It is in this light that several delegates from UIC participated the 2^nd International Conference on Higher Education Research (ICHER) 2014 on February 25-26, 2014 held in The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia . The two-day gathering of research presenters and key note speakers was sponsored by the International Association of Multidisciplinary Research (IAMURE) to bring together a community of educators, professionals and researchers under the theme, “New Paradigms for New Outcomes in Higher Education.”

Leading the group is Dr. Renan P. Limjuco, the Research Director who gave his message in emphasizing a “research culture manifested across human races… to enlighten everyone that unification in terms of addressing the critical issues specifically those of higher education can significantly make a difference. ” Dr. Limjuco was also awarded as the Outstanding World Peer Reviewer and was conferred the Best Abstract Award (Science) for his study, Profiling the Effects of Campus Noise Intensities to the Academic Activities of the Learner during the said conference. Another colleague was remarkably awarded the Outstanding Researcher of the Philippines in the person of Prof. Emma Sagarino, the Research Associate of UIC. Although less in number, the delegates were still able to bring home many notable awards and recognitions placing the institution once again in another pedestal of global success.

With much joy and pride, the following UIC delegates bagged the different major and special awards:

Best Oral Presenter (Diamond)

Prof. Emma V. Sagarino

The Perspective of Artists and Viewers on Selected Paintings of Dabawenyo Artists

Best Oral Presenter (Platinum)

Dr. Renan P. Limjuco

Profiling the Effects of Campus Noise Intensities to the Academic Activities of the Learners

Dr. Sylvia J. Pidor

Teachers’ Profile, Characteristics and Student Achievement in Science and Mathematics in the 

               RVM Secondary Schools in Southern Mindanao

Prof. Eric John G. Emberda

Understanding the Patterns of Crime Incidents through Mapping and Frequent Item Set Mining

               Using Apriori Algorithm

Best in PowerPoint Presentation (Platinum)

Dr. Renan P. Limjuco

Dr. Sylvia J. Pidor

Prof. Emma V. Sagarino

Prof. Eric John G. Emberda

Best in Talent (Diamond)

Dr. Renan P.Limjuco

Dr. Sylvia J. Pidor

Prof. Emma V. Sagarino

Best in Talent (Platinum)

Prof. Eric John G. Emberda

Best Dressed (Diamond)

Dr. Sylvia J. Pidor

Prof. Emma V. Sagarino

Prof. Eric John G. Emberda

Best Dressed (Platinum)

Dr. Renan P. Limjuco

World Artistic Performer

Dr. Renan P. Limjuco

Invited keynote speakers coming from different international institutions inspired the participants to not only innovate themselves in the field of research but to be responsible in staying competitive and flexible to foster a positive labor of quality research and learning. IAMURE takes pride in its continued pursuit to be the ”world’s leading scientific, multidisciplinary and professional organization” joined by more than 30 state universities and colleges all over the country including the unparalleled support of the University of the Immaculate Conception.

Written by: Miss Ma. Juliet G. Vasay (Liberal Arts Faculty)

Countering the challenges set by the new paradigm in the educational arena of the Philippines, the Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) and the Department of Education (DepEd) XI collaborated to conduct a research whose aim is to assess the readiness of the Davao region with regard to the implementation of the K to12 program.

One with the goal of DACS and DepEd, UIC researchers were part of the team including Dr. Renan Limjuco, Ms. Emma Sagarino, Dr. Mona Laya and Mr. John Rey A. Aleria.

