12/10/2026
Aron Malonzo | Paper Presentation
We proudly congratulate Aron Malonzo, a 3rd-year student, for presenting his paper at the 2026 Philippine Sociological Society International Conference, held online under the theme "Sociology of Ruptures and Futures: Communities, Change, and Continuity." His participation contributed to the broader scholarly discussions on Philippine society, cultural identity, and the historical forces shaping social relations.
Drawing primarily on Antonio Gramsci's theory of hegemony and Stuart Hall's concept of articulation, Malonzo's paper advances a historical and materialist critique of Filipino values such as kapwa, bayanihan, pakikisama, and utang na loob. Through a critical examination of Virgilio Enriquez's conception of kapwa as the core of Filipino personality and E. J. R. David's account of colonial mentality, the paper questions whether cultural explanations adequately account for the historical constitution of Filipino identity. It argues that the persistence of Filipino values under capitalism does not signify the survival of an unchanged precolonial ethos; rather, their meanings and political effects emerge through changing relations of class and social power. The paper further examines how these values may be articulated to reproduce elite domination by normalizing precarity, dependence, and political accommodation, while also remaining available for solidarity and collective struggle. In doing so, it challenges essentialist approaches to Filipino identity and situates cultural values within the historical contradictions of Philippine society.
At NU Clark PolSci, we take pride in students who move beyond the classroom to participate in broader scholarly conversations. Malonzo's work reflects our commitment to rigorous theoretical engagement, critical inquiry, and research-driven scholarship that challenges established assumptions and examines the relationship between culture, class, and power in shaping social realities.
