‘Sanay na Kami
’ A phenomenological study of forced resilience and collective survival among Filipinos living with recurring floods
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19480232 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Carylle Justine H Delim (Mapúa University, corresponding author), Jen Krizia Mae D Agripa (Mapúa University), Chrischelle T Calma (Mapúa University), Edward Jay M Quinto (Mapúa University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-23 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-27 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Environmental Hazards (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1878-0059 • E-ISSN: 1747-7891 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/17477891.2026.2678220 |
| OpenAlex | W7162551212 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 70 |
This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Filipinos who grew up in flood-prone communities and evacuation centres, focusing on how they make sense of resilience amid chronic exposure to disasters. Drawing on in-depth interviews, the study revealed that resilience in this context is not an inherent personal trait, but a dynamic, socially embedded process shaped by communal solidarity, faith, and necessity. Participants described resilience as both empowering and burdensome, negotiating fatigue amid systemic neglect. The recurring phrase ‘sanay na kami’ (‘we’re used to it’) encapsulated the normalization of hardship, where endurance becomes a cultural expectation rather than a free choice. While acts of bayanihan, humour, and spirituality sustained collective survival, these same mechanisms also masked emotional exhaustion and the absence of structural support. The findings highlight ‘forced resilience’ as a defining feature of life in flood-prone communities, reframing resilience as a moral and political condition rather than mere individual strength. The study calls for policies that move beyond celebrating endurance toward addressing the social and infrastructural inequities that make resilience a necessity rather than an option
Community resilience · Disaster research · Flood myth · Natural disaster · Poison control · Psychological resilience · Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration · Community and Sustainable Development · Disaster Management and Resilience
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Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino psychology)
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Geographies of resilience
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Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness
The development of manufactured flood risk
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The Resilience Fix to Climate Disasters
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |