ABILITY TO

SURVIVE
STRENGTHS OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER
EFFECTS OF POVERTY

Rapid growth of population

There are more births than there are deaths,

which is referred to as a natural increase.
Rising populations put increasing demands on
natural resources such as land, water, and
energy supplies.
They also increase larger quantities of waste
EFFECTS OF POVERTY

Unemployment

Some of the causes of unemployment in the

Philippines include a lack of educated workers
and a suppressed economy. Other causes
include a large working population in a
relatively small area with little industry. The
unemployment rate in the Philippines as been
high for many years.
ABILITY TO SURVIVE
Filipinos have an ability to
survive, which is manifested
in our capacity for endurance despite difficult
times in our ability to get by on so very little.
Filipinos make do with what is available in the
environment.
Garbage scavengers in the impoverished
Manila area of Tondo are not looking just for
re-usable goods among the rubbish but,
increasingly, for food to feed their families.
ABILITY TO SURVIVE

This survival instinct is

related to the Filipinos other strengths.
A basic optimism, flexibility and adaptability,
hard work, and a deep faith in God. It is
manifested in the millions of Filipinos who
bravely live through the harshest economic
and social circumstances. Regretfully, one
wonders what we might be able to do under
better circumstances.