PROJECT

IN
BUSINESS ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Filipino
Value System
 Filipino Value System
The Filipino value system refers to the set of values or the value system that a majority of
the Filipino have historically held important in their lives. This Philippine value system includes
their own unique collection of consistent ideologies, moral codes, ethical practices, etiquette, and
cultural and personal values that are encouraged by their society. Although with any society, the
values that an individual holds sacred can vary on the basis of religion, upbringing and other
factors.

BAHALA NA
Trust in God or the concept of Bahala na is a
principle used when a person does not know what to
accomplish or is too slothful to do anything at all. This belief
to put fate in God’s hands may be a sign of how religious
Filipinos may be. Further, it may show that the Filipinos are
free-spirited and that they put their life in fate’s hands.

NINGAS COGON
Ningas is a noun which means flame, blaze or
combustion, while cogon is grass which can be easily burned
with its representation. Ningas Cogon means the fast burning
of cogon, which signifies Filipinos’ way of eagerness only at
the beginning but then quickly losing enthusiasm soon after
to continue it, or the lack of a follow-up. It is usually
observed as a negative value.

PADRINO SYSTEM
Padrino System, or patronage in the Filipino culture
and politics is the values system where one gets support,
endorsement, or political appointment through family
affiliation (nepotism) or friendship (cronyism), as against to
one’s worth. The padrino system in the Philippines has been
the root cause of many controversies and corruption.

UTANG NA LOOB
Gratitude or utang na loob is a very fashionable
Filipino characteristic. One does not fail to remember the
fine actions that others may have done particularly at times
of great need. This debt of gratitude is at times abused by
those who have done well to others. They may request
favors or things that may either be difficult to deal with or
beyond the means of the one in debt.
 MAANA HABIT
The manana habit is something that Filipinos have
learned from the Spaniards. The word manana means
tomorrow or specified future time. It is also known as
procrastination in plain English and mamayana in Filipino. It
could also means putting something off until another time.
This trait was instilled to the Filipinos during the Spanish
era in which they use this habit in work and serious business
as a silent objection to the invaders.

HOSPITALITY
Hospitality refers to the relationship between guest
and the host. Although Filipinos are not only people in the
world who can be friendly and welcoming, their attitude
towards other people is said to be exceptional. The host
entertains and gives relieve to the guest while staying in
house of the host.

DELICADEZA
Delicadeza is a Spanish term which means
daintiness when translated in English. It is defined as an act
of being refined or delicate in tastes or manners. But in
simple terms, it’s a sense of good manners or how to behave
rightly in all situations. It is an etiquette that was passed on
to Filipinos as a legacy of the Spanish culture.

HIYA
Shame or hiya is a very common Filipino value. It is sense
of social propriety and conforming to societal norms of
behavior. Filipinos believe they must live up to the accepted
standards of behavior and if they fail to do so they bring
dishonor not only upon themselves, but also upon their
family. If someone is publicity embarrassed, criticized, or
does not live up to expectations, they feel shame and lose
self-esteem.

HARDWORK AND INDUSTRY

With resourcefulness comes hard work,
Filipinos are very determined and persevering in
accomplishing whatever they set their minds to.
 AMOR PROPIO/ SELF-RESPECT
Amor Propio is Spanish word which means self-love.
Although coming from the Spanish, it is actually a concept
that predated the Spanish occupation. It is a sense of self-
esteem or self-respect that stops a person insults or offends.
A minor remark or offensive gestures, though insulting,
would not prompt a sense of amor propio. The stimulus that
sets it off is only that which hits at the Filipino’s most highly
values attributes.

FAMILY ORIENTATION
The basic units of the Philippine social organization
are the elementary family, which includes the mother, father
and children, and the bilateral extended family which
embraces all relatives of the father and the mother. Of
particular significance is the sibling group, the unit formed
by brothers and sisters. There are no clans or similar
unilateral kinship groups in the Philippines. The elementary
family and the sibling group form the chief bases of shared
action.

FILIPINO TIME
Filipino time is a coined phrase for the embarrassing
affliction of tardiness among Filipinos. It has become a
phenomenon and impression for Filipino Schedule, making
it a characteristic of Filipinos to be generally late.
Obviously, this trait was also an influence from the Spanish
occupiers for people would rather give more attention to
their amor propio (hiya), in some events than going there as
early as possible. This trait is also a root of the “manana
habit”

JOY AND HUMOR

This famous trait is the ability of Filipinos to find joy
and humor in everything. It sheds light on the optimism and
positivity of Filipinos in whatever situation they are in so as
to remain determined in going through struggles or
challenges. Filipinos have a cheerful, optimistic and fun-
loving approach to life and its ups and downs.
 FLEXIBILITY, ADAPTABILITY, CREATIVITY
Studies show that Filipinos often have a dislike to a
set of standardized rules or procedures. They are known to
follow a natural clock or organic sense of time-doing things
in the time they feel is correct. They are present-oriented,
which means that one attend to a tasks or requirement at the
time it is needed and does not worry much about future
engagements. This allows the Filipino to adapt and be
flexible in doing the tasks at times not bound to a particular
schedule or timeframe. This allows them think on their feet
and be creative in facing whatever challenge or task they
have even when it is already right in front of them.

FAITH AND RELIGIOUSITY

The Philippines is approximately 85% Christian
(mostly Roman Catholic) 10% Muslim, and 5% other
religions, including the Taoist-Buddhist, religious beliefs of
Chinese and the “indigenous’ animistic beliefs of some
people in upland areas that resisted 300 years of Spanish
colonial rule. This is a reflection of the Filipino’s strong faith
in God as seen in their various practices.

ABILITY TO SURVIVE
The Filipinos as a people who have been constantly
under the rule of numerous powerful countries has over time,
developed a sense of resourcefulness or the ability to survive
with whatever they have. They have the extraordinary ability
to make something about of basically nothing.

PAKIKISAMA/ PAKIKIPAGKAPWA-TAO
Loyalty or pakikisama is another Filipino value. This is the
shared sense of identity and consciousness of the other
person. It is treating others with the respect and dignity as
an equal and not someone below the individual