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Purpose: There are major gaps in our knowledge of hereditary ocular conditions in the Asia-Pacific population, which comprises approximately 60% of the world's population. Therefore, a concerted regional effort is urgently needed to close this critical knowledge gap and apply precision medicine technology to improve the quality of lives of these patients in the Asia-Pacific region., Design: Multi-national, multi-center collaborative network., Methods: The Research Standing Committee of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and the Asia-Pacific Society of Eye Genetics fostered this research collaboration, which brings together renowned institutions and experts for inherited eye diseases in the Asia-Pacific region. The immediate priority of the network will be inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), where there is a lack of detailed characterization of these conditions and in the number of established registries., Results: The network comprises 55 members from 35 centers, spanning 12 countries and regions, including Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. The steering committee comprises ophthalmologists with experience in consortia for eye diseases in the Asia-Pacific region, leading ophthalmologists and vision scientists in the field of IRDs internationally, and ophthalmic geneticists., Conclusions: The Asia Pacific Inherited Eye Disease (APIED) network aims to (1) improve genotyping capabilities and expertise to increase early and accurate genetic diagnosis of IRDs, (2) harmonise deep phenotyping practices and utilization of ontological terms, and (3) establish high-quality, multi-user, federated disease registries that will facilitate patient care, genetic counseling, and research of IRDs regionally and internationally., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Designing a relevant teaching-learning program amid a pandemic when in-person learning is suspended poses a significant challenge for any educational institution. At a particular Catholic university in the Philippines, an undergraduate course offered a service-learning (SL) activity wherein students actively served as online tutors to underprivileged students. Due to the health crisis, the SL activity seemed impossible, but a carefully planned program was created to continue the students' formation. The implementation of electronic service-learning (ESL) is executed through the collaborative efforts of the different offices and the partner community. This qualitative research utilizes two methods: the formulation of tutorial guidelines and a narrative approach by exploring the experience of the student tutors as expressed in their reflection papers. Three recurrent themes emerged from the participants' reflections, which can be considered significant components of their learning experience--civic learning, a more profound understanding of the course, and the adaptation of essential virtues. This paper validates the claim that the online teaching services rendered by students are indeed beneficial in their formation as socially responsible citizens. In the same way, the tutees have realized that despite their poor economic situation, they are not alone in battling to have a more comfortable life. Lastly, the study findings also helped the school implement its programs despite the suspension of in-person schooling continuously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Philippines has had high levels of unemployment for years. During the 2000s, the unemployment rate hovered between seven and ten percent. High unemployment can have adverse effects on individuals and society. The question that this paper analyses is how unanticipated money growth affect the unemployment situation in the Philippines. There has been literature on the relationship between unanticipated growth on the money supply and unemployment. The paper proposes that only unanticipated money movements will affect real economic variables like unemployment and the output level. In order to test our hypothesis, it is important that we need to quantify the concepts of anticipated and unanticipated money movements. This paper uses time-series data on several economic variables as well as a model based on Geetha et al. (2023). Using an error-correction model, the results show that an unanticipated increase in M2 money is a factor that contributes to unemployment in Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and polyfiuoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on paper packaging resist water and oil to effectively contain food and beverages. However, previous studies have established correlations between PFAS and several diseases including COVID-19, cancers, and obesity. The goal of this collaborative research between the Philippines and Singapore is to set a baseline for PFAS levels in local packaging with the intended outcome of further increasing awareness on these contaminants in Southeast Asia, providing a starting point for migration experiments and risk assessments on PFAS in commercially-available food contact materials and articles, and initiating policy developments on these substances in the Philippines. In this study, 15 different types of PFAS were analyzed in selected paper packaging used by major quick service restaurants (QSRs) in Metro Manila. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), PFAS was detected in 100% of the samples with a total PFAS concentration range of 8.20-97.7 ng PFAS/100 cm². The highest amount of PFAS compound measured across all samples was PF-3,7-DMOA (89.8 ng/100 cm²). PFAS compounds regulated in European packaging such as PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA and PFDA were also detected in all samples but at trace levels. Paper wrappers for rice and small burgers were found to have the highest total PFAS of 97.7 ng PFAS/100 cm². This value translates to approximately 65.1 ng F/100 cm² which is way below 10,000 ng F/100 cm², the currently existing limit for PFAS in packaging set by the Danish Ministry of Environment and Food. While each packaging may be deemed safe compared to regulation, the compounded effects brought by use of multiple packaging, and high frequency and long-term exposures require further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Strengthening Program for Rural Banks (SPRB) in the Philippines has allowed universal banks to purchase rural banks, and this policy highlights the possible advantages of expanding business combinations for intangible assets. Considering the SPRB, this paper examines the intangible motivation behind banks' actions to purchase capital-deficient financial institutions. This study aims to address sources of intangible assets for Philippine banks as Tobin's q measures. Using Tobin's q as a measure of intangible value allows for identifying contributing factors that determine it based on financial data. The study subjects are actively traded Philippine Universal Banks between 2009 and 2018. The influence of variables in the study on intangible asset value, as Tobin's q measures, was determined using an Ordinary Least Squares model. Operational factors significantly influencing intangible value are investments in subsidiaries and associates, the return on assets, and bank deposits. Activities intended to reach target customers, such as those captured by marketing and advertising expenditures, positively influence intangible value. These findings imply that merely purchasing more assets does not improve the value of intangible resources. Instead, asset productivity, funds to make more loans, and informing the public of bank activities benefit intangible asset values. The implications of these findings offer insight into the sources of intangible assets that investors value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Description: The policy paper offers a thorough examination of the issue of stress at work and how it affects workers' mental health. It draws attention to the frequency of workrelated stressors, their detrimental effects on workers' productivity and well-being, and the shortcomings of current