BAHALA NA: When do you say it? How do you perceive it?

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During when and how do you use Bahala Na approach to life? About 5 years ago, we were asked to pick a filipino value that is wildely used, and I chose bahala na -- there were other choices like utang na loob, hospitality, etc. but I was like so into Bahala Na because I myself wanted to change my view about bahala na. An excerpt on what I wrote about Bahala Na: There are several views of bahala na. Foreign sociologists have given bahala na a different notion which marked and has been negatively taken-in by taga-labas in the way they see Filipinos. Filipino psychologist and anthropologists have gone deeper to the roots of how bahala na functions. Bahala na as an attitude has been compared by foreign sociologists to American fatalism which is defined as a passive acceptance of the turns of the patterns of life, indicated by a dislike for planning and taking responsibility for one's actions. Bostrom, as cited by Virgilio Enriquez (1990), speculated that bahala na is an escapist value which "serves as a reliever of tension and reaction against the social structure," and "may well be related to the fact that more of the country is rural" and lacking in [Western] education. Enriquez (1990) mentioned that Osias in 1940 earlier expressed the more balanced view that bahala na is a combination of fatalism and determinism. It is expressive of courage and fortitude, a willingness to face difficulty and a willingness to accept the consequences. On the contrary, F. L. Jocano (1997) articulated that the root of all the negative notions that have been embedded in the Filipinos about bahala na came from the 1940 edition of the Osias Readers – one of the basic textbooks of Filipino value and personality. And since then, many negative perspectives have been written, and made bahala na as the fundamental element of Filipino value and personality. Because of these views, many see Filipinos as people who lack the initiative to move, the creativity to innovate, and the drive to progress. But Osias (1940), portrayed bahala na as almost untranslatable. He described it as not an expression of despair but it is inclined to be fatalistic. He added that it is an expression of courage and fortitude—a willingness to face a difficulty and a readiness to accept the consequences. He explained that bahala na has also penetrated the Filipinos as a group. That if properly intended for may be the basis for strengthening and enriching individual and collective life. Emphasizing this notion about Filipinos, is another view of bahala na which is a religious one[12], Bathala na. Basically this view means leaving things to Bathala (God) to solve all problems-- a total reliance on the supernatural leaving the individual to just wait for heavenly blessings. This is what the saying “Nasa Tao ang Gawa, Na sa Diyos ang Awa” implies about Bathala na. The twisted idea of gawa as manifested by merely praying came from the Spaniards (Cruz, 1977). Another aspect of bahala na as manifested through total reliance came from the concept of señoritos or amos left by the Spaniards-- having to rely for everything on their slaves. This view somehow clearly reinforced the Juan Tamad image of Filipinos. Lastly, bahala na is a confrontative surface value. Enriquez (1990) defined bahala na as determination at the face of uncertainty. Lagmay, as cited by Enriquez (1990) found that bahala na operates in a situation which is full of uncertainty and lacking in information, where despite the uncertainty of the situation very few avoid or run away from the predicament. (It is risk-taking in the face of the proverbial cloud of uncertainty and the possibility of failure). It is a sign of recognition of the nature of things including one’s inherent limitations --it operates to raise one's courage and determination. Lagmay viewed bahala na as occurring from a social structure that provokes one to use his intrinsic abilities to bring about needed change, and that bahala na is an indication to be determined in spite of the uncertainty of things. He also stated that bahala na explores the improvisatory personality of the Filipino that allows one to cope and be comfortable and skillful even in unknown, indefinite, unpredictable, and stressful situations. For Jocano (1997) bahala na is an inner strength to dare, to take the risk, to initiate and move, to take up a challenge, to assume responsibility for an act. Bahala na serves as a “code” for us to access the reservoir of psychic energy in the diwa so that we can get inner strength and courage in time of need. Jocano argued that bahala na is not fatalism nor resignation. Bahala na enhances one’s self-worth since it provides the opportunity for one to be daring and responsibility of the outcome that he/she has taken. Bahala na also develops positive outlook since it encourages belief in one’s capability, an example of this is when one delegates responsibility to another, either a companion or subordinate. Lastly, it strengthens faith and trust in God, since bahala na is an energy being accessed in one’s diwa --in a way it deals with the cosmic and natural forces through one’s spiritual relationship with God. Lastly, Jocano showed the influence of bahala na in one’s personal attitude. He mentioned that bahala na enables us to visualize the true nature of our problems, make proper decisions, and take the necessary actions. In visualization, paglalarawan (problem reflection in one’s mind) and paglalantad (sharpening the view of the problem) take place. In making decisions, pagtatakda --narrowing the options, and pagpapasya - -deciding on the best option, come about. Lastly in action, pagsasamantala (seizing the opportunity), pagkilos (taking steps), and pagganap (accomplishing the task) happen. Jocano presented bahala na as an actualization of what has been embedded in one's diwa, while Enriquez described bahala na as a confrontative surface value manifested in one's relationship with his or her kapwa. Both see bahala na as a driving force. Both basically perceive bahala na as an inner strength, a reservoir providing confidence in an individual when confronting uncertainties. Now going back... when do you use Bahala na? I tend to use Bahala Na when I feel like I have exhausted much of my choices, and when I feel uncertain about something, I tend to utter the word bahala na but strongly praying that the universe would conspire inorder for me to achieve that thing. :)