Philippine Association for the Sociology of Religion Journal
The PASR Journal, is an open access journal that publishes research journal articles bi-annually. Articles published in this journal are peer-reviewed. It is handled by the PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION FOR THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION, a scholarly, non-political, and non-profit academic association. This Journal Publication accepts articles with multidisciplinary interests related to sociology of religion.
Intersecting Spiritual and Emotional Intelligence-Competencies in the Moryonan Lenten Tradition of Marinduque: A Content Analysis
Popular devotional practices and traditions are among the few expressions of religiosity that can foster people's faith, strengthen relational bonds, and serve as avenues for advancing social development among the Catholic faithful. Religious experience involves the raw data of sensory perception, feelings, and emotions. It is the foundation from which all human understanding begins, prompting the human mind to ask: What is it? Life precedes theology. This paper aims to describe the Moryonan Lenten practices of Marinduque devotees and …to deepen the understanding of their personal experiences and consciousness, interpreted through sociological principles of solidarity, cultural capital, and social reproduction. It attempts to employ the psychological competencies of spiritual and emotional intelligences to come to grips with the devotees’ consciousness and inner sense in dealing with their empirical reality and perspective, especially in the performance of their “panata” (sacred vow). Employing a phenomenological research design of interpretation, the author will attempt to elaborate on the depth and complexity of the Moryons’ religious experiences and the phenomenon of the Moryonan Lenten rites of Marinduque.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ulysses Parado (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Cultural Heritage, Family Enterprise, and Social Reproduction: A Phenomenological Study of Minasa Store Owners in Bustos, Bulacan
The study examines the Minasa business enterprises in the town of Bustos, Bulacan. The store owners emphasize that their locally made Minasa comes into a preservation of practices where the food processing techniques are traditionally done through artisanal skills where it showcases the cultural love and traditional consistency of the store owners and Minasa production in Bustos. The phenomenological approach is the research design used in this study which focuses on the lived experiences of the Minasa store owners which cater the full support in cultural preservation and utilization of authentic characteristics of their manufacturing for the best Minasa. Five (5) participants were interviewed and selected through purposive sampling to give their full knowledge and expertise to this study. Aside from using the online platform and machinery traditional Minasa food processing remains the best method for producing the authentic structure of Minasa cookies. The original recipe in doing the Minasa is sago and replaced it with cassava flour, when the plantation and the production of these ingredients are decreasing. The problem with skilled people hiring in this business to produce this Minasa is a dilemma for them and the rising of the ingredients cost that may suffer the quality of their products. Participating in the annual Bustos Minasa festival is a big factor for the increase in sales of the Minasa store owners which showcase their brands of products, and they make met the business. The findings reveal that the business enterprise in Minasa is preserving the cultural heritage and traditional accepted method in food processing of Minasa cookies, the Minasa enterprise is majority founded with family to sustain their needs and standards of living. Their lived experiences and stories from their line of interviews provides resiliency and cultural continuity and identity when people come and visit Bustos. This is a profound testament of Filipino for their unwavering commitments and workmanships in the food processing identity. Cultural capital theory is a non-financial asset that helps people succeed in society. Cultural resources help individuals gain status and succeed in society, often passing down through families, reinforcing social inequality. These assets shape how individuals are perceived, navigate social institutions and their ability to succeed in education in the workplace. In addition, Durkheim’s Social Solidarity is evident in the collective participation of store owners in the Bustos Minasa Festival, strengthening community bonds; Weber’s Social Action Theory explains the owners’ rational choices in balancing tradition with modern technology; and Marx’s Social Reproduction Theory highlights how family enterprises perpetuate cultural and economic practices across generations, ensuring continuity of heritage and livelihood.