strategies in resolving this complex problem. Policy Options: The most promising course of action is a comprehensive strategy that combines workplace mental health support programs with comprehensive mental health education and training. This strategy combines early intervention, preventive interventions, and continuous support to develop a mentally robust workforce. Conclusion and Call to Action: The policy paper highlights how essential it is to give employees mental health top priority and create supportive work conditions. The Philippines can set the stage for a workforce that is healthier and more resilient by implementing the suggested policies. To make a significant difference, legislators, employers, mental health specialists, and advocacy organizations must work together. Recommendation: A set of recommendations grounded in data is provided in the policy document to support the mental health of Filipino workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food delivery riders have gained widespread significance when countries went into lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Particularly in the Philippines, two major companies - Grab and Food Panda - employ thousands of delivery riders as "independent contractors," sans any insurance or protection. This paper argues that food delivery riders, in line with the nature of their work, should be aptly recognized as employees of their digital platforms and should be accorded the proper benefits, protection, and compensation. Notwithstanding the cautious phrasing in the agreements signed by the delivery riders classifying them as independent contractors, it is the submission of this research that the law remains the primary factor that determines the relationship between the parties. As such, an employer-employee relationship, as laid down in Philippine jurisprudence, covers food delivery riders. The paper likewise cites landmark rulings from Spain and France, which recognized delivery riders and drivers as employees of their digital platforms. It is high time that such practices of food delivery businesses be corrected in favor of worker's rights and a decent, gainful livelihood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This short paper builds on and critiques work presenting potential non-disasters: disasters that did not seem to happen despite a major hazard. Previous work does not differentiate among different types of potential non-disasters. This short paper uses local information to propose three categories according to reasons for vulnerability being low or absent. These proposed categories are used to critique the construct of "potential non-disasters". Design/methodology/approach: This short paper uses a subjective approach to examples of potential non-disasters in 2022, focusing on local information that describes what happened. This information is applied and analysed for the three proposed categories using examples from Japan, Nepal, the Philippines and Vietnam. Such comparisons are useful for critiquing "potential non-disasters", by understanding better local approaches and information available for reporting on situations that could be disasters. Findings: Potential non-disasters remain relevant for exploring mechanisms, tools and actions for educating about vulnerability causes and vulnerability reduction to avert disasters. Limitations are evident by relying on media reports, even local ones with local authors. A suggestion is to implement a grant programme for collecting data immediately after a major hazard without an evident, major disaster. Additionally, an annual report and critique of each year's potential non-disasters, categorised and analysed, would help to evidence the presence and limits of the "potential non-disaster" construct. Originality/value: This short paper contributes a much deeper theoretical dive into understanding potential non-disasters, both describing them and the drawbacks of the construct. To practitioners, the construct now offers more avenues for actions while illustrating their effectiveness in reducing vulnerabilities. Thus, this paper supports multiple, linked pathways towards more non-disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past, scholars of academic dependency have tended to focus their discussions on social sciences while treating other fields as separate. They suggest that in order to escape dependency, alternative discourse and autonomy should be developed. In this paper, we examine the Public Health Liberation (PHL) movement in Taiwan and theorize on the marketization and medicalization of the healthcare system since the 1980s as a dependency syndrome. The PHL was initiated by a group of public health scholars—with the second author of this paper being one of its key protagonists—and frontline public health practitioners after the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003. Inspired by the mass mobilization model in public health in Asian and Latin American countries, particularly China, the Philippines, and Nicaragua, PHL trains grassroots public health educators, nurtures critical research, and has built a network of activists for radical public health reform in Taiwan. Based on participatory action research, this paper analyzes the emergence of this influential public health movement and situates it within the global context of neoliberal health reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated students' mental health challenges worldwide, including in the Philippines. This paper explores the University of the Philippines' response to this crisis, a crucial endeavor given the country's limited mental health resources. This paper reviews the relevant documents to the mental health initiative, titled "Sandigan, Sandalan," which sought to empower university stakeholders to advocate for mental and address mental health needs despite resource constraints and the university's vastness. The authors also share their experiences and insights in the program. This program is one of the few university mental health programs that were documented in the Philippines after the legislation of the Philippine Mental Health Act and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key recommendations arising from this experience include enhancing program visibility, fostering stakeholder collaboration toward a clear set of program objectives, leveraging mental health expertise, empowering stakeholders, and designing replicable program models for the different campuses of the university. The initiative underscores the vital role that educational institutions can play and provides valuable insights into supporting students' mental well-being amid large scale challenges in low-resource settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of job fraud victims through online recruitment or online scams has become widespread in the Southeast Asia region. The high flow of mobilization between countries and the ease of visa-free facilities increase the risk of human security threats, including the crime of trafficking in persons (TIP). This paper aims to explain Indonesia's efforts to protect Indonesian citizens/Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) victims of TIP, particularly in the Philippines. The concept of personal security helps identify new security threats that directly impact individuals or citizens. Considering the ease of mobilization and technology, it is possible that future cases caused by online scams will increase. This paper aims to highlight issues that have been overlooked in current discussions. The study adopts a qualitative- descriptive methods, including desk and library research data collection techniques, as well as direct observation. The analysis reveals that successful efforts to protect Indonesian migrant workers in the Philippines contribute to the realization of a key human security concept: freedom from fear. However, there has been no cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines to prevent similar cases from occurring in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sustainable Development Goal 4 has commenced a global mandate to provide equitable access to