THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS OF DRINKING ALCOHOL2

 A SENIOR HIGHSCHOOL RESEARCH PAPER PRESENTED

TO THE FACULTY OF SENIOR HIGHSCHOOL OF ST. AUGUSTIN(AMA)

FAITH SHILOH F. VALDE

JULY 15, 2023

•Title
•Statement of the Problem
•Significance of the study
•Research Questions
•Research Instrument (5 Interview Questions OR 5 Survey Questions)
•Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data (Use of charts/graphs with
interpretation)
•Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation
Research Respondents: 15

 
 

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE Page

  1Distribution of Residents According to Their Preferred Alcohol 20

  2The Social Factors that Influence the Drinking Habits of the Residents 26

of Barangay II, Lucena City

  3The Cultural Aspects of Drinking Alcohol as Viewed by the Residents 30

of  Barangay II, Lucena City

 
 
  LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE     Page

  1Distribution of Residents According to Age 16

  2Distribution of Residents According to Gender 18

  3Distribution of Residents According to Civil Status 19

  4Distribution of Residents According to the Frequency  22 of Drinking

  5Distribution of Residents According to the Type of Drinker 23, They Are

  6Distribution of Residents According to the No. of Years 25that They Are Drinking

Alcohol

 
 

ABSTRACT

Title: THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS OF DRIKING ALCHOL AS VIEWED

BY THE RESIDENTS OF BARANGAY II, LUCENA CITY
Researchers: FAITH SHILOH F. VALDE
Research Teacher: MARIEL GUANZON
School: ST. AUGUSTINE(AMA)
This research aimed to determine the social factors that influenced the drinking habits of the

residents and cultural aspects of drinking alcohol. This research provides the information about

the drinking habits of the residents from Barangay II in Lucena City. 

The study used the random sampling method as instruments in gathering data.To get the

needed information the researcher used a different reference such as books, periodicals,

encyclopedia and online sources aside from this, the researchers conducted a survey where the

chosen respondents are the 30 selected residents from the Barangay II in Lucena City to know

the social and cultural factors that influenced the respondent in their drinking habits. The

researchers used a checklist type of questionnaire. There are three parts of questionnaire for

each respondent. 

It involved the basic information of the respondents or thedemographic profile of the

residents which includes the name of the residents, their age, the highest percentage was

twenty percent (20%) and the ages were 50 above, 26-30 and 21-25, thegender which were the

males got fifty-five percent (55%), theircivil status which were the ones who are married got a

fifty-two percent (52%) of vote, their preferred alcohol is the beer with sixty-three percent (63%),

while fifty-nine percent (59%) of the respondents were occasional drinkers and the number of

years in drinking alcohol got were more than 10 years got  the thirty-nine percent of vote.

Meanwhile, the social factors that influence the drinking habits of the residents of

Barangay II Lucena City in which 17 of the respondents answered that it was because of stress

next to the community and the community and their family with a number of 15 respondents.

While, the cultural aspects of drinking alcohol as viewed by the residents of Barangay II, Lucena

City is mostly because they believed that alcohol is a tool for bonding in parties and social

gatherings with eighty-seven percent (26 or 87%) and the second one is because it is used for

relaxation and depressing inhibitions with sixty-three percent (19 or 63%).

 It can be concluded that, the residents of Barangay II, Lucena City has been greatly

affected by the social aspects of drinking mostly it was because of stress, the community, their

family, the price and availability of alcohol, because of work, the place of residence, the school

and their peers, the gender groups, movies and television, and the race and ethnicity. While

they are also influenced by its cultural aspects that it has also affected them on how they

socialize by other people by drinking alcohol and one of their reasons was that it is a tool for

bonding in parties and social gatherings.

The researchers, recommended that the residents of the barangay needs be aware of

their health and how the factors of socializing with others by drinking alcohol can greatly affect

their health and can also influence the drinking habits of others.

 
 

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Alcohol is a drug. It is classed as a depressant, meaning that it slows down vital

functions—resulting in slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions and

an inability to react quickly. (What is Alcohol?, n.d.).

