Olympics and the embodying Filipino values

As we bask in the glory of the Philippines' historic performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, it's worth pausing to reflect on the deeper significance of this moment. Beyond the medals and the accolades, what can the triumphs of our athletes teach us about the Filipino spirit, and what lessons can we draw for the world of business and management?

At the heart of my reflection lies certain Filipino concepts like that of loob—the inner self that is the wellspring of an individual's strength and determination. When we witness the incredible feats of athletes like Carlos Yulo, Aira Villegas, and Nesthy Petecio, are we not in fact seeing the manifestation of tibay ng loob? Is it not this fortitude, this unwavering commitment to excellence, that propels them to the pinnacle of their sport?

For business leaders, this can prompt a guiding question: How can we cultivate this same depth of loob within our organizations? Is it merely about developing skills and strategies, or is there a more fundamental need to nurture the character and resilience of our people?

But loob, powerful as it is, does not exist in a vacuum. It is intimately connected to kapwa, the Filipino way of recognizing of our shared humanity and interconnectedness. When we see the outpouring of support for our Olympic heroes from all corners of society, are we not witnessing the essence of bayanihan, the age-old Filipino tradition of communities coming together for a common cause?

For businesses, we can reflect: How can we foster a genuine sense of pakikipagkapwa-tao among our various stakeholders? Is building a successful organization merely about driving profits, or is it about about bayanihan - creating a community united by shared purpose and values?

Regarding bayanihan, we might consider the outpouring of rewards for our sports heroes as an example. These are of course great, but we must not fall into the trap of just rewarding successes without investing in an ecosystem that supports our athletes especially in their early stages. Moment marketing may go viral, but it is not a sustainable form of bayanihan. In other words: How can we foster a genuine sense of kapwa, not just in moments of triumph, but in the daily struggle of pursuing excellence?

As a basketball-loving nation, it's time for us to open our minds (and even our wallets) to support sports where we have a natural advantage. This is where the creativity and value-creating acumen of businesspeople can play a vital role: in finding business models that balance profitability with genuine, long-term support for sports that may not initially be as popular as basketball.

For is this not the essence of diwa—the spirit of innovation and adaptability that allows us to thrive in any environment? Is this not what our Olympic heroes have shown us—that success often lies in charting our own path, in finding the spaces where we can truly excel?

Filipino businesses have the power shape a truly Filipino narrative—to use our resources and influence to build an ecosystem that empowers every Filipino to reach our full potential not just through lavish rewards, but more importantly, through a nurturing support system.

This is the call of kapwa, diwa, and bayanihan—to recognize that our success is intertwined with the success of our community, our spirit, our nation. This is the lesson that our Olympic journey offers us—that by embodying the values of loob, kapwa, and bayanihan, by harnessing our diwa for the greater good, we can build not just successful companies, but a society where every Filipino can shine on the global stage.