FOR many Filipinos, the goal is to live in the present and not worry about the future. Even if the world is changing quickly, it's a way of thinking that is ingrained in our culture and is difficult to abandon. This mindset becomes a real concern when we talk about areas like financial planning, business sustainability or even public policy.
FOR many Filipinos, the goal is to live in the present and not worry about the future. Even if the world is changing quickly, it's a way of thinking that is ingrained in our culture and is difficult to abandon.
This mindset becomes a real concern when we talk about areas like financial planning, business sustainability or even public policy. Hofstede Insights gives the Philippines a score of 27 in Long-Term Orientation, one of the lowest in Asia. That score isn't just a number — it's a reflection of how our society views time, planning and future rewards. Practically speaking, a low score indicates that we prioritize tradition and immediate outcomes over long-term planning. It also implies that we are more likely to be normative — to cling to what is comfortable and known — even if it isn't necessarily the best course of action. Compare this to nations with high long-term orientation scores, such as South Korea , Japan and China . Discipline, postponed gratification, saving, education and future planning are all valued in these communities. The fact that these are the same nations that lead in industry, technology and education is not surprising. In the meantime, it is still difficult for us in the Philippines to increase even something as simple as insurance participation. According to a recent study by the Insurance Commission, the country's insurance penetration rate increased somewhat from 1.78 percent in Q1 2025 to 1.89 percent in Q1 2025. But when you look at the global average of 7 percent, we're still far behind. Insurance, by nature, requires forward-thinking. It's about sacrificing a bit of your income today for peace of mind tomorrow. But in a country where many would rather keep that money for current needs — or simply don't see the value in planning for an uncertain future — it's a hard sell. Both in our daily lives and in the way we manage our organizations, we exhibit our short-term thinking in a variety of ways. Consider how we decide on important financial matters. Many Filipinos would rather take a short trip or purchase a new device than make long-term financial or health insurance investments. Retirement planning often comes too late, and education funds are set up only when children are almost ready for college. Even in the workplace, compensation structures that involve commissions or bonuses tied to future performance are viewed with skepticism. We prefer fixed pay because it's 'sigurado.' Many micro and small businesses function without any kind of growth strategy. Instead of reinvesting or innovating, they prioritize daily sales and short-term earnings. Additionally, it's not unusual for companies to stall or shut down due to a lack of planning, particularly during economic downturns or market shifts. Politicians frequently give priority to projects that can be completed within their term in office. Social initiatives are started, basketball courts are painted and roads are constructed — often without the necessary infrastructure in place to support them. Reforms in agriculture, health care and education are rarely given adequate attention because they require time and don't guarantee votes. This way of thinking is partially cultural. In addition to having a strong feeling of family and community, our collectivist society is influenced by the customs of pakikisama, hiya and utang na loob. These principles enable us to remain devoted to and involved in our social networks. However, they also make it challenging to give priority to long-term, impersonal objectives that don't provide instant gratification or social acceptance. There's also the deep influence of religion and fatalism — captured in phrases like 'bahala na' — that makes some believe that the future is out of our hands, so why stress over it? However, condemning our society is not the point here. It's about seeing how, if we're not careful, our strengths — l like flexibility, friendliness and a sense of community — can also turn into blind spots. We must shift our perspective on time and advancement. We must go beyond the project, the cash or the convenience of the moment. That shift won't happen overnight. But it can start with how we raise our children, manage our teams, run our businesses and plan our policies. We can teach kids not just to dream big, but to plan for those dreams. Employees that adopt tactics that demonstrate forethought as well as fast wins can be rewarded. Instead of focusing only on monthly income, company executives might begin monitoring growth over the next five years. Additionally, as citizens, we have the power to vote for the future of our communities as well as for what we will receive today. Long-term focus can be a potent growth engine, as demonstrated by other Asian nations. It promotes resilience, stability and discipline. And we can certainly do it as well. Filipinos are resourceful, industrious and inventive. We simply need to broaden our perspective; we don't lack talent. It's time we stop treating the future like a vague hope or a lucky outcome. It's something we build. Bit by bit, choice by choice. Thinking long term isn't about giving up the joy of today. It's about making sure we have more to celebrate in the years ahead. The author is the founder and CEO of Hungry Workhorse, a digital, culture and customer experience transformation consulting firm. He is a fellow at the US-based Institute for Digital Transformation. He teaches strategic management and digital transformation in the MBA Program of De La Salle University. The author may be emailed at rey.lugtu@hungryworkhorse.com.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Candidates, beware; Filipinos want stable jobs, food securityWith the May 12 midterm elections just on the horizon, the Filipino electorate has made clear what they look for from candidates running for elective posts....
Read more »
Filipinos spent 1.54 billion seconds using digital lending apps in 2024The lion’s share of activity remained with platforms specializing in personal loans. Metro Manila, Philippines | May 2025 — About 1.54 billion seconds —
Read more »
Kitty: Rodrigo Duterte wants Filipinos to 'fight for what is right'Latest Philippine news from GMA News and 24 Oras. News, weather updates and livestreaming on Philippine politics, regions, showbiz, lifestyle, science and tech.
Read more »
Hague evidence convention to simplify cross-border legal battles for FilipinosSTARTING July, companies and even Filipino overseas workers may now obtain evidence from abroad for civil or commercial cases filed in the Philippines.
Read more »
Marcos prays for Pope Leo XIV as Filipinos welcome new Holy FatherPresident Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. reacted positively at the election of Pope Leo XIV as the 267th supreme pontiff, joining fellow Filipinos and world
Read more »
Cardinal Tagle thanks Filipinos for their faith, confidence in himCardinal Jose Advincula, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David (Screenshot from CBCP Facebook)Following the election of Pope Leo XIV,...
Read more »