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Silliman Journal
Vol. 50 No. 2 (2009)Welcome to this issue of Silliman Journal where our cover showcases the work of local artist Hersley-Ven Casero. If you look closely, you may appreciate the intricacy and even the meaning behind such a painting, but I leave the interpretation up to you. Hersley-Ven is one of Dumaguete’s upand-coming artists and photographers, with works starting to get noticed in publications as diverse as the Los Angeles Times and the Lonely Planet Magazine. He is Instructor in the Fine Arts Program of Foundation University in Dumaguete City, but his first shows as a painter and as a photographer have been with Silliman University’s Cultural Affairs Committee. The mixed media painting “Money Rain” comes from his collection of works titled The 365 Project: Incipient Ideas. This issue then aptly begins with an article on “Procurement of Foreign-Funded Projects through Executive Agreements,” by our colleagues at the College of Law—Atty. Myrish Antonio and Atty. Ramon Ruperto who endeavor to guide us through the legal intricacies of how corruption may be prevented in the enactment of Republic Act 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reforms Act. The discussion is helpful especially to the lay reader who wants to understand government, policy, and transparency beyond what we read in the newspaper. This first paper is followed by two studies in the natural sciences— on waterbirds in Negros Occidental and freshwater ecosystem species in Luzon. Biologist Abner Bucol and co-researchers—Rogie Bacosa, Renee Paalan, Jojie Linaugo, and Carmen Menes—tell us about the plight of waterbirds, lamenting the fact that most previous studies have been done on forest birds. Interestingly, they have found this area to be considerably rich in waterbirds, rivaling those of other wetlands in the Philippines in terms of species diversity. Hunting, however, continues. Annie Melinda Paz and colleagues Erlene Castro, Vincent Flores, and Angelee Romero, in their study of endemic, indigenous and introduced species in the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Pampanga, also alert us to the negative effects of environmental degradation on freshwater ecosystems. They found that introduced species (foreign species “introduced and dispersed by direct or indirect human activity to a region or location outside the limits of its natural range”) are in great numbers—something to be concerned about because this may lead to endemic and indigenous species displacement and extinction as well as loss of biodiversity in the freshwater ecosystems. Meantime, in efforts to address the needs of mathematically under-prepared college entrants at Silliman University, mathematics professors Millard and Alice Mamhot report results of their research on “Learning Styles and Intelligences,” and find that students generally prefer sensual thinking and recommending that an “excitement factor” be included in the teaching of mathematics. Our final full-length article is based on a study by education professor Gina Fontejon-Bonior on “The State of Research and Publication” among faculty members at Silliman University. Strategies suggested for the development of an institutional-wide research and publication culture—i.e., through capacity building via mentoring, strengthening incentive systems, providing more dissemination opportunities, and identifying funding agencies—are both concrete and doable.
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Silliman Journal
Vol. 50 No. 1 (2009)Welcome to this issue of Silliman Journal. You may have elected to pick up a copy of this issue because of the contents. More than likely, however, you were intrigued by the cover art which, I daresay, has both appeal and impact. A 2009 13 Artist awardee of the Cultural Centre of the Philippines at the University of the Philippines as a painting major. We are grateful to him for allowing us to showcase his portraits of his parents on this issue’s cover. Entitled “Equilibrium,” the paintings convey a personal message that one will find not only in this SJ’s first article, but in later sections as well. We have published qualitative research reports before, most of them relegated to the Notes section. In this issue, however, we elevate this genre by starting with a paper that highlights the identity dilemmas that researchers struggle with in the pursuit of knowledge. In “Self-Reflexivity in Ethnography: Positioning an Ambiguous Ethnic Identity,” English professor Andrea Soluta describes how, in the process of writing a dissertation in Philippine Studies, she paused countless times to examine her roots and identity. Confronted by queries from those she hoped to learn from, she finds that she learns more about herself. The paper is followed by one written by another English mentor, Warlito Caturay Jr., who documents “Students’ Motivation to Write,” in basic communication courses at Silliman University. Based on responses from both students and their teachers, Warly examines attitudes towards writing and writing classes and contextualizes these in light of teacher observations. He ultimately concludes: “Writing is cognitively challenging and may de-motivate or discourage students to learn. However, if appropriate strategies are used, students’ attitudes become favorable, making the teaching-learning of writing meaningful.” The third paper by regular SJ contributor Abner Bucol is set in Siaton, Negros Oriental province, Central Philippines, particularly in forested Mt. Haponhaponon. Abner documents almost a hundred species of birds in the area, cautioning readers, however, on the dangers of forest-clearing for agriculture purposes and calling for conservation programs. Meantime, in neighboring Bayawan City, researchers Robert Guino-o, Antonio Aguilar, and Enrique Oracion (research director of Silliman University) do collaborative work with local government officials in order to evaluate the “constructed wetland” of this coastal community, some 101 kilometers south of capital city Dumaguete. Believing that efficiency and social acceptability are twin issues of concern because of the financial investment in such a project, the authors’ recommendations revolve around the areas of wastewater treatment, bio-fertilizers, the planting of aromatic vegetation, continuing education and communication drives, and personnel training whose work has been auctioned by Sotheby’s and