The study entitled “Readiness on K to 12: Basis for the Development of a Strategic Plan for Implementers and Other Stakeholders in Region XI” was headed by lead researchers Dr. Limjuco, the Research Director of the University of the Immaculate Conception and Dr. Minerva T. Fabros of Department of Education. The study was divided into five major components namely: study 1 entitled “Career Choice of Students: Basis for Curricular Offering of Senior High Schools in Region XI headed by Dr. Roberto Diamante and Dr. Danilo M. Canda; study 2 entitled  “The Cost of Senior High School Education in Region XI led by Mr. Jopriz Bueno and Dr. Janette Veloso; study 3 entitled “Industry Needs Assesment in Region XI in Response to the Implementation of the K to 12 Curriculum” spearheaded by Ms. Kari Ann Bitgue and Dr. Marilyn Madrazo; study 4 entitled “School Profile and K to 12 Plans in Region XI” led by Ms. Emma Sagarino and Dr. Maflor Dingal and study 5 entitled “Volunteerism Intentions for Teaching and its Implication for Training Needs was headed by Dr. Randy Tudy.

The presentation of all the studies was done on April 28, 2014 at the DACS Office located in Juna Subdivision, Davao City. The event was participated by the different representatives both from public and private institutions. Present in the gathering were Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ, the president of DACS and Ateneo de Davao University and Dr. Gloria Benigno, DepEd Region XI Director of DepEd were there to witness the forum and to give their suggestions for the improvement of the data analysis.

Mr. Jimmi-Loe Dela Vega, the DACS Executive Director gave his opening remarks. Highlighting the fact that despite the hardships experienced in conducting the research, the project was all worth it because of the relevance of the outcomes of the surveys. After which, Dr. Randy Tudy, DACS Research Committee Chairperson presented an overview about the project.

On the other hand, Dr. Limjuco presented the different important points of each of the individual studies before the study leaders shared their findings. The presenters were Dr. Laya (Study 1), Mr. Glyd Jun Arañes (Study 2) Prof. Bitgue (Study 3), Ms. Sagarino (Study 4) and Mr. Carlos Carado (Study 5).
After the presentations of the findings, both Fr. Tabora and Dr. Benigno gave their messages and congratulated everybody for the efforts that they had exerted to finish the study.

The result of the K to 12 readiness study is expected to be utilized for the preparation of the Region XI on the implementation of the new curriculum.

Written by: John Rey A. Aleria

In recognition of research achievements in terms of dissemination of scientific information and best practices in research and publication, the prestigious World Research Productivity Award was conferred for the third consecutive time to the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) during the 3^rd World Research Festival (WRF) held in Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City, May 1 – 3, 2014.

The award was received by UIC Research Director Dr. Renan Limjuco, who was also chosen from over 100 participants to be one of only two World Publication Productivity Awardees. More, together with two others, he bagged the event’s most elusive and distinguished individual award– the Outstanding World Researcher Award 2014, establishing him and his many research publications as internationally prominent.

The UIC team included 10 faculty researchers with new publishable studies. They are Prof. Kristine Mae M Adlaon, Dr. Teresita Q Adriano, Prof. Mary Jane G Barluado, Prof. Teodoro S Caballero, Prof. Donnabelle A Castro, Prof. Marx P Catalan, Dr. Virgion H Mamonong, Prof. Armando B Parantar, Prof. Ma. Juliet G Vasay, and Dr. Limjuco, who presented their papers in different concurrent sessions and garnered a total of 23 awards, including 6 Best Oral Presenter, 7 Best in PowerPoint Presentation, 5 Best Dressed/Personality, and 5 Best in Talent Awards.

Stiffer Competition

Organized by the International Association of Multidisciplinary Research (IAMURE), WRF 2014 featured the usual four concurrent session awards at stake: Best in Oral Presentation, Best in PowerPoint Presentation, Best Dressed/Personality, and Best in Talent (2-4 minute talent presentation is required either in the beginning or at the end of paper presentation). But this year is more competitive…

WRF Then. There were 3 presenters in 1 set; 4 sets in 1 room or venue of concurrent session; and 4 awards at stake. The competition was by set and there were 3 ranks per award: DIAMOND for first, PLATINUM for second, and GOLD for third. Therefore, all presenters in a set would at the end get all 4 awards and would differ only in the awards’ rank. Hence each participant in a room would go home with 4 concurrent session awards.

