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Characterization of unsold Lechon as raw material for retort product development

admin_irjstem Abstract Characterization, Industry immersion, Lechon, Market assessment, microbiological

Jennilou C. Patindol, Hilaria L. Bustamante, Bernard Niño Q. Membrebe, Mark Rembert M. Patindol, Joann M. Aldaba
Eastern Visayas State University – Main Campus, Tacloban City, Leyte
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Unsold Lechon of producers in Tacloban City reaches up to 200 kilograms, which necessitates a reworking process to prevent wastage, the additional cost of storage, and eventually profit loss. However, its characterization as a raw material needs to be conducted first to understand various properties, which would lead to the establishment of a suitable process and product formulation. The study objectives were to conduct an industry immersion and market assessment and determine the physicochemical, microbial, and organoleptic properties of unsold Lechon. The industry immersion exposed the need for improvement of food safety practices of the food handlers and revealed that the head, ham, butt, and picnic shoulder are the typically unsold parts. In terms of its physicochemical properties, the unsold Lechon is near neutral in pH and had high water activity and moisture content, which indicates susceptibility to microbial proliferation. Varying crude fat and crude protein levels specify that the meat and fat ratio should be included as variables in the product development stage. Meanwhile, the microbial analysis revealed a high microbial load with the possibility of toxin production; time series evaluation identifying sample collection to be before 4:00 pm, and freeze-thaw cycle recommending to store samples at <-18^oC for not more than 48 hours. Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA®) showed that pre-treatment of raw materials is not necessary with the identified important sensory descriptors through factor and principal component analysis. Lastly, the market assessment showed that Lechon paksiw is the preferred product to be developed with a market potential of 6.01kgs/household per annum.

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The organizational change process during COVID-19 pandemic in a public university: The case of Kasetsart University, Thailand

admin_irjstem Abstract Digital transformation change, Kotler's Eight Process to Accelerate Change, Organizational change, Organizational development

Joefrey B. Geroche, Xiangyi Yang
Kasetsart Business School, Thailand
Holy Angel University, China
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
This research paper is a qualitative case analysis research that utilizes Kotler’s Eight Processes to accelerate change in accessing the experienced of Kasetsart University in terms of organizational change. The study utilized the empirical data from the KU website, memorandum, and announcement about university operations throughout the widespread COVID-19, and the interview was conducted with two key people knowledgeable in this subject. As an outcome, the study found out that KU experienced a digital organization transformation during COVID-19. Furthermore, the KU established the Strategic Plan of Actions during COVID-19 Temporary Closure: Exit Strategies focused on advancing digital innovation as an organizational development initiative. The lesson from the case study is that KU’s preparedness, comprehensiveness, and cross-sectoral methodology were essential in successfully implementing change. Kotter’s eight-step progression for accelerating the modification model was a valuable means to convey metamorphic modification in implementing digital transformation in the entire KU; thus, it is recommended for future researchers that the study results are the basis of reference in the digital transformation change in higher education. Most importantly, this can be converted in quantitative research wherein one variable construct is digital transformation change.

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Fostering reading level and story comprehension through MARITES (Marungko Approach Reading Intervention to Elementary Schoolers) with mentor-mentee arrangement

admin_irjstem Abstract Marungko approach, Mentor-mentee arrangement, Reading level, Story comprehension

Nancy T. Rubin, Arnel S. Travero
Camp Evangelista Elementary School, Philippines
University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines-Claveria, Philippines
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Developing young learners’ reading level and story comprehension is fundamentally crucial as this will soon have implications as the learners go to higher grade levels. The main aim of the study is to determine how effective Marungko Approach with Mentor-Mentee Arrangement is to the reading level and story comprehension of elementary schoolers. The researchers conducted a pre-reading test among the learners and the alarming result became the basis on the conceptualization of the study. A group volunteers, who were third year Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) students, served as mentors to pupils and they were all oriented on how to conduct the Marungko Approach. The mentors met their mentees twice a week, on a 1-hour session. After the 6-week intervention, it was revealed that the learners have an improved reading level and story comprehension. Also, there was a rapport built by both parties. Mentors expressed their gratefulness in their early exposure to the field; while mentees stated that they now learned how to read and expressed their approval to the mentors’ teaching strategies. The study recommends the use of Marungko Approach in teaching reading to elementary schoolers as it fosters learners’ reading level and story comprehension. Moreover, mentoring proves to be of help during online learning. Lastly, it is highly recommended that teacher education institutions (TEIs) may ink agreements with DepEd schools to facilitate partnership and allowing their students to real-world exposure even before their internships.

