Glenn de los Reyes Social Science

B.S. in Civil Engineering Module 1 Assignment

ETEEAP-MSUEF

1. What are examples of social norms in the Philippines? Can Norms be maldaptive?

Utang na Loob

Utang na Loob: Utang na Loob, or Debt of Gratitude, is owed by one to a person

who has helped him through the trials he had undergone. There is a local saying: 'Ang

hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan', meaning, 'One

who does not look back to where he started, will not get to where he is going'. 

o Amor Propio: Concern for self image.

o Delicadeza: Sense of honor

o Palabra de Honor: "word of honor"

“Utang na loob” in the context of enlightened loyalty. There are Filipinos who are

able to look at “utang na loob” as a social concept without having to be blind to the limits

of loyalty. They appreciate the meaning of “utang na loob” as a moral concept, but it

does not mean that they will give up the higher set of principles that they value for the

sake of family, friendships, and community loyalty.“Utang na loob” may be invoked by

some people to demand favors from someone, for the right or wrong reasons. One is

free to return the favor or not, but must take the risk of “burning his bridges”. Social

conformity in Filipino culture is valued (the term “pakikisama” captures this virtue), and

one has to face the possibility of being ostracized for not being loyal. This is the

immediate drawback.In the end, it is a choice between social conformity and one’s

valued principles. ”

2. Choose a current issue in the Philippines, how is social influenced played out in this particular issue? Cite negative and positive consequences of social influence in this relation to issue?

Vice President Jejomar Binay Plunder Case

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Vice President Jejomar Binay has been accused of plunder in relation

to an over-priced multi-million-peso New Makati City Parking building contract.

In a 9-page complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, Renato L. Bondal and Nicolas "Ching"

Enciso VI accused Binay of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in relation to the Anti-

Plunder Law.

They said the contract for the parking building – described in the complaint as “the most expensive

parking building in the entire country, if not the entire world” – was supposed to have amounted to only

P245.56 million but was overpriced by more than P1.314 billion. The final contract price was pegged at

P1.56 billion.

The chosen current issue is all about the current politics of the Philippines, where

Vice President Binay is being accused of plunder by his possible opponents or

oppositions of Philippine political parties as hearing is held in the senate. With regards

to social influence, in my opinion the hearing is seemed to be politically motivated as the

accused is the contender for next election presidency. A negative implication is that

hearing seemed also to come personally attacking each other in which other related

individuals are affected.