ABULOY: Varied Expressions of Sympathy, Empathy and Apathy

The present study aimed to determine and explore the cultural value of abuloy in the Filipino culture and also determine its significance to the concept of fellowmen among Filipinos. It also asked specific questions regarding the context of abuloy in the Filipino culture; forms, gestures or expression that can be shown in times of family’s grieving in terms of being expressed with sympathy, empathy, apathy; giving of abuloy of Filipinos during the wake and after bereavement; how Filipinos are guided by cultural beliefs and practices in giving abuloy; changes in the cultural meaning and social recognition for the giving of abuloy; the different factors affecting the act of giving abuloy and also how the findings of thispresentstudy can contribute to an additional learning material. The study made use of the mixed method of research approach particularly with the use of the interview form and survey questionnaire as the primary tools for the data gathering process of the study. The findings of the study revealed that abuloy in the context of Filipino culture was mostly embedded on the idea of a financial assistance provided to the bereaved family and as an act of compassion and condolence; on the other hand, in terms of sympathy, thisis mostly expressed in considering the grief circumstances in which the bereaved family is currently going through; further, with regards to empathy, this is understanding the way in which a family feels when grieving; and finally, in terms of apathy, this is more expressed on being unaffected by the grief of the bereaved family. The participants also indicated that there was really no binding tradition that guides them in giving abuloy as long as it is based on having the intention to show compassion, in line with their financial capacity and budget; out of kindness and also to at least help the bereaved family with their present suffering. It can be concluded that most Filipinos express non-belief and non-adherence to common practices and beliefs, but they are increasingly reliant on the idea that providing or giving "abuloy" to the bereaved family is a form ofsocial obligation that everyone should fulfill in order to show compassion and care for other people's difficult situations.