Chapter 4
Hermeneutics of the Phenomenon of Nakakaluwag
This chapter consists of five sections: The first section discusses the significance of horizonal meaning, which provides an overview of a careful interpretation-description process (analysis, reflection and synthesis) on the phenomenon of the lived-experience of nakakaluwag. The second section is about the Thematic Analysis, which is comprised of the following sub-sections: first, on the fourteen (14) Co-Rs and the dates when RJE, NEA and FIE were made available; second, on the application of Aronson’s thematic analysis and comparison made with Lindseth & Norberg’s (2004); third, on the three (3) Interpretive-Descriptive Phases, namely the 1st IDP: Reflective Journal Entries (RJE), the 2nd IDP: Narrative Experience Accounts (NEA) and 3rd IDP: Face-to-Face Interview Exchanges (FIE); fourth, on the Initial and Recurring Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes based from the combined RJE, NEA and FIE; and lastly, on the forty four (44) Nakakaluwag Interrelated Sub-themes that arose from the thematic analysis The third section is on the Thematic Reflection whereby the Seven (7) Proverbial Themes answered the research questions of this study. The fourth section is on the proposed Nakakaluwag Interpretive-Descriptive Framework that determines the conditions conducive to sustainable living, a framework which is likened to a sphere which is based on Mechthild of Magdeburg’s interpretation-description of God. And finally, the fifth section is on the Hermeneutical Insight as guided by Gadamer’s notion on relationality character of the text. The discussion includes appreciation of the Filipino Proverbs (Mga Salawikain) as natural key articulation or re-articulation of nakakaluwag lived experience, and thus giving birth to another proverb: “Anumang nakapag-uugnay ay nakakapagpaluwag” (Relationships make for a life of ease). The detailed outline of all the sections and sub-sections of this chapter is as follow:
Chapter 4: Hermeneutics of the Phenomenon of Nakakaluwag
A. Horizonal Meaning
B. Thematic Analysis
C. Thematic Reflection as Responses to the Research Questions
through the Seven (7) Proverbial Themes
Theme 1 “Ang buhay ay parang gulong, minsang nasa ibabaw,
minsang nasa ilalim.”
Theme 2 “Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.”
Theme 3 “Kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw may dahilan.”
Theme 4 “Kung may isinuksok, may madudukot.”
Theme 5 “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan
ay di makakarating sa paroroonan.”
Theme 6 “Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilaga.”
Theme 7 “Hanggang maiksi ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot.”
D. An Overview on the Research Questions
E. Nakakaluwag Interpretation-Description comes full circle.
F. Nakakaluwag as Interpretive-Descriptive Framework
G. Hermeneutical Insight:
“Anumang nakapag-uugnay ay nakakapagpaluwag”
Horizonal Meaning
By analyzing on what it is that constitutes a shared-understanding of the nakakaluwag lived-experience and by reflecting on this phenomenon the writer arrived at the horizonal meanings of the TEXT, which is referred to all his Co-Rs’ written reflections (journal entries), transcribed narrations (experience accounts) and transcribed conversations (interview exchanges).
What is horizonal? Bartholomew (1996) defines contextual as horizontal or horizonal. The word horizonal means context as taken from Gadamer’s fusion of horizon. A text or a word means something and its meaning is interpreted in context. The meaning of ‘meaning’ is a matter of context; and as context changes, the meaning of a text also changes. Thus, ‘meaning’ is contextual or horizontal or horizonal.
To arrive at an in-depth linguistic understanding, the writer used the hermeneutic circle whereby the dialogue with the 1st IDP: RJE in which the meanings of separate parts were determined by their horizonal meanings of the written data. The meanings of the written reflections were examined; the generated interpretation was derived from the same; and the interpretation was double-checked against 2nd IDP: NEA.
A movement between the whole and the parts on the 2nd IDP continued on whereby the dialogue with its NEA in which the meanings of separate parts were likewise determined by their horizonal meanings of the spoken data. The meanings of the transcribed narrations were examined; the generated interpretation was derived from the same; and the interpretation was double-checked against 3rd IDP: FIE.
Then it proceeded to the 3rd IDP whereby the dialogue with its FIE in which the meanings of separate parts were again determined by their horizonal meanings of the interview data. The meanings of the transcribed conversations were examined; the generated interpretation was derived from the same; and the interpretation was double-checked against 1st IDP: RJE to allow hermeneutic to come full circle.
The three phases were tied as one and compared with each other until a unity and coherence of meanings were attained. This hermeneutical [phenomenological] process can be likened to the coherent web where the individual propositions gain truth. Only when the whole web is maximally coherent do the individual parts become ultimately true (Poggemiller, 1998). So when the three phases were tied as one, they all fit together in an essential way. When they were synthesized, they generated deeper coherent meaning. Initially they seemed to be unrelated with each other when viewed alone, but when each piece was already in place, everything made sense. Enclosed in view of holistic relationality, looking at any of these three phases and looking at them all together they reflected on the emerging bigger picture and paint a clearer image of the phenomenon of nakakaluwag.
Thematic Analysis
The writer has already identified himself as belonging with and to the TEXT he read (or interpreted-described). By engaging in an interpretive-descriptive process, the writer focused on the various contextualized meanings of the Filipino value nakakaluwag that emerged from his Co-Rs’ TEXT in which all are embedded in their shared-beliefs and embodied in their shared-practices. It was already mentioned in the previous chapter (the section on Reading and Writing) that using reflective journal (as TEXT) is one way in which a hermeneutic circle can be engaged.
The writer requested all of his Co-Rs to reflect on their nakakaluwag lived experiences, to journal and submit them in a week’s time in either hard copy to be handed in to him personally, or soft copy to be emailed to him.[1] He also requested them to respond in writing to the following five (5) guide questions in a language they felt comfortable with, either in English or in Filipino (Tagalog) or a mixed: Tagalog-English (Taglish)[2]: 1. Kailan mo naramdamang nakakaluwag ka sa buhay? (1. When do you feel/know that you are nakakaluwag in life?); 2. Ano ang pakiramdam ng nakakaluwag sa buhay? (2. What is the feeling of nakakaluwag in life?); 3. Sa mga pagkakataong nakakaluwag ka sa buhay, saang bahagi ng buhay mo matatagpuan ang mga sumusunod? 3.1 ang Diyos, 3.2 ang iyong sarili, 3.3 ang iyong kapwa, at 3.4 ang kalikasan (3. In the many situations that you are nakakaluwag in life, what part of your life do you find the following? 3.1 your God, 3.2 yourself, 3.3 your fellow being 3.4 creation); 4. Anong mga aral ang itinuturo sayo ng mga karanasang nakakaluwag sa buhay? (4. What lessons do the experiences of nakakaluwag in life teach you?) 5. Anong mga aral sa iyong pakiramdam na ituturo mo sa iyong kapwa? (5. What lessons do you feel/think you will teach others?)
Table 9. The Fourteen (14) Co-Rs and the Availability Dates of RJE, NEA and FIE
Fourteen (14) Co-Rs with their Nicknames |
Availability Dates of RJE per Co-R |
Availability Dates of NEA per Co-R |
Availability Dates of FIE per Co-R |
1. Rowel | 28-Jul-10 | 17-Aug-10 | 13-Sep-10 |
2. Dino | 28-Jul-10 | 5-Aug-10 | 26-Aug-10 |
3. Maricel | 29-Jul-10 | 31-Jul-10 | 18-Aug-10 |
4. Jorelle | 3-Aug-10 | 3-Aug-10 | 19-Aug-10 |
5. Joe | 3-Aug-10 | 9-Aug-10 | 25-Aug-10 |
6. Me-Ann | 3-Aug-10 | 10-Aug-10 | 19-Aug-10 |
7. Lorence | 4-Aug-10 | 5-Aug-10 | 18-Aug-10 |
8. Pink | 5-Aug-10 | 17-Aug-10 | 19-Aug-10 |
9. Elvie | 7-Aug-10 | 7-Aug-10 | 14-Aug-10 |
10. Rommel | 7-Aug-10 | 7-Aug-10 | 18-Aug-10 |
11. Benson | 10-Aug-10 | 17-Aug-10 | 19-Aug-10 |
12. V-Mae | 19-Aug-10 | 19-Aug-10 | 25-Aug-10 |
13. Nelca | 3-Sep-10 | 7-Sep-10 | 8-Sep-10 |
14. Gary | 28-Sep-10 | 29-Sep-10 | 4-Oct-10 |
Table 9 above shows the fourteen (14) Co-Rs and the dates when RJE, NEA and FIE were made available. Because the dates vary due to the availability of the Co-Rs, the writer gave them some leeway and with due consideration as to when they would make the RJE’s data, then NEA’s data and finally the FIE’s data available. In order to maintain the confidentiality of the data and the identity of the Co-Rs, throughout the study the nicknames were assigned to them instead of their real names. The first column indicates the nicknames of the Co-Rs. The second column gives the corresponding date for the Co-Rs’ submission of their RJE, which was entrusted to them at least a week before its due date. The RJE were collected for a two month period from July 28 to September 28, 2010. The third column gives the corresponding dates for the Co-Rs’ sharing of their NEA. The NEA were conducted from the last week of July, 2010 until the last week of September, 2010. The last column gives the corresponding date for the Co-Rs’ availability for FIE. The FIE were conducted between the 2nd week of August, 2010 until the 1st week of October, 2010. Transcribing and translating all the audio-recorded data from NEA and FIE for purposes of doing thematic analysis were done for a two month period from August, 2010 until October 2010.
Since the second week of July, 2010 the writer already commenced the data gathering and he saw at its initial stage how significant and interrelated these items were, therefore he made sure that the required RJE were all collected so that nothing would be missed or lost. He then initially interpreted-described the entire RJE using the modified version of Aronson’s (1994) five (5) steps of thematic analysis: Step 1 Collecting all the data, Step 2 Identifying patterns of experiences, Step 3 Cataloguing related patterns into sub-themes and themes, Step 4 Obtaining feedback from the informants and Step 5 Telling the whole story.
Table 10 shows two sets of steps in carrying out the phenomenological analysis of data. The first set refers to the Aronson’s (1994) five (5) steps of thematic analysis which was compared side by side with the second set, which is the Lindseth & Norberg’s (2004) three (3) steps of the circular interpretation based on Ricoeur’s (1971) interpretation theory[3] (as cited in Flood, 2010). Although Lindseth & Norberg’s steps, namely Step 1 Naive reading, Step 2 Structural analysis and Step 3 Comprehensive, are more recent and also appropriate in this study. The writer preferred the Aronson’s steps for purposes of in-depth analysis, reflection and synthesis. While these two sets of steps above are following the same logical sequence, Aronson’s steps are more detailed as compared to Lindseth & Norberg’s steps.
The writer found Aronson’s steps more dynamic as an approach in this study which enabled him to experience this long and tedious process of thematic analysis a more engaging one and with results that were clearer, easier to read and more understandable.
Table 10. Aronson’s (1994) 5 Steps and Lindseth & Norberg’s (2004) 3 Steps on Data Analysis
Interpreting-describing the TEXT based on the Modified version of Aronson’s (1994) five (5) steps on thematic analysis |
Lindseth & Norberg’s (2004) three (3) steps on the circular interpretation |
Step 1 Collecting all the data:(a) The writer collected and secured the data from the Co-Rs’ RJE, which refer to their reflections on the significant nakakaluwaglived-experiences.
(b) Translating the entire RJE from Filipino (Tagalog) and Taglish to English. |
Step 1. Naive reading:The text is read several times to grasp its meanings. Here, researchers are ‘open’ so the text can talk to them (naive understanding). |
Step 2 Identifying patterns of experiences:(a) On the basis of RJE the writer initially identified, listed the patterns of experiences that relate to the already classified patterns,
(b) and then these identified patterns were expounded on. |
Step 2. Structural analysis:Themes which penetrate texts conveying essential meaning of the lived experience were identified and presented in “meaning units’, which are then condensed into sub themes and main themes. These were reflected on in relation to the initial naive understanding. |
Step 3 Cataloging related patterns into sub-themes and themes:(a) The writer combined and cataloged the related patterns into sub-themes which were “derived from patterns such as conversation topics, vocabulary, recurring activities, meanings, feelings, or folk sayings and proverbs” (Taylor & Bogdan as cited in Aronson, 1994).(b)Then the “themes were identified by bringing together components or fragments of ideas or experiences, which often are meaningless when viewed alone” (Aronson, 1994).
© Piecing them together to examine and highlight the common themes (similarities and contrasts). |
|
Step 4 Obtaining feedback from the informants:(a) To obtain comprehensive view when gathering sub-themes, the writer obtained feedback from the Co-Rs narration and interview (NEA and FIE). He even asked some of them outside the narration and interview (Aronson, 1994).(b) the Co-Rs’ feedback consisted of clarification, validation and confirmation based from Co-Rs’ NEA and FIE | |
Step 5 Telling the whole story:(a) By reading and referring back to the related literature and studies, the writer gained information that allowed him to make inferences from the TEXT, and once the initial themes were collected and the related literature and studies were looked into, the writer formulated theme-statements to develop a story line.(b) Formulating key thematic statements by weaving the thread of meanings.
© Capturing these thematic statements by way of thematic reflection [of Van Manen (2002)] into a more phenomenologically sensitive paragraphs to uncover and attain what constitutes the integrated shared-understanding of the phenomenon of nakakaluwag until it reached closure. |
Step 3. Comprehensive understanding or interpreted whole:All themes were summarized and reflected on in relation to the research question and the context of the study. The whole text was re-read with the naive associations and relevant literature and studies to help revise, widen and deepen the understanding of the text (Lindseth &Norberg 2004 as cited in Flood, 2010). Results were presented in everyday language as close to the lived experience as possible. |
The first column above indicates Aronson’s step by step process to doing thematic analysis. The second column provides the writer’s actual application of Aronson’s steps. The last column gives the corresponding Lindseth & Norberg’s steps where the Aronson’s Step 1 matches Lindseth & Norberg’s Step 1; then the Aronson’s Steps 2, 3 and 4 coincide with Lindseth & Norberg’s Step 2, and finally, the Aronson’s Step 5 corresponds with Lindseth & Norberg’s Step 6.
By borrowing Conroy’s words, the writer concurred that, “interpretation [description] focuses on understanding the meaning of what someone says” (2003, p. 23). Interpretation-description is more than just “breaking up a concept, proposition… or fact into its simple or ultimate constituents” (Audi, 1999 as cited in Conroy, 2003). Interpretation-description is “closer to a synthesis or a pulling together of separate elements” (Conroy, 2003, p. 23).
Thus, in this tedious phase of the interpretive-descriptive process, the writer carefully did the following on the TEXT: (Step 1) translated the entire RJE form Filipino (Tagalog) and Taglish entries to English; (Step 2) initially identified and listed the patterns of experiences of his Co-Rs’ reflections; (Step 3) combined and catalogued these related patterns into sub-themes; (Step 3) tentatively pieced them together to examine and highlight the common themes (similarities and contrasts); (Step 4) gathered and obtained his Co-Rs’ feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation based from the Co-Rs’ NEA and FIE; and finally (Step 5) formulated key thematic statements by weaving the thread of meanings; (Step 5) captured from these thematic statements by way of thematic reflection [of Van Manen (2002)] into a more phenomenologically sensitive paragraphs to uncover and attain what (initially) constitutes the integrated shared-understanding of the phenomenon of nakakaluwag until it reached closure.
And then, in approaching all together the RJE, NEA and FIE Co-Rs’ journal entries, experience accounts and interview exchanges), the writer found out that it was useful to re-reading them, putting them in perspective and writing a brief interpretation-description on what each of the participants said. This allowed the writer to immerse in their world and called to mind what was happening during the preliminary and even in the succeeding meetings with them. It was observed that interpreting-describing these events, whatever was disclosed became more apparent. The written reflections, transcribed narrations and transcribed conversations of their unreflected experience enabled the hermeneutic-phenomenological process for their experience to surface. Out of the various items from the Co-Rs’ RJE, NEA and FIE, the writer identified a number of unique patterns of meaning that emerged and evolved. In this case, they referred to the meaning units, sub-themes and themes.
In view of the integrative nature of hermeneutic understanding, Bontokoe (as cited in Kinsella, 2006) points out that understanding occurs only when the interpreter recognizes the significance of the various items or elements [in this case they refer to the meaning units, sub-themes and themes] that s/he notices, and recognizes the way in which those items relate to each other” (par. 13).
During the thematic analysis and reflection process, the ‘Hermeneutic Development of Commentary’[4] was also consulted from time to time or as he deems appropriate as a guide to interpretation-description (Conroy, 2003, p. 24).
Table 11 shows the structure of 1st IDP: RJE, 2nd IDP: NEA and 3rd IDP: FIE. The entire table constitutes the fourteen (14) Co-Rs’ written responses to the guide questions assigned to them. The interpretation-description structure of these three phases is broken into three separate columns and fourteen tables. Every column and table represents a Co-R and all the tables are sorted accordingly based from the RJE’s earliest to the latest submission dates. Each table and in each column indicates her/his nickname with the date of submission and consists of row-responses that correspond to each of the questions being asked. The first column with the heading: ‘1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units’ contains each of the Co-Rs’ statements on nakakaluwag based on the written data. Each Co-Rs’ statement is numbered, then lettered if applicable and labeled in following sequence: 1 (a) Statement; 1 (b) Statement, then 2 (a) Statement; 2 (b) Statement and so on. The writer purposely made these type of labeling as reference marker or guide for the next table (see table 11). The second column with the heading: 2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation’ contains each of the Co-Rs’ statements on nakakaluwag based on the spoken data which verify, clarify, validate and confirm what was said in the first column . And lastly, the third column with the heading: ‘3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation’ contains each of the Co-Rs’ statements on nakakaluwag based on the interview data which further verify, clarify, validate and confirm what was either said or not said in either the first or the second column. There are instances that either Co-Rs’ RJE or NEA or FIE can stand alone or is self-explanatory. And there are also case that one or two columns are empty because the Co-R is silent about it. The writer labeled these columns with blank entries with “[none]” to simply indicate that nothing is said about the question being asked.
Table 11. Three (3) Interpretive-Descriptive Phases: 1st IDP: RJE, 2nd IDP: NEA and 3rd IDP: FIE
1. RJE of Rowel, Submitted on July 28, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
1. NEA of Rowel, Conducted on August 17, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
|
1. FIE of Rowel, Conducted on September 13, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
|
1. (a) Rowel: “The term “luwag” (ease) is a condition or mind-set that paved the way to the reaction and action of an individual. It is a “SPACE” being provided for by a person. So the kaluwagan(life of ease) or its opposite condition is dependent on the kind of space being allotted for.”1. (b) Rowel: “How much the mind and the heart provide for such space becomes a living condition on how a person experience luwag (ease).” | I experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) when there is an underlying concept that envelopes me. I called this SPACE, and can be referred to as either inner space or an outer space. The wider the space, the greater the experience of life with ease (mas nakakaluwag), the narrower the space, the lesser the experience of life with ease (mas sumisikip). | All the concept of living with ease (kaluwagan) comes from the individual, her/his perception, outlook and mind-set. It is possible that a person in a crowded area having a mindset that is spacious (maluwag) will not call it congested (masikip) because for her/him that situation is with ease (kaluwagan). It is possible too that a person in a huge mansion will not consider it spacious (kaluwagan) but congested (kasikipan). It is also possible s/he is imprisoned on that very house. I think ease (luwag) is how an individual draw out the meaning of the concept of space, that space that provides her/him with ease (kaluwagan). I wrote and said that this [ease] comes from both the inner space and outer space. Her/his concept of both the inner and outer space are drawn from the experience of ease (kaluwagan). [Human being as] an individual has no boundary or boundless. The very space that comes from her/him has no boundary or boundless. The inner space absorbs all these concepts of outer space, and thus complementarity takes place between inner and outer space. It is not the outer space that absorbs the person, but rather her/his inner space is that which absorbs her/his outlook. |
2. Rowel: “The feeling of nakakaluwag in life (living with ease) is based on the above acronym [LUWAG] I provided for. Ligaya at Laya, Ugnayan at Unawa, Wagas, Alwan at Ginhawa. The peace of mind encompasses all these conditions.” | “[none]” | I was thinking on how am I going to give definition to an experience with ease (luwag). Then I realized that I can give meaning to it (luwag) by coming up with an acronym, LUWAG which I did. |
3.1 Rowel: “God is present in either nakakaluwag (ease) or hindi nakakaluwag (without ease) situations in life. It’s the quality of closeness that is being experienced here. When situations are tough, the relationship with Him becomes more intense [but] in nakakaluwag (ease) situations; His name is glorified because of a lot of blessings.” | There are situations that you usually forget God because you experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) not so much of God’s own making but because of what you have done to yourself. Maybe this is self-pride as what others would call it. But there are situations that you experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) and you wondered how these things happened in your life. Here, your life is centered on God. You experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) not so much of your own making but because of God.’s own making. Maybe I can call this experience a marvel or a miracle one [a blessing]. | When situations are tough, they mean challenges. Let’s say that concept refers to experiencing of so much problems which you can no longer bear until you have no other recourse but to return your focus back to God. Perhaps even an unbeliever would do the same. I think your relationship becomes more intense when an individual [with so many problems] is asking for help in an intense prayer. On the contrary, when you are living with ease (nakakaluwag) in terms of materiality and you are wondering where all of these blessings come from, this is to me my personal concept of a miracle, for which I have to thank and glorify His name. While the first one refers to tough challenging situation, the second one would mean a lot of blessings. |
3.2 Rowel: “I feel more confident, able and energetic.” | In a given situation that I experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as my own making that would mean arrogance. In a situation that I experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) not by my own but by God’s own doing that would mean humility. Be humble that inspite of you, you are still helped by God. And without arrogance, you can be proud [confident] of how you’ve done something. | Being confident here refers to having self esteem. Being able [or having the ability] empowers you to do something by which you develop [enhance] your self esteem. Being energetic is the power to exercise your ability to do something and it is possible that you may be able but when you have no energy you may [also] refuse to do something. |
3.3 Rowel: “[I]t’s easy to share my blessings with others.” | My fellow beings (mga kapwa) serve as instrument on how to experience life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) simply because I can not separate myself from them for they can provide me the opportunity to experience life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay). However, if they do not serve as instrument on how to experience life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay), still this is also an opportunity, This is where understanding comes in. The wider my understanding the more I see the opportunity for understanding the person instead of getting angry with him. This is what I’m saying earlier, that to experience life with ease interiorly (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to offer [share] more that understanding to him. | I have an experience before, during my college days there was this person who helped me financially and when I asked him how can I pay him back, he just gave a very stunning answer telling me that, “You do not necessarily pay me back, and you need not pay me your debt of gratitude, but I have only one wish to make.” Then he continued, “You help the very first person in need of your help, and if you are able to do it, then you already paid me back.” |
3.4 Rowel: “The creation becomes more colorful and meaningful… The beauty and feeling of comfortableness from the heart exudes to become the basis on my outlook in life.” | Creations are the wonders of God, the miracle of God, the very environment that you are intimately connected to. And the more you experience life with ease, the more you see creations shining colorfully with joy. Often when the situation is with ease, you understand why these creations are such. On the contrary, when the situation is without ease, it is as if your world is muffled (ang mundo mo ay pinagsukluban) and the more you’re not able to see creations colorfully shining. But it still remains an opportunity to open your eyes how to have an ease of mind (kaluwagan ng isip) and to breathe freedom (paghinga ng kalayaan). Since creations have such beauty, and so when you experienced depression, approaching a single flower, looking at it, and let’s say I may not have color [joy or comfort] inside me, but if I relate myself to that same flower, I will wonder why and ask how such reality came to be, and touching its petals and I know I could not describe that very situation on how to experience self-ease (maging maluwag sa sarili) because there is a God who cares for that flower, a God who protects creation. Since there is God who cares for us all, then I think this God will also take good care of me, sufficient enough to experience ease in a situation where life is without ease (buhay na masikip at hindi nakakahinga). | I also know how to play the guitar. In music we see, especially the musicians, the colors and the meanings in everything that we/they do. I think from the concept of living with ease (luwag) you will be able to see the colorful world, the meaning of that world. And it is also possible that from these songs the lyrics that are taking shape regarding creation is more colorful. |
4. Rowel: “The lessons of humility, generosity, patience and being loved are the things I have learned…” | I learned ease both as an understanding of how to have internal and external experience of ease. To experience ease in life cannot be attributed to simply getting money nor getting something out of what you can take. This is an internal perspective on how you experience ease (pagiging maluwag). A given situation may not be an experience with ease (hindi nakakaluwag); it makes life like being strangled (nakakasakal), no freedom, and no space. But your perspective on how you experience ease (kaluwagan) in that given situation is in itself a good life’s lesson to learn from on how to have freedom (kalayaan). Freedom (kalayaan) and experiencing life with ease (kaluwagan) are inseparable. The freer you are, the more you experience ease, the more you experience ease the more you can exercise your freedom. | In a given situation wherein God is the sole possible cause of anything that may happen, you have no right to be arrogant. You have to wait for His grace, for His power that you were able to do these things but in the end only God can only accomplish them. Or maybe you are the only person, who can accomplish them, but still you cannot be arrogant, that’s humility. |
5. (a) Rowel: “The best lesson I think I would teach others is “nakakaluwagis a mind-set.”
5. (b) Rowel: “We cannot do anything on the things that come or happen to us but we can do something on how we are going to think or react on the things that happened to us.
5. © Rowel: “Either in nakakaluwag or not nakakaluwag situations, I always think that I have to “give it back” to God.” |
Given a chance to actually teach this to students and to my fellow-being (kapwa), [I would teach others that the] experience of life with ease (nakakaluwag) is a mind-set, it is not a situation. Any individual who thinks that what will give her/him a experience of life with ease is having more money, even if you dump that person with money (tambakan mo man yang taong yan ng pera) it is possible that this may even cause her/him not to experience life with ease (hindi pagiging maluwag). Life with ease (nakakaluwag) is a perspective no matter what the situation is, either you have money or not, you are experiencing difficulty or not, you are experiencing life like being strangled (nasisikipan) or not. It is totally dependent on the degree of inner space that you are going to adopt. So if you hate your fellow-being (kapwa) this is not an experience with ease (kaluwagan) but tightness in breathing (kasikipan ng paghinga) and tightness in feeling (kasikipan ng damdamin). In order to experience life with ease (kaluwagan), I need to free myself from that situation of hate and nobody can do it except the freedom that is within me. If I am going to ask a question on how much can you forgive, it depends now on the space, on how much can you love. So the greater the space you love, the greater the space you forgive. So when you are ready and willing to learn to forgive it all depends now on a space, an interior and exterior experience of ease (kaluwagan na pangloob at panglabas) and on how you will make these things happen to yourself | If conflict takes place between two individuals because their views are subjective and relative, and our purpose is reconcile them, then there is a need to bring in relationality (ugnayan) and understanding (unawa). In one of the lectures of Prof. Felipe De Leon, he pointed out that if this would be the point of view, and if you do not try to understand that point then you will miss that whole view, you will be in conflict, then you will insist that what is spacious (maluwag) is congested (masikip). There is a need that we should have relationality (ugnayan) and understanding (unawa) on why to you it’s congested (masikip) while to me it’s spacious (maluwag). In [my] inner space when I do not understand your concept which is spacious (maluwag) to me yet congested (masikip) to you, when I cannot understand you, then my very inner space has no relationality and has no understanding, thus it has no ease (luwag). No peace that comes directly from an individual; s/he draws it from a God who gives her/him peace. That experience of ease (kaluwagan), that inner space s/he cannot do it by her/himself. So whatever happens in her/his environment, if s/he has peace in her/his relationship with her/his fellow-being (kapwa), with nature, in all of these, it is in this peace where s/he draws her/his strength. I think an experience of ease (luwag) is an outcome of mind at peace. |
2. RJE of Dino, Submitted on July 28, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
2. NEA of Dino,Conducted on August 5, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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2. FIE of Dino,Conducted on August 26, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1. (a) Dino: “ I felt living with ease (nakaluluwag) when I started working and earning my own money. I was so delighted every pay day, and I’m giving money to my parents.”1. (b) Dino: “ I’m giving them almost eighty percent (80%) of my earnings. I did not feel obligated to provide them, but I’m just happy when I‘m giving them money.” | Maybe I can say that I live with ease (nakakaluwag) when someone approaches me and asks my help and then I’m able to help that person. I can say that I live with ease (nakakaluwag) because I was able to help. Maybe to my mind I would not appreciate the experience of ease (nakakaluwag) if I have so much money. I will only feel Iiving with ease (nakakaluwag), if I’m able to get something from pocket because someone is asking. However, if I have money I just simply consider it not an experience with ease (nakakaluwag). I may have money to buy, but if someone ask or even not asking who just simply tells her/his story and I realize s/he is in need, if I’m able to get something from pocket that’s me, maybe that is an an experience with ease (nakakaluwag) because I was able to give help. | I started working not for money but because it is part of our culture that at my age that time I should be already working, and so I started working. And when I had my work, my personal needs and eventually the needs of my family also increased. When my sister knew that I have work, she started expressing her intention to ask help. From then on as the family needs increase, so I started shouldering some of the responsibilities. However I did not work primarily to assume those responsibilities. I just felt that I had to work precisely just to have it, but eventually I started allocating my earnings into spending on household needs. Since I have work, then it’s alright to share. When I have money and someone asks, then I share it; if I have nothing on hand, I just let her/him realize the situation without complaint. I can easily let go of my money to help others as long I have something just enough for my transportation and food. |
2. (a) Dino: “I’m happy and I feel light. When I have money it is just easy for me to share. Even though sometimes I do not have money, but when I understand the severity of the needs of others, I still give whatever else is left of me.2. (b) Dino: I just think that this is God’s blessings that I should be sharing with others. No matter how small or big it is.”
