https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/research/publishing-house/journals/apssr/

Asia Pacific Social Science Review - Scopus, De La Salle University, Manila (2026)

20/10/2025

This research brief introduces the concept of “faith-based transnationalism,” or the cross-border travels of religious practices, beliefs, identities, and moralities that not only connect migrants and their left-behind families but also lead to the reconstitution of relationships, spirituality, and landscapes. Faith-based transnationalism is an important analytical framework in the study of the intersections of geographies of religion/faith and transnational migration. This is crucial in contemporary times given the unabated and continuing flows of migrants across international borders, with implications on reshaping identities, consocialities, and places.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1586

17/10/2025

The child quantity-quality (CQQ) trade-off has been extensively studied in economic research since it was first introduced by Becker and Lewis in 1973. Studies have argued that the current economic circumstances and the presence of government aid in education and health determine the existence and extent of the CQQ trade-off. However, there is a dearth of empirically tested research on the possible decreasing effects of social programs on the CQQ trade-off. Using the 2019 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey, this paper seeks to determine the effect of education and health social programs on the CQQ trade-off in the Philippines. Probit models were employed to determine the existence of the CQQ trade-off in the Philippines and whether or not the said social programs increase child quality. Particularly, children’s quantity was measured by the number of children per household, and quality was measured by age-appropriate grade-level attainment. Results were then compared to an ordinary least squares model that estimated child quantity to determine if educational and health programs decrease the trade-off. Findings have shown that the CQQ trade-off still exists in the Philippines. Educational and health social programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) both increase the quantity and quality of children, implying that they reduce the CQQ trade-off. Notably, despite the positive effects of social programs on both aspects of children, the CQQ trade-off has not been virtually eliminated in the Philippines, differing from countries where sustained and advanced social programs have significantly diminished the trade-off, possibly due to inconsistencies in program implementation.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1585

15/10/2025

With the increasing progress of q***r perspectives in the academic setting, there have been calls for LGBTQ+-inclusive teaching practices. In the Philippines, attempts have been implemented to produce curricula and materials that are more gender-responsive and gender-sensitive. However, these initiatives are without their barriers as conservative traditions and sexist ideologies still affect the eradication of gender-based discrimination in the classrooms. To fully grasp these issues, the present study aimed to elicit insights from q***r Filipino teachers about their views and perspectives on using q***r pedagogy in their classrooms. With these pedagogical choices, the study tried to understand the q***ring process of the classrooms. Using Michel de Certeau’s notions of alteration of knowledge, the study utilized interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) through qualitative survey (QS) to identify perceptions and accounts of q***r Filipino teachers (n=30) on q***ring their pedagogies. In the findings, the study presents the perspectives of the teachers in using q***r pedagogies as well as their strategies in incorporating such practices in the classroom. Results revealed how the q***r Filipino teachers viewed q***r pedagogy as opportunities to promote inclusive education and increase consciousness towards gender-related issues. To do this, the responses uncovered how teachers used LGBTQ+-themed materials and classroom dialogues to q***r their teaching practices. In effect, the q***ring of the classroom exemplified de Certeau’s claim on how teaching—like other everyday practices—emerged from constant alterations and innovations.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1584

13/10/2025

Unlike other new democracies, the political system in post-authoritarian Indonesia has recently allowed ex-convicts to run for election. This qualitative case study examines how ex-prisoners serving as village heads in Probolinggo Regency, East Java, discursively reframed their criminal past as informal symbolic capital to win rural political contestations and effectively execute village bureaucratic functions. Contrary to previous analyses highlighting collateral consequences that disqualify ex-criminals’ political prospects, we report that interactive dialogue has successfully turned negative reputations into collectively consented territorial patronage, specifically within crime-prone village contexts. Through persuasive discursive means, this can then be leveraged to mobilize voters’ political support through deliberative consensus. The ex-prisoner solidarity network (Fosil Maharana) also reshapes villagers’ stereotypes by destigmatizing criminal labels to support the ex-convicts’ victory in the village head election. The findings contribute to the broader informality framework in socio-political fields founded on discursive rationality, post-authoritarian local democracy, and political restoration policy, which are also discussed.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1583

