This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. Publication rights with Alkhaer Publications. Published at: http://www.ijsciences.com/pub/issue/2015-10/ DOI: 10.18483/ijSci.631; Online ISSN: 2305-3925; Print ISSN: 2410-4477  GRACE MINERVA Q. MACASAET (Correspondence)  gquisquino@yahoo.com  + Cultural Values in Selected Southeast Asian Countries As Reflected in Representative Short Stories: Comparative Study Macasaet, Grace Minerva Q., Teodoro M. Maranan Abstract: The study on the “Cultural Values in Selected Southeast Asian Countries As Reflected in Representative Short Stories: A Comparative Study” reveals the intent of the researcher to investigate on t he commonalities of cultural values in the community life and lifestyles of some selected Southeast Asian countries based on selected short stories of ASEAN literature. These selections were all written during the period from 1950s – 1990s against a background of profound political, social, and psychological change. The researcher has found out that it is not difficult to understand why the short story has been readily adopted by Southeast Asian countries and has gained prominence in the present-day literature of these countries. The adaptability of the short story has enabled them to encompass a wide range of human experience. For example, social stratification is present in practically all societies. The idea of inequality in power, status, wealth, or all three. In the traditional societies of Southeast Asia, stratification is seen primarily in terms of a social hierarchy which bestows status. This study of the cultural values offer valuable insights into the character and integration of Southeast Asian short stories. The short story, with its immersion in society and its concern for the individual, has continually engaged itself in discovering the patterns that emerge from the relationship between the individual and society. ASEAN literature is important in the society where it is written. People read a great deal of short stories, mostly for entertainment, the effects can be more profound and longer lasting than mere escapism. Content Analysis is a research technique which involves the objective systematic and qualitative description of the manifest content of communication. The researcher of this study deciphered the images that could be seen in the short story under study through the chosen literary elements. From these literary elements, she identified the different social realities that are revealed through economy, politics, education and religious life of some selected Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore, and the Philippines. The primary focus of this study was the comparative analysis of the commonalities of cultural values in the community life and lifestyles of some selected ASEAN countries as reflected on representative short stories of ASEAN literature. The outputs of the system were the results, findings, and implications of the selected Southeast Asian countries for peace, unification, and solidarity in the Southeast Asian region. The researcher was also interested to know if there had been any change in the image depiction of the selected Southeast Asian countries in contemporary short stories from 1950s to 1990s. List of 35 Short Stories from Seven Southeast Asian Countries Indonesia 1. Inem by Pramoedya Ananta Toer 1952 2. Sri Sumarah by Umar Kayam 1975 3. The Soldier by Nugroho Notosusanto 1956 4. The Decline and Fall of Our Local Mosque by A.A. Navis 1956 5. Meant For Each Other by Abdul Muis 1956 Malaysia 1. Mariah by Che Husna Azhari 1993 2. Victoria and Her Kimono by M.Shanmughalingam 1984 3. A Question of Dowry by Siew Yue Killingley 1962 4. A Common Story by Kassim Ahmad 1959 5. Grave Harvest by Ajikik 1978 Myanmar