A trait we must not forget...
By Toni
@toniganzon (72281)
Philippines
September 4, 2012 4:58am CST
The best thing about being a Filipino is we still know how to laugh despite the hardships in life.
I have met a lot of Koreans who wondered why poor people in our country still found a way to smile though they barely have food on their table or live in a shack. I told them, it's a natural trait. That's just simply being positive.
Despite our poverty, we have not forgotten that there's still happiness within. We make use of what's left and still see joy in simple things. As long as we have our family, we are alive and we are together, we always have hope. And with that little hope we smile, joke about our demise and laugh.
That one trait is a trademark.
1 person likes this
11 responses
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
4 Sep 12
We cannot find this trait to other people around the world. Only Filipinos have this kind of attitude. Even they have problems still you can see them laughing.
Like you said, it's our trademark. We don't lost hope despite of hardship and problems. We always believe "there is a rainbow after the rain".
Like you said, it's our trademark. We don't lost hope despite of hardship and problems. We always believe "there is a rainbow after the rain".@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
Only in the Philippines as we would say. We are simply authentic and I'm really proud of who and what we are!
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
5 Sep 12
And of course the beautiful people too. That one won't go unnoticed for foreigners.
@toyota4k (1208)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
That's true. Sometimes even poor families in the Philippines live in contentment as long as the family is intact and no danger of dying of hunger. On the other hand, the rich strive more to get get richer even to the extent of taking what do not belong to them.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
@toyota4k ...and that is what you call being GREEDY! I wonder why the rich becomes greedier to the extent of getting more what they want and even getting what already belongs to others. So sad.
@katiMaldita corruption. it has become a tradition and i hope it won't be a trait that we would be known for.
@katieMaldita (14)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
Yeah, and sometimes, poor families are much happier than the rich. Taking what do not belong to them...... there goes the corruption.
@angelkarah050182 (4980)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
I agree with you. Looking at less fortunate people smiling is a bit touching. If we could only provide their needs, I guess we'd like to help them. At least, they still appreciate life unlike other rich people, they have everything but they are not yet satisfied and still curse life. Happy mylotting.
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
We could do simple things to help them actually. We could join an organization that teaches the less fortunate ones to make things that can be sold in the market. Helping doesn't only mean we have to literally put food on their table. We must teach them how to put food on their table by themselves.
I just hope the government has more programs like this.
@BethelSophia (538)
• Philippines
5 Sep 12
Your right toni that trait is a trademark of being a Pilipino. Every time I can see a news about flood or any other calamities Pilipino people are always smiling. That's the attitude of a true Pilipino; he's still able to wear the best attire in life despite pain, struggles and hardships that's being optimistic. We are like a baby who appreciate things even how simple it is, we learn how to value things and wear a smile even if smiling is not easy. I am always proud of this trait, this trait should not be changed. This kind of attitude is indeed helpful and contagious.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
6 Sep 12
Yes and it's way much better than just being hopeless and killing ourselves.
@katieMaldita (14)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
That is why Filipino people are great. We know how to manage. We know how to appreciate. We still find reasons to be happy even there are alot of problems. That's Filipino pride. I'm proud to be one :)
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
Yes we should be proud to be one despite the odds! We should be proud of our skin, because we are simply authentic!
@yanzalong (18988)
• Indonesia
4 Sep 12
You will see the same in Indonesia. Poor people still smile despite their pennilessness.
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
Good to know we share the same trait. In here we do more than smile, we laugh and even make a joke out of the depressive situation.
@thanks1961 (7035)
• India
4 Sep 12
Hi Ton,
I salute your culture and life style.
I have a lots of friends (in myLot) from Philippines and I already witnessed what you said about. The simplicity and gratitude is highly appreciable and it is almost the same what I see from every person whom I happend to sepak with. I hope that all people over there will improve a lot and the culture and tradition will be a turning point for many other nations in the coming times.
Regards
I have a lots of friends (in myLot) from Philippines and I already witnessed what you said about. The simplicity and gratitude is highly appreciable and it is almost the same what I see from every person whom I happend to sepak with. I hope that all people over there will improve a lot and the culture and tradition will be a turning point for many other nations in the coming times.
Regards1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
Thank you for taking notice of our trait. It's really something to be proud of. I'm glad that we have this trait rather than pulling the trigger and blowing our heads.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
That seems to be one trait of the Filipinos that we are known for. Even how much depressed we are. we still manage to give a smile and take everything as just part of life and that.....tomorrow is another day.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
Not only smile, we also laugh and joke about how poor we are! Remember John Purontong in John and Marcia. 
@alberello (4752)
• Italy
4 Sep 12
Well, I'm glad that in the Philippine Islands, just as you have the gift of nature, always have a smile, even when things do not go exactly your way.
Here in Italy (my country), unfortunately we smile we lost it now for several years. The economic problems, governments that have taken place without combining anything good for the people, brought people almost to exasperation!
Just think if only in my case, I find myself still unemployed at the age of 37, with a more than uncertain future!
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
4 Sep 12
My dear friend, here in the Philippines there are over thousands of people at your age that are unemployed. You can see people at their 40s and 50s without a job and haven't had a job their entire laugh. But you can see them in the farm, planting while singing and laughing at the end of the day.
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
5 Sep 12
Indeed it is a good trait that Filipinos are well known for.
