Humor. Is it just a diversion or car.:: be a survival kit? In the Philippines, laughter is the way Filipinos cope with natural catastrophes, overcome the burdens of everyday life and cushion the impact of events over which they feel they no longer can control.
The ability to reduce a situation to absurdity is, however, not to trivialize it. Filipinos are not oblivious of despair. Their history is a lament of the struggle against colonization, the atrocities of war, political anarchy and poverty. More than just comic relief from these harsh realities, Filipinos have found in humor a reservoir of psychic energy from which they draw a positive outlook in life. If they can laugh at a situation, Filipinos argue, they can rise above it.
This attitude may lead outsiders to conclude that Filipinos are passive to their fate. But what may appear as passivity to the casual observer is in fact an active social mechanism deeply rooted in the Filipino's collective consciousness.
The ability to reduce a situation to absurdity is, however, not to trivialize it. Filipinos are not oblivious of despair. Their history is a lament of the struggle against colonization, the atrocities of war, political anarchy and poverty. More than just comic relief from these harsh realities, Filipinos have found in humor a reservoir of psychic energy from which they draw a positive outlook in life. If they can laugh at a situation, Filipinos argue, they can rise above it.
This attitude may lead outsiders to conclude that Filipinos are passive to their fate. But what may appear as passivity to the casual observer is in fact an active social mechanism deeply rooted in the Filipino's collective consciousness.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, Filipinos say bahala na. Literally, it means come what may. Figuratively, it means much more. The phrase derives from Bathala, the ancient Filipino's Supreme Being, caretaker of life on earth and beyond, from whom all providence comes. The invocation of banal na affirms a trust in divine wisdom. Filipinos know that the natural order of events will take their course, leaving no room for angst nor the predilection to f take each event apart and delve for spiritual malaise. So while outsiders were horrified that Filipinos could laugh and joke during the attempted coup d' etat by the Reformed Army Movement in 1989, where soldiers fought soldiers in the streets, Filipinos saw only a series of minor events played out on a larger stage. After all, at earlier times in their past, they have witnessed similar upheavals. And to what end? The Spaniards came and the Spaniards went. So did the Japanese and the Americans. Like the land itself, only the Filipinos, with their passionate Christian belief that suffering is but a stepping stone to a happy ending, endures. Ambition, politics, and men who try to control deserve the reception they get, laughter. Natural forces receive a similar reception. If one listens closely though, it becomes apparent that Filipino humor does not jeer at nature's destructiveness but rather expresses an optimism in its healing powers. Having lived closed to the earth, they know that nature gives and takes in a cycle as eternal as life and death.
Humor has many uses in the Philippines. As leveler, for instance, it serves to expose the foibles of people in high office, thus bringing them down to the company of ordinary men. Humor is also used to circumvent taboos. As one would expect in an overwhelming Catholic nation, the urge to poke fun at the Church is irresistible. As a necessary antidote to their nation's strict sexual mores, Filipinos love to dish out punchlines about their men's sexual prowess. Humor, both irreverent and banal, serves as a soft rebellion against what is otherwise regarded with awe or considered correct behavior.
Others might find burn humor revolving. Not Filipinos, who regard bodily functions as natural. So are are less flattering human traits like awkwardness, physcal deformity and effeminacy. These too come with the territory, and taking them with an earthy jocular stance also means accepting the human condition, warts and all.
Filipinos use humor to diffuse tension. During the 1986 EDSA Revolution, families gathered in the streets feasting, singing and dancing while their lives were being threatened. Jokes immediately sprung out of national tragedies, such as the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, or turning points in history, such as the ouster of the Marcos regime. By treating nothing sacred, Filipinos guard their equanimity from breaking down.
As anywhere else, humor in the Philippines is also used for the sheer enjoyment of a good laugh. Filipinos, who have ingrained joie de vivre, a craving for heroes and superheroes and a propensity for grand fiestas, can even chide their romantic nature in the larger than life irony of a joke. Humor as with other forms of social intercoursein the Philippines, is ruled by nuance and convention. Whether iris used as satire, protest, psychological prop, or just for the fun of it, there are characteristics that L3 , bestow a singularity on the Filipino sense of humor. .
Filipino humor is rarely mean. Because of their strong sense of hiya (shame), Filipinos go to great lengths to be polite. Just as a problem should never be discussed directly, humor, likewise, should never be confrontational. Whether the brunt of the joke is the government or other established organizations, it is usually the impersonal they and not the people who comprise the institution who become fair game.