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The competency level of research students in writing research paper: Basis for recalibrating the research curriculum in the junior high school level

admin_irjstem Abstract Research competency, Research students, Research subject, Research writing

Julie Ann B. Real
Philippine School Doha, Qatar
[email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Writing a research paper is one of the major activities in educational institutions. In order to promote quality, the research writing process should be considered. This study aims to explore the specific research part where the students have difficulty writing the research paper. Identifying the weakest point can lead to the success of the research writing process. This study made an assessment of the competency level of the research students in writing their research paper. It utilized the quantitative descriptive method and followed the purposive sampling technique, wherein the lead researchers and writers were chosen as respondents in the study. Data revealed that females dominated the number of research leaders, and showed that the experimental research design was preferred by the research students. Moreso, it was revealed that students had difficulty in citing related literature and studies; writing the research questions in the Statement of the Problem; interpreting data; and formulating the research title. The recalibration of the research curriculum and integration of research parts with other subjects are recommended.

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Non-specialized general education instructors’ confidence and self-efficacy in teaching general education subjects

admin_irjstem Abstract Confidence, General Education, Self-efficacy, Teaching

Jherwin P. Hermosa, Richard C. Ampo
Laguna State Polytechnic University, Philippines
Corresponding Email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
The new General Education Curriculum offers a greater solution to the problems of higher education, particularly in the duplicity of subject areas that could be taken already at the senior high school level. Thus, this study was done to determine the level of confidence and self-efficacy of the non-specialists’ instructors in teaching General education subjects. The descriptive-correlational design with self-constructed questionnaires was employed using 60 respondents. Frequency count, percentage, and mean were used in the descriptive statistical test while Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship of the main variables. Results revealed that the level of confidence in terms of commitment and personal experience is very high. While the level of self-efficacy in terms of performance outcomes and verbal persuasion is very high. Moreover, it was found that there was a significant relationship between the respondents’ confidence and self-efficacy. It is recommended that instructors may look to incorporate biographical analysis in teaching GEC subjects. Administrators may pioneer a calibration program for non-GE instructors to increase opportunities to improve mastery of materials. Future researchers may use a different variable, larger respondents, and mixed methods to validate or contradict the result of this study.

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Instrumental popular music and students’ reading comprehension: Basis for proposed reading remediation program

admin_irjstem Abstract Instrumental music, Reading comprehension, Reading program

Ana Marie C. Diaz, Jasmin S. Villanueva
Department of Education, Philippines
Pampanga State Agricultural University, Philippines
Corresponding Email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
The potential of music to aid reading performance has been the subject of research for many years. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of five music genres (Jazz, Pop, RNB, Rap, and Classical) on the reading comprehension of grade 9 junior high school students in the division of Angeles City. In line with this, the study conducted quasi-experimental pretest and posttest for students (N=40) within the span of 2 weeks. The pretest of each genre was taken without playing popular instrumental music in the background while the posttest was taken while the subjects listened to popular instrumental music. Outcomes of the pretest indicate that students reading comprehension scores obtained a mean that ranged from 5.450 to 5.825. These results barely made the cut to the instructional reading comprehension level that, according to the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (PHIL IRI) scale ranges from 5 to 7 points, in a ten-item test indicating a need for reading remediation. Results of the study showed a highly significant difference between pretest and post-test scores for the genres of Jazz Pop and Classical where all three genres obtained a p-value of 0.000 which was lower than the set alpha of 0.01 level of significance. Hence, a reading remediation program utilizing Jazz, Pop, and Classical music as a reading supplement has the potential to aid struggling readers. Therefore, based on the outcomes of this study, the researcher designed a proposed reading remediation program utilizing the three genres (Jazz, Pop, and Classical).

