FICS Theses and Dissertations

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Theses and dissertations by graduate students from the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies.

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Browsing FICS Theses and Dissertations by Title

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    A CSR Practitioner's Communication Practices in Engaging the Local Community in Watershed Conservation: An Autoethnography
    ( 2024) Amata, Dennis John M.
    This study aimed to answer the following questions: What are the CSR practitioner’s communication practices in engaging the local community in watershed conservation and what are the underlying views and assumptions of the communication practices? By positioning himself as the primary subject, the researcher employed autoethnography to deeply explore his interactions and communication practices used to engage a local community. Autoethnography as a research framework and methodology not only allows for an in-depth and reflective examination of his personal experiences but also provides a rich, nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in community engagement. The research methodology included gathering and review of the CSR practitioner’s personal journals during the implementation of the project from 2022- 2023, as well as a thorough review of related literature. Thematic analysis was employed to identify and explore recurring themes and provide insights into the patterns of his engagement with the local community. His journals were classified into two vignettes which included his communication practices when in project implementation and when the community is in conflict. Four communication practices during project implementation emerged in the analysis of data: engaging and empowering community leaders, integrating the local community’s wisdom and traditions; engaging the community in a long-term partnership; and recognizing literacy constraints. Each of these practices is made up of sub-practices, including: ● Sharing roles and responsibilities with the community ● Letting the community lead the completion of the project ● Including local voices in decision-making ● Inviting community leaders to educate employees and stakeholders ● Being mindful of local customs and traditions ● Respecting hierarchical structures ● Using the local language ● Involving community members in the storytelling process ● Bridging the language barrier ● Visiting the community to personally connect ● Immersing in the local community The findings from this study can inform more effective CSR communication practices and contribute to the growing body of research on the role of communication in fostering successful community engagement and partnerships in sustainability initiatives.
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    A Grounded Theory of Developer Communication in Extreme Programming Practices
    ( 2024) Viray, Ben Hur C.
    There is evidence that Extreme Programming (XP) software development practices are still actively used by Information Technology (IT) projects under the Agile methodology, one of the famous software development life cycle (SDLC) models. However, more information about the communication between programmers or developers for these XP practices is needed. Thus, this study, employing a constructivist grounded theory (CGT) design which emphasizes the construction of knowledge through the interpretation of data, was conducted to explore developer communication for significant XP practices. For the initial data, the researcher was fortunate to have the participation of eleven out of fifteen IT professionals, each with at least a decade of work experience. Their expertise was invaluable in shaping the direction of the research. Three out of four identified developers also participated in a follow-up questionnaire. Subsequently, semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted, focusing on their top three practices: Planning Game, Test-Driven Development (TDD), and Small Releases, which were selected based on their perceived importance in IT projects. During the interviews, it became evident that the developers play multiple roles, each significantly influencing communication. These fourteen identified roles highlight their work’s diverse and complex nature: Assessor, Collaborator, Coordinator, Designer, Developer, Documenter, Interpreter, Learner, Mentor, Negotiator, Presenter, Researcher, Tester, and Translator. The developers interacted with seven teams categorized into four groups based on their modes of communication: Direct Managers and Change management under Linear-Interactional, Business Team under Interactional, External Developers, Functional Resources, and Technical Team under Interactional-Transactional, and Transactional-Interactional for Internal Developers. With all the combined practices, roles, and interactions, this study has proposed an XP Developer Communication (XPDC) model. This framework can serve as a guide for understanding and improving developer communication in XP projects. For instance, it can help identify the key roles and their communication needs or guide the selection of appropriate communication modes for different teams. Although not all XP practices are covered, the components are enough to cover all the essential developer communication practices in XP.
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    Agile Communication in an International Educational Organization: A Phenomenological Study
    ( 2023) Aguilar, Monalice G.
