BUSINESS ETHICS AND SOCIAL

RESPONSIBILITY (1st Quarter: Week 6)

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
Filipino Value Systems in Business

Background Information
Filipino value system is defined by the way of people live their family as an
influence of one's culture. It refers to the set of values or the value system that a majority of
the Filipino have historically held important in their lives. The 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.

DIFFERENT VALUE SYSTEM

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 hand.

UTANG NA LOOB
Gratitude or utang na loob is 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.
With this system people are forced to do something in exchange for what others do in favor.

NINGAS COGON
Ningas is a noun which means flame, blaze or combustion, while cogon is a grass
which can be easily burned with its presentation.
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 follow-up.

PADRINO SYSTEM
Padrino system, or patronage in the Filipino culture and politics is the value 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.

AMOR PROPIO/SELF-RESPECT
Amor Propio is Spanish word which means self-love. It is a sense of self-esteem or
self-respect that stops a person from swallowing his pride. It includes sensitivity to personal
insult or offends.

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 Using the padrino system can get a businessmen easily started if the padrino would
stand as go between for introducing and vouching his character in order to get the business
deal.

MAÑANA HABIT
The word mañana means tomorrow or specified future time. It is also known as
procrastination in plain English and mamaya na in Filipino.
It could also mean putting something off until another time. This habit has made
Filipinos become lazier and less efficient in doing task.

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.
It could also mean proper decorum or strict adherence to what's right, moral or
ethical. Perhaps it can be better understood by saying that those who don't have it meaning
walang delicadeza or makapal ang mukha or thick-faced.

HIYA
Shame or hiya is a very common Filipino value. It is a sense of social propriety and
conforming to societal norms of behavior. Filipino 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 publicly embarassed, criticized, or does not live up
to expectations, they feel shame and lose self-esteem.

PAKIKISAMA/PAKIKIPAGKAPWA-TAO
Loyalty or pakikisama is another Filipino value. This is 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 individual.
Basically, in business it is a practical translation of one's pakikipagkapwa-tao because
the intention is to offer things and services of value to others to get better their standards of
living.

FAMILY ORIENTATION
The Philippines is known to be a family centered nation. The Filipinos recognize their
family as an important social structure that one must take care of. They give importance to
the safety and unity of one's family. The Filipino family is so intact that it is common for
members of the same family work for the same company.
The family is always of vital importance in the Philippines. Not surprisingly, most
business organizations have the Filipino family as their model.

Learning Competencies with Code

 Infer how Filipino value system influence business practices. (ABM_ESR12-IIIe-h-
2.3)

Directions/Instructions:
Below are set of activities prepared for you to better understand about the Filipino
value system and its effects on business. The background information above serves as your
guide in answering these activities. If you have further queries, feel free to ask me. Good luck
and happy learning!

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Activity 1: Multiple Choice

Directions: Read each statement carefully then choose the correct answer from the options
given below.
1. Which of the following Filipino value system refers to the behavior of preventing someone
from achieving something due to jealousy or envy?
a. Ningas Cogon b. Crab mentality c. Mañana Habit d. Grapevine
2. What Filipino value system refers to an overheard conversation or anonymous sources of
information?
a. Mañana Habit b. Grapevine c. Ningas Cogon d. Crab mentality
3. What Filipino value system encourages procrastination?
a. Grapevine b. Ningas Cogon c. Crab mentality d. Mañana Habit
4. What Filipino value system refers to exert half-hearted effort in undertakings?
a. Grapevine b. Mañana Habit c. Crab mentality d. Ningas Cogon
5. What Filipino value system refers to the Filipinos’ own version of fatalism, the belief of
leaving everything to the hands of fate?
a. Filipino Time b. Bahala Na c. Penchant of Law breaking d. Excessive parting
6. Which of the following Filipino value system refers to “self-righteous disobedience” or
blatant disregard of the rules?
a. Penchant of Law breaking b. Bahala Na c. Filipino Time d. Excessive parting
7. What Filipino value system refers to straining his own finances just to impress his guests?
a. Filipino Time b. Bahala Na c. Penchant of Law breaking d. Excessive parting
8. What Filipino Value System refers to the Filipinos’ own unique brand of time?
a. Filipino Time b. Excessive parting c. Bahala Na d. Penchant of Law breaking
9. It is defined as an act of being refined or delicate in tastes or manners.
a. Delicadeza b. Hiya c. Amor Propio d. Family Orientation
10. It is a sense of social propriety and conforming to societal norms of behavior.
a. Delicadeza b. Hiya c. Amor Propio d. Family Orientation

Activity 2: Complete Me!

