IN THIS GUIDE:
Do you have Filipinos on your team? Filipinos are some of the hardest-working people in the world. Definitely, your business can grow with the help of some of these key talents.
But working with Filipino people, and professionals at that, has pros and cons. There are many differences between Western culture and Filipino culture. If you’re working with them for the long term, you should learn what’s important to them to lead them better.
With that, here are 7 Filipino values you should learn if you’re managing Filipino Employees.
What Are the 7 Filipino Core Values? How Knowing These Helps SMBs Support Their Remote PH Teams
Emphasis on Education
Most Filipinos value education. There’s a Filipino saying, “Edukasyon lang ang mapapana namin sa iyo,” which literally means “Education is the only thing you can inherit from us.”
Life in the Philippines means living in a third-world country. Most Filipino don’t have assets to impart to their children. That’s why they value education, because it can be a gateway to opportunities for their future. Many Filipino parents sacrificed by working abroad or multiple odd jobs just to give their children the best education they could.
The assumption that Filipinos have a “bahala na” culture, “whatever happens, happens,” is a false reflection of how Filipinos take skill development to heart. Yes, they think “come what may,” but only in the context of how life is unpredictiable. It has nothing to do with their drive to work harder, to be better.
Expect your Filipino employees to name education for their children as one of their main driving forces to work hard.
And because of this value, there are a lot of educated Filipinos that you can hire for your business.
Family-Oriented
Filipinos are family-oriented. Their family value system sees ties that are closely-knit. Family members aren’t limited to the nuclear. It extends not only to their immediate family but also to their cousins and several degrees of familial affiliation. The extended family is the main family.
It’s not surprising that some stay together under one roof. Imagine 3 families living together. Some are even co-dependent on each other. It’s quite the common scenario in every Filipino society.
If you want a conversation starter, understand their strong family ties. Know that their family holds a special place in their hearts.
Non-Confrontational
A typical trait for Asians, Filipinos are also non-confrontational. No matter the region they’re from. No matter the widely spoken regional language in the household. In understanding Filipino values, traits, and culture, know that they avoid conflict, so they beat around the bush. They’re not straightforward enough to speak up when something is wrong. And sometimes, they take your direct feedback personally.
So as employers, you should balance being confrontational with them. You should also encourage them to speak their minds so that they can be more valuable to your company in the long run.
Hospitable
Filipinos are one of the most hospitable people in the world. They want you to feel at home. It’s a tradition that was passed down from generation to generation when visited by strangers at home.
When you visit them, they will serve you refreshments and snacks. Sometimes, they’ll even invite you over for lunch or dinner just to celebrate your presence.
Get to know them better and expect the same hospitable trait when they’re comfortable enough. It makes them the best candidates for customer service or client-facing roles for your business.
Fun-loving
Filipinos are a fun-loving race! Did you know that there are 42,000 major and minor festivals in the Philippines? Imagine the festivities! And this doesn’t include celebrations with their family and friends.
When you handle Filipino employees, simple celebrations and get-togethers are great ways to raise the morale of the team. Know that they love celebrating wins, no matter how small they are.
Want to make them feel special? Sending them a simple cake for their birthday or work anniversaries will go a long way. Build their loyalty by knowing that you care about them!
Resilient and Adaptable
Filipinos are known to be resilient. It’s a Filipino trait. They’ve survived centuries of colonialism, imperialism, corruption, and dictatorship. Constant exposure to natural disasters also contributed to this strong mindset.
Even with the problems they are facing, they can still muster up a smile on their faces. Instead of feeling helpless, they find ways to rise up again. And this translates to their work ethic: Filipinos are not so easily shaken by changes. They welcome feedback, and value hard work.
With this in mind, know that they can be vital in your business because they can adapt and thrive with you.
Loyal to the End
Most of your loyal employees will stick by your side when the going gets rough. They remain dedicated, committed to both people they work with, and what they’re working on.
It can be traced back to the concept of “utang na loob.” A concept with a long history that describes their indebtedness and gratitude for what you did for them. They highly value the contributions you made to their life. They express it in community spirit and cooperation, which is reflected through loyalty
So take care of your Filipino employees, and watch them stay by your side for many years, regardless of the circumstances. Call us or Request a Callback.
Leandro is a content creator and digital nomad who started his career as a remote working content writer. He is an advocate of location independent sources of income. And he believes that everyone has the ability to be one as well. If you have any content requests and suggestions, feel free to email him at leandro@remotestaff.com.