    Using phenomenology, the researcher explored staff members' experiences in an international educational organization and made sense of the dynamic nature of their communicative practices in an ever-changing work environment. Based on the Husserl and Habermas frameworks, the study provided a comprehensive understanding of communication practices and organizational dynamics in the context of agile communication and the staff’s lifeworld. Through in-depth interviews and employing the Discourse of Understanding grounded on the Phenomenological Tradition of Communication, the researcher made sense of the experiences of selected staff members, resulting in an emergent communication-centric concept of Agile Communication. The inquiry revealed that Agile Communication is flexible, adaptive, and stakeholder-centered, enabling quick response to changing circumstances and delivering value to stakeholders. It is a collaborative, innovative, and iterative process that promotes efficient work environments by working hand-in-hand with the iteration process. Agile communication is direct and transparent, promoting simple, face-to-face interaction that leads to consistent feedback loops. It is embedded in organizational culture and process, allowing for pivot strategies, structures, and processes. Finally, it maintains the quality of work outputs, enabling stakeholders to respond to changes without compromising quality and ensuring the timely delivery of projects. Hence, Agile Communication is a flexible, user-centric, collaborative, and transparent approach that prioritizes organizational quality. It lies in the social interaction and communicative activities of people within the organization, which allow the utilization of appropriate strategies, processes, and tools in managing and responding to change. More importantly, the study revealed that agile communication had become a concept that limits the systems to colonize the staff members' lifeworld.
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    Artificial Intelligence in Social Sciences: Behavioral Intention and Use Among Students in a State University in Central Luzon, Philippines
    ( 2025-04-17) Soliven, Paolo Carl
    This study assessed the views and usage of AI among social sciences students in a state university in Luzon, Philippines, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance of Technology (UTAUT) theory. A total of 311 students were chosen through stratified proportional sampling and surveyed using Google Forms for 8 days. Data underwent statistical tests such as T-test and correlations (Point-Biserial, Spearman's rank, and Phi Coefficient). The behavioral intentions and actual use of AI among students were high. They actively utilize AI such as chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT) and writing assistance tools (e.g., Grammarly and QuillBot) to enhance their learning and assist with academic tasks. They hold a positive perception of AI, particularly in terms of performance expectancy and effort expectancy. They believe that AI enhances their academic performance and is easy to use. However, students remain neutral regarding social influence and facilitating conditions, suggesting that they feel neither strongly encouraged nor discouraged by their peers to use AI. Additionally, they perceive external support for AI as neutral, indicating a perceived lack of encouragement from academic institutions regarding its use. Students' attitudes toward AI are also neutral, due to the absence of standardized guidelines and implementation strategies from academic institutions. This seems to have created uncertainty, as students are unsure whether they are encouraged or discouraged from using AI. As a result, they approach the ethical use of AI with caution. Despite these, they still intend to use AI to enhance their creativity and ideas, innovate their academic methods, and improve the quality of their work.
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    Artscience Thinking for the Global South
    ( 2022-02-22) Maranan, Diego S.
    Pluridisciplinary practices that span art and science are well-known in Western research and creative communities. Some of the most interesting and significant of these works confront audiences with deep questions about "life, the universe, and everything” (with apologies to Douglas Adams). But in the Global South—where addressing basic human needs, achieving economic and political security, and adapting to the unfolding climate crisis—are widely regarded as priorities, is there even space or time for the same? Using recent artscience research and creative projects I have been involved in, I argue that despite—or indeed because—of the challenges confronting the Global South, research, practice, and education on the intersections of the arts and the sciences is more necessary than ever.
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    Beyond the Crescent: Exploring Perceptions of the Philippine Halal Logo Among Young Non-Muslim Filipino Consumers
    ( 2025-05-14) Jimenez, Maria Alexine P.
