​Lesson 1: Social, Political, and Cultural Behavior and Phenomena

How would you, as a Filipino, greet someone? Would there be similarities between your greeting and the other person/nation? How could these different forms of greetings explain the dynamism of culture, society, and politics?

All countries are made up of a structured society, a political system, and a rich set of tangible and intangible cultures.

Culture is a group’s shared belief and value system that are preserved either through material or non-material ways.

Society is a group of people with a shared environment, cultural beliefs, and ways of living.

An individual’s belief system is primarily influenced by their local culture and traditions that have been usually passed down from one generation to another.

Philippine culture as an example. In our country, majority of Filipinos practice Roman Catholicism as their religion.

In countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar, where Buddhism is prominent, remains of Buddhist temples and architecture still stand today.

This process of immersing oneself in a particular society and culture, even at birth, is called socialization.

Individuals adapt all aspects of society and exchange local practices to one another. Socialization is important because it allows for a nation to continue or transmit its social, cultural, and political identity from one generation to another.

​All government are keen on building up its country’s economy and capability by leveraging on cultural norms and capitalizing on the current social system to enable macro-level growth whilst simultaneously preserving local traditions and practices.

​examples within the Philippine setting.

Being an archipelago, the Philippines is divided into several regions and provinces. Based on history and local culture, some provinces in the country have become well-known in acquiring a number of cardinal traits. For example, it is said that Ilocanos are thrifty people, Ilonggos are sweet and soft-spoken, and Cavitenos are brave.

Local food choices and preparation could also provide an insight to social and cultural practices. For instance, Japanese cooking incorporates a wide selection of fresh seafood in their local cuisine. Japanese noodles (ramen) have also become a favorite among locals and foreigners alike.