“Puhon, puhon;” Language and Resilience of the Filipino | Von Ryan Abrantes | TEDxAvenuesWorldSchool

The speaker introduces the Philippines through its popular culture, such as 'lumpia' and 'ube', and its beautiful beaches. He notes the significant presence of Filipinos in the US, but emphasizes that the country is more than just good food and tourism. He then describes the geographical challenges faced by the Philippines, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, leading to frequent typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these adversities, Filipinos are often depicted as happy and resilient.

The speaker discusses how Filipinos are perceived as 'resilient,' consistently ranking high in world happiness reports despite their hardships. He defines resilience as the ability to cope, thrive, and bounce back from difficult situations. He then introduces himself as Von Ryan Abrantes, a teacher from Valenzuela City, Philippines, whose parents are from Southern Leyte, and explains that he will use the Bisayan language as a lens to explore Filipino resilience.

The first Bisayan word introduced is 'Puhon,' which roughly translates to 'God willing,' 'we can wish,' or 'let's pray.' The speaker shares personal anecdotes of his mother using 'Puhon' to instill hope and encouragement during times of stress or wishful thinking, even during the pandemic. He connects 'Puhon' to the religiosity of the Filipino people, who often turn to their faith in times of crisis, relating spirituality and destiny as factors in building resilience.

The second word is 'Padayon,' meaning 'onward,' 'keep going,' or 'carry on.' This word is used to encourage continued effort, whether celebrating success or encouraging perseverance after a setback. The speaker relates 'Padayon' to a sense of mission and purpose, drawing a connection to the American Psychological Association's attribution of purpose as a strong builder of resilience. 'Padayon' represents looking beyond current challenges towards a bigger dream or goal.

The third word is 'Magtinabangan,' which means 'to help others' and is related to the concept of 'bayanihan' (community helping). The speaker recounts a childhood experience during Typhoon Isang, where neighbors came together on a landlord's second floor, sharing resources to survive the flood. This experience highlights how community support and collective effort are crucial for building resilience, both personally and nationally.

The speaker cautions that resilience is not a simple trait and has socio-political elements. He warns against the narrative that Filipinos are inherently resilient being used to excuse oppression or lack of support, emphasizing that resilience should be a byproduct of overcoming challenges, not a constant expectation. He concludes by reiterating the importance of 'Puhon' (spirituality), 'Padayon' (purpose), and 'Magtinabangan' (community) in developing and supporting resilience, and encourages everyone to continue striving for their goals with faith and mutual support.