    Can a logo intended to represent religious principles transcend its roots and become a universal symbol of health? In the Philippines, where approximately 91.5% of the population is reported to be Christian ("Religious affiliation in the Philippines (2020 census of population and housing)," 2023), the government has actively promoted locally made Halal-certified products through initiatives mandated by the Philippine Halal Export Development Program (Senate and House of Representatives Philippines, 2016). Central to these efforts is the introduction of the official Philippine Halal logo (Caybot, 2019). But can this marker truly resonate beyond the Muslim community and symbolize broader notions of health, cleanliness, trust, sustainability, and quality for everyone? This research presents a creative visual perception test, describing how the logo’s design elements-particularly its prominence, messaging, and imagery-influence perceptions of health, trust, quality, and purchase intentions among young non-Muslim Filipino consumers residing in Quezon City. Using a purposive, non-random sample of 311 respondents, the study employed descriptive analysis to explore awareness of and attitudes toward the Philippine Halal Logo. Guided by the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), this study used a mixed-methods research design, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative insights. The findings reveal that while respondents generally have favorable impressions of the logo and its visibility, statistical analysis showed no significant effect of logo size alone on perceived health benefits. Messaging such as the text “Clean Food” resonated well with safety-conscious consumers, but it did not show a statistically significant advantage over other text options. In contrast, a green color scheme for the imagery significantly enhanced associations with cleanliness and sustainability. The synergy of these design elements-rather than any single factor-created the strongest positive impact on health perceptions and purchase intentions within this sample. Furthermore, respondents who engaged in the central route of processing information demonstrated greater cognitive engagement and more positive attitudes toward Halal-certified products, supporting key principles of the Elaboration Likelihood Model (Petty & Cacioppo, 1986). It is important to note that, due to the purposive and non-random sampling method, these findings are descriptive and reflect only the views of the surveyed group; they are not representative of all young, non-Muslim Filipinos in Quezon City or the Philippines. The study’s limitations highlight the need for future research across more diverse regions and with randomized samples to better capture the broader demographics. In terms of development communication, the results demonstrate how strategic visual design and messaging can help transform cultural symbols into more universal markers of trust, health, and quality (Page & Lim, 2022). Recommendations include optimizing the Philippine Halal logo’s design particularly through the use of green color and clear, health-focused messaging-launching targeted awareness campaigns that emphasize “Clean Food,” and establishing standard policies to unite MSMEs and businesses in communicating their Halal-certified products. By bridging cultural divides through effective branding and social marketing, this study highlights the potential of Halal certification to foster inclusivity and drive sustainable growth in the Philippine food industry.
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    Building Community Resilience: A Case Study on the Localization of the Early Warning System
    ( 2025) Torreta, Aljohn T.
    The Philippines has been the world’s most at-risk country since 2022. While disasters cannot be controlled, its negative impacts can be mitigated. One of these is through the institutionalization and operationalization of the Early Warning System (EWS). The elements of EWS namely 1.) Risk Knowledge, 2.) Monitoring and Forecasting, 3.) Dissemination and Communication, and 4.) Preparedness to respond, are of equal significance because each contributes for the safety and resilience of the community. In the Philippines, the creation and institutionalization of the EWS in every Local Government Unit (LGU) is clearly defined in the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. The LGUs from the provincial down to the barangay level are obligated to operate a multi-hazard EWS to provide accurate and timely advice for immediate response, and for the information of the general public. The LGUs play a vital role in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, this includes the creation, institutionalization, and communication of the EWS. The Philippines having a diverse ethno-linguistic culture makes the communication of EWS also challenging. A lot of studies have explored the preparedness of the LGUs for disasters but research focusing on the communication aspect of DRRM and of EWS, is quite limited. This research qualitatively explores the communication of EWS of the subject Local Government Unit through Key Informant Interviews to individuals who have a vital role in their communication process. The subject of this study, as the regional hub in Western Visayas and an awardee in disaster resilience, employs various strategies like the localization of its EWS to build a resilient community. The localization of the EWS is not only limited to the language used in communicating its early warning messages, it also pertains to the established mechanisms to ensure that it is responsive, inclusive, and sustainable. It is crucial to explore and analyze the communication of the EWS to ensure that it is functional and responsive to the needs of the public. With the right and timely information, everybody will be guided as well to do the right actions. The results of this qualitative research are vital in strengthening the operationalization and the communication of the EWS in the locality. The localization of the EWS, as an innovation, strengthens community resilience as it empowers the community. It ultimately contributes to the development and implementation of an inclusive, sustainable, and innovative DRRM and EWS. This research is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically No. 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), No. 13 (Climate Action), and No. 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
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    Conduct of Facebook Page Content Creation of a Not-for-Profit Virtual Community in the Philippines: An Autoethnographic Study of a Filipino Online Community Manager
    ( 2025-03-11) Lopez, Gabrielle Angeli V.