WRF Now. Only the Best in Oral Presentation was competed by set, and only 1 Best Oral Presenter was declared, i.e., no platinum and gold. The competitions for Best in PowerPoint Presentation and Best in Talent were by room and not by set, but 3 winners were declared: diamond, platinum and gold. And the stiffest was the competition for Best Dressed/Personality since only 1 winner for male category and 1 winner for female category per room would be declared. Hence, that a participant would go home not bringing any concurrent session award was a very likely possibility. But this was not the case for any of the UIC delegates.

The Combats

Like a triangulated study using multi-sampling design, the UIC delegates were distributed to different days, rooms and sets both randomly and purposively.

Day 1

Day 1 saw three UICians in combat. ITE faculty Prof. Kristine Mae Adlaon presented her study titled CODEGROUNDS: An Interactive Computer Programming Tutorial Facebook Application against fellow ICT experts from Isabela State University and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College. She won Best Oral Presenter and the room’s platinum for Best PowerPoint Presentation. In the same room, LA faculty Prof. Ma. Juliet Vasay presented her study Speech Acts in Kris Aquino’s Tweets: A Content Analysis against two others from Jose Rizal Memorial State University – Zamboanga and Philippine Normal University – Agusan. She prevailed as Best Oral Presenter and platinum winner of the Best in Talent Award. In another room, LA faculty Dr. Virgion Mamonong awed the audience with his complex dance medley talent, after presenting his study titled Genderlect in the Academic Milieu in Appreciation of the Opposite Sex against fellow linguists from Phil. Normal University-Agusan and Surigao del Sur State University. He won gold for the Best in Talent Award.

Day 2

This day was undoubtedly the peak of combat for the UIC team as most of them took on actions! LA faculty Prof. Teodoro Caballero with his study Effectiveness of Documentary Film as Teaching Material was pitted against researchers from Holy Name University and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College. He earned platinum for the Best in Talent Award. Another LA faculty Prof. Donnabelle Castro with her study Personal Variables as Determinants for Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation in Response to Calamities contended against three others in her set from Surigao del Sur State University, Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University, and Iligan Capitol College. Prof. Castro won platinum in PowerPoint Presentation and was chosen the Best Dressed/Personality (Female Category) in her room. In another room, MLS faculty Prof. Marx Catalan conquered his set rivals from Carlos Hilado Memoria State College and Mindanao State College of Agriculture and Technology with his study Viability of Pineapple as a Laboratory Anticoagulant and Substitute for EDTA by emerging his set’s Best Oral Presenter and the room’s diamond winner for Best in PowerPoint Presentation and Best in Talent Awards.

The only presenter in the room commended by veteran scientist and judge Dr. Veneracion Cabana for embarking into a hard and novel study titled The Hardy-Weinberg Principle in the Transmission of Thalassemia and Selected Phenotypic Traits for Three Generations in Random-mating Populations, Pharmacy faculty Prof. Mary Jane Barluado was pitted against Health researchers from the University of the Philippines-Manila and Surigao del Sur State Univeristy. She emerged the Best Dressed/Personality winner for female category and gold winner of the Best in PowerPoint Presentation Award. Finally, day 2 was wrapped with Dr. Limjuco annihilating all adversaries to his goal of a grand slam win. His study titled Effectiveness of Video Lecture Materials as Instructional Tool for Statistics Class won him Best Oral Presenter and all three diamonds for Best in Talent, Best in PowerPoint Presentation and Best Dressed/Personality (Male Category) Awards, against fellow Statistics researchers from Samar and Bulacan State Universities.

Day 3

Day 3 was another day for Dr. Limjuco who presented his second paper titled Structural Equation Modelling of Reality TV Shows in the Philippines against fellow expert from University of Mindanao, and again hoarded the Best Oral Presenter Award and all three diamonds for Talent, PowerPoint and Personality. In another room, Dr. Teresita Adriano was crowned the Best Dressed/Personality (Female Category). Her paper titled Critical Linguistic Analysis of Print Communications in Tertiary Institutions was pitted against the study of fellow Language expert from the University of Southern Philippines Foundation. LA faculty Prof. Armando Parantar with his paper Easy Money over Ecological Duty: A Philisophiocal Criticism won Best Oral Presenter and diamond in Best in Powerpoint Presentation against fellow Philisophy researcher from Negros Oriental State University.

Plenary Presentations

Away from the combat zones was the neutral ground of the plenary hall where participants relished three international talks: The Effects of Learning Orientation on Environmental Sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises: The Moderating Role of the Institutional Environment by Dr. Hernan Roxas of School of Management and Marketing, Deakin University, Australia; The More, the Deadlier: A Case Study of Group Barebacking among Males Having Sex with Males by Dr. Bernadeth Gerodias of Southern Philippines Medical Center, Philippines; and Wing Structure Design for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using Additive Manufacturing by Dr. Seung Ki Moon of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

More Recognitions

As a team, the UIC WRF 2014 delegation earned the first Institutional World Artistic Award 2014 for their gala dance performance of Rigodon Royale during the affair’s cultural show, which in previous years used to be dominated by invited cultural dance groups. For their individual talent presentations in the plenary, Drs. Limjuco and Mamonong and Profs. Catalan and Vasay, also each earned the Individual World Artistic Award. Dr. Adriano and Prof. Parantar also received Certificates of Recognition/ Appreciation for serving as Judges in concurrent sessions. The same Certificates were also given to Dr. Limjuco and Prof. Barluado for serving as Session Managers in separate concurrent sessions.

Strong Research Culture

With left and right invitations for regional, national and international research conferences and competitions with opportunities for publications, UIC will not run out of research studies for sure… but the opportunities must be afforded to all; hence the pursuit of research by all. As IMAX films’ tag line goes, “Watch a movie. Or be part of it!”
 

Written by: Mary Jane G. Barluado

University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) Research Director Dr. Renan Limjuco pocketed the most coveted World Research Festival (WRF) Outstanding World Researcher Award in the recently concluded 3^rd WRF held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City on May 1-3 2014.

Along with Limjuco, who also bagged two Best Oral Presentation Awards, four other UIC researchers were crowned as best presenters namely Prof. Armando Parantar (Easy Money over Ecological Duty: A Philosophical Criticism), Prof. Ma. Juliet Vasay ( Speech Acts in Kris Aquino’s Tweets: A Content Analysis) from the Liberal Arts Program, Prof. Kristine Mae Adlaon ( CODEGROUNDS: An Interactive Computer Programming Tutorial Facebook Application) of the Information Technology Education program and Prof. Marx Catalan (Viability  of Pineapple  as a Laboratory Anticoagulant and Substitute for EDTA) from the Medical Laboratory Science program.

Limjuco’s studies entitled Effectiveness of Video Lecture Materials as Instructional Tool for Statistics Class and Structural Equation Modellingof Reality TV Show in the Philippines earned him a grand slam for winning all four Diamonds for best presentation, best powerpoint, best talent and best personality for each of his study. He also received a World Publication Productivity Award and accepted the World Research Productivity Award for UIC, the third consecutive time for the university to have such distinction.

WRF 2014 was organized by the International Association for Multidisciplinary Research (IAMURE) headed by Dr. Genaro V. Japos.

The UIC delegation was composed of 10 faculty researchers including Dr. Renan Limjuco, Professors Armando Parantar, Ma. Juliet Vasay, Kristine Mae Adlaon, Marx Catalan, Mary Jane Barluado, Teodoro Caballero Jr., Donabelle Castro, Dr. Virgion Mamonong and Dr. Teresita Adrianao. The team also brought home the Institutional World Artistic Award 2014 for their gala dance performance of Rigodon Royale.

Written by: John Rey Aleria

The University of the Immaculate Conception is inviting all alumnae and patrons to participate in a one-time chance to proprietorship of valuable art collections, sponsored by the UIC Scholarship Foundation, in collaboration with the RBN Scholarship Program.  The UIC is relying mainly on the generous support of both alumnae and other interested individuals inflamed with the desire for education for all.

