19/10/2026
VALUE FOCUS OF THE WEEK 42:
TRANSPARENCY
Have you ever tried bottling up your fears, worries, and hurts to hide your true feelings so as not to hurt the people around you? If the answer is yes, then you are not living a transparent life.
In a blog by life coach Tara Raj, transparency is defined as "intentionally baring your soul to the world by showing your true self to others." In colloquial terms, transparency means "what you see is what you get." Being transparent is making yourself an open book—living honestly, with no secrets, and free from concealment and double standards. Nevertheless, transparency remains hypothetical when a person lives in hypocrisy and pretension.
It is human nature to try to please other people in every way possible, which often includes compromise and pretense for the sake of attention, importance, and favor. Hence, to truly know someone, spend time with them over time. The inner and real person would emerge eventually, as there is "one thing you can't hide—when you're (morally) crippled inside," as John Lennon sang.
In the workplace, transparency pertains to "how and why something occurs," as well as open communication between the employees and the head of the office. An article in Forbes gives us the following strategies to build greater transparency in the workplace: (a) Hire and engage transparent employees; (b) Encourage straight communication; (c) Insist on proactive use of social media by leaders; (d) Consider eliminating layers of titles and opening up transparency in finances; and (e) Create an online platform for employees to ask any question of the leadership. A closer look at these strategies would reveal the use of innovative practices. Above all, communications should be open to ensure transparency.
The Holy Scripture has a prayer for transparency: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." The Psalmist teaches us that to be transparent before people is first to be transparent before God for the following reasons: first, God knows our heart, which means He knows our entire being; second, God can help us recognize our sins and transgressions without condemnation; and third, He can make our path in life straight once again. The way to transparency then begins and continues with God. With Him, we can assertively say to our peers the words of Paul, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ."
ACTION PLAN
Strive to be transparent in your daily lives. Be more vocal about your likes and dislikes, but make sure you're not disrespectful or pushy about them. Learn to communicate properly what you think is the best way to do things when you are in a situation to do so.
In the workplace, be transparent in all your dealings, from client interactions to what you do at your desk when you are alone. Transparency could protect you from scheming people and unrighteous conduct.
DECLARATION
Transparency is our protection. It is our best ally against temptations and unrighteous schemes of the devil. From this day forward, we promise to be transparent in all that we do, both in our personal and public lives—no more double standards. We will live with honesty and transparency because we know that God sees everything, and things will reveal themselves in due time. Thus, we choose to walk uprightly. So help us, God.
Reference: Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values (CRFV), "2026 Week 42 Filipino Value Focus: Transparency"
