BUSINESS ETHICS & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Quarter 3 – Week 6
The Filipino Value System and Their Influence in Business Practices

Name: __________________________ Grade & Section: _____________

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.

Activity 1: Directions: Read and analyze the situation and choose from the box the business
practice that each present. Write your answers on the space provided.

Lakas ng Loob DelicadezaAmor Propio Padrino

Utang na loob SystemHiya

Business
Situations
practices
 1. The daughter of a prominent businessman fell into the pool and
drowned. Good thing, a man saw the incident and quickly saved the
young girl. The businessman-father hired him as his personal driver.
2.Melvin, the clerk, was caught by the treasurer while opening the
vault. He just walked away as if nothing had happened and acted
innocently the days thereafter.
3. There was a job vacancy at LMN Corporation. Two applicants (A
and B) submitted their resume, and only A was qualified. However, it
was B who was hired, being the godson of the
accounting manager.
4.Cindy wants to ask for a discount from the boutique owner but is
hesitant because she is thinking other customers could hear and might
think that she is poor.
5.Solly lent P5,000 to her friend Beth to be paid on the 30th of
the month. On the due date, Solly did not have the courage to
approach Beth because they are close friends.

Activity 2: Directions: You must have experienced bahala na, ningas-cogon, and mañana habit as a
student. Recall what happened or in what situation did you experience each of these. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Bahala Na-_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ningas-cogon-_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mañ ana Habit-
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ASSESSMENT: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.
_________11. Delicadeza means daintiness.
_________12. Pakikipagkapwa-tao is done so that the standard of living of a person would get
better.
_________13. Amor Propio means love for others.
_________14. Bahala Na attitude means putting the person’s life in the hands of fate.
_________15. Ningas Cogon means tomorrow or the future.