Humor and Positivity; Common Traits of Filipino in Facing Challenges

Filipinos are known to be the happiest, even in the face of troubles and hardships.

Filipinos: Who We Are?

Every country has different values and stereotypes, including the Philippines. We Filipinos are convinced that our country possesses the best values and characteristics in the world. Filipinos are not perfect, but we have excellent qualities that we should be proud of.

Filipinos are known for their smile in the face of adversity and find something to laugh about, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Aside from being hospitable, Filipinos are known for their ability to be happy and positive regardless of the circumstances. Whether battling powerful typhoons or simply surviving horrendous Metro traffic, Filipinos have reason to smile.

Despite the difficulties of life, Filipinos remain optimistic because they believe that there is always a rainbow after the rain. Instead of complaining, they strive to adapt quickly and make difficult decisions in an instant.

Filipinos can overcome challenges in the past and present because of their positive outlook on life. And even if nothing changes, their optimism can help them in the future.

This is what I observed in my Aeta Learners. Look at them; they are smiling while drinking in a water spring. Despite all their challenges, they still manage to smile and cope with everything they are going through.

They never hesitate to go to school barefooted; they manage to go school rain or shine. They always say yes to all school activities, even if they need more food and money.

Their positivity helps me to keep going. Because of their positive outlook, they inspire me to work hard for them and hustle hard to make money to provide them with food and the necessities they need for studying and nutrition.

The poverty they are experiencing now is not an excuse for them to continue their studies. For them, poverty is not a hindrance to chasing their dreams; instead, it’s become their stepping step to progress through success.

Despite the obstacles, Filipinos seem ready for whatever challenges life throws at them. There will always be a reason to smile, to be happy, and to face life head-on.

And I therefore realize…

Filipinos use humor to distract themselves from problems and setbacks. They avoid life's most difficult problems by shifting their focus from problems to the amusing aspects of every situation they encounter. Filipinos can lift each other's spirits in the midst of adversity, making stressful situations brighter and less severe.

Filipino humor also acts as a social glue, uniting all Filipinos who have shared similar experiences in the face of a crisis. This shared laughter fosters the essential solidarity that informs everyone that their experiences are shared by many others. Shared cultural perspectives and circumstances shape how Filipinos interact and socialize with their sense of humor.

Humor can sometimes mask and prevent Filipinos from taking essential matters seriously. Still, it can also be a way for them to express hostility without causing tension and channel their negative feelings towards others without directly resulting in heated exchanges. We use our humor to express our identities, opinions, and beliefs that may contradict some people. Filipinos have found a way to engage one sense of humor to propagate relevant ideologies and views based on existing national conditions.

The ability to view the situation through the positive lens of humor reignites the hope and solidarity of Filipinos in overcoming whatever life gives them. On the bright side, always finding a reason to smile in the middle of a storm adds up to the genuineness of Filipino humor.

This is a standard train of a Filipino, and I am proud to be one!