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UCSP

Understanding Societies, Culture and Politics

Gender

  • Dimension of social organization, shaping how we interact with others and how we think of ourselves as a person,

Religion

  • Belief system that emphasizes the supernatural being.

  • Religious beliefs affect or influence the attitude or behavior of an individual or society.

Socio-Economic Status

Upper Class

  • Has a high reputation in terms of power and prestige.

  • People in this class have great wealth and a source of income.

Middle Class

  • (Upper middle): businessmen and professionals.

  • (Lower middle): teachers and clerks.

Lower Class

  • (Upper lower): working class and laborers

  • (Lower lower): unemployed or beggars.

Ethnicity 

  • Person’s ethnic traits, classifications, and associations.

Nationality

  • status of belonging to a particular nation.

Exceptionality

  • Special needs

  • Intellectual

  • Superior intelligence

  • Those who are slow to learn.

  • Communicative

  • Special learning disabilities or speech or language impairments.

  • Sensory

  • Auditory or visual disabilities.

  • Behavioral

  • Emotionally disturbed or socially maladjusted.

  • Physical 

  • Orthopedic or mobility disabilities.

  • Multiple

  • A combination of conditions, such as orthopedically challenged and visually impaired.

Social Behavior

  • Describes the general conduct exhibited by individuals within a society. 

  • Essentially, in response to what is deemed acceptable by a person’s peer group or involves avoiding behavior that is characterized as unacceptable

Food Taboos around the world

  • The word “taboo” (also spelled “tabu”) is Polynesian and means ‘sacred’ or ‘forbidden’. Food taboos in a society function also as a means to show differences between various groups and strengthen their cultural identity.

Istambay

  • Tagalog term of the English version “stand-by”. It is a social behavior that carries a negative connotation. These are the people who love to hang around or loiter in an area.

Political Behavior vs Political Phenomenon

Political Behavior 

  • Individuals’ engagement in political life, such as elections, political parties, political dynasties, political parties, etc. Political behavior of individual members or groups includes their behavior towards elections (e.g Act of Voting).

Political Phenomenon

  • These are political figures in history because of their outstanding achievements and qualities that made them significantly different from the rest of their colleagues.

Political Dynasty

Thin Dynasty

  • It is a political clan that only has two members, swapping certain political positions.

Thick Dynasty

  • The kind where many members run for public office at the same time. 

Philippine Elections

  • Process or mechanism for filling a governmental office through choices made by the majority of qualified voters exercising their right to suffrage. In the Philippines, rules and procedures governing elections rest in the management and supervision of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

The Senate

  • Upper house of the Congress of the Philippines. It has 24 members who are elected on a nationwide at large-basis.

  • Legislation - Propose, debate, and pass laws

  • Ratification - Approves treaties and international agreements

  • Impeachment Trials - Serve as the court of impeachment trials

  • Oversight - Monitor and investigate government activities and policies

Treaties

  • A binding agreement between nations

  • Longer process

  • Formal

International Agreement

  • Less formal agreement between presidents

The House of Representatives

  • The lower house of the Congress of the Philippines. 80% of the congressmen are district representatives, and no more than 20% are elected party-list representatives.

  • Legislation - Initiate and pass bills, especially those related to revenue and budget.

  • Impeachment - Initiate impeachment proceedings

  • Representation - Represent the interests of constituents.

  • Oversight - Review and oversee the execution of laws and policies.

Officials of the House of Representatives

Speaker

  • Signs all acts, resolutions, memorials, writs, warrants, and subpoenas issued by upon order of the house. 

  • Appoints, suspends, dismisses, or disciplines House personnel.

Deputy Speaker

  • Assumes the duties and powers of the speaker when he is absent or incapacitated.

Secretary General

  • Carries out and enforces orders and decisions of the house.

  • Keeps journals of each session.

  • Completes the printing and distribution of the Records of the House.

Sergeant-at-arms

  • Maintains order in the House of Representatives.

  • Building complexes and enforces house rules.

  • Enforces House rules and protects the lives of Officers and Members of the House, its personnel, and guests as well.

Characteristics of Trustworthy Political Leaders

  • Is fair and objective.

  • Is moving above himself and serving society.

  • Is not seeking fame and attention.

  • Is not into hiding the truth for the sake of looking good.

  • It is focused on specific, achievable, and measurable goals and demands outcomes.

  • Encourages people to be accountable for their actions.

  • Does not make idealistic promises but realistic ones.

Understanding culture, society, and politics begins with our everyday experiences and how they change over time. 

Texting and Social Media (Cultural Change)

  • Before, people communicated mainly through letters, landlines, or face-to-face conversations. Today, texting and social media platforms like Messenger, TikTok, and Instagram have changed the way we interact.

  • Impact on culture: Language is evolving – abbreviations (like “LOL,” BRB”) and emojis are now part of everyday conversations. 

  • Impact on relationships: People feel connected even when they are far away, but it can also lead to misunderstandings or isolation.

Transnational Families (Social Change)

  • Many Filipino families are now “transnational” – with one or both parents working abroad as OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers).

  • Impact on Society: Family roles shift – grandparents or older siblings often take over parenting roles.

  • Emotional effects: Children may feel a mix of pride and sadness.

  • Economic effect: Remittances help support education and living expenses, but also show how global migration affects family life.

Local Public Services (Political and Social Change)

  • Public services like healthcare, education, and transportation are essential in a community.

Youth Volunteerism (Cultural & Political Change)

  • More young people are now participating in community cleanups, donation drives, and advocacy campaigns.

goodluck on the exam, loves:)