A 2012 World Happiness Report has reportedly ranked the Philippines “among the least happiest in Southeast Asia, or 103rd out of 155 surveyed countries worldwide.” That bit of news should be as welcome as a skin rash to advocates of the Philippine tourism slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines”. It could actually lead them to a depressive state, which could slightly increase the number of Filipinos who are suffering from depression.
No one is safe from kabuwisitan.
| SUPPORT INDEPENDENT SOCIAL COMMENTARY! Subscribe to our Substack community GRP Insider to receive by email our in-depth free weekly newsletter. Opt into a paid subscription and you'll get premium insider briefs and insights from us. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter, GRP Insider! Learn more |
Depression is a serious issue that Filipinos need to address. But like with most serious issues facing the nation, most Filipinos tend to just shrug it off as inconsequential. Some would even insist that the study must be inaccurate because they truly believe that Filipino “resilience” can be attributed to the people’s happy-go-lucky nature despite the disasters — both natural and man-made — they have suffered.
But we Filipinos need to get real. We all know that life in the Philippines can be stressful even at the best of times. This is true even for some of those who live in exclusive gated communities. It is evident in the way famous actors like Claudine Barreto and husband Raymart Santiago got involved in a brawl with equally-famous media personality Ramon Tulfo, just because they felt frustration over the poor service of an airline and the latter’s alleged invasion of their privacy. No one is safe from kabwisitan in the Philippines.
We all know that behind the facade of smiley faces, most Filipinos have their own collection of tales of woes ready to be told. From one’s daily harrowing experience on the road going to and from work dodging potholes and irritable, unruly motorists who, if you are lucky, may even slap you in the face or if you are unlucky, may lodge a bullet in your brain. Even more distressing is the experience of dealing with neighbors who find a way to invade your privacy in the most blatant way possible; or for some, dealing with relatives who give new meaning to the word mooching. Experiencing these things on a regular basis could drive people over the edge, indeed.
One of the ways to counter being sad or depressed is being true to yourself. This means we need to collectively admit where we constantly get it wrong. Understanding why some Filipinos feel depressed may help overcome the problem. A physician could prescribe medication for those proven to have clinical depression. However, in most cases, medication can only mask the underlying issue of Filipinos’ inability to be accountable for their own actions. It will not address the root of the problem. If you voted for President BS Aquino in the last presidential election for example, you need to share the blame in the way the country is being mismanaged by your choice of leader. If he ends up running the country to the ground, it can only be because you did not take concrete steps to ensure that he performs to the best of his abilities.
What could be making Filipinos feel depressed? Feelings of helplessness and overall frustration over the lack of progress in their personal lives back-dropped by the lack of progress of their country can indeed make some Filipinos feel depressed. The current crop of leaders in the country headed by President BS Aquino is likely contributing much to making a lot of people feel depressed. A lot of people think that he is turning the Philippines into a vindictive society particularly with the way he persecutes his political enemies. This makes people feel generally “unsafe” because they think that if they do not support the President or criticize him, he might come after them too — which could be part of the reason why most Filipinos tend to shy away from politics. This is why you always here some say in resignation, “wala tayong magagawa.”
Likewise, it’s been said that some people describe depression as “living in a black hole or having a feeling of impending doom. However, some depressed people don’t feel sad at all–they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic.” That aptly describes the behavior of some Filipinos. No wonder Filipinos in general feel apathetic towards the problems that plagued the nation. They could be indifferent because they are depressed.
Unfortunately, this is an issue that is difficult to address because to counter depression, the individual needs to be more proactive. But how can a depressed individual be proactive if he feels empty and helpless? It’s a chicken and egg situation.
Family support can help an individual cope with stress but with more and more Filipinos leaving for work abroad, dysfunctional family units have become the norm. This increases the likelihood of many Filipinos, especially children, feeling displaced or feeling alone.
In a society ruled by the so-called padrino system, equal opportunity for everyone is virtually non-existent. Those who are not well-connected are left out because those who have associations with the right people are the ones who tend to move up the social or corporate ladder. Our clannish mentality results in unhealthy non-inclusive competition thereby perpetually creating an atmosphere of resentment. Again, the incumbent President BS Aquino has demonstrated many times that if one is not well-connected; it is nearly impossible to get an important position in the private and especially the public sector.
Some other common signs and symptoms of depression are the following.
Anger or irritability. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
Reckless behavior. You engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.
Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
[Photo courtesy Manila Times.]
Indeed, the above signs and symptoms generally apply to a lot of Filipinos. It could be the reason why the country remains one of Asia’s basketcase. Instead of actively participating in the running of the country, most Filipinos engage in “escapist” behavior, which also includes too much partying and watching “telenovelas”. Instead of directing their pent up frustration towards their public servants, they take it out on innocent bystanders on the road and everyone else except the people who make a mockery out of our institutions in government.
If only Filipinos can realize that being more active in politics can actually make them happy, feelings of depression could go away. As a recent study shows, “participants who scored higher in political activism also reported higher levels of personal well-being.”
Specifically, political activism scores were associated with feeling more pleasant emotions, reporting greater life satisfaction, and having more experiences of freedom, competence, and connection to others. Our application of past research on “psychological thriving” further showed that 28 percent of the politically active adults had reached this highest level of well-being, compared to 18 percent of the community sample.
Our results suggest that it might also be worthwhile to highlight the internal rewards citizens can obtain from being politically engaged: A sense of satisfaction, the experience of pleasant emotions and of connection with others, and a feeling of aliveness.
