SINCE the conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran began last Feb. 28, it has felt like we were living in a constant state of disruption — an oxymoron, true, but it seems the best way to describe this series of rapid, continuous changes that have become the new norm. Fuel price increases that boost transportation expenses, rising prices of goods and services, reduced disposable incomes, lower consumer confidence. Small businesses face massive strain, with operating costs rising, which can lead to job cuts and reduced investments. And the need to adapt quickly.
These daily shocks make it difficult to see the “big picture,” but it is possible to focus on things within our reach and manage them. It is not about ignoring the shocks, because they are real, but about building buffers and small systems that keep one’s balance.
For a start, we can cope with anxiety and maintain emotional well-being by limiting our exposure to constant shocking news. We can choose just one reliable source of news and check it once a day, rather than constantly checking updates — news agencies do need our consent to be notified of updates, so we are in control. We can avoid “rage bait” posts, i.e. online content that trigger anger, outrage or frustration. These are deliberately designed to generate clicks, comments, and high engagement, for monetization purposes, which benefit only the content creators, and only add to our stress.
There are coping strategies that people are now using to deal with inflation and fuel hikes. There is micro-budgeting, breaking things down weekly instead of doing broad monthly budgets. It makes adjustments easier when prices shift suddenly.
Grit, which we call diskarte, will see us through. Joining skill-sharing groups help, where members trade knowledge — like cooking, tutoring, or tech help — in exchange for services or goods.
Community pantries, which helped ease difficulties during the pandemic, have resurfaced as a lifeline, and they are a powerful reminder of how Filipinos lean on the bayanihan spirit in times of crisis.
Families and communities are turning vacant lots, rooftops, and even pots into small vegetable gardens to cut food expenses. Online selling of food packs, pre-loved items, or homemade goods continues to grow. Some LGUs and churches have started to organize free meals for children and seniors. Farmers’ cooperatives sell produce directly to consumers, cutting out middlemen and lowering costs.
We can save on transport through ride-sharing, bike-to-work initiatives, carpooling, or shifting to hybrid meetings, keeping Zoom as default, reserving in-person for high-value interactions.
In fact, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has strongly urged private companies to adopt flexible work arrangements to lessen transportation demand and costs as he placed the country under a state of national energy emergency through Executive Order (EO) 110, in light of the conflict in the Middle East which has adversely affected the availability and stability of the country's energy supply.
The private sector, civil organizations, and other stakeholders are urged to join hands with government agencies and LGUs to provide logistical support, interventions, and critical services to affected sectors and vulnerable communities. They are also enjoined to implement energy conservation measures in business operations and promote fuel-saving practices among employees and customers.
We can see a mix of grassroots solidarity (pantries, paluwagan, skill swaps) and institutional measures. The common thread is local resilience: people are finding ways to buffer shocks together rather than alone.
These measures don’t just save money; they build solidarity. The same spirit that fuels community pantries can fuel knowledge-sharing.
Let us be inspired by the words of American novelist Anne Lamott as she reflected recently on the current state of the world while she did her morning walk: The sand, she said, sifted and shifted beneath her feet for hours, mirroring the shakiness of the present landscape. She felt deep sorrow, rage, devastation. But we've got to keep on walking, keep on talking, she advised. She exhorts her readers to be compassionate, do sweet things for neighbors, to pay attention to everything that encourages us to keep on going, to take in the wonders around us, the courage of every day people. After these calming, healing thoughts, she notes that “the moist sloppy sand is not as shaky as it looks ... It will hold us.”
Lastly, let us not lose sight of the significance of this day, Holy Wednesday, the day Judas Iscariot conspired with the chief priests to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. It signifies the start of the final betrayal and sets the stage for the Passion of Christ. This day serves as a solemn time for deep introspection, reflection on themes of loyalty, betrayal, broken trust, repentance, faith and forgiveness during Holy Week.