Existence is costly, yet happiness doesn’t need to be. In this era of escalating expenses, while the world proclaims, “You cannot afford joy,” Filipinos counter, “Observe us discover it regardless.”
For us, joy isn’t something we purchase; it’s something we create. When the power goes out, we grab the guitar. When onion prices soar to P700 per kilo, we craft memes and turn it into a national inside joke. When floods rise to our knees, we float on a styrofoam box, Bluetooth speaker in one hand and beer in the other.
Across the nation, Filipinos are embracing accessible joys, simple pleasures that require little but carry great significance. A rewatch of Four Sisters and a Wedding because “bakit parang kasalanan ko?” never loses its charm. A teleserye cliffhanger, a budol finds haul, a piso load to send “ingat ka” to your crush. A P20 expenditure on an online game that provides just enough excitement to get you through the day.
This is joy during a recession. Basic, economical happiness that fits into our days, within our budgets, and in our hearts.
Filipinos spend over nine hours daily online, more than any other nation globally. However, it’s not aimless scrolling. It’s about connection and coping. It’s “G na G,” “Sana all,” “Kapit lang,” our digital affirmations, typed with humor… yet deeply rooted in resilience.
“What you witness isn’t escapism; it’s resilience,” states behavioral psychologist Dr. Ana Reyes. “Filipinos utilize low-cost entertainment, be it a livestream, a TikTok, or a casual game, as an anchor. It serves as both catharsis and connection.”
This trend is not unprecedented. Globally, pop culture has flourished not during prosperous times, but amidst crises. Hollywood emerged during the Great Depression. Anime blossomed from post-war Japan. K-pop thrived during Asia’s recession.
In the Philippines? When calamities occur, culture bursts forth—loud, proud, hilarious, and sincere. Adversity does not extinguish joy; it refines it. It teaches us to value what little we possess.
Thus, simple delights, from a livestream karaoke session to a quick game during breaks, are never mere distractions. They are affirmations. They proclaim, “I may be struggling, but I have not ceased to live.” “Deserve ko ‘to.”
Therefore, when individuals observe the growth of low-cost entertainment, especially those forms that provide excitement or a bit of fun for just a peso or two, perhaps the inquiry should not be “Why?” Perhaps the true question is, “How can we not?”
In a reality that consistently urges us to toughen up, Filipinos opt to remain gentle. And rightly so. Amidst crises, we continuously seek reasons to laugh and play. That’s the uniquely Pinoy superpower. Raw. Authentic. Exceptionally resilient.
For those who’ve sung through brownouts, danced through floods, and shared laughter amidst heartbreak, pursuing brief, affordable joys is not a luxury. It’s a lifeline. And when the world says, “You cannot afford happiness,” we reply, “Kaya pa naman.” “Meron pa rin.” “Meron at meron.” “Padayon.”
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