Critical Commentary: Indigenous Filipino Frames

The Indigenous Filipino Frames, which are Sikolohiyang Pilipino, Pilipinolohiya, and Pantayong Pananaw, all aims to focus on the ‘Filipino’ as not being the ‘other’, but being the study. It aim to replace the western ideology that does fit in our society and culture, with a school of thought that is designed for our mind set. Its ultimate goal is to unite the nation by grasping all aspects and connecting all divisions. But, like other school of thought, issues will certainly arise. In this critical commentary, 3 issues will be specified to comment on the Indigenous Filipino Frames.

The first issue is the goal of all three frames to achieve a united nation. This is a problem because from the get-go the Philippines have already been a multi-linguistic and ‘tribal’ type of country. The indigenous Filipino frames do not look at the tensions between provinces, only the tension of class.

The second issue is the issue of language. Sikolohiyang Pilipino uses different terms to identify the Filipino value system, but the majority of these terms are in the language of Tagalog. By only using the language spoken in one area of the country, this can marginalize those who cannot understand Filipino, and build more disparity between the capital and the provinces. I suggest that the terms of sikolohiyang Pilipino be translated in every dialect so as to achieve total understanding.

The third issue is the issue of origin. According to Mendoza, all of frames originated from the University of the Philippines, the number one university in the Philippine. UP, being the pioneers of this study has already set the standard, such as the methods, the language, and other aspects of research. This is problematic, because other academics are required to follow to their rules. Other schools that are found with in the indigenous society are still marginalized, but now not by westerners, but by their own countrymen. Schools like University of San Carlos in Cebu or University of Mindanao should be given the chance to create their own Sikolohiyang Pilipino in honor of their own culture and language.

Overall, the Indigenous Filipino Frames is a good start for our country to move forward with its own identity, but these frames are still a work in progress. I believe that for each one of us not be pushed aside, we must include ourselves in the development of these schools of thought and our country as well. So that in the future we can indigenize all aspects, including political science.