Pinoys turn to God in times of crisis

Spirituality is one of the identified coping mechanisms of Pinoys to acute stress following a disaster. Bayanihan or the cooperative endeavor is another way how Filipinos combat the problem. Many cope by showing concern for the welfare of others, especially family members, and how they can be helped. The book From Victims to Survivors by Lourdes Ladrido-Ignacio, MD, and Antonio P. Perlas, MD, MPH, cites other coping mechanisms that include: overactivity (overextension of one’s capacity); doing relaxing activities/recreation; creativity; humor/laughter; passivity/dependency; anger and blaming others; suspiciousness; smoking; drinking alcoholic beverages; crying; and denial of the pain and gravity of the situation.

We can see in the list both healthy and unhealthy ways of adjusting. In the Philippines, spirituality is a frequently seen coping style. The intimate relationship that Pinoys have with their religion allows them to accept reality in the context that all events are within the plan of God for the world. Good luck and misfortune are colored with some amount of optimism that is found even among the most desperate. The constant use of the phrase “bahala na” is actually not a defeatist resignation but can be perceived as a reservoir of psychic energy, a security blanket or a psychological crutch which Pinoys lean on in times of difficulty. Faith is the Pinoy’s source of courage, optimism, inner peace and ability to accept illness, tragedy and death. 

The “bayanihan” (mutual assistance) spirit is considered part of the pakikipagkapwa-tao, a trait which refers to the Pinoy’s natural openness to others and feelings of oneness with others. It is also shown through the ability to empathize through helpfulness and generosity in times of need. Certainly, these are all characteristics that could truly be tested and put to good use in times of distress. We have seen the bayanihan spirit, helpfulness and generosity of our countrymen after the Sept. 26 typhoon Ondoy calamity that dumped the heaviest rainfall on Metro Manila in more than four decades and the unbelievable typhoon Pepeng which had already made three land falls in northern Luzon.

The distressed Pinoy naturally will turn to the family for support (emotional, physical or financial) and the family bonding becomes stronger during such times.

Family orientation refers to the genuine and deep love for family that extends beyond the immediate family unit of spouse, siblings and parents. The Pinoy family typically includes aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, godparents and ceremonial relatives. The family serves as the source of strength and as an effective coping mechanism in times of crisis.

Overactivity as a way of coping seems to show that engagement in some activity is one way by which a person is able to demonstrate in concrete ways that he has regained control over some aspects of his life.  

Doing relaxing activity or engaging in recreation has been reported as one of the ways by which Pinoys cope with acute stress. Pinoys gather around to share stories.

Pinoys listen to the radio for information, to relax or distract themselves from distressing concerns at hand. Having information allows the Pinoy to somehow get some control of the distressing events in his life. The Pinoy can plan and prepare himself better with adequate information. Thank God, I had a China TV/radio celfone when I got stranded at the height of typhoon Ondoy.

The Pinoy continues to express his creativity even in the most trying circumstances. For example, shoe store owners who were flood victims in Marikina washed and cleaned their stocks and sold them at low prices.

The Pinoy, no matter how difficult the circumstances he is exposed to, continues to be able to laugh at them. If the Pinoy can laugh at a situation, then he has control over it. Creativity and humor have been identified as strengths of the Filipino character.

Anger and blaming others come naturally with the other attribute of suspiciousness. This can be equated to scape-goating as a method of coping. 

Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages are all efforts at somehow minimizing the effects of stress. This is somehow similar to the denial of pain and gravity of the situation as a way of Pinoy coping. The only difference is that in smoking and drinking, there is harm inflicted upon the Pinoy’s body as a consequence of the efforts at minimizing the pains suffered. These are considered immature defenses.

Crying is a way of coping by which the Pinoy is able to relieve the tension within and from there go to some other ways of coping.

Pinoy traits that are important to harness acute stress after a disaster:

1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao which should overcome the extreme personalism of the Pinoy.

2. Family orientation especially since the family continues to be the strongest support in times of disorganization secondary to acute stress after natural calamities like typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. The empathy that we get from our family cannot be equaled.

3. Faith and religiosity are strong recourse for disaster survivors with acute stress reactions.

4. The creativity and humor of the Pinoys should be remembered as important allies in overcoming the overwhelming distress following a calamity. 

(For questions on love and relationships, e-mail me at nina.halilijao@gmail.com.)