Exhaustive Review Guide: GenEd and Social Science Refresher for LEPT 2026

General Education and Social Science Refresher Series

  • This study guide is based on the General Education (GenEd) and Social Science (SocSci) Drills conducted for Team Vygotsky in preparation for the September 2026 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT).

  • The session was led by Coach Jun (Jun Cortez), known as the "Halimaw ng Soksay" (Monster of Social Science).

  • Coach Jun Credentials:     - Summa Cum Laude, BSEd Social Studies, 2022, Holy Angel University.     - Faculty member at the Professional and General Education Department of National University - Clark.     - Founder of the Regional Convention of Teacher Education Students of Central Luzon.     - Graduate student at the University of the Philippines Open University.     - High passing rate authority through Gurong Pinoy, having mentored multiple topnotchers in various years reaching scores between 90%90\% and 97%97\%.

The Rizal Law (Republic Act No. 1425)

  • Definition: An Act to include in the curricula of all public and private schools, colleges, and universities courses on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, authorizing the printing and distribution thereof, and for other purposes.

  • Signatory: The Philippine president who signed the Rizal Law was Ramon Magsaysay.

  • Key Proponent: Claro M. Recto, known as "The Great Dissenter."

  • Controversies and Opposition:     - Faced heavy opposition from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).     - Critics argued the bill was anti-church.     - Father Jesus Cavanna argued that in the 333333 pages of Noli Me Tangere, only 2525 pages are nationalistic while 120120 pages are anti-Catholic.

  • Mandatory Requirements:     - It is obligatory for all schools, colleges, and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.     - Rizal's other works and biography must also be included in library collections.

Biography of Jose Rizal

  • Birth Details: Born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna.

  • Family Background:     - Rizal was the 7th7^{th} out of 1111 siblings.     - Father: Francisco Mercado.     - Mother: Teodora Alonso Realonda.     - Parents are described as strict, training their children to love God, behave well, be obedient, and respect people.

  • Educational Background:     - Binan, Laguna: Studied under Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz.     - Ateneo Municipal: Attended for High School.     - University of Santo Tomas (UST): Attended for College.     - Universidad Central de Madrid: Obtained his licentiate in Medicine.

Literary Works and Contributions of Jose Rizal

  • Noli Me Tangere:     - Financed by Maximo Viola (referred to as the "heaven-sent financer").     - Often associated with the mnemonic "NOLIgo pag BER months" because it was printed in Berlin.

  • El Filibusterismo:     - The second novel and a sequel to Noli Me Tangere.     - More revolutionary and tragic than the first book.     - Dedicated to the three executed Filipino priests (GOMBURZA).     - Written in Spanish.     - Published/Printed in Ghent, Belgium (Mnemonic: "Ano'ng masarap na FILI sa BELGian waffle?").     - Financed by Valentin Ventura.

  • Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas:     - An original work by Antonio de Morga found in the British Museum.     - Rizal copied, annotated, and published this work to show the Philippines had a civilization before the Spaniards arrived.

  • The Philippines a Century Hence:     - Rizal predicted that if Spain failed to reform, the Philippines might fall under the control of another colonial power (specifically the United States).

  • Himno al Trabajo (Hymn to Labor):     - A poem written in the late 1880s1880s for the people of Lipa, Batangas.     - Lipa was enjoying prosperity at the time due to its coffee industry.     - The poem is organized into voices: Men, Wives, Maidens, and Children, emphasizing that nation-building is a shared task.

  • "The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education":     - A poem emphasizing that education without God is not true education.

Philippine History and Governance

  • Spanish Colonial Regime:     - Polo y Servicio: The name for forced labor imposed by the Spanish regime.     - Secularization Movement: The campaign of Filipino secular priests to administer parishes occupied by Spanish regular priests (Filipinization of parishes).     - Social Classes: "Timawa" refers to the class of Filipinos who were free and independent.

  • Revolutionary Figures and Publications:     - Apolinario Mabini: Known as the "Brains of the Revolution" (Himagsikan).     - La Solidaridad: The official publication of the Propaganda Movement.     - Kalayaan: The official publication of the Katipunan (KKK).