2. © Dino: I’m just extremely grateful to the Lord that I have a decent job.” |
“[none]” | I have needs also, but when somebody comes who is in need, and I felt that her/his needs are greater than mine, if I have to make sacrifices I’ll do it (kung mamaluktot kaya ko). I’ll give it up for her/him and I rather delay or postpone something for myself. Anyway there is still time for me to take it later, and I’ll give it to her/him first. But I will tell her/him that s/he has to pay me back on a specific time, because by that time I already need it. But this time I’m willing to sacrifice (magtiis) because I don’t need it as mush as s/he does. |
3.1 (a) Dino: “I found the Lord in my relief (kaluwagan) because he is to whom I address my grateful thanks for all the blessings I received in my life.”3.1 (b) Dino: “It is clear in my consciousness that everything that I gained from God is his blessings to me and to others who are in need.”
3.1 © Dino: “I also see God in my relief (kaluwagan) as a savior in times of emergency (kagipitan). It deepens more my gratitude to the Lord when he let me experience severe crisis (mahigpit na kagipitan), then at the end he will give me wisdom that will bring me relief (kaluwagan).”
3.1 (d) Dino: “Sometimes it is not just money that provides ease (nakapagpapaluwag) to myself. At first, when I’m hard up for money, I thought that only money will give relief (kaluwagan). Eventually, it is not money that will provide relief (kaluwagan) in a given situation, but a meaningful communication with someone.”
3.1 (e) Dino: “It was clear to me then that the answer to my financial difficulty involved a large amount of funds as payment to the owner. Money is in my opinion will give me great relief (malaking kaluwagan). But when I finally came into terms with the owner [of a house and lot I decided to purchase] regarding my dilemma, never did I imagine that the owner would sympathize with me and informed me that he would be willing to wait anytime for my payment.”
3.1 (f) Dino: “I just thought all along that only money would just be the solution to my financial difficulty. I was wrong. It was not money; rather all that was needed took only a meaningful relating with (pakikipagkapwa) the owner.”
3.1 (g) Dino: “When I became honest to the owner of the house, and allowed him to understand my situation that very day, I never failed. I realized that the Lord really knows. He has his ways that I will never ever surpass.” |
Maybe in this situation of experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag) I can see God who never leaves me alone even during the time that I was in the seminary. I considered that a dramatic episode of my life where I was able to survive even with only PHP 50 pesos in my wallet. Actually I didn’t have a wallet. For three long years and yet I was happy and able to survive. The money I had then was intended for buying my toothpaste, laundry soap, bath soap. I never used shampoo; I just used the bath soap to shampoo my hair. And it was alright. Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag) I can see God and I was never wanting. If there are people in need and they come to me, in my own little way I gave them some consolations. I’m convinced that if I will be in need, I may also ask help from someone who in turn may experience life with ease (nakaluluwag) too by helping me. This is the kind of God who provides my needs and I never felt totally deprived. I’m not rich but I know that there is a God who supports me. | I see God as the source of my experience of life with ease (kaluwagan) during the time that He saves me as a savior in times of emergency or crisis. It is in this emergency or crisis situation that my experience of God becomes concrete and deep where He provides me of my needs not only during the time that I’m not in need, but more during the time that I felt nothing and there is God who helps me. What really brought me to that experience of life with ease (kaluwagan) is not in financial terms but in a meaningful relationality (makahulugang pakikipag ugnayan). Responding to needs of others I could consider this as an experience of life with ease (kaluwagan), and this is not all about money. For example, in a situation that people wanting to have someone to listen to them. With the time I spent with them, I somehow felt it was also an experience of ease (kaluwagan) because I have something to offer, my time to deepen our friendship, sharing of oneself to others, and I guess this is another expression of an experience of ease (kaluwagan) from within me, that something inside me is expanding (aking kalooban na lumuluwag). |
3.2(a) Dino: “I also see my ability to put up with my problems during difficult times (kakayahang magtiis sa panahon ng kagipitan) and the ability to share in time of ease and plenty (panahon ng kaluwagan).3.2 (b) Dino: “I came to realize that when I was still in the convent, many months have passed that I have nothing, not even a peso in my pocket. But never that it became a hindrance to the joy I have with me in the convent.
3.2 © Dino: “I discovered myself as someone who can easily let go for others in time of ease and plenty (panahon ng kaluwagan). I also easily let go for them when I realized that they have greater needs than me.” |
Sometimes I may say I’m easily being fooled, and my reason is if that a person who is asking for my help is cheating on me, then it is really up to her/him. What matters to me is that I understand and find her story as convincing. On my part and in my own little way I will really shell out some amount of money, then afterwards it is really up to her/him if s/he would still cheat on me. I find this situation worthwhile, but my other siblings are telling me that I’m easily being fooled. They were very angry at me one time when I bought a property because I’m too kind and others might already take advantage of me. But with God’s mercy, I’m still alright. I can see that I may be easily taken advantage of by others, but I realized too that I know how to empathize with what others are going through in life, that I can enter in their life’s story and because of that I understand them. | When I understand the situation, and the person let me understand the context from where s/he is coming from by letting even any ordinary person to realize it, then my heart, I guess, I think will easily follow what it says even though I know I will be in an awkward situation too if I give in helping her/him. But since I understand the person, then it would be easy for me to say, anyway I still have other means to look for help for myself. I sympathize with her/his by seeing the other possible consequences to her/his and me if I will not help the person. |
3.3(a) Dino: “In my relief (kaluwagan), I see my fellow being (kapwa) as part of my experience. I have a feeling that whenever I found relief (kaluwagan), others should also find relief (kaluwagan).3.3 (b) Dino: “It is joyful feeling that all the people around me are also experiencing with me the same life of ease (kaluwagan sa buhay) I have. Many times I realized that wherever I encountered a life of ease (kaluwagan sa buhay) that was also the moment where the unexpected needs of others confronted me.”
3.3 © Dino: I could say that I am not selfish in letting go for my fellow being (kapwa). All I just wanted is to understand the reality of what they need.” |
To my mind, the experience of life with ease (nakaluluwag) is likened to a wheel. It is just like a wheel. I realize there are persons, who are in need, and I’m aware that during such situation that I’m in need too, there are those who are experiencing life with ease (nakaluluwag). That experience is just part of the cycle of life, and it is not all the time that I’m not in need. What I learned from the seminary is that, it is never wrong to tell that you are in need of help because time will come that you will actually need help. However it is a big thing if you learn how to honestly express that you are in need of help, in that way I can also give others the opportunity to be honest and express their needs so they may also experience life with ease (maging maluwag) similar to my own personal experience and realization. | I came to a point that I can no longer pay my debt on time based on what we have agreed upon (i.e., between me and the owner of the house and lot I bought). When I honestly said this to the owner and told him (naibulalas) straight from my heart my present condition, he just understands where I’m coming from, he just tells me that I just pay when I’m ready, as simple as that. Suddenly, I just experience life with great ease (biglang lumuwag yung higpit ng kalooban ko). And that is the only solution that time, so I just realized what an experience of life with great ease (maluwag na karanasan) that very moment and it is not simply about financial terms. This is all about relationality; fidelity and honesty in a relationship (yung pakikipag ugnayan na dapat tapat ka). |
3.4 (a) Dino: “The image of spacious (kaluwagan) based on my experience is always related with space (kalawakan).”3.4 (b) Dino: “The expanse of natural creation helps in shaping a sense of meaning for a life of ease (buhay na nakakaluwag). Here I realized how generous God is in letting go all of his creation in behalf of serving human beings.” | The way I see the experience of life with ease (nakakaluwag) in the context of nature is in relation with the feeling of space (damdamin ng ispasyo), the feeling of vastness (damdamin ng lawak). Because when you experience life with ease (nakakaluwag), the feeling within is light (magaan ang kalooban) and when you look around you, evertything seems alright. I believe that the meaning of the environment does not come from itself, but from within you, that is why you see everything beautiful outside you when you feel light inside (magaan yung damdamin sa kalooban) in the context of experiencing life with ease (pagiging maluwag). I think it is this way how I see the environment. | The openness of God’s palm to letting go or letting be (pagkabukas palad ng Diyos sa pagpapaubaya) is related to the extent or size of creations, of nature. To me letting oneself to be in God’s openness of His palms would mean self-opening to the abundantly spacious and vast territory. There is freedom and you are free to move because you are not hiding anything nor keeping anything to your self, everything is transparent, and my image for this is the universe. I’m not hiding anything and with all honesty as being presented to all. The experience of ease for myself (kaluwagan ko sa sarili) means freedom to be transparent, and I can sense that I’m responsibly in charge, that I must be honest, that I must not tell a lie to anyone nor to myself. |
4. (a) Dino: “A life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay) –is a power that enlightens life’s perspective;”4. (b) Dino: “– is a condition of being free. Free from the enticements of the world and greed; free from selfishness towards becoming humane;”
4. © Dino: “– is not dependent on material things or money but on a meaningful relating with others; Life is easing (lumuluwag ang buhay) not because you have money, but because you have others with whom you are meaningfully relating with.” 4. (d) Dino: “– There is no ease (walang kaluwagan) when others do not exist. A life of ease (nakakaluwag ng buhay), yet with selfishness will not last. Eventually, it will envelope by itself while the ease of life squeezes into oneself (Sa di kalaunan, kusa itong umiimpit habang ang kaluwagan ay isinisiksik sa sarili).” |
I have already thought about this before, and the meaning seems so deep and meaningful not only in my life in particular, but also in the lives of other people. I have seen the experience of life with ease (nakakaluwag) not only as a feeling of a person who is financially able and capable (damdamin ng isang taong maykaya), it is also a feeling or condition of a person who has the ability and capability for others (damdamin ng isang taong may kakayahan para sa iba). You will never experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) until you have the ability and capability for others (maykakayahan para sa iba). | The experience of life with ease (nakakaluwag) is a power that gives you the capacity to view life as a whole. Not everybody has this ability but the more you open yourself, you are also opening your consciousness to see wholistically a given situation, and that is also a power. To my mind, freedom is to act according to what nature designs it for. I know that I am destined to a life of both abundannce and meaning. And when I tried to reach out for others, to extend a help to them, I felt that I have greater freedom to be myself for others. My life will be lonely if I only exist for myself. One thing that gives meaning to my existence is the truth that there are others in my life, and when I am able to reach out to them, my life becomes meaningful that is why I’m free. |
5. (a) Dino: “ Those who are living with ease (nakaluluwag na buhay) should have a fair view of others;5. (b) Dino: “Nothing can be said about a life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay) if there is no meaningful relating with others (pakikipagkapwa). A life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay) is never an issue of what you have. It is based on a desire to be true and faithful to your fellow being (kapwa).”
5. © Dino: “Therefore, a life of ease (maluwag na buhay) is not only confined to those who have in life but also to those who have nothing. However, for those people who are living with ease (maluwag na buhay), they have always space (puwang) for their fellow being (kapwa).)” |
I guess what I can share to my students about the experience of life with ease (nakakaluwag) is the ability of the students to help one another in a class specially when there are students who are not performing well. It is a help without trying to make the students feel that they are not meant to be in school in the first place because of their inferior intelligence, but rather to make them realize that they have the potential, that is why they are being helped. This is the reason why those with greater ability should share to those who are in need. With what others may have and others don’t and vice versa, I tried to create an athmosphere where there is no unneccesary animosity in the classroom, no jealousy and no unhealthy competiton among themselves. Then I will introduce the whole idea of an experience of life with ease (nakakaluwag). And since they all differ in intelligences and talents I will let them realize that whatever you have, you have to share with those who do not have and vice versa in a manner that respect the dignity of those who are in need of assistance. Sometimes there is a kind of help that does not respect the dignity of those being helped. The true meaning of help is to allow others to experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) and to help without stripping a person of her/his dignity. On the positive sense, you are giving a deeper meaning to her/his situation that s/he may be in need of help now, but another opportunity comes when you are the one in need and s/he will inturn help you. This is what I think of experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag). | The meaningful relating with others (pakikipagkapwa) if not present, then no relationship will ever be created and you will never experience a life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay). This can only have a human face in the presence of the other, your fellow being (kapwa). This is not just an existence of presence without meaningful connection with others. I must be connected to others, not detached but engaged, a kind of engagement with others that is flowing. It is a kind meaningful relating with others where I expreince a life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay). |
3. RJE of Maricel, Submitted on July 29, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
3. NEA of Maricel,Conducted on July 31, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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3. FIE of Maricel,Conducted on August 18, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1. Maricel: “I feel nakakaluwag in life (living with ease) whenever I’m able to buy all the material things I needed, especially [for] my kids, and of course we never go hungry. There is no problem in life and the feeling is light while the time passes by.” | By this time I can say that I experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag) because I can afford to buy material things that I want for myself and for my children. We did not skip meals nor go hungry. In other words, we are assured that our family meets our daily needs. I’m not saying that we are rich. I just consider our family in a better situation compared to other families that are struggling to meet their basic needs, worrying about where to get the next meal for their children. They are so preoccupied how to meet both ends and so anxious on how they will solve their problems. Comparing our status with them, I can sense that we are experiencing life with ease (maluwag ang aming pamumuhay). | My eldest daughter is used to asking me to buy her before the start of schooling a pair of shoes, a new school bag. So every year or even twice a year I would buy her, including new clothes and toys. We would even dine in KFC, Jollibee, and so my children can enjoy eating food more than what we eat daily, which other families struggling to survive cannot afford to have. |
2. Maricel: “You feel that you’re like a millionaire.” | “[none]” | When I said that I feel like a millionaire it means that my family has never reached to the point where I worry about where to get the next meal for my children, unlike those other families that are struggling to meet their basic needs and so preoccupied how to meet both ends, that is why they end up borrowing money from anyone else (kaliwaan na kung umutang). |
3.1 Maricel: “I always pray to God, [I always] remember to thank Him in everything He had given me, sa madali, mahirap, maginhawa, malaki or maliit na bagay na blessings (in easy, difficult, convenient, big or small things.” | In a situation that I experience life with ease (pagkakataon na nakakaluwag) I can feel God every second of my life. I know God is always there for me and ready to help me in times of need, just knock and it shall be opened to you. I will never forget Him every moment of my life and I thank Him for all the blessings he bestowed upon us. I may have problems or none, I still continue to thank Him all the time that I remember Him. What He wants to happen among all His children is that they should obey His ten commandments. And on my part I was able to follow them, which is why I will never forget Him. | I think God must be the number one above all else. Whatever status or situation of life we are in, either you experience life with ease (maluwag) or without ease (hindi maluwag) God must remain as the number one. We should always think of it and be thankful to Him in either big or small blessings that we received. |
3.2 Maricel: “I feel I’m lucky and at the same time blessed because my life is running smoothly.” | I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) because I feel that my life is running smoothly (maayos yung takbo ng buhay), I do not worry so much on how I will solve my problems, this means that if I encounter problems in life, I know how I am going to find ways to handle them, in other words I have peace of mind. | In a way I’m lucky because I have stable job, I’m blessed though my salary is not that really big. My husband and I, we put together our income. We have good relationship, our earnings are good so I can say our life is running smoothly (maayos yung takbo ng buhay). And once in while we also help financially my family side and also his side. |
3.3 Maricel: “Whenever I’m able to help my fellow being (kapwa) and made the person happy with the help I offered.” | I experience life with ease (nararamdaman kung nakaluluwag) when I’m able to help someone who approaches me, then s/he is grateful and expresses her/his thanks to me, after that I’m already happy. I know I’m able to her/him. | In my experience almost always I can sense those people I helped were happy, although there were few of them that are not contented with the help I extended. But there are more of those I helped in my observation were both contented and happy. |
3.4 Maricel: “Whenever you have healthy surroundings, there is no foul smell, and you have a clean environment.” | When my surroundings are peaceful and calm, there is sense of joy and you never encounter natural disaster like flood, I would sense that life is in order, simply because there is no more flooding and the surroundings are kept clean and in good order. | During our first three years of marriage the place where we live was an environment that I was not used to, it is a squatter area surrounding. I felt miserable and would even question myself why did I reach this kind of poor condition. But as time passed by, eventually I observed that the place where we are still living has improved a lot. |
4. (a) Maricel: “You should be careful in spending money especially now a day because life is difficult and basic goods is expensive.”4. (b) Maricel: “You should think ahead of the future because you are not certain of the unexpected things that may happen.
4. © Maricel: “And then, you should share your blessings to others, don’t be greedy.” |
In life it is necessary that you know your priorities. You must always get focused on whatever you would want to achieve. You have to include industriousness, determination and greater understanding in all situations at all times. Your mind and body should not easily give in in many trials that you encounter in life, When you have problems in life and you felt so down, you should never give up and always think positive, because God will not give us problems in life that we will not able to bear nor solve them. When we are able to face these challenges, then we end up victorious. That is why you don’t have to miss you goal in life, industriousness and determination are two important keys. God should always be the number one, in our minds, hearts and actions. | People should be careful in handling their finances. If you have enough money for the family, just buy only what you actually need on a daily basis. If there are things you want to buy but not that important, that would be the last priority. In other words, be thrifty , prioritize and buy only the things that you basically need. |
5. Maricel: “You should be strong and brave (malakas ang loob) in dealing with your destiny in life. Do not be afraid, you should be pro God; trust in your own ability that you can reach your dreams.” | The life’s lessons which I could share with my fellow being (kapwa) are the value of generosity. Do not be selfish, you must share your blessings and whatever that you have which you know you can afford to give them, please do share, and I think you will also be blessed more in life. First and foremost the Lord should always be the number one because He is everything to us. In other words, He is the source of our strength (lakas ang loob), who will teach us the right path and the way to goodness. Once we forget Him, the straight path that you are taking may once in a while change in direction and you may also lost your way, but you simply approach Him whenever you are confused and you do not know what to do. He is the first one whom you should approach for He knows very well how He will teach you the right direction in your life. Mercy resides in God; deeds are in wo/men (nasa tao gawa, nasa Diyos ang awa). | I was very young then when I got married, and I was not ready yet that time in an early married life. During that moment I did not have any experience on how to live as a wife, as a family person and my number one refuge (sandalan) then is my faith in God, that come what may, and whatever problems and challenges that I will be facing I’m convinced that I do not have to be dependent (nakasandal na lang) on our parents. What I wanted that time, though we started our family with nothing, I bear in mind (tinanim ko sa utak ko) that come what may, no matter how difficult the trials may come (kahit gaano kahirap ang pagsubok na dumating) we will stand firm with our own two feet on the ground (tatayo kami sa sarili naming mga paa ). It also came to a point where I regretted why I got married at an early age, however whenever I thought of our children, I feel blessed because they are there for me. They are my blessings that give me the strength to carry on (lakas ng loob), and the source of my strength to go on (pinaghuhugutan ko ng lakas ng loob). |
4. RJE of Jorelle, Submitted on August 3, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
4. NEA of Jorelle, Conducted on August 3, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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4. FIE of Jorelle, Conducted on August 19, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1. Jorelle: “I felt ease (nakakaluwag) when I saw my father [for the first time] because I had longed to meet him.” | “[none]”
“[none]” |
It has been my dream for so many years and my strongest desire to have my father’s attention and I waited for the right time to come in order to see him face to face. So when my grandmother died in Mindoro, I went to her wake and funeral. And for the first time, for 18 long years, when I went inside my grandmother’s house and went near her casket, my father was there standing on the other side, then he saw me and he embraced me, then he started crying. The experience of your chest feeling tight and congested (masikip na sa dibdib) as you are longing to see your father, and that’s the only thing lacking in your life, and to see him face to face is already enough. After that I felt life with ease (nakakaluwag). |
2. Jorelle: “I felt ease (nakakaluwag) when I was able to buy the very thing that I’ve been longing for. It feels that I’m in heaven.” | I can say that I experienced life with ease (nakaluluwag ako sa buhay) during situations that I have not encountered any problem. I can get what I want, I can have those things which I wish in my life, that is why in a way I can feel that I experienced life with ease (nakaluluwag). | Since the time that a mobile phone came out, I would wish that I could acquire one. In some way I was frustrated with my mother and step father because they never bought me one. But when I decided to stay and work in the field in Mindoro province, I really saved money out of my little salary, and I sent the money I saved to my parents here in Manila so they can buy me a new mobile phone. Although that was many years ago, and the phone was also no longer working by this time, but during that time that I was able to newly acquire it, the feeling was heaven, the feeling of experiencing life with ease (naramdaman mo yung kaluwagang ng buhay). |
3.1 Jorelle: “I found God when I got what I wanted, and then I realized that there is a God who is always there for you and will never forsake you.” | When I experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag), I can tell that God is there and I can have what I want. I always think of God who is ready to help. I would hear Mass even once in a while on Sunday to lessen the sins I have done. | The mobile phone only costs Php 1,200 pesos, but I found God and He has given me that destiny (binigyan ka ng tadhana) to have a cellphone or a mobile phone. I would hear Mass in Sto. Domingo Church together with my female cousins. I believe it is not so important to hear Mass on a daily basis. What matters most is you believe in God. |
3.2 Jorelle: “When you are able to relax and hang out with friends, and have a job, because it is only then that I experienced how to stand on my own feet.” | I experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag) personally whenever I’m not so anxious on how I will solve my problems, and eventually in my own little way I can support my parents. | Once a month I would visit my friends in Marikina. You will feel happy because your friends are there to help you. |
3.3 Jorelle: “Whenever I’m able to pay [enough] attention to my fellow being (kapwa) I felt ease (nakakaluwag) because I’m able to give her/him [my care].” | I experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag) whenever I’m able to help my fellow-being (kapwa), whenever I visited my friends in their homes, show to them my concern and affection, then we had fun.
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My friends in Marikina felt you have a big space, and you have that big space for them (damdamin nila maluwag ka, maluwag ka para sa kanila). That big space is spacious for those you have extended your help for others, including your friends. It’s a joyful feeling to have friends, who will stand by you through thick and thin, and so the experience of life with ease (nakakaluwag) is joyful and the feeling is light. |
3.4 Jorelle: “When we planted trees.” | I felt life with ease (nakakaluwag) with nature when I realized myself during that time when we had the tree planting. It came to my mind that these trees are there to protect us from calamities. They are there for us so we can avoid tragedies, simply because trees are the ones responsible in handling the movement of water to prevent landslide from happening. | “[none]” |
4. Jorelle: “To be patient with yourself, help my fellow being (kapwa) and all the things (mga bagay bagay) surrounding us.” | I realized whenever I experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag) that what is necessary is to have inner strength (tibay ng loob) in order to achieve success so that we can really feel life with ease (nakakaluwag), then at the same time we are enabled by this experience to help our fellow-being (kapwa), embracing our responsibility towards plants, animals, and all of our surroundings. These are life’s lessons I learned whenever I felt life with ease (nakakaluwag). | “[none]” |
5. Jorelle: “That of being helpful.” | If you will not do anything, then it’s nothing. There is no way you would realize what you wish to achieve if you simply sit down and relax (patambay tambay ka lang). You have to work hard (magsumikap) for your own good. | “[none]” |
5. RJE of Joe, Submitted on August 3, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
5. NEA of Joe, Conducted on August 9, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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5. FIE of Joe, Conducted on August 25, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1. (a) Joe: “My indirect answer: I believe, nakaluluwagis a state. Thus, the above question is awkward for me to answer. It is like asking when do you feel or know that you are rich. I’d rather ask, when do you consider a person to be rich?
1. (b) Joe: “Consider those who are truly rich by NEDA’s [National Economic Development Authority] standards but feel or think that they are not. Thus, it is not a matter of feeling or knowing that you are nakakaluwag, but, “Are you in that state of being nakakaluwag?”
1. © Joe: “Or, if I am “forced” to answer the question, I’d say I always feel and think to be nakakaluwag, because I feel and know that there are those who are in need more than I do.”
1. (d) Joe: “Nakakaluwag is a state. The prevailing set of conditions–just like in the state of the nation address of a president of a country. Kailan masasabing ang isang tao ay nakakaluwag? When is a person said to be in that state of nakakaluwag? We must first distinguish between a perceived state and the actual state.
1. (e) Joe: “A person may get fooled into thinking of being in a state when actually he is not in that state. And another person may think of being not in that state, when actually he is in that state (as may be indicated by some measurements of one or more instruments and empirical indicator.”
1. (f) Joe: “Based on my experience, observation, and readings: ang isang tao ay nakakaluwag kung may kusang loob na pagbigay at pagtulong (a person is nakakaluwag [to feel or know that others have needs more than herself/himself]) whenever she/he voluntarily give and help. Nakakaluwag implies willingness in giving and helping.”
1. (g) Joe: “In some Filipino artworks, those in need are pictured as tightly clinging to what they have, and come into grips. While those who are well-off are pictured as willing to let go of some of their possessions for those in need.”
1. (h) Joe: “ ‘Maluwag’ or ‘maluwang’ literally means lightly held, loose, or spacious. It may also imply sufficient freedom to move around or having a comfortable space to work on.”
1. (i) Joe: “The term implies willingness in giving and helping: “maluwag sa kalooban”.
1. (j) Joe: “[A]nd those familiar with accounting concepts often substitute the term “liquid” as in “Liquid ka ba ngayon? Pwede bang makahiram?” (“Are you liquid at this time? Can you lend me some amount?”). Even some Filipino grade school children form small informal cooperatives and do paluwagan which is essentially a group money lending scheme.”
1. (k) Joe: However, the term magpaluwal has become synonymous with money lending, while the ethic nakaluluwag involves giving. Even then, “magpaluwal ka na lang” may sometimes mean, just give in.”
1. (l) Joe: “This Filipino ethic includes sacrifice on the part of the giver: the person giving (nakaluluwag) should at the very least, feel some discomfort. One should “get hurt” by his or her act of giving. Otherwise the essence of sacrifice will be absent. This is similar but not identical to the Christian lesson of the widow’s mite present in the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 12:38–44, Luke 20:45–47, Luke 21:1–4).”
1. (m) Joe: “That is, the concept also includes relativism: some may be poor but they can consider themselves “nakaluluwag” to those who are much poorer, as rendered in a Tagalog commentary on Jeremiah 24:1.”
1. (n) Joe: “Those taking the Conflict theory approach to the study of society may suspect the true intentions of the “nakaluluwag”. However, consider it more than the financial aspect of the concept. The ethic involves fulfillment in doing a social obligation. And this Filipino concept appears to be present even for the Filipinos overseas who send whatever amount to their relatives at home.” |
“[none]”
“[none]”
“[none]”
“[none]” |
We can say that a person is rich (nakakaluwag), and this is a condition that s/he has or owns a property. Moreover, it also indicates that if s/he is rich or s/he is experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag), there is freedom to freely give which is a condition that confirms that s/he is free to do it. Human beings are naturally selfish, and therefore when an individual gives something, it hurts her/him in a way, because s/he gives something of her/him. The reason why s/he feels the pain is because of human’s imperfection. Why is there a pain? This is not the problem itself, but this indicates that there is a problem somewhere. However after the pain, something good may come out. |
2. (a) Joe: “Again, an indirect answer: My feeling is not so important. I may feel gipit but in reality, I’m nakakaluwag. Or otherwise furthermore, I can, to some extent, modify my feelings. This morning I didn’t feel like getting up at 4:30 a.m., but I “forced” myself to get up and like getting up.”2.(b) Joe: “But if I have to answer the question without engaging in a debate, I’d say, nakakaluwag in life feels generally pleasant–a bit happy, a bit of satisfaction, a bit nostalgic, and some other minimal emotional bonding depending on the specific situation.” | If let’s say comparing with others and I have many material properties (maraming tinatangkilik), I think this is more objective indicator, than simply telling that I can feel life with ease (nararamdaman ko na nakaluluwag ako). It can concretely determine and measure whatever material properties I have in life (tinatangkilik ko sa buhay), let’s say if you own a refrigerator, is it big or small, if you own a car… | There are many rich people, rich according to the norm in the society today. Though they have or they own superfluous money; they would still say that money is hard to find these days and claim they are having difficulty to meet both ends due to high cost of living. A person myopic in her/his perspective and focused purely on what is here on earth is a typical example of a greedy person (sakim). It’s a paradox to know that despite the superfluous wealth s/he has, s/he won’t feel ease in life (nakakaluwag). This is true as the Bible would say that love of money is the root of all evil, which enslaved her/him by this very desire and her/his movement is restricted thus, the absence of freedom. |
3.1 (a) Joe: “Again, some complexity is introduced in the question itself. I “find” God whether I am in the state of nakakaluwag as well as in being gipit.3.1 (b) Joe: “Or perhaps, in my tithe and offering. When I am nakakaluwag, I give more in my offering. I find “God” in giving my tithe and offering because it is an act of worship for me–and for all those who gives to Someone they do not see.” | I can probably say that God has made the whole of creation without blemish (sang-sinukuban ng walang pintas). In the beginning it was perfect, and because of sin it was destroyed. No wonder that there is such a state of life with ease (nakakaluwag) and without ease (gipit), this would only show that the world is no longer a Garden of Eden for it was destroyed and because of this the more I look up to God that He will and who made a promise will bring all things, at the end. | God created and kept the universe in perfect balance. But because of the tragedy of the fall of woman/man into sin, imbalance came, that is why there are those who feel life without ease (gipit) and others feel life with ease (nakakaluwag). The time is coming (darating ang araw) when God will restore back to the earth its beauty and balance. God has given each one an opportunity to become little gods (munting diyos) and because He created woman/man in His image and likeness, you are tasked to restore with God this imbalance. |
3.2 Joe: “I don’t exactly know. I find myself amongst Christians who believe in God and fear God who punish those who are selfish and greedy.” | Just in case I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) I consider this as blessings (biyaya) which I will never have by my own making. God has given me these opportunities to which I felt I do not deserve; in this way I can see that somehow I am experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag) by this time. | A little taste (patikim) of harmony and balance to have an opportunity to experience a glimpse of heaven is to desire for the true heaven, for it foreshadows of the things to come. |
3.3 Joe: “…and may I add, even with animals and plants that are hungry or thirsty, I feel like giving food or watering.” | I can tell between those who are experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag) and those who are not (gipit). It is possible that we are of the same status, let’s say because of our sinfulness and all of us deserve to suffer. That is why if I have the chance to experience life with ease (nakakaluwag), I have to let go of a portion of my ease (luwag) in order to help those who are in need (gipit). If I will not use the Judaeo-Christian tradition, then I would use the concept of law of harmony where Confucius would claim that if there is such a thing as an experience with ease (luwag) on one side, then there is an experience without ease (gipit) on the other side. This means that something has been taken from someone, that is why you have to let go of an experience of life with ease (luwag) so that those who experience of life without ease (gipit), that tightness is released, to equalize, to harmonize, for there is no such thing as taking advantage of the other, no deceptions, no cheating, no discrimination. It is not fair where you enjoy life, while other are not, That is why the term kapwa is kapwa, kapuwang, meaning you are enjoying the same space and source with others, including all of God’s creation | “[none]”
“[none]”
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3.4 Joe: “…I find in myself giving back a part of something that I received from my labor, and from others (in the form of gifts, inheritance, etc.) to those who are in need.” | Our nature (kalikasan) is part perhaps of the effect of sin which destroyed its balance and only God restores it. However we need not wait for that time, if there are issues concerning our environment we can already assume our role as small god here on earth simply because we are created in God’s image. That’s why being small gods we will fix this, we will restore its balance. Our world now is never perfect which explains why there are those who experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) and those who experience life without ease (gipit). God simply allows it to happen so that people will realize that the world is imperfect thus they will look up to heaven and acknowledge that He is the source of everything. This allows me to recognize that I cannot live only for myself, and I should look into the lessons of providing harmony or becoming whole, where there are no chaos, no jealousy, no taking advantage of others (lamangan) or greed (kasakiman) and all the others things related to these. | “[none]”
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4. Joe: “[T]he same lessons that the experiences of being gipit teach me, that include harmony, prudence, faith, etc.” | By looking up to heaven they are not just phenomena, these life with ease (nakakaluwag) and without ease (gipit) but lessons in order to keep looking at God. He created us for a purpose and not just mere accidents nor products of evolution. We are created by God for a simple fact, and that is to give glory and praise to Him. That is why in a experience life without ease (kagipitan) or we found out that others are cheating and deceiving, while others are taken advantage by them (nalalamangan), then others are experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag) while others do not. So we see that it not good to live (magandang mabuhay) in the world because it does not satisfy our longing and desires, therefore we have to look up in heaven (tumingin tayo sa langit), we have to read heaven (basahin natin ang langit) that there are better things (mga mas magandang bagay) than the things we own (tinatangkilik). | I have taught many things theoretically, then after so many years I have realized that they were not that effective. However if what I have taught has been seen, witnessed and put into practice, then they are all learned (talagang natututunan). |
5. (a) Joe: “It depends on the particular situation. Generally, however, others will be better taught by how I behaved in concrete terms and not by what I simply tell them. (“Values are caught, not taught”) (“At my age, I no longer try to do what I teach, but I teach only what I do.”).”5. (b) Joe: “In our house, we have a jar near the door where I put some coins (loose change) from time to time–to keep it more or less full. I do not only tell my wife, daughter, and the servants about it, but they actually see me (and others) get loose change from that jar for some beggars, indigents, tips for delivery boys, etc.” | It is also practical learning experience for people experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag) to share a help to those who are experiencing life without ease (nagigipit). However if they start enjoying how it feels to have ease and increase it more (lakihan ang pagkakaluwag) and start ignoring those who have no ease (huwag ng pakialamanan ang mga nagigipit), then this is a great imbalance. In a violent revolution for change we saw how inhuman it was, where the dignity of the individuals had been trampled upon or threatened, human rights were violated, then the Image of God was distorted. One method to prevent this is to look up in heaven (basahin ang langit). Another method is to imitate heaven (gayahin ang langit) by those who love God who must to practice not to be greedy, not to be selfish, and not always having life with ease (hindi laging nakakaluwag habang buhay) because in heaven all are equal and even the idea of ease and without ease (gipit at nakakaluwag) does not exist there.
