Why the Philippines Has Lots of Guns But Few Mass Shootings

For now, however, hiyâ means you cannot “just start shooting people,” Narag says. “Because if that happens, you know the community won’t support you.”

As a Filipino American, this absolutely makes sense. The concept of “hiya” or shame or embarrassment, is strong in our culture. Contrasting that idea to American culture, especially American gun culture, it feels like the idea of shame or embarrassment does not exist.