    This study explored how Facebook content creation is conducted by a not-for-profit virtual community in the Philippines and the meaning or motivations behind these practices from the perspective of the researcher, a Filipino Online Community Manager. Utilizing Autoethnography and Grounded Theory as a methodological frameworks, the researcher analyzed textual artifacts from 2021 to 2024. Thematic analysis was employed supported bu MAXQDA software, a qualitative analysis software, to guarantee organized coding and efficient theme identification despite the breadth of data. The findings revealed that Facebook content creation is conducted through practices such as employing diverse content themes and formats, promoting collaborative engagement with members and partners, implementing strategic content creation and management system (e.g., use of social media calendars, standardized design guides, and content storage banks), leveraging data-driven audience insights, and optimizing posting schedules and frequency strategies. The study further identified key motivations behind these practices, including building meaningful member connections, utilizing social monitoring for community improvement and as a content creation guide, increasing community awareness, promoting growth, fostering trust and credibility, and encouraging member participation. Recommendations include diversifying content formats and themes, conducting regular social monitoring, encouraging contributions from members and partners, and leveraging data-driven insights to refine strategies. Strategic content creation and management practices—such as maintaining content storage systems, using social media calendars, and optimizing posting schedules were also highlighted as vital for enhancing engagement and content creation process' effectiveness. The study's findings have broader applications in fields such as Advertising, Marketing Communications, Organizational Planning, Corporate Social Responsibility, Advocacy and Social Mobilization, Public Relations, and Information Studies. An assessment guide for social media content creators of for-profit and non-profit organizations, specifically Facebook content creators, and online community managers was also created by the researcher which can be potentially used as a reference in the conduct of their Facebook content creation process.
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    Construction of Entertainment News as a Collaborative and Negotiated Communication and Discourse: An Autoethnographic Study
    ( 2025-04) Donato, Jerry D.
    The qualitative study investigated how Entertainment news as a discourse and its meaning come into being. It also interrogated the roles of editorial and Public Relations and Corporate Communications personalities who take part in it, the communication systems and the power relations that enact and shape the construction of Entertainment news. Utilizing analytic autoethnography and thematic analysis, the 10 themes that emerged were “Source” of the “source” of Entertainment news; What and who lands on the Entertainment page; The avenues and sites for Entertainment news; What questions to ask and get to ask; Questions and answers as basis for Entertainment news; The culture of giving; The writer’s making sense of Entertainment event; Entertainment narratives: Events to personalities; Stories people are talking about and whose voice; and New way of gathering and writing Entertainment news. They also revealed different points of communication, collaboration, negotiation and tension in relation to the construction of Entertainment news. Themes were based on the recollections and experiences of the researcher and the five other informants. In the interplay of their voices, the researcher’s perspective took the lead in understanding how Entertainment news emerges. Using Fairclough and Foucault’s conceptions of discourse and Berger and Luckmann’s The Social Construction of Reality as lenses, the study analyzed and discussed Entertainment news, from the text and discursive levels to the social practice level and encompassing surfaces of emergence and authorities of deliminations, and the habitualization, institutionalization and legitimation of practices and policies. The qualitative study legitimizes the value of Entertainment news and that it is never a neutral site of communication and discourse.
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    Conversing with Non-Human: A Narrative Inquiry on the Use of Meta AI and Canva among Public School Teachers
    ( 2025) Macabasco, Lou Marie Karen Q.
    Anchored in narrative inquiry as a meaning-making process, this study restoryed and examined the narratives of 10 elementary school teachers in Laguna, exploring how they communicate with digital tools like Meta AI and Canva and how these tools shape their instructional practices. Although AI's role in the education landscape is increasing, only a few studies have explored teachers’ engagement with these applications and the motivation behind it. The effects that take place after interacting with these applications contribute to the personal changes in the teachers’ new reality, prompting the need for this study. Teachers’ utilization of the application was based on the perceived role and identity AI has in their lives, from being a mentor, doctor, personal assistant, etc., executing human-capable roles; nevertheless, using the information generated by AI is at the teachers’ discretion and trust of AI's capability, understanding AI has its limitations. Findings revealed that teachers primarily use AI for lesson planning, generating visual aids, and simplifying content preparation. They described prompting AI as an interactive, trial-and-error communication process that requires critical judgment. Teachers noted that AI helped them shift from traditional to digital methods, but also expressed skepticism about the accuracy and appropriateness of AI-generated outputs. The study also showed that AI reshapes teachers’ professional identity by expanding their role as content curators and decision-makers, rather than solely as authors. Human autonomy strengthens the regulation of AI application usage. These experiences shape the design of teaching materials and teachers’ openness to integrating emerging technologies into instruction.
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    Diasporic Communication Engagement with Government and Non-Government Bodies: An Autoethnographic Study of an Overseas Filipino Worker
    ( 2024) Plamenco, Fritzie Kaye C.
