Reviewer: Culture, Society, and Politics 2.

Why is cultural sensitivity more

in the Philippines than just 'being polite'?
This reviewer is a comprehensive Situational Question: You are a
guide to key topics in Philippine manager and a new team member,
culture, society, and politics. It who just moved from a different
includes background information, province, consistently avoids eye
relevant laws, sample questions, and contact during one-on-one meetings.
situational problems to help you How would you handle this situation to
prepare for recitations and exams. promote cultural understanding and
ensure the new employee feels
respected and included?
Cultural Sensitivity in the Workplace
Sample Answer: I would first have a
Background: In the Philippines, this is private conversation with the new
about fostering an inclusive work employee to understand their cultural
environment that recognizes and norms. I would then talk to the team,
respects diverse communication explaining that non-verbal cues differ
styles, work ethics, and beliefs, which across cultures and that a lack of eye
can vary across regions and social contact may be a sign of respect, not
classes. disrespect. My goal would be to foster
a culture of understanding, preventing
Laws & Important Information: a potential case of discrimination
 Labor Code of the Philippines: under the Labor Code of the
Prohibits discrimination in the Philippines.
workplace.
 Republic Act No. 9710 (Magna Preserving Local Traditions
Carta of Women): Protects
women from discrimination. Background: The Philippines is an
archipelago with diverse cultural
 Republic Act No. 10911 (Anti- heritage. The preservation of local
Age Discrimination in traditions, including indigenous
Employment Act): Protects knowledge, folk arts, and community
against age discrimination. rituals, is vital for maintaining national
 Diversity and Inclusion Policies: identity.
Companies often implement Laws & Important Information:
these policies to ensure a fair
work environment.  Republic Act No. 10066
(National Cultural Heritage Act
Sample Questions: of 2009): The primary law
1. Describe a time you witnessed a protecting cultural heritage.
cultural misunderstanding in a  National Commission for Culture
group setting. How could and the Arts (NCCA): The main
cultural sensitivity have government body responsible
prevented it? for implementing the Heritage
Act.
  Bayanihan: A cultural value of Background: Philippine schools are
communal unity and diverse, with students from different
cooperation. backgrounds, including indigenous
groups. Misunderstandings often arise
Sample Questions:
from varying social norms and
1. In the age of social media, how communication styles.
can we encourage young people
Laws & Important Information:
to engage with and appreciate
local traditions?  Department of Education
(DepEd) Order No. 32, s. 2015:
2. What's one local tradition in
This order, which adopts the
your community that you think
Indigenous Peoples Education
is most at risk of being lost, and
(IPEd) Curriculum Framework,
why?
encourages a more culturally
Situational Question: A popular annual responsive curriculum.
festival in your hometown, known for
 Culturally Responsive Teaching:
its unique traditional crafts and music,
An approach that uses students'
is seeing a significant drop in
cultural backgrounds to inform
attendance, especially among the
teaching methods.
youth. What are three specific
strategies you would propose to the Sample Questions:
festival's organizers to make it more
1. How can a school's curriculum
appealing to younger generations
be adapted to better prevent
without compromising its traditional
cultural misunderstandings
roots?
among students?
Sample Answer:
2. What's the difference between a
1. Integrate Modern Elements: cultural misunderstanding and
Introduce a "fusion stage" simple rudeness?
featuring local artists who blend
Situational Question: A teacher is
traditional music with modern
frustrated with a new student from a
genres.
different cultural background who
2. Interactive Workshops: Offer consistently gives short, one-word
hands-on workshops where answers and does not actively
young people can learn to participate in class discussions. The
create traditional crafts. teacher interprets this as a lack of
effort. How should the teacher address
3. Social Media Campaign: Launch
this situation?
a youth-led social media
campaign on platforms like Sample Answer: The teacher should
TikTok and Instagram to first refer to the school's guidelines
promote the festival. under the DepEd IPEd Framework. I
would advise the teacher to have a
private conversation with the student,
Cultural Misunderstanding in School inquiring about their learning style and
cultural norms. The teacher can then
implement culturally responsive Sample Answer: I would navigate this
teaching, allowing the student to by promoting glocalization. I would
express their thoughts in writing allow the global coffee chain to open
before speaking in front of the whole but with a binding agreement that
class. they must source a certain percentage
of their coffee beans from local
farmers. I would also use the chain's
Globalization vs. Cultural Identity presence to attract tourists, and the
local government would use the
Background: The Philippines' increased tax revenue to fund a
integration into the global economy marketing campaign for local
has brought economic benefits but businesses.
also challenges to local culture and
identity.
Laws & Important Information: Cultural Representation in Media

