Philosophical understanding of Space from the Visayan notion of Kahimtang

Filipino Philosophy is on the process of developing a strong and unique foundation. Space, being an essential topic in philosophy, is the focus of this study using the perspective of the Filipino, particularly the Visayan. The study uses the hermeneutic phenomenology and key informant interview as its method of gathering data. This study finds out that kahimtang connotes a deep understanding that a person is situated in a particular space. Space for the Visayan is their lugar nga pinuy-anan and lugar nga trabahoan. Both kinds of lugar refers to the kahimtang a man has. If a person is living in a big and grandiose house, it is said that the person living in it is rich (adunahan). If the person is living in a small house built of light materials, it is said that the person is poor (kabus). Adunahan and kakabus are two kahimtang which are related to financial stability of a person. Furthermore, in the Visayas to say the least, the lugar sa gitrabahoan also tells what is the kahimtang of a person. If a person is working in a farm and is tilling the land, one would say, he/she is poor. If a person is working in an air-conditioned office, then, he/she is in a better kahimtang. Lugar is perceived to be maayo kon di-maayo (good or bad). The desirable place by the people is a good place to have better kahimtang on the other hand the non-desirable place will certainly lead to a bad kahimtang. This study might be used in teaching philosophy and in understanding the Visayan people.

Keywords – Kahimtang, Space, Lugar nga pinuy-anan, lugar nga trabaho-an.