COMMUNITY AND SOCIETY: THEIR IMPACT TO THE VALUE FORMATION OF

CHILDREN

This module intends to present different point of views, from simple opinions to
result of different researches, and direct experiences encountered by people of different
walks of life.
Our task then is to evaluate, contextualized, and pick out theories, learn from
them and if given a chance try to replicate the good examples for us to build a
foundation in the value formation.

Teresa Mercer, LCSW, LCAC – April 23, 2019 A License Clinical Social Worker in
Indiana
Upholding Values in Today’s Society
By Teresa Mercer, Youth First, Inc.

I have worked with people of all ages, and that has given me the unique experience of
learning about the different value systems of many people. It has been very interesting
to listen to every person’s story and what is important in their life, whether they are 6 or
60 years old.

Values reflect our sense of right and wrong. They help us grow and develop. They help
us create the future we want. The decisions we make every day are a reflection of our
values.

We learn most of our values from our parents and extended families. Our family values
stem from our social and cultural values. Sometimes new life experiences may change
values we previously held.

Individual values reflect how we live our life and what we consider important for our own
self-interests. Individual values include enthusiasm, creativity, humility and personal
fulfillment.

Relationship values reflect how we relate to other people in our life, such as friends,
family, teachers, managers, etc. Relationship values include openness, trust, generosity
and caring.

Social values reflect how we relate to society. Social values include justice, freedom,
respect, community, and responsibility.

In today’s world, it may seem our society doesn’t practice many values. We have a rise
in discrimination, abuse of power, greed, etc. What are we leaving behind for our future
generations? Maybe it’s time society takes a hard look at its values.

Here are some things I feel our society needs more of:
 • Empathy – Empathy is defined as understanding and sharing the feelings of
another. People need to understand who others are and accept who they
are. Focusing on how we can grow together should be our ultimate goal.
• Respect – Mutual respect is needed for all of us. This is what makes us human.
Having respect for everyone, despite the differences between us, is vital in order for
a society to function well.
• Love – Having love in our hearts keeps us from feeling the need to harm others.
Love helps us acknowledge the similarities we all share rather than the differences
of color, religion or sexual orientation.
• Loyalty – Loyalty is a value that binds us to a person, thing or sentiment. With
loyalty, we do not betray. If we all shared loyalty, it would help us build the strength
needed to stand up against something that would harm our society.
• Honesty – One form of honesty in society is accepting yourself. With honesty,
you can admit your flaws and take the necessary steps to improve yourself. When
we can admit to our flaws it can help someone else admit theirs. Ultimately, we can
all help each other become better people.

Values can be contagious; if you practice them, many others will also, including our
children. Hopefully more practice from all of us will leave the world a better place for
future generations.

This column is written by Teresa Mercer, LCSW, LCAC, school social worker for Youth
First, Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. Youth First
provides 55 Master’s level social workers to 76 schools in 10 Indiana counties. Over
38,000 youth and families per year have access to Youth First’s school social work and
afterschool programs that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors, and
maximize student success.

UNDERSTANDING PH CULTURE IS KEY TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGES –

NEDA

Last modified on October 14, 2019

October 14, 2019

MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority said that identifying the
Filipino culture and common values is essential in creating well-targeted plans and
effective policies that can bring about positive changes in the country.

Earlier this year, NEDA commissioned a National Values Survey, a nationwide study
covering 10,200 respondents aged 18 and above. The survey aims to understand the
cultural values that characterize Philippine society and provide a basis for monitoring the
country’s progress in terms of values formation towards national development.
 “There has been a notion that Filipinos are culturally diverse and that it is difficult to
determine what really makes us Filipino. This survey now shows us what distinguishes
Filipinos from other nationalities based on common values,” said Socioeconomic Planning
Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia.

The survey shows that Filipinos are generally proud of being a Filipino and are quite
traditional, religious, and trusting of others irrespective of their sexuality and religion. The
survey’s initial results also indicate that the Philippines is a relatively conformist and
interdependent society.

“The survey results provide insights on specific Filipino cultural values that have potential
effect on national development and the role they play in shaping public policy,” Pernia
added.

“That we are a relatively conformist society may hinder efforts at spurring innovation and
change. This a challenge we need to overcome,” Pernia said.

The Cabinet official added that the survey provides new knowledge that the government
can make use of in positively influencing people’s attitudes and behavior towards building
a high-trust society. It will guide government in determining the types of interventions that
should be undertaken to empower Filipinos to live the life they want, as embodied in the
country’s long-term vision called Ambisyon Natin 2040, which is also based on a national
survey.

“We need to initiate cultural change and promote those positive values that will allow us
to achieve our goals and realize our AmBisyon of creating a highly-innovative and high-
trust society,” he proposed.