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John Wesley said, “When I have money, I get rid of it quickly, lest it find a way into my heart.” You may enjoy at first how it feels to have ease in money (nakakaluwag sa pera), then you forget its purpose. Isn’t it (hindi ba) that it’s purpose is to see heaven and you will reflect upon it to create little heaven (munting langit). If you were given a taste of life with ease (kaluwagan) you should use it having in mind that this is not only meant to you because if you would claim that it is only for yourself, then it indicates that you are not looking up to heaven (hindi ka nakatingi sa langit), you are simply looking down here on earth. Ordinarily, to feel life with ease (nakakaluwag) it pertains to a life of ease in material things. However, it is also possible that you feel life with ease (nakakaluwag) in terms of knowledge when you are gifted with intelligence. Now that you have ease in knowledge (nakakaluwag sa kaalaman), you should teach and share what you know. |
6. RJE of Me-Ann, Submitted on August 3, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
6. NEA of Me-Ann, Conducted on August 10, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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6. FIE of Me-Ann, Conducted on August 19, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1.(a) Me-Ann: “To my mind, the life of ease (ang nakakaluwag sa buhay) has so many meanings, and the one that comes into my mind is someone (a rich person) that has never experienced life without ease (hirap sa buhay).”1. (b) Me-Ann: “I asked myself over and over again on what moment in my life that I experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) and what came into my mind is when I overcame those problems that my family faced, and at that time I have no idea how my family would be able to survive. My only defense was to pray always and someone else’s advice. And with the prayers and advice of other people, I was able to survive them all.”
1. © Me-Ann: “When I think about it [now], sometimes I look like an insane person laughing by myself on how I [miraculously] survived.” |
“[none]” | To me when you say experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag), it refers to those people who never went through life without ease (gipit at nakaranas ng hirap). They can afford to buy whatever they want and they are financially okay. |
2. (a) Me-Ann:“With all the problems I have surpassed in my life, I felt my tired mind and body found rest, because I always felt sick then.”2. (b) Me-Ann: “I’m happy because I survived, but I’m more grateful for all the lessons learned and the questions answered, and to never avoid the problems [in life] but I should rather seek solutions [to respond to them].” | I can say that I experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag) whenever I’m able to survive all my problems and trials that came into my life and to the life of my family. | Personally as I think about the many problems I encountered in life, I can say that I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) whenever I survived all of these problems (nalalampasan). When I have series of and sometimes overlapping and simultaneous problems, I simply told God, will I be able to survive all these? It feels good when you pass all these challenges. |
3.1 Me-Ann: “He [God] is the center of all my life [and] I’m grateful even with the ugly, more so of the beautiful things that happened in my life.” | God is the center of my life, of my family. It is from whom I asked help and eventually in the process I’m becoming closer to Him. | Based on my personal experience, prayer really works, especially during times that I have so much problems, I’m really down however if you keep on praying as you go home coming from school or work, your prayer is answered. And when I pray to God I simply tell Him my stories, my experiences. |
3.2 Me-Ann: “I realized my own weaknesses during the time that [I was confused and] had no idea of what I was supposed to do, but at the end I realized my own strengths. It even came to a point that I just simply kept quiet and all I wanted is [just] always enjoying life.” | In all that I went through in life, most especially in all the trials I encountered, they made a strong person, and I even recognized my very own weaknesses from which I’m gradually improving to become a better person. | Not all the time, not all the days that we are on the same condition that what happens today will simply repeat tomorrow. At other time, other day give me fresh and new experience. |
3.3 (a) Me-Ann:“I share to others, especially to my close friends who are experiencing [at the moment] all the things I went through and survived them myself.”3.3 (b) Me-Ann: “Everything will just come to an end, just say a prayer and act on them, [because] at the end everything will just turn out well.” | My fellow-beings (mga kapwa-tao ko) they are all there for me giving me advice in all the things that I should be doing. They are also the ones helping me to survive all the problems I encountered and will be encountering in life. | I also give advice to other people although I know that others will not follow whatever I advise them. It is up to them what is best decision to make and what course of action to do. Like those friends I asked advice from, whatever they told me that would serve a guide, at the end I will always take responsibility for myself for whatever decision I will make. |
3.4 Me-Ann: “In nature I felt that [all] my surroundings are beautiful. Even the weather condition is one with me, the sun shines so bright, and though the temperature is hot, it’s windy [it helps bring a cool breeze] and all that I see is beautiful to my sight, and I’m happy.” | It would come to a point when you have so many problems, where I could even feel how depressing the environment has become. I could sense that even the weather condition would join me in the personal struggles I’m going through. And yet at the end after being able to survive them all, I could really feel how happy I am. | Whenever I have problems, I feel really down and the atmosphere at home is so gloomy and sad, then when you go out to be one with nature you will realize that the feeling and atmosphere are just the same. However if I’m happy and I go outside, though out there is so hot sunny day, yet I feel so cool and fresh. |
4.(a) Me-Ann:“The lesson I learned is that life goes on despite all the experiences I went through, and not all the time is sadness.”
4.(b) Me-Ann: “[T]hink of all the beautiful things [in life] so that you will always be happy [and] always think that everything that happens in life has a purpose, beautiful or ugly [good or bad].” |
Life is not all the time pleasurable (puro sarap). There is also as part of my life struggles and difficulties that we have to go through. And if there are trials and challenges that would come along the way, is very necessary that you do not have to ever give up. Never put these trials seriously into your heart (huwag masyadong didibdibin). Just think about that all of these things are happening for a reason. | I’m grateful to God, thanking Him for having survived all these problems I have. Before, whenever I had struggles and difficulties that I had to go through, I easily got irritated, upset, disheartened, I frowned and always looked for someone to be blamed. Now it’s different, I learned all these from my personal experiences that these are simply life’s lessons. |
5. (a) Me-Ann:“I had always told the people close to me and even those who were not, that they should always pray and give thanks and never let oneself be defeated by things that come up in life, especially with problems, which are really the twin-partners of us people.”5. (b) Me-Ann: “It is really unavoidable not to think of possible solution, and never ever think that there will be no more tomorrow and never also think that there is no more reason to rejoice, and never forget to be thankful.” | Perhaps to my fellow-beings (mga kapwa-tao ko) who went through the same experiences as mine, I could tell them that whatever that would come into their lives either good or bad, they should always be thankful because all these things are taking place for reason, they never even blame God that these things happened. Only prayers are the answers. Life goes on. Not because you have many problems in life you would simply sit down in one corner and do nothing (magmumukmok). Life continues. Always think of all the possible solutions available to address your problems. Always be positive so that you are happy all the time. | Life simply goes on and on (tuloy tuloy lang ang buhay). Just keep on holding on to God and do not ever give up. |
7. RJE of Lorence, Submitted on August 4, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
7. NEA of Lorence, Conducted on August 5, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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7. FIE of Lorence, Conducted on August 18, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1. Lorence: “I felt living with ease in my life (nakakaluwag ako sa aking buhay) at that time when I was sheltered by my [caring] aunt [with whom I’m staying until now] after my father’s death. I was only 7 years old then, and I stopped schooling. Our [caring] aunt took us from our other [uncaring] aunt [with whom we stayed at first], after then I was able to continue my schooling, finished high school and was able to land a job. Then I felt that I’m living with ease in my life (nakaluluwag ako sa aking buhay) in my life.)” | “[none]” | Our [caring] aunt took us from our other [uncaring] aunt and now she is sending my younger brother to finish college. |
2. (a) Lorence: “It is a joyful feeling to live with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) because many of us now are living without ease in life (hirap sa buhay) on a daily basis.2. (b) Lorence: “But there are people still who are blessed with life of comfort and it’s [I guess] a joyful feeling.” | I experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag) since the time my siblings and I were accepted and accommodated to stay for good (kinupkop) in the house with our second aunt. We were staying with our first aunt then, but we were not treated well (bale wala lang kami). However, things have changed after our second aunt took care of us, she sent the three of us to school and all of us were able to finish high school. | It is a joyful feeling to live with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) because it is really difficult to live if you have mo money to sustain you every day, it is really hard if you have no source of income. |
3.1 (a) Lorence: “Even if I don’t see God, I still feel his presence, even during the time that we were living without ease in life (hirap sa buhay) until the time that we are living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay).”
3.1 (b) Lorence: “[A]nd I’m grateful for God each day for all the trials that we have overcome every day.” |
I felt life with ease (nakakaluwag) because I always believe in God, I have faith in Him and I never lose hope that I will be able to overcome and survive all our trials in life and improve our situation better. | I always pray to God because I always feel His presence. And most of the time He listens to my prayers and answers them. |
3.2 Lorence: “In a situation that I’m living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay), I realized that despite many hardships and trials that come into my life, the more I develop and discover myself, I am stronger person for each day that comes.” | As I compare my present situation with others, I felt life with ease (nakakaluwag). I can identify with them because we are on the same boat: we live with our relatives and we have no family of our own. | One day I will be able live a better life (makakaahon din ako, nakaangat sa buhay). As long as I have enough for our daily needs, to me that is okay. What matters is that my siblings are okay. I just observed that others may have a better life (nakaangat sa buhay) but the family is never satisfied, and sometime the members of that family would opt to live separate lives (watak-watak). On my part, we are just contented with what is just enough for us, what matters for me is we are all together and complete. |
3.3 Lorence: “In a situation that I’m living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay), sometimes I realized I can identify myself with others (mga kapwa) through what they went through in life, and often times I advice them to be stronger to face hardships and trials that come into their lives [and that they should] not forget God.” | My fellow being and God’s creation, they are all the sources of what to experience life with ease (nakakaluwag). Firstly, they are all important. | At present we are still staying with our [caring] aunt who supported me to continue my schooling until I finished high school. With this present situation, I realized I can identify myself with others (mga kapwa). I felt and I could imagine how difficult it is to live with no bed to sleep in at night, no place to stay all day. |
3.4 Lorence: “I am experiencing a life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay) in nature (kalikasan) because it provides us with everything, and we should love and take care of it.” | Secondly, being a part of humanity and of our own nature (kalikasan), it is a must that we should have to take care of them and develop them for the better. | If nobody would take the initiative to clean our surroundings, our environment, then it will become dirty and polluted. And who would then take the responsibility to take care of it. I just feel that the cleaner the environment, the more you experience life with ease (nakakaluwag). Our nature (kalikasan) is the source of what will make us experience life with ease (nakakaluwag). It is from where we get our source of living. |
4. (a) Lorence: “The lesson I learned from experiencing a life of ease (nakakaluwag ng buhay) is that despite that I’m complete with the basics that I need, I must not become complacent, rather I should make my resources grow in a way that they will be [more] beneficial to myself, and to my family in searching for a noble livelihood.”4. (b) Lorence: “And now I’m experiencing more the life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay) not only because I can buy what I want, but I can even continue my schooling though it’s just a vocational course.
4. © Lorence: “[A]nd I’m happy [now] because I’m also helping my family.” |
To experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) we have to share to other people how it feels to have ease in life (nakakaluwag), and we can only do it by helping our fellow-beings (mga kapwa tao), helping them as long as we can. | To experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) so that others may feel it the same way that you do, you have to share to them whatever that will make them feel at ease with life (nakakaluwag). Like in my case, if my other nine (9) siblings, any of them would ask something that I know I can afford to buy, I give it all (hanggat may pera ibinibigay ko). |
5. (a) Lorence: “I suppose that the lesson that I can teach my fellow being (kapwa) is that though we are experiencing a life of ease (nakakaluwag ng buhay), this does not mean that we will have no more qualms at all about spending every centavo like there’s no tomorrow.”5. (b) Lorence: “We must learn to be thrifty [and learn to save money] and we must also learn to help and share with other people who are in need [most].” | Though we may be experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag) it is necessary that we don’t have to be complacent (kampante). It is important too that we have to think how to find ways to solve our present problems so that we can carry on our life with ease (nakakaluwag) in order that we can continuously reach out to others. | We should not be spending every centavo like there’s no tomorrow (huwag magpakasasa sa kung ano meron ka). We should spend, but not excessive spending. We have to be thrifty, we have to save (kailangan magtabi). |
8. RJE of Pink, Submitted on August 5, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
8. NEA of Pink, Conducted on August 17, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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8. FIE of Pink, Conducted on August 19, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1. (a) Pink: “It’s easy for me to learn or compare whether ako ay nakakaluwag sa buhay o hindi(I’m living with ease or not), [it’s all] because of the basic things that I have in life, nakakaluwag sa ibat ibang aspeto (with ease in different aspects), it could be in terms of having money, or [being with the] family or [studying in a] school.”1. (b) Pink: “Nararamdaman ko na ako ay nakakaluwag (I experienced life with ease), first and foremost when I feel happy and I have no problem [and worries].
1. © Pink: “Secondly, when it’s [so] easy to find answers to problems, or in other words, there is no need to think so much on how to address all these problems that come into my life.” |
“[none]” | What is the difference between the basic things that I have in life and beyond the basics. When you say basics or basic needs these are the things that everybody needs in order to live a decent life. Everybody here refers to either rich or poor who are all in need of these basics in order to live or survive. If you compare these to the things that you want, let’s say beyond the basics, this would mean that even without them as long as the basics are met then you can live or survive. Personally the joy I felt of having my basic needs met and the joy I felt when I am able to acquire beyond the basics are two different experiences. In a way I am happy with what my family has right now, and I consider it already a blessing if my family can have more than what it can afford to buy. |
2. (a) Pink: “Ang pakiramdam ng nakakaluwag sa buhay ay napaka saya(It’s a joyful feeling to live with ease in life) most especially when you are free from worries.”2. (b) Pink: “In terms of family matters, you feel happy when there is no problem interfering among the members of the family, in other words, the members of the family understand each other well and they never hold grudges against anyone.”
2. © Pink: “In terms of money matters, it is [also] a happy feeling when you can buy more than just the basic needs, like the material goods that you [really] want, which can possibly cause you continuous satisfaction in life.” |
I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) with various reasons. Firstly, you are happy. Secondly, you have no problems or if you have problems you can easily find solutions. Thirdly, in the financial aspect, you do not only buy things that you need, you can also afford to buy things that you want. | If you have problems, you feel sad, and sometimes when you think about them your negative thoughts can influence and affect your wellbeing. However when you are able to find solutions to your problems you eventually turn your sadness into joy. |
3.1 (a) Pink: “I am a religious person that I should never forget God bilang isang tao o bagay (as a person or thing [or entity]) that must never disappear [in my life]. I always emphasize that in each day that God has made, I cannot afford to miss thanking him because he has given me the pagkakataon para makaramdam ng luwag sa buhay(opportunity to experience life with ease).”3.1 (b) Pink: “[A]nd it’s not just dahil sa nakakaluwag ako sa buhay (because I’m living with ease in life) that I’m grateful to him, but because I keep on asking him and wondering why he is not giving me any problem in life, even once, and yet I know [if] he [will] give it [it’s only] because God knows I can cope with my problem.)” | I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) when I let God guide me and help me. | I will never forget that God is always there for me helping me, all His teachings on how to be a good person is guiding me. But sometimes you can’t help it that there are things that you want that He may not grant. I questioned God why He only gives me this much, and if I keep thinking about it and I realized maybe that this is only what is meant for me. So whatever you have you must learn how to be contented because this is what only God has given. And sometimes, if there is more than what you expect be grateful to God’s blessing and generosity. |
3.2 (a) Pink:“I have finally come to realize how to accept myself. This has something to do with [my] character in my life; I [also] come to realize that I could afford to be happy and [at the same time] satisfied with whatever is given me. Whether it’s positive or negative.”3.2 (b) Pink: “I want to pay attention to the many lessons learned dahil sa mga sitwasyon na alam kong nakakaluwag ako (because of the situations that I know I felt living with ease).” | I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) when I found myself how I eventually have become a strong person, independent individual, and a person who can stand up with my own two feet. | I’m a U.S. citizen, but being a Filipino citizen too I find it happier if you are surrounded by many relatives. And I must admit that there is something in the way Filipinos would welcome, accept and relate with you. |
3.3 Pink: “Kung nakakaluwag ako (When I experience life with ease) I see people as my inspiration. These people serve as guide, the way or it can also be maging sanhi kung bakit ako nakakaluwag (the reason why I experienced life with ease) and it is important to thank [and be grateful to] them because if not for them I will never come to realize ang halaga ng isang pakiramdam ng nakakaluwag (the value of an experience of a life with ease).)” | I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) when your fellow-being (kapwa) become your partner (katuwang) and all the things that you are doing. | I must admit that I have so much that others don’t have. For example, education. Helping those who have less in life can be through education, through financial assistance. But helping others is more than material help. You can help by establishing a relationship that assists others in doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. A relationship that guides others to the right direction. |
3.4 Pink: “’Every CREATION has its VALUE.’ Kung nakakaluwag ako (When I experience life with ease) the “creation” of God and all the other things are the ones helping me to lighten up the problems and to find solutions to many things that I just don’t understand myself.” | In all that God has created, I experience life with ease (nakakauwag) as they facilitate in making easier whatever you are doing and helping as in solving our problems. | All the people in the world should realize that everything that God has created has purpose and value. And because of these, God is asking you to take care of them, and be thankful for them. And the more we enhance them, the more we can make this world a stable one. |
4. Pink: “I also learned many lessons kung ako ay nakakaranas ng pagkaluwag sa buhay (when I’m experiencing life with ease), I’m satisfied with many things that I have, and the more [I come to realize that] I have a purpose [in my life], that I should pay attention and prioritize the many things that I know could help me become a better person, for myself and para na rin sa akin kapwa (also for my fellow being).” | In order for me to say that I experience life with ease (nakakauwag), I have to be at peace (panatag). I have to be thankful to God who despite the trials that He may give us, He knows that we can find ways to find the solutions to all of them. | This conversation has given me the opportunity to know myself more and better, what I can offer and not. And it also made me grateful and realize that I’m experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag). |
5. (a) Pink: “The lessons that I feel [or think] that I will teach my kapwa (fellow being) is that [she/he] be contented in life and tanggapin ng maluwag(accept with ease) the many hardships and trials that come, dahil sa totoo lang (because in reality) we are the ones who choose if we want to be happy or sad or to worry [and be anxious] of the many problems.”5. (b) Pink: “Kung nakakaluwag man tayo(If we are living with ease then) we have to be grateful to all the people who also have helped us and this should serve as an inspiration for other people who are in need of [our] help.”
5. © Pink: “Be calm and be happy for nothing good will come out if we [just] keep worrying about the problems that we should not worry at all.” |
It is very important to bear in mind that whatever you have in life we have to be contented, whatever other people have, it is a life’s lesson that you do not need to have everything in life. Whatever you have right now, they came from God, and we have to be grateful and thankful to Him. | If we are to do something more, we should not limit ourselves that this is the only thing we should do. We have to give more effort to what we can give and do. We have to take an extra mile. |
9. RJE of Elvie, Submitted on August 7, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
9. NEA of Elvie, Conducted on August 7, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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9. FIE of Elvie, Conducted on August 14, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1. Elvie: “Nararamdaman kong nakakaluwag sa buhay (I experienced life with ease) if I have extra income, more than enough for my daily needs.” | I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) if my earnings are more than my daily wages; if there is still some excess and I will probably save up money for my family. | I will experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) if in terms of what I’m earning, I can afford to buy the basics for my family, then I still have something left. Just in case others may ask help from me, then I can still help them. As of now, there is only excess when Christmas time comes when I get the 13th month pay and bonuses. |
2. Elvie: “It is a joyful feeling [free from worries] and nothing bothers your mind kung nakakaluwag sa buhay (when you are living with ease in life).” | “[none]” | You can only say that it’s a joyful feeling when you never worry about tomorrow’s concerns, let’s say where will I get the money to buy for food, then if you are sick, where will I get the money to buy medicines and pay my hospital bills. Because if I have no money, that would be a big problem. |
3. Elvie: “At all times or in all parts of my life [and existence] I find God, myself, my fellow being, [and] nature, with no exception because all [of them] are necessary everyday.” | To experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) is to see all together in my life: God, myself, our fellow beings (mga kapwa tao) and our nature (kalikasan). For without them, I will never be here and I will never enjoy the life I have. | I don’t see them as separate, because I know that God is always there helping me, myself as I am here (ako pa rin ang nandidito), my fellow being (kapwa ko na nakakasalumuha ko), my co-workers that I interact with, then our nature as I acknowledge its presence (paglabas ko nakikita ko na). So they are not separate, they are all simply there. I have strong faith in God, I believe prayer is my best way to hold on to Him, doing good to others is another. |
4. Elvie: “You are able to help [and share with] people who are in need [most]. You have to save money [and learn to be thrifty] so that in the event of a financial difficulty later, you will have available money when you need it.” | We have to be thrifty (masinop) and we have to save up money (magipon) for our future so that in times of needs we have available resources to sustain us (mayroon kang madudukot). | I have to be thrifty because I felt before that when I’m in need of financial help, nobody would really help and lend me money. So I’m willing to help, but I will not give everything that I have because now you are not sure who would help you in return when you are the one in need. I will help but I will still keep something for myself because there is no guarantee that I will easily receive help from others. |
5. Elvie: “Don’t be greedy. And always have faith in God.” | Do not be greedy to your fellow beings (mga kapwa tao). Always pray to God for others that they will never forget Him. | Never ever forget our God above (huwag makalimot sa itaas). This will assure you so that you will never lose hope and eventually you can help others more. I also realize that there is a distinction between experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag) in terms of one’s peace of mind and financiall stability. Because I think that there are people who may have money, and other don’t have, however it turns out that those with less or no money are experiencing life with ease more (mas nakakaluwag), rather than those who have so much financially but have no peace of mind, therefore they will experience life without ease (gipit o hindi nakakaluwag). |
10. RJE of Rommel, Submitted on August 7, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
10. NEA of Rommel, Conducted on August 7, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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10. FIE of Rommel, Conducted on August 18, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1. Rommel: “1. When I’m nakakaluwag in life (living with ease), I learned to help, to share and be a man for others. It feels that I have a social responsibility. Saka ko masasabi or naramdamang nakakaluwag ako sa buhay. (Then I say or I experienced life with ease).” | I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) whenever I help people and share with them whatever I have in whatever way I can. | I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) whenever I help people and share with them, with my family whatever I have in whatever way I can. Social responsibility is best exercised by helping your immediate family. |
2. Rommel: “Perhaps the feeling of nakakaluwag in life (life with ease) is being happy.” | When I have assumed having a sense of social responsibility that is the time that I truly feel life with ease (nakakaluwag). | It’s a joyful feeling to live with ease (nakakaluwag) because I’m able to help in whatever way I can. I know I’m not greedy (hindi ako maramot). |
3. Rommel: “I found it within myself when I’m nakakaluwag (with ease), in life, then in God because I approach him when it comes to having a problem to ask him for a sign on how and what should be done so to clear [my] mind. And in kapwa (my fellow being), who will provide me moral support and at the same time from whom I can also ask for an advice.).” | Whenever I felt life with ease (nakakaluwag) of course God is always the number one, the very first one to whom I go and being thankful for giving good health, for letting me have my fellow beings (mga kapwa-tao) around and from whom I also ask advice and guidance. When your mind is focused on nature (kalikasan) you can also determine in what area of your life you experience life with ease (nakakaluwag). | Never ever forget God. He is number one because everything comes from Him. He is the source of life and our reason for living. Now if you are greedy, whatever things that you may have, you will never experience life with ease (nakakaluwag). God is truly present, and I personally experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) with nature (kalikasan) whenever I’m faced with problems. During this time I would prefer to be alone, I would go to a quiet place. In Bicol our house is along the highway. On the other side of the highway my family owns a land which is hilly (burol) then there is a nipa hut (kubo) where I will spend the whole afternoon reflecting about life. It feels good afterwards, I can feel life with ease (nakakaluwag). |
4. Rommel: “Never forget God, don’t be greedy, pakikipagkapwa (having a regard for the dignity of fellow being).” | I came to realize that the more I get closer to God. | I always say be open, so that whatever you have, you may be able to give in whatever way you can. |
5. Rommel: “Always be open, kung ano mayron (whatever that you may have), always think positive!” | It is necessary that my fellow beings (mga kapwa tao) should be honest. | Always think positive. Never ever lose hope. Life never ends in problems, in sufferings. There is always happy ending, there is always resurrection. In that resurrection we experience more life with ease (nakakaluwag) because the problems already end, and this is what life with ease without problems (nakakaluwag-luwag sa problema). |
11. RJE of Benson,Submitted on August 10, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
11. NEA of Benson,Conducted on August 17, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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11. FIE of Benson,Conducted on August 19, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1. Benson: “Nakakaramdam ako ng pagkaluwag (I experienced life with ease) in my life whenever I’m unoccupied [free from work] or when I’m helping my kapwa-tao (fellow being).” | I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) whenever I pray to God, whenever I extend help to those who are in need of help. This experience provides me an inspiration and you felt happy. | To experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) is like taking time to relax after a long and tiring day in school there are a lot of work to be done. |
2.(a) Benson: “Masaya sa aking pakiramdam kapag ako ay nakakaluwang sa aking buhay(It is a joyful feeling when I live with ease).”2.(b) Benson: “[Y]et even though it feels happy, you will not really enjoy it when you are all alone experiencing it, while your other friends are suffering with their problems.” | When you never help others, it simply means that you are so preoccupied with yourself. And I think it is better to help for it brings you an experience of ease (nakakaluwag). | Whenever you know that someone is in need, then you have to share to her/him whatever you have in whatever way you can, so that you will help ease her/his sadness and you turn it into joy. And I also joyfully feel inside me when you make others happy. |
3.1 Benson: “In this situation, nakakaluwag ako sa aking buhay (I felt living with ease in my life) whenever I encountered God every time he helps me with my studies or in whatever I’m doing in my life.” | When you pray to God, when you do good things to your fellow beings (mga kapwa tao), to the organizations that are also into helping people, Jesus will bless you; will give you a happy family, like mine which is a happy family. | “[none]” |
3.2 Benson: “I encountered myself whenever I’m doing good things with my mga kapwa (fellow beings) because you [will] feel more the joy and kaluwagan (ease) in your life.” | I feel life with ease (nakakaluwag) because I myself take good care of my own well being, I treat myself with importance and I never neglect my responsibility [at home], to myself, like in my studies. | I help my parents, sometimes I do the household chores, washing dishes, dusting, and sweeping the floor. Once in a while I do the laundry by making the efforts to wash my personal clothes. My mother does not want us to grow up like boss (amo), so we learned how to do it ourselves. |
3.3 Benson: “To your [mga] kapwa (fellow beings) whatever you are doing for them whenever they need help will serve as a reason for you to be naturally helped [by them] in return when you also are in need of help.” | Once in a while I joined my friends (barkada) and helped them in their studies. I assist them so they can comply with their requirements on time. However, I never do give away the right answer, what I do is to help them by providing them the procedures and tips to solve or address Math problems. | You should not always think about yourself. You should also think of others. So when you are happy yourself, when you experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) then you should also see how others would feel life either with ease (nakakaluwag) or without (gipit). |
3.4 Benson: “In nature, it is more beautiful to see it if the surroundings are clean and if everybody does not throw garbage anywhere.” | I have been telling people not to throw their garbage anywhere; most especially this time because of environmental pollution concerns. Of course I have to start it with me first before I tell people to do the same. If I will not tell this to anyone, even though I start it myself, I will end up doing it alone. | While I must admit that I have not contributed anything much to care and protect our environment, but I remember very clearly during my high school days, our teacher showed to us how beautiful Pasig River was. Then as we went on towards the end, Pasig River has become dumpsite, where people throw their garbage. My realization would tell me that, God has given this nature (kalikasan) as a gift, and therefore, let us not exploit nor abuse it. |
4. Benson: “ What karanasang na nakakaluwag sa buhay (experienced of life with ease) is teaching you is that not all your experiences are with ease, because sometimes the help you made for other person[s] is either already beautiful [or good on your part] or nakakaluwag (with ease), but it may not [be good] on them.” | You can experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) as long as you help or give importance to people by helping them because by doing so it provides color to your life. | I heard from my teachers in high school this proverbial saying: “Pag may tiyaga, may nilaga” (If you don’t persevere, you can expect no reward). Like in our studies, you are persevering to pass or to get high grades. |
5. Benson: “The only thing that I can teach is that everybody should accept the help that is given to them by their kapwa (fellow being). We have a saying [in the Philippines] “Pag may tyaga may nilaga” [which means if you have the determination, then you can fulfill it].)”
