(The Filipino Times is running this feature on the occasion of the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness on March 20. — Ed)
DUBAI: Filipinos have always been known to be a very happy bunch. Nothing could perhaps lend more credence to this than a recent global survey by US-based firm Gallup International which ranked the Philippines third among happiest countries in the world.
Wherever you go in the UAE – you’re bound to find Filipinos flashing their signature smiles as they help you out in whatever ways they can. Which brings the question to fore – what’s the secret behind the smiles of Filipinos?
The Filipino Times surveyed Pinoys across the country and came up with at least 20 ways about how they have been able to spread happiness to everyone amid the trials and challenges of being OFWs. Anything here below rings a bell?
1. Staying connected with loved ones back home through social media
While Pinoys are very busy at work during weekdays, this doesn’t stop them from opening their Facebook messenger app and chatting with loved ones during lunch break, for instance.
With the Philippines being just four hours ahead, OFWs in the UAE strive to get in touch with their kin back home; this with the thought that by the time they get to their shared accommodations after work, in Deira perhaps, it would just be around 11pm-12am in Manila.
Just seeing their loved ones reply, send emojis or even pictures and selfies of themselves taken during the day makes OFWs feel better.
“Kailangan yan kasi syempre mami-miss mo sila. ‘Pag kausap mo na kasi parang kahit papano mababawasan,” said Stella Ricaborda, sales excutive who has been in the UAE for the past eight years. (We need to keep in touch. We miss them. It is always a relief whenever we get to see talk or hear from them; it’s like being recharged.)
2. Chatting / Chikahan with friends here in the UAE
Filipinos are naturally vivacious and garrulous – especially when they bump into their kababayans who hail from the same province where they come from. They get to share happy moments as they relish memories from when they were back home. It becomes easier to feel cozy whenever they find time to chat with friends who actually understand what they have been going through. And so the comeuppance is always worth a cup of coffee of two.
3. Cooking and binge eating
During weekends, it’s easier to bring together a bunch of friends and share a mid-afternoon lunch. Time spent during the preparation of the food is usually filled with “aha! moments” as they share kitchen secrets and techniques. And when the meal finally arrives on the table, no one remembers how fast the food have vanished. “Parang dinaanan ng bagyo.” (as if a typhoon plowed through the table; everything’s gone but for the plates and bowls).
4. Cleaning the bunk – or the whole flat unit, depending on the level of loneliness
Most Pinoys dread the thought of joining hands on deck especially during weekends back home to clean the house – only to find themselves tidying up their bunk the moment homesickness starts to set in; this, just so they could shake it down.
“Pag naiinip ako or naho-homesick kailangan may ginagawa ako kasi ayaw ko magmukmok. Pwede ka naman sa bahay lang para di magastos. Ang happiness ko eh pag walang pasok kasi pahinga. Ang saya saya ko nun!” said Weng Carpio, massage therapist who has been in ther UAE for the past five years. (I need to do something whenever I get restless because I don’t want to sulk in my loneliness. It’s fine to just stay home; I’m my happiest when I’m off from work because I have time to rest.)
5. Going to the park or by the seaside
There are times when Pinoys, like most everyone else, just want to escape the traffic lights and the sounds of the city even just for a few hours – which is why they choose to spend time at parks as well as the seaside. Filipinos get to bond and reminisce those days when they were still back at home with the breeze of the trees and the warmth of the seashore at Manila’s Roxas Boulevard, for instance.
6. Movie / Asianovela / Telenovela marathon
Taking advantage of the high-speed internet in the UAE, Filipinos get to be in-the-know of what happened in their favorite telenovelas from back home. Some even binge-watch their favorite Koreanovela or other Asianovelas in one seating during weekends!
7. Social media surfing
Sometimes if their loved ones weren’t really available for a quick chat, some OFWs tend to just browse through pictures posted on Facebook or Instagram by their kin to keep them updated. “Oo, ganun ang gawa ko,” said Marilyn Mercado, restaurant crew. “Patingin tingin lang then napapangiti ako.” (Yes, that’s what I do. I usually find myself smiling alone while looking at their pictures.)
8. Gym… jog… run…dragon boat!
Filipinos are also keen on their physical health considering that there are several OFWs who work around 7-8 hours, seated in front of a computer. They sign up for monthly / yearly gym memberships and take advantage of the programs available to keep their body physically fit.
