Before I answer that, here's a story of my dad.
When he was a kid, he lived a carefree life that he would take the chance to play outside while his father kept telling him to study, study, and study. Being the son of a soldier that participated in WW II, my dad enjoyed the privilege he had because Filipino soldiers were respected at that time. However, despite the joy he had, there was a time when my dad's father was jumped by a group of people that resulted in my dad seeing my grandfather holding the guts that was about to fall out of his body when he came home. Not something that a child should see right? But, this resulted in my dad coming to reality, that the things he faced was not all sunshine and rainbows.
What's more was that, my dad's older brother, who was once addicted to drugs but stopped, was killed by the people whom he thought were his friends. This gave my dad a different take in life. No, he didn't decide to joke or mess around because of the things he had seen at that time. He matured early, early enough that when he faced kinds of failures in his life he persevered and endured. He kept his faith close with him because, in the present moment that we are in now, him and his family had been given the chance to live in a different country that is not Philippines.
What's unique with us Filipinos is the fact that we persevere, and the faith we have in being Christians. (From what I have seen from my dad).
So, why are Filipinos resilient? Because they smile? Yes, they do when times are tough. But what's important is that we take life seriously and that we value of what's important to us in our life. Though we may at times have fun, we never forget the hardship that one has to go through in life. Which is why people see Filipinos as hard-working people like my dad who's boss always see him in a good light.