  • Post-Colonial Governance and Presidents:     - Bicameralism: The division of the legislature into two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.     - Presidential Form of Government: Characterized by the principle of the separation of powers among the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary branches.     - Marcos Regime: Implemented a form of Parliamentary government where the Batasang Pambansa performed both legislative and executive powers.     - Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: Associated with the slogan "Strong Republic."     - Political Rights: Include the right to vote and seek public office.     - Meritocracy: A system of governance or rule by the talented (as opposed to Monarchy, Aristocracy, Oligarchy, etc.).

  • International Relations:     - NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): Formed during the Cold War to counter the threat of the Soviet Union.

Economics and Global Issues

  • Malthusian Theory: Thomas Malthus posited that population growth will outpace food production.

  • Global Village: A concept made possible by easy access to travel, the rise of mass media, and global interconnectedness through technology.

  • Sustainable Development: Defined by the Brundtland Commission as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

  • Corporate Structures:     - Multinational Companies: Companies with a home company and subsidiaries that emphasize a centralized strategy (e.g., Starbucks, which has approximately 396396 stores in the Philippines and 64116411 in the US).     - Transnational Companies: Companies that operate in multiple countries but do not have a single centralized management system (e.g., Unilever, which manages brands like Dove, Knorr, Lipton, and Magnum).

Arts and Literature

  • Art Functions and Materials:     - Etching: Identified as a process, not a primary painting material (unlike oil).     - Functions of Art: Personal, Physical, and Psychological (Note: "Subject" is a component/part of the artwork, not a function).     - Subject: Refers to the "what" of an artwork.

  • Prominent Personalities in Arts:     - Lea Salonga: Stage actress who brought fame to the Philippines through international awards (e.g., Miss Saigon).     - Fernando Amorsolo: National Artist known for paintings portraying rural life and landscapes.     - Severino Montano: Famous proponent of Arena Theater in the Philippines.     - Naty Rogers: Associated with Sala Theater.     - Nick Joaquin: Filipino writer who focused on beliefs and traditions during the Filipino-Spanish period.     - Maria Ressa: Filipino journalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Philosophy and Psychology

  • Ancient Philosophies:     - Taoism: Founded by Lao Tzu; the principal literary work is the Tao Te Ching.     - Socrates: Viewed the self as existing in two parts: the Body (physical realm) and the Soul (ideal realm).     - Plato: Proposed the Tripartite theory of the self, consisting of the Appetitive part (basic needs), the Spirited part (emotions), and the Rational part/Soul.     - Aristotle: Advocated the "Golden Mean," which is living a life of moderation.

  • Medieval Philosophy:     - St. Augustine: Believed that happiness is the end-all and can be found in God alone.     - St. Thomas Aquinas: Argued that some truths cannot be known by human reason alone and require divine revelation.

  • Psychological Foundations:     - Ambivalence: A contradictory emotional or psychological attitude.     - Emotional Intelligence: Ability to manage emotions and interpersonal skills (essential for students who may not excel purely in academics).

  • Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development:     - Pre-conventional (Ages 3-7): Moral reasoning based on reward and punishment.         - Stage 1: Avoiding Punishment.         - Stage 2: Self-Interest (Instrumental - "What is in it for me?").     - Conventional (Ages 8-13): Moral reasoning based on external ethics.         - Stage 3: Good Boy/Nice Girl Attitude (Seeking social approval).         - Stage 4: Law and Order Morality (Compliance with school rules).     - Post-conventional (Adulthood): Moral reasoning based on personal ethics.         - Stage 5: Social Contract.         - Stage 6: Universal Principles.

Logic and Miscellaneous

  • Logical Fallacies:     - Ad Misericordiam: An appeal to pity or mercy to win an argument (e.g., "He is an orphan. Don’t you have any mercy to convict him?").

  • Indigenous People: The Aetas are recognized as the first indigenous people of the Philippines.

Questions & Discussion

  • Question: Who was the Governor-General who ordered the death of Rizal?

  • Answer: Camilo Polavieja (Mnemonic: Despujol sent him to Dapitan; Polavieja signifies "Patay" or death).

  • Question: Which social network service is mentioned as a major platform?

  • Answer: Facebook (alongside Google as a major tech entity).

  • Question: What is the principal literary work of Taoism?

  • Answer: Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu.