*snip: too long to quote*
If these
genuinely believed their lives to face some manner of imminent, life-ending peril, they would acquiesce regardless. "In short," to use your words, they don't believe you. (Hence, where I am leading: "Why not?")
Definitely. Many filipinos have explained to me that they trust their fate to God. And come what may.
Filipinos believe pain in death is not to be avoided with pain killers. Oh my the stoic faces of those dying of cancer. It is humbling. I don't know if I can (and I don't really want to find out!)