quality education for everyone. In the Philippines, SDG 4 inaugurates the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Policy. This brief argues that while the NCLB has ensured equal access to quality literacy education, it poses socioeconomic-based challenges, declining rate of parental involvement in their children's schooling, overemphasis on standardized tests, and the lack of community involvement towards literacy programs. The Holistic Literacy Enhancement Program (HLEP) is proposed in this paper to help address these challenges to NCLB. HLEP presents policy implications that could assist the NCLB in more efficient and effective implementation: equitable resource allocation, parental and community engagement, and culturally and linguistically relevant assessment tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing lapses of sports-based strategies in the Philippine setting, the gap between its theoretical foundation and its praxis has ballooned, predominantly attributed to the need for more academic work in this area. Correspondingly, this study provides implications for sports-related strategies for predicting a positive public image of the Philippines and harboring peaceful state cooperation through the merits of soft power. To achieve this, this paper has contrived the objectives, including (1) identifying the implications of hosting the SEA Games 2019 for the country by examining the management of the Philippine government, (2) determining the implications of the elite sporting success of Filipino athletes in sports tournaments, and, lastly, (3) identifying the potential of sports through the implementation of sports-related strategy by the Philippines. Moreover, this paper implements qualitative methods, including document review and key informant interviews, to gather pertinent testimonials from various sub-sectors in sports, including national elite athletes, professional coaches, and sports experts, to assess the state of Philippine sports and significantly determine its potential as a serious form of public diplomacy, particularly in achieving its intended outcomes. This study infers that Philippine sports have the capability to influence the country's stature with consideration of the global media as well as advance its foreign policy of international cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata) is a freshwater turtle species found in select Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines. Our understanding of C. dentata's ecology in the Philippines is not yet fully understood and documented, and this is derived only from a few studies. In this paper, we present our single-event observation of an ectoparasite interaction between C. dentata and the Asian turtle tick (Amblyomma geoemydae) from Sitio Malbato, Barangay Bintuan Coron, Palawan. Our discovery serves as the second documented instance of this ectoparasite on C. dentata in the Philippines, hence extending its known distribution outside mainland Palawan. This finding contributes to the limited understanding of C. dentata's ecology and underscores the need for further field-based observations, which are crucial for their research and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS), formerly the National Nutrition Survey, is a regularly conducted survey that records the Philippines' overall nutritional status. This is especially important not only for government intervention and policy-making but also for private sector entities that plan for their nutrition and development programs. First deployed during the conduct of the 2013 ENNS, the electronic data collection system (EDCS) is a tool that implemented computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) functionalities. This paper records the improvements made to this system and its division into separate subsystems, various CAPI subsystems with specialized functionalities, and how they interact with each other. Descriptive analysis was used for the users' feedback and recommendations -- specifically, for usability and navigation, system performance and portability, technicality and security, and visual design. The system is able to support interviews during the ENNS and receive positive feedback -- garnering visual design the highest, whereas technicality and security the lowest acceptability rating -- thereby proving this division useful. Overall, the system is capable of supporting the ENNS and will continue its improvement through the continual user feedback received. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The informational domain related to COVID-19 reflects the degree of uncertainty and pace of evolution of the pandemic. This places a burden on peoples' searches for information to guide their choices, importantly including for COVID-19 vaccines. Thus, it is important for health communications that support vaccination campaigns to attenuate vaccine hesitancy to be accessible, including in terms of readability, and adapted to the evolving pandemic. This paper aims to understand internet searches on COVID-19 vaccination, specifically the mix of sources and readability of the sources over a two-year period (2021–2023) in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, for search results in English, as English is a main language for each of these locations. The sources accessed through online searches in June 2021 and May 2023 were categorized by type of source and whether they were from one of the focal locations or elsewhere. The readability of information from web-search results was assessed using a set of readability tests (Flesch–Kincaid Reading Ease, Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog Index, Coleman–Liau Index, and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook Grade level). Over the two-year period there was an increase in government sources and reduction in mass media sources with distinct local patterns. Local government sources increased in Singapore whereas foreign government and multi-lateral organization sources increased in Hong Kong, with the Philippines being an intermediate pattern. In contrast to the changing mix of sources, the readability tests indicate a low proportion of URLs scoring within recommended readability thresholds across locations and types of sources over the two years. Information on COVID-19 vaccine development and deployment is an important part of health communications that includes internet search. The paper contributes to understanding health communications during a pandemic, including mix of local and non-local sources and contingency on local social and health context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to assess the legal and regulatory framework for mobile banking (M-banking) in Tanzania. The technological development in information and communication technologies has converted a mobile phone from a simple communication device to a very complex instrument that allows people to perform various digital transactions and extra operations such as web browsing and email reading. Such tremendous developments have brought in place the regime of M-banking. The birth of M-banking has brought legal and institutional challenges that were not anticipated before. It has complicated the traditional role of the telecommunication regulator and financial regulator in the business and caused legal gaps that need to be bridged. Design/methodology/approach: To disclose the legal gaps and bridge them, the study used doctrinal legal method and comparative study to learn the experience of international legal instruments and policies and laws of other jurisdictions. This paper has evaluated the contribution of international legal instruments and legal frameworks of foreign jurisdictions such as Kenya and the Philippines. Findings: It has been revealed that the prevailing laws regulating M-banking in Tanzania do not adequately address and bridge the existing legal gaps. There is a need to enact a specific law regulating M-banking and confer such powers to a specific institution to deal with regulatory issues. Originality/value: This paper stresses the importance of enacting new laws that will offer room for financial inclusion in the