In other words, criticizing our public servants can make Filipinos happy. Unfortunately, instead of encouraging the rest of the public to engage in politics, our own politicians seem to want us to stop criticizing them by passing the Cybercrime Law. This can only increase the number of frustrated and depressed Filipinos for sure.
In life, things are not always what they seem.
“Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil.”
— Elie Wiesel
@Aegis
Thanks for the quote. Ironically, most Filipinos would brand those who bring up the ills of the land unpatriotic.
kakampi mo ba ang tsina?
Which part of what I said made you ask that question?
No, more importantly… anong brand ng katol ba ang hinihithit nito ni Laban at nahugot n’ya ‘yang tanong na ‘yan out of the freaking blue?
Not ironic at all. It’s a sad fact that most of our “kababayans” are chained by ignorance, playing the shadow game of ‘yearning for “pagbabago”‘ while stigmatizing those who are taking the initiative to get them out of Plato’s cave. This led me to believe that they are not expecting change at all but merely gratifying themselves simply by “looking forward” to it.
I’ve been labeled as such (jokingly) by families, friends and acquaintances alike. But there’s a difference between hating your country and hating its system. I am of course for the latter.
This is what sums up my thoughts with so many detached Filipinos. All they think about is kung sino ang katext nila mamaya o sinong kainuman o sinong isasama sa lakwatsa mamaya sa mall. Not a single idea about what’s happening around the world. Pathetic
hate is not the opposite of love. it is apathy.
@K
I see a lot of people on social networking sites who post a lot of stuff about love but nothing about national issues. They seem to be in a trance.
It’s called “being a teenager”, lol.
But yeah.
Yeah.
Hopefully our youth finds it in their minds to strut their stuff as re: the gripping issues of our nation just as zealously as they do their love problems. 😛
Ilda, why are they like that? 🙁 They think anything political is something they must not meddle with lest sounds too radical for them. Normal life for them is just standing up for their own and acting when things go haywire
My thoughts . 1) they are incapable of thinking 2) they don’t want to think .
Are you familiar of Orwell, Ilda? Then you will realize that the majority of people being ‘in a trance’ is more of a norm than an exception, given that they have enough problems to handle already. Granted, that facade (of what, apathy? I won’t call it that, but sure) can be broken down, but only intermittently and at times of extreme hardship, and maybe not even then, as 1984 illustrates.
Maybe our people not giving a fuck as to what this nation comes to is a barrier to improving our situation, but it is not something that we are to claim as our own.
It is true that independent blogs serves as kind of a steam exhaust vent for the various frustrations and disappointment of the people. Unfortunately the Cybercrime law will only plug said vent and all that pressure that will accumulate can result in explosions. hopefully it doesn’t come to that, but then again this admin is really dense when reading warning signs…..
@Lord Chimera
Dense is the right word. They are very good at ignoring the people’s call to junk the law. When it comes to getting rid of it, they are quick to say that “we have to follow procedures.” But it seems the passing of the law was railroaded.
Railroaded… hmmm… there are sections which give extra-ordinary powers to Malakanyang… the bill that President Noynoy signed to law gives Malakanyang to listen, without need of a court order… to listen to devices that can do instant-messaging and e-mail.
Had PersiNoynoy listened to the cellphones of Sereno, Puno and others, he may have been alerted that the justices were going to unanimously do a T-R-O.
Still, the praise releases keep on saying that we’re happy.
Somebody tell the Palace miscomm group that smiling out of insanity isn’t “happy”.
They should take lessons from their boss, after all, Noynoy smiles even during a tragic event like the hongkong hostage crisis and he professes that he wasn’t happy during that time.
ya know,great observation. a guy recently saw me move quickly to avoid being run over by a jeepney heading towards me as I was fixing a tire.the guy on the back of the jeepney saw that I was not amused,fuckin pissed I was,and he smiled as if laughing.I know he did not think it was funny,but smiling as he was was soooo out of place and in other places could have got him chased and severely beaten(“You think its funny?”,would be heard prior/during the beating.).A VERY weird time to smile,and I see it all the time.What is up w/that?
@SorbetSherlock
I think that is a permanent sneer.
no rh bill so suicide is a self regulating solution to population control.
@Libertas
Unfortunately, harming themselves may be their last resort. They could try harming others first.
We aren’t Japan in that sense, for better and worse….
i have many recent photos of “street families” and beggars taken during my commute. depression is rampant especially when you are always hungry.
@Tibak Kista
Good thing your camera’s memory didn’t get full. Images of poverty is everywhere. Sadly, most have become desensitized to the same scenes they see everyday, which makes it easy for them to ignore it.
Depression is a serious mental illness. Noynoy Aquino has suffered from it; and still is suffering from it. Most Flipinos, just accept Depression as fate, or being helpless. It needs Medical diagnosis and Therapist healing. Our modern medicine can easily heal Depression. People suffering from it, can live a fruitful life…
“…accept Depression as fate, or being helpless.”
Reminds me of a quote from Gabriel Angelos (Dawn of War series):
“It is a sign of strength to cry out against fate, rather than to bow one’s head and succumb.”
@Hyden
I didn’t know he suffered from depression. That could explain why he comes across as irritable and vindictive.
iritable ang pangulo sa mga corrupt tulad ni mikey arroyo
But he is very patient with his allegedly corrupt friends in government. He’s no better. He doesn’t have the moral high-ground to blame the past administration.
Because I apparently cannot reply to a reply of a reply of a reply of a reply of a reply, I’ll just leave this here, re: people claiming moral high ground to begin reforms and whatnot — Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone.
ikaw ba naman ang mamatayan ng ama na bayani eh. At tignan mo naman ang galit nya sa mga corrupt. Kasama na sa kanyang buhay ang depresyon pero tuluy tuloy pa din ang pagasam nya sa hustisya
Si GMA ba ang pumatay kay Ninoy?
Lies. Even Noynoy is corrupt despite of your fantasies. Hey, why did he and his family get away with Hacienda Luisita and having the biggest pork barrel ever? Don’t you know that pork barrel is the source of corruption in the legislative?
I know you won’t answer my questions dahil TANGA ka. 😛
all over the internet, whenever i read comments or reactions to news/blogs/write-ups by the jaundiced hordes in defense of their deity in malacanang, it’s becoming more apparent how right you are about them (TANGA) lol.
Why hello there vincensus ignoramus. Still “murdering” us with your stupid delusional “tactics”?
ang inasahan ni F.Sionil Jose, isa sa unang-unang gagawin ni PersiNoynoy ay TruthCommission para ibunyag na for history to close the on “… Who Masterminded The Assasination On the Tarmac?”. Hindi ko maintindihan, bakit ayaw harapin ni PersiNoynoy ang tanong na ito… para bang he had already made accomodations.
Seems that the usual Filipinos are too influenced by Taoists… Acting by not acting, and lo and behold, nothing is done, despite what Taoists say that everything is done through acting through not acting. Also, I believe Immanuel Kant is to blame for their inaction, because of his emphasis on duty, and the Filipinos took it seriously, but then again, no one will seriously do his duty unless he knows what rewards(or punishments) it can bring. Filipinos do their duty of following their “heroes” without thinking of profit, and lo and behold, there is no profit for them. In short, Filipinos don’t act(Taoist influence) but if they do, it is based on duty, not on possible gains for the greater good(Kantian influence), and that is why Filipinos just can’t be happy T_T
@TaengGorbachev
I’d say that most are just giving in to instant gratification. They do things because it gives them instant “high”. This was the case in every Edsa revolution ever held. This is the case every time we celebrate fiestas or have parties. Most of us do not think about the consequences of our actions. Edsa became the precedent for that bad habit of making a mockery out of our institutions and fiestas or parties result in financial difficulties in the long run.
The solution is simple, we (the people and especially our public servants) should simply think first before doing something drastic.
@Ilda
Also very true…
Instead of trying to address the dissatisfaction aired by netizens of their country or get to its root, politicians would rather close their eyes and ears and simply collect their checks and continue their disservices to their own people—a very depressing thought indeed.
@Felipe
These so-called public servants don’t seem to know what they are doing. After the furor over cybercrime law, four Senators quickly filed bills seeking to amend the Revised Penal Code to remove the penalty of imprisonment for individuals found to have committed libel. One of them included Tito Sotto who eventually withdrew his bill after hearing President Aquino’s initial stand supporting the cybercrime law in its entirety. How pathetic is that?!?
It would be way too easy to jump on the bandwagon here,but no.Ilda has done a fine job.It is going on decades,this charade of a country and it gets tiring,same comedy routine acting as if it is a government.
Before I make my way to N.A.I.A. for what is likely the last time,for a long time anyway,I would like to know what is it about S.E.Asians,Filipino’s in particular,that make them happy to accept a shit job like ‘call center agent’ and think it is a good job? or how they can possibly not do something about the slave wages paid them, along w/intolerable working conditions,to the extent of national civil unrest? and I do not mean blocking a major thoroughfare,thats been done,AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED.I mean something so serious that could not be denied nor placated by the usual lip-service asides.It is happening in Greece/Spain and it is coming to every country in the West.SO,…..
I will not say anything brainy here,like:”I don’t get it.How in the fuck….” OR “Why don’t you try….”.I would rather here it from where it would come from best.Because,as much as I like certain things,at the end of the day,I must say:”Frankly Scarlett,I don’t give a shit.”………ya know?
btw,the above comment BLAMES Emmanuelle Kant,(INCORRECTLY,if that is what is meant by Kantian.),WHY? Filipino culture following heroe’s? Filipino’s took Kant seriously? W-W-W-W-WHAT? A real laugh there,ha! Oh and,as if the average Filipino even knows who Kant was?when he lived(He was dead long before this country was even thought of)?who his nemesis was? and,as if,what his ‘philosophical’ outlook of society was? Not from what I have seen,HA.BLAME someone a little more contemporary,like yourselves.For putting up with this sad excuse of a country and the daily goings on within.Kant,HA!
I could really go off here,BUT I am sticking to what I decided above. Anyone?
@MR KREIG
I think what TaengGorbachev was saying is that Filipinos are rather indifferent towards Kantian principles—Pinoys just do things simply because they have to or are duty-bound to perform—They generally are passive or uninspired at best. Contrary to Kant, they are not genuinely motivated to act or perform for the common or greater good as their end-in-view.
I meant the few Filipinos who knew Kant only taught Kant and left out most of the others, leaving Kant’s influence dominating the Filipinos without them really knowing who Kant is. As it is, they only think of duty, even though duty is not benefiting them in the long run, and even though they don’t know who Kant is. Perhaps, Christian influence is also abound, good action is good, regardless of consequences? And doing wrong action despite good consequences can send people to hell? And also, thinking of material goals can send one to hell? They did not think much whether it is going to benefit them in the long run(that is, they are not utilitarian). If any possible action is not good, then they will not do it, as if they don’t care – Taoist influence.
I appreciate the response.The fact that there is a thought behind it and it is devoid of insults is appreciated as well.You sir,have something to say and do not resort to insults,like some others,when asked to clarify,are questioned or even disagreed with.There are some who,unlike yourself,can not defend themselves intellectually and resort to insults at the first sign of any discordance not in-sync with their own thinking.