It is also defined as a substance that is partaken in all drinking ceremonies that

include and involves sharing. For instances, the Camba practice with regard to the

drinking structure that people are involved from the same glass is also known all over

theworld. (Mars & Altman, 1987)

 Alcohol drinks also has a symbol for the national identity. Guinness for the Irish,

tequila for Mexicans, whisky for scots and Ouzo for Greeks. One’s national beverage

can be a powerful expression of one’s loyalties and cultural identity. The ‘national drink’

is often the culture and way of life.(Macdonald, 1994)

Meanwhile, alcoholism is the most severe form of alcohol abuse and involves the

inability to manage drinking habits. It is also commonly referred to as alcohol use

disorder. Individuals struggling with alcoholism often feel as though they cannot function

normally without alcohol. This can lead to a wide range of issues and impact

professional goals, personal matters, relationships and overall health. Over time, the

serious side effects of consistent alcohol abuse can worsen and produce damaging

complications (What is Alcoholism?, n. d.).

Many factors increase the risks of alcoholism and alcohol abuse. People may turn to

alcohol for many reasons and gradually develop a dependency on drinking. Some of the

most common reasons onto why people drink is that, it is used as a tool for bonding, an

essential element of festivity and some are used for relaxation and depressing

inhibitions. Some of these reasons on why people drink is because of the society

wherein most of the people who drink is because of their family, the community, stress,

and their work.

Thus, this paper aims to show how the residents of Barangay II, Lucena

City socializes with other people by drinking alcoholand this shows the culture and the

ethnicity on why they drink.

B. Statement of the Problem

 This study aims to get the perspective of the Barangay II residents about drinking

alcohol and their reasons for drinking.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the residents’ demographic profile in terms of:

a. Age

b. Gender

c. Civil Status

d. Preferred Alcohol 

e. Frequency of Drinking

f. Type of Drinker

g. Number of Years Drinking Alcohol

2. What are the social factors of drinking alcohol by the residents of Barangay II,

Lucena City?

3. What are the cultural aspects of drinking alcohol as viewed by the residents of

Barangay II, Lucena City?

C. Significance of the Study

College Students of Medicinal Chemistry.  This study can serve as a guide to those

college students who are  taking up courses of Medicinal Chemistry. This study would

help them to understand and grasp the information and knowledge that they need.

Especially on how they should modify a molecule’s structure to design a safe and

effective drug. 

Alcoholics and Drinkers. This study will help the alcoholic and drinkers to help them

distinguish the information that they still do not know. It can serve as a guidance to
those who are drinking alcohol for a year or more. It will enlighten them on what had

influenced them to drink and their different views in drinking alcohol.

Residents of Barangay II, Lucena City. The residents of Barangay II, Lucena City, who

drinks alcohol would benefit from this study, because they would be able to get

information about the cultural and social aspects of drinking. Especially since, there are

a lot of clubs and bars that are near by the place. This could help the residents to know

how to properly approach the alcoholics and drinkers that also lives in the barangay.

Future Researchers. This paper would be able to help the future researchers to make

similar studies and topics related to alcoholism. It would be easier for the researchers to

find sources and have more knowledge regarding the social and cultural aspects of

alcoholism. These researchers will be more aware on what has influenced alcoholics to

drink. 

D. Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on informing the people about the social and cultural factors of

drinking alcohol especially those people who drinks alcohol and drunkards on how

socialize with others by drinking. The researchers will only discuss how other people

influence and socialize with others by drinking and the reasons on why they drink.

This study will no longer discuss the other aspects of drinking alcohol such as the

psychological, mental and the effects of drinking alcohols except for the social and

cultural aspects of drinking. This study emphasizes the views and perspectives of the

residents of Barangay II, Lucena City and how their relationship with others had
influenced their drinking habits. It also highlights the factors that corresponds to the

society and the lifestyles of those people who drink alcohol.

The researchers believe that thru these residents, peoplewould be informed on

different social and cultural factors on drinking alcohol and the influence of others

through drinking. The respondents were thirty (30) residents from Barangay II, Lucena

City. 

