ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF SOCIAL INNOVATION

Factors Affecting the Behavioral Risk Scores for Noncommunicable Diseases Among the Students of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology College of Nursing and College of Science and Mathematics

Gloria Shiela Coyoca — 2024-08-08

College students’ lifestyle is a public health concern because they have an impact on their risk of contracting noncommunicable diseases (NCD). The prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle such as poor nutritional intake, smoking addiction, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption is common among university students. NCDs continue to be a major cause of mortality and disability in the Philippines, however, their effects can be reversed by modification of daily behavior habits including reducing tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. This descriptive correlational study aimed to identify the factors affecting the behavioral risk scores of the respondents using Modified Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire. Age, BMI, and family income have a positive influence to the behavioral risk scores of the respondents. On the contrary, the year level and the ordinal position in the family have a negative influence to the behavioral risk scores of the respondents. Factors such as not available in the market, lack of time, lack of energy, religious beliefs, personal preference, and knowledge of the detrimental effects of smoking are the major factors affecting the eating habits, exercise, alcohol consumption and smoking habits of the respondents respectively. The findings of the study may be used to develop regulations that only permit the sale of healthy foods in school canteens and guidelines that only permit the provision of healthy foods for all academic-related activities. A quarterly health promotion program for the prevention and control of noncommunicable illnesses may also be offered to the various colleges.

Assessing Employability: Tracing BA Sociology Graduates from MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, Philippines

Amabelle Embornas — 2024-11-05

This study evaluated the employability of Bachelor of Arts in Sociology graduates from MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, focusing on their demographic profile and employment characteristics. Using the Input, Process, Output (IPO) model and a sample of 153 graduates from 2016 to 2021, the research found that the majority of participants were female, with 78% employed primarily in government, private sectors, and NGOs, earning between 10,000 and 14,999 pesos monthly. Most graduates secured their first job within a year and found their degree relevant to their roles. Key skills such as work ethics, teamwork, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills were highlighted as valuable in the workplace. The study also noted high satisfaction with the program’s faculty,curriculum, facilities, and library resources, affirming the curriculum's relevance and competitiveness in the job market. Recommendations included enhancing internships, immersive activities, and faculty-student relations. However, the findings may not fully capture current job market conditions. Future research could investigate graduates' job satisfaction, the perceived relevance of their education, and their lived experiences in the workforce.

Addressing the Economic Impacts of COVID-19: A Gender-Based Training Needs Assessment and Intervention in Barangay Acmac, Iligan City

Maria Pia Sison — 2024-11-05

This study aims to evaluate the gender-based training needs of men and women impacted by COVID-19 in Barangay Acmac, Iligan City. Using Participatory Needs Assessment (PNA), the research allowed 30 men and 30 women to identify their economic challenges and propose solutions. Key findings include: before the pandemic, 78% of respondents were employed full-time, with 80% of men and 76% of women in such roles. Post-pandemic, many transitioned to part-time work, with 43% now working part-time (30% of men and 56% of women). Prior to COVID-19, 73% relied on formal paid work as their main income source. Post-pandemic, income sources diversified, with some retaining formal work (19% of men and 30% of women) and others turning to trading (9%), service businesses (8%), and technical work (6%). A substantial 96% of respondents (29 men and 29 women) reported changes in income sources since March 2020. In addition, men preferred welding training, while women prioritized cookery training. Additional male interests included masonry, automotive servicing, driving, and electrical work, while women showed interest in Food and Beverage Services NC II certification. The study highlights the need for targeted livelihood training to address the economic challenges caused by COVID-19.

Gazing at the enigma: A study of the contested issues on the socialist Rizal and the 1896 Revolution

Jacinto Valila — 2024-12-05

Jose Rizal, the country's national hero, is undoubtedly the most enigmatic figure in Philippine history. His short but riveting life, eloquent writings, and tragic martyrdom are glaring testimonies of his sacrifices and struggles for the redemption of the Filipinos from more than three-century brutal rule of Spanish colonialism. In the throes of the 1896 anti-colonial national revolution, however, Rizal did not simply refuse to join it; he unabashedly condemned the people's revolution that he helped fuel through his incendiary writings— as a despicable act of bandits and criminals. Renato Constantino, through his paper, "Veneration without understanding," brought forth the contradiction to the public, pointing at Rizal's Haciendero-Ilustrado origin, which was opposed to the idea of the erstwhile colony's separation from Spain and the violence in a revolution that went with it. As a result, Constantino reaped a storm of acerbic criticisms and set off enduring acrimonious debates in the past fifty years since the paper's draft was publicly read in 1969 and its subsequent publication in 1972. This study tries to revisit the debates and the contested issues on Rizal and the 1896 Revolution as it grapples with other contentions from foremost scholars on the man, digging deeper into the national hero's sources of profound inspiration from which Rizal's cogent vision for the emergent nation was drawn; his motivations, and his concrete agenda. Consequently, as the product of a review of literature, the paper offers fresh perspectives on the Rizal question apart from popular notions conceived by the Filipinos about him and the simplistic dichotomy of fitting Rizal's class with that of the masses in a Marxist fashion. Finally, the paper attempts to untangle Constantino's contradiction by locating Rizal's influences from liberalism and even from within the radical socialist- anarchist traditions, which may surprise many.

Emanating Change Fragments of Micro-Empowerment Among Women Leaders in Mindanao Philippines

Xandelyn Racel Baena — 2024-12-17

Significant efforts have been undertaken to address the challenges in Mindanao. Given the complexity of issues in the region, a top-down approach must be complemented by grassroots-level initiatives. In this context, micro-empowerment is key to fostering positive community transformation. This article explores the motivations and work of twelve (12) women leaders in Mindanao who have advanced community empowerment through education, micro- entrepreneurship, and peace-building initiatives. These efforts have amplified marginalized voices and enhanced the visibility of women’s participation in addressing issues of peace and social justice, contributing to the broader cause of women’s empowerment in Mindanao.

Moreover, their community engagement has fostered personal growth, offering a nuanced understanding of empowerment. Using narrative analysis, the study evaluates the motivations and fundamental practices behind these leaders’ grassroots efforts. Findings reveal that the women’s activism arises from intersecting factors such as contextual influences, ingrained social activities, and experiences of marginalization, which shape their unique perspectives on community concerns. Their activism is not coincidental, but a reflexive response to their lived experiences, inspiring them to drive change.

By integrating the concepts of situated knowledges and intersectionality, the study highlights how these women’s consciousness and worldviews have informed their community engagement, transforming personal narratives into political action. By amplifying women’s narratives, the study underscores the importance of inclusive narratives in addressing gender inequalities, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Goals focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment.