Tenacity and resilience coupled with time

Manny Pacquiao raises fists in a Unanimous Decision win over Brandon Rios. (Photo: Josh Villanueva)

In a landmark unanimous decision on November 24, 2013, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao defeated the younger Brandon Rios at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Macau in a show of tenacity and resilience. The younger Rios proved no match and was brought to school by the elder Pacquiao dancing all over and throwing power punches at will. Rios' heart proved unfazed as he kept on his feet despite the barrage he was getting.

Manny Pacquiao has once again showed the world how Filipinos come out of a slump. Despite odds, we take time, weigh our options, and pick ourselves up, to fight once again.

Congratulations Pacman! The Filipino nation thanks you for bringing us something to be happy about.

(Photo source: Josh Villanueva http://t.co/qUViE5E7LG )

A smile is a show of strength

A boy smiling as he rode a toddler's bicycle across debris-strewn streets. (Photo: David Guttenfelder)

David Guttenfelder flew from his assignment in North Korea to capture the devastation brought by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Philippines.

When he got here, he was able to capture the strength and resiliency that Filipinos exhibited despite the overwhelming destruction.

Some of his photos can be found in his Instagram page.

Picking up pieces, we move on

Children pulling a makeshift cart filled with stuff they pulled from debris. (Photo: EPA/Dennis Sabangan)

"Never say die"  that is what Filipinos always say. We may be down, beaten, broken, humbled, and battered, but that doesn't dampen our resolve to stand back up again, pick up the pieces and go to where we left off (if there's something to go back to).

(Source: http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/disasters/typhoon-yolanda/43381-tormented-typhoon-victims-scour-for-food-yolanda)

Filipinos know how to cope

Amidst debris courtesy of Typhoon Yolanda, young men found time to play the Philippine's favorite sport - basketball. (Photo: AP/David Guttenfelder)

Not much can be said about Filipinos when in comes to diversions. It's always basketball.

The sport is well-ingrained into the Filipino culture that it offers temporary liesure for these young men to momentarily escape the death and destruction around them and just enjoy a few games of hoops.

This is how we cope. Filipinos are not known to sulk. Filipinos cope.


(Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/tacloban/feature/2013/11/19/signs-life-amid-misery-reveal-filipinos-spirit-314549 )

Clinging to faith

Women on a procession at Tolosa, Leyte last November 18, 2013. (Photo: AFP/Philippe Lopez)

What makes Filipinos tenacious? The tenacity is deeply rooted from close family ties, strong communal bonds, and faith.

Filipinos, although predominantly Christian, have other religions as well. However, all Filipinos regardless of sect, religion, or belief, will cling on tighter to faith when everything else seems dark and bleak.

After the dark clouds have passed, we rise up and manage to smile again to pick up the pieces and continue on with life's journey.

Such is the indomitable Filipino spirit.



(Photo source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/photo/48671/yolanda-survivors-cling-to-religion-in-the-face-of-desperation )

Ingenuity and resilience

Jimmy Obaldo, a resident of Tanauan, has recycled a damaged refrigerator and made it into an outrigger boat. (Photo: Reuters/Damir Sagolj)

Filipinos are ingenius and resilient. Despite overwhelming odds we find ways around obstacles.

Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/11/filipino-fishermen-improvise-refrigerator-boats/100632/

Undampened spirit despite "Yolanda" aftermath

Tacloban resident Locela showing a Christmas tree she managed to pick up amidst rubble caused by super typhoon #Yolanda. (Photo: Jeff  Canoy)

In less than a month, Christmas will be upon the world. However, that doesn't dampen the spirit of all Filipinos. Despite the destruction and havoc caused by tropical super typhoon Yolanda, Filipinos refuse to give up and still find ways to uplift spirits and showing to the world that strength is not only physical. Strength is within.