The Depth of the Word "Kapatid"

"Kapatid" is Tagalog for brother or sister. It's also used in church circles for a localized concept of church family life. It's even used to send out messages of political unity.

Why the term "kapatid"?

It's two words, actually--"ka" and "patid." "Patid" refers to the umbilical cord that needs to be cut during birth. "Patid" means cut from. When another person used or uses that same umbilical cord as you did in birth, he or she has got to be your brother or sister. You used the same cord and were severed from the same. That makes you "ka-patid." It means you shared the same womb. It means you shared the same same life and sustenance.

Our Tagalog ancestors must have been so profound to have chosen the term for brother and sister, although I doubt if many tagalogs know this fact today.

"Kapatiran" or brotherhood or sisterhood should be understood from the same breath. When churches or fraternities use the term, it is usually from a narrow point of view--it's about membership to the same organization or having the same belief. How I wish churches would really understand the internal family-sense in which "kapatiran" should be based on.

Before you call someone your "kapatid" make sure you shared a common womb and sustaining umbilical cord, whether physical, spiritual, or emotional. If you just share a birthplace, I guess you may call each other "kababayan."

I've seen many foreigners whose love for the Philippines and Filipinos earn them the right to be "kapatid" with natives, more than some Filipinos do. I marvel at them for going all-out just to embrace our culture and values, while some Filipinos have rejected the same, and just use their Filipino heritage for gain.

I've seen Pinoy performers who fail in the US go back here to claim "love" for their brother and sister Filipinos or "Kapatid" and their "bayan." Well, I don't see any common womb or umbilical cord to make sense of their use of "kapatid"--just an opportunist effort to make money here.

Finally, some people, they'll call you "kapatid" because they want to feel your pockets and wallets. It's more of "kapa" or feeling with the hands whether they could get some money from you or not. And most of us here are guilty of that when a balik-bayan comes along.

You are right. I agree with you. We should not abuse the use of the word kapatid.

Wow, nice etymology. I don't call anybody my "kapatid" except for my biological brother and sister, but I am used to saying, "parang kapatid ko na yan".

And yes, tourist guide, many Filipinos look at our balikbayans as if they are a large dollar sign.

hihi! thanks so much for reading my post.

thanks so much for reading. i'll tell you a secret--none of of my siblings look even a degree like me. i have a completely different face than they have--and yet they are my kapatid!

it's really funny, you made laugh while i'm reading your post. i'ts a kind of sad the way how we used word Kapated. but you 100% right.
no hurt feeling