There's a survey that was done recently by Happy Planet regarding who are the happiest people on earth. And among the 145 countries they conducted, Philippines ranked 14th. That's a pretty good rank I should say. It's not because I'm a Filipino, but I would say it's because I know it's true. Knowing that my country is STILL...sad to say, a 3rd world country, despite intelligent leaders and talented artists, my homeland is still poor economically. And despite the natural resources that surrounds it. Let me share the hardships I had back home. I can say that I pretty much grew up in an average family. Average would mean we eat three times a day(although i am not used to having breakfast because i always wake up at lunchtime)...we own our house(meaning we don't rent). We got cable TV, Ref, gas stove, electric fan, dvd player, cd/cassette player, telephone, internet, i get to buy new clothes regularly and watch movies every week. We don't have a car, though. Because in the Philippines, there are families that are a lot worse. Families of 7 to 12 live in shanties, one meal a day is good enough. Sometimes they have to dig in trash to get food, not to mention they have to pay bills. Or worse, they will just tap wire from neighbors to get electricity. And even though I say we are not poor, we still struggle. The monthly bills that I have to work on, the food to provide on our table and some other basic necessities. Plus sometimes when my mother's diabetes got worse and have some complications, that would even make it harder. That even if you work hard and paid good, sometimes, good is still not enough. It's just so hard to make ends meet. But what makes Filipinos happy? I really can't explain why...i guess it's the nature among asians with some spanish influencee that made us just a "carefree" people. Although according to the survey, filipinos were happy but not satisfied. That's very true, because most filipinos are hardworker and family-oriented. So, they'd do everything to help the family. Even when they got married and have their own family, most would still help their aging parents. Nursing homes are uncommon in the Philippines. Because it's a tradition that you should take care of your parents when they get old as a sort of a payback. So you must keep your aging parents in your home, together with your family(your spouse and kids). One way or the other, the children should find time to take care of their parents, in any way possible.
Sometimes I myself get amazed because we would always complain how hard life is, but yet, we still manage to get a five peso coin and put in the videoke jukebox and sing. We still go to the malls, and find bargains. Watch the latest movies. We are always updated. I remember, back in Manila, i get to watch concerts of international artists. Despite of and inspite of, really....
I was even surprised that the malls here in Daytona is nothing compared to malls in Manila. Even my husband Steve was amazed. We got SM megamall, which is about 348,000 square meters. And the Mall of Asia is about 42 hectares. It has the maximum capacity of a of 4.2 million people. I can't imagine that! Well, my point here is that, Filipinos are naturally happy people despite poverty. That i'd say those malls play a big role in making their lives enjoyable even without money to spend. It all boils down to being family-oriented. That whatever happens, blood is thicker than water. Whining and complaining can only make life harder and won't help. A simple meal is okay as long as the family is happy. We don't have to worry if we got no toast and toaster, nor peanut butter and bagels and cream cheese in the morning. Any food will do in the morning. You are lucky enough to have breakfast. It don't matter if we don't have hotdog buns. Any bread available will go with hotdogs anyways. We don't have to worry what food to pair with anything. We are brought up to be grateful enough that you have something on your table. That millions out there are starving to death. So you don't have to complain if you don't have cream cheese for your bagel...any spread will do. It won't harm your stomach after all. It's funny I remember days before I left the Philippines, I don't have enough money left. And my friends insisted on coming to our house to say goodbye and have a little get-together(a despedida as we call it), although i have done several farewell parties already. I can't stop them. So they came even though I warned them I have nothing to offer, foodwise. But instead, we cooked some ramen noodles ("lucky me" pancit canton), bought a 10 peso worth of monay (bread), a couple of RC cola bottles(soda). I fried some leftover hotdogs from the refrigerator and there we go, we had a little farewell party! And one of them made "pancit bihon" (like a fried noodles) which is very delicious! And we did some sing-along using a borrowed magic sing mic from the neighbor. So we had fun! See, how simple things can be fun without spending too much! I'd say we only spend 2 to 3 dollars total. It could be even less.
I guess that's one thing i would never trade of...the Filipino culture. Many go abroad looking for greener pasture, and help their families. But at the end of the day, they'd still go back....and go home.
I'd say my home is where my heart is...and for now, my home is with my husband. I am happy and content with what i have, and i am very thankful. I would say i am blessed. Although I admit I missed my hometown sometimes. It's not really the place, it's the people I missed a lot. My friends, family, the culture, and I guess the "happy attitude" of the filipino people.
Don't get me wrong, I am not patriotic or something.
