‘Don’t think that if you’re not happy, you’re a bad person. It’s natural to be unhappy. Think of others’ happiness first, and your happiness will come.’
Filipinos are known as some of the most resilient people in the world. Despite facing various adversities, they smile, laugh, and find joy in the smallest and simplest things in life. This is evident in the videos that foreign tourists upload on their social media accounts, often mentioning that one of the reasons they keep returning to the Philippines is the warmth and genuine happiness of Filipinos, who always greet them with smiles.
This happiness is even supported by scientific studies. Since the first release of the World Happiness Report in 2012, the Philippines has risen in ranking from 103rd out of 156 countries to 53rd in 2024. The World Happiness Report is an annual study conducted in partnership with Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR’s Editorial Board, which examines the state of happiness worldwide.
The report considers various determinants of happiness, including income, work, community and governance, values, and personal factors such as mental and physical health. However, does the country’s improved ranking truly reflect the happiness of Filipinos? And what factors influence an individual’s or a community’s happiness? To explore these questions, Style Weekend spoke with Dr. Gerry Lanuza, a professor from the University of the Philippines’ Department of Sociology.
Poor vs. rich: Defining happiness
According to Dr. Lanuza, it is important to recognize that the meaning of happiness varies for each individual, especially across different socio-economic backgrounds.
“Filipinos have diverse cultures, and we hold different concepts of happiness,” he said. “I also think it’s a misconception that finding joy amid tragedy is unique to Filipinos. This happens in other countries as well. We call it the ‘social function of humor’—even in times of crisis, people use humor to lighten the moment and ease the burden.”
He further explained that people, regardless of their financial status, do not base their happiness solely on material wealth. For those living in poverty, happiness is often measured by the concept of togetherness—having family members stay united and support each other through life’s challenges. Meanwhile, middle-class and wealthy individuals often find happiness in opportunities to give back and help others.
However, the reality remains that before individuals can reflect on their happiness, their basic needs—food, shelter, clothing, and security—must first be met.
“In The Sane Society, Erich Fromm said that happiness is not about possession or material wealth—it is about ‘being’ rather than ‘having,’” Prof. Lanuza explained. “Meanwhile, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs emphasizes that basic necessities must be fulfilled first. Once that is achieved, happiness shifts towards self-actualization and helping others.”
The role of society
Dr. Lanuza also emphasized the significant role that society plays in shaping happiness, including the fulfillment of spiritual needs. This is why individuals who actively participate in religious activities, regardless of their specific beliefs, tend to be happier and more content.
“Well-being is holistic—it should encompass both internal and external aspects,” he noted. “Tayong mga Pinoy, hindi tayo masaya kapag ‘yung kapitbahay o kaibigan natin ay hindi masaya. (We Filipinos are not happy if our neighbors or friends are unhappy.) Our happiness is collective.”
He also pointed out that religion can serve as a buffer for mental health, promoting both psychological and physiological well-being. “When people engage in worship, the brain releases oxytocin, which increases happiness. As a result, they tend to live longer, happier lives,” he added.
For those who are not religious, Dr. Lanuza suggested finding other meaningful outlets for happiness. Additionally, he stressed the importance of government and other institutions in creating communities where people feel safe, secure, and have access to opportunities that meet their basic needs.
“Huwag natin pag-awayin ang kaligayahan ng sarili at kaligayahan ng iba. Pwede nating pagsamahin ‘yan (Don’t compare your happiness to others, we can both be happy). You can only be happy if others are happy too. We find salvation in others' salvation in the same way others’ salvation is dependent on you. Don’t think that if you’re not happy, you’re a bad person. It’s natural to be unhappy. Think of others’ happiness first, and your happiness will come, ganyan ang mga Pinoy,” he concluded.
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