Positive Values of a Filipino Entrepreneur 1.

Pakikipagkapwa tao
There are many ways in making our cultural values favorable to entrepreneurship. Pakikipagkapwa tao (human relations) which covers our concern for hiya (loss of face), pakikisama (togetherness), pakikibagay (adjusting or adapting to other people), malasakit (concern), utang na loob (debt of gratitude), amor propio (self esteem) and bayanihan (cooperative spirit). Pakikipagkapwa tao is a value favorable to entrepreneurship because it is against any form of exploitation of another. Basically, entrepreneurship is a practical translation of ones pakikipagkapwa tao because the work is to provide things and services of value to others to improve their standards of living. The entrepreneur that has pakikipagkapwa tao does not cheat his customers by overpricing or underweighing his goods; nor undercut his competitors by underpricing or maligning them, nor maltreat his workers by underpaying or overworking them; nor cheat the government by avoiding or evading taxes. At the same time, other Filipinos who benefit from fruits of the entrepreneur will give him back his share. Customers pay, competitors play fair, and workers demonstrate malasakit over the business. If pakikipagkapwa tao developed well, it should promote and uphold the vision of entrepreneur.

2.

Bahala na
By nature, Filipinos are malakas ang loob (strong-hearted), and not timid and fearful. The fact is that many of us pursue our plans and projects even if we are not sure of future developments or events that may affect their accomplishment. We undertake projects which should perhaps have frightened us if we were only less courageous to take the risk involved. In situations where we are not sure of our ability to accomplish things, we say bahala na (let fate decide the outcome) and do the best we can believing that Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa (Look to God for compassion and to man for action).

3.

Pakikipagsapalaran
the saying ang taong talagang duwag, tumatakbot walang sugat (a coward runs away from the fight even before he is wounded), shows that we as a people do not consider it honorable to surrender before uncertainty or challenge. In many situations, specially in the field of making a living, our confidence is justifies, because almost all of us are intelligent and literate enough to read, write, and count. We are very quick to adjust to new and strange situations. It is not surprising why there is plenty of mobility among our countrymen; and it is not unusual to find inter-province migration as precipitated by the love for pakikipagsapalaran(adventure). That is risk-taking.

4.

Gaya-gaya
Our inclination to learn and adjust to new ways of doing things may also be seen in our talent for gaya-gaya or imitations. Of course as one matures in an entrepreneurial career, one really has to be more creative and innovative to make ones products and services more satisfying to customers. But, for those who are only starting a business doing a gaya-

gaya of other products do contribute to the training and preparation of many Filipinos for
an entrepreneurial career.

5.

Utang na loob, hiya, awa, bayanihan

Aside from the family, there are others around us who can give much needed support. There may be the ninong and ninang, kababayan, kumpare, kumara, kaeskwela, katokayo and others who are willing to assists us simply from goodwill, in return for some past utang na

loob or the expectation of some future time when they, in turn, need our assistance. In
business, this may seem that we can expect them to buy from us. If they do that on credit they have to pay because of loss of face or compassion, to sell us supplies on consignment, or to give necessary consultancy services to us when we are in trouble.

6.

Kasipagan
Another value that has to do with industriousness is an essential attribute of an entrepreneur.

7.

Pagtitipid
We also assign a high value on pagtitipid (thrift). It is hard to unwisely spend your hardearned money. Individuals who save eventually have enough to set their own firm; and as entrepreneurs, they do not drastically spend on things that do not pay back in terms of profit.

8.

Pagtitiis
Filipinos are also considered as persistent, persevering people. We do not easily give up in the face of difficulty.

9.

Pagtitimpi
Another sign of our endurance is our emphasis on pagtitimpi (self-control). We do not allow ourselves to show, verbally or otherwise, our emotions at the slightest provocation. We like to wait until the cup overflows. The capacity to bear emotional or physical stress can serve as well in an entrepreneurial career where we will be constantly battered by many stressful situations.

10. Katapatan
The Philippines is considered the largest Christian nation in Asia. We have a heritage for strong religiosity, which demands that we should be honest in our dealings with others. We do not like to exploit others, otherwise we are branded as worthless persons. We would rather use sincerity or purity of heart. These traits are very useful in business because exploitative ways are always self-defeating in the long run.

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