By Jacob Delos Santos and Liezel Longboan
The ongoing crisis in the Middle East is at the top of people’s minds at the moment. News of potential energy bill hikes, even a global economic crisis, are worrying many of us. Filipinos are doubly concerned as we have thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who currently live and work in the region.
OFWs sent back USD 3.52 billion in 2025, making up 6.4 percent of the Philippines gross national income, according to a recent Central Bank of the Philippines report. This money pays for tuition, medical bills, house construction and daily provisions for millions of dependent families back home.
With up to 1.1 million OFWs now currently operating within active war zones, an economic shockwave can be felt from Dubai to barangays across the Philippines. For many Filipinos, the emotional toll of such news developments is very real.
The death of Mary Anne Velasquez de Vera, a 32-year-old Filipina caregiver from Pangasinan who was killed in Tel Aviv, is a painful reminder of the truth: Filipino migrant workers do not merely witness war. They can die in it. According to reports, she was simply helping one of her elderly patients reach a shelter when the explosion occurred.
Mary Anne had been married for just two years and was pregnant with her first child. For many Filipinos, her death strikes a deep emotional chord. Like thousands of OFWs in Israel, Mary Anne had left home in search of better opportunities for her family back in the Philippines.
Stories like Mary Anne’s and other horrific stories affecting other migrant Filipinos at this time can sometimes affect us without us being aware of it. In this article, we offer practical steps on we can engage with the news – in our own terms – to manage our mental wellbeing.
When global events feel too heavy, we can find ways to shift our attention from the macro to the micro, focusing on meaningful actions we can take within our immediate reach and influence. As the beloved singer and human rights activist Joan Baez once said: “Action is the antidote to despair.”
Think global, act local
To counter feeling helpless by the current crisis, it’s helpful to shift your focus to what is physically around you. For Filipinos, the cultural values of bayanihan (community solidarity) and kapwa (shared inner self) – the idea of shared identity and collective care – remain timeless guides during times of political and economic uncertainty.
If a news story makes you feel anxious, pause and immediately do one “analogue” task: water a plant, go for a 5-minute walk without your phone, talk to a neighbour, or make yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee. This breaks the stress loop in your brain by proving that your immediate environment is safe and manageable, even if the wider world feels chaotic.
Or why not send a message to someone you know who is affected by the ongoing crisis? A simple message asking, “Kamusta ka (How are you)?” can mean a great deal to family and friends who may be feeling alone or anxious. Sometimes, the most valuable gesture is simply to listen to others. The smallest acts of kindness matter.
Mental health experts often emphasise that self-care is not selfish, in fact it is a necessary foundation for us to be able to adequately support others. Spending quality time with loved ones, engaging in physical activity, or participating in local faith or community activities helps maintain healthy routines that can promote stability and calm during pressing times.
Practise digital hygiene
Another actionable step is to practise what media experts call digital hygiene, a set of routines to keep our digital life clean, safe and healthy, just like following good physical hygiene. In terms of mental digital hygiene, it’s vital to manage our online interactions so they don’t affect our mood or stress levels, especially with the 24/7 news cycle we live in.
Take control of how you consume news and information on social media rather than allowing algorithms to influence you. The Mental Health Foundation suggests limiting your time reading about the news. Set a timer to stop yourself from “doomscrolling” from one crisis story to another. Also, turn off notifications so you are not constantly disturbed by digital noise.
Next, unfollow or put on “mute” news-heavy accounts and political agitators. Get your news directly from trusted news sites, rather than taking the bait of algorithms. It has been shown that social media algorithms are designed to show you content that triggers a strong emotional response which is why divisive politics and war footage go viral.
Most importantly, learn the difference between fact and opinion. Before clicking or sharing a story, ask yourself: “Is this a report about an event or someone’s angry reaction to an event?” Stick to dry, factual reporting and avoid reading emotionally-charged opinions, especially in the morning or at night. Protect your time – and your peace.
Choosing community
For those who want to do a bit more, consider volunteering with local charities or donating to causes that you believe in. Groups such as the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) work daily to provide necessary medical care, shelter and protection to innocent civilians and OFWs caught in active war zones.
Engaging in constructive advocacy can also be incredibly effective. For example, write to your elected representatives advocating for humanitarian aid, even robust protections for migrant workers, to shape legislative change. Or join peaceful protests or attend talks that call for peace and dialogue.
In an era of digital noise, the most powerful thing we can do is know when to pause. By stepping back from divisive headlines and leaning into small, local actions, we don’t just protect our peace — we strengthen the very community that sustains us.
About the author
Jacob Delos Santos
Jacob Delos Santos is a master’s student at SOAS, University of London. Originally from Marikina City, he now lives in Oxfordshire, working in medical advertising at IPG Health.
Beyond journalism, Jacob enjoys anime, swimming, and cooking vegan Asian dishes. His favorite fruit? Fresh mangoes from his family’s province in Zambales.