Following the completion of the survey, NEDA organized special learning sessions on the
results of the survey for officials and representatives of agencies that contribute to the
goals and strategies of the Philippine Development Plan’s chapter on promoting culture
and values.

Conducted by Hofstede Insights Inc. the study employed the renowned Dimensional
Model for analyzing cultural differences. Developed for the Philippines, the model gauges
Filipino culture and values, and identifies its key dimensions. The survey was done over
a two-year period and the final report is expected to be completed by the end of October.

Empowering Filipino Youth Through Technology and Community

• Authors
• Authors and affiliations
• Henry Motte-Muñoz
 Part of the Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and
Prospects book series (EDAP, volume 55)
Issues and Challenges

A critical matter to consider is the proportion of Filipino youth who are not entering
higher education. Based on observation and research, this gap is partly influenced by
three factors that create a disadvantage among students: lack of information, lack of
access, and lack of guidance.

Lack of Information

Despite the availability of thousands of higher education institutions across the

country, there is limited awareness of options beyond the top-ranking universities in
the Philippines, which are located mainly in Manila, and those found within one’s own
province or region. In other countries, including the United Kingdom and the United
States, centralized information systems exist to help students understand what,
where, and how to pursue higher education. These are substantial and clear in terms
of what courses are offered by the various schools, what job opportunities are
available in line with the course selected, and basic instructions on application
processes and requirements.

Lack of Access

In addition to comprehensive sources for basic school profiles, course listings, and
potential academic paths to employment, students are actively looking for information
on scholarships and student financing. Given economic conditions in the Philippines, it
is clear that affordability is a major factor that influences education decision making
and often limits options available to students. However, they typically do not know how
or where to find relevant opportunities that may help alleviate costs.

Lack of Guidance

Finally, what students could benefit from adequately preparing for their future is proper
guidance and advice. While the information on schools and careers can be made
available using various channels and tools, this knowledge should be paired with
appropriate support that can help students evaluate their choices. Students could then
have a better understanding of options most suitable to them based on academic
strengths, interests, or feasibility. Moreover, additional context from the employment
side, including job trends, demands, or emerging societal needs can play a role in
charting a path forward.

Proposed Solutions

To arrive at potential solutions, society must also consider the cultural climate
surrounding youth in the Philippines. Gen Z, specifically the segment of Filipino youth
born between 1995 and 2015 (aged 14–24) and comprising about 20% of the
 population, is native to a world that is largely digital and increasingly interconnected.
Based on initial research, two approaches are proposed for addressing the issues and
challenges facing youth when advancing their education and career.

Leveraging Trends in Technology to Reach Youth at a Broader Scale

According to Kantar Millward Brown Philippines, a leader in brand strategy consulting,

more than half of Gen Z uses the Internet throughout the day. About 80% are seeking
articles to read or videos to watch, indicating that they are hungry for information
(Ng 2017). This is reflective of the broader population of the Philippines, where
Internet penetration is now nearly 60%, and which ranks number one globally for time
spent on social media. Moreover, We Are Social reports that mobile internet
connections have improved considerably in many developing economies, and the
Philippines in particular has seen an impressive jump in average mobile connection
speeds (Kemp 2017).

These data point to a significant opportunity to meet Filipino youth where they are
online, and specifically on social media and through mobile devices. Taking this a step
further, innovative technology, through the use of data and analytics, is now enabling
internet users to have more personalized experiences, opening the potential for more
engaging discovery, or learning opportunities for students.

Creating an Ecosystem that Approaches Education to Employment from Various

Perspectives

ADB’s review of education outcomes in the Philippines reported that the Department
of Education has forged partnerships with private and business sectors in
implementing initiatives that have resulted in valuable contributions. Specifically, the
report recommends partnerships with successful businesses to develop a technical–
vocational curriculum that would give students better chances of being hired by
enterprises in their communities (Maligalig et al. 2010).

This example highlights that higher learning or career readiness should be

approached not only from the viewpoint of education. As students continue their
pursuit of degrees or certifications, there is also a growing need for input and insight
from other players who are vested in the next generation’s development. Early and
ongoing involvement is relevant not only for businesses but also for other public and
private institutions, comprising a holistic ecosystem that holds a common interest in
ensuring that Filipino students are adequately equipped to meet the challenges and
demands of the future.

Examples of Good Practices

Based on the two proposed approaches, harnessing technology and multi-stakeholder

involvement, three examples can be considered for successful implementation of
interventions targeted toward Filipino youth.
Creation of Online Platforms Supported by Offline Engagement

Recognizing that students are seeking information mainly online, digital destinations
where they can access comprehensive data on schools, courses, and careers would
provide significant benefit. Using technology, information available through the Internet
and other resources can be easily gathered and collated, creating a centralized
database that enables convenient searching and browsing. Schools can also play an
active role in this initiative by providing accurate and updated information that supports
students in making informed assessments of their options. Providing information
online can also be supplemented by in-person activities that would (i) build awareness
around the existence of these platforms as new information sources, (ii) create
connections between students and multiple stakeholders who can support them in
their education-to-career path, and (iii) reach and similarly support youth who may not
have easy access to the internet.