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[Like what I previously said,] basically to teach the things that really matter to you and to your fellow being (kapwa). | I believe that when you pray and you do good works, something good will be coming back to you and to your family. Putting modesty aside, this is the reason why my family, I thinks is happy. |
12. RJE of V-Mae, Submitted on August 19, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
12. NEA of V-Mae, Conducted on August 19, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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12. FIE of V-Mae, Conducted on August 25, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1. V-Mae: “Naramdaman ko na nakakaluwag ako sa buhay (I felt living with ease in my life) every time I solved my problems, even though I addressed them one at a time.” | I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) whenever all my problems I encountered in my life (problemang dumararing) I’m able to find solutions. | To experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) matters a lot in terms of one’s financial status. Another meaning would be an experience where you can take time to relax and rest, and you are not thinking of anything that would worry you. |
2. V-Mae: “It always feels very light and it’s a joyful feeling.” | “[none]” | I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) as a joyful feeling when you are really with your family. |
3.1 V-Mae: “Whenever I am alone and full of hope.” | Sometimes when I’m by myself, alone in my room, I always think and believe that there is hope. What I mean is, I never lost hope whenever I have many problems at hand and those that may come. | Of course with the help of God, you really have to pray and He will really help you. It is totally different that you have Him by your side, that what you hope for He is the only one you can rely on. Thus hold on to Him so tight (malakas na kapit). |
3.2 V-Mae: “Every time I am alone.” | [In a way] I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) when I all alone in my room. | My fellow beings (mga kapwa tao) serve as my reflection on what status of life I am now. And I believe all people have hope though each one only differs in their given situation and the way they are taking. Somehow I can sense that I feel life with more ease (mas nakakaluwag) that some people.
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3.3. V-Mae: “Every time I see people with no hope.” | [And think about] my life as somewhat a little better than those of my other fellow beings (mga kapwa tao) who are struggling to survive in life. | Everyone has purpose and mission here on earth. God is giving each one of us a unique role, task and free will in doing our mission in life. Our basic mission is to be a role model to our own family and to the families of our friends, most especially to those who are losing hope in life. |
3.4 V-Mae: “Whenever it is quiet.” | When nature (kalikasan) is quiet, peaceful and calm, there are no troubles taking place (walang gulo na nangyayari), then this is it. This is how experience life with ease (nakakaluwag). | Our nature (kalikasan) is a way for us to quiet ourselves, you go with your family and be one with nature, and simply enjoy what it offers for it gives you a sense of feeling light, fresh and relaxed. |
4. V-Mae: “It is necessary that in each trial that comes in a person’s life, we must not lose hope.” | Every day that passes by is a day of realization and learning, which our minds and hearts should also be prepared to face the many trials in our lives. Just think of them that they are just simply trials in our lives. | Our relationship with God, with people that surround you, your friends, your work which you well performed, all of these as many would say are ways of serving God in all that you are doing. |
5. V-Mae: “Life is very fast [today] and too short. [We have to] cherish each moment of it. And remember that all these [difficult] experiences are merely testing us.” | Whatever I went through in life and all that I’m about to go through, I just simply want to share these to them because at the end of the day, we have one and the same destiny. We only differed in our choices and our decisions on what road to take, the right or the wrong direction. But to have to realize that this is a once chance of a life time
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God’s will many times [if not all the time] prevails. It is now up to you to recognize the message that God wants to convey to you (pansinin yung dumaan). |
13. RJE of Nelca, Submitted on September 3, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
13. NEA of Nelca, Conducted on September 7, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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13. FIE of Nelca, Conducted on September 8, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1. (a) Nelca: “I would consider myself nakakaluwag(living with ease) in life when I can actually buy things that I want – those that may not be considered necessities but makes life more comfortable and enjoyable.”1. (b) Nelca: “I would also say that I feel that I am nakakaluwag (living with ease) when I can do things that are pleasurable (e.g. vacation, fine dining) without compromising [the] basic needs.”
1. © Nelca: “I also believe that those times that I get to enjoy my time with my family and friends without the worries of money or time or work, are also times when you actually feel nakakaluwag (living with ease).” |
I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) whenever I can do the things that I really want. I can buy more than just the basics, I can afford to watch movies, go out to the malls [and spend time] with my family. So my concept of experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag) is not just limited to material things. I think it’s how you live the quality of your life. You start first with the material needs with the quantity and quality of food served on the table, living in comfort at a house, you never felt life without ease (hindi ka nagigipit) nor anxious on how to meet both ends on a daily basis, you can buy branded clothes, you can go out and travel, uou have no debts, you don’t owe money to anyone that is why you can afford to plan for your family, for yourself. Then n terms of time, you can afford to sit for hours and just watch TV, you can afford to interact with other people without worrying about work. It means that I’m willing to give up a day work to just spend that precious moment with my family. And with all these I can say I experience life with ease (nakakaluwag). | To experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) I initially think of the basic needs, however to my mind it is more than this, this is not simply an issue of material things but an issue of living a total quality of life. It is true that to experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) is to meet the very basics. In here you appreciate life when you are exempted from worries |
2. (a) Nelca: “Masaya, I feel happy that I need not worry about the needs of my family. It is a state that one gets to enjoy life at its full.”2. (b) Nelca: “ I feel a sense of freedom as well.”
2. © Nelca: “ I also feel secured – materially, emotionally and spiritually.” |
“[none]” | When you experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) you have freedom of choice, you have freedom to choose doing the things you want to do. Unlike when you are experiencing life without ease (gipit), you options are very limited. The more resources available to you the more free you are. To feel life with ease (nakakaluwag) would mean God’s blessings and I personally never claim that this is simply a product of my own work. |
3.1(a) Nelca: “Napakahalaga sa akin ang spiritual aspect ng aking buhay(The spiritual aspect of my life is very important to me). This defines in a way, how I view things in life.”3.1(b) Nelca: “Sa akin kasi, pag ramdam ko na ako ay nakakaluwag sa buhay (To me, when I felt living with ease in my life), malaking bahagi noon ay dahil sa malakas na pananampalataya sa Diyos (a big part of is due to [my] strong faith in God).”
3.1© Nelca: “I know that it is God’s work and blessings. In a sense, God remains to be the center of my being and my life.” |
I think God is at the center of my life, and I’m the kind of person so convinced I have strong faith in Him, that is why every time I received blessings from Him, I really feel life with ease (nakakaluwag), I feel I have greater sense of freedom, sense of fulfillment, and I’m connected with the people I love, with the environment which I find it as a blessing. I think at the center of all these experiences I can say I feel life with ease (nakakaluwag) because God is at the very center of it. | Everything is God’s work. And whenever He would test you and give you problems, but at the end of all of this, it will be all for good, all for the better. |
3.2 Nelca: “[none]” | I considered myself simply as an instrument to better the lives of my fellow being (kapwa), although I do not give so much priority to myself, but in a situation that I feel life with ease (nakakaluwag), as a wife and as a mother I see myself as an instrument to better our relationship and our family (maisaayos ang buhay). | Yes I would prefer to be an instrument for others, for making their lives better (nakakapagpaluwag sa buhay ng ibang tao). |
3.3 (a) Nelca: “Kapag nakakaluwag ka sa buhay, isa sa mga una mong maiisip ay ang ibahagi ito lalong lalo na sa iyong pamilya (When you are living with ease in life, one of the first thing that you can think of is to share this, most especially with your family). For me, my family comes first, whether during times of difficulties or not.”3.3 (b) Nelca: “And when you see other people who do not have, you feel the need to share [with] them whatever blessings you have – marami man o hindi (whether they are big or small).”
3.3 © Nelca: “I think for Filipinos, kahit konti, ang mahalaga ang pag-alaala sa kapakanan ng iba (no matter how small it maybe, what matters most is the concern [and care] for the well-being of others).” |
I have a strong desire to always share my blessings no matter how small they be. Whether spending time with a friend or sharing even a piece of bread I bought from a bakery because I find it delicious. Of course I prioritize my children, my husband, and my sibling, but when I feel life with ease (nakakaluwag) and your life is running smoothly (maganda ang takbo ng buhay) and there is still some excess, then I will probably save up money for my family.. | My other meaning for an experience of life with ease (nakakaluwag) is to spend quality time with the members of your family. I lost my father when I was in grade 5 and I lost my mother when I was 18. I was blessed to have my husband now because it was him who actually taught me to go back to God, he is a very God fearing and a faithful person. |
3.4 Nelca: “[none]” | It’s true that our natural environment (kalikasan) in which we live is important and you have the responsibility to take care of it. You feel blessed with it, you have the ability and freedom to assume your responsibility to it. However this is my observation, when you experience life without ease (gipit na gipit) you become too preoccupied with your personal concerns that you neglect the environment that the community and you live with. So sometimes when you are experiencing life without ease (gipit na gipit) you become self-centered. On the contrary, to experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) is to have a better position, that you have more opportunities to exercise your other responsibilities including your commitment to take care of our environment. The basic tendency of us humans is to be self-preoccupied, and I feel that to experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) is to make a conscious effort to take care and protect our natural environment. | When you experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) you will recognize that you have an important role to play for the environment. However, if you would go to the urban poor, even the smallest act of throwing garbage waste in its proper places, you would be irritated, upset and frustrated because the very community in which they live they don’t bother nor lift a finger to clean it. The truth of the matter is, they should see themselves as part of the environment, but the problem is if they experience life without ease (nagigipit) they have lesser concern about their own surroundings, their environment. And because of their present condition they see the environment as a source of livelihood. |
4. (a) Nelca: “When you receive blessings, be thankful. No matter how simple or small such gift may be, be grateful.”
4. (b) Nelca: “Share with families and friends.”
4. © Nelca: “Save enough – avoid the bahala na (leaves everything to chance) mentality. Enjoy life.” |
No matter how big or small the blessings that you received, you have to value such gifts. These gifts may be in the form of money or material things, maybe it is the time you spend or opportunities have because now a day only few people are experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag). The dengue outbreak, for example, you worry about your family because anyone can contract the disease, but since we tend to become self-preoccupied the rise of dengue due to poor sanitation and the dirty environment is caused due to neglect and refusal on our part to take care of our environment. I think all [our natural environment, ourselves, our fellow beings (mga kapwa tao), our society and our God] are just part and parcel of being blessed and of experiencing life’s condition with ease (nakakaluwag). | I have been with social development work I started as coordinator of the community service here at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) from 2001–2002 and form 2002–2008, I became head of the Social Action Office ng DLS-CSB and at the same time the concurrent director of Lasallian Justice and Peace Commission (LJPC) from 2005-present (2010). LJPC is the National Office for Advocacy and Social Development Arm of the De La Salle Brothers and De La Salle Provincialate. I must admit that I really find it difficult to establish a good relationship with the people in the communities. Working fulltime with the communities, while I can say that their basic needs and concerns for survival are very much valid however, there is really a need to educate, sustain and intensify environmental education along side with poverty alleviation. People must realize that they are very much part of the environment. I just observed that people who experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) are more empowered and able to respond to the needs of the environment. They are more in the position to help protect the environment because they are more properly motivated to doing it, to keeping it, to sustaining it to a condition that is beneficial to all (maganda at maayos) and there is this sense of quality of life. When you initiate a program, you have to address the very root not just for a short-term but for a long-term solution. Saving and planning are two inseparable ways to sustain this kind of living initiative so that you have something to look forward in the future. |
5. (a) Nelca: “Maybe if there is one thing that I would want other people to learn from my experience of nakakaluwag, it is the lesson of saving.”
5. (b) Nelca: “For many Filipinos, the bahala na (leaves everything to chance) mentality is predominant. We tend to be very spontaneous that even when we do things, when we make decisions, we forget to consider the future.”
5. © Nelca: “So gagastos ka kasi may pera ka ngayon (you squander your money away because you have them now) without considering that you are actually spending the money that is supposed to be for tomorrow’s needs.” |
First and foremost, we have to make sure that we live our life according to God’s teaching because most of the time this is being overlooked. The common issue with us Filipinos is our cultural belief and practice of being happy-go-lucky and one-day millionaire attitude. We have the tendency to forget that we have to save, be thrifty, that we have to think ahead of our future. We have this tendency to enjoy everything at the moment since we feel life with ease (nakakaluwag ka), we spend all that we have without planning ahead for our future and without considering what will be left for us tomorrow.. | We have to save enough. Before I was living on my own, I have no parents that I need to support, I have no family. My earnings are all mine, and I’m spending my money to buy clothes, etc. and it never occurred to me about what will I be spending for the future or in cases I would be needing something urgent in the future thus I have no more money to support myself. Today my son is reminding me the lesson I thought him early on that he should only consume based on what you only need for the day. My son had already a concept of that he will only need this so he will not buy more because tomorrow is another day. I think so far I’m pretty successful in imparting to him the values of sustainability, and at the same time he also serves as a reminder that once in a while I also forget. |
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14. RJE of Gary, Submitted on September 28, 2010
1st IDP: RJE Unique Meaning Units (Co-Rs’ Statements on Nakakaluwag) |
14. NEA of Gary, Conducted on September 29, 2010
2nd IDP: NEA Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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14. FIE of Gary, Conducted on October 4, 2010
3rd IDP: FIE Feedback for clarification, validation and confirmation
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1.(a) Gary: “The moment I feel that I’m nakakaluwag(living with ease) in life is the time that I have more than enough of my blessings which I shared with my family and loved ones.”1.(b) Gary: “The blessings and resources that I’m talking here are not only material that was obviously God given, but also psycho– social and even political.”
1.© Gary: “To be specific, I’m nakakaluwag (living with ease), if I have an enough food to eat, a modest place to stay, a good time for self while reading books and sipping coffee or beer and listening to music, and quarterly out of town and a (bonus travel abroad).”
1.(d) Gary: “But also, it includes political participation and discourses with friends in the academe and some people in the government. If I made all of this, I’m in the state of nakakaluwag (life of ease).” |
My experience of life with ease (nakakaluwag) I consider it as a blessing. I believe that to have blessings I feel life with ease (nakakaluwag); I have enough food, enough money, able to spend more for expensive food, go to different places here and abroad, I have leisure time. At the same time, I feel life with ease (nakakaluwag) when I can do what I want to do, like participating in political activities. As a political observer, I do some analysis and I earn from this, so I feel life with ease (lumuluwag ang buhay ko). | The material things are there for us to use them; and they are not the ultimate reason that will define our personhood. And in my case what I have I should share to support a higher value and purpose. |
2. (a) Gary: “For me, I have so much joy in my heart because every time that I feel nakakaluwag(life with ease) in my life because I have the opportunities to provide a helping hand to my family and loved ones.”2. (b) Gary: “ I feel that God is really taking care of me despite all the hardships and setbacks that I encountered in the years of my journey in life.” | Experience of life with ease (nakakaluwag) like what I previously enumerated, they are all blessings in life. It is funny though (nakatutuwa) that the more I give, the more I receive. I’m helping my mother for her medication, my siblings, my friends. And I never felt lacking (kinakapos) that is why I’m more convinced that a life with ease (ang kaluwagan na ito sa buhay) is really God’s blessing. I do not believe that this is just a simple creation and a product of my mere knowledge and skills. What I have now is not just by pure luck. This is simply a blessing, which is why it is a must that I also pay it forward. Last September 25, 2010, I was talking to Mr. Jun Lozada and he said to me that, “How can we call for social change, if we ourselves will not individually change.” (“Paano tayo mananawagan na baguhin ang lipunan kung tayo mismo sa sarili hindi magbabago”). In a way, he is right because if you yourself is individually improving and you are experiencing life with ease (pagluwag sa sarili) at the same time, then you are now in a better position to share to and help your fellow beings (mga kapwa tao) so that they may also improve. And this is the issue we have today, that is why there is a grain of truth in Lozada’s words. | To me this is what experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag), which allows me to acknowledge that I have a sense of purpose. I may consider this as either social or spiritual, for it brings joy in my heart every time that I share my blessings to others. This is just a state of my purpose for being, that even if I do not have money to help, as long as I can help in whatever I have and in whatever way I can then I’m happy and I never expect anything or something in return. |
3.1 (a) Gary: “With all honesty, I believe that what I have right now that make me nakakaluwag sa buhay(live life with ease) are not because of my sheer luck or even my knowledge and information but rather these are gifts of God to me.”3.1(b) Gary: “I believe that God showered me with all these things to share and take care of my family and loved ones which I think one of my missions in life.” | We have no clue as to how long our life will be here on earth. But we have to make sure that at least we know the reason why we are here, our reason for being. I think experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag) is part and parcel of our reason for being and this is also the reason why I feel life with ease now (maging maluwag sa buhay ko ngayon). | Even though and despite the many great and more brilliant people in this world, I would ask why me of all the people out there, why am I in this condition and opportunity, I believe this is God’s ways. |
3.2 Gary: “Second, because of this belief God also allows me to enjoy the best in life but with a strong commitment to be active in exposing and opposing the ills of ours society and helping to propose possible solutions on these problems and concerns.” | I have life’s lessons learned during my college days regarding authentic humanism, that being humane (tunay na pagpapakatao) has something to do with having connection with, that all entities are all interconnected with each other, and each has a particular role to play in the network of interconnections, i.e., the role played by God, the role played by your fellow beings (mga kapwa tao), your own role to play including the role played by nature (kalikasan). | I believe that I am part of the society from which I get my needs to sustain me, but I do not only benefit from it alone, that is why I would pursue for collective development rather than individual betterment. |
3.3 Gary: “Third, I have a strong solidarity with my fellow being especially the poor and oppressed I believe those who have more in life should always help the oppressed.” | My concept of life with ease (kaluwagan) I draw it from the basic principles of authentic humanism, that we are all related and interrelated to all [of creation], to ourselves, to our fellow beings (mga kapwa tao), to our society, to our God. Becoming human and humane (pagpapakatao) is never based on the idea that one is superior or inferior. We are all part of a society, big or small, and we have social and collective responsibilities so that at the end of the day the good of what you are doing with all these entities is for the greater glory of God. This is how I see what life with ease (nakakaluwag) to be about. | I witnessed myself the level of poverty we have in our society. I can say how great sin and evil are those who oppressed and caused great pain to our people. They committed evil that destroyed our society’s moral fiber due to graft and corruption and legislating unjust laws that are taking advantage of the weak. Just try to imagine how much of these have been taken from our ordinary people, they are denied of what is rightfully theirs. They were not given just wage; they were not offered opportunity to get good education and to have a decent life. |
3.4 Gary: “[none]” | “[none]” | We are not only created in God’s image, we are also co-created by Him, and we share in His creativity and goodness. So while I’m in this journey of life, there are people I may bring along with in my chosen advocacy. And perhaps what I’m doing eventually in the long run there are already efforts and initiatives bigger than mine, and therefore a bigger contribution to the society. So they are also happy with what they are doing, that’s why the more we expand the circle of life with ease (kaluwagan mas dumadami) and those people being helped they now experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa mga natutulungan). |
4. (a) Gary: “Life is too short, it is important that we should have a clear sense of purpose in life or reason for being.”4. (b) Gary: “Nakakaluwag (life of ease) is only a state in life and this is not permanent, there are times that we are no longer nakakaluwag (living with ease) or too much nakakaluwag (ease of living) but at the end of the day you have the opportunity to share your blessings.”
4. © Gary: “[Y]ou have the chance to make a difference, you have the situation to change our society for the better.” |
Life with ease (kaluwagan sa buhay) is only a state, a condition that may come and go anytime. But the point is, whatever that makes you experience life with ease (kaluwagan sa buhay) you must learn to share what you have for the common good. This is what I call confluence of interest, that your having the very experience of life with ease (kaluwagan mo) and those of people around should be having the same experience of ease (kaluwagan ng iba). | Partly we can say that the whole society has a big contribution to the great sin and evil that oppressed our people, not only the government, but the kind of relationships it has among the people, including those who belong to the higher echelon of the society. That’s why until now, I personally committed to solidarity and compassion for those who have nothing in life and those whose opportunities they have been deprived of. |
5. (a) Gary: “ As I mentioned earlier, there no such thing as permanent in this world, but if you have a clear sense of purpose in life, nakakaluwag(life of ease) is only a situation or condition to further implement your purpose in life.”5.(b) Gary: “[N]akakaluwag (living with ease) will make your life easier and also will make your life more fulfilling.” | Life is a journey, and we have to be part of everybody’s journey. Though we may have different destination along the way we have companions we bumped in unexpectedly, but then we have to establish a good relationship with them, though that relationship may not last. That is why we may leave them behind, at least we have left them something good of ourselves or whatever aspect that maybe. I think this is also what experiencing life with ease here on earth (kaluwagan sa mundong ito). | I myself have witnessed in the government the level of money talks, the level of graft and corruption. How can we, our people experience life with ease (nakakaluwag) if this kind of system will go on. |
Table 12 below consists of the initial and recurring Nakakaluwag sub-themes that arose from the thematic analysis of the Co-Rs’ TEXT or the combined RJE, NEA and FIE of a particular Co-R. The entire table is broken into separate tables representing each of the Co-Rs where each table is labeled with her/his nickname.
The first column with the heading: ‘RJE, NEA and FIE of a particular Co-R contains the thematic title for each: (1) Rowel: “Ligaya at laya, ugnayan at unawa, wagas, alwan at ginhawa” (Joy and freedom, relation and understanding, pure, ease and comfort); (2) Dino: “May kakayahan para sa iba” (Ability for others); (3) Maricel: “Maluwag ang aming pamumuhay” (We are living with ease); (4) Jorelle: “Maluwag ka para sa kanila” (You are generous to others); (5) Joe: “Tumingin tayo sa langit” (Look up to heaven); (6) Me-An: “Tuloy tuloy lang ang buhay” (Life just goes on); (7) Lorence: “Makakaahon din ako” (I can get out of this situation); (8) Pink: “Tanggapin ng maluwag” (Accept the situation the way it is); (9) Elvie: “Mayroon kang madudukot” (You have resource to rely on); (10) Rommel: “Nakakaluwag-luwag sa problema” (To reduce ones problems); (11) Benson: “Nakakaramdam ako ng pagkaluwag” (I feel with ease); (12) V-Mae: “Malakas na kapit” (To keep holding on); (13) Nelca: “Nakakapagpaluwag sa buhay ng ibang tao” (To bring ease to other’s life) and (14) Gary: “Kaluwagan sa mundong ito” (To have ease in this world).
The same columns has the reference markers or guide (numbers and letters) that correspond to the Co-Rs’ TEXT. The second column with the heading: ‘Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes,’ consists of the preliminary interpretation-description of the writer on each of Co-R’s TEXT. And lastly, the third column with the heading: ‘Recurring (Rcnrg[5]) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes’ provides the specific interrelated sub-themes across the entire Co-Rs’ TEXT and the frequency of their occurrences.
