Gratitude is often underestimated. We imagine it belongs only to grand victories or life-changing milestones. Yet, more often than not, it hides in the ordinary—the quiet return of a sibling, a new job that keeps food on the table, or the priceless gift of good health.

During the Inner Conditioning Workshop (ICW) Kamustahan of the Sibagat team last August 29, 2025, gratitude became more than just a feeling. It became a collective force. Every story shared was a small flame, and together, they lit up a larger truth: gratitude builds communities. This is exactly what SEA’s IPAT-SIAD program envisions—sustainable development that begins from within, in the hearts and lives of people.

Take the power of family. For Myrna Bantugan, it was her brother’s homecoming; for Richard Gonzales, it was the unwavering support of loved ones. Their reflections prove what we already know but often forget: strong families are the anchors of resilient communities.

Or the dignity of work. For Pio Ubac Jr. and Myrna Buera, new opportunities meant more than income—they meant pride, responsibility, and contribution. A job is never just about wages; it’s about dignity, and this is how inclusive economics must be understood.

Then there’s health. As Elizabeth Cocon reminds us, “When we have health, we have hope, and when we have hope, we have everything.” Health is not merely the absence of sickness, but the presence of energy, peace of mind, and strength to pursue dreams.

Faith also surfaced, raw and real. Francisco Gabiana Jr., after facing a near-death scare, reminded us that life is fragile yet beautiful. Gratitude, for him, was no longer abstract—it became faith in motion, proof that even in pain, God does not waste a single trial.

And finally, growth. For Gisyl Otero and Cydah Inocente, gratitude came through learning, engagement, and the courage to step outside comfort zones. Growth, they remind us, is never solitary. When one person learns, the whole community rises.

These Kamustahan stories show us that gratitude is not passive. It transforms hardship into wisdom, and blessings into bridges. It mirrors the heart of SEA’s IPAT-SIAD program: integrated, people-led, and sustainable. True change will never start with policies written on paper. It begins in real lives, with real people, in simple acts of thankfulness.

In a world quick to complain and compete, gratitude is our quiet rebellion. Because when we learn to be grateful, we don’t just count blessings. We multiply them.