Abstract
Anti-intellectualism has been a prevalent phenomenon in educational institutions for generations, targeting the most active and high-performing students and academic achievers as asserted. The research aims to know the related themes to the existing anti-intellectualism, the impact of anti-intellectualism on the self-esteem of academic achievers, and students' perception towards anti-intellectualism. A phenomenological research design was used in the study, which is focused on the lived experiences of Grade 12 academic achievers on anti-intellectualism. The researchers used purposive sampling given that they needed to obtain key informants who fit the set of criteria. The conducted One-on-One interview presented that the Grade 12 Academic Achievers in Lyceum of Alabang have low self-esteem because of being exposed to anti-intellectualism. Therefore, the research reveals that academic achievers face external factors such as an unhealthy learning environment, normalized anti-intellectualism, and unhealthy competition, which contribute to their exposure to anti-intellectualism, while smart shaming, characterized by high expectations, opposite beliefs, crab mentality, backhanded compliments, and inside jokes, significantly impacts their self-esteem and social interactions, ultimately hindering their academic and personal development; therefore, the normalization of anti-intellectualism in various settings restricts their potential for participation and perpetuates a culture that shames and undermines intellectuals.
