Southern Philippines Research Articles

Indigenous education as community of practice: a case of grassroots learning of the Manobo in the Philippines

ABSTRACT Indigenous education efforts across the world’s Indigenous communities are being implemented to address varying challenges of poverty, cultural discrimination, resource dispossession and isolation. Engaged in a decolonisation agenda, most Indigenous communities are leading diverse localised efforts that turn inwards to their own rich tapestries of knowledge, culture and relationships. In this paper, we argue for the need to broaden the conceptualisation of Indigenous education models to account for the invaluable role that social learning and practice play in sustaining grassroots efforts on how a particular Indigenous people engage with formal educational processes. This paper explores Indigenous education as a community of practice that exemplifies mutual engagement, joint enterprise and shared repertoire, as crucial elements in sustaining Indigenous education endeavours. We use Lave and Wenger’s “communities of practice” as a theoretical framework to better understand how the Manobos, an Indigenous group in the southern Philippines, have been able to successfully operate their own school. Drawing from participant-observation and key informant interviews with teachers, community leaders and missionaries, we foreground examples of how the Manobos rely upon mutual engagement, joint enterprise and shared repertoire of actors to show that they belong to an overarching community of practice. More specifically, we demonstrate that Indigenous education as practiced by the Manobos is a socially constituted enterprise that entails grassroots learning at the individual and collective level, collaborations with external groups, as well as strategic negotiation and compliance with government’s policies that ultimately help them sustain the school’s operation.

Taxonomic revision of the king cobra Ophiophagus hannah (Cantor, 1836) species complex (Reptilia: Serpentes: Elapidae), with the description of two new species

The taxonomy of king cobras (Ophiophagus) was reevaluated using qualitative, mensural and meristic characters, based on 148 entire and five skeletal specimens, and supported by a recent molecular phylogenetic analysis. We provide nomenclatural synopses of both the genus and species-series nomina. We restrict the concept of Ophiophagus hannah s. str. to populations from eastern Pakistan, northern and eastern India, the Andaman Islands, Indo-Burma and Indo-China, south to central Thailand. The nomen Ophiophagus bungarus (Schlegel, 1837) comb. nov. is revived for the populations inhabiting the Sunda Shelf area, including the Malay Peninsula, the Greater Sunda Islands and parts of the southern Philippines. We describe two new species, Ophiophagus kaalinga Gowri Shankar, Das & Ganesh sp. nov. endemic to the Western Ghats of south-western India and Ophiophagus salvatana Gowri Shankar, Das & Wüster sp. nov., inhabiting the island of Luzon in northern Philippines. For the purpose of nomenclatural stability, we designate a neotype for Hamadryas hannah Cantor, 1836. A dichotomous identification key to the four species recognized here is provided.

UNDERSTANDING THE MANAGEMENT OF MALIGNANT GLIOMAS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN A HIGH VOLUME TERTIARY GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL IN THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract AIMS Malignant glioma is a common primary brain tumor with a great burden of disease. When COVID-19 set in, it became a challenge to manage an already difficult treatment process in low-resource-setting centers. Despite this, conventional recommendations and standard treatment protocols are followed. However, outcomes were perceived to deviate from the convention, hence the reason for this study which is to understand the nature of outcomes in the management of malignant gliomas during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), the largest government tertiary hospital in the Philippines. METHOD A retrospective chart review of nine clinically and histologically diagnosed cases of malignant gliomas admitted in SPMC between April 2020 to September 2021 was performed. The clinical presentations, image correlation, and outcomes were listed. Then, classified as desirable, undesirable but acceptable, or unacceptable based on factors identified. Qualitative analysis by deduction including outcomes determining possible modifications in treatment of future cases was done. RESULTS Of the nine cases, one was listed as desirable, one with unacceptable outcome due to management complications, and the rest were labeled as undesirable but acceptable either because of advanced disease or poor KPS score. Three major factors were determined: the roles of pre-hospital and initial treatment delays, the decision for surgical treatment, and the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION The shift in the outcomes of malignant gliomas during COVID-19 shows the management challenge in low resource centers. There is an increase in highly malignant cases with guarded prognosis due to lack of education, support, and resources in terms of early diagnosis, treatment, and post-surgical care. This was aggravated by the restrictions imposed by the pandemic and financial crisis, especially for patients below the poverty line. Delays in management show a significant influence on prognosis regardless of treatment. As such, possible modifications in the current treatment algorithm are hereby recommended.