Copyright (c) 2026 Romar C. Ignacio, MTE, John Marco, MITM, Amor Lazaro (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Autonomous Freedom in Modern Liberalism’s Anthropological Project: A Theological Critique in the Light of the Incarnation
This article offers an expository and analytical study of modern liberalism by examining its meaning, socio-political foundations, and economic structures. Rather than approaching liberalism solely as a political arrangement or policy framework, the study treats it as a developing anthropological and moral vision that shapes modern understandings of freedom, autonomy, and the human person. First, the study clarifies the meaning of modern liberalism by tracing its conceptual development from classical liberalism to its modern forms, highlighting its defining commitments to individual autonomy, state neutrality, and pluralism. Durkheim’s principle of social solidarity is recalled here, showing how liberalism’s emphasis on autonomy weakens collective moral bonds once sustained by religion. Second, modern liberalism is situated within its socio-political context, examining its emergence from the collapse of religious authority, the fragmentation of moral consensus, and the liberal state’s attempt to manage diversity through procedural neutrality. Weber’s notion of social action is contrasted with liberalism, which redefines human purpose away from transcendent vocation toward secular autonomy, reshaping the meaning of freedom in modern society. The third part analyzes the economic foundations of modern liberalism, focusing on the anthropological assumptions embedded in liberal economics, the role of market logic in reinforcing autonomous freedom, and the ways economic liberalism contributes to moral and social fragmentation. Methodologically, the study employs a historical-conceptual and interdisciplinary approach, drawing from political philosophy, social theory, and economic thought to present a coherent exposition of modern liberalism as a unified project rather than a collection of isolated ideas. The article is primarily descriptive and analytical, aiming to clarify the internal logic and development of modern liberalism before any normative or theological evaluation is undertaken. By exposing the underlying assumptions about freedom, reason, and the human person that unite its political and economic dimensions, the study prepares the ground for further theological reflection on the adequacy of modern liberalism as a moral framework in contemporary society.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ms. Mariel B. Blanza (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Table, the Altar, and the Dance: A Comparative Ethnography of Festive Kinship in Cebu, Naga, and Obando within the Sociology of Religion Pillars
This study investigates the inseparability of the Filipino fiesta and the sociology of the urban family, framing the analysis within the PASR Journal’s guiding pillars of resilience, spirituality, values, and sustainability. Through a comparative visual ethnography of the Sinulog of Cebu, the Peñafrancia of Naga, and the Fertility Rites of Obando, the researcher examines how these rituals function as mechanisms for kinship cohesion and social reproduction. The methodology combines the lead researcher’s high-intensity participant observation (Sinulog and Obando) with a 12-day longitudinal immersion by a research assistant (Naga). Drawing on Durkheim’s concept of “Collective Effervescence” and Putnam’s theory of “Social Capital,” the paper argues that the fiesta cycle functions as a “Social Eucharist,” redistributing communal resources, sustaining cultural resilience, and mitigating urban alienation. Findings reveal that the movement of sacred images—from linear translación to rhythmic dance—mirrors the family’s navigation between tradition and modernity, embodying lived spirituality, values-driven kinship, and sustainable cultural practices central to the sociology of religion.
Copyright (c) 2026 Esmeralda Sanchez (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The History and Theology of Mary’s Title as Mother of the Church: A Sociology of Religion Perspective through Durkheim and Weber
Pope Francis, on February 11, 2018, decreed that an ancient devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title “Mother of the Church,” be inserted into the Roman Calendar and be celebrated annually on the Monday after Pentecost. The inclusion of this feast highlights the importance of Mary’s maternal role in the mystery of the Church and renewed reflection on the meaning and implications of this Marian title. This study employs historical-theological research to trace the development of Mary’s title as Mother of the Church and examines its significance in the contemporary life of the Church. In presenting the said theme, the discussion is structured into these three major themes: first, the Historical Development of Mary’s Title as Mother of the Church, which traces its emergence from early Christian writings to the Second Vatican Council; second, Biblical and Theological Foundations by exploring the scriptural and doctrinal basis for Mary’s maternal role; and third, Maternal Presence in the Life of the Church by examining post-Vatican II documents, devotions and Marian shrines that illustrate her ongoing guidance in the Church. This title of the Blessed Virgin Mary encourages the growth of the maternal sense of the Church in the pastors, religious, and faithful. Through the promotion of this title, the invocation to Mary seeks to foster among the faithful the growth of genuine Marian piety. This reflection is further enriched by Durkheim’s notion of the collective conscience, which situates Marian devotion as a unifying moral force within the Church, and Weber’s concept of vocational calling, which frames Mary’s maternal presence as inspiring the faithful toward lived responsibility and service. These sociological insights deepen the understanding of how the Marian title functions not only theologically but also socially in shaping communal identity and religious practice.
Copyright (c) 2026 Andrew Joseph Chanco (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Understanding the Practice of Catholic Social Teaching: Towards an Integration to College Religious Education of Sta. Teresa College
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) constitutes one of the fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church that guides the faithful in living according to Gospel values. This study seeks to examine the extent to which college students at Sta. Teresa College, Bauan, Batangas practice Catholic Social Teaching as articulated in the ten principles identified by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace. Using a quantitative descriptive research design, the study assessed the frequency of students’ practice of CST through the Alay Kapwa Spirituality Scale, a 100-item six-point Likert instrument. Stratified random sampling was employed to select 323 respondents across year levels who were enrolled in Religious Education courses. Data were analyzed using weighted mean to determine the level of practice of each principle. Findings revealed that students generally demonstrate a “frequent” level of practice of Catholic Social Teaching. However, several dimensions reflected comparatively lower levels of practice, indicating areas that require greater emphasis and formation. These results suggest the need for more focused educational and pastoral interventions to strengthen students’ understanding and lived application of CST within the context of Catholic higher education.
Copyright (c) 2026 Renniel Jayson Jacinto Rosales (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Technology in Theology: Comparative Analysis of A.I. Academic Integrity Policies in Faith-Based Education Syllabi through Durkheim’s Theory of Moral Regulation
This study analyzed different AI policy guidelines reflected in syllabi of faith-based education in higher education in order to come up with recommended policies addressing digital equity and the requirements for ethical disclosure of AI use in an academic instruction setting. The study used a Qualitative Multi-Document Analysis approach on selected faith-based syllabi from a mix of sectarian universities and colleges to extract explicit AI statements, academic integrity clauses, and assignment instructions from the 2025–2026 academic years. Thematic lenses related to regulatory, pedagogical, and theological notions were applied for the study’s analytical framework. Drawing on Durkheim’s theory of moral regulation, the study emphasized that institutional policies on AI serve not only as technical guidelines but also as collective norms that preserve ethical order, spiritual values, and the integrity of human-centered mentoring. The study concluded that integrating AI into faith-based education syllabi requires a carefully crafted policy approach that balances technological efficiency with the preservation of ethical and spiritual values. This study proposed five research-based public AI policy recommendations for faith-based syllabi in congruence with UNESCO’s AI guidelines, frameworks from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and De La Salle University’s Policy for Generative AI in Education.
