Del Mundo, Maria Angel D.

Maulion, Christine Joy V.

Title: Bahala Na as an Expression of the Filipinos Courage, Hope. Optimism, Self-efficacy and
Search for the Sacred.
Authors: Ma. Ligaya Manuel Menguito and Mendiola Teng-Calleja
Date published: 2010
Objectives of the study: 1.) What do Filipinos mean when they say bahala na?
2.) In what situations is the term bahala na often used?
3.) Are the concepts of hope, optimism, self-efficacy, courage, and
search for the sacred reflected in the context of bahala na?
Research Method: The study is an empirical exploration of the present day Filipinos concept of
bahala na. The participants were purposively selected from two communities in Metro Manila
involving 11 and 13 participants respectively coming from a middle class village FERN Village
in Quezon City and an urban poor community located in Pael Estate UP Diliman, Quezon City.
The researchers was used a three-hour focus group discussions (FGDs) which the first
question, the participants were asked individually write their answers on a piece of paper to
lessen the influence of others. The rest of the questions were presented by the facilitator and
discussed by the group plenary. Apart from getting their insights, the discussions served to
clarify the participants answers. A summary of the participants responses was presented by the
researcher after discussing each question. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data.
Findings: 1.) According to the participants, expressing bahala na due to laziness or lack of
planning and accountability reflects a reckless risk-taking behavior that shows the Filipinos
tendency to avoid responsibility. 2.) The results showed that this concept of bahala na was
rarely used in their life experiences. Participants generally demonstrate the value of bahala na
in situations where there is uncertainty and in which they opted to take calculated risks. 3.)
Courage and Bahala na
The participants tendency to use bahala na in choosing to face uncertain situations
demonstrates some universal strengths that define the concept of courage. One participants
claimed that he expresses bahala na in going to potentially dangerous places where it is

important for him to go. The presence of courage is unarguably evident since most of the
participants claimed that even with the prospect of an unfamiliar and potentially difficult
situation, invoking bahala na fuels them to act to find ways to get out the unfavorable situation,
and deliver the desired outcomes.

Optimism, Self-Efficacy, Hope and bahala na

Optimism was not clearly self-evident in the different responses obtained from the
participants. Rather, it was implicitly and vaguely said thru the mention of reliance of fate in the
divine with the divine being a catch all phrase for the provider of good things. Closely linked to
this is the concept of hope. Hope, in the context of Snyders pathways and agency thinking, has
been sufficiently mentioned by both social classes. Self-efficacy beliefs were evident in the rich
respondents while not a single response was obtained from the poor. This concurs with the
earlier findings of De Mesa (1978) that the rich tend to be more active in effecting changes to
their environment.
Search for the Sacred and Bahala na
As predicted, the participants mentioned responses that alluded to the divine. Whether
reiterating the predetermination of lives or placing their hopes in the future, the association of
bahala na in the context of religion is unmistakable. Both rich and poor alike invoked the power
of the Supreme Being, perhaps assuring them that God will work his hands to not let them
down.
Reference: Philippine Journal of Psychology, 2010 43 (volume 1), 1-26
Insights:
We all know that Filipinos often used Bahala na attitude. Many says that it was one of the
negative trait of the Filipino because expressing of bahala na means they always depending on
what will happen and they avoid responsibility. But it was evident in the discussions that Filipino
value of bahala na can be negative, positive, or neutral depending on the situation. We used
bahala na in negative way when we are not sure in our decision, if we have no choice, or if we
dont know the outcome. Bahala na can be a positive like if we will going to push some decision
in our life with a full of positive thinking. But we always used bahala na that leaves ones fate to
the divine or to God, for example I leave my fate to the Lord we always depend our life to God

but, it has a positive and negative. Positive if one accepts the role of the divine in defining ones
fate or accepting that there are things beyond our control. Negative if the person did not do
his/her best or exerted enough effort in a task and just bequeath the outcomes to a Supreme
Being. Bahala na word will never be removed in our expression. Because, Filipinos are expert
in that word or we always used that word it will be positive or negative.