A Tale of Survival: Filipino Families’ Journey of Surviving Covid19 Pandemic through the Lens of Sikolohiyang Pilipino

The study presents a unique perspective on Filipino Cultural values and shows a picture of surviving the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines that reflects the perspective of a Filipino family. The study focuses on the ways in which cultural values, beliefs, and practices shaped by Sikolohiyang Pilipino influence the coping strategies and general experience of Filipino families in the face of the pandemic. By utilizing a culturally grounded theoretical framework, this research sheds light on how a Filipino family responds to crises and advances our understanding of the relationship between culture and coping. Using a qualitative research design, the study utilizes focus group discussions (FGD) and semi-structured interviews to gather data from three selected families residing in Lucena City. The findings revealed four general themes: (1) losing the battle with COVID-19; (2) families are stronger as they are united; (3) being a Filipino is the strongest weapon against COVID-19; and (4) losing with COVID-19 is a stepping-stone to strengthen families. Results also highlighted the significant influence of cultural values such as Filipinos’ sense of community (bayanihan and pagkakaisa) and family, deep spirituality (pagkamaka-diyos), and resiliency. This study provided a glimpse of Filipino families’ outlook on life after surviving a challenging experience. Surprisingly, it was found that Filipino families viewed this negative event as positive, as they provided opportunities for growth and strengthened familial bonds. It is then recommended that policymakers prioritize future disaster and pandemic preparedness programs and develop intervention programs that foster resilience, promote recovery, and offer social support to Filipino families