What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to address the underlying narrative crisis affecting ecological actions and propose solutions.

February 22, 2026Open Access

The Crisis of Hiya: Narrative Failure and the Path to Ecological Honor

Key Points

The aim is to address the underlying narrative crisis affecting ecological actions and propose solutions.
Analyzed the Tayo Philosophy and its concepts of Hiya, Dangal, and Dungog.
Critically examined dominant narratives around ecological crises.
Proposed the practice of Isig-ka-ingon to foster connection with ecological systems.
Identified narrative failure as a root cause of ecological crises.
Defined Hiya as a feedback mechanism for human behavior within ecological narratives.
Proposed Dangal and Dungog as foundations for establishing ecological honor and balance.

Abstract

The climate and ecological crisis is most often framed as a problem of technology, economics, or policy. This paper argues that these are symptoms of a deeper, underlying pathology: a crisis of Hiya. Drawing from the emerging Tayo Philosophy, we define Hiya not as shame, but as the essential narrative feedback mechanism that regulates human conduct within a shared story (Ingon) of the world (Kalibutan). The dominant Ingon of human dominion and extraction has systematically disabled this mechanism. This paper proposes the concepts of Dangal (inherent worth as an ecological being) and Dungog (honor bestowed by the community of life) as the foundations for an "ecological honor." It frames restorative action not as technical mitigation, but as Isig-ka-ingon (co-narration) with the planet—the practice of listening and responding to the stories of our more-than-human co-narrators to restore Sakto, or dynamic balance.

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