"Filipino Resiliency": An Overused Ornament in the Struggles of Filipinos

People have the ability to quickly recover from disasters and handle problems better than those in the middle and lower parts of society. Because the government is not helping to ease their hardships, the middle and lower classes turn to a positive way of thinking. This “resiliency” becomes a temporary fix that covers up bigger problems. It’s their only choice in their tough situation.

The smiles of people during hard times have amazed others and made being Filipino something to be proud of. The media also spreads this idea of “resiliency” through touching stories. Over time, this has romanticized the struggles of disaster victims. It’s good to recognize the strength of Filipinos, but over-glorifying their hardships has turned into a culture of romanticizing Filipino resiliency. This reflects a society that decorates the suffering of the masses.

As this culture continues, it becomes harder for people to recover from their struggles. The government ignores the real solutions to the people’s problems. By praising the masses, the government avoids responsibility and does not address the real needs of Filipinos. There is no quick action to restore the lives of those affected. As people get used to this culture, there will come a time when smiles will disappear, and anger and resistance will grow, showing what true resiliency means.