jesus” or “Bro” in a now-defunct local television serial, not to
mention how we refer to each other as “brothers and sisters in Christ.” With regard to meal-orientedness,
usually hanging over the dining room of Filipino homes is a painting of the “Last Supper,” depicting
Jesus with his twelve disciples breaking bread together like a family.
Meanwhile, in terms of being kundiman-oriented, that is, being attracted to noble sacrifices in the name of
love, there are Filipinos who would attempt to re-enact the crucifixion and nail themselves on crosses
during the Holy Week. While this tradition is a bit controversial and the Church does not condone such
self-harming acts, some Filipinos truly believe that this is a way to show their devotion and fulfill their
vows to the Lord. As to being bayani-oriented, we call Jesus as the great Savior, or tagapaglitas in the
vernacular, who freed us from our sins so that we may have a chance to join him in His eternal kingdom
when the time comes. Lastly, our spirit-orientedness is not only manifested through our recognition of the
Holy Spirit who guides and leads us to follow God’s command, but it is also seen in our popular beliefs of
spirits dwelling in homes, trees, and even persons.
Verily, Filipinos are many things, but, primarily, we are Catholics. Thus, when asked again, “what does it
mean to be Filipino?” perhaps we can now say that to become truly and authentically Filipino, is to
become more deeply Christian, proclaiming Jesus Christ in our national culture and living our lives in
accordance with His teachings.
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