Copyright (c) 2026 Venicris M. Alonsozana, EdD (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Revitalizing Traditional Salt Farming in Cavite: A 7Ps Marketing Mix and Sociology of Religion Approach to Sustainability, Values, and Community
This study explores the current state of the salt-making industry in Cavite, focusing on the remaining salterns in Kawit and Noveleta. Employing a descriptive quantitative design, data were collected from 150 respondents composed of salt farmers, their families, residents, and government officials. A validated self-made questionnaire structured around the 7Ps marketing mix framework was utilized to assess demographic profiles and market conditions. Statistical tools such as percentages, frequency distributions, and mean scores were applied to analyze responses and identify significant differences and relationships across demographic groups. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents were older, male, married, and earning low monthly incomes, reflecting an aging and economically vulnerable workforce. Respondents agreed that poor infrastructure, inconsistent pricing, limited product diversity, and reliance on traditional methods hinder industry growth. Seasonal dependence on dry weather and climate change impacts, including flooding and unpredictable rainfall, further exacerbate production challenges. Integrating principles from the sociology of religion, the study highlights how salt farming traditions are embedded in local rituals, communal values, and collective identity. Religious practices and cultural beliefs surrounding salt—as a symbol of purity, preservation, and livelihood—reinforce social cohesion and resilience. These symbolic meanings provide moral legitimacy to sustaining the industry despite economic decline. Significant differences in assessments were observed across demographic categories, underscoring diverse stakeholder perspectives. The study concludes that Cavite’s salt industry faces systemic decline due to urbanization, regulatory burdens, and lack of modernization. However, opportunities exist through targeted promotional strategies, infrastructure development, and government support. Recommendations include leveraging social media and salt tourism, improving quality control, introducing modern saltern technologies, and recognizing the role of cultural-religious values in sustaining production. By applying both the 7Ps framework and sociology of religion principles, this research provides a holistic strategic plan aimed at revitalizing Cavite’s salt industry, ensuring cultural preservation, spiritual meaning, and economic sustainability for future generations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jamie Abad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Revisiting the K-12 Reform in the Philippines: Stakeholder Satisfaction, Challenges, and Sociological-Philosophical Insights on Values, Lived Experiences, and Educational Transformation
The K–12 Curriculum Reform in the Philippines presented a significant education transformation designed to improve educational quality, strengthen employability, enhance global competitiveness, and promote holistic learner development in a rapidly changing global landscape. It also emphasized the integration of values education, spirituality, and social studies to nurture morally upright, socially responsible, culturally aware, and spiritually grounded individuals who can actively contribute to national development and global citizenship (Republic Act No. 11476, 2020). Anchored in the sociology of education and sociology of religion, this study analyzed stakeholders’ satisfaction and lived experiences, framed by philosophical inquiries into values and educational transformation, experienced challenges, and sociological insights on the transformation to evaluate how global reform ideals satisfied the program implementation and local educational realities. Using a descriptive research design, google form survey data were gathered from teachers, students, parents, school administrators, and industry representatives. Using a descriptive research design, google form survey data were gathered from teachers, students, parents, school administrators, and industry representatives. Mean and frequency results revealed positive levels of satisfaction among school-based stakeholders, particularly teachers and school administrators. However, findings identified challenges in infrastructure, socio-economic pressures, and values integration, particularly in aligning curriculum with industry expectations, teacher preparedness, and religious education’s role in holistic formation on families and alignment gaps, that is between curriculum, industry expectations and teacher’s preparedness. Notably, industry stakeholders expressed comparatively lower level of satisfaction, indicating gaps between intended learning outcomes and market demands. The challenges experienced highlighted urgent priorities in enhanced learning resources, stronger employability alignment, and strengthened curriculum and teacher capacity. Notably, the strongest recommendation was to revisit the program’s implementation, ensuring resilience, values-driven refinement, and integration of spirituality and philosophical inquiry in curriculum development, signaling a call for strategic review of the K-12 reform under Republic Act No. 10533, a clear call for strategic refinement and responsive improvement of the Department of Education.