Habitat associations of bats in the green spaces of Davao City, Mindanao, Southern Philippines

Habitat associations of bats in the green spaces of Davao City, Mindanao, Southern Philippines

Toward an Integrated Social-ecological Assessment of a Traditional Upland Rice-based Agroecosystem in Southern Philippines

Located in Southern Philippines, the Sarangani traditional agroecosystem currently sits at the nexus of ecological devastation, bio-cultural erosion, and pervasive modernization. Upland farms in these remote areas are inhabited predominantly by smallholder tribal households who cultivate rice landraces using traditional farming methods. Integrated agroecosystem assessment revealed Sarangani social-ecological system (SES) components, along with connections and feedback loops that underlie their interactions. DPSIR and CCA jointly identified drivers of change in Sarangani SES, revealed its key features, and investigated the whole gamut of issues impacting it. CCA, based on an Ishikawa cause and effect diagram, identified upland poverty, tribal culture and government mismanagement as root causes of intractable problems in the Sarangani SES while DPSIR successfully gauged the suitability of responses instituted by the local government. Study results can thus be used as bases for policy/programs that will resolve problem root causes in the Sarangani SES. In addition, steps must be undertaken to mitigate the effects of climate change which has proven to be utterly devastating in these vulnerable areas. Finally, for traditional agroecosystems like the Sarangani SES, interventions that uphold human well-being while conserving tribal culture/resources and preserving the environment are therefore warranted. Keywords: social-ecological systems, DPSIR, causal chain analysis, Sarangani, traditional agroecosystem

Etlingera lacerata (Alpinieae, Zingiberaceae), a new ginger species discovered in Mindanao Island, Philippines

During our continued expeditions in Mindanao Island of southern Philippines, a new species, Etlingera lacerata Naive, was discovered and is herein described and illustrated. Resembling E. amomoides closely, it is easily distinguished by its turbinate spike with a tapering tip and a red labellum adorned with occasional white spots along the lacerate margin. This study includes a comprehensive species description, colored photographs, phenology, habitat details, geographical information, and a provisional conservation assessment for this new endemic Etlingera species. With this discovery, the total of known Etlingera species in the Philippines rises to 18, with 12 of them being endemic to the archipelago.

Environmental Assessment in Panguil and Iligan Bay, Philippines: Review and Future Perspectives

Northern Mindanao, in the southern Philippines, is known for its rich biodiversity and vital coastal ecosystems. Rapid economic growth in the region, marked by industrialization and urban expansion, raises concerns about pollution and its impact on water quality and marine life. This review deals with environmental assessments conducted in Panguil and Iligan Bay, focusing on pollutant levels and their effects on marine life. By analyzing data from sediments, phytoplankton, benthic foraminifera, seagrasses and macroinvertebrates, key contaminants affecting the region’s environmental health and biodiversity were identified. Findings across various studies were integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding of contamination trends and biodiversity responses. This work emphasizes the interconnected environmental challenges in Iligan and Panguil Bay, along with the surrounding areas, urging a multifaceted approach that promotes sustainability, fills research gaps, and informs effective conservation and management strategies.

A Narrative Inquiry into the Meaning of Smoking among Farmworkers in Southern Philippines

Cigarette smoking is recognized as a global health threat. By the same token, it remains highly prevalent in low and middle-income families like farmworkers, despite efforts by the government and private health agencies to prevent smoking. Thus, this study explored the meaning of smoking among farmworkers and how the meanings reproduced their tenets while living in a farming community. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that qualitatively investigated the smoking phenomenon among farmworkers in a rural area in Southern Philippines— a topic that has not been treated in much detail in the literature. The research framework used in this work is the socio-cultural tradition (SCT) of communication theory, which theorizes communication as the (re)production of the social order. Using narrative inquiry, the study delved into the seven narratives of farmworker participants about the meaning of smoking. Individual open interviews were conducted among the participants to elicit stories relative to their experience with smoking. The data were analyzed through re-storying and narrative thematic analysis, yielding five themes constituting their meaning of smoking that reproduced a new social order. Results showed that smoking is (1) a parent and peer influence, (2) a means to manage negative feelings and emotions, (3) a thought-provoker and organizer, (4) a culture among friends, and (5) an integral part of life. All these meanings consequently formed and reinforced a new social order, seemingly an indestructible barrier to smoking cessation. Anchored on SCT, it can be surmised that farmworkers’ tenets, while living in their community, were reproduced by these meanings of smoking that governed their lives.