Directions: Read each statement carefully then fill in the missing word or group of words to
complete the statement.
1. The Filipino __________ is so intact that it is common for members of the same family
work for the same company.
2. _____________ is another Filipino value.
3. The __________ system in the Philippines has been the root cause of many controversies
and corruption.
4. The word __________ means tomorrow or specified future time.
5. Trust in God or the concept of ___________ is a principle used when a person does not
know what to accomplish or is too slothful to do anything at all.
6. __________ or utang na loob is very fashionable Filipino characteristic.
7. Shame or ______ is a very common Filipino value.
8. The Philippines is known to be a family _________ nation.
9. Delicadeza means proper _________ or strict adherence to what's right, moral or ethical. 
10. ____________ is Spanish word which means self-love.

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Activity 3: Word Search

Directions: Find ten words associated with the Filipino Value Systems.
L O Y A L T Y C D F T P Q U S D P M
H E S P O N S I E I L A T Y H I A A
I Z Y X B W T R L L X D G P A S K Ñ
Y O L E L R O P I I E R O R R C I A
A U S T I C E O C P S I H I E L K N
H T M E G B Q R A I J N X N H O I A
V A L U E L U A D N A O B C O S S S
C O O P T R A T E O E S W I L U A S
L H P R I N L I Z M S H Y P D R M U
P Q S U O W D B A H A L A N A E A V
N I N G A S C O G O N P A E R N E R

Activity 4: Case Study

Directions: Read and analyze the given case below then answer the questions that follow.
Grace to Be Born Maternity Home and Nursery
Grace to Be Born was established in 2008 by Bo Sanchez, Rey Ortega, and Betty
Roxas-Chua. The couple Basti and Betty renovated their Pasig building and lent it rent-free to
Grace to Be Born.
The place serves as a temporary shelter for unwed pregnant mothers and an orphanage
for the children born there. With no questions asked, no deposit required for board and
lodging, and no social standing asked for, Grace to Be Born has become a haven for the
young ones to be born in, and a place where their mothers have a chance for emotional and
spiritual rebirth.
Vision:
A Catholic Community upholding the sanctity of human life through
defending, protecting and nurturing the unborn babies from the moment of conception
until their birth.
Mission:
Our mission is to express the infinite compassion of God, the Author of Life,
by bringing girls and women in crisis pregnancy to experience a taste of God’s loving care by
providing them with confidential and wholistic services to be able to bring their unborn
babies to birth successfully, joyfully and lovingly.

Guide Questions:
1. Through some research, describe briefly the situation of unwed pregnant mothers in
the Philippines.
2. What do you think made Mr. Rey Ortega, founder and director of Grace to Be Born,
create and sustain the initiative?

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 3. Which Filipino values are at play in the continued operations of Grace to Be Born?
4. Mr. Rey Ortega’s Foundations continue to appeal for help, in this way: “The homes
need your love and outmost support to continue their service.” If these homes knock
at the door of your heart, what service can and will you offer?

Reflection
Guide Questions: What are the good points of the Filipino’s “malasakit”? Can you describe
some of the weak or negative points of “malasakit” as practiced by Filipinos?
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References for learners

 Racelis, Aliza. Business Ethics and Social Responsibility. Quezon City. Rex
Bookstore.
 https://www.scribd.com/document/380123998/The-Filipino-Value-System-and-Its-
Effects-on-Business
 https://prezi.com/p/b4mzgtwgnmlw/filipino-value-systems-in-business/?
frame=b27824e96f80c2ca774307e87bb1072f883187b9

Prepared by:

MARISSA C. ALMUETE
Subject Teacher

Answer Key

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Activity 1:
1. b. 6. a.
2. b. 7. d.
3. d. 8. a.
4. d. 9. a.
5. b. 10. b.

Activity 2:
1. family 6. Gratitude
2. Loyalty or Pakikisama 7. hiya
3. Padrino 8. centered
4. mañana 9. decorum
5. Bahala na 10. Amor Propio

Activity 3:
1. LOYALTY 6. VALUE
2. HIYA 7. PADRINO
3. DELICADEZA 8. BAHALA NA
4. NINGAS COGON 9. PAKIKISAMA
5. MAÑANA 10. FILIPINO

Activity 4:
Answers may vary.

Prepared by:

MARISSA C. ALMUETE
Subject Teacher, Bagabag National High School