Copyright (c) 2026 Editha De Regla (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Communication Theology and Synodality: A Sociological Reflection on the Digital Evangelization Challenges and Opportunities for the Catholic Church in Vietnam Today
This study examines the direction of the Catholic Church’s digital evangelization in Vietnam, situating its pastoral mission within both theological and sociological frameworks. Digital evangelization, through the use of the internet, social media, and online platforms, extends the Church’s mandate of preaching Christ not only to the faithful but also to wider Vietnamese society. To be effective, this pastoral approach must engage with Vietnam’s socio-cultural realities, including youth culture, technological adoption, and the pluralism of modern Vietnamese life. The analysis employs communication theology and synodality as guiding lenses, emphasizing that evangelization must be dialogical, participatory, and responsive to the lived experiences of communities. Synodal communication theology underscores shared responsibility and collective discernment, aligning evangelization with the Universal Church’s thrust toward inclusivity and co-responsibility. From a sociological perspective, digital evangelization is understood as a form of social integration, fostering community participation and bridging generational divides. Findings highlight that digital evangelization is most effective when it engages sociological realities such as generational shifts, the role of youth in shaping online discourse, and the marginalization of peripheries who rely on digital spaces for connection. The study concludes that synodal approaches, informed by sociological principles of community participation and cultural adaptation, render digital evangelization both relevant and sustainable. Recommendations include strengthening youth-focused digital ministries, fostering online spaces for dialogue and solidarity, and integrating local cultural narratives into evangelization strategies. By bridging theology and sociology, the study affirms that digital evangelization in Vietnam is not merely a technical adaptation but a transformative pastoral response to contemporary social realities.
Copyright (c) 2026 Minh Nguyen (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Beyond the Classroom Walls: A Phenomenological Study on Teachers’ Interrelationships, Work-Life Balance, and Sociological Perspectives
This study described the lived experiences of public secondary school teachers in General Trias, Cavite, highlighting how sociology of religion theories frame their professional interrelationships and work–life balance. Drawing from Durkheim’s collective conscience, teachers’ shared values and solidarity within the school community are vital in sustaining resilience. Weber’s notion of vocational calling illuminated how teaching is perceived as both a profession and a moral duty, shaping teachers’ commitment despite challenges. Meanwhile, Berger’s sacred canopy provides insight into how religious and spiritual frameworks influence meaning-making in balancing personal and professional demands. Guided by the phenomenological approach, the study involved five (5) public secondary school teachers. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and analyzed thematically by identifying significant statements, formulating meanings, and clustering these into themes. Results reveal that teachers experience work–life balance as a dynamic and evolving process shaped by workplace conditions, religiously informed values, symbolic meanings, and collective practices. They encountered challenges such as heavy workload, emotional demands of teaching, and difficulty in maintaining boundaries between work and personal life. Despite these challenges, teachers showed resilience by developing coping strategies, seeking support from colleagues and school leaders, and gradually adjusting to the demands of their profession. The study concluded that work–life balance among teachers emerges as a continuous process shaped by sociological and religious dynamics of role negotiation, collective solidarity, and vocational meaning. These findings emphasize the importance of supportive leadership, collaborative school environments, and responsive institutional practices in promoting teacher well-being.
work–life balance, teachers, phenomenology, professional interrelationships, teacher well-being.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jose Jr. Monto (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Novice Teachers as Emerging Voices: Classroom Practices and Learner Engagement Strategies in the Educational Recovery
Educational recovery following large-scale disruption, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, required teachers to address challenges that extend beyond academic instruction, situated within social science and sociological perspectives on education and values. This qualitative descriptive study examined how novice teachers navigated classroom realities during this recovery period, emphasizing their lived experiences and guided by philosophical inquiry into values, spirituality, and professional growth, with particular attention to classroom management, learner engagement, instructional adjustment, and professional support. Guided by Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, the study involved six novice teachers from public and private schools in the Philippines with three to five years of teaching experience. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews and focus group discussions and analyzed thematically. The findings identified three interconnected areas of experience that resonate with religious education and sociology of religion: learner struggles with motivation and attention, teachers’ adaptive practices integrating emotional and spiritual dimensions, and peer collaboration as a resilient support system. Overall, the study presents novice teachers as educators who develop professional knowledge through lived experiences rather than deficiency, offering sociological and spiritual insights to strengthen school leadership, shape recovery-responsive policies, and design teacher education programs that emphasize values, reflection, and experiential learning.
Copyright (c) 2026 Allysha Miguella Latayan, Rowel T. San Sebastian (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Lived Experience of New School Administrators: Sociological, Socio-Religious, and Philosophical Insights from Public Elementary Schools in Biñan City
This study explored the lived experiences of new school administrators in public elementary schools within the City Schools Division of Biñan City, situating their leadership within sociological, socio-religious, and philosophical contexts of Philippine public education. It sought to describe how novice principals transitioned from classroom teaching to school leadership, navigating challenges and coping strategies while integrating values formation, perspectives from religious education, and community expectations shaped by local faith traditions. Guided by a phenomenological approach, the study involved newly appointed school heads who had served for less than five years. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed thematically by identifying significant statements, formulating meanings, and clustering these into themes. The findings revealed that new school administrators experienced a combination of excitement and apprehension as they assumed leadership roles. Beyond the typical administrative demands, they navigated expectations to model ethical behavior, promote values formation, and sustain harmonious relationships, reflecting theological-spiritual dimensions of moral leadership embedded in socio-religious norms. They faced key challenges, including managing time and workload, gaining acceptance from senior teachers, and balancing administrative and instructional responsibilities alongside their perceived role as moral leaders in the school community. Despite these difficulties, they demonstrated resilience by seeking guidance from mentors, engaging in professional development, and fostering collaboration among teachers, while also grounding their leadership practices in shared values and community-oriented principles. The study concluded that leadership in the Philippine public school context is not only a professional undertaking but also a moral, sociological, and philosophically reflective journey of learning, values integration, and service. The findings highlight the importance of mentoring and sustained professional support that integrates ethical leadership and values-based formation to strengthen leadership development among novice school heads.
