BUSINESS ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

THE FILIPINO VALUES SYSTEM

Are Filipinos good or bad? Or should the question be: Are Filipino values inherently good or bad? Both
can be answered as: Some Filipinos practice the values that are good and some live by values that are bad. The
practice of these values depends also on the context of how they are used. Most Filipinos are connected
together with their beliefs, culture, tradition, characters, traits and common values. Values are first taught at
home and are adapted and implemented in the society. It plays a vital role on the way we live, decide, choose
and interprets our daily activities in life. In ethics, values denote the degree of importance of something or
action, with the aim in determining what actions are best to do or what way is best to live, or to describe the
significance of different actions.

Objectives
In this lesson you should be able to:
● Enumerate the various Filipino system that influence business practices
● Explain the importance of Filipino values in terms of business practices
● Make ways to improve business practices guided by philosophies, beliefs and Filipino values
Learn About It
Filipino values refer to the set of values that are significant and inclined with one’s culture.
Like family, relatives, ancestors or friends. It preserves social harmony that promotes connection, unity and
may understand set of people. It includes the inimitable collection of dependable philosophies, moral codes,
ethical practices, etiquette, cultural and personal values encouraged by the family or the society, they belong.
The management and sustainability of the business depends on the values and beliefs of the
proprietor. In the Philippines, Filipino entrepreneurs may implement rules, practices and principles based on
their values they had grown up with their family, learnt and adapted.

Values that are Integrated In Business Practices

Pakikisama (Fellowship)
The word “pakikisama” (fellowship) comes from the word “sama” and prefix “paki”, and literally means
to accompany someone. Fellowship is used to maintain good relations with others, and the fellowship is
associated with adaptation, dealings and harmony. In business practices, the proprietor must establish
“pakikisama” to their employees, suppliers and customers because it implies closeness to the others that
would create a sustainable growth relationship.

Hospitality
Is the relationship between a guest and a host, wherein the host receives the guest with goodwill,
including the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. Entrepreneurs should master on
how to treat and provide excellent services on welcoming their suppliers and customers to create a good
reputation and relationship since hospitality plays the fundamental role to increase or decrease the volume of
sales, popularity and production growth in a business.

Family Orientation
It refers to the family in which a person is raised. It includes one’s parents and siblings. It may also
include grandparents or other relatives. It is a primary platform for which one encounters early socialization
experiences. Values and beliefs can be learned from the family that will inculcate to a child as he/she matures
into an adult. The Filipino valued their family and being closed to one another until the last of their generation.
Most of the successful entrepreneurs acquired and gained this ample knowledge in dealing with their business
from their family. Consequently, they become well trained to manage their family business. Others inherit the
skills not only from their family business but also the values and beliefs in managing and operating their
business.

Joy and Humor

Business operates and grow not only by means of profit and management. An entrepreneur operates
business to find joy and happiness in his life. Helping people by promoting employment and providing quality
product and services to their clients create a joyful feeling. Filipino values always find reason to feel joy and
has a sense of humor to establish camaraderie to others. It sheds light on the optimism and positivity of
Filipinos in whatever situation they are in. It serves as a coping technique to remain determined in every
struggles or challenges in life and in business.

Ability to Survive
A Filipino has a sense of resourcefulness or the ability to survive with whatever situation or challenges
they have. They have an extraordinary ability to create something out of almost nothing. If a Filipino is trapped
in an uninhabited island, he would still be able to find a safe area to stay, provide materials to build a house,
find foods to eat and create different tools to survive. In business, if it is needed to promote and increase the
volume of sales, a Filipino has always the ability to find different techniques, marketing strategies and ideas to
perform and create a product in order for the business to survive.

Hard work and Industriousness

Filipinos are determined and persistent to accomplish whatever they have set in their minds. In
business, hard work and industriousness play a vital role to establish and develop business progress. They
need employees who are willing to work overtime, with minimal supervision and resourcefulness comes with
a hard work to serve the business.
Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity
A Filipino has an ability to adapt, adopt and adept in any changes and challenges in life either in
spiritual, social, emotional and physical aspect. In business, unplanned and anticipated events in market would
not disturb the flexibility and adaptability values of Filipino entrepreneurs. They could easily produce creative
strategy, technique and style to adjust to challenges and compete with others.

