Pakikipagkapwa-tao as a mode of inter-religious dialogue in the contemporary Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic

cooperation between religious institutions and individuals, which promoted the physical well-being of the poor. Contribution: This study contributed to a deeper understanding of interfaith dialogue and relations in the contemporary Philippines.


Introduction
Religion is a strong influence on the members of faith communities. It moves the people to practise their faith and contribute to meaning making. In order to have peaceful co-existence among the members of different religions, dialogue is necessary. Tran (2018:210) pointed out that the prevalence of religious diversity indicates that a homogeneous understanding of faith or even God is untenable. In the Roman Catholic perspective, Jesus is hidden in other religious traditions, and Catholics are encouraged to engage in dialogue and collaborate with other faiths (Catholic Church 1994:1). The intentional encounter and interaction among different religions constitute inter-religious dialogue. Through interfaith dialogue, each faith group can make its unique contribution to peaceful co-existence that fosters social solidarity (United States Institute of Peace 2004:2). A broad range of inter-religious dialogue practices and initiatives exists. However, the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue (1991:42) suggests four models of inter-religious dialogue in the encyclical Dialogue and Proclamation. These models are the following: • 'The dialogue of life, where people strive to live in an open and neighborly spirit, sharing their joys and sorrows, human problems, and preoccupations'. • 'The dialogue of action, in which Christians and others collaborate for people's integral development and liberation'. • 'The dialogue of theological exchange, where specialists seek to deepen their understanding of their respective religious heritages and to appreciate each other's spiritual values'. • 'The dialogue of religious experience, where persons, rooted in their religious traditions, share their spiritual riches, such as prayer and contemplation, faith, and ways of searching for God or the Absolute'.
The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) has embraced inter-religious dialogue as one of the pillars of Christian mission in the region, along with dialogue with the poor and dialogue with Asia's cultures (Tran 2018:213). The inter-religious encounter (Phan 2018) requires: Sincere openness of mind and heart, generous hospitality toward the other, and a genuine willingness to adapt and change. Moreover, the dialogue must speak truth to power and maintain the integrity of creation. (p. xviii) The foremost goal of inter-religious dialogue is to build. However, unity cannot exist if people are hungry. Conflicts and miscommunication can occur if food insecurity affects the members of the community.
In the Philippines, physical and economic access to food has disrupted the food system, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019  pandemic. According to Angeles-Agdeppa et al. (2022:213), community quarantines and social distancing have affected two-thirds of Filipino households, while the poorest were 1.7 times more likely to experience severe food insecurity. Although various factors are responsible for food insecurity, this article examines the impact of an intrusive and drastic COVID-19 mitigation measure on peoples' acute hunger. It utilises the Filipino culture of pakikipagkapwa-tao which promotes positive interreligious relations and social cohesion. This study contends that during a protracted trial of human existence, the dialogue of life and action and positive inter-religious relations can help save human lives.
This article specifically answers the following questions: • How do different religious groups in the Philippines address the issue of hunger? • How did the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) worsen food insecurity among Filipinos? • How did religious institutions and individuals engage in the 'dialogue of life' and 'dialogue of action' to relieve the poor of acute hunger? • How can 'pakikipagkapwa-tao' be a mode of inter-religious dialogue in the Philippines?

Methods and objectives
This article is a qualitative study. It utilises a case study which analysed inter-religious dialogue, particularly the dialogue of life and action among Filipinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were collected through observation and written accounts of Filipinos who dealt with acute hunger and food insecurity through shared life and common action. Content analysis was used in evaluating the data by examining the personal observations and written experiences of the people. Moreover, this article privileges the Filipino construct pakikipagkapwa-tao [having good and sincere relations with one's brethren] as a mode of inter-religious dialogue. Specifically, the author highlights the food insecurity among Filipinos during the ECQ and elucidates the subsequent response of religious and secular actors. Using the Christian perspective, the researcher utilises culture and the Roman Catholic Church's fidei depositum [sacred deposit of faith] (Catholic Church 1994:1) as an eye lens to unravel the Filipino notion of pakikipagkapwa-tao as a mode of inter-religious dialogue. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of interfaith dialogue and relations in the contemporary Philippines.
Accordingly, the article will proceed as follows. Firstly, the author will elucidate the religious diversity, the salience of religion and the role of religious institutions in combating hunger in Philippine society. Secondly, the author will report on the impact of ECQ on food security among Filipinos. Thirdly, the author will explicate the dialogue of life and action between institutions and individuals in response to acute hunger during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fourthly, the author will offer pakikipagkapwa as a mode of inter-religious dialogue that fosters a 'neighbourly spirit' and advances people's integral development.