    This qualitative autoethnographic study explores the communication dynamics between Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and government and non-government bodies through a personal lens. Drawing on the author’s own experiences as a long-time OFW and integrating self-reflective narrative with qualitative data, the study examines the nature of communication engagement that this diaspora have with the government of the Philippines and that of the country where they are deployed for work, as well as with non-government bodies. The research highlights the complexities and challenges faced by OFWs as they navigate through their daily communicative interactions, whether for personal or professional reasons. By weaving anecdotes from personal memory that allow self-reflection and then researching the self in relation to others, the study provides an in-depth understanding of the multifaceted nature of these engagements. The findings emphasize the need for improvements in communicating with the OFW diaspora through various platforms with a more responsive service delivery. This autoethnographic approach offers unique insights into the lived experiences of OFWs and provides practical recommendations for policymakers and service providers aiming to refine communication strategies and enhance support for this significant demographic.
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    Digital Ageism and the Communicative Marginalization of Older Persons: A Socio-Cultural Approach to Ageist Discourse on a Civil Society Organization's Facebook Page
    ( 2025) Perez, Dante D.
    As societies age and technology rapidly advances, ageism has evolved into a digital construct, with its discourse migrating from offline to online platforms. This phenomenon, termed digital ageism, refers to a variety of personal and societal biases that include negative representations of older persons in online communication environments. Adopting the sociocultural tradition in communication as a framework for critical discourse analysis (CDA), this dissertation explores how communicative practices shape digital ageism. It identifies four Discourses of active dependency, digital deficiency, age-based exceptionalism, and automated empathy from the public Facebook page of COSE (Coalition of Services of the Elderly) – a non-government organization advocating for the welfare of older persons. These Discourses were shaped by COSE’s communicative practices that include capacitating older persons through multi-sectoral and international support, highlighting the importance of training older persons to be digitally literate, celebrating the accomplishments of older persons as age-defying expectations, and facilitating technology mediation of care. The study concludes that COSE, while it advocates for the welfare and rights of older persons, inadvertently reproduces ageism as an interplay of communicative practices in the digital realm. The study recommends future research that integrates critical gerontology with discourse analysis to provide deeper insights into the intersection of aging, language, and power. The study further recommends the incorporation of multimodal discourse analysis, encompassing text, video, and images to capture the complex and layered ways in which age-related meanings are constructed and communicated across diverse media forms. A practical recommendation for COSE is to revisit its content creation practices by emphasizing narratives of empowerment, agency, and collaboration rather than those that imply dependency or deficiency. By adopting more enabling and inclusive discourse, COSE’s communication can both enhance the visibility of older persons as capable digital citizens and resist the reproduction of ageist assumptions in online environment
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    Digital Health Communication: Narratives of Health Patients using Telemedicine for Primary Healthcare in Lucena City, Philippines
    ( 2024) Alibuyog, Korina Marie N.
    This study analyzed narratives of health patients who have used telemedicine during the Covid-19 pandemic starting 2020. Focusing on the relation between society and technology, it is underpinned by the social determinism and the social construction theory and is qualitative in nature. Results showed that the participants used telemedicine during the pandemic because they needed to continuously connect with their doctors. They became familiar with telemedicine in different ways - it was advised by the doctor, it was seen on Facebook, or it has become prevalent even at work and in their Church. From the conventional personal visits to the doctor in their clinics or in the hospital, participants needed to learn and adapt to online medical treatment. Some of them who never had Viber (an online messaging app) created one while some extended the use of their Messenger accounts to constantly talk to their doctors. Because telemedicine is digital in nature, it lacks physical examination of patient by the doctor. Hence, the participants were compelled to become technology savvy and more diligent in monitoring their health by carefully taking note of their symptoms, such as their oxygen and heart rates. The participants also had to adjust to the other demands of technology for health consultation. Nonetheless, the participants have apparently embraced telemedicine as they claim that they are satisfied with its use. Even after pandemic, they continue to use telemedicine and now view it as a good alternative for basic healthcare because it is more convenient, faster, safer, and in many cases, cheaper. So, while telemedicine encouraged them to use technology, they also chose what technology to use or a combination thereof that suited their needs. Further, they improvised the technology to overcome any limitations that would help them transact with their doctors or nurses in the most efficient and effective ways.