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Elementary teachers’ experiences and instructional challenges during the return to school after the COVID-19 closure in the Philippines

admin_irjstem Abstract Class reopening, Limited face-to-face, New normal, Post-pandemic education, Psychological first aid

Potchong M. Jackaria
Teacher-II, Tandubato Primary School, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines
Corresponding Email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
As education started to recover from the impact of COVID-19, the Philippine Department of Education began to roll out pilot face-to-face classes. Hence, there is a need to explore teachers’ experiences regarding the preparations and challenges encountered during the reopening of classes after the COVID-19 closures. Specifically, this study explored teachers’ preparation and instructional challenges encountered during the first few weeks of reopening of classes. The study utilized a phenomenological research approach. Seven public elementary school teachers involved in the pilot face-to-face classes were purposively selected for the one-on-one interview. Each interview lasted for about 30-minutes and was tape-recorded. The researcher also conducted classroom visitations to understand better the context of the teachers’ responses. Data were then transcribed, translated, and analysed using a thematic analysis technique. The result shows that five themes emerged pertaining to teachers’ preparation for the reopening of classes. These include establishing health protocols, school physical improvements, instructional materials development, psychosocial preparation, and acquiring new teaching strategies. As for the instructional challenges encountered, the teachers expressed concern about the alarming number of non-readers and students who are mentally and socially unprepared. Other challenges include the difficulty of maintaining health protocols, the need for new teaching strategies, and challenges with time management. The findings suggest that comprehensive reading intervention and psychosocial first aid programs should be part of the school reopening strategy. Furthermore, the researcher recommends that teachers should be trained to handle students during the post-pandemic era.

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Effect of vitamin C and folate on heat-stressed chickens’ egg quality and daily egg production

admin_irjstem Abstract Chickens, Egg quality, Folate, heat-stress, Vitamin-C.

Okocha I. Onuoha, Herbert Udo
Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.
Corresponding Email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Egg quality is of economic consideration especially in thermally challenged confinements during table egg production and transportation. The effect of vitamin-C and folate on heat-stressed chickens’ egg quality and performance is aimed at overcoming the negative impact of exposure to increased environmental heat load at peak heat periods of the year using vitamin-C as ameliorative agent, and efficient utilization of consumed feed, using folate. This is in other to lay quality eggs and perform optimally. A total of 72 Isa Brown laying hens at 31 weeks of age were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups of 36 birds subdivided into 3 replicates and indicated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 while T1 served as the control treatment. The birds were housed in a deep litter pen and exposed to 3-hours additional heat generated with gas-powered burners, for four consecutive days of each week for a period of 12 weeks. The diets for T2, T3 and T4 were supplemented with 250 mg of vitamin-C, 250 mg of vitamin-C + 1 mg of folate and 300 mg of vitamin-C + 1 mg of folate per kg of feed respectively. The results showed that T4 had the highest egg weights (60.04 g), shell thickness (0.53 mm) and shell weights (7.80 g). The albumin weight (37.20 g), albumin height (6.80 mm) and yolk weight (14.70 g) were highest (P<0.05) in T4 while daily eggs production/treatment/day was highest in T4 (8.04). The daily feed intake was (P<0.05) highest in T3 and T4 (0.42 kg/bird) and (P<0.05) lowest in T3 and T4 (1.51). It is concluded that combined supplementation of layers’ diet with vitamin-C and folate at the ratio of 350 mg: 1 mg/kg of feed) help to reduce negative impact of heat stress and enhance efficient utilization of feed consumed. It is recommended as a nutritional management strategy in minimizing the negative impact of increased heat load coupled with very high relative humidity.

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Bilingualism: Its influence on the reading comprehension of college students

admin_irjstem Abstract Bilingualism, Influence, Reading comprehension

Adybier M. Lobaton
Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, Philippines
Corresponding Email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Reading plays a great role in the lives of people. It provides them access to the world of ideas and an instrument for obtaining knowledge in various subject disciplines. It is a needed tool that one must possess so that s/he will not be deprived of a wonderful medium of learning. However, numerous factors impede one from acquiring reading skills. One of the most controversial issues on these factors is the language problem, which in the Philippines has evolved into an issue of national importance. Questions on the reading problem or language problem arise and it has continued to be the subject of national debate. This study was conducted utilizing the use of two languages (English and Filipino) in order to determine their significant influence on the reading comprehension of college students. A true-experimental method of research was used and it revealed: a) language of instruction does not affect significantly the achievement in reading comprehension of the subjects, b) results of the pre-test and post-test of both experimental and control groups consistently showed that the English and Filipino instructed-experimental and control group performed well in their reading achievement.

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