Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research

12-20

Authors: Arneil G. Gabriel; Manuela P. Gutierrez

The article discovers the congruence of governance principles and actual administrative practices in local legislative chamber in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. By using case study, it measured the influence of governance principles to legislative performance and organizational effectiveness. The good governance principles of citizens’ participation, accountability and transparency are correlated to legislative performance. Inspired by the organization theory of systems model, the result showed that there is a link between organizational effectiveness, legislative performance and observance of good governance principles. The study recommends that scientific inquiry be done to measure degree of convergence and divergence of theory and practice in Philippine administrative system.

26-42

Authors: Shariq Aziz Butt, Tauseef Jamal

Agile has invented to improve and overcome Draw backs of software development. Now agile model is using in software development very vastly. It is facilitating the developer and client both very resourcefully. It is getting popularity than the other Software Development Life Cycle models because of its characteristics and most owing to allow change request at any level of the project. The client in the software development is the main part and asset of the company. The software house always focuses on its client because client is an asset. Thus developer has major concern with the client’s requirement and change request. Agile is getting popularity because of allow change request at any stage of project, on the other hand it is also a drawback in agile model because when project starts the project’s completion time and cost is decided. But due to frequent change of requests come from client the cost and completion time both increase eventually which is not good for software house’s business and reputation. So there is need a cost and time estimation technique to solve change request issue in agile mode

51-57

Authors: Mervin P. Mohammed, Murphy P. Mohammed

This study evaluated the performances of the candidate engineers of the College of Engineering (COE) of the Tarlac State University (TSU) in the licensure examinations. The results of the four-year (2008-2011) licensure examinations of the graduates of the COE with specialization in the fields of civil, electrical, electronics, and mechanical engineering were covered in this study. The research methods used in the study were descriptive and analytical approaches. The Engineering graduatestook the board examination during the same year or not more than one year from the time of their graduation. Candidates who took the board examination more than once and/or beyond one year from the date of their graduation were not included in this study. The statistical methods used in this study were the descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysis of variance was used to determine the variation among the four-yearlicensure examination performances of the candidate engineers. The study revealed that there was no significant difference among the four-year licensure examination performances of both the civil and mechanical engineer candidates. In contrast, the electrical and electronics engineer candidates’ performances significantly differed within the evaluation period. The mechanical engineers candidates performed best among the four courses in the licensure examination.

64-76

Authors: Rowena P. de Guzman, Gloria Luz M. Nelson, Girlie Nora A. Abrigo, and Rowena DT. Baconguis

Using the relational approach to network analysis (SNA), this explored the importance of interlocking organizations, rather than the organization alone, that can facilitate the promotion of organic agriculture in Quezon Province. This study sought to answer these objectives: identify organizations’ underlying capacity that contribute to the achievement of their goals; characterize the social network formed by organizations; and identify the bases of their interaction. The five organic agricultural organizations were selected based on the criteria that members are practicing organic agriculture and they have been existing for at least five years. A total of 11 key informant interviews were conducted with the officers and staff of the five organic agricultural organizations in Quezon Province. Review of organizational documents was also conducted to complement the interviews. UCINET 6.528 was used to characterize the social networks and generate graphs for network visualization. The different organic agricultural organizations were established even before the promotion of organic agriculture. Though hierarchical in nature, responsibilities and decision making power were shared among members which fostered bottom-up and collaborative approach. Social networks were formed by establishing linkages either initiated by the organization or mandated under the program to enhance capacity building, to gain access to information and resources, and to seek cooperation. Being part of a social network helps enhancing organizational capacity, an imperative in achieving organizational goals, making them an important agents of program implementation. Hence, social network can facilitate more the delivery of services and disseminate information to a large extent

87-93

Authors: ZabronChege Wairimu, Shadrack Mwenda Mwilaria

–The continuous rapid growth of microfinance institutions in Kenya seems not to offer enough solution to the micro and small enterprises survival challenges with more than a one-third of MSEs start-ups collapsing within the first three years. It is the high rate of collapse and low rate of survival of MSEs that motivated this research to fill the existing gap on the missing linkage between MFIs and MSEs survival. This study looked at the role of the social intermediation services offered by MFIs on survival of MSEs in Thika Town which is both an industrial town and a business hub. A descriptive study design was adopted. Stratified and purposive sampling methods were used to select a sample 272 MSEs. Findings indicated that; regular microfinance participation help reduce loan application and payment bureaucracy while keeping entrepreneur updated on available opportunities. Training equips MSEs owners with necessary managerial skills on financial management, book keeping, and business operations. Group liability eliminates the need for collateral security when accessing loan while it increases the amount of loan accessed. Networking increases business link widening goods and services markets and allows for formation of business clubs. Finally, it was found that training was the most sought service followed by group liability, microfinance participation, and networking. From the study findings, the researcher recommends that MSEs continue seeking for social intermediation services and especially networking to improve their competitiveness and create a competitive advantage over their competitors boosting their survival.

104-113

Authors: Norrie E. Gayeta; Dennis G. Caballes

This study aimed to measure conceptual change on stoichiometry using mental models and ill-structured problems in flipped classroom environment. This study examined the level of conceptual understanding of students on stoichiometry before and after exposure to flipped and traditional lecture method. It also covered the type of conceptual change, and students’ description in flipped classroom environment. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used in the study. Respondents were two sections of third year Bachelor of Secondary Education, Biological Science. Frequency, percentage, ranking, mean, standard deviation, Hake factor test, and t-test were the statistical tools applied to answer specific questions. Results showed profound increase towards conceptual change representing a shift from intuitive understanding to correct incomplete understanding level. Thus, change for the better, in theoretical type was determined from pretest to posttest of students exposed to flipped and traditional instruction. Results also indicated that there is no significant difference on students’ conceptual change on stoichiometry exposed to flipped and traditional lecture method. Furthermore, students strongly agreed that flipped classroom instruction helped them develop positive attitude towards chemistry and appropriate for learning college chemistry.

125-130

Authors: Naominida C.Olermo, Larry A. Santos; James Paul R. Labindao

Soils in rolling to hilly are strongly acidic and deficient in N, P and K – characteristics that are major constraints to high fruit yield like passion fruit. The importance of the macronutrient to passion fruit production showed that best yield was obtained with fertilization of 250-50-80 kg N-P2O5- K2Oha-1 . The degree of importance of N, P and K followed the order N > P > K. Yield reductions due to the absence of these nutrients from the complete treatment were 60%, 39% and 7%, respectively. Furthermore, best value per fruit was observed with fertilization 250-50-80 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1 .Mean value per fruit reductions due to non-application of N or P or K from the complete treatment were 29.74%, 17.75% and 11.19%, respectively. Higher juice characteristic (pH) was observed from treatments with K compared from treatments without K. Performance of passion fruit from combined inorganic and organic fertilizers showed that highest yield and average value per fruit were produced by fertilization with 75% IF + 25% OF. Yield per hectare and average value per fruit reductions due to decreasing of percentage inorganic fertilizer (IF) but increasing of percentage organic fertilizer (OF) like 50% IF + 50% OF, 25% IF + 75% OF, and 100% OF were 26%, 37%, and 56% the former and 6%, 13%, and 41% the later, respectively.

139-146

Authors: Laura Joan B. Matheu; Claire St. Collette I. Apit; Veronica Teresa A. Madelo; Gernhie May C. Giganto; Jenny Rose C. Tuazon; Amelia M. Bonotan

This is a qualitative case study of a Christian Living Awardee and her family about the dynamics of living and transmitting the Catholic faith within their family and beyond. The researchers conducted this study during the academic year 2016-2017 in St. Joseph’s School of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines. They asked permission from the proper authorities for the conduct of the study. They also asked for the informed consent of the parents of the chosen family. Once they were granted, they conducted a focus group discussion with the chosen family. Some of the themes extracted are: Faith considered as the “best gift” of parents to their children; Faith as “North Star”; Parents come from families with deep faith; Spiritual activities done as a family: Going to Holy Mass together, Holy Rosary; Practicing Faith, Nurturing the Faith; Good Example of Parents; Sharing the faith with peers by example; Being friendly. The researchers recommend the offering of continuing education in the faith for parents, educators, catechists and other formators in coordination with the parish priests, sharing of books and references like the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Compendium, teaching of Catechism especially in the public schools.

156-162

Authors: Zaldy Collado

In the Philippine campuses nowadays, the presence of foreign students is a common sight, making our academic communities one of the most culturally diverse universities in the world. This requires us to provide necessary local environment appropriate and ready to attend to multicultural sensitivities. Thus the research aimed to look at how well-prepared Philippine universities are in terms of having multi-cultural friendly campuses. Through in-depth interviews and phenomenological method, the researcher explored the lived experiences of Black African students in their respective campuses. The results showed that (a) the participants’ decision to study in the Philippines was based on factors such as the hassle-less application process, cheaper yet of quality education and the image of Filipinos as being friendly and kind (b) the common, though very light, concern was not racism nor discrimination, but speaking in the local language in their presence made them feel sometimes isolated or insulted and (c) that racism and discrimination against blacks were not an institutional reality, though unfriendly encounters with Filipinos were also recorded, those were not seen as serious cases of racist behavior. The study suggested that since blacks’ experiences are generally devoid of racism and discrimination, school administrations do not tend to formulate explicit policies and enough activities to ensure racistfree campuses and inter-cultural inclusiveness among Filipinos and the blacks. In any case, the black students were determined to obtain their degrees here no matter what and such a goal was made easier because of the kind of tertiary academic communities their respective schools offer