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    Digital Social Marketing in Philippine Mission-Centric Social Enterprises: Exploring Founders' Influence and Strategic Approaches
    ( 2024) Santos, Joseph Emil N.
    This dissertation examines how founders' cultural-cognitive orientations and communication practices shape digital social marketing strategies in Philippine mission-centric social enterprises. The research introduces the Founder-Driven Authentic Digital Storytelling Framework through digital ethnography and case studies as a novel theoretical contribution integrating cultural sensitivity with strategic communication in digital spaces. The study reveals that effective digital social marketing emerges from founders' ability to authentically adapt communication while aligning with their cultural values and social missions. The research demonstrates that successful digital engagement requires founders to balance cultural understanding with strategic storytelling across digital platforms. The findings establish authentic digital storytelling as the primary mechanism for building trust and fostering meaningful connections with target communities. The introduced framework provides a structured approach to understanding how founders' personal narratives and cultural backgrounds influence their digital marketing strategies. This work makes significant theoretical contributions by synthesizing authentic digital storytelling with cultural-cognitive and communication accommodation perspectives in social enterprise marketing. The practical implications offer actionable insights for social enterprise founders seeking to enhance their digital marketing impact while maintaining mission alignment.
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    Drag as Creative Expression: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Filipino Drag Queens in Reality Shows
    ( 2025) Trinidad, Niño Mel H.
    This study examines the lived experiences of Filipino drag queens in local drag reality shows, Drag Race Philippines and Drag Den with Manila Luzon, and how these shape their creative expression. Using a transcendental phenomenological approach, in-depth interviews with four participants reveal drag as a powerful and evolving art form that challenges heteronormative norms and promotes LGBTQ+ visibility in a society where queer identities are often marginalized. The research highlights how drag is not only a mode of artistic expression but also a form of resistance that reshapes cultural narratives and identity. While reality shows provide a valuable platform for visibility and social transformation, they also introduce challenges such as media commodification and the reinforcement of stereotypes. Participants shared how their creative autonomy was affected by the narratives constructed by television, limiting the authenticity of their drag personas. Despite these constraints, Filipino drag performers continue to use their art to inspire change, confront stigma, and redefine gender and sexual norms. This study contributes to the broader discourse on media representation and LGBTQ+ visibility in the Philippines, offering insights for media practitioners, policymakers, and advocates seeking more inclusive and respectful portrayals of the drag community.
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    Exploring Philippine Futures Through Intergenerational Lenses: Four Alternative Scenarios of the AmBisyon Natin 2040 Vision
    ( 2025-07-15) Peralta, Ray Daniel G.
    This study probes the alternative futures of the Philippines through the lens of AmBisyon Natin 2040, the nation's long-term vision for a matatag (strongly rooted), maginhawa (comfortable), at panatag (secure) na buhay. Utilizing Jim Dator's Four Scenario Archetypes-Growth, Collapse, Discipline, and Transformation - the research constructs four plausible, divergent futures to support more adaptive, inclusive, and forward-looking development planning. Drawing on intergenerational Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with participants from Generation Z, Millennials, and Generation X, the study applies participatory foresight tools including the Futures Triangle, scenario matrix plotting, and narrative co-creation to capture how each cohort’s distinct experiences, values and priorities shaped the drivers, barriers and trade-offs embedded in each scenario. Incorporating intergenerational perspectives strengthened both the credibility and relevance of the scenarios. Generation Z often pushed for forward-looking and innovation-oriented pathways, Millennials grounded the discussion with pragmatic system-level insights, while Generation X contributed historical awareness and stability-focused considerations. Together, these dynamics shaped the development and character of each archetype. The Growth scenario affirms the current trajectory envisioned in AmBisyon Natin 2040, reflecting incremental improvements in governance, education, health, and digital infrastructure. It presents a future that is stable and moderately inclusive, yet still constrained by persistent structural inequalities. The Collapse scenario envisions a breakdown of institutions, widespread disillusionment, and systemic dysfunction brought about by unaddressed political, economic, and environmental crises. It serves as a cautionary tale of neglecting present vulnerabilities and failing to build societal resilience. The Discipline scenario imagines a tightly controlled society in which peace and stability are achieved through centralized governance, strict policies, and enforced conformity. It highlights the trade-offs between security and civic freedom, and the consequences of prioritizing order over participation. The Transformation scenario presents a radically reimagined Philippines where inclusive innovation, decentralized governance, and cultural revitalization redefine national progress. It explores a break from the status quo, illustrating how deep systemic shifts-fueled by emerging technologies and social movements-can produce a more equitable, empowered, and regenerative society. These narratives were translated into short-form animated videos to maximize accessibility, emotional resonance, and engagement across generations and sectors. In doing so, the study advances development communication by blending foresight and visual storytelling to foster public imagination, policy reflection, and futures literacy. It underscores the importance of integrating participatory, creative, and generationally diverse approaches into national planning processes, especially as the Philippines navigates uncertainty on the path to 2040.