E. Definition of Terms

Affiliation- the way in which two or more people or things are connected 

Alcohol- a beverage that is used as a depressant which causes euphoria, reduced

anxiety and sociability

Alcoholism- a medical condition in which a person frequently drinks too much alcohol

and becomes unable to live a normal and a healthy life (Meriam Webster. 1850)

Cultural- relating to the ideas and social behavior of a particular group of people

Cultural Aspects- interaction and the influences of people on the different concepts and

objects

Depressant- a chemical substance that makes a body’s systems less active

Drinking- it is an act of  drinking alcohol into the body through the mouth

Practice- it is how a person usually behaves towards something or someone

Perception- relating to a person’s point of view on a certain topic or matter

Purpose- a statement or a fact that explains why something is the way it is

Social- relating to people or to the society in general (Meriam Webster. 14 th Century)

Social Factors- Values provides the values and general guidelines for the behavior of a

person in terms of roles and norms

 

CHAPTER II

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This paper used descriptive method since the researchers aims to describe and to

discuss the social and cultural aspects of drinking alcohol. Descriptive method is “a

collection of data in order to test hypothesis or to answer questions concerning the

current status of the subject of the study” (Gay, 1976, Paragraph 3). By using this

method, the researchers know that it will be on using it for their study. 

Information relevant to the study was gathered from different reference materials

such as, books, periodicals, encyclopedia and online sources. In addition, the people

who drink alcohol was surveyed to strengthen the findings and information about this

study.

A. PARTICIPANTS

The researchers used a convenience sampling survey. They did a random

sampling wherein we selected 30 residents from Barangay II, Lucena City. These

respondents were mostly occasional drinkers and some were actually moderate to

heavy drinkers. The researchers conducted their survey to those who live in the

barangay who are comfortable on answering the survey questionnaire. 

B. PROCEDURE

The researchers had started their data gathering about their research study. The

researchers processes for the data gathering was done in a comprehensive manner

through a long period of time. Through these steps, they will able to extract important

information and details about their study:

1. The researchers went to different libraries because it is the easiest place to find and

to gather the information that they need for their research. 

2. They looked for books, encyclopedia, periodicals, and previous studies done by other

researchers that is related to the topic of their research study. It also served as their

guide to extract the gathered information form the references that they got. They

examined the gathered information and looked for the data that they need.

3.The researchers then made a self-developed survey questionnaire and evaluated the

different information that they have gathered, to come up with the accurate question for

their respondents and it can be somehow linked to the respondents’ profile for the

researchers to know the factors and to widen their knowledge about the study. 

4. They approached their teacher and somehow asked for an advice on how they can

relate their study to their respondents. 

5. They revised their questionnaire for their respondents to comprehend with the

questions that they made.

6. The researchers gave it to their respondents which were the residents of the

Barangay II, in the city of Lucena. They were given ample time to collect the data from

the residents.

7. Then, they organized the collected data from their respondents so that they could

prevent inaccurate information from future studies and future references, and also, for

them to avoid any confusion on the given data.

8. The collected data was analyzed by tallying the survey and getting its percentage. It

was then tabled, graphed and organized by the researchers so that it will be easier for

them to get the precise information for their study.

 

C. INSTRUMENT

The researchers used a self-made survey questionnaire, using close ended

questions so that it will be easy for the residents to choose the right answer that is

asked. In this way the questions were made to know the perspective, the influence of

alcohol, the cultural and the social aspects of drinking alcohol. 

The survey was made as a checklist for the respondent to easily answer and read

it. There are three different parts on the given survey. 

In Part I, the residents were asked about their demographic profile, in which they

are asked about their age, civil status, preferred alcohol, the frequency of drinking and

the number of years that they are drinking it. 

In the second part of the survey they were asked on how the social factors of

drinking has influenced their drinking habits through the years and months that they

have been drinking alcohol. The second part is composed of 15 questions, that is

connected to the social factors that influenced the respondents to drink alcohol.

In Part III, they were asked on their different views of the cultural aspects in

drinking alcohol, such as, on how alcohol is used for bonding and social gatherings,

how it is used as an indicator of social status and how it becomes a way to escape

reality. It is composed of 10 statements that relates to the cultural aspects of drinking

alcohol and how it affects and influences their way on how they socialize with others.

 
 CHAPTER III

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A.  The Demographic Profile of the Residents of Barangay II, Lucena City 

Lucena City is divided into 33 barangays. Eleven barangays are classified as

urban, six as sub-urban, eleven as rural and five as coastal barangays. The total

population of Lucena City as of 2011 is 264,879. Out of these, two hundred sixty-four

thousand people, almost two thousand and four hundred people live in Barangay II. Half

of the barangay’s address is located in Trinidad Street, Lucena City (Region IV-A Total

Population by Province, City. 2010) This were you can find most clubs, and bars in

Lucena City where most people have social gatherings in forms of drinking.