 World Trade Organization Background: Filipino media plays a

(WTO): The Philippines is a significant role in shaping social norms
member, facilitating global and perceptions. Inaccurate or
trade. stereotypical portrayals can reinforce
prejudices.
 National Commission for Culture
and the Arts (NCCA): Works to Laws & Important Information:
promote and preserve local
 Movie and Television Review
culture.
and Classification Board
 Glocalization: The adaptation of (MTRCB): The government
global products to meet local agency that reviews and
needs and preferences. classifies movies and TV shows.

Sample Questions:  Broadcast Code of the

Philippines: Provides guidelines
1. Does globalization inevitably for media outlets on fair and
lead to a loss of cultural accurate representation.
identity, or can it be a force for
cultural enrichment? Sample Questions:

2. Give an example of a global 1. How does a lack of diverse

brand that has successfully representation in media affect a
adapted to local cultures in the person's self-esteem and
Philippines. perception of others?

Situational Question: A well-known 2. Can you name a movie or TV

global coffee chain wants to open a show that you believe offers
branch in your small town, which is authentic cultural
famous for its unique local coffee representation and explain why?
houses. How would you, as a local
Situational Question: A popular
government official, address this
television show is under fire for a new
conflict?
character that many viewers from a
particular cultural group find to be a park, but to fund it, they will need to
harmful and inaccurate stereotype. If increase property taxes. This will
you were a public relations consultant disproportionately affect low-income
for the show, what advice would you residents who own their homes. What
give the creators? alternative funding solutions could you
propose?
Sample Answer: I would first issue a
statement acknowledging the public's Sample Answer: I would argue against
feedback and apologizing for the harm the proposed tax increase. Instead, I
caused. I would then advise the would propose an alternative funding
creators to hold a dialogue with model, such as applying for grants
members of the affected cultural from government bodies like the
group and to form a small advisory National Housing Authority (NHA) or
panel of cultural experts to ensure using a portion of the city's
accuracy in future portrayals. Development Fund, as provided for in
the Local Government Code of 1991.