“Exercise, like running, is a way to keep your mind in place, so to say. So that’s what I do whenever I feel the pangs of depression creeping in,” said Analinda Deograscias, a bank employee.
Alexander Torno (not his real name) takes it a notch higher: “I go dragon boat racing. It keeps me focused,” he said.
9. Going to church or attending fellowships
Filipinos are deeply rooted in their religious beliefs; such being the case, they always find time to go to their place of worship – either alone or with friends. This, to recharge themselves spiritually and stay emotionally fit to overcome homesickness. Peer groups at fellowships and the activities they hold like volunteer community work also helps keep loneliness at bay.
10. Malling
The ultimate escape – be it domestic issues, affairs of the heart or homesickness. For what else could divert your attention than vitrines full of anything from shoes to pants and jewelry? And so, When Pinoys feel a bit bored at the shared accommodation, they gravitate to the malls. Sometimes, these malls also have exciting events that they host for free, making it even more worth it to spend our time.
11. Gaming
If you see Filipinos glued to their mobile phone, they’re probably enjoying the time of their life, playing their own mobile games. From simple games such as Candy Crush, Bejeweled, to tactical and battle arena type games such as Rules of Survival and Mobile Legends, Filipinos get to pass the time and still enjoy themselves as they take on these games.
12. Sale events
In efforts to fill out the balikbayan boxes, another reason behind the smiles of Filipinos is their pleasure in seeing items which on sale, especially when it’s sold in bulk. Filipinos spend their hard-earned dirhams with the idea that they will send these boxes to their loved ones, filling it up with essentials and luxuries which are too pricey when bought back at home.
13. Dining out
Filipinos love to eat out – homesick or not, hands down! Misery, too, loves company, preferably comfort foods like the silogs or grandma’s special kare-kare.
And so it probably goes without saying how Pinoys chew on their boredom with anything from Jollibee or Chowking – the fastfood chains they grew up with back home.
14. Sleeping it off
“Money can’t buy a 12-hours’ sleep; for anything else, there’s ‘Made in China.'”
Perhaps nothing brings out that angelic smile from Filipinos more than a good sleep. “Mahimbing ang tulog” as they say – sometimes to the point of just sleeping the whole day after a very rough week at work! (Fast asleep)
15. Ukay-ukay and flea market dig-ins
What separates this from the traditional shopping at malls is the prices. If you can find a nice dealer at a flea market, you can drive prices down to an all-time low just for the seller to get your money and get rid of that item. Filipinos also find joy in finding branded ukay-ukay products that they either use for themselves or send back home to the Philippines.
16. Biking with friends
There are probably close to a hundred Filipino cycling groups across the UAE and they regularly organize events participated in by members. A lot of Filipinos find
This mix of touring and physical activity alluring to the point that they go out of their way to save enough so they could have their bicycle and join the fun.
17. Zumba
An activity aimed mostly for females – most Filipinas go with their friends to the nearest park to dance their stress away and enjoy the physical activity by doing Zumba. They get to enjoy dancing to classic dance tunes and popular beats of today together with their amigas (lady friends). Males also do Zumba and some of them are even instructors!
18. Basketball
If females have their Zumba, the males have their basketball games. Just like cycling groups, there are hundreds of Filipino basketball teams across the UAE with new tournaments kicking off almost every month. As Pinoys would day, basketball is the Philippines’ national sport and Filipinos take it with them wherever they go.
19. Skateboarding
A sport enjoyed mostly by younger Filipinos, skateboarding is way to go for Pinoys doing it in the alleys and parks. Locations such as the Downtown area, the Taskheel Bowl, the Abu Dhabi Corniche, as well as Dubai’s Memorial Fountain are a few of the more popular places to enjoy this hobby.
20. Outdoor adventures
Climbing mountains. Hiking at wadis. There are groups of Filipinos who band together and enjoy the great outdoors that UAE has. Aimed for Filipinos who have this urge to get on a memorable adventure while abroad, some Filipinos choose to find happiness by venturing to places they have never been to before, like Al Ain’s Jebel Hafeet, Ras Al Khaimah’s Via Ferrata, the Abu Dhabi mangroves for a liberating kayaking experience.