Copyright (c) 2026 Danise Joy Matienzo, Gladiolus M. Gatdula (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Religiosity and Cultural Diversity Awareness Among College Students in Mindanao
This study explored the link between religiosity and cultural diversity awareness among Filipino college students enrolled in a state college in Mindanao. A descriptive–correlational design was used, with data collected from first to third-year students through adapted and validated survey instruments. These tools measured both religious beliefs and practices, as well as students’ awareness, and sensitivity toward cultural differences. Findings showed that respondents generally reported a high level of religiosity and a very high level of cultural diversity awareness. Correlation analysis revealed a significant moderate positive relationship between the two variables, suggesting that students who are more engaged in their faith also tend to demonstrate greater respect and openness toward peers from different cultural backgrounds. The results indicate that religiosity may encourage values such as empathy, moral responsibility, and inclusiveness, which are essential in a multicultural campus environment. The study underscores the constructive role of religious orientation in fostering cultural understanding and harmonious interactions among students. These insights may help higher education institutions design programs that integrate religious formation with multicultural education to promote inclusive campus communities.
Copyright (c) 2025 Glenford Franca, Iris Miranda, Aldwin Miranda (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Exploring the Transformative Effects of Spiritual Retreat and Recollection Activities on Senior College Students
This study examined graduating students’ perceptions of retreat and recollection activities through the lens of Symbolic Interactionism and Structural Functionalism. The focus was on how structured reflection helps them re-evaluate their values, relationships, and readiness for life after graduation, which aligns with the interactionist perspective's emphasis on how individuals create meaning through social interaction and self-awareness. Using a descriptive-comparative design, the study employed the Retreat and Recollection Perception Scale (RRPS), an instrument with four domains: Self-Perception and Personal Reflection, Values and Purpose, Relationships and Community, and Moving Forward. The instrument was found to be both valid and reliable. Data were gathered from 256 graduating students who participated the activity. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and group comparison tests. Results showed a very high overall mean score, indicating that the retreat activity was perceived as meaningful and transformative. Students reported greater self-understanding, stronger values, improved relationships, and more optimism about the future. This supports the functionalist view that education and related activities serve a key function in transmitting core societal values and fostering social cohesion and integration. A significant difference was observed by age, with younger students giving higher ratings, while gender, religion, and institute showed no significant variation. These findings affirm that retreats foster holistic development and inclusivity, highlighting their role in preparing students emotionally, socially, and spiritually for life after college, thereby facilitating a smoother transition into adult roles as described in Transition Theory.
Copyright (c) 2025 Edel Quinn Casis, Glenford Franca, Abdullah Mangulayon, Jona Jean Delos Santos, Aldwin Miranda (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A Jesus-centered values education theory and method offers a uniquely inclusive framework that transcends the relativism of cultural and religious pluralism. Unlike pluralistic approaches that affirm inclusivity by embracing all cultures and religions as equally valid, a Jesus-centered approach grounds inclusivity in the universal and unifying historical truth of Jesus’ life and teachings. This anchors values in human reality that invites scrutiny. Jesus, a revered figure in major religions embraced diversity while fostering unity based on love for neighbor as one loves oneself, affirming common values of humanity, love, justice, and peace. Such inclusivity is holistic; integrating spiritual, moral, and communal dimensions, in a way that empowers individuals from all backgrounds to flourish together under a unifying moral vision that transcends cultural divisions without negating their particularities. Jesus-centered values education affirms truth-seeking as a supreme value, that at the same time serves to critique and affirm cultures towards universally acceptable postulates.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lily Apura (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Ecological Crisis as a Moral Crisis: A Thomistic Reflection on Environmental Issues
This essay presents a theological reflection that demonstrates how the global ecological crisis is, in fact, a moral crisis in light of St. Thomas Aquinas' theological treatises on the natural moral law and the common good. It will assert two fundamental theological assumptions: (1) that the created world, which God created and through which God makes himself known and can be known, is naturally governed by order to serve the common good for all other creatures, including man, and; (2) that man, as a microcosm, is divinely mandated to care for the planet, and is likewise morally responsible and accountable before God if he fails to true to this fundamental vocation. To demonstrate this, the present work will be divided into three main parts. First, the intersection between theology and ecology should be established, as the planet – our "common home" – serves both a natural and supernatural revelatory function in relation to the will of God. Secondly, it will briefly present pertinent data that describe the planet's current state, as well as the historical development of the crisis in question. This will somehow include the pastoral teachings of the Church regarding the environment and the ecological crisis (i.e., Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical Laudato Si' and the pastoral letters of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines). Thirdly, the principles of Aquinas on the natural moral law and the common good will be presented to demonstrate that this crisis and its causal factors primarily and grossly violate the will of God.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ted Patrick Tuvera (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Integrating Spirituality into Athlete Care: Enhancing Holistic Well-being through Theological Approaches