Social Inequality
Community Engagement
Background: Social inequality in the
Philippines is a pressing issue with a Background: Community engagement
significant gap between the wealthy is a key aspect of grassroots
and the poor. It's evident in income democracy in the Philippines, often
distribution and access to basic seen in barangay-level projects and
services. volunteer work. A strong sense of
community, known as bayanihan, is a
Laws & Important Information:
cultural value.
 1987 Philippine Constitution:
Laws & Important Information:
Has provisions aimed at
promoting social justice and a  Local Government Code of 1991
more equitable society. (RA 7160): Mandates local
government units to involve
 Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
civil society organizations in
Program (CARP): A key law
local development councils.
aiming to redistribute land to
landless farmers.  Bayanihan: The Filipino spirit of
communal unity and
Sample Questions:
cooperation.
1. Besides income, what are other
Sample Questions:
forms of social inequality we
see in Philippine society? 1. What's the difference between
volunteering for a one-time
2. How can technology either
event and true community
reduce or worsen social
engagement?
inequality?
2. Why is it important for
Situational Question: Your city council
community engagement to be
is considering a plan to build a new
 led by community members, not  DepEd: Has issued policies on
just outside organizations? online safety and responsible
social media use.
Situational Question: A community
association wants to create a Sample Questions:
neighborhood watch program but is
1. How do social media platforms
having trouble getting participation
shape political views and
from renters. What are three
activism among young people?
strategies you would implement to
successfully engage and involve 2. What are the biggest mental
them? health challenges for youth who
use social media, and what are
Sample Answer:
some potential solutions?
1. Flexible Meeting Times: Hold
Situational Question: A high school is
meetings at different times
dealing with a cyberbullying issue
(evenings and weekends) and in
where students are anonymously
locations easily accessible to
posting hurtful comments about their
renters.
peers on a social media app. The
2. Direct Outreach: Go door-to- school administration wants to ban the
door to speak with renters app. What is a more effective plan to
directly, inviting them to address the cyberbullying issue
participate. without banning the platform?
3. Tailored Roles: Propose creating Sample Answer: Instead of banning
specific roles within the the app, I would implement a digital
program that appeal to renters' literacy program in the school. This
needs, such as a "tenant rights" would include holding school-wide
subcommittee. forums to discuss the Cybercrime
Prevention Act and its implications for
online behavior. I would also work with
Youth and Social Media student leaders to develop a peer-to-
peer mentoring program where
Background: The Philippines has one students teach their peers how to
of the highest social media usage safely and responsibly use social
rates in the world, making its youth media.
highly connected. Social media is a
tool for communication but also poses
risks like cyberbullying and the spread
Gender Roles in Society
of disinformation.
Background: While the Philippines is
Laws & Important Information:
often praised for being one of the
 Republic Act No. 10175 most gender-equal countries in Asia,
(Cybercrime Prevention Act of traditional gender roles still exist,
2012): Criminalizes particularly in the domestic sphere.
cyberbullying and other online
Laws & Important Information:
offenses.
  Republic Act No. 9710 (Magna Laws & Important Information:
Carta of Women): A
 National Urban Development
comprehensive human rights
and Housing Framework: A
law for women that seeks to
guide for urban planning and
eliminate all forms of
housing policy.
discrimination against them.
 Urban Development and
Sample Questions:
Housing Act of 1992 (RA 7279):
1. How have traditional gender A law that aims to provide
roles changed in the last 50 affordable housing for the urban
years? poor.
2. Discuss a societal expectation Sample Questions:
for your own gender that you've
1. What are some of the social
personally found limiting.
challenges that come with rapid
Situational Question: A company is urbanization?
hiring for a senior engineering role, a
2. How does the concept of
field that has historically been
'community' change as a city
dominated by men. The hiring
grows?
committee is made up of all men. How
