While at a coffee shop along Lacson Street, I heard a politician discussing strategies for the upcoming midterm elections, where he kept stressing: “Buut, kabubut-un sang pumuluyo, pagbuut sang Diyos” – if you’re wondering why I use the word “buut” instead of “buot,” it’s because I am using Professor John U. Wolff’s 1972 Cebuano Visayan Dictionary, which says there are only three vowels in Cebuano (i, u, and a).
What’s with the word “buut?” “Buut” (“loob” in Tagalog and “nakem” in Ilokano) is the core of Filipino philosophy and cannot be separated from anthropological, sociological, or even theological aspect of being Filipino. Discussing Reynaldo C. Ileto’s “Pasyon and Revolution,” he said, an effective leader in pre-colonial Philippines exhibited an integrated sense of “loob or buut,” making their philosophy and life transparent. They were connected to their community in such a way that the best interests of the populace reflected on them.
Jesuit priest, Fr. Horacio De la Costa, wrote in “Readings in Philippine History” about friars who earned respect by being examples of selfless service to the sick and suffering. These clergymen, who likely had a faithful following, incorporated Roman Catholic notions into their world view. Generally speaking, their familiarity with the gospel and poverty of Christ became an agent in developing “buut.”
Language is considered the window of the mind as language and thought are interrelated, which relates to the work of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, who said the use of words determines their meaning and definition. Indeed, “buut” connotes an appeal from the heart. While physiology teaches the brain is the center of emotion, which serves as a symbol, eastern culture teaches the heart is not the only symbol.
Expressions in Bisaya denote the heart as the seat of emotions, which is why politicians are often heard saying, “Ang akon nga pagserbisyo sa inyo gikan sa akon taguipusuon or kung buksan ang akon taguipusuon, ang unod sini ang pumuluyo nga akon gin serbisyuhan kag guina palangga.” Cheesy as is it, crowds go wild since the sincerity of politicians does not lie in their actions but with appealing words.
Political power has tarnished “buut” for some political figures by using values of the poor to advance their political capital; making “buut” a mere tool for widening their appeal by hypnotizing the public with sweet words rather than a platform to solve today’s problems. “Nahulog ang buut” is the proper term for why Filipinos become trapped by the words uttered by politicians.
The use of the word “buut” has exceeded boundaries, with the concept evolving through proper usage and context. The reason why the term is considered holistic is the attachment made to religion, ethics, and politics. It explains why people feel terrible when the president attacks religion and why the president’s supporters jump into the fray when opposition attacks. Furthermore, “buut” is manifested in keeping things internalized in the same way that benevolence and kindness correspond to “maayong kabubut-un” and “buutan” as morally good.
The concept of “buut” has not been explored by researchers and academics. We forget, in general, language is always part of our being and everything attached to it. If we continue to look into ourselves and reflect, we can have the mentality of pre-colonial Filipinos that our community is an extension of ourselves and our “buut” must be emancipatory to others. Politicians must realize that serving the people entails integrity and selfless love – the humanitarian way. Looking at the world inward and realizing “buut” as a moving force in one’s behavior, maybe we can one day attain the progress we dream of.
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I am appealing for people to help a former student, Sarah Jiezel Planas who has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, secondary to rheumatic fever, severe mitral regurgitation, and a ruptured chordae tendineae. Her family needs help to pay for medicines and surgery. Her mother Elizabeth Planas can be reached at 0923-170-6674 or 457-4238./WDJ