Pinoys give more

Charity begins at home, we are told as soon as we reach the age of discernment. The root of Filipino generosity can be traced to our values — strong family ties, religious beliefs, and being part of a familial society.

The "family first" motto has been ingrained in our lifeblood. We tend to our families, particularly loved ones, and make sure they are well cared for before we help others when needed.

Foreigners would only get it if they married a local, started living with a family, or adapted to society's standards here. Filipinos are naturally helpful and generous, extending kindness to family members, relatives, neighbors, friends and communities. Our parents always tell us that the strong must help the weak, especially in an extended family that includes grandparents, uncles and aunts, and sometimes nieces and nephews who overstay even when they already have jobs and families. Good or bad, this has been going on since I was not yet born.

You see the "Bayanihan" spirit in full swing, from handing pails of water to one another until they reach the last persons on the line tasked to put out a fire in the neighborhood, all without expecting rewards. People watching the news on TV would send water, packed noodles and sardines, used clothing, medicine, and even books, among others, to typhoons and flash flood victims during disasters.

The catchphrase, "Kapwa ko, Mahal ko," reminiscent of a TV charity program in 1975 initially hosted by Rosa Rosal, Orly Mercado, and Antonio Tulusan and produced by a foundation with the same name, summarized the nation's sense of unity and responsibility, regardless of one's social and economic standing.

Look at charities, foundations, and even non-governmental organizations nationwide helping people and groups. Volunteers act as first responders and heed the government's call for assistance.

The abundance of direct or indirect support given to victims or beneficiaries may have been missing from the World Giving Index 2023 results, polling 147,186 people from 142 countries in 2022.

In the report, the Philippines ranked only 98th in generosity, with a median score of 34, lower than the global average of 39. The country placed 20th in 2021, 65th in 2020, and 33rd in 2018. Indonesia (68) topped the survey for six consecutive years, followed by Ukraine (62), Kenya (60), Liberia and the United States (tied at 58). The Charities Aid Foundation, operating in the United Kingdom and internationally, conducted the survey.

The survey questions included donating money, helping a stranger, and volunteering time for an organization. Among adult Filipino respondents, 57 percent said they supported a stranger, 34 percent said they have volunteered to an organization, and 12 percent said they have donated money to charity, the reports said.

I am not saying the survey results were inaccurate. Random people were probably asked, like other surveys, and the population used could be negligible. Last year was terrible because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with 30 percent of Filipinos experiencing a worsened quality of life based on the Social Weather Stations survey results.

Still, some people are ready to lend a helping hand but choose to remain anonymous, never to be acknowledged. People experiencing poverty and some sari-sari store owners still lend money or goods to friends and neighbors, aware of "lista sa tubig" (debt that cannot be paid anymore) which to me is an unexpressed donation.

As a poor boy who grew up in the barrio, I know life's hardships. While some folks in our community did not have enough money to spare, they were happy to share whatever they had with others. This compassion and love for neighbors never struck me, for I always believed the elders when they said: Those with less in life have more friends!

"We make a living by what we get," said the late Winston Churchill of England, "but we make a life by what we give." In essence, we celebrate life not by how much we receive but by how much we can give, not just during Christmases or birthdays. Giving always puts a smile on the young's faces and adds a lifeline to those who want to survive. One is not born with generosity; the trait can be taught or learned early in life.

By giving back to society, we connect to others and let them know we understand their circumstances.

By giving back, we liberate our souls and inspire others to give as well.

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