Why Filipinos Get Jealous Instead of Inspired — and How We Can Change That
We Filipinos are known for our warmth, hospitality, and resilience. We smile through hardships, share food even when it’s scarce, and welcome strangers like family. But there’s one trait we rarely talk about openly — the tendency to feel inggit (jealousy) when others succeed.
It’s not that we don’t want others to do well. Often, we genuinely do. But there’s a subtle sting we feel when someone close to us suddenly levels up — buys a new car, starts a business, travels abroad, or even loses weight.
Why is that? And more importantly, how do we turn jealousy into inspiration?
The Cultural Context of “Inggit”
Jealousy exists everywhere in the world, but in the Philippines, it’s shaped by our history and culture:
- Colonial Mentality – Centuries of colonization taught us to compare ourselves to others and sometimes value foreign success stories over local ones.
- Crab Mentality – The idea that if we can’t climb higher, we pull others down — an unhealthy coping mechanism born from scarcity and competition.
- Pakikisama Pressure – In a society where we value sameness and fitting in, standing out can trigger envy from peers who feel “left behind.”
Real-Life Examples
- A small-town entrepreneur opens a sari-sari store and starts to thrive. Instead of congratulating them, some neighbors whisper about “lucky breaks” or “hidden backers.”
- A young OFW builds a house for their family. Instead of admiration, some relatives hint at “baka may illegal sideline.”
- A co-worker gets promoted. Instead of being inspired to work harder, others wait for them to make a mistake.
These reactions don’t mean Filipinos are bad-hearted — often, it’s frustration at our own situation that we don’t know how to process.
Turning Jealousy Into Fuel: 5 Takeaways
1. See Success as Proof, Not a Threat
If someone from your barangay made it big, it means it’s possible for you too. Instead of asking, “Why them?”, ask, “How can I learn from them?”
2. Focus on Your Lane
Jealousy thrives when we compare lives without context. Social media only shows the highlight reel — not the struggles behind it.
3. Turn Curiosity Into Action
Instead of resenting someone’s success, study their journey. What habits, skills, or sacrifices got them there?
4. Celebrate Publicly, Learn Privately
Genuinely congratulate others, then go home and reflect on how you can apply their wins to your own path.
5. Cultivate an Abundance Mindset
Success is not a pie with limited slices. More success for them doesn’t mean less for you.
A Smooth Push for Self-Growth
If you’ve ever caught yourself feeling jealous, channel that energy into building your own skills and dreams. I personally recommend Atomic Habits by James Clear — a practical, easy-to-follow book that teaches how small, consistent actions lead to massive change. Many successful Filipinos I know swear by it.
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