We Filipinos have our own ways of having interpersonal communication with others, and Melba Maggay, in her book “Pahiwatig: Kagawiang pangkomunikasyon ng Filipino”, compiled and chose 10 common grounds of how we engage with such communication. Such as: Pagpapahiwatig, Mensaheng may Tagapamagitan, Pagbubunyag, Pagpapakitang-Giliw, Paglalantad ng Sarili, Tuwirang Pagsasagutan, Pagsisiwalat ng mga Pansariling Impormasyon, Pakikipag-Sosyalan, Pagbibigay ng Balita, and Katutubong Retorika.
To dig deeper, let’s define each one of them.
Pagpapahiwatig, is communication through indirect manner which are used commonly if the message can be triggering or offensive. Mensaheng may Tagapamagitan, is communicating with a mediator to avoid further conflict. Pagbubunyag, is the idea of being open or disclosing information, feelings, issues, and such. Pagpapakitang-Giliw, is putting one’s best foot forward always. Paglalantad ng Sarili, is the idea of showing off. Tuwirang Pagsasagutan, is communication through argumentation but in a formal manner. Pagsisiwalat ng mga Pansariling Impormasyon, is spreading information even if it is a private matter. Pakikipag-Sosyalan, is the idea of socializing in order to gain information. Pagbibigay ng Balita, is communicating through spreading news for the large audience. Katutubong Retorika, is the traditional way of communication through discourse.
Being in a society where communicating is a way of socializing, I feel like these 6 ways: Pagpapahiwatig, Mensaheng may Tagapamagitan, Pagbubunyag, Tuwirang Pagsasagutan, Pakikipag-Sosyalan, Pagbibigay ng Balita, are the ways I’m most accustomed with. Pagpapahiwatig – because I am somehow a person that likes to keep things to herself, especially when I’m mad. I am not a direct person, because people needs to push me more to be open or to share my feelings, and I just give hints or clues to people of how I’m feeling. Mensaheng may Tagapamagitan – because as I have said. I am not a direct person, that I need someone to even say things in my behalf. For example, when I want something or need something, I’ll ask my mom to tell my dad what these needs are. Pagbubunyag, though I am a book with glued pages, I still open up to some, to my intimate friends only, those who are really close to me, and those who I have seen that’s worth my trust. Tuwirang Pagsasagutan – I argue only when I know I am right, and though I don’t always argue, it is because I keep in mind that “It is better to say nothing than say something unnecessary and irrelevant”. Pakikipag-Sosyalan – I like socializing and meeting new friends, because why not right? and lastly, Pagbibigay ng Balita – because my mother isn’t much of a “tech-y” person, I tell her news that are trending in any social media platforms and that I also bring news to my friends and relatives.
Though most of these ways are positive, we can’t deny the fact the we Filipinos are implicit for we have a high-context culture of communication, that is why problems will arise. To state some, the high probability of misunderstanding, because we Filipinos have the tendency to beat around the bush when we can just state our point briefly. Also, having misleading information, because facing reality, some of our neighbors are good story makers and comprehensive authors, that they have the ability to create stories and tell the tale through tsimis. And lastly, loss of one’s privacy, because when information are already disclosed, people will be talking about it and even have a tendency to add spice to it, destroying one’s privacy and image.
In addition, not only these are prevalent on face-to-face communication, but also through online interactions. Now that social media is commonly used by not only the teenagers, but also the adults as way of checking up on the people around them, these observed ways by Maggay is visible. For example, Paglalantad ng Sarili, some people (for the purpose of not generalizing) posts unnecessary things on Facebook, like their meal for the day, their new clothes and jewelry, and anything they could show off and impress others. And even Pagpapahiwatig is visible, like how some posts in their timeline some quotes or photos with captions that is meant for one person but is too scared to tag them and or give recognition.
Even if these ways are prevalent in us Filipinos, I cannot actually claim that it is innate in us Filipinos because some countries hold these too. I also think that these ways are formed due to socio-historical factors, because being colonized by tons of colonizers for a very long time, we became adaptive to the culture. Like how plans for war were made underground or secretly for the fear of being caught. News was also spread to awaken the hearts of the Filipinos to fight against the discrimination and oppression that time, and more.
Although Maggay and Lacson’s observations are somewhat similar, in terms of, having people share and spread information and meddle in individual or private matters, Lacson’s research is more focused on the negative side of the Filipino Communication Culture, and we should never just settle on the negative side, that’s why Maggay opens new avenue for a wider understanding of us Filipinos, because in understanding, brings our identities. That’s what we should know, right Filipi-know?
Rachell Anne T. Capaning 