By Amirah Eloise M. Banda

In this year’s Paris Olympics, we warmly congratulated Carlos Yulo – a two-time gold medalist in Gymnastics. It was the first time our country won the said sport. While this success deserved celebration, discussions about his family issues, unfortunately, took some attention away from his achievement.

This situation raises an important question. Do we still embody the strong family bonds that others see in Filipino culture? Are “close family ties” still part of our identity? In Filipino culture, the concept of utang na loob—or a sense of debt and gratitude—is deeply valued. However, it can lead to overwhelming obligations. When significant sacrifices are made, the expectation for unwavering loyalty and support can follow. This may create conflict when those expectations feel excessive or interfere with personal goals. These tensions are often complicated by differing generational perspectives and external pressures. Such pressure can make personal decision-making difficult. People struggle to prioritize their own needs. Failing to meet these obligations can carry a heavy burden.

Is it selfish for a family member to make independent choices, even if it goes against the opinions of others? The reality is that close family ties can become strained or even lead to broken relationships when they turn unhealthy. It’s important to try to prevent this and work toward saving those bonds when possible. Leaving room for reconciliation can be one of the most effective ways to achieve peace of mind. Healing doesn’t follow a strict timeline, and it takes longer than expected. But when it does happen, relationships often become stronger—turning close family ties into even closer bonds.

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