In its desire to augment the University’s Scholarship Foundation which was initially started and established by M. Ma. Assumpta David, RVM, one of the Foundation’s generous benefactors, Mrs. Rhodora Bendigo-Nograles has partnered with the UIC for the second time in a fund-raising activity entitled, “Seventeen Artworks to UIC: An Art Today, a Treasure Tomorrow Part II,” with the aim of helping, from its proceeds, deserving but economically challenged students to  gain quality Christian education at the UIC.  Proceeds from the sale of the published artworks will be used to add to the present coffers of the Foundation’s scholarship which has produced 136 college graduates to date.  The first partnership between the UIC Scholarship Foundation and the RBN Scholarship Program was in 2003.  A decade after the first partnership, on December 8, 2013, the second endeavor was forged which now included in its mission scholarships not only to deserving college students but also to deserving but economically challenged high school students.  A donation of P500.00 entitles you to one raffle ticket, the first draw of which will be on June 16, 2014, the 2^nd Death Anniversary of M. Ma. Assumpta David, RVM, on whose honor this scholarship fund drive is being offered while the second draw will be on December 8, 2014, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the annual Alumni Homecoming, to be held both at the UIC Auditorium.

For further inquiries and details, Manila-based patrons can get in touch with Jennifer (Telefax 02-9329511) or Divine (Telefax 02-9316523), while Davao patrons may get in touch with Cherry (082-2218090082-2218090 loc. 130) or Joy (Telefax 082-2242950).  For more details, email us at fpcn1@info.com.ph or info@uic.edu.ph.

Cash or check payments addressed to the UIC Scholarship Foundation, Inc. can be made together with complete name, address, and contact number at the back of the check through the contacts listed above, or mailed to the Scholarship Foundation Office, UIC, Fr. Selga St., Davao City.  Donations can also be deposited at Metrobank with Account Number 665-3665-12832-7.  Acknowledgement receipts shall be issued to you for your donation together with your raffle ticket/s.

Written by: Sonia Morales

The artistic fundraising is made possible by globally acclaimed Filipino artists’ donations of some of their finest creations to the Foundation. With gallery price up to P180,000 each, foremost in the list is the Sarimanok Series (acrylic on canvass) recognized worldwide as originally Filipino and created by multi-awarded National Artist Abdulmari Imao. Equally prominent is Crucifix (carving on wood) by his own gene Juan Sajid Imao, whose hand genius crafted the statues of Andres Bonifacio, Lapu Lapu and other national heroes gracing landmarks like the Bonifacio Global City and Rizal Parks in Manila, Cebu and Davao Cities, to name a few.

Also up for grabs is Locked In Embrace (carving on glass) by Arch. Ramon Orlina, whose reputation as the world’s first glass carver using improvised tools, earned him patrons from all over Asia, Europe and the US. And many would wish to win The Three Girls (watercolor on paper) by award-winning impressionist painter Jun Martinez, whose works commonly adorn covers and spreads of art books and magazines.

Would surely give character to any room is the wood carving Buntis by contemporary artist Agi Pagkatipunan who is known as ‘furniture designer for the stars’. Likewise, thematic women strength, freedom and sensuality come alive in the donated artworks of modern artists Lydia Velasco (Two Women, acrylic on canvass), Manuel Unidad (Girl, pastel on paper), Deo Viloria (Tres Marias Vendor, oil on canvass), Noel Mahilum (Lady, acrylic on canvass), Jonahmar Salvosa (Aruga, pastel on paper), Ferdinand Cacnio (Dancer in Fuschia, acrylic on paper), Ferdinand Anore (Side by Side, acrylic on canvass), and Emet Valiente (Mother & Child).

Nature specialists and siblings Herzon and Rhea dela Rosa hued up the Foundation with their vivid and intricate paintings Trees: Advent and Flower: 3 Sunflowers, respectively. More, fans of Arnel Pineda, lead vocalist of quintessential band Journey, had better win Marquez’s Rock (oil on canvass) which captures the singer in action. Last but not least, veteran art exhibitor Reynaldo Punelas donated the surreal Man in Maroon (acrylic on canvass) which depicts a transcendental Passion of Christ.