171-185

Authors: Romualdo L. Roque; Sevilla S. Felicen

- Wellness is having a healthy body, mind and spirit. Health and wellness go hand in hand. Most people link wellness to physical health condition only but the researcher found out the other dimension of wellness that matters to the tourists. This study assessed the other dimensions of wellness such as social, spiritual, intellectual, emotional and occupational wellness and reveals the most significant wellness dimension among the tourists visiting Wellness Spa in Batangas Province. The researcher aimed to present the profile of the wellness spa center along with the facilities and services they offer and how it helped wellness travelers achieve their purpose when visiting wellness spa. Descriptive design was used with 5 Wellness Spa Centers in Batangas as subject of the study with the used of adopted questionnaire; 216 enthusiastic wellness tourists were asked to sincerely answer the questions in order to collect relevant data. This study unveils that social wellness is important among tourists. They visit wellness spa to build social network, to openly communicate to others and openly express their thoughts and feelings. This wellness tourists aging from 26 – 35 years old earning an average of Php20, 000 prefer spa services and facilities to relax, use gym to shape up in order to maintain a healthy physical wellbeing. Knowing their purpose in life and discovering the true meaning of their existence is the aim of this wellness travel. People that acquire a higher educational degree, most of them are married put emphasis about what is important in life and discover the real purpose of their existence.

199-203

Authors: Brenda C. Panelo; Ma. Theresa M. Diza

This study was conducted at the Integrated Sustainable Agri-Techno Demo Farm (ISATDF) of the Pangasinan State University, Sta. Maria Campus, Sta. Maria, Pangasinan from October 15, 2013 to August 18, 2014 with a duration of 308 days. This study aimed to determine the growth and yield performance of banana (Musa acuminata L.) as affected by different farm manures. Specifically, it attempted to: (1) determine the effect of different farm manures on the growth and yield performance of banana; and to (2) determine the cost and return of the different farm manures. The experiment was laid out using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the differences between treatments using F-test at 5 and 1 percent levels of significance and the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to evaluate the differences among treatment means. The treatments used were the following: T1 - chicken manure, T2 - cow manure, T3 - goat manure, and T4 - hog manure. The results revealed that the application of chicken manure recorded the tallest plants (5.27 cm), most number of suckers (340). The application of chicken manure and goat manure significantly increased the mid-trunk diameter (25.63cm) and (25.62 cm); finger length (14.33 cm) and (13.13 cm); finger diameter (3.60 cm each); and weight of fruits (450kgs each). Net income and return on investment (ROI) were also influenced by chicken manure and goat manure. Application of chicken manure and goat manure significantly enhanced the yield quality attributes and income of banana compared to the other sources of organic manure.

212-218

Authors: Glynda F. Pariñas; Marilyn M. Albior; Brenda C.Panelo; Rheyste M. Nicolas; Priscilla L. Agsalud

The general objective of the study is to determine the effectiveness of ampalaya leaf extract against gastrointestinal parasites of native chicken. Specifically, it aimed to:(1)to evaluate the anthelmintic property of ampalaya leaf extract in the treatment of gastro-intestinal parasites of native chicken;(2) find out the most effective variety of ampalaya leaves as purgatives for native chicken; and(3) to compare the efficacy of ampalaya leaf extract with commercial purgative in the treatment of gastro-intestinal parasites. A total of fifteen (15) experimental native chickens were used in each study which was distributed into five (5) treatments. For study 1 and 2, Commercial purgative (Piperazine dihydrocloride) and commercial purgative (mebendasole, niclosamide and levamisole) were used respectively as positive control. Based on the result of the study, ampalaya leaf extract shows comparable effect to positive control (Piperazine dihydrochloride) in treating and controlling gastro-intestinal parasites of native chicken. However, commercial purgative with triple ingredient (mebendasole, niclosamide and levamisole) shows more effective than the ampalaya extract. The researcher concludes that efficacy of ampalaya leaf extract as purgative is comparable to the effect of commercial purgative with single active ingreadient (Piperazine dihydrochloride), commercial purgative with triple active ingredients ( mebendasole, niclosamide and levamisole) excelled over the ampalaya extract because of its multi-ingredients