FIGURE 1. DISTRIBUTION OF RESINDENTS ACCORDING TO AGE

 
 
The graph above presents the demographic profile of the respondents. Ages 21-

25, 26-30 and above 50 got the highest percentage which is 20 %. 

This supports the Minimum Drinking Legal Age (MLDA) it is a law that specifies the

legal age when an individual can purchase or publicly consume alcoholic beverages. 21

years old is the minimum age for drinking, based on studies, it improves the health of

people and saves life, by having fewer accidents and decreased drinking among people

(Age 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age, n.d.). 

While the age bracket 26-30, states that drinking alcohol in these ages, the

changes you face as you get older are important to understand when thinking about

drinking alcohol. Different health issues may develop as you age. For middle-aged or

older people who are fit and healthy, research has shown the drinking light to moderate
amounts of alcohol that may lead to a lower risk of developing some conditions and

diseases such as, bone loss, stroke, dementia, depression and high blood pressure

(Age and Alcohol: understand the effects of drinking as you get older, n. d.).

Ages 50 and above got one of the highest percentage, because as we get older

and our bodies change, our ability to tolerate alcohol changes too. (Age and Alcohol:

understand the effects of drinking as you get older, n. d.). According the research that is

conducted in 2010 by the National Survey and Drug Use and Health nearly 40% of

adults age 65 and over drink alcohol moderately. In fact some recent studies indicate

that light to moderate drinkers - men who have one or two drinks and women who drink

one half to one drink daily -- are less likely to develop or die of heart disease than

people who drink more than that or not at all (Drinking Alcohol As We Age. 2014.).

 While the age bracket 16-20 got seventeen percent (17%).  In the Philippines the

actual legal drinking age and legal age to purchase alcohol is 18. But most young

people start drinking between the age 16 and 17, who can drink beer, wine or cider with

a meal if it is bought by an adult or if they are accompanied by an adult (Children and

drink: What's legal?, 2007.). On the other hand, ages 36-40 got thirteen percent (13%),

the age bracket 41-45 got seven percent (7%) and the remaining three percent (3%)

came from the age bracket 31-35.

FIGURE 2. DISTRIBUTION OF RESIDENTS ACCORDING TO GENDER

 
 
As shown in the graph there are more male respondents with fifty-five percent

(55%) while the female respondents are only forty-five percent (45%).
 Gender differences in alcohol use and associated problems have been the focus of

much prior research. It has been consistently shown that adult males consume more

alcohol and have more alcohol-related problems than females (Substance Abuse and

Mental Health Services Administration, 2008), which has led the majority of early

alcohol research to focus primarily on alcoholism among men (e.g., Curran & Booth,

1999) and their male offspring (Holguìn, Porjesz, Chorlian, et.al. 1999).The most

consistent and widespread use of alcohol as a social “differentiator” is in the gender

based classification of drinks. Almost all societies make some distinction between

masculine and feminine beverages (Anonymous, n.d.).

FIGURE 3. DISTRIBUTION OF THE RESIDENTS ACCORDING TO CIVIL

STATUS

 
As per civil status, majority of the respondents are married with fifty-two percent

(52%).  According to a research by the American Sociological Association they have

found that married people consumed more drinks than long-term divorced or recently

widowed. While in most part married women had consumed great amount of alcohol

they lived with men who had higher levels of alcohol use. (Casselbury, n.d.)

The second biggest percentage are respondents that are single with forty-five

percent (45%). The remaining three percent (3%) of the respondents are widowed,

while zero percent (0%) for the ones that are separated.

TABLE 1. DISTRIBUTION OF RESIDENTS ACCORDING TO THEIR

PREFERRED ALCOHOL

PREFERRED n %
ALCOHOL
Beer 19 63.3%
 Brandy 15 50%
Gin 5 16.6%
Wine 5 16.6%
Cocktails 3 10%
Soju 3 10%
Vodka 3 10%
Tequilas 2 6.6%
Lambanog 1 3.3%
Rum 1 3.3%
Whiskey 1 3.3%
Among the 30 surveyed residents of Barangay II, 19 respondents have answered

that their preferred alcohol is beer. Beer in the Philippines is mainly produced by the two

large breweries: San Miguel Corporation, which produces San Miguel Pale Pilsen,

and Asia Brewery, the second-largest brewery in the country. Beer is the most

consumed alcoholic beverage in the Philippines and amounts to a 70% share of the

domestic alcoholic drinks market in terms of volume during 2005. Between 2003 and

2004, the Philippines showed the fastest growth rate in the world of 15.6%. (Alcohol

Drinks in the Philippines. 2008).