Co-organized by Mrs. Rhodora B. Nograles of RBN Scholarship, the campaign is a sequel to the first UIC Scholarship Foundation – RBN Scholarship fundraising partnership with invaluable artworks raffled for donors. The proceeds will be used to expand the Foundation’s beneficiaries to include not only college but also high school students.

Drawing of winners will be held at UIC Main Campus Auditorium on two occasions: June 16, 2014, the death anniversary of M. Ma Assumpta David, RVM who established the Foundation; and December 8, 2014, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and UIC Alumni Homecoming. Inquiries regarding donation procedures and the artworks may be directed to Cherry (082) 2218090(082) 2218090 loc. 130 or Joy (082) 2242950(082) 2242950 in Davao, or Jennifer (02) 9329511(02) 9329511 or Divine (02) 9316523(02) 9316523 in Manila; or emailed to fpcn1@info.com.ph or info@uic.edu.ph.

As in the past, the fundraising counts on generous education advocates who do not regard increasing their antes to mean bigger chances on the mentioned artworks, but see real victory in having more students afforded with UIC scholarships. With a mission to provide quality Christian education to deserving but financially challenged students, the UIC Scholarship Foundation has produced 136 college graduates to date, and many scholars are currently enrolled in various degrees in the university.

Other scholarships offered by UIC are the Academic Scholarship (for Valedictorian/ Salutatorian graduates), IMMACULATUS, The Collegiate Immaculate, Information Technology Program, and Student Assistance Grant Program (SAGP) Scholarships.

Written by: Mary Jane Barluado

Garnering 58 gold, 42 silver and 14 bronze medals, the Royals bested their six bracket rivals en route to a three-peat performance.  Former bracket B contender, ND/HRM/TM Stingers landed second spot with 19 gold medals and followed by Engineering/Architecture Wolves with 17 gold in the highly competitive and intensifying bracket A column.

The Royals took an early lead in the week-long activity as they started up the contest by capturing the Ms. Intramurals 2014 a week before the proper event which gave a 10-gold points and placed first in the cheer dance competition that earned them another 10 gold points.

They continued to drop teams in the following days as they wiped out their opponents in the table tennis, badminton and athletics events in both men’s and women’s categories. The Royals completed their domination as they ruled the basketball men’s and women’s division despite playing against twice-to-beat advantage teams.

Meanwhile, in the other bracket, the Education Falcons emerged victorious as with 41 Golds, 49 Silver and 6 Bronze while the Liberal Arts crusaders placed second with 33 Golds, 37 Silvers and 27 Bronze.

Despite the Nutrition and Dietetics/Hotel and Restaurant Management and Tourism Management Stingers getting the Mr. Intrams, the Falcons took control of the major events especially in the Latin Dance in the Dance sport competition and garnered second place in the Cultural Dance competition which gave them the advantage in the Bracket B.

The contest was participated by different secondary and tertiary schools within the city. With the topic, “The Danger of Drugs… A Societal Ill” (Tertiary level), Miss Dalumpines conveyed the strong implication on the detrimental effects of abusing drugs on the personal, familial and societal aspects of an individual. On the other hand, Miss Sypth Mary Basalo, also a second year student from the Engineering and Architecture program contributed the piece used by the student-orator and earned herself a behind-the-scenes recognition. The two remarkable students are yet to meet.

The oratorical contest on its 12^th year is an annual competition open to all students from the secondary and tertiary levels. The distinguished members of the judging panel include Dr. Pilar C. Braga, Dr. Marina B. Ruvivar and Pastor Luis R. Moran. Hon. Rene Elias C. Lopez, the 3^rd District Councilor of Davao City gave an inspirational talk that encouraged more student-orators to actively engage with these same activities and help raise youth involvement and literacy.

The UIC representative received cash prize, medal and certificates. A total of 6 college students joined the said contest.

Written by: Ma. Juliet G. Vasay