Perceptions of "Filipino-Ness" and Community-Building through Kapwa

In Pilipinx indigenous healing practices, the mind and body are seen as interconnected, emphasizing harmony between individuals and their communities. Central to these harmonious relationships is Kapwa, a core Pilipinx cultural concept defined as "shared identity”. However, much is still unknown about how Kapwa and perceptions of "Filipino-ness" (constructed identity tied to shared cultural, historical, and social context; Quintero, 2023) intersect and influence community building processes within Pilipinx communities. This is important given that Pilipinx and Pilipinx American (PA) experiences are diverse, including generational differences, upbringings, and identity, which may complicate what it means to be "Pilipino enough.” This can impact connection and unity as conflicting perceptions may create subtle hierarchies, fostering inclusion or exclusion. Moreover, addressing these internal barriers is crucial for fostering stronger, more inclusive communities that embrace the diversity of Pilipinx experiences. This study aims to address how perceptions of “Filipino-ness” influence community building and inclusivity.

Methods: This study utilized thematic analysis to examine data from focus groups and interviews with Pilipinx and PAs (N = 20).

Results: Preliminary findings indicate that PAs often unconsciously define their sense of Pilipinx identity, and tend to form community bonds based on this identification. Three key themes were developed to reflect how Pilipinx and PAs navigate their “Filipino-ness” and experiences of belonging

• Theme 1: Pilipinx versus PAs — Participants describe a sense of separation within the community based on their perceived connection with the Pilipinx culture and identity.
• Theme 2: Barriers to Kapwa and Cultural Belonging — Participants expressed feelings of being “less Filipino” due to language barriers, accent differences, or cultural disconnection, which disrupts their sense of Kapwa.
• Theme 3: Language as a Tool for Community-Building and a Marker of “Filipino-ness” — Participants emphasized language as a vital tool to maintain their identity.

Overall, these results highlight the unconscious sectionalization that exists within PAs communities, suggesting a need to address these divisions in order to foster greater unity and connection among all PAs.

Conclusions and Implications: Community building within Pilipinx and PA is complex as there is an interplay between shared Kapwa and identity-based sectionalization. These tensions often influence how individuals perceive their “Filipino-ness”, which can either foster connection or exclusion. Community cohesion and collective wellbeing cannot be strengthened without addressing these internal divisions, thus having barriers to inclusivity. Quintero (2023) discusses how PAs usually find themselves in a space of in-between, feeling disconnected from both mainstream American society and the Pilipinx community as a result of cultural gatekeeping. The findings of our study supports this claim as the participants described feelings of exclusion based on language fluency, cultural upbringing, and perceptions of “Filipino-ness”. Moreover, implications of this study would be to leverage kapwa for unity by bridging generational and cultural gaps and challenging gatekeeping in Pilipinx identity (acknowledging there are multiple ways to be Pilipinx, including lived experiences and cultural value). This will foster inclusivity within our community as it creates spaces where Pilipinx and PAs can exchange perspectives to foster deeper understanding rather than reinforcing division.