The second biggest number of preferred alcohol by the residents is brandy. It is an

alcohol beverage that is a spirit produced distilling wine, some are produced using a

combination of both aging and coloring. Varieties of wine brandy can be found across

the winemaking world. (Brandy, 2014). Emperador brandy from the Philippines was the

best-selling brandy in the world in 2012, selling over five times that of global Cognac

brands Hennessy, Martell, Remy Martin and Courvoisier. According to Drinks

International’s Millionaires’ Club (2013), Emperador is the highest best-selling brandy

with 31m 9-litre cases next to McDowell’s No.1 (10.9m) and Gran Matador (7.8m) (The

Philippines' Emperador heads top ten brandy list, 2013).

While the gin and wine had the third highest alcohol range with a frequency of five, next

to the cocktails, vodka and soju with three frequencies, and the second last preferred

alcohol by the residents is tequilas and the last three were whiskey, rum, and lambanog

with only one frequency among the alcohols that were chosen by the residents.

FIGURE 4. DISTRIBUTION OF RESIDENTS ACCORDING TO THE FREQUENCY OF

DRINKING

As shown in the graph above, half or fifty percent (50%) of the residents have

answered that they only drink occasionally. One of the reasons why people drink is

because of social occasions, to celebrate a birthday or the advent of a New Year,

maybe to relax with some friends or to speak and act more freely-under the belief that a

good drink improves their performance(Anonymous, n.d.). 

On the other hand, twenty-seven percent (27%) had said that they only drink once

a week. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, it has been

reported that over the past year, 6.8 percent (6.8%) of women and 10.3(10.3%) percent

of men had said that they only drink once a week (Casselbury, n.d.). "Average intake

makes no distinction between the individual who has seven drinks, all on one day each

week, for example, and someone who has just one drink, every day"(Breslow, 2008,

para. 7). However, when done responsibly, drinking in moderation can benefit your
health. However, binge drinking, even only once a week, has repercussions that

outweigh any potential benefits (Casselbury, n.d.).

While the two least answered frequency of drinking among the residents is

nineteen percent (19%) had answered that they drink alcohol 2-3 times a week and only

four percent (4%) had answered that they drink alcohol every day.

FIGURE 5. DISTRIBUTION OF RESIDENTS ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF

DRINKER THEY ARE

 
Based on the collected survey of the researchers, more than half or fifty-nine

percent (59%) of the residents from the barangay had answered that they are an

occasional drinker. Although a lot of the respondents had answered that they are only

occasional drinker, they may not know that occasional drinking can trigger complex

process in the body. Alcohol may affect several body organs. It can interfere with the

brain’s communication pathways, which can change mood and behavior. Gradually or

even in a single occasion, drinking can damage the heart and may even be a risk

factor for stroke and cardiac attacks (Josef, 2018). 

While thirty-nine percent (39%) of the respondents answered that they are only

moderate to drinkers. Moderate drinking actually prevents you from getting drunk, this

means that moderate drinkers don't drink to get drunk. It is the amount sufficient to

confer heart benefits, while minimizing the dangers of heavier drinking.(What is

moderate drinking? n.d.). The right consumption of alcohol is only 12 ounces of beer, or

five ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces or a shot of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor

(Standard Drink in the U.S., n.d.).

 While the least answered by the 30 selected residents of Barangay II, Lucena City,

is that only seven percent (7%) of them are heavy drinkers. This means that heavy

dinking is an especially ambiguous term that it can be referred to as ‘binge drinking.’

Almost all alcoholics do drink heavily, but not all heavy drinkers are alcoholics. Binge

drinkers, for example, are defined by the practice of drinking more than four (for women)

or five (for men) drinks in about a two-hour period.

FIGURE 6. DISTRIBUTION OF RESIDENTS ACCORDING TO THE NO. OF YEARS

THAT THEY ARE DRINKING ALCHOL

 
As shown in the graph thirty-nine percent (39%) of the residents had been drinking

for more than 10 years. Drinking for more than 10 years can lead to a lot of damage in a

drinkers body, this states that not only their bodies change but also on their lifestyle.

