I ask myself the same question, Julie. During my trip to RP last summer, I was really amazed at how we can easily find laughter in everything. One of my nephews sprained his ankle and he was laughing as he limped around finding humor in his situation. In a way, I think it is good because we age slowly. Di ba mas marami raw kulubot na ibinibigay ang pagsimangot kaysa sa pagngiti?
BTW, thanks a lot for visiting and offering to help me with my blog problem thru your hubby’s help.
Take care and kisses to you and yours.
Tita

• Yes, Tita, we always tend to find humor even in situations we don’t really find good. Maybe it is a defense mechanism to cope up or maybe it is our nature to be cheerful. Thanks

hi julie. i agree with you,

i think the more appropriate word ought to be cheerful, or jovial. people can be cheerful but not necessarily happy diba.

a perfect example would be the recent coup in manila pen. nagkakabarilan na, nagkakagirian na sa pwesto ng pagka-pangulo, pero sa loob ng building, the camera man was able to take shots of a group of media men doing wacky posings in front of digicams and phonecams, ala-pang friendster..
masayahin lang sila, but they were not necessarily masaya about the coup.
maaring nakangiti ang mga tao, but theyre not necessarily happy about their lives.
pero ako, masayahin at masaya ako so pasok ako sa statistics, hahaha

• Sabagay, Cess, sometimes it is a matter of perspectives (naks, pinromote ko pa ang PMN article ko). We think bad and sad thoughts and these reflects on us. But if we find the good in every bad situation we are in, we find humor and acceptance. I am a happy person too but with the problems I am encountering with my work, hay…I guess it goes with the territory. I am just glad to be a part of their small successes in life, which makes me happy. Thanks

I’ve met many people from different countries who all say that Filipinos have such a positive energy around them. I think it’s true, we’re happy. Those who aren’t are the outliers. Just being optimistic… and happy.

• Yes, MegaMom, we are happy, or rather cheerful people. We find humor in the worst of situations, and we are able to accept as well as adapt well, even if we don’t really want to. Sabi nga nila, we have learned to live with whatever we have. Thanks

I think its true too. I bet our suicide rate is lower than most countries. We don’t have a sense of isolation. There’s a big sense of family and kapamilya and kasamahan (is that the right word) among Filipinos.

• Tintin, yes, we don’t have that sense of isolation though sometimes being with family could sometimes be stifling, in some ways but that is another thought. Maybe family ties is one of the reasons we are kept afloat when times are difficult because we are able to share the burden and we even find humor in these situations. And for that, I am truly happy.

Here’s something to make you happy: I took your advice and started a Sunset Photo tag. You’re it!

It’s interesting what make one person happy and another sad. Over New Year’s I’m taking a cruise on Holland America (Oosterdam). Almost the whole staff is Filipino, and very wonderful. There’s always a smile…

It’s funny how some people who reply to your weblog use a combination of English and what seems to be Filipino. The interchange is seamless..

• Cheryl, if truth be told, we find humor in the worst situations which seems ironic. Yes, we may be hurting but we can still offer a smile or two. Life is very difficult in this part of the world, but still we rise against the odds, smiling. I am happy to learn about the Filipino staff in your cruise. Oh and the Filipino with the English, we really tend to write as well speak that way. Thanks

hi. I agree with ladycess. I think the right word is cheerful. masayahain talaga ang mga pinoy. to me happiness is the ultimate, it means contentment.

btw, I tagged you in my blog.

• Monaco, we are in a never-ending pursuit of happiness, of contentment. And to be able to find humor in not-so-good situations is truly remarkable. Re the tag, yes, I have been tagged by the same meme, I will just link you both when I do the tag which I have in my drafts. Thanks for the visit and the tag

Hi Teacher Julie,

I think the Pinoy’s happiness is on different levels of our being. I agree, laughing does not mean being happy. It may just be a defense mechanism to avoid crying or becoming desperate.
But in our own individual hearts, we find happiness in being with our family, friends or colleagues.

• Amie, yes, not because we are laughing means we are happy, but this sure is a good sign that at least, we are positive. Life is difficult and if we can’t be content, if we can’t be happy, we would probably be bitter. Being with family is reason enough to be happy. Thanks, Amie

happy to me is accepting what i have and to treasure the ppl around me.
ppl always wants more than what they have, the big car, big house, fat pay cheque, and lotsa cash as if that’s the only thing that matters in this world.
that makes them unhappy.

• Sher’s Mom, people would never really be satisfied, contented. This is a dynamic aspect of living. But if we focus more on getting contented, getting that goal we have set, we lose sight of the little things that make life more exciting, more meaningful and happier. Sometimes, the things that we think would make us happy  would prove to be not so. Thanks