Victorious St. Michael prevails over Lucifer symbolizing good triumphant over evil. San Miguel to Filipinos however, is associated with vices, it is the trademark of the most popular beer and liquor, and many other goods and services. He is perhaps the most commercialized of all the saints in the country. Angels' Hills, Tagaytay 2010Rip van Winkle is said to have slept for 20 long years, “dahil sa sama ng loob” because he was a henpeck husband. When finally he woke up he was suspected a spy, but later forgiven and accepted back to the fold, because of “kagandahang loob.”
The Filipino, like old Rip, finds spirituality if not through meditation with saints and spirits, and escape from reality and often into his inner self – “loob”. While he is afraid of the “aswang,” he at the same time wishes an “anting-anting” or amulet to fall from heaven.
He views the world on the vantage point of “loob,” that life is cyclical: “gulong ng palad.” The other is a simple version of William James’ stream of consciousness, which he uses in expanding his “loob.” Example: “Pagbubu-o ng loob.” “Abot dama.” It is no wonder that the greatest sin one can commit is “pagsira ng loob,” which means destroying the dignity of a person.
There are things he is completely silent about, such as sex. But he will be most proud to talk of his family. Family-centeredness is an extension of “loob.” OFWs send back home their earnings. A private jeepney bears the name of the family which owns it. Houses huddle together in the company of family members and relatives. Thus the sense of nationhood is little emphasized. Why globalization when that is too far from “loob”?
Continued...
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