Blind obedience to a ‘morality based’ concept is bound to produce social lepers(the ‘non-believers’),a few winners(the creators/proponents of the concept)and many losers(the ‘blind’)of varying degree.I am quite stunned by the amount of superstitious thinking I have encountered here,and once thought it laughable.But the depth of this thinking,in everyday life,is in-grained so thoroughly in so many people that it is having a ‘retarding’ effect on the ability of many to ‘progress’ socially as well as financially.
The depression refferred to in the title of this essay suggests that the ‘opium of the masses’ may be wearing a bit thin.To the point of actual ‘clinical’ depression? Yes,but depression can be confused with just being a ‘mal-content’.Coupled with a lack of action(whether caused by lack of opportunity or laziness)the effects on an entire population can be immense.
A weighty,complicated subject,lengthy as well…too much so for this space.
@MR.KREIG
Thanks. Perhaps, true, but in the usual Filipino mindset, they will say I am insulting Kant. But then again, let me put some ideas of the Legalist philosopher Shang Yang: One who behaves as an outstanding man is not in harmony with the people. The people’s ideas are just like the ideas of the man-in-the-street.
But then again, @Felipe, you are probably right about what I am trying to say, but I just don’t agree with the notion of being just passive, I think they are actively passive(paradoxical statement), they are inspired in their passivity in life. Mo Zi(Ancient Chinese utilitarian philosopher who became the first rival of Kong Zi/Confucius)would be probably laughing at Filipinos due to the impracticality of such strong passivity, and to just simply doing duty without thinking of consequences.
Mr Kreig
Beggars can’t be choosers. Why do you think it’s bad anyway? There are worse jobs out there. One of them is being a spokesperson for the President. Imagine all the cr@p you have to spin.
well,to call people taking the jobs ‘beggars’ is probably one of the root problems.Not as an insult,but for the fact that it is a step up in the first place.
Western Corps. are sending every single job that can be done for less money,outside of the West,outside of the west.and paying people far less.
They are targeting countries where they can get away with paying slaves wages to people who are starving,thus creating starvation in two places,while giving the receiving country the illusion that they are getting great jobs.and if that isn’t bad enough,the Western countries economies are being hollowed out as a result.It gets me upset that all the jobs have been sent out of my country to a place where people work for next to nothing.Then China has the nerve to say how flippin great they are and they are the ‘new societal’ model,when all they are doing is supplying slaves to western corporations.Phiippines too.
Wouldn’t it be great if the phils started making its own auto-mobiles,motor-cycles,tv’s, and all else the country consumes and is more than capable of doing?Rather than take left-over low-paying shit jobs from the west who is only screwing their own citizens by sending every single job it possibly can pay a lower wage to, into a foreign country where they can take advantage of the citizens in that country,and screw their own citizens at the same time?Doing someones shit jobs,for less money than is paid to a worker in the west is being taken advantage of,whether you realize it or not.I would have to say that last part is the worst part of all,being taken advantage of….and being sooooo willing too,ugh!!!!The old ‘find someone to do the job for free’ routine is what its deemed by the zionists.
it is complicated and I am trying to be brief and non-insulting as well.
as far as the president’s guy,I bet he is well paid,though.BUT,I would not take the job though.Being full of shNitZEL is not my strong suit.cheers sweetheart,keep up the good work.
@Kreig
I discussed what you are trying to say in my previous article: Manufacturing can be a key to Filipinos enjoying a free and healthy life
Some excerpts:
“If Filipinos want to achieve First World status, the country can do it either by curbing its population growth to a rate proportionate to the feeding or holding capacity of its land and economy or by speeding up its industrialization. There are people like me who do not want more factories in the Philippines because of the damage it can cause to our environment. But if we are to remain relevant in today’s world, we need to build a strong manufacturing base in the country. Manufacturing can provide jobs even for low-skilled workers. It is mainly through this that the status of the country’s poor can improve. At present, our service-based industry is only providing jobs for highly skilled workers, which means that economic growth is not inclusive of the lower class.”
@kreig
Where in part of this world are you living?
“I would like to know what is it about S.E.Asians,Filipino’s in particular,that make them happy to accept a shit job like ‘call center agent’ and think it is a good job?”
There are lots of degree holders in our country who are working for a minimum wage as an office worker ~ P450/month while a high school graduate call call center agent can earns about P510 a month.
It’s not a shit job for those CSA.
“Western Corps. are sending every single job that can be done for less money,outside of the West,outside of the west.and paying people far less.
They are targeting countries where they can get away with paying slaves wages to people who are starving,thus creating starvation in two places,while giving the receiving country the illusion that they are getting great jobs.and if that isn’t bad enough,the Western countries economies are being hollowed out as a result.It gets me upset that all the jobs have been sent out of my country to a place where people work for next to nothing”
Now, whose fault is this?
“Wouldn’t it be great if the phils started making its own auto-mobiles,motor-cycles,tv’s, and all else the country consumes and is more than capable of doing?”
Jeez, why Solyndra fails in US of A?
For me, Krieg sweetheart, you’re a fraud.
“P450/month while a high school graduate call call center agent can earns about P510 a month.”
Should read –
“P450/day while a high school graduate call call center agent can earns about P510 a day.
Who wouldn’t?
I believe that during the elections it can be said that the majority of the upper middle class to elite supporters of the almost bald man in yellow were bullies in some way. They forced their ideals on others much like how the Catholic Church has a tendency to do on occasion.