Telepsychiatry Enables Better Mental Health Care Access in a Southern Philippines Hospital: a Mixed Methods Outcome Evaluation

The Philippines faces a significant unmet need for mental health care services, especially in remote and underserved areas with limited access to traditional in-person psychiatric services. Telepsychiatry offers a potential solution for bridging this gap and improving access to care. This study aimed to evaluate the telepsychiatry service in a Level 1 government hospital in southern Philippines and assess its feasibility for improving mental healthcare access. This evaluation study used a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative analysis of patient demographic data and psychiatric diagnoses retrieved from medical records (2018–2021), as well as qualitative in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with patients, guardians, and hospital staff. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis was also conducted to assess areas for improvement. The majority of patients were between 18–35 yr old, male, and single. The most common diagnoses were schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, followed by depressive and anxiety disorders. Key issues included medicine shortage, lack of communication, and poor Internet connectivity. However, stakeholders cited advantages such as access to free consultations, timely diagnosis, and potential for service scale- up. This study features telepsychiatry's potential for enabling better mental health care access in resource-constrained areas of the Philippines. It is the first to demonstrate telepsychiatry service provision from a specialist hospital to a Level 1 government hospital in the country. However, sustained multi-sector and multi-level coordination is crucial for long-term viability. Recommendations for enhancement and future research directions are provided.

Instructors’ voice on giving students provisional grades: the case of a state university in Southern Philippines

During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, universities and colleges opted to give students provisional (P) grades instead of directly failing the students who had not complied with academic requirements. This study presents the voices of the instructors of a University in Southern Philippines on giving students provisional grades. The participants of the study were the instructors from the three colleges of the University. The study was qualitative, and open-ended questions were used to gather data through interviews. Content analysis was used to analyze the data gathered. Themes generated from the participants include challenges in interacting with students, students’ lack of concentration, students’ lack of compliance, and students taking advantage of provisional grades. With this, the researchers recommend that the University should provide training and seminars to the instructors and students on topics such as mental health awareness, advocacy, and digital literacy. Moreover, whenever the University comes up with a new policy, it is beneficial to ask for feedback from stakeholders to gain insights into how the policy might affect them and ensure that their rights will be respected and upheld. This is to ensure that the policy is fair, transparent, and equitable

Checklist of Parasitic Plants in Marilog District, Southern Philippines

Checklist of Parasitic Plants in Marilog District, Southern Philippines

Pattern of Species Diversity and Carbon Stocks along the Intertidal Zones of A Protected Mangrove Forest in Southern Philippines

Pattern of Species Diversity and Carbon Stocks along the Intertidal Zones of A Protected Mangrove Forest in Southern Philippines

Integrating a PABX Telephone System Learning Tool into Telecommunications Technology Curricula

This study aims to develop an operational Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX) telephone system to be used as a laboratory tool for students in the Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Technology (BSECT) program at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP). The PABX trainer is expected to enhance students' occupational preparation for potential employment in the telecommunications and networking industries. Through the operational platform, students' cognitive, manipulative, and programming skills related to PABX can be assessed. A telecommunications course is a core component of the BSECT curriculum, familiarizing students with corporate communications platforms like PABX. The presence of physical PABX equipment is crucial for quality instruction aligned with the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) standards and the university's accreditation requirements. While PABX has been widely used in industry, incorporating its technology into the BSECT curriculum remains necessary. This study aims to innovate pedagogical tools that establish students' PABX-related skill sets and potentially lead to further investigations and system integrations with other ICT technologies. The study yielded positive affirmation of the content, technical, and instructional qualities, and its overall acceptability relative to the learning tool. There are also significant improvements in the student’s cognitive skills, manipulative skills, and programming skills set out of using the PABX learning tool in laboratory activities.

A Christian Perspective on Islamic Concepts of Jihad, Iman And Islam in the Context of Mindanao Peace Process