10/10/2025

In the past two decades, the medical and recreational use of cannabis has been linked to an increase in cannabis- related harms, especially among frequent cannabis users. Amid the recent legalization of recreational use of cannabis in Thailand, this paper provides initial information regarding the frequency of usage, sociodemographic characteristics, reasons and patterns of cannabis use, as well as the characteristics associated with frequent usage among people who use cannabis. A cross-sectional anonymous online survey was conducted (July-August 2022) with 476 Thais who use cannabis recruited via the Line and Facebook apps. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were conducted to describe and identify respondents’ characteristics associated with frequent use. Respondents were predominantly male, employed full-time, and had a mean age of 32.2 years. Sixteen and 0.8% of respondents consumed cannabis several times per week or daily. The most frequent reasons to continue using cannabis were to “help sleeping/relax” and “get high.” “Smoking blunts” was the most commonly reported method of use, followed by using a “bong,” eating cannabis edibles, and using v**e pens or e-cigarettes to consume liquid cannabis concentrates. Significant characteristics associated with frequent use were being of a younger age, having grown cannabis, initiating cannabis use to “get high,” and “help sleeping/relax.” Frequent usage was more common among younger males, who have already grown cannabis and who are consuming cannabis for recreational purposes. Although the recent Thai legalization initially aimed for Thai citizens to consume cannabis for medical purposes, recreational usage was one of the predominant reasons for continuing to use cannabis. Our data suggest that emerging potent forms of cannabis are consumed in Thailand, calling for additional prevention efforts. The impact of personal cannabis cultivation on usage frequency remains understudied, warranting additional investigation. Further research is needed to assess the impacts of cannabis legalization in Thailand.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1582

08/10/2025

Transcultural memory intertwines with transnationality, integrating decolonial paradigms into the making of a plurality of cultures. Drawing from Astrid Erll’s conceptualization of “travelling memory,” the “migrant memories” are always in kinesis and cannot be pinned down to a singular geographic location or culture. Instead, they facilitate active engagement with the host nation. Zahid Hussain, a British Pakistani author, captures this dynamic in his novel, The Curry Mile (2006), which portrays the aspirations of second-generation migrant Sorayah Butt, a woman in her 20s battling several personal and cultural issues when she decides to step in for her father, who is losing his hard-earned business. Women are often at the receiving end of social mobility, thereby engendering their cultural capital (Bourdieu) mercurially. Additionally, the status of “migrants” makes them inimical to the host culture. The novel illustrates the challenges faced by a woman stymied by a regnant patriarchal household, yet she contributes to the cultural capital and economy of the host nation, which recognizes her as a distinct identity. The main emphasis of the article is on the grim social reality in Western countries, which battle with xenophobia while remaining receptive to the transcultural capital brought by the migrant population.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1581

06/10/2025

The academic community is transitioning to fulfill its new mission of promoting innovation and entrepreneurship for economic and social development. With this, there is a need to examine the entrepreneurial intention of an academic entrepreneur from a cultural trait lens. This study explores lexically based Filipino personality traits that influence entrepreneurial attitude and intention in an academic setting, highlighting the significance of the Masaklaw na Panukat ng Loob (Mapa ng Loob) psychological tool as a culturally relevant framework. The Mapa ng Loob thoroughly evaluates personality trait constructs that are both theoretically and practically important in Filipino culture by providing a unique lens for understanding entrepreneurial intention. Drawing on the theory of planned behavior framework and using a quantitative design, data were collected from a state university in southern Philippines to examine the hypotheses. Results revealed that conscientiousness (comprised of Filipino traits pagkamapagplano, pagkaresponsable, pagkamaingat, and pagkamasikap) and extraversion (pagkamasayahin, pagkapalakaibigan, pagkamasigla, and pagkamadaldal) have a positive and significant influence on entrepreneurial attitude. Conversely, the domains of neuroticism (hina ng loob, pagkamaramdamin, pagkamapag-alala, and pagkasumpungin) and agreeableness (pagkadimayabang, pagkamaunawain, pagkamapagparaya, and pagkamapagtiwala) were found to have both negative and positive influence on perceived behavioral control. Furthermore, the study validated the mediating roles of entrepreneurial attitude and perceived behavioral control between these Filipino traits and entrepreneurial intention in the academic setting.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1580

03/10/2025

With the use of the ethical technology assessment model by Palm and Hansson (2006), this paper examines the knowledge and perceptions about the ethics of and experiences with artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT) among the Generation Z population in Thailand and the Philippines. A total of 1,060 Thai and 1,499 Filipino Gen Z students participated in the online survey. Results revealed that Gen Z respondents from Thailand and the Philippines muse heavily on privacy, social contact, autonomy and control, as well as human reproduction and health issues. Moreover, both groups are most bothered by the potential ability of AI and IoT to control people’s behavior beyond their agency. Summarily, despite being “digital natives,” the Gen Z population is unoblivious about the potential harms of AI and IoT, which can undermine one’s agency and privacy. This, therefore, calls for high digital literacy so that AI and IoT users, specifically the Gen Z population, become aware of their rights and responsibilities. As a limitation, the research on which this paper is based did not examine the level of familiarity of the respondents with AI and IoT. In addition, the instrument used in the said study did not consider the culturally nuanced understanding of notions of privacy, autonomy, and the other elements of the ethical technology assessment model.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1578

