SPECIALIZED SUBJECT-ABM

BUSINESS ETHICS AND SOCIAL

RESPONSIBILITY
_____ Semester, SY _____________
QUARTER 1, MODULE 6
THE INFLUENCE OF FILIPINO VALUE
SYSTEM TO BUSINESS PRACTICES

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Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Self-Learning Module
____ Semester – Quarter 1, Module 6: The Influence of Filipino Value
System to Business Practices
First Edition, 2021

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 THE INFLUENCE OF
LESSON FILIPINO VALUE SYSTEM TO
BUSINESS PRACTICES

Values are the actions, things and ideas that really matters to people.
They are the rules by which we make people decide for what is right or wrong,
good or bad and should or shouldn’t. Some value system affects the business
practices.

As you go through this module, you will learn about the various
Filipino values.

You are also expected to: Infer how Filipino value system influence
business practices (ABM_ESR12- IIIe-h-2.3).

Filipino Value System and Their Influence in Business Practices

Meaning and Nature of Values

Values is defined in Organizational Behavior as the collective conceptions of

what is considered good, desirable, and proper or bad, undesirable, and improper in a
culture. Some common business values are fairness, innovations and community
involvement.

Filipino Value System or Filipino Values refers to the set of values that a
majority of the Filipino have historically held important in their lives. This Philippine
values system includes their own unique assemblage of consistent ideologies, moral
codes, ethical practices, etiquette and cultural and personal values that are promoted
by their society.

The Filipino Value System and Its Effect on Business

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
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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.

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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. Shame
or hiya is a common Filipino value. This is a sense of social propriety and it conforms
to 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.

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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.

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PRACTICE EXERCISE 1:

DIRECTION: Take a careful look at each picture that presents Filipino values. Select at least
two from it and then answer the question.

Bahala na
si Batman

Question:

In what ways this values influence your business practice?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

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PRACTICE EXERCISE 2:

DIRECTIONS: You must have experienced bahala na, utang na loob, and Hiya as a student.
As future business owner cite a possible scenario where you will encounter any of these
attitudes and explain how you would deal with it . Write your answers on a separate sheet of
paper.

Bahala Na

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Utang na loob

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Hiya

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS: Please write your learning from the above discussion. Write your learning
in your answer sheet.

Upon reading the lesson above, I learned that…

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________ and realized that…
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

DIRECTIONS: Share your thought about the given question below.

Does “walang pakialam” attitude, have positive effect in the business setting?

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A. DIRECTIONS: Described offices/ establishments practices that you’d visited and
employees values.

Identified Ethical or Reason

SCENARIO
values/traits unethical

B. DIRECTIONS: Write “True” if the idea is correct, and “False” if it is not. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Pakikisama is shown when there is a spirit of unity within a group.

2. A person practices ningas-cogon when he/she is eager at the beginning but is
quick to lose interest.
3. Padrino system means always remember the good acts that others did.
4. Manana habit is practiced when one put-off something until another time.
5. Frugality means wasteful management of resources.
6. Pakikipagsapalaran is shown when a person ventured into a business without
any idea or experience.
7. Palabra de honor means father with honor.
8. Suki means loyal customers.
9. It is said that in business, goodwill attracts good vibes.
10. Amor propio is a Latin word which means caring for oneself or self-love.

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 REFERENCES

DepEd 2020. DepEd’s Most Essential Learning Competencies MELC for Business
Ethics and Social Responsibility, s. 2020

DepEd. 2016. DepEd’s Curriculum Guide for Business Ethics and Social
Responsibility, s. 2016

KEY TO PRACTICE EXERCISES

PRACTICE EXERCISE 1 :

1. Bahala Na (explanation may vary)

2. Utang na Loob (explanation may vary)
3. Amor Profio/ Self-Respect (explanation may vary)
4. Padrino System/ Palakasan / Patronage System (explanation may vary)
5. Ningas Cogon (explanation may vary)

PRACTICE EXERCISE 2 : Answers may vary

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