This paper is an excerpt of a full-blown study that the author did on the role of religion in the peace process in Mindanao of Southern Philippines. It attempts to understand and analyze Islamic concepts of Jihad, Iman and Islam and their significance to the problem of armed conflict in Mindanao. Analyses of these concepts is based mainly from the perspective of Islamic liberation theology specifically on the works of Farid Esack, Asghar Ali Engineer, and Fazlur Rahman, whose thoughts on the subject are seen to have more relevance towards development of a contextual Islamic theology of peace and liberation that is reflective of the historical, socio-political, cultural, and economic conditions in Mindanao of Southern Philippines. The study attempts to understand the meanings of Jihad, Iman and Islam and draw out essential and significant theological, ethical, and political principles and values which are relevant to the issues of conflict in Mindanao of Southern Philippines, and the role of religion in the peace process. Based on the principles and values derived from the study of the said Islamic concepts, the study attempts to construct a theological and political agenda that is informed by the historical, social, and political context in Mindanao of Southern Philippines.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC STATE (IS) THREATS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: CASE STUDY OF TERRORISM NETWORK IN SOUTHERN THAILAND, MALAYSIA, SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES AND INDONESIA: A FRAMEWORK FOR A FURTHER RESEARCH

The development of the Islamic State in the Southeast Asian region focused on the countries or sub-regions with aMuslim majority,such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Southern Philippines, and Southern Thailand.Specificimpacts had showntheir effective networking movement around the region.This study aims to provide a risk analysis and development of Southeast Asia's Islamic State (IS).This study uses qualitative and quantitative approaches with the Borda, TOPSISand Risk Matrix methods.Preliminary findings of the qualitative method have shownthat the respective area of research hasa severeproblem due to IS threats based on priority,namely,the southern Philippines, Indonesia, southern Thailand, and Malaysiarespectively.Further research and findings based on a quantitative approach will indicate and confirmthe threat’s seriousness.A transparent organisationand management modelat the regional level to curb and control IS,and other terrorism threats should be established.It is necessary to upgrade and enhance operational and intelligence efforts todefeat the IS in the region.

Design, Development and Implementation of a Diesel Rotary Injection Pump Mock-up for Autotronics Education and Research

This research endeavors to design and integrate a diesel rotary injection pump instructional tool into the BS in Autotronics program at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. The pedagogical tool is expected to significantly enhance the academic performance of BS in Autotronics students by providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of diesel rotary injection pump functionality. The study addresses the knowledge gap in the functionality of diesel rotary pumps, which is perceived as a significant challenge in the program. The learning outcomes demonstrate the development of student's cognitive skills, encompassing the rotary injection pump's theoretical and operational aspects. Furthermore, the actual laboratory activities utilizing the functional components of the mockup provide evidence of the expected manipulative skill set developed during the course coverage, ultimately preparing students for occupational applications in the field of autotronics.

Exploring moral quandaries: An interpretative phenomenological inquiry into the ethical dilemmas faced by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in the Southern Philippines

Background: Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in Lanao del Sur, Philippines, face ethical dilemmas shaped by the Meranao cultural value of ‘Maratabat,’ which emphasizes family honor and dignity. Understanding these cultural nuances is crucial for improving emergency medical care and addressing the ethical challenges encountered by EMTs in this region. Objective: This study aimed to explore the ethical dilemmas experienced by EMTs in disaster management settings, particularly how cultural values shape their decision-making processes. Methods: A phenomenological design was utilized. Eight EMTs working at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Lanao del Sur, Philippines, were purposefully selected to participate. Data were collected from 31 January 2024 to 1 February 2024 through in-depth interviews, and thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. Results: Key themes emerged, including navigating complex dilemmas, adhering to organizational protocols, influential factors impacting EMTs’ capacity to handle ethical dilemmas in emergency services, and coping strategies for EMTs in addressing the psychological burden from ethical dilemmas in emergency care. The concept of ‘Maratabat’ greatly affects EMTs’ ethical decision-making processes, guiding their actions in the field. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of cultural values, organizational backing, and coping mechanisms in effectively enabling EMTs to address moral quandaries in their professional roles. Institutional support, a positive organizational culture, and continuous education are essential in assisting EMTs in making informed decisions amid ethical dilemmas. These findings have implications for interventions and strategies to support EMTs as frontline providers of emergency medical services, enhancing patient care quality during crises.

Understanding and enhancing immune resilience among children in the Southern Philippines through parental perspectives: A qualitative case study

Background: Children in rural communities face significant health challenges due to environmental hazards and limited access to healthcare. Understanding their immune resilience and parental perspectives is crucial for addressing health disparities in such contexts. Objective: This research aimed to explore the immune resilience of children in Tugaya, Lanao del Sur, Philippines, and understand parental perspectives on fostering their children’s health in the face of environmental challenges. Methods: A qualitative case study approach was used. Ten parents of children aged 5-10 from two barangays were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected from 15 January 2024 to 15 February 2024 through semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes were generated: 1) Parental guardianship of children’s immune resilience, 2) Parental insights on fostering immune resilience in children, and 3) Parental perception and action in nurturing children’s immune resilience. These themes highlight parental roles in nurturing health, understanding immune resilience, prioritizing children’s well-being, maintaining cleanliness, providing balanced diets, and promoting proactive and informed parenting practices. Conclusion: It is evident that parents play a crucial role in fostering immune resilience among children by adopting various strategies. Understanding these perspectives can inform public health policies and community interventions to improve children’s health in similar rural contexts. This insight has significant implications for healthcare management and policy, suggesting the need for targeted support and interventions to empower parents in rural communities to enhance their children’s immune resilience.