(Pujalte, n.d.). “The daily amount I consume isn't enormous - but over time it's become a

seemingly unbreakable habit, and of course I worry about the long term health

effects.”( Peter, 2015). The craving for alcohol is such that family and work matters

suffer. Craving for alcohol is a strong urge or need to drink, that can lead to the loss of

control of a drinker, or not being able to voluntarily stop drinking once begun (Pujalte,

n.d.).

While twenty-five percent (25%) said that they are only drinking alcohol for less

than a year. Alcohol is the drug of choice among youth. Many young people are

experiencing the consequences of drinking too much, at too early an age. As a result,

underage drinking is a leading public health problems. According to a study teens start
to drink alcohol at an early age, because alcohol is an addictive drug, people who are

starting to drink alcohol could still have be harmful and illegal especially for teens and

those who have only drink alcohol for a year or less than a year (Teens and Alcohol,

n.d.).

While the least two answered number of years in drinking by the residents is that

only twenty-two percent (22%) are only drinking for 5-10 years while fourteen percent

(14%) are only drinking for about 2-5 years.

B. The Social Factors that Influence the Drinking Habits of the Residents of Barangay II,

Lucena City 

Social factors have consistently been implicated as a cause of vulnerability to

alcohol use and abuse. The reverse is also true, in that individuals who engage in

excessive drinking may alter their social context (Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental

Research, 2010). People drink alcohol only for the effect it has on the way they

feel. The social drinkers may get a feeling of relaxation and freedom from tension.

The drinkers drink because they must in spite of knowing that drinking is affecting their

lives in a harmful way (Gitlow, n.d.).

TABLE 2. THE SOCIAL FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE DRINKING HABITS OF

THE RESIDENTS OF BARANGAY II, LUCENA CITY

Social Factors N %
Stress 17 57%
Community 15 50%
Family 15 50%
Price and 12 40%
Availability
Work 11 37%
Place of Residence 5 17%
 School and Peers 4 13%
Social Class 4 13%
Gender Groups 2 7%
Movies/Television 1 3%
Race and Ethnicity 1 3%
Advertising 0 0%
Mental Health 0 0%
Social Media 0 0%
 

Table 1 shows the social factors that influence the drinking habits of the

residents. The researchers ranked the results according to the social factors that

influenced the respondents. Among the 30 selected residents of Barangay II, 15 of them

have answered that one of the social factors that had influenced them to drinking is

because of stress. Some studies indicate that many people drink to relive stress and

anxiety, as a means of coping with modern life and its accompanying economic stress,

job stress and marital discord (Stress in Drinking, n.d.). When dealing with stressful

days or nervous situations, you may be tempted to have a glass of wine or a beer to

calm your nerves. However, drinking alcohol, especially heavily and over a long period

of time, can actually increase anxiety or stress.( Alcohol and anxiety, 2014).

The second most answered among the factors that had influenced the drinking

habits of people is because of the community. A community is actually more than just a

group of people living in a particular area. It is group of people who we lean on when

times are when times are tough (What Does Community Mean To You?, 2012).

Therefore, it has influenced and is also one of the reasons why the residents had

chosen the community because it has affected as a resident and as a citizen.

Family is one of the highest factors that has influenced the drinking habits of the

residents with a number of 15 respondents. Some of the strongest influences on

adolescent drinking behavior come from the people that you spend the most of your

time with. Studies found that higher levels of alcohol use among parents is associated

with increased alcohol use of adolescents and young adults (Cruz, et.al, 2012). 

The price and availability of alcohol is the fourth greatest reason on why the

residents had been influenced and had change their drinking habits. The most

fundamental law of economics links the price of a product to the demand for that

product. Accordingly, the decrease of the monetary price of alcohol would be expected

to higher the consumption of alcohol and its adverse consequences. Studies

investigating such a relationship found that alcohol prices were one factor influencing

alcohol consumption among youth and young adults. (The Effects of Price on Alcohol

Consumption and Alcohol-Related Problems, n.d.).

Work is also one of the social factors that has influenced the drinking habits of the residents from Barangay II.

Although it is illegal to drink at work still many had answered that it has still influenced them. The availability of

alcohol and workplace culture including attitudes, behaviours and expectations around drinking in work-related

environments can influence individual alcohol use and drinking patterns and the impact of alcohol-related harm on the

safety and health and overall productivity of the workplace. Workplace factors, including working conditions,

workplace customs, practices and environments can increase the risk of individual alcohol use and influence

individual drinking patterns (Workplace Culture and Workplace Factors, n.d.).