I admit that I did vote for El Presidente BS Aquino and all the others that came with him. I consider it, to my shame, as one of the biggest mistakes of my life. We didn’t need a mere icon, we needed someone that could get the job done. I fell not only for his words, his empty or hopeful promises, I also fell victim to the peer pressure and familial pressure of that time.
I admit that I am one of those that foolishly believed in a dream, when what was needed was a reality.
Though I will say this, I really did wish that Erap hadn’t been ousted when he was.
@nikedadoug
Yes, they were definitely bullies. I must admit that I got bullied by another blogger who I thought was respectable only because she is related to FVR. It turns out she was delusional with the way she seemed to worshipped PNoy just like the rest of the rabid Noynoy supporters. After that, I refused to deal with her because she kept using her position in society to get other people to side with her. I do wonder what she thinks of PNoy now that his true inclination is too obvious to ignore. Her kind will not admit she made a mistake in supporting a dud though.
Good on you for admitting that you made a mistake in supporting PNoy. Recognising where you got it wrong can help you in making the right decisions in the future.
My family has cast neither votes on any candidate (because we’re living outside da pinas lol) that year. My dad who liked Ninoy hated the son. And he doesn’t like that guy Gordon either (my dad was a lawyer and he knew a lot more of the dirty dealings of these lot). He always shakes his head about our politicians cause even though they have different degrees of rottenness they all belong to the same tree. He said that the main problem are the never ending line of political dynasties 🙁
you must not regret because you voted for the right one.
Nope. He should regret it because he chose the wrong one.
Just a thought but..
Isn’t this because majority are stuck in the underdog mindset or “inaapi ng mundo” as the way they see life.
As such, the tendency of how they uplift their mindset to keep on living is they cling to false hope, a better afterlife (brought about by blind religious faith), or clinging on to the success of others (directly by way of handouts or just the thought that they are of the same “blood”).
I think they blame that things are the way they are because they are outside their control and such can not change their predicament. I even heard a reasoning where they think of life like a gamble or a simplified thought of rolling the dice. “If I had a lot of children, one of them could succeed and carry the family out of poverty” And since in casinos, the house tends to always win, it is outside their hands if it is not in their cards.
Just my two cents.
@17Sphynx17
Our society is so dysfunctional that a single article cannot cover why it is so. GRP will be in business for a while because the problem is so convoluted and would be difficult to grasp by ordinary folks.
Playing the “victim” card as you described it is one of the issues that we have discussed in the past. As mentioned in my previous article:
Of course it doesn’t help that our country was colonised and introduced to two totally different cultures in the past. This could explain why Filipinos have conflicting mindsets. For instance, we may have been introduced to Christianity but as benign0 once said, we are religious but not spiritual.
humbug! depression? what is this? depression in the Philippines? I’ll be happy to be depress..lol.. meaning I’m alive and sane knowing I still have a emotion ahihihi…as long as I have my cell phone, a bird bath a week, clean underwear…lol I will not bother with this depression thingy.
@chonoon
Looks like you are very happy living in mediocrity. Cheers!
There are some situations that are beyond repair.The problems you pointed out are not insurmountable,but very considerable and are only festering and getting worse.I see the number of obviously poverty stricken pregnant women going WAY up.To name one.
and THE EFFECT on a global scale is looking like what falling into the perfectly laid trap,the purpose of which is to turn the entire world, outside of the 1% at the top,into a chinese whore house….to be a bit caustic,SAD but it is true.A place that stinks to high hell and costs peanuts to enter.
I almost want to elaborate on the matter but it would take me a week as it entails the Wall ST/London bankers all the way to the poppy fields in afghanistan and around to S.E.A. and back.and it can be depressing,and I dont want to cause any of that.
I’m not sure… Part of me is thinking that this is a Poe.
And your comments are filled with EMOTIONS. I never see something… INTELLIGENT.
@chonoon: “I’ll be happy to be depress,” she says.
Yep. Your grammar depresses me, indeed.
So you’re happy to eat pagpag everyday even if it kills you? You need a life idiot.
I see, I should be un-depress when my blood relatives arrived in the city from the province with one way ticket…and I will be happy to scrounge tickets to send them home after my refrigerator went into depression.
So basically your first comment expresses discontent with life stuck in a repetitive routine wherein you have become numb and you would greatly appreciate any grain of emotion that can be emanated from you that is genuine, regardless whether positive or negative.
Then your do get your wish (supposedly) and you are now basically in a negative mindset that you have given up.
Yup, that’s how life should be lived, accepting what comes your way and not bothering to change it so something different could come your way. Yep yep! That’s how it is and should be (note that it has a sarcastic tone)
Cheers!
ating tandaan na tuluyang winasak ng dating administrasyon ang ating bansa na siya namang inaayos ng ating pangulo benigno aquino. Bigyan lang natin sya ng sapat na oras sapagkat hindi maaayos agad agad ang bansa. Dapat pagaralan nyo mahalin ang pangulo at itanim sa isipan ang mga kapabayaan ni Arroyo
How exactly is he fixing the country? Please be specific.
I don’t think that’s possible.
Lies. In the past 2 years I have seen nothing but gaffes, blunders, and blame games.
How can you say that Arroyo is ‘ruining’ the country? Sorry, but your EMO is showing full force. Nothing INTELLIGENT. I’m sure you won’t answer since you’re a certified MORON.
Of course, he wouldn’t answer. He’s too busy snuggling with one of P-Noy’s campaign tarps while listening to Typecast’s “The Boston Drama”.
