Bahala Na: A Philosophy of Filipino Fortitude

An almost spiritual expression of strength amidst struggle

Bahala na is often used as an expression of exasperation, to let go of the worry of consequence. Scholars seem to agree that bahala comes from Bathala, the supreme deity of the early Tagalogs.¹ Thus one might say that bahala na implies “Let God handle it.” A popular saying that comes to mind in relation to this is, “Nasa Diyos ang awa pero nasa tao ang gawa” (God has mercy for those who act). When obstacles seem insurmountable and all things seem uncertain, trust in the divine may be the only option. Out of fear or frustration, the phrase is often related to procrastination and resignation. It may be good to assess the radical potential of this phrase.

In confrontations, Filipinos are often considered soft or indirect, maybe even passive-aggressive or non-confrontational . But this is an oversimplification of what may be, in truth, a revolutionary –and self-preserving–orientation. Saying bahala na may be, as the psychologist Alfredo Lagmay said, a spontaneous way to deal with difficulty.² When people say it, it means that neither difficulty nor consequence have any real weight: they pose no threat to the individual’s spiritual integrity. And, whether or not oppressors attempt to suppress their movements, the individual keeps going. It is not a time to be bothered by trivial things; one pushes on with things that matter to them and the people they love, and lets go of everything else. Of course the phrase does not ignore oppressive structures–it’s just that these structures cannot stop the individual from carrying on. Bahala na knows the consequences, accepts them, and pushes on, knowing that it is the right thing to do. The philosopher Rhochie Matienzo suggested that only when an individual crosses the threshold of the absurd does bahala na affirm a believer’s faith. In other words, in order for bahala na to transcend the mundane and become a spiritual attitude, the individual must pursue the drive of their spirit with unwavering faith. Regardless of failure or success, the individual can trust that things will happen the way they are meant to.

1. Matienzo, R.A.E. (2015). Revisiting the philosophy of bahala na folk spirituality. Filocracia 2(2), 86-105.

2. Lagmay, A. (1977). Bahala na! Philippine Journal of Psychology, 26(1), 31-36.