The next is the place of residence, with 5 number of frequency among the respondents. Since the culture of

Lucena has been known to a lot of parties, it has also affected the drinking habits of the residents, but within the

town, Barangay II is one of the commonly known place where there are a lot of bars, clubs and parties where teens

and even adults go to drink and have social gatherings.

The last eight social factors were, school and peers, with 4 number of frequencies that is tied with the social

class with also a number of 4 frequencies. The least social factor that has influenced the drinking habits of the

residents is the gender groups with a number of 2 frequencies. Then the social factor that has only 1 frequency which

is the moves/television and the race and ethnicity. While the least 3 social factors with

no number of frequencies is advertising, mental health, and social media.

C. Cultural Aspects of Drinking Alcohol as Viewed by the Residents of Barangay II,

Lucena City

In all cultures, drinking is a rule-governed activity, hedged about with self-imposed

norms and regulations concerning who may drink how much of what, when, how, in

what contexts, with what effects or the rules which are often the focus of strong

emotions. Drinking is, in all cultures, essentially a social activity, and most societies

have specific, designated environments for communal drinking. In all societies,

alcoholic beverages are used as powerful and versatile symbolic tools, to

construct and manipulate the social world (Social and Cultural Aspects of Drinking,

n.d.).

TABLE 3. THE CULTURAL ASPECTS AS VIEWED BY THE RESIDENTS OF

BARANGAY II, LUCENA CITY

Table 2 shows the views on the cultural aspects of drinking by the residents of

Barangay II, Lucena City. The researchers ranked the results from the highest to the

lowest number of frequencies answered by the respondents. 

STATEMENTS n %
As a tool for bonding in parties and social 26 87%
gatherings
For relaxation and depressing inhibitions 19 63%
An essential element of festivity 10 33%
 
A transition from work to play(Recreation) 9 30%
An essential part of your everyday life 6 20%
Facilitates self-expression and self-disclosure 4 13%
Used as a substance for healing illness 4 13%
An indicator of social status to drinkers 2 7%
As gender differentiations (males and females) 1 3%
Associated with thrill and sexual prowess 1 3%
 
 Among the 30 selected residents 26 or eighty percent (26 or 87%) of them have

answered that they drink alcohol because it is a tool for bonding in parties and social

gatherings. Alcohol provides a base to sociability and the facilitating of social strains, in

general, public where humans relation are very difficult. It becomes a way for different

gender to communicate with each other especially on certain events. These events and

social gatherings provide a base for conviviality and the easing of social tensions in a

society where human relations are not easy (Anonymous, n.d.).

The second highest cultural aspect chosen by the residents is for relaxation and

depressing inhibitions with sixty-three percent (19 or 63%). People drink alcohol only for

the effect it has on the way they feel. The alcoholics often show a great change in

personality they may become angry or argumentative or quiet and depressed. Often, a

small amount of alcohol causes persons with alcoholism to feel even more anxious,

sad, tense and confused (Gitlow, n.d.).

While the third highest cultural aspect that is viewed by the residents of the

barangay is, that it has become an essential element of festivity with thirty-three percent

(10 or 33%). In many cultures, people drink alcohol because it is their ritual and their

festivity or events such as, graduation, job promotion, house-warming and sometimes

retirement.

The next highest cultural aspect is that it has become a transition from work to play

or their recreation, with thirty percent (9 or 30%).  Alcohol is the oldest of all recreational

drugs, and it is widely consumed especially in the Western world. Furthermore

alcohol involves an undeniable intrusion into the private lives of employees (Alcohol:

The World’s Oldest Recreational Drug, n.d.).In fact studies have shown In fact studies
have shown that drinking in moderation can bring health benefits. It is important that

people keep in mind that they are dealing with recreational drug, and that there will

likely be serious consequences if they continue to overindulge (Alcohol as a Safe

recreational Drug, n.d.).

The fifth highest cultural aspect that it is an essential part of a drinkers’ everyday

life with twenty percent (6 or 20%).Societies in which alcohol is traditionally an

accepted, unremarkable and morally neutral element of everyday life. They tend to favor

‘uninhibited’, highly visible drinking-places, with large windows and open spaces such

that, customers and facilities are clearly displayed. Even where the climate does not

allow permanent outdoor tables, the drinking-place extends physically into the

environment, overlaps and merges with the everyday world (Martinez & Martin, 1987).