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    Exploring the Digital Community Building Among Filipino Gay Men with HIV in Alter Spaces
    ( 2025-07-15) Villaester, Maurice Jitty M.
    The HIV epidemic in the Philippines continues to rise, with Filipino men who have sex with men living with HIV (MSMLHIVs) facing persistent stigma and discrimination that impact their health management, emotional well-being, and social support systems. In response, many MSMLHIVs have turned to alter accounts on X (formerly Twitter) as a means of building and sustaining digital communities, where they can freely express themselves while maintaining anonymity. This study employs descriptive phenomenology to explore the lived experiences of MSMLHIVs in these digital spaces, particularly focusing on how alter account interactions influence their personal health management, emotional resilience, and sense of belonging. Findings reveal that alter communities on X serve as safe spaces where MSMLHIVs can seek peer support, exchange health-related information, and navigate identity formation without fear of judgment. These communities provide psychosocial benefits, offering a sense of security, solidarity, and empowerment. However, challenges such as misinformation, emotional detachment, and digital trust concerns also emerged, highlighting the complexities of navigating online anonymity. While digital interactions supplement gaps in offline support systems, they do not fully replace the need for institutional interventions, inclusive policies, and structured mental health programs. This study contributes to the discourse on digital community-building, queer safe spaces, and health communication by providing critical insights for health professionals, policymakers, and social media platforms to improve inclusive and stigma-free support systems for MSMLHIVs. Future research is recommended to explore longitudinal effects of digital community engagement and the role of AI-driven interventions in HIV advocacy and mental health support. Keywords: MSM, PLHIV, HIV stigma, digital communities, alter accounts, social support, health communication, phenomenology
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    How Online Collaboration Makes Telework Possible: An Ethnomethodological Study
    ( 2025) Diopenes, Leah Gean A.
    This ethnomethodological research employed conversation analysis (CA) to examine how the communicative practice of online collaboration makes the phenomenon of telework possible. This study was framed within the perspective of the sociocultural tradition that theorizes communication as “a symbolic process that produces and reproduces shared cultural patterns (Craig, 1999, p.144).” Through conversation analysis, this study revealed teleworkers’ tacit, unacknowledged, and taken-for-granted collaborative practices, as well as their common sense, which enables them to create order and achieve work. This study utilized a pre-recorded Zoom recording of a remote session conducted by teleworkers. The pre-recorded remote session recording aligned with CA’s preference for recorded conversations, which are more natural and non-experimental, rather than provoked by the researcher (ten Have, 2011e, p. 4). The online written interaction found in the remote session recording was also added to the dataset used in this research. This study was guided by the research questions: “What practices do teleworkers employ to accomplish the organization? What organizational arrangement is created in telework?” Its findings include discovering six key practices that enable telework, which are: connecting, synchronizing/coordinating, sharing information, using digital technologies, initiating repair, and complying with data privacy and information security policies. It also proposed an organizational arrangement of telework, which provided a representation of how social order is formed during telework and a symbolic representation of how online collaboration is constituted for the purpose of accomplishing telework.
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    Investigating Knowledge Management Through a Socio-Technical Systems Lens: The Case of an Academic Unit of a National University in the Philippines
    ( 2026) Lawas, John Bryan E.
