The "Utang Ng Loob" of Filipino-American Catholics

2324 North Fremont Street,Chicago IL 60614

01 May, 2022

Description

How the core Filipino cultural trait of "utang ng loob"—indebtedness—impacts Filipino-American Catholics' faith, citizenship, and identity ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Please note that this is an IN-PERSON event: At this time, DePaul University requires that attendees show proof of vaccination, including booster (or a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event). Should the university's COVID protocol change as the event approaches, we will post those updates here and include them in the final reminder e-mails sent to registrants. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Limited seating; dinner provided.Special Filipino Mass to follow at 8:00pm at the nearby St. Vincent de Paul Parish (1010 W. Webster Ave.)::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The Philippines is the only Asian country with a majority Catholic population. And among Asians in the United States, Filipino-Americans comprise the largest Catholic population. In this talk, Aprilfaye Manalang uses the core Filipino cultural trait of utang ng loob—indebtedness—to discuss what Catholicism means to this significant group of immigrant Americans and how it impacts their citizenship and identity. She explains that Filipino-Americans feel utang ng loob for their “blessing” of U.S. citizenship, and she shares the ways they express that gratitude, or repay that “debt,” via their local Catholic parishes and regional associations. ::: ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO ::: Celebrating the Filipino Feast of Santo Niño in Virginia Beach, VA (courtesy of Cebuano-Speaking Association of Tidewater, VA) ::: ABOUT THE SPEAKER ::: Aprilfaye Manalang is associate professor of interdisciplinary studies at Norfolk State University (Norfolk, VA) and the recipient of the John Templeton Foundation’s Early Career Award. Her research interests include immigration, transnationalism, the sociology of religion, citizenship, and race/ethnicity.