Table 12. The Initial and Recurring Nakakaluwag Sub-themes
1. RJE, NEA and FIE of Rowel: “Ligaya at laya, ugnayan at unawa, wagas, alwan at ginhawa” (Joy and freedom, relation and understanding, pure, ease and comfort) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. (a) Rowel:1. (b) Rowel:
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- Luwag(ease) as condition or mind-set paving the way for action,- mind and heart providing the space,- space as a living condition to experience luwag (ease),
- nakakaluwag in life (living with ease) as experience of peace (both in an orderly or disorderly situations) |
- condition (Rcrng. 12x)- mind-set (Rcrng. 3x)- heart / mind (Rcrng. 2x)
- condition (Rcrng. 12x) / living - peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x)
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2. Rowel: | - Peace of mind encompasses: Ligaya at Laya, Ugnayan at Unawa, Wagas, Alwan at Ginhawa. | - peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)- happiness (Rcrng.10x)
- freedom (Rcrng. 15x) - relation (Rcrng. 12x) - understanding (Rcrng. 9x) - well-being (Rcrng.7x) |
3.1 Rowel: | - God is closely present in both conditions: nakakaluwag (ease)/positive feeling or hindi nakakaluwag (without ease)/painful feeling | - God source of life (Rcrng. 13x) / present in positive & negative condition– providence (Rcrng. 10x) |
3.2 Rowel: | - Empowered living | - empower (Rcrng. 6x) |
3.3 Rowel: | - Compassionate living | - compassion (Rcrng. 6x) |
3.4 Rowel: | - Colorful and meaningful living | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- beauty (Rcrng. 6x) |
4. Rowel: | - Living the values of humility, generosity, patience and being loved (cared for) | - generosity (Rcrng. 14x)- love / care (Rcrng. 4x) / patience & humility |
5. (a) Rowel: 5. (b) Rowel:
5. © Rowel:
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- Nakakaluwag(life of ease) is a condition or mind-set,- Either in nakakaluwag or not nakakaluwag situations one can do on the things that happened to us | - condition (Rcrng. 12x)- mind-set (Rcrng. 3x)- empower (Rcrng. 6x)
- freedom (Rcrng. 15x) - responsibility (Rcrng. 9x)
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2. RJE, NEA and FIE of Dino: “May kakayahan para sa iba”(Ability for others) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. (a) Dino: 1. (b) Dino: | - Working, Earning, Sharing the earnings | - work (Rcrng. 5x)- earning / saving (Rcrng. 7x) / money– share (Rcrng. 11x) / help
- money to buy (Rcrng. 13x)
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2. (a) Dino: 2. (b) Dino:
2. © Dino:
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- Happiness, Light feeling, Grateful to God for having work, Simply give, with or even without money, Sharing the blessings, | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- happiness (Rcrng.10x)- grateful (Rcrng. 13x)
- give (Rcrng. 11x) / help positive & negative situation - share (Rcrng. 11x) - blessings (Rcrng. 5x) |
3.1(a) Dino: 3.1(b) Dino:
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- Grateful thanks to God as a source of blessings, All blessings received by all come from God | - grateful (Rcrng. 13x)- God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)- blessings (Rcrng. 5x)
- providence (Rcrng. 10x) |
3.1© Dino: 3.1(d) Dino:
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- God as savior in times of crisis, Sense of gratitude/ grateful to God for wisdom, Source of life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay) is not only money but also meaningful relation | - God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)- gratitude (Rcrng. 6x)- grateful (Rcrng. 13x)
- wisdom (Rcrng. 6x) - relation (Rcrng. 12x) - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x) - money to buy (Rcrng. 13x) |
3.1 (e) Dino: 3.1(f) Dino:
3.1(g) Dino:
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- Money is not the only solution to financial problems; Solutions include values: honesty, understanding, and faith in God’s providence | - money to buy (Rcrng. 13x)- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x)- relation (Rcrng. 12x) / honesty
- understanding (Rcrng. 9x) - faith (Rcrng. 15x) - providence (Rcrng. 10x) |
3.2 (a) Dino: 3.2 (b) Dino:
3.2 © Dino:
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- Both difficult times and time of ease (panahon ng kaluwagan) are opportunities to find joy and joyfully share to those who are in need most | - give (Rcrng. 11x)- opportunity (Rcrng. 4x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)
- share (Rcrng. 11x) - peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x) |
3.3 (a) Dino: 3.3 (b) Dino:
3.3 © Dino:
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- It is a joyful experience that everybody would all together find relief (kaluwagan), A life of ease (kaluwagan sa buhay) is always opportunity to share, simply give | - opportunity (Rcrng. 4x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)- share (Rcrng. 11x)
- give (Rcrng. 11x) - responsibility (Rcrng. 9x) |
3.4 (a) Dino: 3.4 (b) Dino:
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- An image of spacious (kaluwagan) is related with space (kalawakan). Nature’s expanse makes sense with the meaning of a life of ease (buhay na nakakaluwag). | - expanse (Rcrng. 2x) / space– meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x) |
4. (a) Dino: 4. (b) Dino:
4. © Dino:
4. (d) Dino:
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- A life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay): power that enlightens life’s perspective, a condition of being free, not dependent on material things or money but on a meaningful relating with others, selfishness has no place in it for it will not last. | - empower (Rcrng. 6x)- meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- freedom (Rcrng. 15x)
- money to buy (Rcrng. 13x) / not the only solution - relation (Rcrng. 12x) - generosity (Rcrng. 14x) / not selfish & not greedy |
5.(a) Dino: 5. (b) Dino:
5. © Dino: |
- A life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay): a fair view of others, not only confined to those who have in life but also to those who have nothing, have space (compassion) for others | - fair (Rcrng. 4x)- equality (Rcrng. 2x) / justice– compassion (Rcrng. 6x)
- peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x) |
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|
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3. RJE, NEA and FIE of Maricel: “Maluwag ang aming pamumuhay”(We are living with ease) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. Maricel: | - Nakakaluwag in life (living with ease) as enabling condition to buy both basic and even more, to feel light and to be free from the worries of life. | - condition (Rcrng. 12x)- empower (Rcrng. 6x)- money to buy (Rcrng. 13x)
- free from worries (Rcrng. 9x) / feel light - freedom (Rcrng. 15x) |
2. Maricel: | - Abundant living | - blessings (Rcrng. 5x) |
3.1 Maricel: | - Prayerful and grateful living | - faith (Rcrng. 15x) / prayer– gratitude (Rcrng. 6x)- grateful (Rcrng. 13x) |
3.2 Maricel | - Blessed living | - blessings (Rcrng. 5x)- meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)
|
3.3 Maricel: | - Living the values of generosity, joyful helping | - generosity (Rcrng. 14x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x) |
3.4 Maricel: | - Clean living | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- clean (Rcrng. 2x) |
4. (a) Maricel: 4. (b) Maricel:
4. © Maricel:
|
- Living the values of thrift and saving for the future, generosity, joyful helping. | - thrift (Rcrng. 6x)- saving for the future (Rcrng. 6x)- sustain (Rcrng. 6x)
- generosity (Rcrng. 14x) - joy (Rcrng. 35x) |
5. Maricel: | - Hopeful living with a grateful heart | - hope (Rcrng. 6x)- grateful (Rcrng. 13x)
|
4. RJE, NEA and FIE of Jorelle: “Maluwag ka para sa kanila”(You are generous to others) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. Jorelle: | - Fulfillment of one’s longing, meeting a person you value | - relation (Rcrng. 12x)- meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x) |
2. Jorelle: | - Fulfillment of one’s longing, acquiring something you value | - money to buy (Rcrng. 13x) |
3.1 Jorelle: | - Fulfillment of one’s longing, acquiring something you value, attributing it to God | - blessings (Rcrng. 5x)- God source of life (Rcrng. 13x) |
3.2 Jorelle: | - Fulfillment of one’s longing, through relaxation, going around with, being employed and having a job | - peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x)- freedom (Rcrng. 15x)
|
3.3 Jorelle: | - Fulfill the longing of others | - relation (Rcrng. 12x) |
3.4 Jorelle: | - Fulfill the longing of nature | - clean (Rcrng. 2x) |
4. Jorelle: | - Living the values of patience and hard work, generosity, joyful helping | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- generosity (Rcrng. 14x)
- work (Rcrng. 5x) - earning / saving (Rcrng. 7x) - responsibility (Rcrng. 9x) |
5. Jorelle: | - Living the values of [joyful] helping
|
- joy (Rcrng. 35x) |
5. RJE, NEA and FIE of Joe: “Tumingin tayo sa langit”(Look up to heaven) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. (a) Joe: 1. (b) Joe:
1. © Joe: |
- Feeling, thinking or knowing to be nakakaluwag (life of ease) is to feel and think or know that others are in need more than I do: | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- heart / mind (Rcrng. 2x)- compassion (Rcrng. 6x) |
1. (d) Joe: 1.(e) Joe: | - is a state, a prevailing set of conditions. | - condition (Rcrng. 12x)- mind-set (Rcrng. 3x) / state |
1. (f) Joe: | - is giving and helping others voluntarily and willingly. | - give (Rcrng. 11x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x) / giving & helping– freedom (Rcrng. 15x)
- responsibility (Rcrng. 9x) |
1. (g) Joe: 1. (h) Joe:
1. (i) Joe: |
- implies sufficient freedom to move, comfortable space to work on. | - freedom (Rcrng. 15x)- expanse (Rcrng. 2x) / space |
1. (j) Joe: 1. (k) Joe: | - is ethical, which involves lending or giving. | - fair (Rcrng. 4x) / values– give (Rcrng. 11x)- share (Rcrng. 11x) |
1. (l) Joe: 1. (m) Joe: | - is ethical, which involves sacrifice. | - love / care (Rcrng. 4x) / sacrifice– meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x) |
1. (n) Joe: | - is ethical, which involves fulfillment in doing a social obligation. | - responsibility (Rcrng. 9x) / obligation– commitment (Rcrng. 2x) |
2. (a) Joe: 2. (b) Joe: | - Nakakaluwag (life of ease) is to feel a bit happy. | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- happiness (Rcrng.10x) |
3.1 (a) Joe: 3.1 (b) Joe: | - God is present in either nakakaluwag (ease) or hindi nakakaluwag or gipit (without ease) situations in life; God is present in either difficult times (panahon ng kagiptan) and time of ease (panahon ng kaluwagan). | - God source of life (Rcrng. 13x) / present in positive & negative condition– condition (Rcrng. 12x) |
3.2 Joe: | - Believing in God, Fearing God for He punishes the selfish and greedy. | - faith (Rcrng. 15x)- God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)- fair (Rcrng. 4x)
- fair (Rcrng. 4x) / justice - equality (Rcrng. 2x) - compassion (Rcrng. 6x) |
3.3 Joe: | - Nakakaluwag (life of ease) is giving and helping others voluntarily and willingly. | - give (Rcrng. 11x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)- freedom (Rcrng. 15x) |
3.4 Joe: | - Nakakaluwag (life of ease) is giving back a part of what is received to others who are in need. | - give (Rcrng. 11x)- share (Rcrng. 11x) |
4. Joe: | - Nakakaluwag (life of ease) is a lesson learned from the experiences of being gipit(without ease), living the values of harmony, prudence and faith.
|
- understanding (Rcrng. 9x)- wisdom (Rcrng. 6x)- lesson (Rcrng. 5x)
- faith (Rcrng. 15x) |
5. (a) Joe: 5. (b) Joe:
|
- Living by witnessing the values of helping others voluntarily and willingly. | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)- freedom (Rcrng. 15x) |
6. RJE, NEA and FIE of Me-Ann: “Tuloy tuloy lang ang buhay” (Life just goes on) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. (a) Me-Ann:1. (b) Me-Ann:
1. © Me-Ann: |
- Life of ease (ang nakakaluwag sa buhay) has so many meanings: one meaning refers to a rich person who never experienced life without ease (hirap sa buhay); to be able to [miraculously] survive a problem. | - money to buy (Rcrng. 13x)- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x)- relation (Rcrng. 12x)
|
2. (a) Me-Ann:2.(b) Me-Ann:
|
- Life of ease (ang nakakaluwag sa buhay) means finding rest for the tired mind and body, having learned from life lessons after surviving a life without ease (hirap sa buhay). | - peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x)- understanding (Rcrng. 9x)- wisdom (Rcrng. 6x)
- lesson (Rcrng. 5x) - faith (Rcrng. 15x) |
3.1 Me-Ann: | - Being grateful to God in either nakakaluwag (ease) [beautiful] or hindi nakakaluwag or gipit (without ease) [ugly] situations in life; either difficult times (panahon ng kagiptan) and time of ease (panahon ng kaluwagan). | - grateful (Rcrng. 13x)- God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)- condition (Rcrng. 12x)
- faith (Rcrng. 15x) |
3.2 Me-Ann: | - Learning from life lessons by seeing your strength and finding your joy. | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- understanding (Rcrng. 9x)- wisdom (Rcrng. 6x)
- lesson (Rcrng. 5x) - opportunity (Rcrng. 4x) - freedom (Rcrng. 15x) |
3.3 (a) Me-Ann:3.3 (b) Me-Ann:
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- Generosity even more to those who are experiencing problems in life; optimism, prayers as well as actions are necessary so that all problems will end well. | - generosity (Rcrng. 14x)- faith (Rcrng. 15x) / prayer– solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x)
- providence (Rcrng. 10x) |
3.4 Me-Ann: | - Even the natural environment either reflects or affects our mental and physical condition and mood, rain represents sadness and sunshine signifies happiness. | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x)- beauty (Rcrng. 6x) |
4. (a) Me-Ann:4. (b) Me-Ann:
|
- Life has a purpose, in either nakakaluwag (ease) [beautiful] or hindi nakakaluwag or gipit (without ease) [ugly] situations in life | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)- condition (Rcrng. 12x)
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5. (a) Me-Ann:5. (b) Me-Ann:
|
- Hopeful living with a grateful heart; prayers as well as actions are necessary so that all problems will end well. | - grateful (Rcrng. 13x)- gratitude (Rcrng. 6x)- faith (Rcrng. 15x) / prayer
- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x) - providence (Rcrng. 10x)
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7. RJE, NEA and FIE of Lorence: “Makakaahon din ako”(I can get out of this situation) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. Lorence: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to experience being cared for, provided with basic needs, able to continue schooling, and landing a job. | - love / care (Rcrng. 4x)- work (Rcrng. 5x)- earning / saving (Rcrng. 7x)
- money to buy (Rcrng. 13x)
|
2. (a) Lorence:2. (b) Lorence:
|
- Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is a joyful feeling, getting out from living without ease in life (hirap sa buhay), a condition where many people are experiencing on a daily basis. | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- happiness (Rcrng.10x)- condition (Rcrng. 12x)
- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x) - peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x) |
3.1 (a) Lorence:3.1 (b) Lorence
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- Being grateful to God in either nakakaluwag (ease) or hindi nakakaluwag or gipit or hirap sa buhay (without ease), either in time of ease (panahon ng kaluwagan) or difficult times (panahon ng kagiptan). | - grateful (Rcrng. 13x)- God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)- condition (Rcrng. 12x)
- faith (Rcrng. 15x)
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3.2 Lorence: | - Learning from life lessons by seeing your strength. | - understanding (Rcrng. 9x)- wisdom (Rcrng. 6x)- lesson (Rcrng. 5x)
- empower (Rcrng. 6x)
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3.3 Lorence: | - Hopeful living to face life’s trials; never forget God, sense of identifying oneself with the sufferings of others | - hope (Rcrng. 6x)- love / care (Rcrng. 4x) / sacrifice– compassion (Rcrng. 6x)
- faith (Rcrng. 15x) - solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x) |
3.4 Lorence: | - Fulfill the longing of nature by healing and nurturing it and in turn allowing nature to fulfill its purpose of healing and nurturing | - well-being (Rcrng.7) /healing– meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- beauty (Rcrng. 6x)
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4. (a) Lorence:4. (b) Lorence:
4. © Lorence
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- Living the values of thrift and saving for the future, patience and hard work, generosity, joyful helping, and having as sense of happiness, well-being and contentment | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)- generosity (Rcrng. 14x)
- work (Rcrng. 5x) - earning / saving (Rcrng. 7x) - thrift (Rcrng. 6x) - saving for the future (Rcrng. 6x) - sustain (Rcrng. 6x) |
5. (a) Lorence:5. (b) Lorence:
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- Living the values of generosity, joyful helping, of thrift and saving for the future | - generosity (Rcrng. 14x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)- earning / saving (Rcrng. 7x)
- thrift (Rcrng. 6x) - saving for the future (Rcrng. 6x) - sustain (Rcrng. 6x) |
8. RJE, NEA and FIE of Pink: “Tanggapin ng maluwag”(Accept the situation the way it is) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. (a) Pink:1. (b) Pink:
1. © Pink:
|
- Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is having money, being with the family, going to school, being happy, having no problem, easily finding answers to problems, not to worry about the problem that we should not worry at all. | - work (Rcrng. 5x)- earning / saving (Rcrng. 7x)- money to buy (Rcrng. 13x)
- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x) - free from worries (Rcrng. 9x) |
2. (a) Pink:2. (b) Pink:
2. © Pink:
|
- Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is a joyful feeling, free from worries, family members understand each other well, being able to buy more than just the basic needs. | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- free from worries (Rcrng. 9x)- relation (Rcrng. 12x)
- understanding (Rcrng. 9x) - money to buy (Rcrng. 13x) |
3.1 (a) Pink:3.1 (b) Pink:
|
- Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is being grateful to God, being able cope with problem, God is present, with or without problem. | - grateful (Rcrng. 13x)- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x)- God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)
- condition (Rcrng. 12x) - peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x) - providence (Rcrng. 10x)
|
3.2 (a) Pink:
3.2 (b) Pink:
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- Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is self-acceptance, a decision to be happy, both positive or negative situation is a source of lessons to learn. | - acceptance (Rcrng. 3x)- freedom (Rcrng. 15x) / decision– empower (Rcrng. 6x)
- understanding (Rcrng. 9x) - wisdom (Rcrng. 6x) - lesson (Rcrng. 5x) |
3.3 Pink: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to see others as inspiration, as guide, as source life with ease, being grateful to them. | - grateful (Rcrng. 13x)- relation (Rcrng. 12x)- understanding (Rcrng. 9x)
- well-being (Rcrng.7x) |
3.4 Pink: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to see creation as a value, as cause to others to lighten up the heavy problems, finding solutions beyond human understanding [life is a mystery]. | - beauty (Rcrng. 6x)- meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x)
|
4. Pink: | - Living the values of having as sense of happiness, well-being and contentment | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)- happiness (Rcrng.10x)
- contentment (Rcrng. 3x) |
5. (a) Pink:5. (b) Pink:
5. © Pink: |
- Living the values of having as sense of happiness, acceptance, well-being and contentment, sense of freedom to decide for a happy life, gratitude to all those who cause our joy, not to worry about the problem that we should not worry at all. | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)- happiness (Rcrng.10x)
- freedom (Rcrng. 15x) - free from worries (Rcrng. 9x) |
9. RJE, NEA and FIE of Elvie: “Mayroon kang madudukot”(You have resource to rely on) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. Elvie: | - Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay)is to have extra money to buy more than just the basic needs. | - money to buy (Rcrng. 13x) |
2. Elvie: | - Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is a joyful feeling, free from worries. | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- free from worries (Rcrng. 9x) |
3. Elvie: | - Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to find God, myself, my fellow being, nature in all parts of life. | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x) |
4. Elvie: | - Living the values of generosity, joyful helping, of thrift and saving for the future. | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- generosity (Rcrng. 14x)- earning / saving (Rcrng. 7x)
- thrift (Rcrng. 6x) - saving for the future (Rcrng. 6x) - sustain (Rcrng. 6x) |
5. Elvie: | - Living the values of generosity, sharing the blessings, faith in God’s providence. | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- generosity (Rcrng. 14x)- share (Rcrng.11x)
- faith (Rcrng. 15x) - God source of life (Rcrng. 13x) - providence (Rcrng. 10x) |
10. RJE, NEA and FIE of Rommel: “Nakakaluwag-luwag sa problema”(To reduce ones problems) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. Rommel: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to live the values of generosity, joyful helping, of having sense of responsibility | - generosity (Rcrng. 14x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)- responsibility (Rcrng. 9x) |
2. Rommel: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is a joyful feeling; being happy, | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- happiness (Rcrng.10x)
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3. Rommel: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to find God, myself, my fellow being, nature in all parts of life. | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x) |
4. Rommel: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to live the values of generosity, faith in God’s providence, respect for fellow being. | - generosity (Rcrng. 14x)- faith (Rcrng. 15x)- providence (Rcrng. 10x) |
5. Rommel: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to live the values of sense of contentment; positive outlook in life. | - contentment (Rcrng. 3x)- beauty (Rcrng. 6x)- meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x) |
11. RJE, NEA and FIE of Benson: “Nakakaramdam ako ng pagkaluwag” (I feel with ease) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. Benson: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to live the values of sense of freedom, generosity, joyful helping | - freedom (Rcrng. 15x)- generosity (Rcrng. 14x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x) |
2. (a) Benson: 2. (b) Benson:
|
- Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is a joyful feeling: sharing this joy with your fellow being (with family member, friends) | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- share (Rcrng. 11x)- relation (Rcrng. 12x)
|
3.1 Benson: | - is to be grateful to God, being able cope with problems and concerns (studies) | - grateful (Rcrng. 13x)- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x) |
3.2 Benson: | - is to live the values of joyful helping, of sense of gratitude to all those who cause our joy | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- gratitude (Rcrng. 6x) |
3.3 Benson: | - is to live the values of generosity, of joyful helping, of sense of gratitude | - generosity (Rcrng. 14x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)- gratitude (Rcrng. 6x) |
3.4 Benson: | - is to see creation as a value, of sense of responsibility | - responsibility (Rcrng. 9x)- beauty (Rcrng. 6x) |
4. Benson: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to live the values of having as sense of meaning, well-being and contentment, with or without ease in life; with or without problem | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- well-being (Rcrng.7x)- condition (Rcrng. 12x) / positive & negative situation |
5. Benson: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to live the values of having as sense of acceptance, sense of freedom and responsibility, sense of meaning and purpose | - acceptance (Rcrng. 3x)- freedom (Rcrng. 15x)- responsibility (Rcrng. 9x)
- meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)
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12. RJE, NEA and FIE of V-Mae: “Malakas na kapit”(To keep holding on) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. V-Mae: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is being able to cope with or easily find answers to problems | - solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x)- free from worries (Rcrng. 9x) |
2. V-Mae: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to feel light, to feel joyful | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- happiness (Rcrng.10x) |
3.1 V-Mae: | - Hopeful living to face life’s trials alone | - hope (Rcrng. 6x)- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x) |
3.2 V-Mae: | - Hopeful living being alone | - hope (Rcrng. 6x)- peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x) |
3.3. V-Mae: | - Hopeful living to face life’s trials in the midst of despair or desperate people | - hope (Rcrng. 6x)- peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x) |
3.4 V-Mae: | - Hopeful living to just simply keep quiet | - peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x) |
4. V-Mae: | - Hopeful living to face life’s trials | - free from worries (Rcrng. 9x) |
5. V-Mae: | - Living with ease in life (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to face life’s trials, to live the values of acceptance. | - acceptance (Rcrng. 3x)
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13. RJE, NEA and FIE of Nelca: “Nakakapagpaluwag sa buhay ng iba” (To bring ease to other’s life) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. (a) Nelca: 1. (b) Nelca:
1. © Nelca: |
- Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to have extra money to buy more than just the basic needs, to buy things that make life more comfortable and enjoyable, to share quality time with your fellow beings (with family members, friends), to be free from the worries of life | - money to buy (Rcrng. 13x)- peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)
- happiness (Rcrng.10x) - relation (Rcrng. 12x) - well-being (Rcrng.7x) |
2. (a) Nelca: 2. (b) Nelca:
2. © Nelca:
|
- Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is a joyful feeling, free from worries, having a sense of freedom, well-being and contentment | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- free from worries (Rcrng. 9x)- freedom (Rcrng. 15x)
- well-being (Rcrng.7x) - contentment (Rcrng. 3x) |
3.1 (a) Nelca: 3.1 (b) Nelca:
3.1 © Nelca:
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- Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is living the values of faith, faith in God’s providence | - faith (Rcrng. 15x)- providence (Rcrng. 10x) |
3.2 Nelca: 3.3 (a) Nelca:
3.3 (b) Nelca
3.3 © Nelca:
3.4 Nelca:
|
- Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is an opportunity to find joy and joyfully share and help those who are in need most, to simply give, to have space (compassion) for others | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- share (Rcrng. 11x)- give (Rcrng. 11x) with joy
- opportunity (Rcrng. 4x) - give (Rcrng. 11x) / to those in need - compassion (Rcrng. 6x) |
4. (a) Nelca: 4. (b) Nelca:
4. © Nelca
|
- Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to be grateful and thankful to God as a source of blessings, to joyfully share to those who are in need most, to live the values of thrift and saving for the future | - grateful (Rcrng. 13x)- God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)- thrift (Rcrng. 6x)
- saving for the future (Rcrng. 6x) - sustain (Rcrng. 6x) |
5. (a) Nelca: 5. (b) Nelca:
5. © Nelca: |
- Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to live the values of thrift and saving for the future | - thrift (Rcrng. 6x)- saving for the future (Rcrng. 6x)- sustain (Rcrng. 6x) |
14. RJE, NEA and FIE of Gary: “Kaluwagan sa mundong ito” (To have ease in this world) |
Initial Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
Recurring (Rcrng) Nakakaluwag Sub-Themes |
1. (a) Gary: 1. (b) Gary:
1. © Gary:
1. (d) Gary: |
- Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to have extra money to buy more than just the basic needs, to buy things that make life more comfortable and enjoyable, to share quality time with your fellow beings (with family members, friends) | - money to buy (Rcrng. 13x)- peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)
- happiness (Rcrng.10x) - relation (Rcrng. 12x) - well-being (Rcrng.7x) |
2. (a) Gary: 2. (b) Gary: | - Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is a joyful feeling, living the values of joyful helping, to be grateful to God in difficult times (panahon ng kagiptan), a hopeful living to face life’s trials, being able to cope with problems and concerns, free from worries | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- grateful (Rcrng. 13x)- hope (Rcrng. 6x)
- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x) - free from worries (Rcrng. 9x)
|
3.1 (a) Gary: 3.1 (b) Gary: | - Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is living the values of faith, faith in God’s providence | - faith (Rcrng. 15x)- God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)- providence (Rcrng. 10x) |
3.2 Gary: | - Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to live the values of faith, of joyful helping, of having sense of responsibility, of fulfillment in doing a social obligation. | - faith (Rcrng. 15x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)- responsibility (Rcrng. 9x) /obligation
- commitment (Rcrng. 2x) |
3.3 Gary: 3.4 Gary:
|
- Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is an opportunity to joyfully share and help those who are in need most, to simply give, to have space (compassion) for others | - share (Rcrng. 11x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)- give (Rcrng. 11x) |
4. (a) Gary: 4. (b) Gary:
4. © Gary:
|
- Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is an opportunity to joyfully share to those who are in need most in whatever situations in life you are in, either nakakaluwag (ease) or hindi nakakaluwag or gipit (without ease) | - share (Rcrng. 11x)- give (Rcrng. 11x)- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x)
|
5. (a) Gary: 5. (b) Gary:
|
- Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is to live the values of having as sense of meaning and purpose, of sense of gratitude | - meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- gratitude (Rcrng. 6x) |
Table 13 shows these forty four (44) nakakaluwag interrelated sub-themes that arose from the thematic analysis. The first column with the heading: ‘44 Sub-Themes’ contains the forty four (44) sub-themes arranged alphabetically and their frequency of occurrences is indicated. The second column with the heading: ‘Related Sub-Themes’ contains the forty four (44) sets or clusters of sub-themes whose shared-meanings are enclosed for each of the corresponding sub-theme found in the first column.
Table 13. The Forty four (44) Nakakaluwag Sub-themes and their Related Sub-themes
No. |
44 Sub-Themes |
Related Sub-Themes |
1 |
acceptance (Rcrng. 3x) | - solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x)- peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x)- free from worries (Rcrng. 9x)
- contentment (Rcrng. 3x) |
2 |
beauty (Rcrng. 6x) | - clean (Rcrng. 2x)- responsibility (Rcrng. 9x)- commitment (Rcrng. 2x)
- opportunity (Rcrng. 4x) - expanse (Rcrng. 2x) |
3 |
blessings (Rcrng. 5x) | - faith (Rcrng. 15x)- God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)- providence (Rcrng. 10x) |
4 |
clean (Rcrng. 2x) | - beauty (Rcrng. 6x)- responsibility (Rcrng. 9x)- commitment (Rcrng. 2x)
- opportunity (Rcrng. 4x) - expanse (Rcrng. 2x) |
5 |
commitment (Rcrng. 2x) | - empower (Rcrng. 6x)- responsibility (Rcrng. 9x)- freedom (Rcrng. 15x)
- opportunity (Rcrng. 4x) |
6 |
compassion (Rcrng. 6x) | - gratitude (Rcrng. 6x)- love (Rcrng. 4x)- give (Rcrng. 11x)
- fair (Rcrng. 4x) - equality (Rcrng. 2x) |
7 |
condition (Rcrng. 12x) | - mind-set (Rcrng. 3x)- hope (Rcrng. 6x) |
8 |
contentment (Rcrng. 3x) | - peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x)- free from worries (Rcrng. 9x)- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x)
- acceptance (Rcrng. 3x) |
9 |
earning and saving (Rcrng. 7x) | - money to buy (Rcrng. 13x)- work (Rcrng. 5x)- saving for the future (Rcrng. 6x) |
10 |
empower (Rcrng. 6x) | - freedom (Rcrng. 15x)- responsibility (Rcrng. 9x)- commitment (Rcrng. 2x)
- opportunity (Rcrng. 4x) - expanse (Rcrng. 2x) |
11 |
equality (Rcrng. 2x) | - fair (Rcrng. 4x)- love (Rcrng. 4x)- compassion (Rcrng. 6x)
- hope (Rcrng. 6x) - give (Rcrng. 11x) |
12 |
expanse (Rcrng. 2x) | - freedom (Rcrng. 15x)- empower (Rcrng. 6x)- responsibility (Rcrng. 9x)
- commitment (Rcrng. 2x) - opportunity (Rcrng. 4x) |
13 |
fair (Rcrng. 4x) | - equality (Rcrng. 2x)- love (Rcrng. 4x)- compassion (Rcrng. 6x)
- hope (Rcrng. 6x) - give (Rcrng. 11x) |
14 |
faith (Rcrng. 15x) | - God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)- providence (Rcrng. 10x)- blessings (Rcrng. 5x)
- relation (Rcrng. 12x) |
15 |
free from worries (Rcrng. 9x) | - peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x)- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x)- contentment (Rcrng. 3x)
- acceptance (Rcrng. 3x) |
16 |
freedom (Rcrng. 15x) | - empower (Rcrng. 6x)- responsibility (Rcrng. 9x)- commitment (Rcrng. 2x)
- opportunity (Rcrng. 4x) - expanse (Rcrng. 2x) - beauty (Rcrng. 6x) - clean (Rcrng. 2x)
|
17 |
generosity (Rcrng. 14x) | - give (Rcrng. 11x)- share (Rcrng. 11x)- grateful (Rcrng. 13x)
- compassion (Rcrng. 6x) - gratitude (Rcrng. 6x) - love (Rcrng. 4x) - fair (Rcrng. 4x) - equality (Rcrng. 2x) |
18 |
give (Rcrng. 11x) | - generosity (Rcrng. 14x)- share (Rcrng. 11x)- grateful (Rcrng. 13x)
- gratitude (Rcrng. 6x) |
19 |
God source of life (Rcrng. 13x) | - faith (Rcrng. 15x)- providence (Rcrng. 10x)- blessings (Rcrng. 5x)
- relation (Rcrng. 12x) |
20 |
grateful (Rcrng. 13x) | - gratitude (Rcrng. 6x)- give (Rcrng. 11x)- generosity (Rcrng. 14x)
- share (Rcrng. 11x) |
21 |
gratitude (Rcrng. 6x) | - grateful (Rcrng. 13x)- give (Rcrng. 11x)- generosity (Rcrng. 14x)
- share (Rcrng. 11x) |
22 |
happiness (Rcrng.10x) | - joy (Rcrng. 35x)- meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- heart / mind (Rcrng.2x)
- well-being (Rcrng.7x) |
23 |
heart / mind (Rcrng.2x) | - well-being (Rcrng.7x)- meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)
- happiness (Rcrng.10x) |
24 |
hope (Rcrng. 6x) | - condition (Rcrng. 12x)- mind-set (Rcrng. 3x) |
25 |
joy (Rcrng. 35x) | - happiness (Rcrng.10x)- meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x)- heart / mind (Rcrng.2x)
- well-being (Rcrng.7x) |
26 |
lesson (Rcrng. 5x) | - wisdom (Rcrng. 6x)- understanding (Rcrng. 9x) |
27 |
love (Rcrng. 4x) | - compassion (Rcrng. 6x)- hope (Rcrng. 6x)- give (Rcrng. 11x)
- equality (Rcrng. 2x) - fair (Rcrng. 4x) |
28 |
meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x) | - heart / mind (Rcrng.2x)- well-being (Rcrng.7x)- joy (Rcrng. 35x)
- happiness (Rcrng.10x) |
29 |
mind-set (Rcrng. 3x) | - condition (Rcrng. 12x)- hope (Rcrng. 6x) |
30 |
money to buy (Rcrng. 13x) | - earning / saving (Rcrng. 7x)- work (Rcrng. 5x)- saving for the future (Rcrng. 6x)
- condition (Rcrng. 12x) - hope (Rcrng. 6x) - sustain (Rcrng. 6x - thrift (Rcrng. 6x) - mind-set (Rcrng. 3x) |
31 |
opportunity (Rcrng. 4x) | - responsibility (Rcrng. 9x)- freedom (Rcrng. 15x)- empower (Rcrng. 6x)
- commitment (Rcrng. 2x) |
32 |
peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x) | - free from worries (Rcrng. 9x)- solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x)- contentment (Rcrng. 3x)
- acceptance (Rcrng. 3x) |
33 |
providence (Rcrng. 10x) | - God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)- Faith (Rcrng. 15x)- blessings (Rcrng. 5x) |
34 |
relation (Rcrng. 12x) | - faith (Rcrng. 15x)- God source of life (Rcrng. 13x)- providence (Rcrng. 10x)
- blessings (Rcrng. 5x) |
35 |
responsibility (Rcrng. 9x) | - freedom (Rcrng. 15x)- empower (Rcrng. 6x)- commitment (Rcrng. 2x)
- opportunity (Rcrng. 4x) - expanse (Rcrng. 2x) |
36 |
saving for the future (Rcrng. 6x) | - sustain (Rcrng. 6x)- thrift (Rcrng. 6x)- earning / saving (Rcrng. 7x) |
37 |
share (Rcrng. 11x) | - give (Rcrng. 11x)- generosity (Rcrng. 14x) |
38 |
solutions to problems (Rcrng. 14x) | - peace of mind (Rcrng. 14x)- free from worries (Rcrng. 9x)- contentment (Rcrng. 3x)
- acceptance (Rcrng. 3x) |
39 |
sustain (Rcrng. 6x) | - saving for the future (Rcrng. 6x)- thrift (Rcrng. 6x)- earning / saving (Rcrng. 7x) |
40 |
thrift (Rcrng. 6x) | - saving for the future (Rcrng. 6x)- sustain (Rcrng. 6x)- earning / saving (Rcrng. 7x) |
41 |
understanding (Rcrng. 9x) | - wisdom (Rcrng. 6x)- lesson (Rcrng. 5x) |
42 |
well-being (Rcrng.7x) | - heart / mind (Rcrng.2x)- meaning / purpose (Rcrng. 25x) |
43 |
wisdom (Rcrng. 6x) | - understanding (Rcrng. 9x)- lesson (Rcrng. 5x) |
44 |
work (Rcrng. 5x) | - earning / saving (Rcrng. 7x)- money to buy (Rcrng. 13x)- saving for the future (Rcrng. 6x) |
Thematic Reflection: Answers to the Research Questions through the Proverbial Themes
The writer recognized the significance and the interrelationships of the various meaning units, sub-themes and themes on the phenomenon of the lived-experience of nakakaluwag. And by employing the modified version of Aronson’s (1994) five (5) steps of thematic analysis, the interpretation-description of the Co-Rs’ TEXT on the lived-experience of nakakaluwag gradually generated seven (7) proverbial themes. Nevertheless, Van Manen (2002) maintains that as we gain themes and thematic statements, we may wish to capture these thematic statements in more phenomenologically sensitive paragraphs (par. 5).