Food interventions and nutritional status of undernourished children ages 0-5 years old in southern Philippines: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis and determine pooled effectiveness of food interventions on the nutritional status of undernourished children ages 0-5 years old in low- and middle-income countries. Specific objectives include identification, selection, and appraisal of interventions that target undernourished children ages 0-5 years old. This study included Randomized Controlled Trials, Pre-post Interventional, Case-Control, and Cohort Studies that were conducted from 2016-2019 that target Undernourished children, 0-5 years old. The outcome is improvement in Nutritional Status: Weight-for-age, Length-for-age, Weight-for-length, Weight Gain, Mean Weight, Mid-Upper Arm Circumference, Length (cm). The search and identification of studies, supplemented with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, was done through an online database (Pubmed, Ebscohost, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar) and in the Department of Agriculture Library. The study used four (4) tools in appraising the studies. The four tools differed in terms of their indication of use by study design: Risk of Bias-2 for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies- of Interventions for Non-Randomized Studies (NRSI), and Heller’s Public Health Checklist for quasi-experimental (within-group) designs. Out of thirty-one (31) studies, this paper compiled seven (7) interventions. The interventions are local and homemade food, nutritional education, food production, milk-based formula, reduced dose of RUTF, rehabilitation programs, and positive deviance approach. Risk of Bias: (ROB-2) 100% of the studies have low risk in random sequence generation, blinding of outcome assessment, and selective reporting domains. Only 10% of the studies demonstrated unclear or moderate risk under attrition bias due to incomplete outcome data. Roughly 20% of the studies also showed unclear or moderate risk under selection and performance bias. (ROBINS-I) 67% (6/9) of the included studies are low risk for overall bias. (Heller) Studies were appraised by Heller’s checklist where identification of strengths and weaknesses were identified. This review found that local and homemade food improves the nutritional status of undernourished children below five years old. Findings show that nutrition education has little to no effect, while food production needs more studies to increase its certainty. Other interventions mentioned need more similar studies to obtain a pooled effectiveness. This review has excluded studies that are of high risk of bias to minimize low certainty of evidence. However, this review was unable to examine adverse effects of the interventions. This review has some studies not pooled due to missing values such as standard deviations and confidence interval.

Clinicodemographic Profile and Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Upper Aerodigestive Tract Foreign Bodies in the Southern Philippines Medical Center: A Five-Year Retrospective Review

Objective: This study aims to describe the clinicodemographic profile of patients with foreign bodies in the upper aerodigestive tract and their treatment outcomes. Methods: Design: Retrospective review of records Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital Participants: Records of 304 patients diagnosed with aerodigestive foreign bodies Results: Three hundred-four (304) patients were included. The median age was 5.26 years in the pediatric age group and 42.53 years in the adult age group, with a male-to female ratio = 1.97:1. Foreign bodies were ingested in 291 (96%) patients while aspiration occurred in 13 (4%). Overall, 211 (69%) of cases involved the pediatric population (<19 years) and 93 (31%) the adult population. The most common foreign bodies reported were coins (63.5%), food (18.1%), and dentures (11.5%). Most esophageal foreign bodies (244/291; 83%) were seen at the cricopharyngeal level in all age groups. The foreign body was removed successfully in 288/291 (98%) of ingestion cases. All 13 cases of foreign body aspiration were successfully removed by bronchoscopy. All patients were discharged improved. Conclusion: Most upper aerodigestive tract foreign bodies involved the pediatric age group. Predisposing conditions were mainly due to accidental ingestion and aspiration while playing in the pediatric population and negligence in eating among adults. Almost all ingestion cases were successfully treated with esophagoscopy, while all aspirations were treated successfully with bronchoscopy. Most intraoperative and postoperative complications who were managed conservatively by observation, although some cases required referral to other surgical departments and were treated surgically. All patients were discharged improved