The other five cultural aspects is, that alcohol facilitates self-expression and self-

disclosure with the same percentage as that it is used as a healing illness with thirteen

percent (4 or 13%). Next is that it is an indicator of social status to drinkers with seven

percent (2 or 7%) and the two least chosen cultural aspect with only one percent (1 or

3%) is that one of their reasons for drinking is because of gender differentiations from

males and females and that it is associated with thrill and sexual prowess.

 
  

 CHAPTER IV

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Summary

This paper intended to prove the different social and cultural aspects of drinking

alcohol as viewed by the residents of the Barangay II.

30 residents from the Barangay II are the chosen respondents of the researcher to

answer the given questionsabout the cultural and social aspects that had influenced

their habits on drinking. The researcher used a random sampling method in the survey

questionnaire.

The method used in data gathering was conducting a survey, the researchers

gathered information through different libraries and from online sources.

The research paper findings are the following:

1.The researchers discovered that more male above 50 years old, and that the age

bracket 21-25 and 26-20 got the same frequency with twenty percent (20%). While the

people who are already married tend to drink more alcohol than those people who are

separated, single and widowed and half of the respondents had said that they were

married with fifty percent while the other three, which is those people who are single got

forty-three percent (43%) and the two remaining got three percent (3%) which is the

widowed and zero percent (0%) on those who are separated.  On the other hand, their

preferred alcohol was beer with sixty-three percent (63%). These residents only drink

occasionally with forty-three percent (43%) which means they are only occasional
drinkers with fifty-six percent (56%) while the number of years that they are drinking was

actually more than ten years with thirty-six percent.

2. Stress had influenced most of the residents of Barangay II, Lucena City. Among

the 14 social factors on drinking provided by the researchers with fifty-seven percent

(57%) next to the community with the same percentage as the family with fifty percent

(50%). While the price and availability ranking as the fourth with forty percent (40%)

followed by the work which has thirty-seven percent (37%). Sixth in the list is the place

of the residents with seventeen percent (17%) next to the school and peers with thirteen

percent (13%), then the social class with thirteen percent (13%) and then the gender

groups with only seven percent (7%). While the movies and television and the same

percentage as the race and ethnicity with three percent (3%). While the last three also

got the same percentage with zero percent (0%).

3. Twenty six out of  30 respondents from Barangay II, had answered that alcohol

is used as a tool for bonding in parties and social gatherings with eighty-seven percent

(87%) while the second one is used for relaxation and depressing inhibitions with sixty-

three percent (63%) next to the use of alcohol as an essential element of festivity with

thirty-three percent (33%). The fourth one is used as a transition from work to play in

other words recreation with thirty percent (30%) then it is an essential part of everyday

life came in fifth with twenty percent (20%). The sixth is that it facilitates self-expression

and self-disclosure with thirteen percent (13%) same as that it is used as a substance

for healing illnesses. Then the eight cultural aspect is used as an indicator of social

status to drinkers with seven percent (7%). While the last two has the same percentage
 with three percent (3%) which it is used as gender differentiations and it is associated

with thrill and sexual prowess. 

B. Conclusions

Based on the findings of the study the following conclusion are drawn:

1.Majority of the selected residents from Barangay II, were occasional drinkers that only

drinks occasionally, most of them were married men ages 50 and above who likes to

drink beer. Also, 

2. Their different views on different aspects has affected and has influenced them on

their drinking habits, one of these is because of stress. Moreover, the community is also

one of the reasons that has influenced them on drinking alcohol.

3. The selected residents thinks that alcohol is a tool for bonding in parties and social

gatherings because they believe that these events and social gatherings provide a base

for conviviality and the easing of social tensions in a society.

C. Recommendations

For the drinkers and alcoholics

1. Give information and enlighten the drinkers on the different aspects of

drinking alcohol.

2. Guide them on their views on the factors of drinking alcohol especially to those

who are alcoholics.

For the residents of Barangay II, Lucena City

 1. Persuade and encourage the residents to do activities and programs for the

barangay, that it does not only the drinkers but also the other residents.

2. Give information on the social and cultural aspects of drinking so that they could

also help others especially those who are alcoholics.

For the future researchers

1. Conduct more study or a study that can be related to the research paper

and obtain a clear information and statement about the topic.

2. Provide more information that can be used for future studies and research.

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