01/10/2025

This research explores the experiences of Malaysian parents concerning their children’s privacy and their sharenting habits in the digital age. Sharenting, the practice of sharing information about one’s children on social media, has become prevalent, raising concerns about privacy and potential risks. Through qualitative exploration, this study investigates how Malaysian parents strike a balance between sharing meaningful moments online and ensuring the safety and privacy of their children. Two focus group discussions were conducted via Zoom with 15 Malaysian parents. The central theme that emerges from this study revolves around the delicate balance between parental expression and safeguarding children’s privacy. It highlights the significance of thoughtful and responsible online actions when engaging in sharenting practices. Besides, their main concerns for children’s safety and privacy are paedophiles, the evil eye, and the dark web. In this study, we argue that while sharenting can strengthen family bonds and promote community engagement, addressing the potential risks to children’s privacy and autonomy is imperative. This can be achieved by adopting a balanced approach that integrates ethical considerations and legal protections to safeguard their rights in the digital age. The findings suggest a need for developing an appropriate sharenting framework to establish a more robust mechanism for protecting the safety of young children.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1577

04/08/2025

Medical populism, a performance-based political style that orchestrates antagonistic relations between the people and medical establishments, has served as a concept for analyzing the politicization of healthcare. With its four fundamental features, that is, invoking knowledge claims contrary to medical experts’ advice, simplifying discourse, dramatizing responses to public health crises, and forging divisions, medical populism compromises our access to accurate medical or public health information. Populist leaders abuse their epistemic authority and betray public trust when they propagate false information, medical or otherwise. And insofar as accurate medical or public health information is an epistemic good that we have the right to access, and not having so harms us precisely as knowers, we claim that medical populism violates our epistemic rights.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1575

01/08/2025

The Japanese invaded Vietnam and Indonesia in late 1940 and early 1942, respectively. During the occupation, the Japanese deployed different strategies and policies to govern and exploit the occupied territories. Dutch officials in Indonesia were replaced by Japanese administrators, whereas the French administration in Vietnam was largely retained until the coup d’état of March 1945. Natural resources and economic facilities of both countries were exploited for the Japanese war efforts. The economic exploitation by the Japanese worsened economic conditions, causing terrible famines in Indonesia and Vietnam at the time of independence. However, the Japanese invasion and occupation also led to the dismantlement of the structure of colonial economies in the two countries. The purpose of this study is to analyze and compare the relationship between the Japanese occupation and the economic decolonization in Vietnam and Indonesia during World War II. Special attention is given to the Japanese economic policies and their impacts on the destruction of colonial economies in the two countries. While underlining the negative economic consequences of the Japanese occupation, the study also explains how important the Japanese occupation period was in terms of accelerating the economic decolonization in Indonesia and Vietnam.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1574

30/07/2025

The importance of the study is defined by the need for a complete assessment of the existing situation and the potential for further growth of major sectors of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan in the context of increasing global instability. The purpose of the study is to assess the current state and outline prospects for further intensification of political dialogue, trade, economic ties, and humanitarian contacts, considering the national interests of the parties. Historical-genetic and comparative-historical methods, methods of typologisation, analysis, and comparative and statistical analysis are used to assess the dynamics of the development of bilateral relations. The steady growth of bilateral trade and Japanese investments in key sectors of the economy of Kazakhstan is analyzed. The positive dynamics of the expansion of humanitarian exchanges in the fields of education, science, and culture are shown. Therewith, reserves for further intensification of cooperation are identified. In particular, it is possible to increase the share of innovative and high-tech products in trade and expand joint research and development. Deepening academic exchanges and establishing direct contacts between cultural institutions and non-governmental organizations of the two countries are also promising areas. Specific proposals are formulated to further enhance economic partnership through the mechanisms of the Joint Commission and business councils. Measures to expand cultural and humanitarian cooperation are outlined, including the creation of national cultural centers and the promotion of youth and volunteer exchanges. The developed recommendations consider the key national interests of Kazakhstan and Japan.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1573

Asia Pacific Social Science Review - Scopus

20/10/2025

17/10/2025

15/10/2025

13/10/2025

10/10/2025

08/10/2025

06/10/2025

03/10/2025

01/10/2025

04/08/2025

01/08/2025

30/07/2025

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