What is It

Filipino value system is characterized as an effect of one's own culture by the way
people live their lives. This refers to the collection of values or the structure of values that
majority of Filipinos have traditionally kept in their lives as important as: common beliefs,
moral principles, ethical standards, etiquette, and cultural and personal values that their
society encouraged them to have. Here are some Filipino values that we live by:
1 . Bahala na
There is no exact English translation for Bahala Na. However, there are several
interpretations for this. The first one is that Bahala was derived from the word Bathala, who
was worshipped by the Filipinos during the Pre -Spanish period. This belief in putting life in
the hands of God may be a symbol of how devout Filipinos can be. They just leave
everything to God, including their problems and their sufferings. They are fatalistic, putting
their lives in the hands of fate.

On the other hand, according to Lagmay (1977, as cited in Pe-Pua et al., 2000),
Bahala Na is determination and risk-taking. He said that when Filipinos say “bahala na”,
they are ready to face every difficult situation and are determined to achieve their goals or
objectives. When they mention those words, it is like they are getting courage or strength
into their system, and they will not surrender.

In business, you cannot just put its life in the hands of fate. Everything has to be
carefully studied or planned; otherwise, all of your efforts will go down the drain.
2 . Utang na loob
Gratitude or utang na loob is typically embedded in the Filipino culture. One should
not forget to consider the good acts others may have done particularly in times of great
need. Many times, this debt of appreciation is violated by others who have served us good.
With this system, people are forced to do something in exchange for favors that others did.

Business is affected by this so-called utang na loob especially if the businessman has
faced ethical issues.
3 . Ningas-cogon
Ningas is a noun that means flame, burning, or fire, while cogon is a plant that can
be quickly burnt with its presence. Ningas cogon means the swift burning of cogon, which
connotes the eagerness of the Filipinos just at the beginning, but then rapidly lose interest
shortly after it begins, or lack of follow-up.

Same thing could happen in business. The enthusiasm is there at the start of the
venture but since it is not one’s inclination, then he/she gradually loses his/her interest.
4 . Padrino system (palakasan/patronage system)
Padrino system, or patronage in Filipino culture and politics, is the system of value
in which one gets support, endorsement, or political appointment through family affiliation
(nepotism) or friendship (cronyism), as opposed to one's worth. Meaning, the owner or
manager hires friends or relatives regardless of their qualifications. This could cause conflict
inside the enterprise and eventually could also be the reason for losing the more qualified
employees or workers. This system in the Philippines is the root cause of numerous
scandals and corruption.

Businessmen can quickly get business deals using padrino system if the padrino
poses as go-between presenting and vouching his character to close the deal.
5 . Amor propio / self-respect
Amor propio is a Spanish term meaning caring for oneself, or self-love. It is a feeling
of self-esteem or self-respect that prevents a person from swallowing his or her pride.
Sensitivity to personal insult or offending situation is included.

In business, Filipino customers are normally sensitive to hear a No for an answer,

hence, one will get a Yes, but might be disappointed afterwards.
6 . Mañana habit
The Spanish word mañana means tomorrow or the future. It is also known in
English as procrastination and as mamaya na in Filipino. It might just as well mean
putting off something until another time. This habit has made Filipinos less efficient and
less energetic in doing the task.

In business, mañana habit could lead to less efficient workforce. It could also lead to
losing customers in case one is into delivery business. When he/she always postpones doing
something, his/her loads of work could pile up and that could give him/her (and his/her co-
workers) too much stress.
7. Delicadeza
Delicadeza is a Spanish term which when translated into English means daintiness. It is
defined as acting in a manner which is refined or being delicate in taste. Often, it may mean
good decorum or absolute obedience to what is right, legal, or ethical. Perhaps it can be
better understood by saying walang delicadeza or makapal ang mukha (thick-faced) for
those who do not have it.

In business, it is best to do what is right, what is legal, and what is ethical. After all,
goodwill attracts good vibes!
8. Hiya
Shame or hiya is a common Filipino value. This is a sense of social propriety and it
conforms with established cultural standards. Filipinos feel they ought to live up to agreed
moral expectations and if they fail to do so, they add dishonor not just to themselves, but
also to their families. If anyone is publicly humiliated, insulted or fails to meet standards,
they may feel ashamed and they lose their self-esteem.

Shame or hiya also happens in business. For example, one is selling rice and other
consumables. Now here comes his/her close friend requesting for one sack of rice to be paid
at the end of that month. On the due date, it is the seller who is even ashamed to remind
his/her close friend of the latter’s obligation.
9. Pakikisama/pakikipagkapwa-tao
Another Filipino characteristic is loyalty, or pakikisama. That is a shared
understanding of the other person's personality and consciousness. It is treating others as
equal, and with respect and integrity.

This is simply a realistic translation of the pakikipagkapwa-tao in industry since the

aim is to deliver useful products and services to others so that their standard of living would
get better.

In business, for example, Pedro is a sole proprietor. His cousin approached him and
was trying to borrow P5,000 for an emergency reason. Because he had no personal cash
that time, out of pakikisama, he got the amount of P5,000 from his business collection and
lent it to his cousin.
10 . Family orientation
Philippines is recognized as a family-centered country. The Filipinos consider their
family as an important social structure which they have to look after. They put premium on
their family's safety and unity. The practice of nepotism is evident (members of the same
family employed in the same enterprise). It is the closeness of the Filipino families that
makes them the model of most business organizations.

However, in business, it is said that it is not advantageous to hire relatives because

one cannot just easily fire them even though he/she is dissatisfied with their work
performance.
11 . Suki system
Suki is a Tagalog term which means loyal customers. Here, there is a customer-
supplier relationship that is built. Normally, the supplier would give discounts, good quality
products or service, or even “credit line” once the trust is earned.
12 . Bayanihan/team spirit
The bayanihan is a Filipino term which originated from the word bayan meaning
town or community. Later on, bayanihan meant "being a bayan" and is being used to refer
to a spirit of unity within a group, or individual cooperation and joint efforts.

The adage "no man is an island" is even more true, and even critical in business
world – where interactions and the willingness (or unwillingness) to collaborate with others
will make or break a business. It is in bayanihan where one's local environment is a vital
tool. And that it will help his/her people and his/her company get ahead by harnessing the
strength of his/her own people.
13 . Palabra De Honor
Palabra de Honor is a Spanish word meaning "Word of Honor". This is an individual's
unwritten promise to someone to do or not to do something.

Palabra de honor needs a sense of truthfulness and honesty in every Filipino. We

have to respect our words by upholding our promises, even without any legal document.

In business, for example, when one promised his/her employees of a salary increase
after six months of working in his/her enterprise, then he/she should really give them an
increase when they have reached six months.
14 . Lakas ng loob
Courage or lakas ng loob, is the strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to
meet challenges, situations, or pain bravely or without fear.

For example, in one’s desire to expand his/her business, he/she got a loan from a
commercial bank payable in five years.

15 . Pakikipagsapalaran
Pakikipagsapalaran or being venturous is the ability of a person to take risks, even if
they are prone to a potential loss. For example, even without an experience in selling, one
ventured into an online business this time of pandemic by just following some ideas coming
from his/her friends.
16 . Frugality/pagtitipid
This is known as economical management of resources, being careful in spending,
and avoiding unnecessary expenses.
For a small business, frugality is really important. One will save his/her money
effectively by living frugally and by managing his/her spending. When business starts to
succeed, there is a tendency to overspend so it is an advantage if he/she knows how to
control his/her expenses.