The Filipino Psychology of Utang na Loob among Gen X, Y, Z

“Utang na Loob” has always been a Filipino value cherished since the old times. It is a way of showing appreciation to people who did you a favor. Menguin (2022) defines it as the Filipino way of generosity and showing gratitude. Kapwa is the Filipino social interaction theory. Enriquez stated that the primary interest of Filipinos is not preserving harmonious interpersonal connections, but pakikipagkapwa, which implies considering the other person as a kapwa. There are two types of kapwa: ibang-tao (outsider) and hindi ibang tao (one-of-us). This feeling of equality arises from the perception of a common identity or a shared sense of the self. Through teamwork, kapwa encourages individuals to combine their resources and accomplish shared objectives. In substitute of hoarding and extortion, it encourages how to share excess. The Filipino value of kapwa ensures that the heart, not simply the hunger or the financial account is satisfied. Enriquez says that a desire to encourage reciprocity is advantageous for sustaining the perception of the oppressor as benefactor. In the perspective of Filipino culture, however, utang na loob truly signifies appreciation or unity. In the Filipino structure of interpersonal relations, there is usually a chance to repay a favor, thus it is not always a burden, as the term debt could suggest. This study is a quantitative–qualitative research method, as well as a descriptive and interpretive study that employs quantitative and qualitative data collection methods in order to obtain all the necessary information to support the necessary actions to conduct a study on utang na loob among different generations.