Christie’s, Winner Jumalon has trained at both the Philippine High School for the Arts and Similarly, researchers from the University of the Philippines, Los Baños (UPLB)—professors Anna Quimbo, Linda Penalba, and Merlyne Paunlagui—explored the impact of industrialization (in the form of the establishment of industrial estates) on a local Philippine community and its surrounding areas in their paper entitled “Spill-over Effects of Rural Industrialization on Community Transformation.” Effects were mostly beneficial, but there were also negative effects particularly rapid increase in population that eventually gave way to the conversion of lands to settlement sites for housing and to commercial use to cater to the service needs of migrants as well as temporary settlers. The cyclical process has serious implications for policy making and local governance. Finally, among this issue’s full length articles is a paper that takes us beyond Philippine shores, to the People’s Democratic Republic of Lao describing “Coffee Farming Practices Introduced by Government and the Private Sectors.” UPLB professors Baconguis, Dizon and Jamias team up with Vanthieng Phommasoulin of the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery and find little difference between governmentsupported coffee farming and private-led coffee farming. They strongly suggest, however, strengthening farmer power by providing government support in terms of standard setting so that private persons may compete in the global market.
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Silliman Journal
Vol. 49 No. 2 (2008)Welcome to this issue of Silliman Journal. Without conscious intention, this issue has turned out to be a collection of ideas that address unique social concerns, from biological, sociological, and psychological perspectives. This second issue of SJ 2008 begins with biologists Ma. Rio A. Naguit, Hilconida Calumpong, Janet Estacion, and Wilson Tisera collaborating in a study on “The Siphonal Mantle Morphology of Tridacna crocea.” According to the authors, Tridacna crocea is the smallest among the eight species of Family Tridacnidae and the most abundant tridacnids in reefs around the Philippine archipelago. The study identified 13 mantle patterns in the tridacnids of six reef areas: Pamilacan, Tañon Strait, Carbin, Camiguin, Southeastern Samar, and Spratlys; and analysed mantle morphs and genetic structure. A somewhat related paper is an analysis of “Marine Protected Area-Based Tourism” by Silliman research director Dr. Enrique G. Oracion. Dauin, Negros Oriental has been the location of much of Oracion’s research work while coastal resource management has been an important personal research interest. In this particular study, he highlights the role of marine protected area-based tourism—that is, recreational diving and snorkeling—as a variant of coastal ecotourism that operates in a critical equation that is both very fragile and controversial. This type of tourism, he said, is particularly vulnerable “if not regulated or tempered by the actors of the tourism system composed of brokers, locals and tourists.” Then, biology professor Brigitt Villordon’s thesis entitled “Prevalence and Risk Factors of Enterobiasis Among Pre-School Children in Selected Barangays in Dumaguete City,” brings about concern over our children’s health and well-being. As knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) scores increase, prevalence decreases, and Villordon recommends continuing health education programs. Just as important to residents’ welfare, “A Profile of Street Noise in Dumaguete City Streets” by Physics professor Dr. Hope Bandal, considered data on sound pressure level, traffic density, and construction layout such as width of the street, make and construction type of buildings, and the presence of trees and open spaces beside the streets. The results indicate that there is a high correlation and thus, a marked relationship, between sound pressure level and traffic density, and Bandal points to the worthiness of considering how noise pollution may be minimized in urban planning. In the final paper among our full-length articles, Michele Valbuena, associate professor in women’s studies, asks “Who is Happy? Who is Not Happy?” in her study of technology mediated communication among Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong. In addressing life satisfaction among overseas workers, Valbuena contributes to family and women’s issues research as well as to a greater understanding of the diaspora experience. We have an interesting mix of essays in this issue’s Notes Section, beginning with biologist Abner Bucol’s observations of folk medicine for toothache relief using toob in Siquijor Island, Philippines. This is followed by “Asian Christologies: Images and Metaphor” by theologian and women’s studies educator Lilith Usog. The section is rounded off by Prof. Betsy Joy Tan’s essay on “Teaching as Service for Knowledge Work.” Finally, this SJ includes a book review by writer-poet Bobby FloresVillasis of The Folk Healers: Sorcerers of Siquijor, Isla del Fuego, published in 2004 by Silliman professors Rolly and Evelyn Mascuñana. Isla del Fuego (Island of Fire) is the old name of Siquijor Island and the anthropologists Mascuñana tell of the island’s yearly pangalap (search for materials that are used as ingredients in concoctions for their traditional practices). Villasis’ review is both personal and informed and it is a joy to read. I would like to thank all contributors to this issue—authors, reviewers, SJ Editorial Board (including our colleagues overseas) and SJ editorial staff. Special thanks go to history and fine arts professor, Jutsze Pamate, whose artwork graces our cover. As told by another local artist Muffet Villegas, Jutsze is versatile in using different media, his latest passion being the use of ancient coffee beans to bring back the past in his captivating landscapes. Of Jutsze’s work, Villegas says: “The coffee stains become the time machine which does not only promote the ancient feeling of the theme, but it becomes the color that spells magical memories to the young and the old.” I join the rest of the Silliman community in inviting contributions to Silliman Journal, for “one’s life is a quest,” so states Jill Ker Conway, editor of a collection of autobiographies Written by Herself (1992), “…to realize one’s vision of beauty, to see more deeply into nature, to escape from Egypt into the Promised Land.”
