loob

Loob is a Filipino term that refers to the inner life of a person—the inner self, feelings, thoughts, motives, and conscience. It denotes the interior dimension of personhood that influences behavior, decisions, and moral judgments. In everyday use, loob is often discussed in relation to sincerity, integrity, and authenticity.

In Filipino culture and psychology, loob is frequently contrasted with labas, the outward self or appearance. This distinction emphasizes that a person’s outer actions or social presentation may not always fully reveal their inner state. Concepts such as utang na loob (a sense of debt of gratitude) are connected to loob, highlighting how inner attitudes toward others shape social relationships and obligations.

Loob is also invoked in discussions of character and virtue, where alignment between inner intentions and outward conduct is valued. In religious and spiritual contexts, the interior life—one’s conscience, resolve, and moral discernment—often centers on loob as a domain for personal reform and ethical conduct.

While loob does not map directly onto Western psychological categories, it remains a foundational idea in Filipino thought about identity, trust, and interpersonal dynamics. It helps explain why sincerity and consistency between inner beliefs and outward actions are important in social interactions and in maintaining harmony within families and communities.

See also: Utang na loob, Labas, Kapwa.