Univeristy of Southeastern Philippines

Module 2
Understanding the Self

Presented by Kristian Real Claveria

 Lesson 1
my body. my choice

Welcome! In this lesson we commence the second part of

this course by identifying the philosophical views and
environmental factors that shape personal understanding of
the physical self. It also delves into psycho-socio-cultural
issues associated with physical well-being.
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01
• What does healthy self-esteem mean to you?
Self-esteem for me is the ability to be confident enough with the individual self creating a
good appearance in public without enduring insecurities. It is valuing or perceiving oneself.

• What do you love the most about your body?

What I love the most in my body is my eyes. I believe that these pair of eyes that I have allows
me to become a keen observer about certain things. By observing the presence of something
in the surrounding that usually amuses me, I am able to practice those things also. I believe
these eyes of mine are the precious that I can be proud of. Also, these eyes are captivating
since then whenever I smile. These eyes of mine can’t lie whenever I am sad or happy.

• What are the things you are good at?

I can’t really say where I am best on doing at, but all I can say that I can be an improving
person in terms of musical things. I also can also excel in various things but I can say that I am
an explorer in such way that I became a jack of all trades in the epitome of this world.
01
• When do you feel self-sufficient?
I feel self-sufficient in times that I accomplish tasks or do tasks that I know for sure I can deal
with on my own. But this feeling is only very often because I always seek for new learnings
and challenges in the skill set that I have.

• How often do you doubt your professional/ personal competence?

I always doubt my competence both in the aspect of professionally and personally. But along
the run upon studying different views of those successful persons, the only thing that you
should carry first towards the world is yourself. I am always trying to build myself and never
doubt my competence in the aspects of the society.

• What could be a problem if your looks do not match your physical standards?
The problem of having insecurity will prevail this time most especially when presenting
oneself towards the public. As an individual, I personally experience this all the time. How can
I compete with the standards of the society? Questions that can never be answered by mere
thoughts and I tend to distract myself day by day by various things. Persons having trouble
with this will tend to have emotional breakdowns and sometimes use branded products to
enhance oneself.
01

• Based on the activity above, what is the significance of your score? Do you agree with the result?

Yes I do agree with the score based on the table presented. I know that my self-esteem is not
that high. In this sense, there are times that I don’t know how to blend with the standards of
the society. I know for sure that I have unique features but not in a physical state. With this I
tend to blend in with the standards in my own very way. Through this I can cope up with what
the society is rolling on.
01
1. My philosophy of beauty is
It is a matter of how individual possess such self-esteem upon presenting his/herself towards
the public. Beauty is a perception on how people, or the public in general, sees about the
appearance and quality of such person. Beauty is not just defined in the physical aspect, but
also in the inner self.

2. A beautiful person is
Someone who sees his/her worth confidently without mere contemplations with the greater
society. He/ she possesses the aspect of beauty and standards by gaining confidence towards
his/herself while never denying the unique qualities one has possessed despite the judgement
of the people around.

3. I am beautiful because
Because I know and embrace the uniqueness that I have. I may tend to copy or aspire
someone physically, both in fashion and styles, but I didn’t except the fact that the real “me” is
the one who am I. I have grown to what am I today and I do believe those journey of mine
shaped the beauty that I currently has now.
01

4. List down names of people you know who are beautiful

I cannot say the most of them because I believe each one of us possess unique characters and
characteristics in which I can define as beauty. We have different sets of beauty standards and
for me what makes a person beautiful is the uniqueness he/she possessed and how he/she
handled those despite its positivity or negativity it brought to his/her. Thus with this, I can say
that every person possess different beauty and it is up to the eye of the beholder whom he/
she looks at to be beautiful.

opkors mulayo pa ba ko ser? akong crush eh, shoutout CBA BS Entrep

 Lesson 2
Let’s talk about SEX

This lesson addresses one of human development's most

important elements, the sexual self. It highlights
environmental and biological factors that influence sexual
growth.
02
1 2 3

4 5 6

Business-minded, man of few

1
words, optimistic
4 Stingy, Nonchalant

Generous, family-oriented,
2 5 Strict
resourceful, religious

3
Sporty, adventurous, jack of all 6 Bumpy, hot-headed
trades
02
• Are there more positive traits than negative traits written on your chart?
Yes, there are lot of positive traits that I observed that I acquire from my parents as well as my
own traits and characteristics that are not the same with the both of them.

• What type of traits have you written on the chart? Which traits are observable and which are not?
There are lots of them but the most common that I have enlisted in the chart are the most
obvious ones. For example, I got the trait of being a man of few words from my father
because growing as a man, I got the idea from him that even in small simple arguments, a
simple decision and a simple answer would always do and during arguments he doesn’t even
say a thing. From my mother, I can say that being a religious person is what I had acquired
from her. And the unique thing that I had is that I am a jack of all trades and a master of none.

