At end-2023, World Happiness Reports Finland ranks top for the last six consecutive years. Finland’s high level of social trust could be one of the reason the country has been the happiest country in world. As the World Happiness Report, which does the ranking, notes most Finns expect their wallet to be returned to them if they lose it. That’s just one in the checklist. Another on the checklist is lower income inequality, (most importantly the difference between the highest paid and the lowest paid),
High social support, freedom to make decisions, and low levels of corruption.
Denmark ranks the world’s second-happiest country is also home to the Happiness Museum. Located in Copenhagen, Denmark, the museum is dedicated to the concept of happiness and well-being. Visitors can take in exhibits that detail the happiest (and unhappiest) countries, as well as explore the role of a country’s politics and infrastructure on its own happiness. “Hygge” is a Danish term that encompasses coziness, contentment, and well-being. Denmark places a strong emphasis on hygge, especially during dark winters. Denmark’s focus on enjoying these small cozy pleasures helps make it the second-happiest country in the world as of 2023.
So let us look at the Philippines. But before you roll your eyes… Yes! It is nowhere in the list of the top 20 happiest countries in the world. But while Thailand has been called the Land of Smiles, I wonder why there are far more smiling faces encountered by many people in the Philippines. My family and I have after all travelled to Thailand at least five times. I can attest that smiles were not as apparent as it is in the Philippines.
Thus, I am emboldened to say not just smiles but pure and simple laughter abound in the Philippines is indeed very common! So why is it that there isn’t a lack of things to laugh at and joke about amongst Filipinos? Their sense of humor is in fact, very infectious, notably with a dash of irony! How about this: “only in the Philippines” could there be such things as:
A name of a town! Sex Moans! (Sesmoan, Pampannga!)
A name of a girl! Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao (Luzviminda!)
A name of a senator: Stone, stone! (Bato-Bato!)
A name of a president: sound of the church Bell! (Bong-Bong!)
It is a well-known fact that psychiatrists and psychologists are the wrong profession to have in the Philippines. Clueless kids who take these courses find out late in the game that counselling comes free in the Philippines. So, who would be the foolish one to pay for it? Nobody! Better be a dermatologist and then give your counselling or advice in the process of examining the patient’s skin! Or a fortune teller if you want to earn sooner rather than later! Fortune tellers make more money than the shrink. Plus, not much upfront cost in learning the trade.
When you have a problem, the entire family, including the whole Barangay is there listening to your sad story and empathizes with your plight. Some listen, some offer help, some offer advice. You’re never alone solving your problem in the Philippines. If your immediate circle cannot help, they call in other people. “Halika rito, me problema. Baka matulungan mo si ……!” Then comes a fresh reinforcement to commiserate in your misery, especially when it concerns the heart! “Ah, huwag ka nang umiyak, me ipakikilala ako sa iyo! Maganda na, mabait pa, at mayaman pa! Matanda na nga lang!” Replies: “Oh? Gaanon ba katanda? Answer: “Lola ko!”
Given that Filipinos have such a strong social network, such loving and caring family, friends, coworkers, et al. Is it any wonder why despite the lack of material wealth and financial stability, Filipinos can always find a reason to laugh and joke about the direst of situations? If they happen to have elected a (quote) good-looking but an idiot of a president (unquote), they come out with a book of jokes about the guy: the famous Erap-tion! Who does that! Only in the Philippines! One sampling in the book is: “Unable to sleep one night in his hotel room, whilst out of the country, the president quietly slips out and goes down to the bar. Not waking any of his bodyguards. He sat at a bar stool, not knowing what to do next (no English in the back pocket). The confident guy on his left orders: “Jim Beam!” The cocky guy on his right says: “Jack Daniels!” From the farthest stool comes “Johnny Walker here!” The bartender proceeds to prepare the orders. And then comes up to him and asks, “You, Sir?” Comes the answer: “Joseph Estrada po.”
No wonder expatriates who work in the Philippines invariably consider the country their home and retire there. They want to be in a place where people are comfortable with each other, caring enough to look after them, concerned enough to see to it that they are OK. Who does those things in other countries where people are mostly afraid to get involved? Definitely minding their business whenever there is a problem? But are around when things are bright and sunny? Only in the Philippines can you find joy. Who starts celebrating Christmas occurring in December, starting September? Even if all there might not be any shopping money except for the much-awaited the 13th-month bonus? Only in happy Philippines!
So, while we like to look at the other side of the fence and think it is greener, think again! Isn’t the happiest place on earth the place where so much camaraderie and laughter exist? Wasn’t Adam provided with everything his heart desires in Eden? So, why did he need a woman, a companion, an ally, someone to talk with and laugh with? Company is abundant in the Philippines. There is no such thing as coworker only. Everybody you deal with on a regular basis becomes a friend. Even the security guard can tell his joys and worries to anyone who passes him by every day!
Unbeknownst to us, we are blessed because we were given the best gift of all: LAUGHTER. It is amazing how Filipinos find humor in everything. Even the poorest of the poor find the time to laugh, given a chance to speak with someone, or in a group. Come rain, come shine, laughter is a constant in any Filipino gathering. Filipinos, we are not dearth of this. It is amazing how in spite of the most abject poverty, Filipinos can find something amusing, even downright funny!
To borrow a quote: “Laughter is the best medicine.” People have had to study for eight years, take an internship of a year or two and another year or two to specialize only to find that, indeed, laugher is all you need to weather everything that gets thrown at you.
Indeed! There is an abundance of laughter in the Philippines! What happier place can there be?
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