Filipino humor is often self-deprecating. It is another weapon in face-saving. By turning a mistake or a transgression into a light moment, the teller relieves the injured party of having to correct him and allows him to own up to his mistake in a way that allows him to also save face. What may appear to an outside observer as another example of Filipino superficiality, making fun of a situation which in fact might be extremely serious, is really an intricate social contract between the two parties that will allow them to continue to interrelate in the future. In adjudging Filipino behavior, one must remember that Filipino society is made up of closed circles of relationships and each group member must be careful never to burn his bridges with other group members.
Finally, humor in all its guises and uses, binds Filipinos together, transforming an experience into an event that can be shared by all. When Filipinos laugh at something that is unique to them, their laughter becomes an assertion of their unity as a people.
Humor has many uses in the Philippines. As leveler, for instance, it serves to expose the foibles of people in high office, thus bringing them down to the company of ordinary men. Humor is also used to circumvent taboos. As one would expect in an overwhelming Catholic nation, the urge to poke fun at the Church is irresistible. As a necessary antidote to their nation's strict sexual mores, Filipinos love to dish out punchlines about their men's sexual prowess. Humor, both irreverent and banal, serves as a soft rebellion against what is otherwise regarded with awe or considered correct behavior.
Others might find burn humor revolving. Not Filipinos, who regard bodily functions as natural. So are are less flattering human traits like awkwardness, physcal deformity and effeminacy. These too come with the territory, and taking them with an earthy jocular stance also means accepting the human condition, warts and all.
Filipinos use humor to diffuse tension. During the 1986 EDSA Revolution, families gathered in the streets feasting, singing and dancing while their lives were being threatened. Jokes immediately sprung out of national tragedies, such as the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, or turning points in history, such as the ouster of the Marcos regime. By treating nothing sacred, Filipinos guard their equanimity from breaking down.
As anywhere else, humor in the Philippines is also used for the sheer enjoyment of a good laugh. Filipinos, who have ingrained joie de vivre, a craving for heroes and superheroes and a propensity for grand fiestas, can even chide their romantic nature in the larger than life irony of a joke. Humor as with other forms of social intercoursein the Philippines, is ruled by nuance and convention. Whether iris used as satire, protest, psychological prop, or just for the fun of it, there are characteristics that L3 , bestow a singularity on the Filipino sense of humor. .
Filipino humor is rarely mean. Because of their strong sense of hiya (shame), Filipinos go to great lengths to be polite. Just as a problem should never be discussed directly, humor, likewise, should never be confrontational. Whether the brunt of the joke is the government or other established organizations, it is usually the impersonal they and not the people who comprise the institution who become fair game.
Filipino humor is often self-deprecating. It is another weapon in face-saving. By turning a mistake or a transgression into a light moment, the teller relieves the injured party of having to correct him and allows him to own up to his mistake in a way that allows him to also save face. What may appear to an outside observer as another example of Filipino superficiality, making fun of a situation which in fact might be extremely serious, is really an intricate social contract between the two parties that will allow them to continue to interrelate in the future. In adjudging Filipino behavior, one must remember that Filipino society is made up of closed circles of relationships and each group member must be careful never to burn his bridges with other group members.
Finally, humor in all its guises and uses, binds Filipinos together, transforming an experience into an event that can be shared by all. When Filipinos laugh at something that is unique to them, their laughter becomes an assertion of their unity as a people.
11 Benefits of Smiling and Laughing
Fact #1: You feel better when you smile.
Studies have shown that when a person is truly smiling, it affects certain muscles that actually make you feel happy or joyful. You smile because you are happy and when certain muscles are hit, your brain sends even more happy signals, or endorphins. Smiling is awesome. Try it.
Fact #2: Smiling is contagious.
When someone is having a bad day, pay them a compliment with a smile. The double-duty mood boosting effect will turn their day around for sure.
Fact #3: You will look more attractive to men when you are smiling, if you are a woman.
Studies have shown that men think women who are not wearing make-up but are smiling are more attractive than those with perfect make-up who were stone-faced. This makes me wonder why runway models nary turn their mouths upward.
Fact #4: You will look less appealing as a man when you are smiling, if you are trying to attract a woman.
Oddly enough, the opposite is favored by women in a study by the American Psychological Association who prefer a man to look “brooding.” As a woman, this does not mean you should be rude or angry. The study only looked at initial reactions, not long-term relationship reactions.
Fact #5: It makes you sound friendly.
Smiling when you talk on the phone actually makes you sound more friendly. One thing that is taught to phone reps (or should be if it is not) is to smile when answering the phone to achieve better customer service. Somehow smiling translates into your voice to make you sound happy and engaging.