• Compare the traits written on the first two columns with those on their 3rd. Are there more physical
traits than non-physical traits that have been recorded
There are lots of inner traits that I acquire compare to those of in terms of physical. In the
physical aspect, the combination of it was the product of my looks right now. I acquired the
eyes from my mother while the skin color from my father and many other. But the thing is
that I was greatly influenced by what the character they possess.
02
• Are you happy for having those traits? Have you ever expressed your gratitude?
Yes, of course I am happy with it because they are considered as the great teachers of mine. I
might have some of their traits and characters and it is up to me how will I enhance or
eliminate those good or bad ones.

• Have you ever expressed your gratitude to your parents for passing those traits to you?
Yes I do. I am happy with what I have become today both with the physical appearance and
what is within my character.

• How does gender play a role in development?

Gender plays a vital role in development. Growing up is a journey towards the person’s life. As
male or female in the society, we experienced various challenges in this journey in the role we
are playing. Gender in development creates an idea of how a certain individual plays a role in
the society he/ she lives in.
02
• Why is gender equality important?
Gender equality is important in order to have a just and humane society. This concept is a
crucial factor most especially in the society full of social stigma. This promotes to the equal
rights of man and woman in the society without the concept of who is strong or weak.

• Do you think women are inferior to men or vice versa?

I think, in today’s society, the concept of inferiority is not that of an issue. Laws are provided
in order to protect people towards harassments. In such cases, there is a greater privilege for
woman today compared to man. We can observe that there are more woman advocacies
compared to man. In this case, voices of man are slowly getting invalidated not by the justice
system, but the society itself.

• Does sexism exist only to a certain gender?

Sexism might be common to girls but if we view it on the concept of stereotyping in the
society nowadays, gentlemen also experiences it to. From the invalidation of the feeling and
crying, man has no right of it because he might be viewed as a coward person. Sexism causes a
lot to both genders causing a negative impact in the individual selves.
02

• What factors do you think contribute to gender and identity issues?

I think it is within the family, community, and the society.

02
For Boys: How was your experience the first time you had your nocturnal emission? How did you cope with
your feelings of awkwardness/ negativity, especially since it was accompanied by bodily changes?
Having the nocturnal emission is by far the most embarrassing one I had experienced in my
childhood. It is awkward to see a white sticky something on your pants when you woke up.
My mother and lola explained everything to me that time and that made me understand that
it is a normal thing for a boy going towards the stage of puberty.

2. Do you have a crush now? A boyfriend/ girlfriend? How are you dealing/ managing with your emotions? Do you
consult your parents? Friends? Classmates about it?
Yes I do have a crush right now. I had hard time upon managing this emotion because of the
sense that I am not used to have an interaction with a lady. But I do have consultations from
everyone who is around me.
Hi sa CBA BS Entrep 1 HAHAHAH
02
 Lesson 3
Forget about the price tag

The material self consists of things that belong to a person

or entities that a person belongs to. In this type of self, the
person plays an important role in the place where he lives.
Thus, the basic assumption in terms of economic self is that
both producers and consumers in certain culture act
rationally and in their own self-interest.
03
A very wealthy person gave you a blank check and told you to spend the amount you wished for to make yourself
happy. What are you going to do with it? Make a list of what you want to have. Write as many as you want.

If such thing would happen, I would like to use the money for my personal sake and also
some quite for others. Here are list of things that I would like to buy with the opportunity
given:
Brand New Car
Condo Unit
New Business
Musical Instruments Set
New Phone
Donate some to charity
03
• How would you feel as you do the Blank Check Challenge?
I felt like I have the urge to spend it on things that I need and even those I wanted. If given
that opportunity, I would likely grab it and invest the money for good both personally and
societally.

• Which among the items in your list you like the most? Why?
What I like the most in the given list is the new business. In that way, I know for sure that I
had invested my money in good terms. In that way also I can help unemployed people to gain
work for a better life.

• If ever you were given the chance in real life to have one among the list. Which would you choose? Why?
If given the opportunity, I would like to have that business. Again it is a good investment not
just for the mean time but also for the future purposes. It may fail or grow but the knowledge
I will gain would be even greater.
03
• Does your choice different from what your answer in question number 2? Why or why not?
It doesn’t differ because money is not a joke most especially for me living as an average
person in the society. I would choose to invest the opportunity given rather than spending it
unto something that would only last for a shorter span.