would you advise the company to Situational Question: A quiet, rural
ensure the hiring process is free from town is about to experience a rapid
unconscious bias and attracts a influx of new residents due to a new
diverse range of candidates? industrial development. What are two
major social challenges the town will
Sample Answer: I would advise the
likely face, and what is one proactive
company to implement a "blind
step the local government could take
resume" policy, where names are
to prepare for each?
removed from applications. I would
also recommend that the hiring Sample Answer: The town would likely
committee be diversified to include at face a strain on public services (e.g.,
least one woman from the company's roads, schools) and the proliferation of
senior leadership and that the job informal settlements. To address this,
description be carefully worded to the local government should use the
avoid using gendered language, in increased tax revenue from the new
compliance with the Magna Carta of industry to upgrade infrastructure and
Women. implement a comprehensive urban
plan. This plan would include a
partnership with the NHA to build
Urbanization and Social Change socialized housing projects in
compliance with the Urban
Background: The Philippines is
Development and Housing Act of
experiencing rapid urbanization, with
1992.
many people moving to cities. This has
led to urban sprawl, traffic congestion,
and the proliferation of informal
Social Change and Advocacy
settlements.
Background: The Philippines has a rich 3. Organize a Peaceful Rally: If the
history of social movements. Advocacy petition is ignored, they could
groups use protests, online organize a peaceful rally and
campaigns, and community organizing apply for a permit under the
to push for change. Public Assembly Act.
Laws & Important Information:
 1987 Philippine Constitution: Political Science
Guarantees the rights to
Background: The Philippines has a
freedom of speech, expression,
democratic, republican system with a
and assembly.
president as head of state and
 Public Assembly Act of 1985 government, and three co-equal
(Batas Pambansa Blg. 880): branches: the executive, legislative,
Governs the right to peaceful and judicial.
assembly and protest.
Laws & Important Information:
Sample Questions:
 1987 Philippine Constitution:
1. What's the difference between The supreme law of the land,
social change and a social defining the structure of
trend? government.
2. Can you name a historical or  Omnibus Election Code:
current example of a grassroots Governs all aspects of elections.
advocacy movement that led to
 Local Government Code of
significant social change?
1991: Gives local governments
Situational Question: You want to start greater autonomy.
an advocacy campaign to persuade
Sample Questions:
your city to adopt a new recycling
program. You have no money and a 1. Briefly explain the difference
small group of volunteers. What are between a presidential and a
three key steps you would take to parliamentary system of
build a successful grassroots government.
movement?
2. What role do political ideologies
Sample Answer: The group should: play in shaping a country's laws
and policies?
1. Form a Coalition: Partner with
other organizations, such as Situational Question: Imagine a
environmental groups, local political crisis in the Philippines where
schools, or business no single political party has a majority
associations. in Congress after an election. What are
the most likely political outcomes or
2. Submit a Petition: File a formal
solutions to this crisis?
petition to the local
government, citing their Sample Answer: This would likely lead
constitutional right to assembly. to a political gridlock between the
President and Congress if they belong
to opposing parties. It could also lead 1. Digital Voter Registration:
to impeachment proceedings if the Collaborate with COMELEC to
crisis involves allegations of corruption establish a digital voter
or abuse of power, as outlined in the registration process.
1987 Constitution.
2. Community-Based Campaigns: I
would launch a campaign called
Bumoto Na! in partnership with
Democratic Participation
youth leaders and civil society
Background: Democratic participation groups.
in the Philippines goes beyond voting.
3. Reform of the Sangguniang
It includes engaging in local
Kabataan (SK): Advocate for
governance, joining civil society
further reforms to the SK
organizations, and holding public
Reform Act to empower youth
officials accountable.
leaders and give them a bigger
Laws & Important Information: role in local politics.

