Volume 16, Number 1 (2024)

Recent approaches in conducting social sciences studies carry an inspiring tone of giving voices to the marginalized sectors in our society. Privileging the narratives of the minority is a hopeful step in decentralizing the biases set by the dominant and elitist research culture in the past. This most recent journal compendium offers a variety of localized studies that will truly inspire and ignite our pride as a nation as we become open to the dynamic nature of the Filipino culture that lives up to the challenges of time.

Being open to changes in one’s tradition and culture requires fidelity to the phenomena so that one can truly create sound analysis and judgment. Open-mindedness is a mark of the critical spirit; it is also a representation of an intellectual virtue. Moreover, giving a serious scholarship on a localized epistemology gives birth to advocacy research which is a positive ingredient in the possibility of forming a more inclusive culture. This is what the Social Sciences and Development Review Journal 2024 Issue brings to the table, we are in for a treat as we will witness featured research materials showcasing the dynamics of our very own tradition and culture mirroring the present social condition in our land.

This publication documents and exhibits the landscape of Philippine social issues at present as seen in the works of the contributing authors. To them, we owe our sincerest gratitude as they share with us their valuable insights as Filipino social scientists and scholars. We are also grateful for the support that the university journals get from the Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Development through the Research Publications Office, a promising realization of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ goal to provide a venue to showcase the diversity and inclusivity.