Promotion of Opportunities Addressing Affordability

As students seek scholarships and other options to finance their higher education,
sharing available opportunities online can increase awareness and access for a large
number of eligible students who would not have learned about them otherwise. In the
Philippines, there are countless benefactors including government agencies,
corporations, and foundations that aim to support scholars, and engaging them
through a shared and centralized online initiative could amplify reach and attract more
student candidates.

Development of Engaging Multimedia Content

Finally, issues around lack of information, access, and guidance can be addressed by
creating content that meets students online and on their preferred social media
channels such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. The ability to produce
articles, imagery, and video that speaks to this audience can help engage and
ultimately guide them on important decisions concerning education or career.
Multimedia content could then be strengthened and made more credible by
stakeholders who share expert advice and serve as positive influences for students
and future jobseekers.

Application of Practices

In the experience of Edukasyon.ph, an online technology platform that aims to

empower Filipino Gen Z youth to make better-informed choices about education,
career, and life decisions, the following initiatives have been implemented.
Development of Edukasyon.ph and Execution of School Fairs Across the
Philippines

Edukasyon.ph is an online platform that provides information on 13,000 schools,

20,000 courses, and 4,000 scholarships that senior high school and college students
across the Philippines can choose to pursue. For more than 700 educational partners,
locally and abroad the platform enables students to inquire and apply directly on the
platform, online, at no cost to the students. In 2018, Edukasyon.ph acquired the
website FindUniversity.ph, which similarly lists higher education institutes and
available academic programs across the country. By providing choice, access, and
convenience, Edukasyon.ph’s online platforms are now visited by 10 million students a
year. Students have actively engaged and benefited from its use, with more than
500,000 registered users, 600,000 monthly searches, and more than 85,000 monthly
inquires and applications coursed through the platform. With more than 70% of
students accessing the platform through mobile devices, Edukasyon.ph is adequately
designed and optimized for this audience.

In recent years, Edukasyon.ph has also implemented successful offline engagements

together with local government units, corporate partners, and media partners. In close
collaboration with the local Department of Education divisions across the country,
more than 30 school fairs nationwide have complemented the use of online platform,
reaching a total student population of more than 15,000 as of 2018. At each school
fair, students have gained relevant information on pursuing higher education
opportunities, scholarships, and knowledge to prepare them for future employment.

Launch of Project Layag Scholarship Platform

On addressing affordability, a common barrier for students, Edukasyon.ph in

partnership with De La Salle University Science Foundation launched Project Layag, a
nationwide online scholarship platform that democratizes access to financial support
for Filipino youth. In addition to the thousands of scholarships listed on Edukasyon.ph,
this targeted initiative provides added convenience by making certain scholarships
available for direct online application on the platform, at no cost to the student. Project
Layag is an ongoing effort to ensure that all existing scholarship opportunities are
accessible to eligible students through the website.

To date, more than 30 higher education institutions, foundations, and scholarship

providers, including Insular Life Foundation and the PHINMA Foundation, have been
integrated into the platform.

Implementation of Corporate-Partnered Campaigns

Involvement from reputable businesses, particularly through engaging multimedia

campaigns, has also been a recent focus of Edukasyon.ph to ensure that students can
access guidance on potential career paths and values that could help them succeed in
the future. The campaigns are equally aligned with the partners’ business objectives,
 allowing brand messaging to be seamlessly integrated with Edukasyon.ph content
categories that are co-created with its writers.

A collaboration with [24]7, a customer experience company, examined the business

process outsourcing industry by “debunking myths about call centers.” Through an
engaging online video campaign on Edukasyon.ph, students were able to understand
the professional demands and opportunities in these roles through the lens of
experienced experts in the field. For [24]7, Edukasyon.ph provided a wide-reaching
platform that boosted the company’s visibility as an industry leader and drove student
interest around its employee recruitment initiatives.

Another campaign developed in partnership with FWD Group, an insurance provider,

sought to engage Filipino youth around financial literacy with knowledge and skills to
promote sensible management of personal finances. Edukasyon.ph-led blog content
approached the topic through “signs of becoming an adult,” advising Gen Z readers
that growing up comes with important responsibilities, including banking and
budgeting, managing retirement funds, and preparing for the future overall.