While athlete care has historically paid great attention to physical health, performance enhancement, and psychological resilience, little attention is given to the spiritual dimension, considering that this is also a critical component of overall human well-being. In this study, I make a case for incorporating spirituality into the care of athletes from a theological perspective that seeks to cultivate mental, emotional, and physical resilience. I aim to investigate whether faith-based practices help sustain athletes and mitigate moral dilemmas. Furthermore, by citing historical and recent examples, I will also illustrate how faith-based mindfulness practices, spiritual mentorship, and community can help enhance a player's mental health, ultimately leading to improved performance. Tools such as centering prayer, lectio divina, and spiritual journal practices are examined through a theological framework to explore their impact on optimal attentional focus, emotional regulation, and coping in the student-athlete. Moreover, this study also suggests a structured spiritual module range for student-athletes, encompassing regularity and disciplinary areas related to typical exercise, along with peer support and exercises that promote ethical decision-making, thereby creating an environment conducive to personal/professional growth. This interdisciplinary paper proposes an integrative model for athlete care that merges theological reflections and sports science to provide coaches, psychologists, and pastoral caregivers with salient guidelines.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hansson Labisig (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Social Theories in Climate Change: An Analysis of the Agricultural Productivity of Farmers in the Municipality of Bustos
The Philippines is an agricultural country where farm products are vital to economic growth and food security. From a Structural Functionalist perspective, the Philippines' agricultural sector serves as a critical subsystem for maintaining societal equilibrium and food security, yet this stability is currently undermined by environmental dysfunctions. Using Social Ecology theory, the vulnerability of arrowroot and rice farmers in Bustos, Bulacan highlights the precarious relationship between human labor and a volatile climate, where extreme weather events disrupt the traditional "metabolic rift" between rural production and national consumption. Human Capital Theory suggests that while farmers possess indigenous knowledge, a "knowledge gap" in climate-resilient crop selection and information dissemination limits their adaptive capacity and threatens their socioeconomic survival. Moving forward, Risk Society theory explains that agricultural instability is no longer just a natural occurrence but a manufactured risk requiring institutional intervention to prevent total systemic collapse of food stability. This study employed descriptive research to examine the impacts of climate change on agriculture. Findings indicate that climate change has adverse effects on farm yields. Important predictors include farmers’ training, knowledge, awareness of global warming, preparation levels, and access to climate-related information. However, two critical areas remain underemphasized: proper selection of climate-resilient crop varieties and effective dissemination of climate change information to farming communities. The practical implication of this research is clear: rice and arrowroot production are increasingly vulnerable to climate variability, leading to reduced supply and potential threats to food stability in the Philippines.
Copyright (c) 2025 Romar C. Ignacio, MTE (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A Framework for Understanding Thanatourism Motivation and Behavior in Corregidor Island: Basis for Strategic Intervention Programs
This article examined how visitor attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, core components of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), correlate with demographic characteristics to influence the behavioral intention to engage in Thanatourism. It aimed to analyze and contrast the distinct motivations, expectations, experiences, demographic differences and correlations of visitors using this theory for understanding why people visit dark tourism sites like Corregidor and how they behave there, focusing on motivations and behavior. Using data from 75 respondents at Corregidor Island, the findings can be interpreted through the Push-Pull theory of tourism motivation, which posits that people are driven by internal forces (push factors) and attracted by external attributes of a destination (pull factors). The results indicate that "learning and understanding history" and "curiosity" served as primary push motivations, while the island's historical and cultural significance were strong pull factors. Tourists rated unique learning experiences (4.10), casual interest (3.93), and engaging entertainment (3.87) as important motivators, while "dark experiences" were rated as neutral (2.96). These key findings indicate that while motivations are diverse, they shift with age towards historical understanding and differ based on visitor origin. The research concludes that these motivations are complex, diverse, context-dependent, and shaped by a mix of personal and demographic factors.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jamie Abad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Human Rights in the Time of Pandemic: Policies, Transgressions, and Opportunities
The Corona Virus Disease – 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted the perceived order of societies on a global scale. This extraordinary public health emergency exposed the vulnerabilities of peoples and institutions, particularly the fragility of the social order and existing inequalities, as highlighted by conflict theory. As a response, governments initiated containment measures to secure the well-being of their citizens. These policies represent a societal effort toward restoring equilibrium and maintaining essential social functions in the face of crisis. This study examines the responses of the Philippine government using a structural functional analysis (positivism) of the policies related to the pandemic. This approach views society as a system with interdependent parts that work together to ensure its survival, where policies serve a specific function in maintaining social stability. The Siracusa Principles were used to enhance the functional evaluation of the laws that were crafted. Phenomenology, a micro-sociological approach, was used to treat the experiential inferences, emphasizing the lived experiences and subjective interpretations of the pandemic by individuals. A structured interview schedule was devised to generate responses from the medical frontliners and the Philippine National Police, key actors whose roles and interactions were dramatically reshaped by the crisis. The City of Manila and Quezon City were considered as study sites. The results of the study examined the policies that sought to address the health crisis as well as its corresponding legislative counterparts in the local government relative to planning, aids, and funding, illustrating how various social structures adapted to perform their necessary functions in a time of widespread disruption.
