Every natural disaster brings with it a series of questions. The recent earthquakes and typhoons have pushed many of us to wonder whether something deeper is unfolding in our country. Science tells us that we cannot predict the exact moment an earthquake will strike, yet when tremors and storms come in waves, it is only human to feel unsettled. Alongside the physical shaking, many Filipinos sense an inner shift — a restlessness, an ungrounding, a stirring of something within. I have felt it myself, as though my own emotions mirror the collective spirit of our people.
These calamities invite us to look not only at our vulnerability but also at our strength. I recently listened to “Delightful Philippines,” a song that unexpectedly awakened something in me — a deep resonance with the culture, pride, and spirit of the Filipino people. Sometimes it takes an outside vantage point to see what a nation has forgotten about itself. Perhaps that is one lesson emerging from all this turmoil: the reminder to return to who we truly are.
Yet even as we celebrate resilience, we must not romanticize it. Filipinos often endure disaster after disaster — as in Cebu, where communities reeling from an earthquake were struck again by a typhoon — and still manage to smile, help one another, and rebuild. But strength does not mean the absence of suffering. Resilience should be a choice, not an expectation. We should not have to rely on resilience simply because our systems fail us.
This is where accountability matters. Natural calamities are unavoidable, but the scale of devastation is often intensified by corruption, negligence, inadequate preparation, or misuse of public funds. As we pray for God’s protection, we must also pray for justice — justice for the lives lost and the futures disrupted because those in power did not fulfill their responsibilities. Compassion and faith can coexist with the call for transparency, reforms, and better governance.
Filipinos are often praised for being “strong” and for making jokes in the midst of disaster. At first, even I struggled to understand it. Now, I see it as a unique way of coping, a quiet refusal to let despair win. Still, we must acknowledge the heavy truth: the Filipino collective is tired. Tired of rising from the rubble again and again. Tired of being expected to endure. Tired of being strong for the sake of survival.
Perhaps what people need — beyond relief goods and emergency plans — is recognition. A simple “I see your pain” can mean more than we realize. Healing begins when suffering is acknowledged, not silenced or minimized.
More calamities may come. Fear spreads quickly online, and uncertainty can be overwhelming. The best we can do is anchor ourselves in discernment, intuition, and prayer — grounding inward while staying aware outward.
But with every disaster, something else shakes awake within us: unity, bayanihan, a shared sense of responsibility for one another. Calamities reveal our strength, but they also expose the cracks in our systems. They show us that resilience is not enough. Accountability is necessary. Justice is necessary. Better governance is necessary.
And still, through it all, faith remains our refuge. The Filipino phrase “Bahala na” is not resignation but trust — an act of placing our lives in God’s hands when the future feels uncertain.
Maybe these calamities are not only tests of endurance but invitations to transformation. Invitations to demand better from our leaders, to honor our pain, to nurture our spirit, and to remember that even after the hardest struggles, blessings can follow.
The Filipino light is strong — but it should never be taken advantage of. Our strength should be honored, not exploited. Our resilience should be admired, not relied upon, because systems failed.
Perhaps this is the awakening: not just of spirit, but of consciousness. A reminder that we rise not only because we are strong, but because we deserve a nation that protects, supports, and uplifts its people. Embody the Filipino spirit again, both its light and its shadows, for this is when you will truly start to shine. Your soul is already illuminating the path forward. Are you courageous enough to follow it? Allow the Universe to test you, for it knows your strength. Take the leap and trust that wherever you are guided, you are held, supported, and capable.
If you need grounding and inner healing during these uncertain times, check out this healing frequency video to help restore your calm and reconnect you to your inner light.
By Gresson Peiffer