But why has it generated the Filipino Proverbs or Salawikain? It is because they conspicuously surfaced as natural key thematic statements that are gradually unfolding from within the Co-Rs’ integrated shared-understanding of the phenomenon of nakakaluwag and at the same time enclosing the scattered components or fragments of their shared-meanings to constitute the lived-experience of nakakaluwag.
Table 14 shows these seven (7) proverbial themes and forty four (44) sub-themes that surfaced from the thematic analysis of Co-Rs’ TEXT. The first column with the heading: ‘7 Proverbial Themes’ contains the (7) proverbial themes, indicating the total number of clustered sub-themes that are enclosed within, while the second column with the heading: ‘44 Sub-Themes’ contains the forty four (44) sub-themes, clustered by the corresponding proverbial theme and were sorted from highest to the lowest number of occurrence.
The third column with the heading: ‘Frequency & Percentage of Sub-Themes Recurrences’ shows the rate of occurrence out of forty four (44) sub-themes and their percentage equivalent. To calculate the percentage of a sub-theme occurrence, the writer simply divided the total number of occurrences of a given sub-theme by the total number of all sub-themes identified, multiplied the answer (quotient) by 100. In this case (as it was applied to all the succeeding cases), the sub-theme ‘joy’ emerged 35 times out of all the 44 sub-themes. Thus, the percentage of occurrences of a sub-theme ‘joy’ is 35 ÷ 44 = 0.79545 x 100 = 79.55%.
The fourth column with the heading ‘14 Co-Rs that articulated the Sub-Themes’ indicates who among them who had in fact articulated the said sub-themes. And lastly, the fifth column with the heading: ‘Number & Percentage of Co-Rs who articulated the Sub-Themes’ indicates the total number out of 14 Co-Rs who actually articulated the sub-themes and their percentage equivalent. To calculate the percentage of a Co-R’s occurrence who articulated a sub-theme, the writer simply divided the total number of a Co-R’s occurrence by the total number of all Co-Rs, and multiplied the answer (quotient) by 100. In this case (as it was also applied to all the preceding and succeeding cases), the sub-theme ‘joy’ was articulated by 14 Co-Rs out of all the 14 Co-Rs. Thus, the percentage of Co-Rs who articulated the sub-theme ‘joy’ is 14 ÷ 14 = 1.0 x 100 = 100%.
The writer is aware that a theme, as Van Manen puts it, is not about a frequency count of selected terms, rather it is the experience of meaning [or the meaning of experience] (as cited in Bellefeuille, 2005, p. 114). The writer’s purpose of calculating the percentages of both the occurrences of a sub-theme and the Co-Rs who articulated the said sub-theme above is to simply provide him important insights and perspectives into the possibility of a more creative, intuitive and meaningful thematic analysis and, subsequently, thematic reflection. All the interpreted-described themes, whose percentages of occurrences were calculated, do not reflect a hierarchy of significance. They truly and simply represent the lived-experience of nakakaluwag.
Table 14. 7 Proverbial Themes and 44 Sub-themes arising from the Co-Rs’ TEXT
7 Proverbial Themes |
44 Sub-Themes |
Frequency & Percentage of Sub-Themes Recurrences |
14 Co-Rs that articulated the Sub-Themes |
Number & Percentage of Co-Rs who articulated the Sub-Themes |
Theme 1“Ang buhay ay parang gulong, minsang nasa ibabaw, minsang nasa ilalim.” (5 Sub-Themes) | 1. joy | 35 of 4479.55 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 3. Maricel, 4. Jorelle, 5. Joe, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink, 9. Elvie, 10. Rommel, 11. Benson, 12. V-Mae, 13. Nelca, 14. Gary | 14 of 14100 % |
2. meaning / purpose | 25 of 4456.82 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 3. Maricel, 4. Jorelle, 5. Joe, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink, 9. Elvie, 10. Rommel, 11. Benson, 14. Gary | 12 of 1485.71 % | |
3. happiness | 10 of 4422.73 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 5. Joe, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink, 10. Rommel, 12. V-Mae, 13. Nelca,14. Gary | 9 of 1464.29 % | |
4. well-being | 7 of 4415..91 % | 1. Rowel, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink, 11. Benson, 13. Nelca, 14. Gary | 6 of 1442.86 % | |
5. heart / mind | 2 of 444.55 % | 1. Rowel, 5. Joe | 2 of 1414.29 % | |
Theme 2 “Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.” (5 Sub-Themes) | 1. faith | 15 x34.09 % | 2. Dino, 3. Maricel, 5. Joe, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 9. Elvie, 10. Rommel, 13. Nelca, 14. Gary | 9 of 1464.29 % |
2. God source of life | 13 of 4429.55 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 4. Jorelle, 5. Joe, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink, 9. Elvie, 13. Nelca, 14. Gary | 10 of 1471.43 % | |
3. relation | 12 of 4427.27 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 4. Jorelle, 6. Me-Ann, 8. Pink, 11. Benson, 13. Nelca, 14. Gary | 8 of 1457.14 % | |
4. providence | 10 of 4422.73 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 6. Me-Ann, 8. Pink, 9. Elvie, 10. Rommel, 13. Nelca, 14. Gary | 8 of 1457.14 % | |
5. blessings | 5 of 4411.36 % | 2. Dino, 3. Maricel, 4. Jorelle | 3 of 1421.43 %
|
|
Theme 3 “Kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw may dahilan.” (5 Sub-Themes) | 1. solutions to problems | 14 of 4431.82 % | 2. Dino, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink, 11. Benson, 12. V-Mae, 14. Gary | 7 of 1450 %
|
2. peace of mind | 14 of 4431.82 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 4. Jorelle, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink, 12. V-Mae, 13. Nelca, 14. Gary | 9 of 1464.29 % | |
3. free from worries | 9 of 4420.45% | 3. Maricel, 8. Pink, 9. Elvie, 12. V-Mae, 13. Nelca, 14. Gary, | 6 of 1442.86 % | |
4. acceptance | 3 of 446.82 % | 8. Pink, 11. Benson, 12. V-Mae | 3 of 1421.43 % | |
5. contentment | 3 of 446.82 % | 8. Pink, 10. Rommel, 13. Nelca | 3 of 1421.43 % | |
Theme 4 “Kung may isinuksok, may madudukot.” (3 Sub-Themes) | 1. understanding | 9 of 4420.45 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 5. Joel, 6. Me-Anne, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink | 6 of 1442.86 % |
2. wisdom | 6 of 4413.63 % | 2. Dino, 5. Joe, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink | 5 of 1435.71 % | |
3. lesson | 5 of 4411.36 % | 5. Joe, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink | 4 of 1428.57 % | |
Theme 5 “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay di makakarating sa paroroonan.” (9 Sub-Themes) | 1. generosity | 14 of 4431.82 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 3. Maricel, 4. Jorelle, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 9. Elvie, 10. Rommel, 11. Benson | 9 of 1464.29 % |
2. grateful | 13 of 4429.55 % | 2. Dino, 3. Maricel, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink, 9. Elvie, 11. Benson, 13. Nelca, 14. Gary | 9 of 1464.29 % | |
3. give | 11 of 4425 % | 2. Dino, 5. Joe, 13. Nelca, 14. Gary | 4 of 1428.57 % | |
4. share | 11 of 4425 % | 2. Dino, 5. Joe, 9. Elvie, 11. Benson, 13. Nelca, 14. Gary | 6 of 1442.86 % | |
5. compassion | 6 of 4413.64 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 5. Joe, 7. Lorence, 13. Nelca | 5 of 1435.71 % | |
6. gratitude | 6 of 4413.64 % | 2. Dino, 3. Maricel, 6. Me-Ann, 11. Benson, 14. Gary | 5 of 1435.71 % | |
7. fair | 4 of 449.09 % | 2. Dino, 5. Joe | 2 of 1414.29 % | |
8. love | 4 of 449.09 % | 1. Rowel, 5. Joe, 7. Lorence | 3 of 1421.43 % | |
9. equality | 2 of 444.55 % | 2. Dino, 5. Joe | 2 of 1414.29 % | |
Theme 6 “Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilaga.” (8 Sub-Themes) | 1. freedom | 15 of 4434.09 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 3. Maricel, 4. Jorelle, 5. Joe, 6. Me-Ann, 8. Pink, 11. Benson, 13. Nelca | 9 of 1464.29 % |
2. responsibility | 9 of 4420.45 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 4. Jorelle, 5. Joe, 10. Rommel, 11. Benson, 14. Gary | 7 of 1450 % | |
3. empower | 6 of 4413.63 % | 1. Rowel, 2. Dino, 3. Maricel, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink | 5 of 1435.71 % | |
4. beauty | 6 of 4413.63 % | 1. Rowel, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink, 10. Rommel, 11. Benson | 6 of 1442.86 % | |
5. opportunity | 4 of 449.09 % | 2. Dino, 6. Me-Ann, 13. Nelca | 3 of 1421.43 % | |
6.expanse | 2 of 444.55 % | 2. Dino, 5. Joe | 2 of 1414.29 % | |
7. clean | 2 of 444.55 % | 3. Maricel, 4. Jorelle | 2 of 1414.29 % | |
8. commitment | 2 of 444.55 % | 5. Joe, 14. Gary | 2 of 1414.29 % | |
Theme 7 “Hanggang maiksi ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot.”(9 Sub-Themes) | 1. money to buy | 13 of 4429.55 % | 2. Dino, 3. Maricel, 4. Jorelle, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink, 9. Elvie, 13. Nelca, 14. Gary | 9 of 1464.29 % |
2. condition | 12 of 4427.27 % | 1. Rowel, 3. Maricel, 5. Joe, 6. Me-Ann, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink, 11. Benson | 7 of 1450 % | |
3. earning / saving | 7 of 4415.91 % | 2. Dino, 4. Jorelle, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink, 9. Elvie | 5 of 1435.71 % | |
4. hope | 6 of 4413.63 % | 3. Maricel, 7. Lorence, 12. V-Mae, 14. Gary | 4 of 1428.57 % | |
5. saving for the future | 6 of 4413.63 % | 3. Maricel, 7. Lorence, 9. Elvie, 13. Nelca | 4 of 1428.57 % | |
6. sustain | 6 of 4413.63 % | 3. Maricel, 7. Lorence, 9. Elvie, 13. Nelca | 4 of 1428.57 % | |
7. thrift | 6 of 4413.63 % | 3. Maricel, 7. Lorence, 9. Elvie, 13. Nelca | 4 of 1428.57 % | |
8. work | 5 of 4411.36 % | 2. Dino, 4. Jorelle, 7. Lorence, 8. Pink | 4 of 1428.57 % | |
9. mind-set | 3 of 446.82 % | 1. Rowel, 5. Joe | 2 of 1414.29 % |
Hermeneutic-phenomenology, as explained earlier, investigates [interprets] and describes a phenomenon as experienced in life through phenomenological reflection and writing by developing a description [and interpretation] of the phenomenon (Osborne, 1994 as cited in Flood, 2010). Independently, hermeneutics is interpretive and phenomenology is descriptive. But as combined discipline, it is both interpretive seeking meaning and descriptive focusing on how things appear (Douglas & Wykowski, 2001, p. 90–91). Likewise, Van Manen (2002) claims that a “thematic reflection has hermeneutic or interpretive power when it allows us to proceed with phenomenological descriptions” (par. 4).
Through the thematic analysis, the writer saw the interrelatedness of all the meaning units, sub-themes and themes, and drew his attention in their differences in depth of meaning. In his attempt to interpret-describe the phenomenon of the lived-experience of nakakaluwag, seven (7) proverbial themes gradually emerged that were further elucidated by the forty four (44) interrelated and recurring (rcrng) sub-themes. These themes were referred to as the story line of the phenomenon of nakakaluwag.
Through the thematic reflection, it provides a measure of control and a sense of order in our research and writing (Van Manen, 2002). Thus, for the purpose of doing thematic reflection, the writer carefully selected the representative quotations that surfaced from the TEXT in which the Co-Rs shared-beliefs are all embedded and their shared-practices are all embodied, which eventually emerged into the following seven (7) proverbial themes (and Sub-themes) which addressed and answered the three (3) research questions of this study. The writer carefully determined the appropriate proverbial themes that answered the research questions asked, thus they are not arranged in sequential order.
Research Question 1.1 What are the significant nakakaluwag lived-experiences of the fourteen (14) co-researchers (Co-Rs) in terms of the fourfold relationality, with God?
Theme 2 “Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.” [6]
Tuwina’y pinapatnubayan tayo ng Panginoong Diyos. Alam nating dinidinig Niya ang ating mga dalangin. Ang Panginoon ay nakikinig at nakagabay sa atin ngunit kailangan nating magsikap upang makamtam ang tagumpay.
[We have always been guided by God. We know that He hears our prayers. The Lord listens and guides us, but we must strive to achieve success.]
Living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is: (2.1) living the values of faith, (2.2) experiencing God as the source of life, (2.3) a meaningful relating with others (pakikipagkapwa), (2.4) God’s providence and (2.5) a blessing.
2.1 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as living the values of faith.
Faith means being grateful for the life’s lessons learned, thanking God for all that He has given as precious gifts and finding His sacred presence always alive in either with or without ease in life (nakakaluwag o hirap man sa buhay); either amidst good times or bad times. As God listens and guides us, we must never forget to strive to reach and achieve success. The real measure of success is where faith seeks solutions and actions by facing life’s problems and not avoiding them, because at the end of the day we will all find rest both for our tired mind and body.
Co-R Lorence said, “Even if I don’t see God, I still feel his presence, even during the time that we were living without ease in life (hirap sa buhay) until the time that we are living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay).”
Co-R Maricel said, “I always pray to God, [I always] remember to thank Him in everything He had given me, sa madali, mahirap, maginhawa, malaki or maliit na bagay na blessings (in an easy, difficult, convenient, big or small things that are considered blessings.”
Co-R Nelca said, “Napakahalaga sa akin ang spiritual aspect ng aking buhay (The spiritual aspect of my life is very important to me). This defines in a way, how I view things in life. –Sa akin kasi, pag ramdam ko na ako ay nakakaluwag sa buhay (To me, when I felt living with ease in my life), malaking bahagi noon ay dahil sa malakas na pananampalataya sa Diyos (a big part of is due to [my] strong faith in God).”
Co-R Pink said, “[A]nd it’s not just dahil sa nakakaluwag ako sa buhay (because I’m living with ease in life) that I’m grateful to Him, but because I keep on asking Him and wondering why He is not giving me any problem in life, even once, and yet I know [if] he [will] give it [it’s only] because God knows I can cope with my problem.)”
Co-R Gary said, “With all honesty, I believe that what I have right now that make me nakakaluwag sa buhay (live life with ease) are not because of my sheer luck or even my knowledge and information but rather these are gifts of God to me.”
2.2 Experiencing God as the source of life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay).
God is present both in time with ease (panahon ng kaluwagan) and in time without ease (panahon ng kagiptan). We have to be grateful to God for being the source of life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay), more so for remaining as our redeemer in time without ease.
Co-R Jorelle said, “–I realized that there is a God who is always there for you and will never forsake you.”
Co-R Me-Ann said, “He [God] is the center of all my life [and] I’m grateful even with the ugly, more so of the beautiful things that happened in my life.”
Co-R Dino said, “I found the Lord in my relief (kaluwagan) because he is to whom I address my grateful thanks for all the blessings I received in my life. –It is clear in my consciousness that everything that I gained from God is his blessings to me and to others who are in need.”
Co-R Lorence said, “Even if I don’t see God, I still feel his presence, even during the time that we were living without ease in life (hirap sa buhay) until the time that we are living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay).”
Co-R Pink said, “I am a religious person that I should never forget God…that must never disappear [in my life]. I always emphasize that in each day that God has made, I cannot afford to miss thanking him because he has given me the pagkakataon para makaramdam ng luwag sa buhay (opportunity to experience life with ease).”
Co-R Dino said, “– At first, when I’m hard up for money, I thought that only money will give relief (kaluwagan). Eventually, it is not money that will provide relief (kaluwagan) in a given situation, but a meaningful communication with someone. –[L]ife goes on despite all the experiences I went through, and not all the time is sadness.”
2.3 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as a meaningful relating with others (pakikipagkapwa).
What really matters most is a meaningful relating with others (pakikipagkapwa) more than anything else, more than what money can buy. With our personal resolve not to give up we are able to survive all life’s trials, more so by drawing our strength from our communal relationships, from our family and friends support.
Co-R Jorelle even admitted the impact on his life his experienced upon meeting his father after more than eighteen years (18) of separation since birth. He said, “I felt ease (nakakaluwag) when I saw my father [for the first time] because I long to meet him.”
Co-R Pink said, “Kung nakakaluwag ako (When I experience life with ease) I see people as my inspiration. These people serve as guide, the way or it can also be maging sanhi kung bakit ako nakakaluwag (the reason why I experienced life with ease) and it is important to thank [and be grateful to] them because if not for them I will never come to realize ang halaga ng isang pakiramdam ng nakakaluwag (the value of an experience of a life with ease).”
Co-R Dino said, “[A life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay)] is not dependent on material things or money but on a meaningful relating with others; Life is easing (lumuluwag ang buhay) not because you have money, but because you have others with whom you are meaningfully relating with. — There is no ease (walang kaluwagan) when others do not exist… — I thought that only money will give relief (kaluwagan). Eventually, it is not money that will provide relief (kaluwagan) in a given situation, but a meaningful communication with someone.”
Co-R Benson said, “[Y]et even though it feels happy, you will not really enjoy it when you are all alone experiencing it, while your other friends are suffering with their problems.”
Co-R Gary said, “The moment I feel that I’m nakakaluwag (living with ease) in life is the time that I have more than enough of my blessings which I shared with my family and loved ones.”
Co-R Me-Ann said, “I asked myself over and over again on what moment in my life that I experienced life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) and what came into my mind is when I overcame those problems that my family faced, and at that time I have no idea how my family would be able to survive. …I was able to survive them all”
Co-R Nelca said, “I also believe that those times that I get to enjoy my time with my family and friends without the worries of money or time or work, are also times when you actually feel nakakaluwag (living with ease).”
2.4 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as God’s providence.
While faith means believing in God’s providence, God’s providence means everything that is, that comes from Him, moves through Him, and returns to Him. He, as the center of our life, should be feared [revered] and obeyed because He [may or seem to] ‘punish’ the selfish and the greedy, but blesses the selfless and the generous. God’s providence makes us as well acknowledge our mission in life, which is inseparably linked with what our faith demands: first, to meaningfully relate with others (pakikipagkapwa). Second, identify ourselves with them through what they have been going through in this life. Third, and to share with them our blessings.
Co-R Nelca said, “I know that [life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay)] is God’s work and blessings. In a sense, God remains to be the center of my being and my life.”
Co-R Joe said, “I find myself amongst Christians who believe in God and fear God who punish those who are selfish and greedy.”
Co-R Gary said, “I believe that God showered me with all these things to share and take care of my family and loved ones which I think one of my missions in life.”
Co-R Dino said, “It was clear to me then that the answer to my financial difficulty involved a large amount of funds as payment to the owner [of a house and lot I decided to purchase]. Money is in my opinion will give me great relief (malaking kaluwagan). But when I finally came into terms with the owner regarding my dilemma, never did I imagine that the owner would sympathize with me and informed me that he would be willing to wait anytime for my payment. –I just thought all along that only money would just be the solution to my financial difficulty. I was wrong. It was not money; rather all that was needed took only a meaningful relating with (pakikipagkapwa) the owner.”
Co-R Elvie said, “Don’t be greedy. …have faith in God always.”
Co-R Lorence said, “In a situation that I’m living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay), sometimes I realized I can identify myself with others (mga kapwa) through what they went through in life, and often times I advice them to be stronger to face hardships and trials that come into their lives [and that they should] not forget God.”
Co-R Me-Ann said, “I share to others, especially to my closed friends who are experiencing [at the moment] all the things I went through and survived them myself.–Everything will just come to an end, just say a prayer and act on them, [because] at the end everything will just turn out well. –I had always told the people close to me and even those who were not, that they should always pray and give thanks and never let oneself be defeated by things that come up in life, especially with problems, which are really the twin-partners of us people.”
2.5 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as a blessing.
What a blessing life has truly been for it overflows with more blessings coming from God. He remains the center of our lives who is always at work in, through and among us by bringing to our care those to whom He wants us to share our blessings with, that we may be able to comfort them so that they may experience life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) not only in time with ease (panahon ng kaluwagan), but more so in time without ease (panahon ng kagiptan).
Co-R Maricel said, “You feel that you’re like a millionaire. –I feel I’m lucky and at the same time blessed because my life is running smoothly.”
Co-R Rowel said, “God is present in either nakakaluwag (ease) or hindi nakakaluwag (without ease) situations in life. It’s the quality of closeness that is being experienced here. When situations are tough, the relationship with Him becomes more intense [but] in nakakaluwag (ease) situations; His name is glorified because of a lot of blessings.”
Co-R Nelca said, “Sa akin kasi, pag ramdam ko na ako ay nakakaluwag sa buhay (To me, when I felt living with ease in my life), malaking bahagi noon ay dahil sa malakas na pananampalataya sa Diyos (a big part of is due to [my] strong faith in God).”
Research Question 1.2 What are the significant nakakaluwag lived-experiences of the fourteen (14) co-researchers (Co-Rs) in terms of the fourfold relationality, with the self?
Theme 1 “Ang buhay ay parang gulong, minsang nasa ibabaw, minsang nasa ilalim.”
Ang buhay ay puno ng pagsubok. Kailangan nating patuloy na makibaka sa buhay. Sa ating pakikipagsapalaran ay maari tayong maging matagumpay o mabigo. Ang mahalaga ay patuloy tayong magkaroon ng pag-asa.
[Life is full of trials. We must continue to struggle in life. In facing life challenges we can be successful or not. The important thing is we continue to hope.]
Living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is: (1.1) a joyful feeling, (1.2) having a sense of meaning and purpose, (1.3) experiencing happiness, (1.4) having a sense of well-being and (1.5) engaging the hearts and minds.
1.1 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as a joyful feeling.
We experience a feeling of joy and security whenever our basic needs are met, that we have a home to stay and food on our table, realizing that we are all safe and God takes care of us. It also consists of being grateful to Him because we can remain happy amidst lot of problems, and still be happy even in these difficult times (panahon ng kagiptan) where life is full of trials.
As we continue to struggle in life, Co-R Rowel creatively confronts this and came up with an original acronym for luwag: as ligaya at laya; ugnayan at unawa; wagas; alwan at ginhawa. He said that, “The feeling of nakakaluwag in life (living with ease) is based on the above acronym provided for… the peace of mind encompasses all these conditions.” This provides us with a hopeful way of thinking in facing life challenges.
Co-R Nelca said, “I would consider myself nakakaluwag (living with ease) in life when I can actually buy things that I want – those that may not be considered necessities but makes life more comfortable and enjoyable. I would also say that I feel that I am nakakaluwag (living with ease) when I can do things that are pleasurable (e.g. vacation, fine dining) without compromising [the] basic needs.”
Co-R Gary said, “To be specific, I’m nakakaluwag (living with ease), if I have an enough food to eat, a modest place to stay, a good time for self while reading books and sipping coffee or beer and listening to music, and quarterly out of town and a (bonus travel abroad).” But also, it includes political participation and discourses with friends in the academe and some people in the government. If I made all of this, I’m in the state of nakakaluwag (life of ease).”
Co-R Pink, said “Ang pakiramdam ng nakakaluwag sa buhay ay napaka saya (It’s a joyful feeling to live with ease in life) most especially when you are free from worries.”
Co-R Benson said, “Masaya sa aking pakiramdam kapag ako ay nakakaluwang sa aking buhay (It is a joyful feeling when I live with ease).”
Co-R V-Mae said, “It always feels very light and it’s a joyful feeling.”
Co-R Lorence said, “…there are people still who are blessed with life of comfort and it’s [I guess] a joyful feeling. …to live with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) because many of us now are living without ease in life (hirap sa buhay) on a daily basis.
1.2 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as having meaning and purpose in life.
Life has a meaning and a purpose, be it nakakaluwag (with ease) or hindi nakakaluwag (without ease). The purpose of life is to seek and find meaning in our God, ourselves, our fellow beings and our (natural) world in which we live. It is also witnessing the life’s values by having a clean, colorful and meaningful life. It is a kind of life free from worries, of not worrying about any problems that we should not worry at all.
Co-R Dino said, “I also easily let go for them when I realized that they have greater needs than me. In my relief (kaluwagan), I see my fellow being (kapwa) as part of my experience. I have a feeling that whenever I found relief (kaluwagan), others should also find relief (kaluwagan).”
Co-R Elvie said, “It is a joyful feeling [free from worries] and nothing bothers your mind kung nakakaluwag sa buhay (when you are living with ease in life).”
Co-R Pink said, “I also learned many lessons kung ako ay nakakaranas ng pagkaluwag sa buhay (when I’m experiencing life with ease), I’m satisfied with many things that I have, and the more [I come to realize that] I have a purpose [in my life], that I should pay attention and prioritize the many things that I know could help me become a better person, for myself and para na rin sa akin kapwa (also for my fellow being). [We have to] be calm and be happy for nothing good will come out if we [just] keep worrying about the problems that we should not worry at all.”
Co-R Nelca said, “I also believe that those times that I get to enjoy my time with my family and friends without the worries of money or time or work, are also times when you actually feel nakakaluwag (living with ease).”
Co-R Gary said, “I feel that God is really taking care of me despite all the hardships and setbacks that I encountered in the years of my journey in life. I believe that God showered me with all these things to share and take care of my family and loved ones which I think one of my missions in life.”
1.3 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as experiencing happiness.
Life is the way it is and never the way we supposed and wanted it to be. But with what life offers, it is from which we are learning valuable life’s lessons by living the life’s values of generosity, of joyfully helping others, helping others freely, voluntarily and willingly, of being thrifty and saving for the future, and sense of gratitude to all those who cause our joy, of having patience and being hard working, and of being happy.
Co-R Dino said, “I could say that I am not selfish in letting go for my fellow being (kapwa). All I just wanted is to understand the reality of what they need.”
Co-R Joe said, “… I’d say, nakakaluwag in life feels generally pleasant–a bit happy, a of satisfaction, a bit nostalgic, and some other minimal emotional blending depending on the specific situation.”
Co-R Lorence said, “[A]nd I’m happy [now] because I’m also helping my family. [But I] must learn to be thrifty [and learn to save money] and [I] must also learn to help and share with other people who are in need [most].”
Co-R Elvie said, “You are able to help [and share with] people who are in need [most]. You have to save money [and learn to be thrifty] so that in the event of a financial difficulty later, you will have available money when you need it.”
1.4 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as having sense of well-being.
However, it is very unlikely that we can afford to be callous, insensitive and lacking in compassion for people. Even our natural environment sympathizes with our own sufferings which reflect or affect our physical condition, mental state and emotional mood; storm is implying conflict, rain is representing sadness and sunshine is signifying happiness. This is why feeling, thinking or knowing that we are nakakaluwag (life of ease) is to feel, think or know that there are people out there who need us, and that they have needs more than we do. And the more we care for the well-being of others, the greater is our own healing and sense of well-being.
Co-R Joe said, “Based on my experience, observation, and readings: ang isang tao ay nakakaluwag kung may kusang loob na pagbigay at pagtulong (a person is nakakaluwag [to feel or know that others have needs more than herself/himself]) whenever she/he voluntarily give and help. Nakakaluwag implies willingness in giving and helping.”
Co-R Pink said, “Kung nakakaluwag man tayo (If we are living with ease then) we have to be grateful to all the people who also have helped us and this should serve as an inspiration for other people who are in need of [our] help.”
Co-R Rommel said, “When I’m nakakaluwag in life (living with ease), I learned to help, to share and be a man for others. It feels that I have a social responsibility. Saka ko masasabi or naramdamang nakakaluwag ako sa buhay. (Then I say or I experienced life with ease).”
Co-R Nelca said, “I think for Filipinos, kahit konti, ang mahalaga ang pag-alaala sa kapakanan ng iba (no matter how small it maybe, what matters most is the concern [and care ] for the well-being of others).”
Co-R Gary said, “The moment I feel that I’m nakakaluwag (living with ease) in life is the time that I have more than enough of my blessings which I shared with my family and loved ones. The blessings and resources that I’m talking here are not only material that was obviously God given, but also psycho– social and even political.”
1.5 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as engaging the hearts and minds.
Living with ease is a struggle to get out from life without ease (hirap sa buhay), which is a condition where many of us are experiencing on a daily basis. This also means that facing life’s challenges is to experience life as a hopeful living by engaging our hearts and minds to learn new ways to cope with problems and concerns. It gives us an opportunity to continuously find joy and at the same time able to joyfully share by helping those who are in need most.