Results and discussion
Religious diversity, the salience of religion and the role of religious institutions in combating hunger in Philippine society The results of the CBCP-ECY and CEAP (2014) study are in parallel with the findings of Del Castillo et al. (2020:5). The researchers assert that religion is highly relevant in the lives of many Filipino Catholic youths. In another study involving youths professing non-Christian religions, Del Castillo et al. (2021:6) found that many of the informants are 'highly religious'. They lead a deeply religious life, and their faith likely plays a significant role in their daily lives.
In Mindanao, Macapagal, Montiel and Canuday (2018:9) investigated the salience of religion among the Moro people (native Muslim inhabitants of the Philippines). The study revealed that Islam is the essence of a Mindanao Muslim's identity. For this reason, 'the salience of their religious identity may be a unifying factor in a conflict-ridden context in Mindanao'.
Religion also provides the impetus for Filipinos to perform charitable acts. It can also serve as a coping resource in times of crisis. Del Castillo and Alino (2020) investigated the religious coping of select Filipino Catholic youths. The researchers found out that during trials of human existence, many Filipino Catholic youths often look for ways in which God can strengthen them, seek God's love and care and develop a deeper relationship with God. In brief, religious beliefs influence many Filipinos' subjective experiences and behaviours.
Various religions view feeding the hungry as a moral obligation, an act of love towards neighbours. For instance, Christians believe that humans must work together to 'eradicate hunger, promote adequate nutrition, and strive toward just and sustainable food systems' (Tveit 2016:5). By exercising goodwill, all human persons can have sustainable food, proper nutrition and food security (Turkson 2016:3). From the Islamic perspective, those who provide for the needy will enter paradise (Bin & Shaykh 2016:4). From the Jewish standpoint, humanity constitutes one body. As such, 'the saving of one human life is the saving of the whole world and that the destruction of one human being is the destruction of the whole world' (Soetendorp 2016:9). From a Buddhist perspective, 'human beings must come together in solidarity and work towards reforming our institutions toward a more just, equitable, global economic system' (Sivaraksa 2016:10). Lastly, from a Hindu point of view, all creation of the transcendent is one universal family. Hence, 'it is our sacred responsibility to ensure that no one sleeps hungry' (Saraswati 2016:12

Impact of enhanced community quarantine on food security among Filipinos
Acute hunger and severe food insecurity are global problems.
Regrettably, the economic consequences of the pandemic and quarantine protocols that affected the food supply chain made it even more difficult for millions of people to access food. Extreme hunger has harmful physiological and psychological effects on human beings. Specifically, unfulfilled hunger contributes to poor health outcomes, impaired psychosocial functioning and low enthusiasm for learning. Hence, satisfying one's homeostasis needs is essential to survival, development and self-actualisation (Maslow 1943

Dialogue of life and action between institutions and individuals in response to the issue of acute hunger
Distressingly, the prohibition of mass gatherings and implementation of social distancing measures during the ECQ halted the care programmes of some religious groups. The halal community pantry is for everyone in need, Muslims and non-Muslims. There's an emphasis on halal so that Muslims can freely get supplies without fear of getting haram (forbidden) food. (n.p.) The community pantries initiatives by various religious organisations play a vital role in public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. These activities sustain the community members, especially the poor from different religious backgrounds. Both institutions and individuals work together for the common good which strengthens, supports and mobilises collaboration to address the gaps during the health crisis (Del Castillo & Maravilla 2021).

