Why Filipinos Still Manage to Smile During Crises

The Philippines is a disaster-prone country. We experience calamities on a yearly basis. We often have floods, earthquakes, typhoons, even terrorist attacks and other incidents that could dampen the spirit of the people. But no, not the Filipino, we manage to smile and laugh and find humor in those times of crises.

Mostly because of our upbringing. We are a third world country and we have been experiencing hardships most of our lives, we have learned the tendency to cope in order to survive. A smile and laughter in times of strife is a sign of strength and resilience, that life is indeed a roller-coaster.; sometimes you're up and sometimes you're down. That kind of acceptance is prevalent and instilled in the culture and traditions. Ask a Filipino how he's doing during a crisis, he would shyly flash his smile and tell you he is doing fine. Most of them will say "Ganyan talaga ang buhay!" meaning That's life! And he would accommodate you more even if he has little left.

To give you examples of how Filipinos are during calamities, I have compiled several photos that were circulating in facebook at the the time of the crisis.

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There is actually a song about laughing your problems away, by our national artist Freddie Aguilar. His songs are about the Filipino way of life. These are the lyrics to his song:

PROBLEMA (PROBLEM) by Freddie Aguilar

Sari-saring problema
(Different problems)
Ang sa ulo mo'y tumotorta
(In your mind is confusing)
Lahat na halos ng paraan
(You have done all the ways)
Sinubok mo ngunit 'di umubra
(You tried yet to no avail)
Ba't 'di ka tumawa, tumawa ka
(Why don't you laugh, just laugh)
Tawanan mo ang 'yong problema
(Laugh on your problems)

'Di mo dapat dibdibin
(Don't take it to heart)
At 'wag mong masyadong isipin
(Don't think too much about it)
Libangin mo ang iyong sarili
(Try to amuse yourself)

Tawanan mo ang iyong problema
(Laugh on your problems)
Tumawa ka, bakit hindi
(Laugh it off, why not)
Tawanan mo ang 'yong problema
(Laugh on your problems)

AD LIB
[Laughing]

Ganyan nga, kaibigan
(That's it my friend)
Tawanan mo ang iyong problema
(Laugh on your problems)
'Wag mong isipin nang todo
(Don't think too much about it)
Baka ikaw ay maloko
(Or you'll go crazy)
Tumawa ka, bakit hindi
(Just laugh, why not)
Tawanan mo ang 'yong problema
(Laugh on your problems)

AD LIB
[Laughing]

Tumawa ka, bakit hindi
(Just laugh, why not)
Tawanan mo ang 'yong problema
(Laugh on your problems)

The song reflects the usual way Filipinos give advice to family members, relatives and friends. We all know that problems will always be present in our lives no matter what we do. Just when we thought we are finished with a hurdle, another one comes and is more difficult than the last one. Laughing on the problem won't help solve it but it calms the mind and heart. Laughter is the best medicine and by laughing, it helps in making us push further and accept whatever comes. Laughing is an uplifting way to carry on through life.

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