• Let your classmate read your list? Ask her/him to give or write a quick impression of yourself based on the list you showed
him/her.
“I think tama man sad imong thought about the money kay yes dili gyud siya lalim, kung ako pud siguro
ana akong buhaton. I can say na business minded and optimistic ka na person kay inana imong gusto if
given such opportunity. And dili rasad siya para sa imo personally but thinking na makahelp ka sa
economical status sa nasud and also sa mga unemployed...”

• Is the quick impression of your classmate has some truth about who you are?
I think it is a yes because growing around persons that think morally, politically and more into
the business side, they would do the same thing as mine. I know that that decision of mine is
morally correct.
03
1. Go back to your Blank Check Challenge list. Put a mark on the left side of each Item with the following categories:
B – if the item is related to your body
C – If the item is related with clothes
F – If the item is related or intended to your family
H – If the item is related to home
If such thing would happen, I would like to use the money for my personal sake and also
some quite for others. Here are list of things that I would like to buy with the opportunity
given:
Brand New Car - B
Condo Unit - H
New Business - F
Musical Instruments Set - H
New Phone - B
Donate some to charity - F
03

2. Answer the following questions:

a. Which among the categories you have the most in your list?
I have a balance of the categories given. I am not into a clothing type of guy but I
mostly lean into practicality most especially on futuristic set of things

b. What do you think these things tell you about yourself?

This thus signifies that what I am currently spending on is all about the practicality of it.
Growing up in an average family, I usually equip myself with things that would help
and benefit me along a long run. With this I can save enough money incase I needed
another things that would practically help me towards my survival.
03

3. Make a reflection paper about material self. You may use your answers from the above question in making your paper.

The material self is a concept on how a certain individual would spend money on such
things he/ she needs. It may be something that can be useful or just merely for
satisfaction. Having this so-called material self would be useful in the survival of man.
There are things that man needs in order to survive. In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs,
the physiological needs were placed below the pyramid having a bigger urge for
human’s to survive. These needs of man would help in day-to-day living, everyday
survival and to sustain life.
 Lesson 4
Do good. Do God

The self in the realm of spirituality is the primary subject in this

lesson. The spiritual self is the most intimate, inner subjective part
of the self is the most intimate version of the self because the
satisfaction you experience when you dispute and discriminate
within your capacity, moral sensitivity, conscience, and our desire to
win is purer than any other sense of satisfaction.
Moreover, spiritual and religious experiences are fundamentally
important to the lives of many, and it seems increasingly so. In the
recent years, interest in spirituality has increased again. More and
more people are striving for more spiritual reality in their lives and
are looking for deeper meaning and purpose, inner peace and new
ways of spiritual nutrition.
04
• Do you find that it is harder or easier to trust God when you’re losing control of a situation (or when you finally have no
control in a situation)? Explain why.
For me, it is easier to trust God in uncontrollable circumstances of life. As a Filipino, part of
the trait we possess is “isa-Diyos”. This thus mean that on times of uncontrollable disasters,
we tend to pray to God and trust him of his plans for us. For me, as a beleiver, it easier for
me to trust God in difficult times because what I had in mind is that I did my best and I’ll let
God decide my path for he is the one who will guide me towards what is in the end and I
know that he will bring no harm to his children.

• What is it about our human tendencies that compel us to do everything in our power to bring about a desired outcome? Where
does faith come into play?
Humans, as we are, are greatly influenced by wordly things which leads us towards the
wrong path. In situations like this, faith would always came in when circumstances, tragedies
and problems comes our way. These boulders may seem to block us towards our journey of
success. This time we can think about God, we can feel his presence. Sadly, without these
problems, we doesn’t know God.
04
• When someone is going through a difficult time, what are some practical ways to come alongside that person to show
compassion and give support?
As Filipinos, we compliment each other by saying “okay lang yan, God has a purpose for it”
or “plano ni Lord yan lahat, tiwala ka lang sa kanya”. With this we tend to show compassion
and support towards our companions.

• In your own faith journey, what have been the moments that influenced you most? How has your faith grown stronger
or weaker in those experiences?

During the death of my mom, I greatly questioned God about why he didn’t let my mom
live knowing how good my mom was towards him and to his stewards. That time I slowly
lose my faith but a scent of flower comes along as I questioned him and a vast of wind hugs
me saying “Nak, okay ra ko diri, wala nako nagantos sa akong sakit, pakatatag ka ha”. That
way my faith in God become stronger, I know that time that my mom is happy now in her
journey towards the Lord and she is not lost nor forgotten because every circumstance in
life, a sign from the heavens would always come up to cheer me along my journey.
04
1. Whatever your religion is, how do you practice your faith?
As a Roman Catholic, we practice faith by having masses not just during Sundays but also in
weekdays. We also celebrated various occasions based on the liturgical calendar of the
church like lent, easter, advent, and Christmas. The Roman Catholic Church also with the
help of the Parish and GKK levels promotes activities that would empower youth in the
community such as bible sharing, youth camps and the famous flores de mayo. This way, the
church and the community would have stronger faith to God and towards his people.