Pakikipagkapwa as a mode of inter-religious dialogue that fosters a 'neighbourly spirit' and advances people's integral development
Undoubtedly, religion has driven many Filipinos to address the issue of hunger during the ECQ. However, the generosity of many secular individuals and organisations indicates that charity surpasses religious boundaries. Contemporary culture -'the practices and resources mediated and used in everyday life to make sense of being and living in this world' (Ross & Bevans 2015:149) -significantly influences how people interact with others and the society at large.
Various interfaith dialogue activities have been noted as a religious response to care for the people, especially during the pandemic. Different religious groups discussed in a forum the role of faith-inspired organisations to respond to the global health crisis. The participants shared their thoughts on the crucial role of interfaith partners to provide relief for communities who are suffering. Likewise, the World Council of Churches (2020:1-20) published a document offering a Christian basis for inter-religious unity that serves the fragile world that is wounded in different aspects.
A recent study on pakikipagkapwa [fellowship] shows that select Filipino Christians practised neighbourly spirit towards the religious others (Canete & Del Castillo 2022). At the onset of the pandemic, various dialogues of theological exchange have been engaged in by different faith groups such as Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Jains, agnostics and atheists. This had been manifested in the Day of Prayer for Humanity (Vatican News 2020). As brothers and sisters from different faith traditions, people joined together in prayer to the divine. Believers of different traditions prayed, fasted and performed works of charity together in order to implore God for protection and divine intervention.
In some countries, as in the Philippines, religious organisations invited people of all religions to join the 'Walk for Life' (Gomes 2020). It demonstrated the solidarity of different people in upholding the dignity of life. Moreover, it also fostered harmonious relationships among members of different faith communities and traditions. The value of pakikipagkapwa tao has become the vessel of peaceful co-existence among people of different faiths and beliefs (Canete & Del Castillo 2022).
An essential part of Filipino culture is the notion of kapwa. The Filipino term kapwa is translated into English as 'neighbour'. However, in Filipino indigenous psychology, kapwa is conceptualised as the 'recognition of shared identity, an inner self shared with others' (Enriquez 2004:5). It is kapwa that 'bridges the deepest recess of a person with anyone outside him or herself -even total strangers' (De Guia 2013:180). As such, kapwa 'reflects a perspective that links (includes) people rather than separates (excludes) them from each other' (Macaraan 2019:108). Throughout the Philippines, kapwa permeates every ethnolinguistic and religious group. A community that is so connected and committed to one another that they function as one strongly manifests the value of kapwa (Desai 2016:36). 'Kapwa -the basis of Filipino sense of interpersonalism -is expressed in pakikipagkapwa-tao' (Aguas 2022:18).
The Filipino proverb Ang sakit ng kalingkingan, damdam ng buong katawan ['The entire body feels the pain of the little finger'] also points to pakikipagkapwa-tao. The concern for the welfare of the Other encompasses pagtutunguhan [interaction]. Pakikipagkapwa-tao and pagtutunguhan are evinced by Filipinos who sensed the hunger of the poor and generously supported the community pantries. Indeed, if the plight of the poor is not alleviated, the social fabric will fray and weaken over time. From the perspective of pakikipagkapwa-tao and pagtutunguhan, the community pantries reveal that every Filipino is: • Expected to regard other members of the community with respect • Involved in the problems faced by the community and is part of the solution • Expected to show concern for others.
Pakikipagkapwa-tao resonates deeply with Filipino Christians. The Christian scriptures teach that whatever one does to others -one's kapwa -they also do to Jesus (cf. Mt 25): [F]or I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, Truly, I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. (vv. 34-36, 40) Consequently, pakikipagkapwa-tao requires that persons respect and value the dignity of the Other and build meaningful relationships with them. In relating with religious Others, John Paul II (1998) said: The attitude of the Church and individual Christians towards other religions is marked by sincere respect, profound sympathy, and, when possible and appropriate, cordial collaboration. 'By dialogue, we let God be present in our midst; for as we open ourselves in dialogue to one another, we also open ourselves to God. ' (p. 3) In the same vein, Francis (2015) mentioned: The dialogue [must] be open and respectful and thus prove fruitful. Mutual respect is the condition and, at the same time, the aim of interreligious dialogue: respecting others' right to life, to physical integrity, to fundamental freedoms, namely freedom of conscience, of thought, of expression, and religion. (p. 5) From a Christian perspective, the dialogue of life and action between secular and religious actors during the COVID-19 pandemic disclosed God's loving-kindness to many suffering Filipinos. When a person experiences the suffering of the 'Other', they recognise that God, although hidden in the world, can be found in the face of the victim (Boeve 2022:9). Pakikipagkapwa-tao can also be conceptualised as 'love of neighbour' -central to many religious traditions. Among Christians, a good neighbour shows compassion and helps those in need (Lk 10:25-37). Giving food to the hungry is a corporal work of mercy (Catholic Church 1994:2447. Pakikipagkapwa-tao is the embodying spirit that compelled grassroots Filipinos, different religious institutions and nonreligious actors to provide for the needy during the ECQ.

Conclusion
Many Filipinos consider their brethren to be a part of themselves, as evinced by the emergency food programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Philippine society, it is pakikipagkapwa-tao that undergirds positive interpersonal relations that is critical to social cohesion. Moreover, pakikipagkapwa-tao can be a mode of inter-religious dialogue, particularly in the discourse of life and action. Pakikipagkapwatao enabled cordial cooperation between religious institutions and individuals (whether believers or not), which promoted the physical well-being of the poor. More importantly, by participating in the dialogue of life and action, the different religious traditions have demonstrated that all strive toward integral human development. This is putting one's faith in action by serving the poor and the marginalised. Hence, pakikipagkapwa-tao can facilitate harmonious interreligious relationships towards flourishing human life.