    Through a socio-technical systems lens, this study investigated how an academic unit of a national university in the Philippines manages its knowledge. Guided by Trist’s (1981) Socio-technical Systems Theory and Toracco’s KM Model (2000), and employing a case study design, the research examined the social, technical, and environmental subsystems of KM in an academic unit of a national university in the Philippines. Data were collected through a survey with staff (n=84), in-depth interviews, and a focus group discussion, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. In the social subsystem, KM is defined as embedded in the quadfunction, combining data, information, and KM systems, a systematic process, and contributing to organizational effectiveness. Perceived benefits include improved performance, empowerment, recognition, efficiency, competitiveness, and cohesiveness. Organizational culture assessment revealed current and preferred orientations toward clan and hierarchy culture types, although with a marginal difference from adhocracy and market cultures, suggesting an almost balanced organizational culture. The technical subsystem was contextualized through Alavi and Leidner’s (2001) KM processes (generation, storage/retrieval, sharing, and application) while four additional processes emerged: linkaging/networking, systems evaluation, safeguarding/stewardship, and co-creation. Smartphones were the main tool for generation (82.14%), record books for storage (73.1%), and email for sharing and application (78.57% and 69.05%). The environmental subsystem was shaped by university policies, global and national agendas, and the academic unit as a subsystem. SWOT analysis revealed strengths in competitiveness and resource accessibility, weaknesses in integration and security, opportunities in collaboration and funding, and threats such as brain drain, shifting policies, and global agricultural challenges. Overall, findings suggest that organizational culture affects the implementation of KM processes, including the emerging KM processes. The academic unit can strategically cultivate clan culture to foster collaboration with the hierarchy culture type, to put structures in place enabling KM. Stronger integration across subsystems, especially through an institutionalized DIK system and enhanced organizational adaptability, could further enhance organizational competitiveness and contribute to institutional and larger development goals.
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    Multimodal Inquiry of Special Religious Development (SPRED) Program: Towards a Friendship Model of Inclusive Catechetical Communication
    ( 2024) Vargas, Marlon Bobier
    This multimodal inquiry investigates inclusive catechetical communication within the Special Religious Development (SPRED) program in the Archdiocese of Chicago, focusing on persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities (PDID). The central research question examines how catechists implement and refine inclusive catechetical communication to engage and support PDID effectively. Existing research highlights significant gaps in catechetical programs tailored for PDID, often due to the limitations of traditional methods and materials. This research addresses these gaps by employing a triangulation approach, integrating content analysis, artifact analysis, and socio-spatial analysis. The study utilized SPRED newsletters, educational materials, religious artifacts, and observations of the catechetical environment to gather comprehensive insights. This multifaceted methodology ensures a robust understanding of the dynamics involved in inclusive catechetical praxis. Findings reveal the critical importance of adapted communication methods, accessible educational materials, and supportive physical environments. Key themes include the necessity for continuous adaptation of materials to meet PDID needs, the positive impact of sensory-friendly features, and the role of community support in fostering inclusivity. The socio-spatial analysis highlights the importance of wellorganized, accessible environments that enhance engagement and interaction. This research highlights the significant benefits of inclusive catechetical communication, such as enhanced spiritual and personal growth, deeper emotional connections, and a profound sense of belonging for PDID. The study underscores the necessity of strategies like non-verbal communication, emotional support, sensory-friendly materials, and community integration. Catechists’ reflections and artifact analyses reveal that inclusive practices foster mutual enrichment, reduce social exclusion, and celebrate unique contributions, thereby promoting a more inclusive and supportive faith community. Central to this study is the Friendship Model of Inclusive Catechetical Communication, which encompasses three key dimensions: intimacy, inter-animating collaboration, and interculturality. Intimacy involves creating supportive relationships through personal engagement and emotional support. Catechists use gestures, facial expressions, and symbols to communicate effectively with individuals who may have difficulty with verbal communication. This dimension fosters trust and meaningful engagement, ensuring participants feel valued and supported. Inter-animating transformation focuses on mutual growth and learning through reflective practice and empowerment. Catechists and participants engage in activities that promote mutual learning and spiritual connections. This collaborative environment allows both catechists and participants to gain insights from each other, leading to deeper spiritual enrichment. Interculturality ensures that catechetical practices respect and incorporate diverse cultural backgrounds. Catechists demonstrate cultural sensitivity and adapt practices to be culturally appropriate, creating a welcoming environment for all participants. This dimension promotes social inclusion and mutual respect, enhancing the quality of friendships and community bonds. In conclusion, this study contributes to the field of religious education by providing practical recommendations for enhancing inclusivity in catechetical communication. It advocates for the adoption of adaptive communication methods, continuous refinement of educational materials, and strategic modifications to the physical environment. These findings offer valuable insights for improving catechetical practices and fostering a more inclusive community within SPRED and similar settings.