Implications for the Future

With the availability of online resources targeted at Filipino youth, who are increasingly
turning to the Internet for answers, more can be done to inform and empower them. In
the case of online platforms like Edukasyon.ph, there is a significant opportunity to
raise awareness of educational options, especially as more doors are being opened
each day. This can extend to technical and vocational education and training, online
degrees and courses for lifelong learning, internships, or on-the-job training
opportunities, as well as additional tools for student financing, including loans.

In building an ecosystem in support of fruitful education-to-career paths, there is also

room for increased stakeholder participation. As industries and societies embrace
interconnectivity, they must also realize that youth is an important segment to invest
in, as they will be drivers of sustainability.

Finally, based on current trends, it can be expected that Gen Z will become even more
digital in the next 5 years and beyond. Increased Internet penetration in the future, if
not absolute, will require that all education-to-employment programs be designed as
digital first, and not merely as a secondary component of learning.

Conclusion

Although there is no quick solution to improving national education outcomes in the

Philippines, supplemental resources that leverage the digital youth culture and employ
multi-stakeholder approaches can be valuable tools. For technology platforms, a
unique benefit is the ability to track and harness data analytics and insights to better
understand what is working and what else can be done to achieve meaningful results.
 As existing models produce and replicate stories of success—from education to
employment to sustainable careers—more students will be motivated to make the right
choices for themselves, more stakeholders can be engaged to lend their support, and
the more extensive impact can be created for the Filipino youth.

Link to the presentation

material: https://events.development.asia/materials/20171212/edukasyonph.

References

1. Kemp, S. (2017). Special Reports. Digital in 2017: Global Overview. We Are

Social.Google Scholar

2. Ken Research. (2014). Philippines Education Market Outlook to 2018: Next Wave of
Growth Driven by Test Preparation, Teacher Training and Vocational Training
Segment.Google Scholar

3. Maligalig, D. S., Caoli-Rodriguez, R. B., Martinez, Jr., A., & Cuevas, C. (2010).
Education Outcomes in the Philippines. ADB Economics Working Paper Series No. 199.
Asian Development Bank, Manila.Google Scholar

4. Moya, J. R. A. (2018). Job-skills Mismatch in the Philippines and the advent of Industry
4.0. Employers Confederation of the Philippines.Google Scholar

5. Ng, J. (2017). Brands Get Ready: Gen Z Are Growing Up. Kantar Millward Brown
Philippines.Google Scholar

11 Things You Should Know About Filipino Culture

What is it about the Philippines that makes it different from the rest of the world? Well,
for one thing, it is all about their culture. Here are 11 things you should know about
Filipino culture that sets them apart from any other nation on the planet.

Filipinos are very resilient

In times of calamities and catastrophes, Filipinos always manage to rise above the
challenge. Instead of wallowing, they manage to pick themselves up and smile.

Filipinos take pride in their families

In the Philippines, it is family first. So whether you are part of the immediate family or
you belong to the third or fourth generation, you are treated as a family member.
Sometimes, even the closest of friends are considered family, too.
Filipinos are very religious

In all corners of a Filipino house, you can find brazen images of crosses and other
religious paraphernalia. They go to church every Sunday, or sometimes even twice or
three times a week.

Filipinos are very respectful

From the moment they are born into this world, they are already taught how to be
respectful by using these simple catchphrases—po and opo, words that end sentences
when addressing elders. They have a culture of pagmamano, which is where they raise
the backs of the hands of their elders to their foreheads as a sign of respect.

Filipinos help one another

More popularly known as bayanihan, Filipinos help one another—without expecting

anything in return—so that undertaking their tasks and responsibilities become much
easier. Sometimes this is called “community spirit.”

Filipinos value traditions and culture

For Filipinos, traditions in their home and in their family are important. They usually set
aside a specific day for a certain celebration like festivals, birthday parties, reunions,
etc. And of course, every gathering is dedicated to keeping up with each other over
sumptuous food.

Filipinos love to party

Yes, Filipinos love to hold celebrations and fiestas. Bacolod has its MassKara Festival,
Davao has its Kadayawan Festival, and Marinduque has its Moriones Festival.

Filipinos have the longest Christmas celebrations—ever

Even as early as August, you can hear Christmas songs and jingles being played in the
malls or in the restaurants in the Philippines. The mood becomes festive, with many
people shopping and in good spirits. Christmas celebrations last until around the first or
second week of January.
Filipinos love to eat

Aside from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Filipinos manage to squeeze in a little meal in
between, too. Whether they eat every hour or every three hours, they savour every bite.
Oh, and they do love going to buffets!

Filipinos love to sing

This is the reason why karaoke has become so prevalent. As part of their recreation,
Filipinos spend some quality time with their families or friends singing or belting out new
and old songs.

Filipinos love art and architecture

Just look at the massive and tall buildings everywhere. Filipinos have a penchant for
bringing art and architecture to a whole new level. They love to design creatively, to
think intuitively, and have a passion for anything different and unique.