Utang na Loob (Debt of Gratitude)

It shows duties and responsibility to pay the debts (utang) and return it with innerself-free will (na-
loob) the unsolicited gift or good treatment received from other people. An obligation to appropriately repay
the good deeds which value is impossible to quantify or if there is a quantifiable value it may involve deeply
personal internal dimension that will usually start from one generation and continue to another generation. In
business, there are plenty of reasons that may influence the business practices, either positive or negative
outcome that may vary with ethical issues.

Filial Piety
To show respect, love, care and support to their elders, parents, relatives and ancestors. It upholds the
affection and display courtesy to the family that most cases are likely working together in one company; living
together in one house; paying the house bills of their parents. It also takes good care of one’s parents and
engage in good conduct not just towards parents but also outside the home so as to bring a good name to
one’s parents and ancestors.

Suki
It shows loyalty and trust relationship between a customer and supplier. It usually establishes at the
market or business. If a buyer finds a trusted seller that offers a quality product they need, the loyalty and
commercial connection of a buyer will be established to the seller and made several business transactions
with their so called “suki”.

Values that Should be Avoided in Business Practices

Bahala Na
The Bahala Na Filipino value shows letting things happen beyond their control. It shows an attitude of a
person that is willing to submit everything to God or leaving things to happen by fate. Some of investors
operate business beyond their control. They will only believe that the market will accept it if they will “do their
best and let God do the rest.”
Mañana
It comes from the Spanish word “Mañana” which literally means “tomorrow” or “unspecified future
time”. In business, the attitude that tends to delay the task, putting off tomorrow what they can do for today
or postpone on the things that should be done right now may reduce volume of sales, loss customer trust and
satisfaction, waste opportunities and interrupt the work flow.
Ningas Cogon (flame blaze/ Combustion)
This Filipino value is one of the worst values that we Filipino have in which we tend to show
enthusiasm over a project or activity in the beginning then lose interest over a period of time. This Filipino
value should be avoided and reiterated to all employees within the business organization to avoid laziness and
continuity of the organizational plan should be promoted.
Amor Propio
Is a Spanish word which means “self – love”, a sense of self-esteem or self-respect that prevents a
person from swallowing his pride and concerned for one’s reputation. It includes sensitivity to personal insult
or affront.
Padrino (Whom you know system)
It supports with the strong relationship of people. Most of the job seekers automatically hired
regardless of their qualifications and educational background through endorsements, political connections,
family affiliations (nepotism) or friendships (cronyism)

Wrapping up
• Filipino values can be traced from our very own Filipino culture.
• Filipino values can be inherently good or bad. Some Filipino practice the values that are good and
some live by values that are bad.
• The well-known Filipino traits are pakikisama (fellowship), hospitality, family orientation, joy and
humor, ability to survive, hard work and industrious, flexibility, adaptability and creativity. While the
values that should be avoided in business practice are bahala na, mañana, ningas cogon, amor propio
and padrino

Let’s Practice
Part A. Crossword Puzzle
Direction: Complete the crossword puzzle below by identifying what Filipino value is being described
in the statement. Write your answers on your activity notebook.
1. A mother offers her daughter’s friend food to eat and a room to spend the night.
2. Mario’s driver’s license is processed immediately by his godfather, an LTO personnel.
3. A farmer works at his farm rain or shine just to earn a living and to support the needs of his family.
4. Pedro decided to play online games first and postponed answering his activities on Business Ethics
modules.
5. Anna is a new investor on an online business, she has no knowledge and idea how to deal with
different clients, but she is able to cope with the challenges and established marketing techniques and
strategies on it
Part B. Let’s explore!
Direction: Read carefully the instructions below.
1. Interview an entrepreneur or a business owner. It may be conducted via online through different
platforms.
2. Be guided with the questions below:
a. What is your name and what kind of business do you own?
b. How long have you been running your business?
c. What is/are the Filipino value/s that are integrated in your business practices and how does it impact
your business? (5-8 sentences only)
d. Give at least one business issue you’ve encounter in your business and how did you overcome it? (5-
8 sentences only)
e. What is the piece of advice you can give for the aspiring entrepreneurs someday? (5- 8 sentences
only)
3. The interviewee may answer in English or Filipino language.
4. Provide a documentation
a. The business itself
b. The business person/company
c. Pictures during the interview