The term pakikibaka comes from the Filipino root word "baka", meaning "battle of two minds," combined with the prefix pakiki-, which indicates participation in an action. Therefore, pakikibaka literally translates to "act of participating in battle" and is understood in Filipino psychology as collective resistance, struggle, and uprisings against a common threat or injustice.
Pakikibaka emphasizes that struggle is not an individualistic act but one that arises from a deep sense of belonging and interconnectedness among Filipinos. It reflects the nation's history of fighting for freedom, dignity, and social justice against colonizers and oppressive regimes. The term encompasses not only physical uprisings and revolutions but also the moral and ideological battles faced by Filipinos.