CAN YOU TELL ME HOW BOSTON IS LIKE WITHOUT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE lol
Mas marami pang pakinabang ang aso kaysa dyan kay AbNoy, hindi pa natin kailangan sweldohan ng ganun kalaki galing sa kaban ng bayan. Kung sabagay, “smiling dog” tawag nga kay AbNoy.
Showbiz lang yan si AbNoy BS Aquino.
And like your dumb president, you morons are always thirsty for revenge. Ano ba kasi ang pinakain ng magulang sa iyo’t ang hilig mong gumanti? Masyadong miserable ang buhay mo ano since pinanganak ka? You’re just being an example of what Ilda said on this article moron. Anyway, hindi ka rin naman sasagot kaagad nang matino kasi isa kang dakilang duwag at tanga. If you still continue to attack us with your yellow delusion then you deserve to be tied up with a straight jacket and sent to a mental hospital.
IDK man, but your thoughts remind me of joe rizal casips in baron buchokoy’s page
An example of “kabwisitan” while just going around:
When I got on a jeepney this afternoon, the handle I grabbed so I can get on had some sharp weld beads (weld spikes is more like it). I got a small wound on my finger from them. I told the driver to smoothen them later, and he merely smiled.
So you get wounded because of someone else’s carelessness, and he just smiles. So that must be the Filipino’s way of being happy.
Pinoys of Pinas like to smile or ignore. Like this question — has the Noynoy admin held some ceremonies to pay respect to the memory of those who were killed at the SuperFERRY terrorist bombing?
As an aside, here is something from the Daily Tribune to be sad and depressed about:
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.ph/commentary/item/5531-noy‘s-puppy-dog-in-the-sc
There was a typo here it is from the Daily Triune:
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/5531-noy‘s-puppy-dog-in-the-sc
I read it before you posted the link. Its sad yes. But par for the course. The course that is the Yellow Monarchy.
Not only that they are content to live in a state of denial and delusion, they are also anti intellectual.
Ilda,
Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t our culture/society have some sort of tendency to frown upon individual happiness? It would be something like a manifestation of that crab mentality we know only too well. “Wala kang pakikisama” if one is happy but the rest are miserable. That is sure to make people depressed and predisposed towards making wrong decisions, especially for those who consider peer acceptance important.
Of course it is depressing for Filipinos that they put such high expectations on someone who is going to be different, or is going to be an agent of “change” but ultimately falls short of everything that person said he/she would be. But the lasting solution for Filipinos is to think things through, to “leave no stone unturned” whenever they have to make critical decisions, such as , oh, electing a president.
Is that too much to ask?
@FallenAngel
Indeed, some are not happy for other people’s success. They assume all kinds of things of negative things about the person. Like when they assume that all wealthy people are bad people. This was evident when some could not accept that former CJ Corona was able to accumulate a lot of money through hard work. He was convicted not because it was proven he was corrupt, he was convicted because PNoy and his minions just could not stand he is the CJ.
In a democracy people elect representatives who promote progress. The press help to weed out the transgressors.
In a filipocracy people elect names/personalities who pursue self-interest. The press help the oppressors.
In progressive countries, the politicians are scared of losing the voter’s trust. In the Philippines, the voters are scared of the politicians.
Agree on that brother.
You mean, sister. 🙂
Whether it is killing people in pursuit of corporate profit, silencing people in pursuit of power, or condemning them to poverty in the name of religious fervour, i think it is about time the youth woke up and made the dinosaurs extinct. The new philippines will not emerge from old thinking and entrenched crooks/clans whose only goal is to maintain the status quo at the economic and social cost of every filipino.
“Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There’s a battle outside ragin’.
It’ll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’.â€
― Bob Dylan, Chronicles, Vol. 1
Friday, October 12, 2012’s 24 Oras on GMA 7 just downplayed the said report. It said something like “Filipinos transcend the criteria used by the survey.” Wow. What a spin. Reminded me of Maslow’s Heirarchy of needs. Before you can have self-actualization, you have to meet physiological needs first. It’s annoying how they twist things.
http://youtu.be/k0-eTY-Ao8A
Correction: Saksi, not 24 Oras.
@Cherry
What does that even mean?!? Gees. These people are forever going to be in denial. They think everything is a-ok. What’s disturbing is that most of the educated including the ones who frequently go on holidays abroad are not bothered by the stark contrast they see when they get back home.
That guy in the middle of the vid says that Filipinos “transcend reality.” What a load of crap. If you look closely at the video, you’d see that INDIA (the country that lays the foundation of “transcending reality” in both “relationality” and “spirituality”) has a happiness index which is HIGHER that the Philippines.
Just because a person smiles a lot doesn’t mean they’re “happy.” Remember when BS Aquino was smiling while studying the remains of the bullet-ridden bus at the Quirino Grandstand?
And there is no such word as “relationality.” I should know, because I just typed that word and a red line appeared under it.
Filipinos “transcend reality.†. Yes they do. Because their feet are not firmly rooted on it There is no further proof than looking at our elected officials and what this society values.
When Noynoy Aquino campaigned in 2009 -2010 and ultimately won. His campaign was never rooted in reality. That is why it appealed to the pinoy dreamer. There were no concrete benchmarks. Just ties to his relatives and some perceived past glory. Noynoy himself said “destiny”. Not a hint of competence or a doable paln or anything. Just transcend reality and you will end up with ephemeral results. That is so pinoy. so YEAH!!! Proud to be pinoy!!!!
We will get out of it what we put into it. Yes we don’t put much stock in reality.