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Silliman Journal
Vol. 38 No. 3 and 4 (1997)IN THIS ISSUE: The focus on the issue of environment and development provides the thematic framework for this edition of SILLIMAN JOURNAL. It has been noticeable in recent years that the focus on the environment as a study has attracted the attention of several scholars representing many of the shades of opinion that are characteristic of this disparate discipline. Seven articles in this issue contributed by authors coming from different disciplinary backgrounds address both the human and the natural aspects of the environment from a variety of perspectives. The first six articles in particular explore what in Environmentalism has come to be known as “ecosocietal restoration” which calls for a reexamination of human society’s relationships with natural systems so that the destruction and repair of ecosystems can be sustainably balanced. A common thread running through these articles is the emphasis on the importance of understanding connections both within natural systems and with social and economic concerns. All six articles implicitly argue for alternative policy initiatives which take into account environmental literacy and the need to educate the public in order to change attitudes and behaviors that are deleterious to natural systems.
The first three articles explore this theme within the context of the lives of the indigenous peoples of Negros Oriental. These three articles were outgrowths of the Ancestral Domain Research Project commissioned by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Negros Oriental. The leading article by Nichol R. Elman and Ceres E. Pioquinto discusses the specific research methodology designed for the special requirements of the Ancestral Domain Research Project. In the second, Rolando V. Mascufiana reports the findings of his ethnographic study on the Negritos of Canggohob, Mabinay and
the Bukidnons of Tayawan, Bayawan and Cabatuanan, Basay, Negros Oriental. The third article by Andrea G. Soluta with Wilfa Glynnis V. Manginsay offers baseline information on the present situation of the indigenous cultural communities of Negros Oriental, and concludes with a situational analysis by
Ceres E. Pioquinto.The next two articles by Betty C. Abregana and Enrique G. Oracion respectively were products of the Palawan Formative Research in Support of Environmental Communication Campaign. These two articles provide a comparative analysis of the knowledge and practices of local government officials, opinion leaders, and local residents relative to the environment. These two studies raise the question of how national and local government policy aims may be linked to resource management while at the same time suggest the vital role of environmental communication campaign as the key to changing the public's
attitudes and behaviors that are detrimental to the environment.In a similar way, Angel C. Alcala’s article suggests the connection between policy initiatives and local habitat and livelihood, linking sound environmental practices to community rehabilitation programs. In particular, it considers the role of organized communities and the Community Based Fishery Management approach as one of the effective strategies in solving the problem of dwindling fishery resources and argues for the establishment of marine reserves in the management of coastal fisheries.
Although departing from the general theme of this issue, but still necessarily part of the natural landscape, the subject of this issue's final article by Wayne A. Brown will be of particular importance to entomologists and to anyone interested in the distinctive and dynamic interactions among air, water, soil, biota, and people which constitute the environment.
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Silliman Journal
Vol. 38 No. 1&2 (1997)"Expressing Nursing as Caring through Music", this issue's lead article by Rozzano C. Locsin, sums up the framework on which the Silliman Journal balances its investigative discussions in the humanities and sciences. The next two articles - @Nutrient Water Quality of Banica River in Dumaguete City, Philippines" by Chester Dumancas et al and "On the Occurence of Bullations in the Seagrass, Halophila Ovalis (R. Brown) Hooker F. from Bais Bay, Central Philippines" by Ernani Meñez and Hilconida Calumpong - reiterate the journal's posture in the pure sciences.
Shifting back the journal's focus to the humanities, Dale Law's "Why Jane Austen" sets the tone for self-reflection that is capped by this issue's final aticles, " A Choice of Creation" excerpted from Perla Tayko's address at Silliman University's 38th Honors Day Convocation.
