No matter what the situations we are facing, Filipinos are known to be resilient. We are used to overcoming difficult situations and managing injurious experiences including natural calamities on the top list. And we are confident that under any circumstances, this “Filipino Resiliency Culture” will carry the day. But evidently, the Philippines was not indeed prepared for this pandemic. It has been almost two years since it was started and up to now, we are still suffering patiently on different unceasing restrictions. At once, the Filipinos are asking, until when?
Nowadays, it seems that many Filipinos are normalizing how resilient our fellow “kababayan”, especially those who are much affected by these current states. It is frightening to think that they perceived it as a positive attitude without realizing that it is being romanticized.
It is no secret that Filipinos experienced volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and in weeks, the Philippines faced another tropical cyclone, a typhoon that damaged crops and homes while still dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hence, the total number of confirmed cases gets worse, people have died and medical front-liners were also affected and diagnosed and several people have lost their jobs. Despite those heightened numbers, Harry Roque said in a press briefing last 2020, "Ako po ay nagagalak na hindi tayo 100 percent nawalan ng trabaho kasi sa tagal po na naka-lockdown tayo, talagang I'm still surprised at our resilience at 45 percent pa lang po ang nawawalan ng trabaho,",
"It could have been worse, kasi nga po complete lockdown ang nangyayari sa atin."
While this controversial quote seems justifiable, on the other side of the coin, it is seen as an insult to the Filipinos and attests that the government relies too much on how the Filipinos are optimistic despite all the struggles they are facing.
Within those two years, countless people lost their jobs, many businesses were forcibly closed due to bankruptcy, public drivers and public market workers were also affected. Moreover, extensive lockdowns were implemented and as everyone knows, scarce “ayuda” had been distributed but it clearly showed that those were not enough. Consequently, we have seen many Child Labour cases where children were forced to work to provide and help their family with daily needs. How alarming that instead of giving an immediate action, the media and government glorify it first as unquestionably, it is against the law.
Government should be held accountable in this time of crisis. It is not the right time for toxic positivity since it's their job to provide efficient services and assistance. They are also responsible for protecting their citizens. They should come up with concrete plans as well as solutions.
As one of the people who lost their job with this pandemic, it is truly hard to accept that their actions are indeed slow-moving. They are not prepared for this unexpected crisis. And the resiliency of the Filipinos reflects how incompetent our government is.
“Sanay na.”
“Nasanay na lang din.”
Those are the answers we always get when asking people (especially the indigent) about their difficult situations. How sad that the only choice they have is to live through it. Filipinos are indeed resourceful. As long as they are surviving, it is already enough for them. But they deserve more. We, Filipinos, deserve more.
Again, the question is, until when?
How long will the Filipinos be resilient to this pandemic?
By: Ana Marie Still Intales & Joanna Marie Martinez
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