Co-R Dino said, “I just think that this is God’s blessings that I should be sharing with others. No matter how small or big it is. I’m just extremely grateful to the Lord that I have a decent job. I discovered myself as someone who can easily let go for others in time of ease and plenty (panahon ng kaluwagan).”
Co-R Joe said, “…others will be better taught by how I behaved in concrete terms and not by what I simply tell them. Values are caught, not taught. At my age, I no longer try to do what I teach, but I teach only what I do. In our house, we have a jar near the door where I put some coins (loose change) from time to time–to keep it more or less full. I do not only tell my wife, daughter, and the servants about it, but they actually see me (and others) get loose change from that jar for some beggars, indigents, tips for delivery boys, etc.”
Co-R Nelca said, “Kapag nakakaluwag ka sa buhay, isa sa mga una mong maiisip ay ang ibahagi ito lalong lalo na sa iyong pamilya (When you are living with ease in life, one of the first thing that you can think of is to share this, most especially with your family). For me, my family comes first, whether during times of difficulties or not.”
Research Question 1.3 What are the significant nakakaluwag lived-experiences of the fourteen (14) co-researchers (Co-Rs) in terms of the fourfold relationality, with fellow-human being?
Theme 5 “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay di makakarating sa paroroonan.”
Ang pagtanaw ng utang na loob ay kaugalian ng mga Pilipino. Tumatanaw tayo ng pasasalamat sa mga taong tumutulong at tumatangkilik sa atin. Naniniwala tayo sa pagtanaw ng utang na loob ay higit nating makakamtan ang tagumpay na ating hinahangad.
[The Filipinos’ deep sense of gratitude is uniquely a Filipino practice. We acknowledge with the deepest sense our debt of gratitude to all the persons who have been assisting and supporting us. We believe that by expressing our gratitude the more we will be able to achieve the success that we are aiming for.]
Living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is: (5.1) generosity, (5.2) gratefulness, (5.3) giving, (5.4) sharing, (5.5) compassion, (5.6) gratitude, (5.7) fair, (5.8) love and (5.9) equality.
5.1 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as generosity.
The following five (5) sub-themes, namely 5.1 generosity (14 of 44 or 31.82 %), 5.3 giving (11 of 44 or 25 %), 5.4 sharing (11 of 44 or 25 %), 5.5 compassion (6 of 44 or 13.64 %) and 5.8 love (4 of 44 or 9.09 %) are all unique and distinct from each other. Although they vary in terms of the numbers of frequency and the percentages of recurrences, these five (5) are all interrelated values out of the forty four (44) sub-themes already indentified. The writer preferred to discuss them all together here in this sub-theme section.
In sub-theme 4.3 (on life’s lesson), Co-R Rowel admits that generosity is one among the values namely, humility, patience and love that he has learned in life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay). As God blesses us as we intended to be selfless and generous, we too are taught and eventually learned the valuable life’s lessons of unselfish love (sub-theme 5.8 on love) by living the life’s values of generosity (sub-theme 5.1 on generosity). Life has truly been overflowing with abundant blessings coming from God, which are meant to be shared (sub-theme 5.4 on sharing) to comfort those who through no fault of their own have no access to life, have less or nothing in life at all. Likewise, living with ease urges us to share with others and to simply give (sub-theme 5.3 on giving) whatever blessings we have received and at the same time to enable ourselves to have space [empathy] for them.
At the end of the day, this is what living with ease is all about: there is a sense of compassion (sub-theme 5.5 on compassion); the feeling is light and we are generously sharing this sense of joy with others; with a family member, a friend or even a total stranger.
Co-R Rowel said, “[I]t’s easy to share my blessings with others.”
Co-R Dino said, “I’m happy and I feel light. When I have money it is just easy for me to share. Even though sometimes I do not have money, but when I understand the severity of the needs of others, I still give whatever else is left of me. –There is no ease (walang kaluwagan) when others do not exist. A life of ease (nakakaluwag ng buhay), yet with selfishness will not last. Eventually, it will envelope by itself while the ease of life squeezes into oneself (Sa di kalaunan, kusa itong umiimpit habang ang kaluwagan ay isinisiksik sa sarili).”
Co-R Gary said, “For me, I have so much joy in my heart because every time that I feel nakakaluwag (life with ease) in my life because I have the opportunities to provide a helping hand to my family and loved ones.”
Co-R Nelca said, “And when you see other people who do not have, you feel the need to share [to] them whatever blessings you have – marami man o hindi (whether they are big or small).”
Co-R Maricel said, “[N]ow a day …life is difficult and basic goods are expensive. –You should think ahead of the future because you are not certain of the unexpected things that may happen. And then, you should share your blessings to others, don’t be greedy. –[Because my life is running smoothly, so I’m happy] whenever I’m able to help my fellow being (kapwa) and made the person happy with the help I offered.”
Co-R Joe said, “Or perhaps, in my tithe and offering. When I am nakakaluwag, I give more in my offering. I find “God” in giving my tithe and offering because it is an act of worship for me–and for all those who gives to Someone they do not see. … I find in myself giving back a part of something that I received from my labor, and from others (in the form of gifts, inheritance, etc.) to those who are in need.”
5.2 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as gratefulness.
The following two (2) sub-themes, namely 5.2 gratefulness and 5.6 gratitude though unique and distinct from each other, are both interrelated values. The writer preferred to discuss them here in this sub-theme section.
There is no doubt that a deep sense of gratitude is uniquely a Filipino practice and the measure of our success is determined by the measure we express it. In whatever form that we have been assisted and supported, we acknowledge with the deepest sense our debt of gratitude to them by which we have reached our present status.
Sub-theme 2.1 (on living the values of faith) defines faith as being grateful for the life’s lessons learned, expressing our gratitude to God for all that He has given. Co-R Maricel gave her own testimony on the necessity to pray and to thank God for all that things that she received, big or small. She said, “I always pray to God, [I always] remember to thank Him in everything He had given me, sa madali, mahirap, maginhawa, malaki or maliit na bagay na blessings (in easy, difficult, convenient, big or small things” A thankful heart means living a life with gratitude and unselfish love. It is both a mind-set and an attitude that requires constant practice daily by which sharing with others sustains it.
Co-R Nelca said, “When you receive blessings, be thankful. No matter how simple or small such gift may be, be grateful.”
Co-R Lorence said, “[A]nd I’m grateful for God each day for all the trials that we have overcome every day.”
Co-R Dino said, “I’m just extremely grateful to the Lord that I have a decent job.”
Co-R Benson said, “In this situation, nakakaluwag ako sa aking buhay (I felt living with ease in my life) whenever I encountered God every time he helps me with my studies or in whatever I’m doing in my life.”
Co-R Me-Ann said, “It is really unavoidable not to think of possible solution, and never ever think that there will be no more tomorrow and never also think that there is no more reason to rejoice, …never forget to be thankful.”
5.3 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as giving.
For this sub-theme 5.3 giving and the following sub-themes 5.4 sharing, 5.5 compassion and 5.8 love, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 5.1.
5.4 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as sharing.
For this sub-theme 5.4, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 5.1.
5.5 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as compassion.
For this sub-theme 5.5, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 5.1.
5.6 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as gratitude.
For this sub-theme 5.6, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 5.2.
5.7 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as fair.
The following two (2) sub-themes, namely 5.7 fair and 5.9 equality though unique and distinct from each other, are both interrelated values. The writer preferred to discuss them here in this sub-theme section.
As cited in sub-theme 2.4 (on God’s providence), Co-R Dino said that, “It was not money; rather all that was needed took only a meaningful relating with (pakikipagkapwa) the owner.” He continued saying that, “Those who are living with ease (nakaluluwag na buhay) should have a fair view of others.”
Co-R Rommel said, “Never forget God, don’t be greedy, [dapat may] pakikipagkapwa (having a regard for the dignity of fellow being).”
Co-R Gary said, “I have a strong solidarity with my fellow being especially the poor and oppressed I believe those who have more in life should always help those who are oppressed [the poor and the victims of injustices].”
5.8 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as love.
For this sub-theme 5.8, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 5.1.
5.9 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as equality.
For this sub-theme 5.9, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 5.7.
Research Question 1.4 What are the significant nakakaluwag lived-experiences of the fourteen (14) co-researchers (Co-Rs) in terms of the fourfold relationality, with creation?
Theme 6 “Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilaga.”
Ang kasipagan ay puhunan sa tagumpay. Higit nating makakamit ang anumang hinahangad natin kung mamumuhunan tayo ng sipag at pagpupunyagi.
[Diligence is an investment to success. We will achieve more what we desire if we will invest in diligence and with great effort.]
Living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is: (6.1) freedom, (6.2) responsibility, (6.3) empower, (6.4) beauty, (6.5) opportunity, (6.6) expanse, (6.7) clean, (6.8) commitment.
6.1 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as freedom.
Like in sub-theme section 5.1, the writer preferred to discuss in this sub-theme section the following identified five (5) sub-themes, namely 6.1 freedom (15 of 44 or 34.09 %), 6.2 responsibility (9 of 44 or 20.45 %), 6.3 empower (6 of 44 or 13.63 %), 6.5 opportunity (4 of 44 or 9.09 %) and 6.8 commitment (2 of 44 or 4.55 %). They are all considered unique and also distinct from each other. Although they vary in terms of the numbers of frequency and the percentages of recurrences; these five (5) are all interrelated values (sub-themes).
Being diligent and being industrious are essential ingredients of success. If we intend to invest in diligence and industry, it would mean achieving more what we desire, notwithstanding the fact that great effort is necessary. Co-R Benson explicitly articulated his willingness to accomplish something out of his sheer determination in two ways: (1) those who are being helped should be willing to be helped, and (2) those that are helping should be determined to do it. He said, “[E]verybody should accept the help that is given to them by their kapwa (fellow being).” Then he encouraged all those who rendered the help by declaring, “We have a saying [in the Philippines] “Pag may tiyaga may nilaga” (if you have the determination, then you can fulfill it).” Then he continued, “Nakakaramdam ako ng pagkaluwag (I experienced life with ease) in my life whenever I’m unoccupied [free from work] or when I’m helping my kapwa-tao (fellow being).”
This is what living with ease is all about: freedom (sub-theme 6.1) in today’s fast-paced society is to free ourselves from all these busy tasks that make us so preoccupied that we fail to notice that we have the responsibility (sub-theme 6.2) and commitment (sub-theme 6.8) to be free for others, for a family member, for a friend or even for a total stranger. Freedom empowers (sub-theme 6.3) us to give back to God, to others and to give others the opportunity (sub-theme 6.5) to give back too. It is the same opportunity reiterated by Co-R Benson, to help and be helped. Co-R Dino would even define life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay) as an opportunity that has “power that enlightens life’s perspective, as a condition of being free, free from the enticements of the world and greed, free from selfishness towards becoming humane.”
Co-R Rowel said, “Either in nakakaluwag or not nakakaluwag situations, I always think that I have to “give it back” to God. –I feel more confident, able and energetic.”
Co-R Nelca said, “I feel a sense of freedom as well. –I also feel secured – materially, emotionally and spiritually.”
Co-R Joe said, “ ‘Maluwag’ or ‘maluwang’ literally means lightly held, loose, or spacious. It may also imply sufficient freedom to move around or having a comfortable space to work on.” –The term implies willingness in [freely] giving and helping: maluwag sa kalooban. …consider it more than the financial aspect of the concept. The ethic involves fulfillment in doing a social obligation [responsibility]. And this Filipino concept appears to be present even for the Filipinos overseas who send whatever amount to their relatives at home. … and may I add, even with animals and plants that are hungry or thirsty, I feel like giving food or water.”
Co-R Maricel said, “I feel nakakaluwag in life (living with ease) whenever I’m able to buy…the material things I needed, especially [for] my kids, and of course we never go hungry. There is no problem [free from any concerns] in life and the feeling is light while the time passes by.”
Co-R Dino said, “It is joyful feeling that all the people around me are also experiencing with me the same life of ease (kaluwagan sa buhay) I have. Many times I realized that wherever I encountered a life of ease (kaluwagan sa buhay) that was also the moment [an opportunity to help] where the unexpected needs of others confronted me.”
Co-R Gary said, [B]ecause of this belief in God [it] also allows me to enjoy the best in life but with a strong commitment to be active in exposing and opposing the ills of ours society and helping to propose possible solutions on these problems and concerns.”
6.2 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as responsibility.
For this sub-theme 6.2, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 6.1.
6.3 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as empower.
For this sub-theme 6.3, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 6.1.
6.4 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as beauty.
The following three (3) sub-themes, namely 6.4 beauty, 6.6 expanse and 6.7 clean though unique and distinct from each other, are all interrelated values. The writer preferred to discuss them here in this sub-theme section.
Both Co-Rs Maricel and Benson attribute meaning of life of ease (buhay na nakakaluwag) with natural creation in terms of clean and healthy surroundings (sub-theme 6.7). On the one hand, Co-R Maricel said, “Whenever you have healthy surroundings, there is no foul smell, and you have a clean environment.” On the other hand, Co-R Benson said, “In nature, it is more beautiful to see it if the surroundings are clean and if everybody does not throw garbage anywhere.”
Furthermore, Co-R Dino envisions the meaning of life of ease (buhay na nakakaluwag) in terms of the expanse of natural creation (sub-theme 6.6). His notion of expanse goes beyond the beautiful vast physical universe (sub-theme 6.4). He extends its meaning to a God as a divine being and as an infinite expanse who out of His endless generosity, mercy and love seeks humanity even when we humans refuse to seek and even reject Him. Co-R Dino said, “The expanse of natural creation helps in shaping a sense of meaning for a life of ease (buhay na nakakaluwag). Here I realized how generous God is in letting go all of his creation in behalf of serving human beings. –Therefore, a life of ease (maluwag na buhay) is not only confined to those who have in life but also to those who have nothing. However, for those people who are living with ease (maluwag na buhay), they [should] always have space (puwang) for their fellow being (kapwa).”
Co-R Lorence said, “I experience a life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay) in nature (kalikasan) because it provides us with everything, and we should love and take care of it.”
Co-R Jorelle said, “[I have to] help my fellow being (kapwa) and all the things (mga bagay bagay) surrounding us.”
Co-R Me-Ann said, “In nature I felt that [all] my surroundings are beautiful. Even the weather condition is one with me, the sun shines so bright, and though the temperature is hot, it’s windy [it helps bring a cool breeze] and all that I see is beautiful to my sight, and I’m happy.”
Co-R Pink said, “[T]he creation of God and all the other things are the ones helping me to lighten up the problems and to find solutions to many things that I just don’t understand myself.”
Co-R Rowel said, “The creation becomes more colorful and meaningful… The beauty and feeling of comfortableness from the heart exudes to become the basis on my outlook in life.”
6.5 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as opportunity.
For this sub-theme 6.5, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 6.1.
6.6 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as expanse.
For this sub-theme 6.6, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 6.4.
6.7 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as clean.
For this sub-theme 6.7, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 6.4.
6.8 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as commitment.
For this sub-theme 6.8, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 6.1.
Research Question 2. What pedagogical implications for sustainable living can be drawn from the nakakaluwag lived-experience narratives in view of the fourfold relationality?
Theme 7 “Hanggang maiksi ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot.”
Dapat nating matutunan ang pagtitiis. Nararapat din na maging masinop at pagtiyagaan natin ang anumang bagay na mayroon tayo. Pagkasyahin ang biyayang nasa ating mga kamay.
[We must learn how to sacrifice. We should be prudent and we make the most of whatever things we have. Practice austerity for the blessings we have in our hands.]
Living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is: (7.1) having money to buy, (7.2) condition, (7.3) earning and saving, (7.4) hope, (7.5) saving for the future, (7.6) sustaining, (7.7) thrifty, (7.8) having work and (7.9) mind-set.
7.1 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as having money to buy.
The practice of austerity for the blessings we have within us and within our reach implies two things: the how’s and the why’s towards a more sustainable way of living. While we must learn how to sacrifice for others for their own good, we also must realize that it would require giving up of anything that makes us comfortable and secure. This is best expressed by borrowing the words of philosopher Nietzsche who said that, “He who has a why to live can bear with almost anyhow.”[7]
The four (4) sub-themes, namely 7.2 condition, 7.4 hope, 7.6 sustaining and 7.9 mind-set are clustered as the why’s, while the other five (5) sub-themes, namely 7.1 having money to buy, 7.3 earning and saving, 7.5 saving for the future, 7.7 thrifty and 7.8 having work are clustered as the how’s. These two clusters are all considered unique, distinct from each other and at the same time interrelated values (sub-themes).
As cited in sub-theme section 6.1, living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) allows Co-R Maricel to see it as condition to afford the basic needs in life (sub-theme 7.1) and as freedom from any concerns and worries. She said, “I feel nakakaluwag in life (living with ease) whenever I’m able to buy… the material things I needed, especially [for] my kids, and of course we never go hungry.”
Co-R Lorence said, “And now I’m experiencing more the life of ease (kaluwagan ng buhay) not only because I can buy what I want, but I can even continue my schooling though it’s just a vocational course…”
Co-R Lorence said, “I suppose that the lesson that I can teach my fellow being (kapwa) is that though we are experiencing a life of ease (nakakaluwag ng buhay), this does not mean that we will have no more qualms at all about spending every centavo like there’s no tomorrow.”
7.2 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as condition.
In these two cases (below) the words of philosopher Nietzsche are applied: the ‘why’ refers to living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as necessary living condition and the ‘how’ refers to the ability to afford the basic needs and to be freed from any concerns. On the one hand, in sub-theme section 3.3, Co-R Rowel argues that living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as a living condition is both a state of mind and heart. He points out that, “How much the mind and the heart provide for such space becomes a living condition (sub-theme 7.2) on how a person experience luwag (ease).” On the other hand, living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay), as cited in sub-theme section 6.1 and already mentioned sub-theme section 7.1 empowers Co-R Maricel to see it as freedom from any concern and being able to buy the basic needs in life (sub-theme 7.1).
For Co-R Joe this living condition is not just a state of mind and heart. He proposes to distinguish first between a perceived state and the actual state. He said, “Nakakaluwag is a state. The prevailing set of conditions –just like in the state of the nation address of a president of a country. Kailan masasabing ang isang tao ay nakakaluwag? When is a person said to be in that state of nakakaluwag? He answered this question by explaining that, “A person may get fooled into thinking of being in a state when actually he is not in that state. And another person may think of being not in that state, when actually he is in that state (as may be indicated by some measurements of one or more instruments and empirical indicators.” Co-R Rowel insists that living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as a living condition is a state of mind and heart, while Co-R Joe asserts that it must be determined by empirical indicators. These two ideas are not opposed to each other. They are not mutually exclusive, but complementary to one another.
7.3 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as earning and saving.
The following four (4) sub-themes, namely 7.3 earning and saving, 7.5 saving for the future, 7.7 thrifty, and 7.8 having work though unique and distinct from each other, are all interrelated values. They belong to the ‘how’ cluster and the writer preferred to discuss them here in this sub-theme section.
First of all, Co-R Nelca specifically expresses the importance of saving (sub-theme 7.3) by saying, “Maybe if there is one thing that I would want other people to learn from my experience of nakakaluwag, it is the lesson of saving.” She also sees that the implications of saving for today will always have future consequence (sub-theme 7.5). She claims that, “For many Filipinos, the bahala na (leaves everything to chance) mentality is predominant. We tend to be very spontaneous that even when we do things, when we make decisions, we forget to consider the future.” She further recommends by declaring, “Save enough – avoid the bahala na (leaves everything to chance) mentality.” Secondly, Co-R Maricel advised us to be thrifty (sub-theme 7.7) by saying, “You should be careful in spending money especially these days because life is difficult and basic goods is expensive.” Both Co-Rs Lorence and Elvie agreed that saving and being thrifty are essential requisites to help:
Co-R Lorence said, “[A]nd I’m happy [now] because I’m also helping my family. [But I] must learn to be thrifty [and learn to save money] and [I] must also learn to help and share with other people who are in need [most].”
Co-R Elvie said, “You are able to help [and share with] people who are in need [most]. You have to save money [and learn to be thrifty] so that in the event of a financial difficulty later, you will have available money when you need it.”
Finally, as part of the ‘how’ cluster, Co-R Dino explains that work and money are corollary to each other (sub-theme 7.8). He said “I felt living with ease (nakaluluwag) when I started working and earning my own money. I was so delighted every pay day, and I’m giving money to my parents.” He is also convinced that work is not only a requisite to help but an opportunity by saying, “I just think that this is God’s blessings that I should be sharing with others. No matter how small or big it is. I’m just extremely grateful to the Lord that I have a decent job.”
By experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay), Co-R Jorelle sees work as a tool that enables himself to stand on his own, while Nelca sees God as the foundation of all the works that she does:
Co-R Jorelle said, “When you are able to relax and hang out with friends, and have a job, because it is only then that I experienced how to stand on my own feet.”
Co-R Nelca said, “I know that it is God’s work and blessings. In a sense, God remains to be the center of my being and my life.”
7.4 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as hope.
The two (2) sub-themes, namely 7.4 hope and 7.6 sustaining though unique and distinct from each other, are both interrelated values. Like sub-themes 7.2 condition and 7.9 mind-set, they belong to the ‘why’ cluster and the writer preferred to discuss them here.
In the above sub-theme sections, hope is discussed in (3) three different contexts. In sub-theme section 1.1, it talks about a hopeful way of thinking in facing life challenges. In sub-theme section 3.1, it deals with a hopeful sense of finding solutions to problems. Lastly, in sub-theme section 3.4, it discusses about a hopeful living amidst good times and bad.
Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) for Co-R V-Mae means hope (sub-theme 7.4). She explicitly said, “[I felt living with ease in my life] whenever I am …full of hope.” The following two Co-Rs implicitly discussed hope, for Maricel it is as an inner strength (lakas ng loob) to reach ones’ dream and for Me-Ann it is as having an optimistic outlook on life that there will always be a time to be happy:
Co-R Maricel said, “You should be strong and brave (malakas ang loob) in dealing with your destiny in life. Do not be afraid, you should be pro-God, trust in your own ability that you can reach your dreams.”
Co-R Me-Ann said, “The lesson I learned is that life goes on despite all the experiences I went through, and not all the time is sadness.
7.5 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as saving for the future.
For this sub-theme 7.5, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 7.3.
7.6 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as sustaining.
In sub-theme section 7.1, the how’s and the why’s towards a more sustainable way of living would imply having a sense of the future because by not doing anything today we may regret later. For instance, Co-R Nelca’s realization on the proper use of money creates among us a sense of well-being and emotional security. She said, “So gagastos ka kasi may pera ka ngayon (you squander your money away because you have them now) without considering that you are actually spending the money that is supposed to be for tomorrow’s needs.” In sub-theme section 1.3, another important practice of sustainable living is to start saving for the future and to save it right away even by starting small. An example of this is Co-R Elvie’s self-discipline to save money, who advised us saying , “You have to save money [and learn to be thrifty] so that in the event of a financial difficulty later, you will have available money when you need it.”
7.7 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as thrifty.
For this sub-theme 7.7, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 7.3.
7.8 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as having work.
For this sub-theme 7.8, please refer to the discussion above in sub-theme section 7.3.
7.9 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as mind-set.
Once we are determined to be happy in whatever situation we are in, our happiness then becomes dependent upon our state of mind, heart and our dispositions, and never on our circumstances. As cited in sub-theme section 4.3, Co-R Rowel considers life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as a mind-set. Likewise as he explained in sub-theme section 7.2, living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as a living condition is both a state of mind and heart. He said, “We cannot do anything on the things that come or happen to us but we can do something on how we are going to think or react on the things that happened to us.”
Research Question 3. How can these pedagogical implications furnish a common ground for integrating the top-down and bottom-up approaches to sustainable living?
Theme 3 “Kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw may dahilan.”
Lahat ng tao ay may kapasyahan sa buhay. Nakakagawa tayo ng mga bagay-bagay kung nanaisin at nakakaiwas din kung di natin gusto. Ang mga hakbang o bagay na nais nating mangyari ay magaganap kung gugustuhin natin at di rin magaganap kung tatanggihan natin.
[Everybody has a decision in life. We can do many things if we want, and avoid them if we do not want. The steps or things that we want to happen will happen if we want it, and it will not happen if we turn it down.]
Living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is: (3.1) seeking and finding solutions to life’s problems, (3.2) having peace of mind, (3.3) free from worries, (3.4) acceptance and (3.5) contentment.
3.1 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as seeking and finding solutions to life’s problems.
As mentioned in Theme 1, our life is full of trials and thus we must continue to struggle in life, facing the challenges that this life offers. We may be successful or not, but we must be resolved to remain hopeful of finding the solutions; if not to all, at least to most of the problems we encountered; if not all at the same time, at least one at a time; if others cannot find the solutions by themselves, we will join them in seeking the answers, because we really do not have to seek too far as we will find them just right here.
In other words, while we may do many things if we want or avoid them, this is all about decision making, a matter of choice. And there is no best choice than to choose life to live. Having made that choice, then all other decisions should be consistent with a desire to enhance life.
Co-R Pink said, “It’s easy for me to learn or compare whether ako ay nakakaluwag sa buhay o hindi (I’m living with ease or not), [it’s all] because of the basic things that I have in life, nakakaluwag sa ibat ibang aspeto (with ease in different aspects), it could be in terms of having money, or [being with the] family or [studying in a] school. … life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is when it’s [so] easy to find answers to problems, or in other words, there is no need think so much on how to address all these problems that come into my life. — God ‘s creation and all the other things [He created] are the ones helping me to lighten up the problems and to find solutions in many things that I just don’t understand myself.”
Co-R V-Mae said, “Naramdaman ko na nakakaluwag ako sa buhay (I felt living with ease in my life) every time I solved my problems, even though I addressed them one at a time.”
Co-R Me-Ann said, “When I think about it [now], sometimes I look like an insane person laughing by myself on how I [miraculously] survived.”
Co-R Gary said, “Nakakaluwag (life of ease) is only a state in life and this is not permanent, there are times that we are no longer nakakaluwag (living with ease) or too much nakakaluwag (ease of living) but at the end of the day you have the opportunity to share your blessings. –[Y]ou have the chance to make a difference, you have the situation to change our society for the better.”
3.2 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as having peace of mind.
When we all find rested, relaxed, rejuvenated and re-energized both for our tired mind and body and have not to worry of time and of money, then we experience life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) because they bring a sense of peace of mind. When we feel free to enjoy life either by being alone or with family or friends, or at work, in the church, during travel, having vacation, doing hobbies, engaging in an entertainment, etc., and not be burdened down with fears and concerns, instead we are having fun, able to smile or laugh a lot, then we find peace of mind. On the one hand, Co-R V-Mae claims that she finds peace of mind when she is all alone, saying, “[I felt living with ease in my life] in every time I am alone. –[And] whenever it is quiet.” On the other hand, Co-R Nelca felt nakakaluwag (living with ease) when she does things that are pleasurable [enjoyable] (e.g. vacation, fine dining) without compromising [the] basic needs. She also claims: “I also believe that those times that I get to enjoy my time with my family and friends without the worries of money or time or work, are also times when you actually feel nakakaluwag (living with ease).”
Co-R Gary said, “To be specific, I’m nakakaluwag (living with ease), if I have enough food to eat, a modest place to stay, a good time for self while reading books and sipping coffee or beer and listening to music, and quarterly out of town and a (bonus travel abroad).”
Co-R Jorelle said, “When you are able to relax and hang out with friends, and have a job, because it is only then that I experienced how to stand on my own feet.”
3.3 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as free from worries.
Sub-theme 1.2 (on having meaning and purpose in life) stated that living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) refers to a kind of life free from worries, of not worrying about any problems that we should not worry at all. Co-R Pink claims that joy is inseparable from having freedom from worries. She said “Ang pakiramdam ng nakakaluwag sa buhay ay napaka saya (It’s a joyful feeling to live with ease in life) most especially when you are free from worries. Moreover, Co-R Rowel asserts that living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is also matter of right attitude. It is not just a state of mind, but also a state of heart directing these two towards being freed from all spaces [forms] of worries. He said, “How much the mind and the heart provide for such space becomes a living condition on how a person experience luwag (ease).” Despite having no monetary security, freedom from worries is not about monetary affluence nor financial freedom but a matter of right attitude, which is further confirmed by Co-R Dino’s experience when he said:
“I also see my ability to put up with my problems during difficult times (kakayahang magtiis sa panahon ng kagipitan) and the ability to share in time of ease and plenty (panahon ng kaluwagan). –I came to realize that when I was still in the convent, many months have passed that I have nothing, not even a peso in my pocket. But never that it became [a reason to worry nor] a hindrance to the joy I have with me in the convent.”
Co-R Pink said, “The lessons that I feel [or think] that I will teach my kapwa (fellow being) is that [she/he] be contented in life and tanggapin ng maluwag (accept with ease) the many hardships and trials that come, dahil sa totoo lang (because in reality) we are the ones who choose if we want to be happy or sad or to worry [and be anxious] of the many problems.”
3.4 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as acceptance.
Sub-theme 1.1 (on a joyful feeling) declared that we can still be grateful to God and at the same time remain happy in these difficult times (panahon ng kagiptan). On the other hand, sub-theme 1.5 (on engaging the hearts and minds) asserted that facing life’s challenges is to experience life as a hopeful living amidst good times and bad. In these two statements, while both would mean self-acceptance and acceptance of our lot, they too do not mean we let our fears; nor let sadness and anxieties neither overcome nor worsen our pains and sufferings. Although we often confused the two, acceptance is not resignation, but rather a dynamic process to live and move forward with ease (makaluwag sa buhay) by making sense of a given situation where we are at right now and to act upon it. Although we do not sure yet nor know exactly what to do, many times in our lives we do not really need to know what to do at first, it is a matter of placing first and foremost all that has been upon our resignation into God’s hands.
Co-R Pink said, “I have finally come to realize how to accept myself. This has something to do with [my] character in my life; I [also] come to realize that I could afford to be happy and [at the same time] satisfied with whatever is given me [by God]. Whether it’s positive or negative.”
Co-R V-Mae said, “Life is very fast [today] and too short. [We have to] cherish each moment of it. And remember that all these [difficult] experiences are merely testing us.”