Copyright (c) 2025 Frederick Rey (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Exegesis on John 2:1-11: The Wedding at Cana: Interpreting the Miracles in Our Life
The passage of the wedding at Cana is a unique Gospel passage, which can only be seen in the Gospel of St. John. In reading such a passage, we can see how Jesus did his first miracle – turning water into wine. Such a scene in the Gospel shows the drama of a mother and a son, showing the parental authority of Mary to Jesus. In the same manner, this passage is full of emotions since there is a wedding feast, Mary is there assisting the servants, and Jesus replied to Mary, which seems to be a kind of hostility. Though Jesus is already with some disciples, we can see how he performed a miracle, showing his divinity, and at the same time, following her mother’s request, which shows his humanity. At first glance, we can say that there is a hesitation in Jesus’ side when it comes to the request of Mary, but there is also an internal force, which made Jesus follow his mother’s request. Jesus’ disciples saw the miracle. Jesus obeyed his mother, and the servants saw what happened. The host was grateful for having the best wine. These emotions manifest multiple events that happened in a single event in the Gospel. Thus, St. John’s Gospel can be said to be full of signs and unique events on the portrayal of the life of Jesus.
Copyright (c) 2025 Renniel Jayson Jacinto Rosales (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Forging Souls for the Beta Generation: Reconstructing Values-Based Education in the Algorithmic Age
This article, adapted from a keynote address prepared and delivered to the educational community by the authors, explores the critical challenges and imperatives in shaping the character and instilling values within the "Beta Generation"—children growing up fully immersed in the digital and algorithmic environment. Drawing on expertise in the digital economy and referencing contemporary technological trends in China and global research, the paper identifies four major "Digital Fault Lines" in values-based education: Cognitive Fragmentation, Empathy Erosion, Moral Fog, and Cultural Archipelagos. Sociologically, these fractures are understood as manifestations of rapid social change and technological determinism, which disrupt established agents of socialization (family, school) and challenge the existing moral order (Durkheim’s concept of anomie) by creating new forms of digital inequality and social isolation. The study argues that the observed Empathy Erosion, for instance, reflects a breakdown in social cohesion necessary for maintaining a functional society. It then proposes an architectural reconstruction of four essential pillars—Depth Over Velocity, Woven Empathy, Moral Calisthenics, and Coded Conscience—to transform these fractures into foundations for Authentic Intelligence. The article argues that addressing these challenges is not merely an educational concern, but a strategic imperative vital for the future of human flourishing and the preservation of collective consciousness through the responsible transmission of ancestral virtue.
Copyright (c) 2025 Xiaoming Yi, Venicris Alonsozana (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Towards Inclusive Disability Theology: A Critical Analysis in the Context of the Vision of Synodality
While Disability Theology seeks to address the real and urgent challenges faced by persons with disability, important aspects often remain overlooked. While Disability Theology critically examines the social, structural, and ecclesial exclusion of persons with disability, it can sometimes neglect and even be antagonistic toward other experiences and perspectives that are incongruent or even connected to disability, resulting in a somewhat exclusive and limited theological stance. This gap and other emerging concerns call for a more inclusive and holistic approach to Disability Theology, which embraces not only the welfare of persons with disability but also the fullness of humanity by its vision, affirming the dignity and participation of all individuals regardless of ability. Employing the thematic analysis in the light of the ecclesial principle of synodality, this article contends that Disability Theology must present a hopeful and promising vision that is genuinely inclusive, participatory, and reflective of the entire Body of Christ. Based on review of relevant literature on disability from various perspectives to assess its inclusivity and examining whether the current model of Disability Theology is genuinely inclusive, it is lacking. Consequently, for Disability Theology to address the phenomenon of disability adequately, it must incorporate Pope Francis’ synodal approach and content. This endeavor is significant in enhancing the existing model of Disability Theology, steering it toward a more inclusive framework.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ser Allan Bodoraya (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Pro Tutela Fidei: St. Paul of Chartres's Missionary Zeal during the American Colonization of the Philippines(1904–1946)
The United States’ benevolent assimilation of the Philippines in the 1898 Treaty of Paris led to a huge backlash against the three centuries of Hispanic Catholicism in the country. Consequently, Protestant missionaries and the Aglipayans flourished in the archipelago while a huge number of Filipinos started to deflect from the Catholic faith. This colonial transition entailed protecting Catholicism and the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres (SPC) were among those who responded to the call of evangelization, dedicating themselves to education, care of the sick, and Catholic ministry among the underprivileged. The SPC Sisters were the first of European congregations to come to the Philippines with their missionary efforts during the American rule, forging a collective narrative of how the Church struggled and grappled with the social issues of the times. This study utilized interviews and dutifully examining the archives of the congregation to trace SPC’s journey in that period, chronicled the congregation’s odyssey as it relentlessly displayed evangelical zeal, courage, and valor while taking on the challenge of Pro Tutela Fidei (for the protection of the faith).
Congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres
Copyright (c) 2023 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Riting the Life Cycle: Academic Approaches and Conceptual Considerations
In this short article, I would like to offer some reflections and commentary on various academic approaches to understanding the life cycle.1 I would specifically like to consider what kinds of questions scholars can ask about the rites or rituals that mark the life cycle—questions that can perhaps help us see and feel afresh the shape and texture of otherwise familiar practices. What grounds PASR is its commitment to collegial scholarly inquiry, and that shared commitment necessarily includes openness to different methodological approaches and backgrounds: some members of PASR are theologians, some are sociologists or anthropologists, and some members are from disciplines in the humanities that focus on the learning of languages and the careful study of texts. I happen to be from a religious studies background, and have found that the way in which religious studies is understood varies depending upon the academic culture in which it is situated. And so, in the spirit of dialogue that PASR seeks to foster, I would like to share something from my academic background as a scholar of religion, trained in an American setting,
Challenges and Coping Mechanisms of Students with Parental Separation
This paper studied the common challenges of twelve students from a public high school in Batangas and their shared personal coping mechanisms from broken family life situation specifically due to parental separation. The consequences to the students’ social, academic, financial, emotional, psychological and spiritual dimensions were determined. The data of this Narrative Qualitative Research which came from one-on-one in-depth interview and non-verbal responses showed how their experience having a parental separation situation affected their life which led to their personal strategies to survive its struggles. The findings revealed that students have a lot of untold stories relative to the dimensions and they managed to cope with these challenges primarily through spiritual interventions. In conclusion, students with broken family are indeed challenged but good socially, inspired academically, able to manage financially, tough emotionally, winning psychologically, and has hope spiritually. Though students face different challenges in life, making God their inspiration, source of comfort and strength in facing the challenges in the family is the most ideal coping mechanism recommendation.
Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Flagellation and Crucifixion: The Yearly Lenten Vow in San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines
This paper discusses “Flagellation & Crucifixion: The Yearly Lenten Vow in San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines. It uses qualitative methodology utilizing triangulation techniques. Findings are their petitionary- vow fulfillment, i.e., a vow of sacrifice and penitence and at the same time a petition of prayer for the following reasons: For good health / long life, for prosperity, their vow of sacrifice or penitence as a family, forgiveness of sins. In conclusion, the yearly Lenten vow in San Pedro Cutud is deeply rooted in their history as a community whose tradition of penitence is a serious vow faithfully fulfilled every Lenten week. The challenge now is the sustainability of their beliefs and the spirit of the Lenten practices.
Exploring the Laity’s Mission in the Philippines in the Light of the New Testament Mission: A Missiological Inquiry
This paper delves into the role and mission of the laity within the context of the Philippines, drawing insights from the New Testament’s perspective on mission. The research employs a missiological framework to investigate the extent to which the laity actively engages in and contributes to the mission of the Church in the Philippines. This study comprehensively analyzes the laity’s mission and its significance for the Philippine church context by examining biblical teachings, historical precedents, and contemporary practices. The findings of this research contribute to the scholarly discourse on missiology and provide practical insights for empowering the laity to effectively participate in the mission of the Church, thereby fostering holistic transformation and renewal within Filipino society. The missiological and theological aspects of the research will be used to interpret the Philippine Context of where we find the laity. This study follows the triple “R” steps: Reality, Reflection, and Response or the See, Judge, and Act steps of contextual research. This research looks into the present situation or context of Filipino laity’s awareness and involvement in the Church’s mission in the Philippines. This context, which is a product of the study on the 500 years of Christianity, is interpreted and evaluated in the light of the Church’s teachings on mission. The present context of the missionary outreach of the Filipino laity in their missionary outreach in the light of the New Testament. Lastly, a missionary praxis for the laity is here proposed.
Rethinking Missions Strategies in the Context of Globalization: A Call for Interconnectivity
Globalization is a multi-dimensional and deeply enmeshed reality that transformed the world. Globalization occupies a global space that has intensified global interconnectivity, integration of markets, and global interdependence. Globalization sets the stage for global interconnectivity and convergence among peoples, cultures, religions, and ecology. As such, contemporary globalization is creating a new space for the mission of the Catholic Church that seeks interconnectivity. It has brought about a vast web of interactions and increased connectivity in every aspect of life, especially the Christian life and mission. This study argues that in the context of globalization, there is a need to rethink the Catholic Church’s mission strategies by exploring globalization as a new space of mission in this contemporary context that calls for interconnectivity. Primarily, this study discusses the phenomenon of globalization by understanding how it presents a profound and systemic change in mission today. Subsequently, an exploration of the aspects of globalization in relation to culture, economy, religion, and ecology is presented. Finally, an analysis of globalization and its consequences on the mission is discussed.