 1987 Philippine Constitution:

Protects the right to suffrage
Corruption in Local Government
and political participation.
Background: Corruption is a persistent
 Local Government Code of
problem in the Philippines, leading to a
1991: Provides mechanisms for
loss of public funds and erosion of
citizens to participate in local
trust in public institutions.
governance.
Laws & Important Information:
 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK): A
unique institution for youth to  Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-
participate in local government. Graft and Corrupt Practices Act):
The primary law punishing
Sample Questions:
corrupt practices.
1. Besides voting, what is one non-
 Office of the Ombudsman: The
traditional way a person can
government's anti-graft body.
participate in a democracy?
 Republic Act No. 7080 (Plunder
2. Do you think democratic
Law): Punishes public officials
participation is a right or a
who illegally accumulate a large
responsibility?
amount of wealth.
Situational Question: In your recent
Sample Questions:
local election, only 20% of eligible
voters cast a ballot. As an election 1. How does corruption in local
official, you've been tasked with government directly affect the
creating a plan to increase voter lives of everyday citizens?
turnout for the next election. What are
2. What are some ways to increase
three creative and practical initiatives
accountability and transparency
you would propose?
to fight local corruption?
Sample Answer:
Situational Question: You are a citizen between these two concepts
who suspects a city official is taking was a central issue?
bribes in exchange for awarding
Situational Question: A controversial
construction contracts to their friends.
group has planned a protest march
What are the specific steps you would
through your city's downtown area.
take to gather evidence and report the
The group's message is offensive to
alleged corruption, and to whom would
many, and police intelligence suggests
you report it?
there could be violent counter-
Sample Answer: I would begin by protests. As the head of city law
gathering any available evidence, enforcement, how would you balance
such as public records. I would then the group’s right to free expression
file a formal complaint with the Office with the need to maintain public order
of the Ombudsman, citing the Anti- and safety?
Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The
Sample Answer: I would uphold the
Ombudsman can conduct an
constitutional right to freedom of
independent investigation and, if
assembly. I would grant a permit for
evidence is found, file charges in
the protest but with specific
court.
conditions. I would deploy a non-
confrontational police presence to
separate the protesters from counter-
Freedom of Expression vs. Public Order
protesters, preventing any potential
Background: While the 1987 violence. Under the Public Assembly
Constitution guarantees freedom of Act, my primary goal would be to
speech, this right is not absolute. The ensure a peaceful protest.
state can regulate it to protect public
order, especially during protests.
Policy-Making and Public Opinion
Laws & Important Information:
Background: In the Philippines, public
 1987 Philippine Constitution:
opinion can heavily influence
Guarantees freedom of speech
government decisions, sometimes
and expression.
leading to populist policies that are not
 Public Assembly Act of 1985 necessarily the most effective.
(Batas Pambansa Blg. 880):
Laws & Important Information:
Requires organizers of rallies to
obtain a permit, which can be  1987 Philippine Constitution:
denied on grounds of "clear and Provides for direct democracy
present danger." mechanisms like initiative and
referendum.
Sample Questions:
 Legislative and Executive
1. When should freedom of
Branches: The primary bodies
expression be limited in the
for policymaking.
interest of public order?
Sample Questions:
2. Can you think of a recent news
story where the conflict
 1. Should policymakers always regulatory organization that
follow public opinion, even if it promotes fairness and
conflicts with expert advice? impartiality.
2. How do interest groups and Sample Questions:
lobbyists influence the
1. How can a person identify
relationship between policy-
political bias in a news report?
making and public opinion?
2. Why is it important to consume
Situational Question: A popular
news from a variety of sources
politician supports a policy that is
with different political
widely favored by the public but,
viewpoints?
based on expert economic analysis, is
expected to lead to a significant Situational Question: You have a friend
budget deficit in the long run. How who gets all their political news from a
should the politician navigate this single, highly partisan cable news
conflict between public support and channel. They often repeat talking
responsible governance? points and seem to have a very one-
sided view of current events. How
Sample Answer: As the politician's
would you gently and effectively
advisor, I would recommend a
encourage them to seek out a more
transparent approach. I would
balanced and diverse range of news
encourage the politician to host a
sources?
series of town hall meetings to
educate the public on the long-term Sample Answer: I would gently explain
economic risks of the policy. The to my friend that all news
politician should use their platform to organizations have a perspective and
propose a fiscally responsible that it's healthy to consume
alternative that addresses the same information from different sources to
public need but in a more sustainable get a more complete picture. I would
way. suggest they check out reputable
news fact-checking websites like Vera
Files or Rappler's Checkpoint to verify
Political Bias in Media the information they receive.
Background: Philippine media is known
for its vibrancy and freedom, but it is
Youth in Politics
not immune to political bias, which can
be influenced by political affiliations Background: Filipino youth are a
and business interests. significant force in politics, using social
media to organize and express their
Laws & Important Information:
political views. The Sangguniang
 1987 Philippine Constitution: Kabataan (SK) is a unique political
Guarantees the freedom of the institution for youth.
press.
Laws & Important Information:
 Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster
 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)
ng Pilipinas (KBP): A self-
Reform Act (RA 10742):
 Introduced reforms to make the
institution more effective and
less prone to corruption.
Sample Questions:
1. What are the biggest barriers
preventing young people from
getting involved in politics?
2. How has the use of social media
changed the way young people
engage with political issues?
Situational Question: A group of
students at your school wants to
advocate for a change in the school's
dress code policy. They feel it is unfair
and disproportionately affects female
students. What are three concrete
steps the students should take to
present their case to the school
administration in a way that is likely to
be heard?
Sample Answer: The students should
take a structured and professional
approach. They should:
1. Draft a Proposal: Write a well-
researched proposal detailing
the specific changes they want
to the dress code, supported by
data from student surveys.
2. Seek Allies: Present their
proposal to the student council,
parents' association, and
supportive teachers to gain
allies.
3. Present to Administration:
Request a meeting with the
school administration to present
their proposal in a clear and
respectful manner.