digital economy and protect consumers against financial risk. It also intends to act as a catalyst and change agent in policy and legislative development in the M-banking industry. It would also bring special attention to addressing consumer rights, security and risky issues surrounding the M-banking industry. Although several other authors in Tanzania have written in this area, they have not clearly focused on disclosing the existing legal gaps resulting from the convergence of the financial and communication sectors. This paper is therefore trying to offer an extensive discussion on the legislative development in the M-banking industry in Tanzania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What happens when recognized and diverse conditioning factors of linguistic variation are omitted from analysis and/or are not analyzed under a single analytical procedure? This paper explores the consequences of such a choice on data interpretation and, consequently, (socio)linguistic theorization. Utilizing Twitter-style English in the Philippines (EngPH) as a case study, I employ the Twitter Corpus of Philippine Englishes (TCOPE) primarily to investigate and elucidate variations in three morphosyntactic variables that have been previously examined using a piecemeal approach. I propose a holistic quantitative approach that incorporates documented linguistic, social, diachronic, and stylistic factors in a unified analysis. The paper illustrates the impacts of adopting this holistic approach through two statistical procedures: Bayesian regression modeling and Boruta feature selection with random forest modeling. In contrast to earlier research findings, my overall results reveal biases in non-unified quantitative analyses, where the confidence in the effects of certain factors diminishes in light of others during analysis. The adoption of a unified analysis or modeling also enhances the resolution at which variations have been examined in EngPH. For instance, it highlights that presumed 'universals', such as the hierarchy of linguistic > stylistic > diachronic > social factors in explaining variation in some domains, is contingent on the specific variable under examination. Overall, I argue that unified analyses reduce data distortion and introduce more nuanced interpretations and insights that are critical for establishing a well-grounded empirical theory of EngPH variation and language variation as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper critically examines the dominant role of concrete in the modernization of Asian cities since the mid twentieth century. While builders, architects, planners and citizens have long praised the advantages of concrete, we argue that concrete can no longer be seen as socially and environmentally neutral in the Anthropocene. When concrete cracks, it does so literally and metaphorically. The cracks manifest not only in the actual material but as socioecological concerns. We employ the concept of "shadow places" to explore the underside of concrete production where those cracks emerge. Using case studies at the edges of Metro Manila, Philippines, we shed light on the precarious livelihoods of workers in an unregulated aggregate quarry and the dust pollution affecting neighbourhoods near cement plants. These two cases offer insights not only into specific socioecological issues but also into how communities negotiate them. We expose concrete's entanglements and their implications for urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to address the wider questions of populism and its seeming contemporary rise within the specific context of the Philippines, regarding education. Starting from the assumption that neither politics nor education sits above cultures or spaces autonomously acting upon them but instead emerges with/because/against particularities; after a brief overview of populism, I explore the conceptual characteristics in context. This is informed from my own experiences of living and researching in the Philippines, including experience of the Mindanao conflict but also the failure of liberalism in the Philippines more generally, the failure of western education to 'develop' the nation and the reactions that led to the populists rise of Duterte. The paper offers an understanding of the complexities of populism and offers some hope to how education can meet the challenge through a specific example of critical participatory community education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a study of English as a second language (ESL) teachers' and students' newly coined Facebook (FB) lexical items and expressions. It presents sample FB Philippine English (PhilE) words found in ESL teachers' and students' FB posts and messages and the formation mechanisms evident in the lexical items. The lexical items are culled from the researchers-built 50,000-word corpus of FB and FB Messenger conversations posted and sent by the mentioned texts' contributors from the last quarter of 2016 to 2022. The PhilE neologisms are identified from their surrounding English lexical items and analyzed based on a proposed framework for PhilE word-formation processes, and ESL Englishes well-motivated innovations and criteria in standardizing its usages. Data analysis reveals over a hundred PhilE lexical items that are coined through the analytical frameworks used with the present paper's additional proposed processes for FB lexical formation, hypocoristic extension, and anagrammatic transposition or backward spelling. The lexical items, in general, are colloquial, marking the informality of the FB PhilE register, although written in English. In terms of lexicon, it is advanced that FB English in the country is a variety of Internet PhilE, which should be taught in Sociolinguistics and ESL classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The end of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the total return of students and employees in Ifugao State University Potia Campus, a higher education institution located in Potia, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, Philippines. However, the return of the pre-pandemic operations on campus caused problems in managing the generated municipal solid wastes. Hence, an analysis and characterization of the generated municipal solid wastes was conducted to determine important data that can be used for future waste management planning. The generated municipal solid wastes were gathered from the various waste generators within the campus for five consecutive days. The total generated municipal solid waste on the campus was about 140.10 kg.day-1, most of which was contributed by the canteens (20.86%). The generated municipal solid wastes were dominated by biodegradable waste (48.65%) and recyclable waste (37.26%). In addition, most of the generated municipal solid wastes were related to people's food and beverage consumption behavior. The total volume of the MSW generated daily was about 5.647 m³. It is recommended that the campus create and enforce its waste management plan to specifically address the aforementioned characteristics of the generated municipal solid wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will investigate the intersection between fascism and social media communication. Drawing from Christian Fuchs's notion of digital fascism and placing it in dialogue with other Marxist literature, the paper will argue that the state retains a centering role in the organization of fascism as against the post-organizational position which highlights its ambivalent, fluid, and decentered character. The paper will further argue that the propagandistic character of fascism requires it to instrumentalize technical specifications of communications technologies. What (digital) fascism instrumentalizes today is what will be developed as the omnipresence of communication, primarily supported by the complexities of today's internet powered social media. The paper will examine fascism as it has taken place in the Duterte-Marcos Jr. fascist continuity in the Philippines. The paper will conclude by proposing a kind of antifascism that goes beyond the ecosystems of the social