1.

On Current situation due to pandemic

a. Share your personal experiences, learnings and insights within the 9 months of being in a
quarantine due to Covid-19. Describe how have you been able to cope with your studies also.

During nine months of being in quarantine due to COVID-19 was never easy, not just for me but
for all the people around the world. It feels like the world stops for a moment, and now it is moving
slowly. Some businesses closed down; some people lost their job, everything, and everyone experience
changes, and everyone needs to adjust to the so-called new normal. For my studies, it is not easy
because we have different learning modalities. I cannot easily learn just by reading the materials
provided, I need to visualize it, and somewhat I need someone to do some explanation, especially to
those courses that involve problem solving or calculation. So, I am thankful that I have classmates who
are willing to help me with the lessons; I also watch videos on the internet that will help me with the
lessons that were hard for me. This quarantine tests me physically, emotionally, spiritually, and
mentally, and it was not easy. At first, I was like, what will I do, what will happen next. But as time
passed by, I realized that everything happens for a reason, cliché but true. Maybe God wants us to
realize something, to learn something, and to grow. As for me, I realize this could be an opportunity for
me to grow as a person. I realize that above anything else, I need to prioritize my health, especially my
mental health. Since there are times that I am too hard on myself, I keep telling myself that I need to be
productive every day without realizing that I am not healthy anymore, that I am mentally tired to work
and even to move. So, I started to take it easy; I started giving myself a rest whenever I am not okay and
enjoying things that I love to do. I know everyone is experiencing this quarantine together with the
emotions that come along, and it is hard to fight against someone that we cannot see, but above
anything else, we need to have faith, we need to believe that anytime soon, this pandemic will end what
we can do now is to be strong and be healthy to protect ourselves and the people that we love.

b. Explain how you view the world now because of this pandemic?

This pandemic makes the world less global and more isolated. This pandemic makes us support
local since we never know if the products that we are accepting are infected or not. This pandemic also
affects every aspect of the life of each and every one of us, from our school to work, on how we live and
learn, from the economy and income to social security to human rights. It also makes the world more
distant and less dense. It makes us want to have a provincial life far from the busy and crowded city life
to protect ourselves and the people around us. Overall, this pandemic really changes the world, the life
of each individual, but these changes depend on how will the world strategize and copes up with the
pandemic situation that we have.

2. On political globalization

a. Explain how globalization played a role in the formation of the current political order in the world.
 Globalization has a huge impact on the current political order in the world. Globalization creates
organizations like the European Union that take place above the state; these organizations allies with
other countries instead of focusing on working through their national governments, which increases
interdependence. Globalization also creates freedom, which results in transparency, political rights,
and civil liberties for the people. Globalization is also the result of common political culture, like
justice, freedom, pace, etc. But one of the positive roles of globalization is focusing more on human
rights, which is the common issue of every country in the world. Overall, globalization removes
cultural borders between countries and changes its attitude and behavior of every individual.

b. How these ideas on political globalization be of advantage/ or disadvantage to a periphery country

Political globalization is the one who is responsible for the growth of the political system all over
the world. The advantage of political globalization to periphery countries like the Philippines is that we
can ask for aid and financial support from other countries. We can work together with other periphery
countries so that we can have more influence on the world. The government of a periphery country can
also learn from those countries that are ahead of them. On the other hand, the disadvantage of political
globalization to a periphery country is that the developed countries are taking advantage of us. It makes
the periphery countries lose control of their people and territory. Rich countries also taking advantage
of our low wages, which somewhat causes pollution. This proves, the rich are getting richer, and the
poor are becoming poorer. But above all, this political globalization brought the periphery country more
benefits than a detriment.

3. On Forms of Government

a. Can you consider democracy as the best form of government? Explain your answer.

We know that there is no such thing as a perfect government, but I can consider democracy as
the best form of government above all. Democracy is considered as the government of the people, by
the people, and for the people. It gives people the freedom to choose and voice out their opinions. It
also promotes equality, which enhances the dignity of the people. It also has transparency, any mistakes
made cannot be hidden for too long, this creates discussion for correction, but from this, the rulers need
to change their decision or, the people can change the rulers. Above all, for democracy to function right,
a system that is constantly evolving is needed.

b. What do you think is the best form of government to apply in our country in order to achieve an
effective governance? Explain your answer.

I think the best form of government to apply in our country to achieve effective governance is
still a democratic type. In this kind of government, we have the opportunity to choose who we want to
lead us. We also have the right to voice our opinions and fight for our rights. Also, democracy helps in
improving and preserving one's pride and dignity.
4. On State and Nation

a. Describe the similarities and differences between state and nation.

A state is a community that lives in a land that has a sovereign government. A nation is a
community of people that shares the same culture, values, religion, and language. The similarity
between a state and nation is people.

[Link] do you think is the best characteristics of Filipinos/Philippines as a state and as a nation?

For me, the best characteristics of the Philippines as a state and as a nation is the people, the
Filipinos. Filipinos respect and help each other at any time. No matter how hard the situation is, we
always never forget to smile and to be positive. We are also considered as a jack of all trades and very
hard-working when it comes to things that we want to achieve. These characteristics are the reasons
why other people loved us, Filipinos.