In relationships, loyalty is often seen as one of the most important aspects that creates a strong foundation between people. And when we say people, we&rsquo;re not limiting it to partners. We also mean family, friends, officemates, and others with whom you interact every day. Loyalty in action is the act of actively choosing who you side with. Ask yourself, &ldquo;Sino bang kinakampihan at pinoprotektahan ko?&rdquo; and your answer will tell where your loyalty lies.
While it is a Filipino trait that most people often admire, we can&rsquo;t deny that it has its faults. When loyalty is taken to extremes, there is a question that can bring out the worst in you: What happens when the person you chose has caused harm to others?&nbsp;
Suddenly, the idea of &ldquo;protecting&rdquo; them carries a different weight.
Covering up their actions may feel like standing by them, but it also means allowing harm to go unchecked. Silence can unintentionally make you complicit while leaving others vulnerable. On the other hand, outing your partner and exposing their behavior can feel like betrayal, but it may be the only way to stop the cycle of damage.
This is the kind of choice that tests the deepest corners of a relationship. Protecting someone you love shouldn&rsquo;t mean ignoring the pain they&rsquo;ve caused, and here are some things to think about when this happens to you:
<ul>
<li>Support &ne; covering up. You can still love someone while encouraging them to take responsibility.</li>
<li>Safety first. If your partner&rsquo;s actions put others at risk, protecting them only enables more harm.</li>
<li>Accountability matters. Love without accountability often leads to resentment and further damage.</li>
</ul>
In the end, it comes down to asking yourself: Is your silence protecting your partner, or is it protecting harm itself?