“Bahala na System”

It’s one of the characteristic traits of a Filipino is the easy-going attitude of a resilient individual. The closest meaning of “Bahala na” phrase in English is come-what-may. This disposition could also degenerate into a serious character flaw when the individual takes a fatalistic view of things to come, unsure of what’s going to happen in the future. No clear directions and commitments of purpose, "Bahala na" is usually said in a difficult maybe hopeless situation when things are left to fate. This may also describe the attitude that one is resigned to what will happen.

This come what-may attitude is said to be ingrained in the Filipino culture from the foreign colonizers who found this trait advantageous to them to subjugate and perpetuate the dominion over the Filipino people by conditioning their minds and appreciate those who just rely on to “the will of God or fate” as a good virtue and example of humility, rather than being assertive thus everyone is dissuaded to be such as a sign of high-handedness & arrogance.

But lo these utterances of words “bahala na” are often heard used by the present officials of this administration. We may recall that President Aquino said to those critical of his administration, he retorted by saying, “Bahala na ang (Diyos) Lord sa Kanila”. It's a no care attitude of the President "Let the Lord God takes care of them". Never mind if the criticisms are constructive, he doesn’t careless. “Bahala” is said to be a strong word, it means steering clear of any responsibility to what will happen next.

  

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel Roxas II also said, “Bahala na kayo sa buhay nyo” to Mayor Romualdez of Tacloban, “Whom he was browbeating into admitting he was powerless to do anything for his City anymore and thus legalizing the “takeover” of the National Government,” R. Tiglao wrote. What is therefore the literal translation of that phrase? “This has a particular nuance” which can mean-“I don’t care whatever happens to you from here on,” or to be more piercing, “you can go to hell for all I care” or “I wouldn’t lift a finger to help you from here on,” would be more accurate translations according to Rigberto Tiglao. Now I would add with the same meaning and explain further in Tagalog, as it is commonly used “wala akong paki-alam sa buhay nyo,”and in English-“Your life is all for you to care, don’t expect help from me.” This is an utter disregard of their avowed duties to serve the people but a reflections or displays of arrogance of powers.

 But if this is uttered in this way, “Kayo na ang bahala sa buhay nyo” this is an innocuous statement without a negative interpretation of arrogance but would aptly mean “You’re in charge of your lives.” This makes me sad!