Episode S8 · Ep 34 October 30, 2026 52 min 11s

INTERVIEW: History and psychology as kapwa (feat. Sikodiwa)

Since 2022, scholar and teacher Carl Lorenz Cervantes has been sharing his thoughts on psychology, folk wisdom, and spirituality through a series of social posts, podcasts, online essays, and even zines. Collectively, he calls this ongoing project “Sikodiwa”, which combines the words for psychology—sikolohiya—and the word for spirit or essence—diwa. His work often frames the concepts of sikolohiyang Pilipino through a very spiritual, very approachable, and very uplifting lens. In 2025, the book version of Sikodiwa was published under North Atlantic Books, based out of Berkley, California. The book is subtitled “Revisiting Filipino Indigenous Wisdom for Personal and Shared Well-being.” But how is wisdom and well-being shaped by history—especially a history characterized by centuries of foreign occupation? That’s what we’re here to talk about with Carl, as we map out that strange place where history and psychology meet.

My book Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves is now available on Shopee and Lazada for only P395.

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The Colonial Dept. Interview is a series where I talk to researchers and authors shining a light on our past.