media, reiterating both technical as well as socio-political transformations required to overcome fascism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy interventions for tourism sustainability transitions are carried out in destinations worldwide. Yet, how decision-making processes and strategies could adversely affect communities and regions is an increasingly raised question, particularly following the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism destinations. Drawing on the transitions and justice literature, this paper explores what sustainability policies and rapid government interventions signify for impacted tourism communities. This paper uses Boracay island in the Philippines as a case study, a destination which has been subject to an extensive policy intervention ordered by the national government from 2018 onwards. The Boracay case indicates that a short and radical policy intervention did benefit the island, but that it could have been more societally beneficial if principles and policies of just transitions were more explicitly addressed. Key findings of this paper, based on an analysis of stakeholder views collected through interviews, questionnaires, and policy documents, reveal that the structural absence of dialogue and limited socio-economic support measures resulted in an island community that felt substantially ignored, unfairly treated, and sceptical about future actions. With the just transition lens, this paper offers practical and methodological guidance in reconciling tourism sustainability transitions with justice challenges. We conclude that the just transition lens provides important insights and lessons for transitioning tourism destinations towards environmentally sustainable futures in a socio-economically responsible way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interdisciplinary research on people, plants, and environmental change (IRPPE) typically requires collaboration among experts who each bring distinct knowledge and skills to bear on the questions at hand. The benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary research in principle are thus confounded by the dynamics of multidisciplinary collaboration in practice. However, broadly trained researchers can do IRPPE with little or no need of collaborators. For them, collaborative challenges may be negligible, but others arise. This paper reflects on experiences doing (mostly) solo research on peoples' use of trees and their impacts on forests in the Caribbean and Philippines. Multidisciplinary collaborations are often plagued with problems of communication, theoretical disagreement, and methodological incompatibility because the habits and conceits of a rigorous disciplinary education are difficult to undo. These are problems that novel concepts, theory, and analytical frameworks promise but often fail to resolve. By contrast, going solo fosters an epistemic humility and pragmatic sensibility that encourages focused, efficient application of methods, and integration of research findings. Epistemic breadth encourages solo IRPPE researchers to apply theory sparingly and deploy clear concepts and precise analyses of the kind readily grasped by natural and social scientists and policy makers, alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: The Philippines is a lower-middle-income island country with over 153 000 new cancer diagnosis each year.Despite many patients needing radiotherapy as part of disease management, there remains limitations to access. Currently, the Philippines has 50 linear accelerator facilities serving a population of 110 million. However, given the recommendation of 1 linear accelerator for every 250 thousand people, it is evident that the demand for accessible radiotherapy resources is significantly underserved in the country. This paper outlines the collaboration between GenesisCare Solutions (GCS) and Fairview Cancer Center (FCC) to address efficiency and access within the radiotherapy department at FCC. Methods: Through international collaboration between GCS and FCC, areas for improvement were identified and categorized into four domains: Dosimetry quality, Patient workflow, Data & Reporting, and Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure. Action plans were developed then implemented. A baseline measurement was obtained for each domain, and post-implementation evaluation undertaken at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Data captured within the electronicmedical record system was extrapolated,and average treatment times were established for pre- and post-engagement. A paired, 2-tailed t-test was used for statistical analysis of outcome parameters using IBM SPSS version 23 for all statistics. Results: Twelve months post-initial engagement, all four domains saw positive outcomes. Improved plan quality linked to Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) utilization rates saw an increase from 20% to 54%. A significant reduction in patient average wait times was also observed, from 27 to 17 min (p ≤ 0.001). Prior to engagement, tracking patient demographics and diagnosis was not prioritized, post engagement an average of 92% diagnosis entry compliance was achieved. Conclusion: Through the collaboration of GCS and FCC, objectives in all action plan domains were achieved, highlighting the benefits of collaboration between low-middle-income and high-income institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cynometra cebuensis F. Seid. is an endemic and threatened tree from the Philippines. The species was previously described to exclusively thrive in the Tabunan Forest of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape. Due to its narrow geographic distribution and threats from land conversion, slash-and-burn activities and non-regulated wood harvesting by locals, C. cebuensis was assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1a and B1b (as well as B2a and B2b) of the IUCN Red List in 2013. The present study provides new additional locations of C. cebuensis in the Municipalities of Argao and Minglanilla in Cebu along with population data and habitat characteristics for each site. Although new populations of C. cebuensis were discovered, it remains at significant risk of extinction in its natural habitat. Urgent and comprehensive conservation efforts are imperative to prevent its extinction. New information: This paper provides the updated distribution map of Cynometra cebuensis F. Seid, a critically endangered endemic species in the Philippines showing five (5) distribution records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I interrogate the Philippine Indigenous Peoples Education's operational construct of culture to explicate its indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP) integration into the K-12 curriculum. Pragmatism as a philosophical framework mainly guides the argument in this paper. In the first part, I introduce the old and contemporary meanings of culture and point out flaws in the IKSP integration. Literature backing the essence of IKSP integration into the school curriculum dominated by the Western knowledge system is discussed in the second part, followed by a discussion on culture and indigeneity that nuance further the IKSP integration in public education. The Philippine Indigenous Peoples Education is presented next, highlighting its definition of IPs, focus areas, support systems, and recent developments, ending with a critique. Analysis and discussion follow. The paper concludes with a challenge, especially for the education sectors, to reframe their lenses at looking at culture to build authentic relationships with indigenous communities and provide indigenous learners with an education that is need-based and culture-sensitive, one that respects their worldviews, knowledge systems, heritages, and identities, one that is truly liberating. Providing IPs an education responsive to the changing society can help them achieve a real sense of self-determination for social progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the economic upgrading of suppliers in global value chains (GVCs) is influenced by the prevailing governance structures