Fact #6: Those who smile live longer.
It is no secret that our emotional health is tied closely to our physical health. Since smiling means you are happy (and getting happier by the very act of smiling), you will likely live a longer, more relaxed life than those who regularly frown. Smiling actually boosts your immune system and can help you live 7 years longer on average!
Fact #7: Newborns are able to smile.
Most people think it takes a few weeks for that first smile, which is true if you do not count smiles in their sleep. Babies start smiling in their sleep as soon as they are born. It makes you wonder what kinds of things a newborn has to smile about, right?
Fact #8: You are more likely to get a promotion if you smile always.
Those who smile tend to be thought of as having more confidence and sociable, therefore managers view these people as having what it takes to move up in the workplace.
Fact #9: There are 19 types of smiles.
Researchers were able to categorize 19 different types of smiles into two categories: polite, “social” smiles and those that were genuinely happy smiles. Among the list is the “embarrassed” smile, “genuine” smile and “loving” smile.
Fact #10: People tend to smile more when surrounded by people than alone.
While you may occasionally smile to yourself or laugh at something funny on the television, you are more likely to smile when you have an audience. Scientists tested this principal on ten month old babies and whether or not the audiences were responsive, they smiled much more when being surrounded by others than being alone.
Fact #11: Smiling is a universal sign of happiness.
Language may be a barrier, but facial expressions like the smile, pass through anywhere you travel. (Though this may not be quite true in some foreign countries which hold different values and customs, do check before visiting them.)
Have you put a smile on your face just now? Enjoy the boost of endorphins!
FACTS ABOUT SMILE & LAUGHING
1. Neurotransmitters called endorphins are released when you smile.
These are triggered by the movements of the muscles in your face, which is interpreted by your brain, which in turn releases these chemicals. Endorphins are responsible for making us feel happy, and they also help lower stress levels. Faking a smile or laugh works as well as the real thing—the brain doesn’t differentiate between real or fake as it interprets the positioning of the facial muscles in the same way. This is known as the facial feedback hypothesis. The more we stimulate our brain to release this chemical the more often we feel happier and relaxed.
2. Endorphins make us feel happier and less stressed.
They also act as the body’s natural pain killers. For sufferers of chronic pain, laughing and smiling can be very effective in pain management, as can laughing off the pain when you bump an elbow or fall over.
3. While the release of endorphins is increased, the stress hormone cortisol is reduced.
Cortisol is more active when we feel stressed or anxious and contributes to the unpleasant feelings we experience, and by lowering it we can reduce these negative feelings.
4. Laughing expands the lungs, stretches the muscles in the body and stimulates homeostasis.
This exercises the body, replenishing the cells from a lungful of oxygen and gaining all the benefits of exercising the body.
5. A good laugh can be an effective way to release emotions.
A good laugh can help you release emotions, especially those emotions that you might bottle up inside. Everything looks that little bit better after a good laugh and life can be seen from a more positive perspective. Smiling and laughing have positive social implications as well.
6. Smiling is an attractive expression, which is more likely to draw people to you rather than push them away.
Smiling makes you appear more approachable. Interaction with others is easier and more enjoyable when smiles and laughs are shared, and these behaviours are contagious, making others feel better too, and make you a more appealing and attractive person to be around. This in turn will have a positive effect on your well-being.
7. A happy, positive expression will serve you well in life.
This is particularly true for challenging situations such as job interviews: a smiling, relaxed persona indicates confidence and an ability to cope well in stressful situations. This will also be of benefit in your career, building healthy relationships with colleagues and being seen in a favourable light by your employers.
How to Smile and Laugh More Often
There are simple ways to bring more smiling and laughing into your day:
- Smile and laugh regularly. As mentioned, your brain does not know the difference between a fake or real smile, and by doing so more often you will feel better, and become more likely to smile and laugh more spontaneously.
- Watch funny films, TV, and theater shows. This is a excellent way to inject some instant humor into your life. By avoiding negative programs and news broadcasts, you can also balance make your viewing more positive and lighthearted, with more opportunity for a chuckle or two.
- Spend time with friends and family that make you feel happy.Surrounding yourself with happy, fun-loving, optimistic people will bring out your happy side, and their behaviour will rub off on you as you subconsciously mimic their behavioural patterns.
- Find things to smile and laugh about. Once you start consciously looking at all the things that are funny and uplifting, you will be more aware of them, in tune with them, and more ready to engage in a spontaneous smile or laugh.
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