The Survival Instinct of the Filipinos
Posted on Saturday, 25 October 2014
The
Survival Instinct of the Filipinos
By Apolinario Villalobos
Survival is a human instinct, but varies
according to environment and culture. Some can survive with utmost honesty,
some with deception, and still others do with violence. The Filipinos use ingenuity
and resourcefulness in order to survive, sometimes even with much tolerance of
a wrongdoing – a manifestation of a non-violent character. This tolerance does
not mean, however, that the Filipinos are of a cowardly race. By survival, this
writer, mean endurance and persistence.
Filipinos have shown that despite the
onslaught of disasters, they have recovered, with grace, yet. And, recovery is
made with resourcefulness. Though typhoons and floods may have flattened
villages and towns, the affected literally pick up pieces of their lives–
actually, useful debris that could be pieced together even for a scant roof
over their head.
Tin cans become pots for rice to be cooked
and water to be boiled for doled out coffee or instant noodles.
In big cities such as Manila, what some
perceive as vagabonds are actually Filipinos who survive on the jingling coins
in their pockets and junks that can be salvaged from dumps, and sold in
recycling centers for their daily subsistence. Those who sell candies and cigarettes
in traffic-clogged streets do their best to set aside substantial amount for a
pedaled trike (traysikad) that would become a regular source of a bigger
income. Some patiently gather vegetable trimmings discarded by vegetable
wholesalers, to be cleaned and sold by pile on sidewalks.
The non-violent character of the Filipinos
made them tolerate even the blatant ineptness of the government, and instead of
raising hands that grip guns, they make do with rallies where effigy- burning,
shouts, speeches and songs become their “most violent” expressions. Not even
the much ballyhooed “People Power Revolution” that caused the toppling of the
Marcos dictatorship saw violent actions from the waves of protesters.
Compatriots in military and police uniforms reciprocated by accepting flowers
and foods offered to them.
While in the Middle East and Africa there
are incidents of suicide bombings, nothing of same sort has ever happened in
the country. Long before the spate of kidnapping for ransom in Mindanao rocked
the island, particularly Jolo and Basilan, some countries in South America have
already been suffering from it. Despite the threats announced by headlines in
broadsheets and tabloids about the sure collapse of tourism industry because of
the varied turmoil, the Filipinos nonchalantly continue to hope for the better
by doing something to arrest the downtrend.
The Philippines is a case of “unity in
diversity”. Filipinos who have diversified cultures and religions have managed
to maintain a closely-knit society. When the vast Philippine Arena of the
Iglesia ni Cristo in Bulacan was inaugurated, the whole country celebrated.
During the seasons of Ramadan and Eidl Fitre, Christians are one with Muslim
brethren, the former being respectful to the solemnity involved. During
Christmas, many Muslim homes also display lanterns and Christmas trees. When
the MNLF-Nur Misuari faction devastated Zamboanga City, Christians and Muslims
joined hands in condemning his act. In Mindanao, when ragtag bands of rebels
would attack a village, Muslims and Christians flee to the same direction for
safety.
This unique survival character of the
Filipinos is once again put to test in the face of the political and economic
unrest that beset the country today. Not a single day is without a tabloid or a
broadsheet shouting headlines about corruptions in the government and the
weakness of the leadership. The Filipinos turn to the social media to express
their ill-feelings. There are pockets of rallies but they are held with utmost
restraint. Issues on the volatile economy and impending “chaos” that might
result to starvation due to skyrocketing of prices and expected long power
interruptions do not deter the steadfast Filipinos who astutely maintain their
patience and poise.
The unique survival instinct of the
Filipinos may be attributed to their fear of God. Their religiosity is so
deeply-rooted in their character that even in the face of any adversity, they
are unfazed.
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