VIA GRAPHIC PLUS — There’s no perfect English translation for tiis-ganda. The distinctly Filipino expression captures the idea of enduring discomfort or inconvenience in the name of looking good, keeping up appearances, or simply getting through what needs to be done.
And what better time for women to endure this expectation than the holidays?
For many women, that idea of tiis can extend beyond beauty, from wearing uncomfortable shoes for an event to pushing through period pain just to make it through the pain. During the holidays, when there are dinners to attend, reunions to show up for, and celebrations to smile through, it can be even easier to fall into the habit of tiis-ganda, putting on a good face and carrying on, even when your body is telling you otherwise.
But looking good and showing up for the moments that matter shouldn’t have to mean putting up with pain. This holiday season, it may be time to rethink what tiis-ganda really means and make a little more room for feeling good, too.
“Period pain is often treated as something women simply have to work around, especially during busy seasons when there are so many plans to keep up with. But experiencing pain shouldn’t mean putting your needs on the back burner. said Micol Cansino, Hyscoine N-butylbromide (Buscopan) Senior Brand Manager. “We want to encourage women to better understand their symptoms and feel more confident about taking steps to manage their period pain, so they can spend less time worrying about discomfort and more time enjoying the moments they’ve been looking forward to.”
When “Tiis Ganda” Becomes the Holiday Routine
For some women, tiis-ganda means pushing through discomfort to keep showing up—abdominal cramps and all. But period pain, medically known as dysmenorrhea, is more than something to simply endure; it happens when prostaglandins trigger uterine contractions, causing the familiar pain in the lower abdomen.
Don’t simply tiis-ganda through period pain, pay attention to its severity, timing, duration, and impact on your daily activities, and seek appropriate relief or medical advice when the pain regularly interferes with everyday life.
Keeping track of these patterns can also give you useful information to share with a healthcare professional, particularly if the pain is severe, unusual, or increasingly disruptive.
Beyond “Tiis-Ganda”: Ways to Make Holiday Plans More Period-Friendly
Breaking the tiis-ganda habit doesn’t necessarily mean saying no to every plan when your period comes around. It can simply mean being more intentional about taking care of yourself, too.
Don’t forget the basics: eat regularly, stay hydrated, and take small breaks between holiday errands and celebrations, while keeping your period essentials within reach. Most importantly, know your options for managing menstrual cramps rather than simply tiis-ing through the festivities; consider appropriate relief based on your symptoms and always follow medication directions.
For women experiencing mild to severe dysmenorrhea, Hyoscine N-butylbromide + Paracetamol (Buscopan Venus) helps treat dysmenorrhea at the source. It works in as fast as 15 minutes and can be taken as 1–2 tablets, up to 3 times daily, or as prescribed by a physician.
Bring on the Holiday Ganda—Minus the Tiis
Moving beyond tiis-ganda doesn’t mean giving up on the plans, celebrations, or moments you’ve been looking forward to. It means recognizing that taking care of yourself is just as important as showing up for everyone else.
“Your Christmas calendar already has enough guests, so period pain doesn’t have to be on the invite list. By knowing your cycle, listening to your body, and being prepared with appropriate ways to manage discomfort, you can give yourself a better chance to enjoy the celebrations and the moments you’ve been looking forward to. This holiday season, we hope women feel empowered to move beyond tiis and make room for feeling good, too,” Cansino concluded.
Because maybe tiis-ganda was never meant to mean enduring everything. The best kind of holiday ganda isn’t just about looking your best, it’s about feeling well enough to show up, stay present, and enjoy the moments you don’t want to miss
Started in 1927, the Philippines Graphic is the longest-running printed magazine of national circulation that provides relevant news and features and promotes Philippine literature.