in supplier-lead firm relationships. Using a novel governance index for Philippine and Thai manufacturers, this paper tests if tight effective control received by suppliers can be detrimental to higher-order GVC upgrading. The unique 2012 Survey on Adjustments of Establishments to Globalization was used to calculate the index for Philippine manufacturers, while the World Bank's Productivity and Investment Climate Study 2006–2007 was used for Thailand. The econometric results confirm that tight governance negatively affects upgrading in both countries. Specifically, the Philippine estimates show that tight governance has no impact on process upgrading given that: (1) all GVCs benefit from efficient suppliers, regardless of governance structures; and (2) process upgrading has relatively simpler technological requirements than higher-order upgrading. Tight governance significantly reduces the probability of achieving more sophisticated product, functional, and intersectoral upgrading, especially when this encroaches on the lead firm's core functions. But since governance and control are necessary for efficient GVC operations, suppliers must conscientiously build capabilities and networks to move up the upgrading ladder. For weak-capability suppliers, innovation networks are important external sources of technology and knowledge spillovers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the irreversible effects of COVID-19 pandemic, libraries worldwide have undergone a significant shift towards online accessibility of their resources, services, activities/events, and programs. Technological advancements have transformed how information is accessed and disseminated, underscoring the importance of library websites in supporting the learning, teaching and research endeavours of students, faculty members, and researchers. This study aims to serve as a roadmap for library practitioners, web developers, and similar stakeholders, who are planning to create and/or enhance websites for their respective libraries. This paper utilized an evaluative instrument for an academic library website developed by Wijayaratne and Singh (2015), to scrutinize the selected major Philippine universities' academic libraries. The findings of this study are expected to be valuable to academic librarians and future researchers in recognizing the significance of designing tailored websites for their institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to develop a model to help parents cope with decisional conflict. Background: Parents of children with congenital heart defect experience decisional conflict when they are uncertain about treatment decisions for their child, which may lead to delay in seeking care or distress over the decision made. Design: Correlational design with model building and data triangulation was used. Methods: Data were collected through surveys and interviews with a consecutive sample of 221 parent respondents from June to December 2018. Structural equation modelling and qualitative data analysis were used. Results: Lower decisional conflict was seen in parents with higher income, more nurse support and physician risk communication. Time delay for surgery was correlated with the child's age, social service coverage, and social support. Decisional conflict mediated the influence of income, nurse support and physician risk communication on satisfaction with decision. Based on model fit parameters, the emerging model is a good and parsimonious model of decisional conflict. The overall theme, 'Deciding for Surgery: What Matters Most', described the processes parents went through in making treatment decisions. Conclusion: Nurses may help parents feel more certain, less conflicted, and more satisfied with their decision by addressing factors including knowledge gaps, personal values, available support, and resource access. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Decisional conflict occurs when parents are uncertain of the best action for their child because treatment options entail risks for undesirable outcomes, value compromise, unclear prognosis, or anticipated regret over the decision.Professional support, information, and communication are vital to parents' decision‐making process.Child, parent, and support factors may influence parent treatment decisions in varied paediatric conditions. What this paper adds? Child's age at the time of decision‐making had an effect on the delay in surgery. However, assisting parents to weigh their options and focus on personal values allowed them to make their treatment decision.Low income, costly health services, and bureaucratic processes impeded the timely availment of surgery. Healthcare reforms that provide a system of government funding, streamlined health structure, and social insurance may be looked into.Family support weighed in on the parents' decision to delay surgery for fear of blame or guilt. Providing relevant information enabled parents to make a choice and stand by their decision regardless of the outcome. The implications of this paper: Modelling provides a framework to identify which factors are more important and how they interact to affect decision‐making. It may be used as an approach to find solutions to clinical problems for groups with different diagnoses.Though nursing support, information, and communication are essential, a more holistic family nursing care approach may be considered to assist parents to make appropriate treatment decisions for their child.Familiarity with the healthcare system may equip nurses to aid parents in processing available healthcare funding and dealing with financial uncertainty affecting decisions for their child's treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the inherent characteristics of a local agricultural industry is imperative in designing policies that are responsive to the context, needs, and challenges of its stakeholders. Grounded in this premise, this study unpacked the complexities of the mango industry in the Island Garden City of Samal, an agricultural city in the southern Philippines. Specifically, it aims to understand its labor dynamics and market arrangements using a qualitative approach. This study presents an overview of the mango production cycle in the garden city, which includes the corresponding labor requirements and market of the local mango industry. In terms of labor, aside from the quantity and quality of labor needed, this paper also presents the roles of men and women that are inherent in local mango production. Likewise, the study also enumerates the different issues and challenges faced by the local mango producers. These issues and challenges were concerns related to erratic prices, labor needs, and high production costs. Moreover, the study offers explanations for the existing labor dynamics in the garden city. This includes the interplay between the material nature of the commodity and the gender dynamics in the labor force. In addition, a discussion on the varying quality standards of different target markers is also provided. Finally, this study also explained the rationale behind the prevailing contractual arrangements within the local mango industry. The results presented in this paper offer insights into designing context-based programs and policies, which could further support the local mango industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy is a critical period in every woman's life. The health of both the mother and her unborn child is at stake, with poor access to needed prenatal care services. Obtaining prenatal care is affected by the pregnancy literacy of the expectant mother. However, the assessment tool for health literacy among Filipino pregnant women is limited. This paper aimed to examine existing maternal health literacy instruments. Hopefully, an adopted tool can be found for assessing prenatal health literacy. After examining existing maternal health literacy tools, 18 questions were suggested that can be further modified before they are used for Filipino pregnant women to assess their prenatal health literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper argues that Roque J. Ferriols [1924-2021] and Leonardo N. Mercado [1935-2020] simultaneously converge and diverge in their understanding of the value of the Philippine languages in the flourishing of Filipino philosophy. On the one hand, these philosophers converge in seeing the vitality of local languages in philosophizing. On the other hand, they diverge because Ferriols' trajectory is centrifugal while Mercado's is centripetal. Ferriols' centrifugal orientation is conditioned by his belief that there is no Filipino philosophy and that developing one is a pointless endeavor. Mercado's centripetal orientation is conditioned by his belief that a local language is a locus for philosophical investigation because it mirrors a worldview. In this paper, I first show their point of convergence by exploring the context that disposes them to focus their attention on a local language. Second, I show that their point of divergence is seen in the way they see a local language: Ferriols sees it as a way to express a worldview, while Mercado sees it as a way to investigate a worldview. Third, I propose that a synthesis of the thoughts of these two influential Filipino priest-philosophers contributes to the ongoing study on the development of Filipino philosophy in the postmodern Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is about a practice-based research on curating exhibits of sounds and exhibits for and about listening in the Philippines. The term "sounds" is used in this essay to refer to sound art works and music. As one of the few active curators who have been exhibiting sound/music in Manila in the past decade, I reflected on exhibits I have curated over the years as well as exhibits curated or staged by my contemporaries. This essay is a contemplation on and examination of lessons from such exhibits that may be useful in developing curatorial practice for sound exhibition in the Philippines. Special attention is given to exhibiting sounds as a counterpoint to the more conventional acts of performing sounds or exhibiting objects to look at. The act of exhibiting sounds, though it may appear random, actually expands the curatorial practice. This paper proposes that in exhibiting sounds, the task and responsibility of curators are not limited to selecting or putting up objects but cover a trifecta of affective actors. Sounds, spaces, and bodies perform together in sound exhibits, where each component contributes to a wholeness that the exhibit tries to achieve. Specifically, this paper focuses on exhibited sounds as omni-participant, observable boundaries of spaces, and frames audiences of such as listening bodies. Understanding the nature of sound as an exhibitable object (i.e., a physical object, idea, or sensation) vis-à-vis the act of exhibiting and of exhibition, as well as the place of sound among the audience, forms a complex armature that shapes the particular challenges and opportunities of exhibiting non-visual (art) objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of the study: This study aimed to assess the green practices of travel agents and tour operators in Southern Cagayan Valley, Philippines in terms of energy efficiency, waste minimization and water consumption. Methodology: This study used a quantitative descriptive methodology. The research instrument was adapted from Ahmad (2013). The survey respondents are fifty six (56) travel agents and tour operators in the provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and southern part of Isabela. All data were analyzed using SPSS. To arrive at the result, the following statistical tool were used: Non-parametric test were employed to identify the significant difference including Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test. Main Findings: Findings revealed that green practices along with energy efficiency were mostly practiced, and waste minimization were often executed. However, for water consumption, three items were often and other two were just rarely practiced by the respondents. This paper suggests a plan of action in enhancing green practices used by businesses in travel and tours. Applications of the study: This paper will be useful to travel agencies and operators in creating methods and policies to further increase tourism sustainability. This could also raise awareness among tourism officers and policy makers about the nature of the prevailing business practices, enabling them to identify key concerns in management policy and the creation of new skills that will promote sustainable tourism. Novelty/Originality of the study: This study offers fresh insights that could contribute to the deeper understanding of the green practices as well as the challenges and opportunities inherent in promoting sustainability in the tourism industry of Southern Cagayan Valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's global economy, transitioning from industry to academia is popular. Professionals from the corporate sector contribute priceless insights that enhance students' educational experiences. However, this change was not without difficulties. Understanding the goals, experiences, and challenges moving professionals face is essential to ensuring a smooth transition and maximizing their contributions to business education. A qualitative investigation in Cebu, Philippines, explores people's motivations, encounters, and perceived difficulties when making this shift. This study demonstrates how the move from industry to academics guarantees that course material will always be relevant to the changing needs of the business sector. Numerous elements, including andragogical knowledge acquisition, coworker support, and economic issues, impact the process. Giving transitioning professionals the necessary tools and assistance requires a sophisticated grasp of these factors. Furthermore, retiring and going into academia is advantageous since it provides chances to stay involved and accomplish goals related to lifetime learning and service. Furthermore, even in the face of external shocks and economic downturns, academia offers stability and opportunities for career transition. This paper clarifies the challenges of moving from business to academics, especially in the Cebu environment. Organizations and governments can use these insights to create customized programs supporting transferring professionals and promoting strong industry-academia engagement. This will allow them to exploit new opportunities and harness associated advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a case study approach focusing on Bulacan, Philippines, we examined three types of social capital (i.e. bonding, bridging, and linking) accessed by small scale aquaculture producers through fish farmers associations. The aim was to determine whether and how types of social capital contribute to promoting human agency among small scale aquaculture producers in the context of their livelihoods. Here, agency is considered an important part of sustainable livelihoods and is defined as people's ability to choose in ways that align with their values and goals, and to act to realise their goals. Agency was analysed in relation to livelihood preconditions, processes, power, and possibilities. The premise of this paper is that types of social capital from fish farmers' associations distinctly contribute to expanding and strengthening the agency of small scale aquaculture producers. The study found that all three types of social capital contributed to enhancing the resources that producers draw on for their livelihoods. The bonding and bridging types helped producers cope with various livelihood challenges by enabling access to mutual assistance and collective efforts for problem solving. The types of social capital were less effective in addressing issues of asymmetrical power relations which adversely affected livelihoods. All three types and particularly linking social capital contributed to expanding livelihood possibilities and enabling producers to explore new avenues for improving livelihoods, enhancing agency. The findings point to the distinct contributions and complementarity of different types of social capital to the exercise of agency in livelihoods. Attending