As I said in my previous article:
Unfortunately, people who wallow in mediocrity do not know that they are wallowing in mediocrity. The mindset of mediocre people like PNoy was best explained by French Romantic artist Eugène Delacroix. According to the late artist,
In other words, mediocre people usually say things that they only heard from someone else. And because the second-hand information they use is not supported by empirical evidence, it usually does not make any sense. But when their audience is easily impressed or those who do not really make an effort to challenge the speaker’s statements, mediocre people often get by usually by “winging†it.
and
Sadly, the reason why most Filipinos like PNoy consider themselves resilient is partly because of the adjective bad. Most Filipinos actually take comfort in the thought that if the Philippines is bad, in their mind, some countries are worse or the worst off. And I do believe that Filipinos are still waiting for the day when things go from bad to worse before they do something more drastic to uplift their condition.
And even more predictable of them (us, some of us), is that as soon as they’ve made a quick remedy to alleviate their condition, they will lax back to their original situation.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the criteria those pinoy pseudo-experts insist pinoy happiness is said to consist in—“spirituality” (kuno), “relationality”, etc., whilst relationships in the philippines have been deteriorating whether or not this is due in part or in whole to the OFW phenomenon, and that pinoy [so-called] “spirituality”, upon closer inspection, is nothing but either religiousity, superstition, fatalism, a coping mechanism, flights of fantasy /self-delusion (thanks to local entertainment), or shallowness (i.e. “kababawan ng kaligayahan”).
The report provides a more realistic set of criteria.
I don’t know why I want to punch that woman and all those involved in this turd of a ‘story’. I just want to jump in there and just make a foolish scene. Only in the Philippines can such a childish wishy washy opinion pass for ‘real’ news.
Hi everyone!
I just want to say that the Philippines’ FIRST depression and suicide prevention hotline is now open. Our trained crisis hotline responders are ready to answer calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Call 804-4673 (HOPE). Those who don’t have landlines may either call or text us at 0917-558-HOPE (4673) or
0917-852-HOPE (4673).
Visit our website at http://www.ngf-hope.org or follow our Twitter account (@NGFoundationPH) for more details.
Thank you very much.
Let’s rise, Philippines!
Thanks for sharing the info.
We are a capitalist nation, and we have our freedom to create jobs and get into jobs. We have hope, all is not lost. Pres. Aquino has done a great job in RHBILL, FOI, the Bangsamoro Republik, and he’s also considering a charter change, Parliamentary please! (fingers crossed)
A new beggining is at the horizon, indeed!
FOI??? holding pattern. RHBILL?? holding pattern, Bangsamoro? applies to a few of the rebellious factions. With cheerleaders like you no wonder Noynoy is a certified doufus. Has people like you who are as smart as he is blowing his horn and probably blowing other things as well. Is that libel?
We are a capitalist nation? Could have fooled me with Noynoy’s Cybercrime bill that he is proud of willing to shut down websites and incarcerate people for sharing opinions online. Noynoy wants a police state because pansies like him would not survive otherwise. One more thing rzdv, why should I trust someone who can’t spell the word “beginning” ?
I hope you’re sarcastic. The 1987 Constitution is for the rich families including the Aquino-Cojuangco clan. And if he’s going for charter change and a parliamentary form of government, don’t ever expect Noynoy to be PM. In fact, that form of government prevents airhead incompetent politicians.
TROLL. 😛
Wow, your lack of brains continues to baffle me. You can’t fool me with your crap fishball. It’s impossible for you to convince us of your idiotic president’s “greatness”.
No, he’s not, he’s great, he’s from arneo!. Arneeans are bright, open minded and progressive thinkin’, men for oth3rs ^-^
TROLL. 😛
@rzdv
Does your master, Ricky C., ever taught you of proper English grammar and spelling?
The standards there are so low. Questionnaire for the MCD 1. Can you copy paste? 2. Is Noynoy great? 3. Are you incapable of comprehending slightly complex issues?
If you answer yes to 1,2,3. Put on your earplugs, put on your eyeshades, you know where to put the cork.
Then Minister Ricky assigns you to your very own Mac Book Pro.
i looove the new macbook, it’s so high in quality and technology. Apple is really great, all hail apple. lurve apple products, macintosh, iPad. it’s only typo error, puhlezz! 😛
I hope you’re just sarcastic and not a total idiot. 🙂
typo error…please… 😛
I think there are those who are aware of the pitiful situation our country is in and those who are unconsciously depressed due to their delusions, either self-inflicted or environmentally influenced. Well who wouldn’t? The Philippines has a lot of potential to make itself a better place if only the natural resources could be tapped properly. It has gold, natural gas and abundant inhabitants to name a few, in spite of that where are we now? I guess it all boils down to self-discipline of every Pinoys and integrity of our leaders, which we have yearned for such a long time but are yet to be seen.
depress ang pinoy kasi mainit, magulo, walang batas, mabaho at maraming tao dito, lalaung lao na sa manila!! sana tulungan naman kami ni pnoy, pls pnoy ,tenk u nga pala sa cct at free condoms sooon! hahaaay buti nalang may showtime, angeleto, 1 for all, at free telenovelas 😀 masaya parin naman, kakaraos din
Can’t wait for a local version of Brev…
Bah. Nvm.
You write:
” 2011 data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that “the Philippines has the highest incidence of depression in Southeast Asia with 93 suicides for every 100,000 Filipinos.†”
93 suicides for every 100,000 Filipinos? I believe you should retract this statement, because it is obviously erroneous. Kindly see the published article “Suicide in the Philippines: time trend analysis (1974-2005) and literature review” (http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/536) which in the abstract states:
“The incidence of suicide in males increased from 0.23 to 3.59 per 100,000 between 1984 and 2005. Similarly, rates rose from 0.12 to 1.09 per 100,000 in females. ”
The 2011 WHO report (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate) ranks Lithuania with the highest incidence of suicide at 31.6 per 100,000 people per year. Your statement would mean that the Philippines has three times the incidence rate of Lithuania.