Co-R Gary said, “Life is too short, it is important that we should have a clear sense of purpose in life or reason for being.”
3.5 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as contentment.
Sub-theme 3.2 (on having peace of mind) stated that when we are having fun, able to smile or laugh a lot, somehow we are able to find our peace of mind. Once we become aware that others are not having fun, neither smile nor laugh, we can never be contented ourselves. As cited in Sub-theme 2.3 (on a meaningful relating with others (pakikipagkapwa)), Co-R Benson claims that our own joy cannot be separated from others. He said, “[Y]et even though it feels happy [having life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay)], you will not really enjoy it when you are all alone experiencing it while your other friends are suffering with their problems.” We naturally wish to end their sufferings by doing acts of kindness and offering encouragement. And by doing these we are not only helping them, but eventually helping ourselves find our own contentment. We can never be contented without overcoming our own greed, selfishness and discontentment.
Co-R Rommel said, “Always be open, kung ano ang meron ka (whatever that you may have), [and] always think positive!”
Co-R Pink said, “I also learned many lessons kung ako ay nakakaranas ng pagkaluwag sa buhay (when I’m experiencing life with ease), I’m satisfied with many things that I have, and the more [I come to realize that] I have a purpose [in my life], that I should pay attention and prioritize the many things that I know could help me become a better person, for myself and para na rin sa akin [mga]kapwa (also for my fellow beings).”
Co-R Nelca said, “Masaya, I feel happy that I need not worry about the needs of my family. It is a state that one gets to enjoy life at its full.”
Theme 4 “Kung may isinuksok, may madudukot.”
Hindi lahat ng pagkakataon ay nakakariwasa o maginhawa ang buhay. Sa panahon na maluwag at maginhawa ang buhay ay nararapat tayong mag-ipon o magsinop upang sa pagdating ng kagipitan ay mayroon tayong magagamit o aasahan.
[Not all situations in life are well provided or convenient. During the time of ease or having convenient life, we must save and live within our means, so that in times of crisis we have available resources to rely on.]
Living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) is: (4.1) selfless-understanding, (4.2) wisdom and (4.3) life’s lesson.
4.1 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as selfless–understanding.
Sub-theme 1.1 (on joyful feeling) describes what happiness is all about: a sense of compassion; a light feeling; a sense of joy of sharing with others. The same description applies to what a selfless-understanding and understanding the other fellow (kapwa) would really mean. This is true sensitivity, tender, warm and gentle. In times of crisis, more than saving and living within our means, the available resource to rely on is a kind of understanding that does not merely reside inside one’s head, but involves kindness, empathy, commitment and actions that take care and sustain the needs and the expectations of the community in which we live because life in all situations are not always well provided nor convenient.
Co-R Lorence said, “In a situation that I’m living with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay), I realized that despite many hardships and trials that come into my life, the more I develop and discover [understand] myself, I am stronger person for each day that comes.”
Co-R Me-Ann said, “I realized my own weaknesses during the time that [I was confused and] had no idea of what I was supposed to do, but at the end I realized my own strengths.”
Co-R Dino said, “When I became honest…, and allowed [that person] to understand my situation that very day, I never failed. I realized that the Lord really knows. He has his ways that I will never ever surpass.”
4.2 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as wisdom.
Proverbs 3:13 says, “Happy the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding!” (New American Bible), When we acquired knowledge, skills and values from personal experiences as we have grown since birth together with our families and the communities in which we live, we gained insight or wisdom and learned to believe in certain things or behave in certain ways. Our beliefs and practices become wisdom only through application of wise judgment, and wisdom becomes belief (or knowledge) based on our experiences. And as both wisdom and experiences accumulated through the ages and were passed from generation to generation common forms of expressions developed into saying or proverbs. As Reyes (2002) claims that these sayings or proverbs [ang mga] salawikain are steeped in traditional Filipino culture and wisdom, so too our experience of life, either with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) or without ease (hirap sa buhay).
Co-R Dino said, “I also see God in my relief (kaluwagan) as a savior in times of emergency (kagipitan). It deepens more my gratitude to the Lord when he lets me experience severe crisis (mahigpit na kagipitan), then at the end he will give me wisdom that will bring me relief (kaluwagan).
Co-R Joe said, “[T]he same lessons that the experiences of being gipit (without ease) teach me, that include harmony, prudence, faith, etc.”
Co-R Me-Ann said, “Think of all the beautiful things [in life] so that you will always be happy [and] always think that everything that happens in life has a purpose, beautiful or ugly [good or bad].”
4.3 Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as life’s lesson.
As cited earlier, del Rosario (2007) claims that most proverbs around the world impart a life’s lesson on general attitude, truths and observations about life. This is also true to our experience of life with or without ease. We cannot escape these lessons of life and we have to bear the consequences of the choices we have made. Since life is filled with many opportunities, we should never give up and never become complacent. In sub-theme 1.3 (on experiencing happiness and freedom), it is said that we are learning valuable life’s lessons by living and saving the life’s values.
Co-R Me-Ann said, “I’m happy because I survived, but I’m more grateful for all the lessons learned and the questions answered, and to never avoid the problems [in life] but I should rather seek solutions [to respond to them]. –The lesson I learned is that life goes on despite all the experiences I went through, and not all the time is sadness.”
Co-R Rowel said, “The lessons of humility, generosity, patience and being loved are the things I have learned… –[N]akakaluwag is a mind-set. We cannot do anything on the things that come or happen to us but we can do something on how we are going to think or react on the things that happened to us.
Co-R Lorence said, “The lesson I learned from experiencing a life of ease (nakakaluwag ng buhay) is that despite that I’m complete with the basics that I need, I must not become complacent, rather I should make my resources grow in a way that they will be [more] beneficial to myself, and to my family in searching for a noble livelihood.”
Summary: Answered Research Questions
Table 15 above shows an overview and serves as a guide on how these Three (3) Research Questions were addressed and answered through the Seven (7) Proverbial Themes while the writer was simultaneously doing the Thematic Reflection of the Co-Rs’ TEXT. The first column with the heading: ‘3 Research Questions’ contains the 3 questions being asked in this study, while the second column with the heading: ‘7 Proverbial Themes’ consists of the 7 proverbial themes which the writer carefully determined the appropriate proverbial themes that answered the research questions asked, thus they are not arranged in sequential order.
Table 15. Three (3) Research Questions as Answered through the Seven (7) Proverbial Themes
3 Research Questions
|
7 Proverbial Themes |
Research Question 1.What are the significant nakakaluwag lived-experiences of the fourteen (14) co-researchers (Co-Rs) in terms of the fourfold relationality, withResearch Question 1.1 God, | Theme 2 “Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.“Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as
2.1 living the values of faith. 2.2 God as the source of life with ease 2.3 a meaningful relating with others (pakikipagkapwa). 2.4 God’s providence. 2.5 a blessing.
|
Research Question 1.2self, | Theme 1 “Ang buhay ay parang gulong, minsang nasa ibabaw, minsang nasa ilalim.“Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as
- 1.1 a joyful feeling. - 1.2 having meaning and purpose in life. - 1.3 as experiencing happiness. - 1.4 having sense of well-being. - 1.5 engaging the hearts and minds. |
Research Question 1.3fellow-human being,and | Theme 5 “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay di makakarating sa paroroonan.“Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as
5.1 generosity. 5.2 gratefulness. 5.3 giving. 5.4 sharing. 5.5 compassion. 5.6 gratitude. 5.7 fair. 5.8 love. 5.9 equality.
|
Research Question 1.4creation? | Theme 6 “Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilaga.“Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as
6.1 freedom. 6.2 responsibility. 6.3 empower[ment]. 6.4 beauty. 6.5 opportunity. 6.6 expanse. 6.7 clean. 6.8 commitment. |
Research Question 2. What pedagogical implications for sustainable living can be drawn from the nakakaluwag lived-experience narratives in view of the fourfold relationality? | Theme 7 “Hanggang maiksi ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot.” Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as
7.1 having money to buy. 7.2 condition. 7.3 earning and saving. 7.4 hope. 7.5 saving for the future. 7.6 sustaining. 7.7 thrifty. 7.8 having work. 7.9 mind-set. |
Research Question 3. How can these pedagogical implications furnish a common ground for integrating the top-down and bottom-up approaches to sustainable living? | Theme 3 “Kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw may dahilan.” Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as
3.1 solutions to life’s problems. 3.2 having peace of mind. 3.3 free from worries. 3.4 acceptance. 3.5 contentment.
Theme 4 “Kung may isinuksok, may madudukot.”
Experiencing life with ease (nakakaluwag sa buhay) as 4.1 selfless-understanding. 4.2 wisdom. 4.3 life’s lesson. |
Nakakaluwag Interpretation-Description comes full circle.
In the sense of reaching closure after exploring and engaging in an interpretive-descriptive process, two issues were considered in this study: (1) the amount of the research material is sufficient enough, therefore all the necessary data has been received or no more data is necessary, and (2) the incremental improvement between theorizing and engaging in interpretive-descriptive process is minimal or insignificant. Glaser & Strauss (1967 as cited in Eisenhardt, 1995) assert that “theoretical saturation is simply the point at which incremental learning is minimal because the researchers are observing phenomena seen before.” (p. 83). Therefore, in both issues above, saturation was already reached.
Conversely, with reference to hermeneutic imperative, Green (2000) differentiates good philosophy from good theology:
Good philosophy allows us to know when we can stop doing philosophy. Good theology, on the contrary, shows us why it is never possible to stop interpreting. This necessity is called hermeneutic imperative. [Thus] from the standpoint of scripture… the hermeneutic imperative is not simply a matter of exegetical method but a fundamental insight into the nature of the world and our relation to it (p. 174–175).
Critical Theory studies its objects not in terms of revealing the meanings that are already there independent of the interpretive process but in terms of the objects of [its] interpretation, as well as any particular interpretation of them, which are always subject to further interpretation. To stop interpretation would then indicate settling on a meaning with making life meaningful (Rush, 2004, p. 34). Nevertheless, while both Critical Theory’s interpretation and Biblical hermeneutics above claim that they together offer great insights into what would make life meaningful, the writer still argued that after engaging in an interpretive-descriptive process it must reached closure as expected. He then addressed this closure issue based on two grounds: (1) first, his satisfaction of understanding has reached a fairly reasonable level; and (2) second, out of this understanding he did make sense of it as a coherent dynamic whole. These two were further explained by applying the line of reasoning of Prof. Ted Hopf[8] and the logic of Gadamer’s notion of deep inner coherence.
With reference to the limits or boundaries of intertextual meaning that must be accounted for in any account of the subject, Hopf (2000) argues that when one is satisfied with the understanding s/he has reached, s/he should stop interpreting. Kinsella (2006) concurs with Hopf and maintains that “once the interpreter is satisfied with her or his understanding, or has lost interest in pursuing the issue any further, s/he relies upon the level of understanding already achieved—s/he becomes, at least temporarily, entrenched” (par. 20). Osborne (1994 as cited in Antonsen, 2003) likewise claims that “the ultimate decision to stop collecting data was made once it was perceived that all aspects of the phenomenon had been brought forth and that further data would merely be redundant” (p.38).
By borrowing Linda Alcoff’s[9] argument, Hopf (2006) further asserts that satisfaction [with one’s understanding] could also be gained by accounting for alternative explanations:
Foucault[10] has a “coherentist” epistemology that the boundary of a domain is established by exhausting the meaningful relationships among the pieces of evidence. As she puts it, if there “is no discernible connection or relation” to any other element, the element being observed “is without meaning,” at least to the subject being analyzed, and hence, to the observer (p. 28).
Schoch (2007) describes “Alcoff’s undiscernible connection or relation” in view of coherentism paradigm as that which “takes all formerly beliefs and new incoming information, [then] selects some propositions to form the most plausible belief system” (slide # 6). Subsequently, he provides these two propositions: (1) “John is in Rome on Nov. 4th 2007, 14:30.” and (2) “John is in Bangkok on Nov. 4th 2007, 14:31,” and afterward explains them:
The two propositions do not logically contradict, but together they are implausible [because nobody can travel that fast], they are incoherent. Even if both information came from reliable sources, we could not believe them simultaneously (slide # 7).
Gadamer (1989) also highlights his view of coherence of history as a primary given and as an unfinished continuity that “nothing exists entirely for the sake of something else, [that] nothing is entirely identical with the reality of something else, but still a deep inner coherence penetrates everywhere, and no one is entirely independent” (p. 202). With reference to his treatment of coherence theory of truth, Johnson (1992) concurs with Gadamer’s notion that, “coherence, which is not to be confused with mere consistency, is a relationship of mutual dependence and entailment over the whole body of reality” (p.19). The logic of Gadamer’s deep inner coherence that holds together the relationship of mutual dependence of two or more independent entities, which is not entirely independent at all, is the same logic that can be applied to any proposition within the coherent whole which cannot be false while all the rest are true, nor can any be quite true, without the truth of all the rest (Johnson, 1992). Should we read the text again and again? Yes, we should, so that our understanding will be enriched by previous readings, and we will see new aspects of the text that we never saw nor thought of before. However, since there is neither internal contradiction nor confusion of thought, then the meaning of a text or a proposition is (cautiously) established and a unity of meaning is expressed in all its parts (Gadamer, 1989, p. 219). This means that the interpretation stops (for the time being) because saturation is already reached and the text or the proposition is clear (interpretatio cessat in claris). Therefore, it is sensible, plausible, coherent and cohesive.
Nakakaluwag as Interpretive-Descriptive Framework: Sphere/Circle
From Theoretical Orientation to Interpretive-Descriptive Framework. Holistic Relationality is the broad framework that had taken a second look at the Filipino value nakakaluwag at its locus and context (horizonal). This is a framework which comprised the conceptual rationale and basis of this study to integrate the varied and related perspectives into a cohesive approach. The Holistic Relationality’s perspective or the principles of the fourfold essential relations: God, oneself, fellow-human beings and creation had evolved and fused into a framework that interpreted-described the phenomenon of the lived-experience of nakakaluwag by combining and applying the modified version of Aronson’s (1994) five (5) steps of thematic analysis:
Step 1 Collecting all the data, Step 2 Identifying patterns of experiences, Step 3 Cataloguing related patterns into sub-themes and themes, Step 4 Obtaining feedback from the informants and Step 5 Telling the whole story. These five (5) steps were applied into the phenomenon of the lived-experience of nakakaluwag through the written reflections (RJE), transcribed narrations (NEA) and transcribed conversations (FIE) of the fourteen (14) Co-Rs.
By thematically reflecting upon these Co-Rs’ TEXT, seven (7) proverbial themes arose that eventually addressed and answered the research questions of this study on the (1) significance of nakakaluwag lived-experiences with (1.1) God, (1.2) self, (1.3) fellow-human being, and (1.4) creation; (2) the pedagogical implications for sustainable living and (3) the ethical-pedagogical common ground or middle-in approach. Theme 1 “Ang buhay ay parang gulong, minsang nasa ibabaw, minsang nasa ilalim addressed the (1.2) self;“Theme 2 “Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa addressed (1.1) God;” Theme 3 “Kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw may dahlia” and Theme 4 “Kung may isinuksok, may madudukot” addressed the (3) the middle-in approach; Theme 5 “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay di makakarating sa paroroonan” addressed the (1.3) fellow-human being; Theme 6 “Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilaga” addressed the (1.4) creation; and lastly, Theme 7 “Hanggang maiksi ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot” addressed the (2) the pedagogy for sustainable living.
In view of all these and by borrowing Mechthild of Magdeburg’s interpretation-description of God, the writer claims that this framework is likened to this sphere (see below figure 1), a widening circle that encloses all things and where all things are encircled by God’s compassionate arms, embracing and providing the conditions conducive to sustain life. The writer then named these whole processes and procedures as Nakakaluwag as Interpretive-Descriptive Framework.
Fig. 1.
God is exactly like that of a sphere by Mechthild of Magdeburg
Photo Image Courtesy of Laurence D. Finston www.gnu.org
Before God created everything, Mechthild of Magdeburg (1998) asked the question, “What form did our Lord God have then?” Then she answered that God is:
Exactly like that of a sphere, and all things were enclosed within God with no lock and no door. The lowest part of the sphere is a bottomless foundation beneath all abysses. The highest part of the sphere is a top above which there is nothing. The circumference of the sphere is an immeasurable circle (p. 257).
Tana (2009) defines that the triangle inside a circle means triune, the world of forms, enclosed in eternity circle (see figure 2). She also enumerates some of the symbolic meanings of triangle in Sacred Geometry as: (1) triune, (2) birth — life — death, (3) body — mind — soul, (4) father — mother – child and (5) sky — earth — lower world (Tana, 2009).
Fig. 2.
The Nakakaluwag Interpretive-Descriptive Framework
In view of Mechthild of Magdeburg’s interpretation-description of God, Tana’s circle and all these symbolic meanings combined is also likened to that sphere “with no lock and no door.”
Moreover, the writer observed that Tana’s interpretation-description of a triangle inside the circle is triune that has fourfold-triangles, which the writer identified as Sierpinski triangle in an equilateral triangle (“The Sierpinski triangle,” 2009). The writer re-named this triune inside the circle as Holistic Relationality, within which are the four-fold triangles where each triangle represents God, oneself, fellow-human beings and creation. That same triune is the source of the pedagogy for sustainable living and the circle “with no lock and no door” is the ethical-pedagogical common ground for sustainable living. This sphere is unfolding and enclosing.
Fig. 3. and Fig. 2.
The sphere “with no lock and no door,” which unfolds and encloses the
phenomenon of the lived-experience of nakakaluwag
By careful interpretation-description on this phenomenon of the nakakaluwag lived-experience, the writer arrived at the horizonal meanings of the Co-Rs’ TEXT, which is referred to as the 1) reflective journal entries (RJE), (2) narrative experience accounts (NEA), and (3) face-to-face interview exchanges (FIE). The writer used the hermeneutic circle which is likened to the sphere “with no lock and no door” (see figure 3) whereby a dialogue unfolds and encloses the meanings of 1st IDP: RJE as determined by the horizonal meanings of the written data. The interpreted-described meanings were double-checked against the meanings 2nd IDP: NEA. The dialogue continued on as it unfolds and encloses the meanings of NEA as determined by the horizonal meanings of the spoken data. The interpreted-described meanings were double-checked against the meanings of 3rd IDP: FIE. The dialogue continued on as it unfolds and encloses the meanings of FIE as determined by the horizonal meanings of the interview data. The interpreted-described meanings were double-checked against the meanings of 1st IDP: RJE to allow hermeneutic to come full circle. They appeared distinct yet somehow unrelated to each other when viewed separately or when you look at each horizonally. However the interpreted-described meanings about the written data, the transcribed spoken data and the transcribed interview data can forever be revised or renewed the more the writer discover and re-discover about the nakakaluwag lived experiences of the Co-Rs’ TEXT. This is because they are in a circle “with no lock and no door”. But when they have come full circle in their own and among them, then we are back at the dawn of renewal and we will see them in many ways as a child sees it. Everything makes sense, but the interpretation must stop from what we have seen so far, because these three phases, enclosed by the four-fold triangles, had already painted a clearer image and bigger picture of the phenomenon of nakakaluwag.
Hermeneutical Insight: “Anumang nakapag-uugnay ay nakakapagpaluwag”
In this section, the writer’s hermeneutical insight is guided by Gadamer’s notion on the relationality character of the text as (1) belonging to a tradition, (2) having meaning in itself, (3) having an author, (4) having an original audience, (5) having an interpreter, (6) its interpreter having a historical situation, (7) and having the total historical situation that encloses all. To further expound upon the meaning and implications of the writer’s position, Gadamer contends:
“Every age has to understand a transmitted text in its own way, for the text belongs to the whole tradition whose content interests the age and in which it seeks to understand itself. The real meaning of a text, as it speaks to the interpreter, does not depend on the contingencies of the author and his original audience. It certainly is not identical with them, for it is always co-determined also by the historical situation of the interpreter and hence by the totality of the objective course of history” (p. 296).
As mentioned in the previous chapter, Leininger (as cited in Aronson, 1994) claims that the coherence of ideas rests with the writer’s creativity who carefully analyzed how these fragments of ideas “fit together in a meaningful way when linked together’ (par. 7). In the long run, a comprehensive picture of the Co-Rs’ collective experience is formed, by bringing together these themes that emerge from their responses. Taylor & Bogdan (as cited in Aronson, 1994) clearly defined these themes as units derived from patterns such as conversation topics, vocabulary, recurring activities, meanings, feelings, or folk sayings and proverbs (par. 7).
Notwithstanding the fact that, on the one hand, Reyes (2002) says that Filipino Proverbs or [Ang mga]“Salawikain are sayings that are steeped in traditional Filipino culture and wisdom, [and] are forceful expressions cloaked in poetry which can be used to emphasize a point. On the other hand, del Rosario (2007) claims that like most proverbs around the world, [Ang mga]“Salawikain” impart a lesson which express a general attitude towards life and the laws that govern life and also express general truths and observations about life and human nature” (par. 1). He even enumerated what [Ang mga]“Salawikain are, namely: (1) part of one’s cultural heritage which should not be forgotten; (2) they are good sources of information about traditions, beliefs, and customs; (3) they serve as guide to living, advice on social relations and encouragement in facing life’s trials and realities; and finally (4) the main purpose of proverbs is to teach a lesson in life (del Rosario, 2007, par. 2). Both Reyes (2002) and del Rosario (2007) agreed that [Ang mga] “Salawikain [are] our Filipino cultural heritage giving us a glimpse of Filipino traditions, beliefs, and customs, which until today provide us guides in living and in facing life’s challenges (de Leon, 2007). Likened to Filipino Proverbs or [Ang mga]“Salawikain, the thematic titles for each of the combined RJE, NEA and FIE of each Co-R are the following: (1) Rowel: “Ligaya at laya, ugnayan at unawa, wagas, alwan at ginhawa” (Joy and freedom, relation and understanding, pure, ease and comfort); (2) Dino: “May kakayahan para sa iba” (Ability for others); (3) Maricel: “Maluwag ang aming pamumuhay” (We are living with ease); (4) Jorelle: “Maluwag ka para sa kanila” (You are generous to others); (5) Joe: “Tumingin tayo sa langit” (Look up to heaven); (6) Me-An: “Tuloy tuloy lang ang buhay” (Life just goes on); (7) Lorence: “Makakaahon din ako” (I can get out of this situation); (8) Pink: “Tanggapin ng maluwag” (Accept the situation the way it is); (9) Elvie: “Mayroon kang madudukot” (You have resource to rely on); (10) Rommel: “Nakakaluwag-luwag sa problema” (To reduce ones problems); (11) Benson: “Nakakaramdam ako ng pagkaluwag” (I feel with ease); (12) V-Mae: “Malakas na kapit” (To keep holding on); (13) Nelca: “Nakakapagpaluwag sa buhay ng ibang tao” (To bring ease to other’s life) and (14) Gary: “Kaluwagan sa mundong ito” (To have ease in this world).
And among these patterns that conspicuously emerge from the Co-Rs’ TEXT, the writer has unintentionally identified Salawikain as the appropriate meaningful pattern that pieced together the forty four (44) sub-themes that arose among fourteen (14) Co-Rs, which are then enclosed by the seven (7) proverbial themes. These seven (7) proverbial themes conveyed life’s lessons that even when life is full of trials, hurts and pains, our unwavering trust in God, our faith in ourselves, our reliance on others and our confidence in creation will sustain of all of us. Moreover, Keenan (2000) claims that we are constitutively relational and that that [sic] relationality is with nature, God and humanity (p. 76). He contends in the following words these ways of being in relation:
Our interaction with nature reflects both our responsibility for nature…. [which] reflects our commitment to respect and enhance the conditions for future human action in the world…. Our relatedness to God begins with the recognition that we are created in God’s image. In particular, being in the image of a triune God means that our nature is, like God’s, constitutively relational…. Edward Vacek has argued that relationship with God is not primarily elective, but originally natural: each person as creature must rediscover her connectedness to God. This is not simply a religious call, but an ethical challenge…. [O]ur relationality generally is always directed by an ordered appreciation for the common good in which we treat all people as equal. We belong to humanity and are expected to respond to all its members in general equally and impartially (p. 76–78).
With these big ethical challenges in our lives, we must not get overwhelmed. Even if we fail, what matters most is we try again and we never give up. We hope because it makes the present moment lesser difficult to bear, and we look forward that tomorrow will be a better and brighter one. It is truly amazing how God guided us always to greater wholeness and holiness. And as God’s children and stewards, we know that He listens to our prayers. And since we are heard by Him, we know that He will answer us. Thus, we should always strive to achieve and get the most out of what life can fully offer. We must be diligent in our pursuit to attain sustainable living. All of us have decisions to make in our lives and with this gift of freedom, we can do many things towards learning, teaching, creating and sustaining a culture of compassion, of values, of generosity and of life. To be a person of God, for others and for creation, we must learn how to sacrifice on their behalf, to put aside selfishness and be committed for the cause of what will truly bring more ease in our lives (nakakaluwag) because in the final analysis and reflection: “anumang nakapag-uugnay sa Diyos, sa kapwa, sa sarili at sa kalikasan ay nakakapagpaluwag” (relationships with God, others, oneself and nature make for a life of ease.) In other words, “anumang nakapag-uugnay ay nakakapagpaluwag” (relationships make for a life of ease).
[1] The writer instructed and requested his co-researchers to hand in the hard copy of their RJE to the writer at Room D301, Duerr Hall, 3rd Floor, School of Multidisciplinary Studies (SMS), De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) or emailed him at ingles.antonio@gmail.com.
[2] Taglish is a portmanteau of the words “Tagalog” and “English” which refers to the Philippine language Tagalog (or its liberalized official form, Filipino) infused with American English terms. It is an example of code-switching. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taglish.
[3] Ricoeur’s (1971) interpretation theory allowed entry into the hermeneutic circle through the following three (3) steps: (1) Naive reading, (2) Structural analysis and (3) Comprehensive understanding or interpreted whole (Lindseth & Norberg, 2004, as cited in Flood, 2010).
[4] According to Conroy (2003) ‘Hermeneutic Development of Commentary’ refers to the following fourteen (14) questions which serve as guide when engaging in an interpretation: (1) What is being said ‘on the face’ of their words — participants and researcher? (Précis form– Putting their and my words into my words); (2) What is the line of thought — within a segment and across segments of participants’ words within one session?; (3) What is lying beneath the ‘face value’? What is the text showing? (Heidegger’s Modes of Engagement and Modes of Existence); (4) What am I missing (explicitly or implicitly said)? What is so ‘normal’ to me that I can’t see it?; (5) Why is this topic being presented — to me? — at all?; (6) What is causing anxiety to the participant? What is the significance to the participant of this articulated event?; (7) Why am I asking the questions I am asking? What types of questions am I using according to communication/interviewing theory? Am I helping or hindering the flow of the storytelling?; (8) Am I listening/responding within the participant’s world or from a world outside her own, i.e., from mine? How synchronized am I with what the participant is saying?; (9) What learning is happening here? — implicitly, explicitly? How does it happen? (MacLeod, 1990); (10) What learning is not happening here?; (11) What is the nature of the situation?; (12) What is the historical nature of the experience to the participant? (Heidegger — temporality); (13) Is there an apparent mood to the interview exhibited by the participant? What are his emotions?; (14) What is valued by the participant?; (15) What are her concerns/issues? What is her body language telling me? (Reflections/notes made immediately after the session); (16) What themes are running through the conversation?; and (17) Are there similar events talked about within the conversation or within other conversations with the same participant?
[5] For the sake of brevity, the term Recurring is herein after abbreviated to Rcrng, which is based from the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) Tag — Abbreviation List of almost 3,350 names/terms in the Unified Modeling Language (UML) as provided by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 20022). Source: http://www.iso20022.org/documents/general/XML_Tags.pdf
[6] Ang mga kahulugan ng pitong (7) mga salawikain tinalakay at itinuturo sa paaralan ay ipinaliwanag mula sa kagandahang-loob ni Bb. Evangeline C. Siat, isang Propesor sa Filipino ng De La Salle-Kolehiyo ng San Benildo (The meanings of the seven (7) Filipino Proverbs or Salawikain discussed (above) and taught in school were defined courtesy of Miss Evangeline Siat, a Filipino Professor in De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde) (E. Siat, personal communication, October 19, 2010).
[7] In an article entitled, ‘Redeeming the Unredeemable: Auschwitz and Man’s Search for Meaning,’ Pytell (2003) explains that Viktor Frankl on a more practical level would claim that survival requires retention of a sense of the future, thus he would repeatedly take and advice Nietzsche’s prescription: “He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.” Pytell cited this in page 97 of Frankl’s book entitled, ‘From Death-Camp to Existentialism’ (1959), which was the earlier title of his book, ‘Man’s Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy.’ ( New York: Washington Square Press) published in 1963.
[8] Ted Hopf is an Associate Professor of Political Science of the Department of Political Science, The Ohio State University. He wrote an article on the ‘The Limits of Interpreting Evidence,’ which is relevant to the present studying view of reaching closure. Source: http://polisci.osu.edu/faculty/thopf.
[9] Linda Martín Alcoff is Professor of Philosophy at Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center (New York, NY). Her writings have focused on social identity and race, epistemology and politics, sexual violence, Foucault, and Latino issues in philosophy. Source: http://www.alcoff.com/ Meinking (1995) claims that (in ‘The Philosophical Forum, Volume XXV, No. 2, Winter 1993′) [Linda] Alcoff argued based from analytic categories that Foucault’s work is epistemological and highly relevant to epistemology. [And] …that Foucault is a “coherentist” and “externalist.” Reference: Meinking, S. (1995, May 19). Epistemology [Online forum comment] Retrieved November 20, 2010 from Foucault.info: http://foucault.info/Foucault-L/archive/msg00487.shtml
[10] Michel Foucault (1926–1984) is a French philosopher, social critic, and historian whose vast influence extends across a broad array of disciplines, especially in the humanities and social sciences. He is perhaps best known for his ruminations on power, self identity, epistemology, and the evolution of systems of thought and meaning. Source: Retrieved November 20, 2010 from Notable Names Database (NNDB), Soylent Communications: http://www.nndb.com/people/323/000095038/