“Bahala Na”

An Filipino Psychology written output submitted to the

Faculty of Psychology

Mondriaan Aura College, SBFZ

Lacap, Johannah P.

Santos, Poelyne

Ugbinada, Hasser Dave

Mangalonzo, Lester Jan Ric

Doles, Ara Mae D.

Fernando, Gabriel Ian R.

Evangelista, Gerlie Anne

Dela Cruz, Jade

Macomb, Jeanne Danielle

Partial Fulfillment for the Requirement

For the Subject Filipino Psychology

December 18, 2018

 Abstract

The main purpose of the reseach was to determine the effects of using the phrase”bahala
na” in our daily lives. The word “bahala na” is both a socio-cultural value in the Philippines and
a phrasing that is either said as an expression of a fatalistic attitude towards life or as a
determined one in a challenging situation where things are risky and uncertain. It can be
translated to “whatever happens, happens”. In the research, a total of 63 respondents from the
students of Mondriaan aura college. They were asked about their view in the phrase “bahala na”
is it a negative or a positive trait? By the end of the research, the researchers have concluded that
people had different perspective about the phrase "Bahala Na".
 Acknowledgement

First and foremost, the researchers would like to thank the Almighty Lord for the

guidance, knowledge, and wisdom that He has blessed the researchers throughout the research.

The researchers want to extend their gratitude towards their Filipino Psychology

professor, Chrystelle Mae Gancuangco, for guiding them in conduction of the survey. For her

patience and eagerness to help the researchers.

To the respondents who gave their time to be a part of the research, and for patiently

answering the survey. The researchers are grateful.

To the families of the researchers who gave their full support, especially in moral and

financial, to their friends who encouraged and motivated them to finish the research on time. The

researchers are honored and grateful.

 Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction

Statement of the Problem……………………………………………………………………

Hypothesis…………………………………………………………………………………..

Significance of the Study………………………………………………………………….

Chapter 2: Design and Methodology

Population in Locale………………………………………………………………………

Data Gathering Tool………………………………………………………………………

Data Gathering Procedure………………………………………………………………..

Treatment of Data………………………………………………………………………..

Chapter 3: Presentation, Interpretation and Analysis of Data

Chapter 4: Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………….

Observations…………………………………………………………………………...

References…………………………………………………………………………….
 Chapter 1
Introduction

Bahala na is one of the most widely used phrases in the Philippines. This phrase is so
abused that it sometimes serves as a default answer. Filipinos usually say “Bahala na” when they
are unable to decide their next course of action or when they have no idea what will happen next.
They say this phrase as if all they want is to go with the flow, not minding what the outcome
might be.

The word bahala is actually a derivative of the word Bathala, which refers to the ancient
Supreme Being worshiped by Filipinos during the pre-Spanish Period. It can be said that the
proper use of this phrase should be in the context of leaving things in the hands of the Divine
Being. Simply put, “Bahala na” can be the equivalent of the Islamic term Inshallah, which means
“God willing” or “if Allah wills.”

What does it say about Filipinos?

The use of the phrase “Bahala na” in the second context somewhat manifests the tendency of
Filipinos to humbly submit everything to the Higher Being during tough times. People who
frequently use this phrase don’t see anything wrong with it. They even see it as a positive thing
because it acknowledges that the Supreme Being has a greater power than man, which is why
they are entrusting their lives to Him.

However, some scholars see it in a negative light and consider it as a fatalistic submission or a
form of avoidance of responsibility. Some scholars see it as just an excuse of lazy people for
getting away from their personal responsibility.

Statement of the Problem

1. What is the percentage of the respondents who viewed positively and negatively about
“Bahala Na”?

2. What is the percentage of the respondents who believes that the “Bahala Na” attitude of a
Filipino is positive or negative?

Hypothesis
1. We believe that there is a higher percentage of respondents who viewed “Bahala Na” as
negative.

2. We believe that there is a higher percentage of respondents who perceived “Bahala Na” as a
negative trait of the Filipinos.

Significance of the Study

The research about "Bahala Na" helps psychologists understand how "Bahala Na" affects people
daily lives. It also allow researchers to know the positive and negative remarks of other people.
This research can assess if how many people think positively and negatively about "Bahala Na".

Chapter 2

Population and Locale of the Study

The researchers invited students from the college level of Mondriaan Aura College. The

research was conducted at the Mondriaan Aura College campus.

The total number of invited respondents were sixty-three.

Data Gathering Tool

For the purposes of this research, the researchers gave the participants questionnaires and

surveys whose aim is to identify the participant’s perspective regarding a particular subject

which is the “bahala na” attitude. A survey is the process of collecting and analyzing the data,

where the questionnaires are the set of questions used to gather the information. We also

provided our respondents with pens and pencils to answer the questionnaires.

Data Gathering Procedure

Treatment of Data

Chapter 4

Conclusion

The “Bahala na” characteristic of Filipinos has their own positive and negative sides. It really
depends on how you see it and when you use it. “Bahala na” characteristic defines the Filipinos
as fun, outgoing and spontaneous but at the same it also define the Filipinos as lazy and
sometimes procrastinators. Filipinos sometimes use this out of context so it really depends on
your point of view with bahala na but it's an important characteristic that makes Filipinos unique
in their own way.
Observation

We observed that the students of Mondriaan Aura College knows "Bahala na" as a sense of
primary effort to leave on one's hand - in the care of God as negative view mostly to the .
students depending to what will happen after surrendering their efforts. It explore end points to
which people say it makes them irresponsible entailing it as fatalistic attitude.
References

http://www.anythingpsych.com/2013/12/the-psychology-behind-bahala-na/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahala_na