Exploring the Concept of Tagasalo in Artificial Intelligence: A Case Study of Filipino Guidance Counselors

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

• Christine B. Abad, De La Salle University, ManilaFollow
• Sofia Kim C. De Guia, De La Salle University, ManilaFollow
• Kary Ann Nicole L. Fauni, De La Salle University, ManilaFollow
• Stacy Heather M. Nava, De La Salle University, ManilaFollow

Document Types

Paper Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Media and Philippine Studies (MPS)

School Name

De La Salle University Senior High School (Manila Campus)

Track or Strand

Humanities and Social Science (HUMSS)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Gopez, Christian P.

Start Date

23-6-2026 1:30 PM

End Date

23-6-2026 3:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

DLSU Manila Campus (In-person) - Don Enrique T. Yuchengco Hall - Y405

Abstract/Executive Summary

The concept of tagasalo in Filipino psychology refers to the relational expectation that one absorbs the emotional burdens of others in order to maintain social harmony. Existing scholarship has examined this role primarily within human interpersonal relationships, leaving unexplored how emerging technologies may reshape the dynamics of emotional burden sharing. This study explores how Filipino guidance counselors engage with generative artificial intelligence in emotionally oriented interactions and how these engagements are interpreted through the culturally grounded concept of the tagasalo. The findings show that counselors’ engagement with AI emerges from conditions of professional frustration, emotional isolation, relational constraints shaped by hiya, and curiosity about emerging technologies. Counselors use AI in navigating their emotional burdens by treating it as a conversational space for articulating frustrations, organizing thoughts, and seeking preliminary coping strategies. More significantly, several participants describe artificial intelligence as functioning as a tagasalo, positioning the technology as an initial recipient of emotional burdens that they hesitate to disclose within their interpersonal networks. This interpretation reflects broader Filipino relational dynamics shaped by hiya and pakikiramdam, where emotional disclosure is carefully regulated to preserve social harmony. While counselors recognize the limitations of AI and affirm the irreplaceability of human relationships, the findings suggest that generative AI may operate as a provisional site of emotional articulation within digitally mediated contexts.

Keywords

artificial intelligence; counseling; Filipino guidance counselor; tagasalo

Initial Consent for Publication

no

Statement of Originality

yes