to the different types of social capital and understanding how they are most beneficial in specific contexts as well as where they are insufficent, can improve prioritysetting, targeting, and design for initiatives that seek to work with fish farmers organisations and other types of community-based organisations for livelihood improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the separation of church and state in the Philippines during the early American colonial period, contextualizing it within the process of American overseas expansion and considering it as one of the projects of imperial hegemony construction. After the Spanish–American War, the United States substituted Spain as the new colonial ruler of the Philippines, legitimizing its regime as the spread of 'civilization' to the Filipinos. On this basis, the Americans enacted laws guaranteeing religious freedom and introduced an American-style institution dealing with church–state relations. Beyond the legal and administrative initiatives, the new regime also constructed an official narrative of the transformation of political–religious relations in the Philippine that emphasized the absolute 'difference' between the American human rights principle, which guaranteed freedom of worship, and the Spanish theocracy, which was dedicated to the consolidation of privileges. By legislating the separation of church and state, buying up church properties, recognizing the equality of denominations, and constructing the official imperial narrative of church–state relations, the Americans hoped to 'teach' Filipinos that the 'true' belief was rooted in the inner convictions of individual Christians, not in the authority and coercion of the hierarchical church. By disciplining the construction of 'difference' under tutelary colonialism, the separation of church and state movement initiated by the American colonial government in the Philippines became an important source of imperial self-endowed legitimacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Student satisfaction is a crucial indicator of educational quality, extending beyond mere comfort. Hence, this paper examined the college student satisfaction with selected school services at a Catholic institution in Southern Negros Occidental during 2023-2024 in the light of product, price, promotion, place, people, process, and physical evidence relative to sex, academic program, year level, or family income. Likewise, it also investigated the significant difference in their satisfaction when grouped according to the demographics. Using the quantitative design, this was assessed by 328 college students. It employed the modified questionnaire of 7Ps marketing framework which underwent rigorous validation and reliability testing. In data analysis, it utilized mean, standard deviation, Mann Whitney U test, and Kruskal Wallis. This also adhered to the ethical guidelines of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board. Generally, the students are highly satisfied with the selected school services relative to the 7Ps. In terms of sex, there were significant differences in product, price, promotion, people, and physical evidence. In income, all 7Ps were found to have significant differences. In year level, people and process were found to have significant differences. In academic program, there were significant differences in terms of product, price, promotion, people, process, and physical evidence. Hence, these findings imply the importance of customizing service delivery to meet the unique needs and expectations of diverse student groups. Also, these findings collectively underscore the need for a comprehensive and detailed understanding of student satisfaction, emphasizing the importance of recognizing individual differences and addressing specific concerns to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Forgotten crises' constitute a permanent background to any present and future global humanitarian and development efforts. They represent a significant impediment to promoting lasting peace given concurrent catastrophes exacerbated by climate change. Yet, they are routinely neglected and remain unresolved. Building on critical and feminist approaches, this paper theorises them as forgotten sites of local knowledge production. It asks: what is local knowledge of and from forgotten crises? How can it be recovered and resignified, and what lessons can such knowledge provide at the global level? Drawing on examples from the intersections of conflict, disasters, and pandemics in the Philippines, the paper makes a case for valuing local knowledge arising from forgotten crises because of its potential contribution to adapting global humanitarian and development systems to address crises on multiple fronts. Such epistemic margins are generative of vantage points that can present a fuller account of how different crises interact and how best to respond to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive utilization of tropical inland water bodies for multiple and sometimes competing activities underlines the necessity for their integrated and holistic co-management. This paper presents our synthesis on lake and reservoir fisheries in South and Southeast Asia as social–ecological systems, based on a synopsis of our research findings from a previous EU-funded research programme in Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines (FISHSTRAT project). The paper attempts to merge our results with recent developments in research, policy and practice. We explore the effects of the main external and internal control mechanisms of the trophic state and pinpoint to the high production potential of traditionally unexploited small indigenous fish species. The limitations of conventional centralized management systems highlight the importance of introducing transdisciplinary approaches which integrate limnology, fish ecology and fisheries with the interests of other resource using stakeholders and decision makers in order to develop locally appropriate co-management strategies for sustainable aquatic resource use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper narrates the life of auto mechanics which have been unnoticed for a long time as evidenced by the lack of literature that can be found. Using an Auto-Ethnobiography method of qualitative research, the author shows the life and experiences of auto mechanics in the Philippines, both in the casa and talyer set-up. By providing these experiences and life of the subjects, a glimpse of the hardships and difficulties can be seen with an integration of the experiences of the author, who is also part of the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Philippines is a source of labor for many countries. Roughly 10 million overseas Filipinos are working and living outside of the Philippines. This paper examines the association between sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age, educational level, and income) and self-rated physical and mental health, access to healthcare, and health habits among immigrant Filipinos living in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. Through convenience sampling, Filipino migrants (n = 103) aged 18 years and above participated in the online survey between October 2022 and March 2023. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and chi-square. Almost all respondents self-rated their health as excellent and very good. Female respondents are more affected by mental health. Most are enrolled in the Universal Health System of Spain (public insurance). There is more utilization of private health insurance among respondents aged 60 years and above and high-wage earners. Cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking are associated with males. More than half of the respondents perform weekly exercise occasionally or never. These findings suggest a potential need for targeted interventions with an emphasis on the practice of preventive health and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, especially among financially disadvantaged migrants with lesser health access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]