@Adrian
What makes you think I came up with that data myself? Please read this article based on a 2011 data from WHO.
I did not mean to imply that you came up with the data. But since you cite the data, you are responsible for it. Your readers deserve to know the plain facts.
ok so not the Philippines eh! that s good news, coz pinoys are too damn happy to commit suicide! good research adrian
@Adrian
Paki basa lang po ng maigi. It’s says: “The Philippines has the highest incidence of depression in Southeast Asia with 93 suicides for every 100,000 Filipinos.â€
Why don’t you go and ask WHO about the data?
Adrian,
May I ask you what is the updated statistics of suicide rate for Filipinos? For 2011.
It seems to me you are using an outdated data.
And please tell us what Ilda has to correct.
What are your plain facts where Ilda can base her corrections?
Please educate me on this one –
“…Lithuania with the highest incidence of suicide at 31.6 per 100,000 people per year.”
And from your wiki data, males suicide rate for that country is 54.6 while females is 11.6 per 100,000. I’m confused why the total is 31.6…
Most people worldwide should be given the current global crisis.
I agree with this. I’m not gonna lie, I do suffer from depression because of family issues, for over 10 years. But I finally started becoming more active in life, and trying to lose weight. I’m slowly becoming happier everyday.
I think as a Filipino, we need to not only help ourselves, but help others and the country in order to progress and see better results for the sake of the future.
I also don’t want to have kids or get married, we already have kids that need loving parents.
I’m happy I’m going home next year, because in anyway I can, I want to help.
†2011 data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that “the Philippines has the highest incidence of depression in Southeast Asia with 93 suicides for every 100,000 Filipinos.†â€
If Singapore was included in the study, then this WRONG!
I will shake your hand if I ever meet you in public.
@Rocco
Thanks! 😉
The picture of the traffic jam above in from Thailand. I lived there for years and recognize the place.
I wonder if there is a correlation between Filipinos’ depression and Westernization?
“In other words, criticizing our public servants can make Filipinos happy.”
Wow, that’s supposed to be the summation of your article? You’ve completely massacred the quote you used. Happiness is achieved by going out and criticizing public servants? Au contraire.
It’s about the integrity one gains by participating in the political process, bonding with your countrymen (even with differing opinions), knowing your voice counts, contributing to society, the pleasure of giving freely to a higher cause, sharing the struggle and finding solutions together.
Not getting on the vigilante train…
@Rose
Yes, criticizing our public servants CAN make Filipinos happy.
When people vent out their frustration, it not only helps relieve some of the stress that’s bottling up inside, it can also put pressure on the public servants to perform their duties to the best of their abilities.
When you pressure the public servants to do their jobs properly, the conditions in the country will likely improve and will make life pleasant for the majority. So therefore, criticising our public servants can make Filipinos happy.
The fellow Filipinos I know (family and friends) are NOT of the smile-all-the-time disposition! I’ve seen them get pissed, annoyed, sad, stressed and they allow me to know it! They even willingly use swear words if they want to fully express what they’re feeling during times of crisis or extreme stress!
The picture of a child sleeping in the street just put me to the edge. How could these politicians take that.
How do I put this politely? Looks like Ilda got all her digits mixed up.
Here’s our country’s details the the 2003 WHO report:
Suicide Rates (per 100,000), by country, year, and gender.
Most recent year available, as of May 2003 (WHO)
Rank: 83
Country:PHILIPPINES
Year: 93
Males: 2.5
Females: 1.7
It’s not 93 per 100,000. The latest information they have is from 1993! We have one of the lowest suicide rates in the world. That’s the year not the number of suicides! Hehehe
It’s a good thing that mediocre people like myself read and check information before making them the basis of my whole article.
The original Manila Bulletin article from which those numbers were obtained seems to have disappeared but a PhilStar article also makes the same assertion…
We will investigate the stats from other sources and make the necessary corrections and citations if needed.
For now, the premise that the Philippines hosts among the most depressive societies in the world seems to remain consistent with other material. So the overall message of the article is sound.
Thanks for your input.
An Inquirer article written in 2011 that discusses breakups and suicides in the Philippines mentioned an even bigger incidence of suicide in the country according to a 2003 report. And the author also cited the WHO:
The disappearance of the Manila Bulletin article as a reference to this article of mine, which was written in 2012 could mean that Manila Bulletin got their figures wrong.
I have interest to have a research about depression among Filipinos Elders but I am in doubt now because my instructor in my research told me that Filipino seniors are not depressed because they lived with their family and Filipinos are good in socializing. Will you give me some advices if I will continue my study or research on it?
Data, ranking……
Come on, Andre, the figures do not matter. The bottom line is it is here now, it is real, it is happening and it is not ok. It doesn’t really matter if it is 9 or 93 deaths. Those are still the same cold, lonely deaths of real people. Of which could be your friends or family.
I really admire your efforts for nitpicking, though, just to dent this blogsite. Godd job!
I was reading some articles related to depression and suddenly I found a website that has a the same thought as you in the third paragraph I was just concerned because this article was published 5 years ago in the article that I’ve found doubtful was just published 4 months ago the webpage name is steemph and here is the website https://steemit.com/depression/@rigor/depression-in-the-philippines-comprehensive-mental-health-act-and-treatment-services
The second paragraph of the article of the website that i mentioned was exactly the same I was just concerned if STEEM is plagiarizing without mentioning some citations for their own benefits.