2. Do you believe in spirits? Supernatural forces? If yes, do you have a personal encounter or experience with those
forces? What did you do?
As a Filipino, we do tend to believe in this kind of stuffs. We also tend to believe in black
magic and even our mythical creatures. The residing forces of nature can be true and we
should not invalidate this belief. Personally, I do encounter a lot of this circumstances that
deals with the supernatural forces but what I did is just to stay on your ground and never let
these forces manipulate you. We should not take for granted these types of beliefs because it
wont lose our personality also.
 Lesson 5
My Socio-Political Self

In this chapter, you will learn that an individual race, ethnicity, and
physical characteristics are not the only factors that make a person’s
national identity. Values and traits are also important indicators that
set apart one nationality from the other.
05

Source:https://nl.pinterest.com/pin/670473463273473968/:
05
• How do the pictures remind you of being a Filipino?
These pictures reminds me of something that I should be proud of. As a your of the country,
the pictures tells me for who am I in a sense of my socio-political self.

• Are you proud of being a Filipino? Why and why not?

Yes I am proud of being a Filipino despite the problems here in the country. As a USePiano,
it is a great privilege to be a scholar of the governement. Not just that, the Filipino cultured
honed me for what am I today. Issues in the society are undeniable inevitable and if we only
look at it, we would never find the country pleasing.

• Imagine that you were of a different nationality. What would change in you aside from your citizenship and origin?
I think the language, character, culture, and trait will also be changed knowing that every
country has its own unique societal and cultural ways.
05

• How extensive are the effects of being Filipino in your selfhood?

Being a Filipino impacts my selfhood in terms of different aspects. Being a youth of the
country, I tend to adapt with what the culture implies to me and how the society works.
Although I can see its lacking but I guess the country itself is dealing with it positively. Upon
growing up, the culture I honed also shaped me and the way I live.
05
1. Make an acrostic below which will describe you, in relation to being a Filipino.
F - Family-oriented
I - Intelligent
L - Loving
I - Inspiring
P - Prudent
I - In faith with God
N - Nice
O - Optimistic

2. Discuss how being a Filipino affects your “self”. How can becoming a better Filipino influence your duty to becoming a
better version of yourself?
Growing in the country, culture really influence oneself. For me, being a Filipino helped me
to become who am I today. The role that I am asked to comply in the society is what makes
me better. I know for sure that I may not have the responsibility as part of the family but also
as part of the Filipino community.
05

3. Do you believe that your Filipino identity (e.g., traits and values) influences how you perceive and actively engage
yourself in political issues/concerns?

Yes for sure. The political issues and concerns of the society may be just that complicated but
I do believe that choosing an appropriate leader that would lead the society to success is what
we need and also our active participation towards these issues concerning our welfare and
well-being.
 Lesson 6
Am I a cyborg?

In the technological age, the idea of the digital self is an interesting

and relatively new topic for discussion as countless people explore
and control the many aspects of their personal identity every day.
This lesson highlights the critical role of modern technology, and
the internet in particular, in shaping the self and identity of
individuals.
06
1. What are your reasons/ purposes for going online?
My personal purpose of being online is to actively participate myself on the issues of the
society, community and what is currently happening on my surroundings. Sometimes, I
browse the media for entertainment and buy some time.

2. What network site/s do you usually visit?

I usually visit Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. These platforms promote great
information towards the society. It has fast updates and entertaining shows.

3. How often do you stay online? Why?

I go online mostly 8-12 hours a day. These keeps me intack with informations that is
spreading online and also for communication purposes.
06
4. If you open your Social Media account, do you keep your identity public or private? Why?

I would like to keep my profile in private. In that way, I can lessen the risk of online bugs and
hackers. And I also believe that it is nice to keep things in private rather than showing it
publicly because the public will be the one who will ruin your goodness.

5. What would be the possible “benefits” and “risks” if your online profile is made public?

There are many risks and benefits online. One of the possible risks is bashing and social
media clash. Commonly hackers and death threats can also be prevalent. The benefits of it is
there are platforms that would credit the views and change it to money. Examples of it is
Facebook and YouTube.
University of Southeastern Philippines

Thank
You
Presented by Kristian Real J. Claveria