Sapin-Sapin ni Juan: A Psychological Noire

Sapin-sapin or Layered Sticky Rice is a Filipino dessert staple that is served best with Latik which is made by simmering coconut milk in a kawali. The Abra-pride kakanin has been a long-time favorite in fiestas and even in the much-awaited Pasko or the Philippine brand of the Christmas season. No one can resist the delectable taste of the classic sapin-sapin.

Glutinous sticky rice, popularly known in the Philippines as "Sapin-Sapin" is a filipino desert staple

Sapin-Sapin: Sapin:Itatago na lang [Cover It: No choice but to hide]

Sapinan, on the other hand, is a Tagalog word that means 'to underlay' or 'to cover'. I remember whenever my Lola used to tell, "sapinan mo ang likod mo, baka ka magkasipon" (Cover your back [with a towel] you might get sick".

"Sapinan mo para di ka magkasakit", In English, "Cover it, so you won't get sick". It has been a favorite phrase of our caring nanays and lolas, especially after playing with our kabarkadas (90s kids, if you know, you know).

What if..the 'sakit' is already there and it is too late, the sapin (the cover) then becomes a means to an end.

Sapi or Spirit Possession in English, in the past has become the subject of many kwentong probinsya. People who do bizarre acts or speak in ways unheard of are usually labeled as 'baliw' or oftentimes 'sinapian'. These people are treated as wild animals and put under the worst inhumane conditions unimaginable.

Centuries went by and the same belief system still cripples our society today, especially in the most remote, rural areas in our country. Families and friends of the helpless victims of these labels had no choice but to watch their loved one(s) become subject to utter ridicule and ostracism. They had no choice but to cover or in Filipino, 'sapin' the 'kalunos-lunos na sinapit' or damning tragedy that had struck their loved one.

They had no choice but to 'sapin' the illness of their relative and befall to a traitorous enemy and that is a mental disorder.

Sapinan na Problema ng isang Lipunan: [Layers of problems of a society]

The grim reality that beset our national mental health system today is the scarce funding that is allocated for it. Unfortunately, mental health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders oftentimes, become the least priority of Filipinos, especially in poor and remote areas of the country. Disorders that require critical attention such as Schizophrenia are being neglected and at times, being treated as a case of lunacy or witchcraft. This leads to patients being subjected to inhumane situations such as being caged thus, worsening their conditions.

According to a study conducted by PHIS-MH (Philippine Health Information System on Mental Health), Schizophrenia is the most prevalent disorder in terms of consultations and admissions. NCMH (National Center for Mental Health) is the primary Healthcare institution in the country and according to its website, has a daily average of 3,010 inpatients (for all cases including Schizophrenia).

NCMH logged a total of 2,717 reported cases of schizophrenia for the year 2022, making it the most prevalent disorder in the institution alone whereas Bipolar disorder is second with 1,058. Sadly, a major reason for its leading prevalence is the case's severity and effect not only on the patient but the people around him or her. Patients who suffer from the disorder tend to hurt themselves as well as the people around them. This means that such cases are only being brought to medical attention once it is already in its worst form.

The lack of attention to mental health in the country is not limited only to severe disorders but can be found as well in more relatively common ones such as depression and anxiety. Highly developed and Western countries are showing ever-increasing attention to mental health. Mental health leaves and programs that cater to their employees' emotional well-being are becoming the trend, especially among the leading companies in Europe and the US. Whereas, third-world countries continue to be exposed to worse conditions which in turn, have adverse effects on the working professionals and labor people.

Poor access to mental health services is not only caused by the financial constraints of the Filipino people but also by the centuries-long stigma that is being faced by the disorders' victims.

Sinapinan ni Juan [Juan Covered It]

The worst victims of a society's lingering problems are sadly, the poorest of its' citizens. The ones in the deepest trenches of the country's economy oftentimes have no choice but to make mental health one of their least priorities.

One such case is that of 'Teresa' [not the patient's real name] who for decades has chosen to hide her condition in the four walls of their home. A cup of coffee in the morning and a quick dinner at night, television, and internet surfing make up an ordinary day for Teresa. What seemed to be a daily routine became an escape from reality that went first for weeks then it became months. Then what seemed to be a simple daily escape turned into years of solitary lifestyle. Time has become cruel to her as she helplessly watched her peers become married and turn to become successful professionals.

Meanwhile, a decade has passed already and Teresa is still confined to the same routines, the same emotions, and the good ol' four walls of her private room. She thought that nothing could be worse than having a decade of her life stolen away by her disorder. Then, suddenly the decades are almost turning into a generation. Teresa is helplessly watching the world unravel on its own, sadly without her contributing to it.

As the mental health system in the Philippines finds itself stumped and barely can progress, so is the health and well-being of the Filipino people.

Such is true in the case of Teresa, her anxiety disorder which started as a simple adolescent issue turned into a lifelong disorder which in turn, hampered her daily life. It started from her childhood wherein she had become a victim of simple yet consistent bullying. Her parents decided to 'sapin' or to hide her condition in the fear that it might tarnish their reputation especially as her parents are working for the government.

Alisin na ang Sapin at harapin ang Suliranin: Remove the cover and face the reality

A sketch depicting a man who describes himself as "whole" again similar to a formed puzzle piece

The Filipinos' problems in mental health do not lie only in poverty or their inability to afford mental health services but moreover, in rejecting the idea that there is an issue that needs to be solved in the first place. Nowadays, many therapies and medicines have been developed already by various medical professionals. Mental health disorders are no longer a curse but are now just a condition that one can rise above from.

Though expensive, high-quality mental health services are available here in the Philippines. Some hospitals offer state-of-the-art facilities and are equipped with internationally competitive mental health professionals. The problem is the disparity between the rich and the poor as its' public services counterparts still have a lot to improve on when it comes to facilities and the number of professionals.

People can say what they want about millennials and Gen-Zs being 'sensitive' and

'pampered'. Nonetheless, the generations of today only know that mental health is important and should never be ignored. Gone are the days when employees are being exposed to almost inhumane working conditions yet no one bats an eye. Fading in obscurity as well is the notion that mental disorders are something of lunacy and witchcraft.

The bottom line is the 'sapin' though not as fast as we want it to be is slowly becoming removed in our society. The awareness that mental health is a serious societal health concern is growing in ways like never before.