Communication Arts, Languages, & Literature SUSHS

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English Language faculty members John Edgar C. Rubio, Deo Mar E. Suasin, Rica Angela B. Taub, and Honey Grace C. Tiongco presented their research papers at the Philippine Association for Language Teaching (PALT) International Conferences held last November 27 to 29, 2025, at the University of Santo Tomas.

Rubio and Suasin discussed the background and results of the papers titled "Unpacking Structure and Meaning in Student Writing: A Syntactic-Semantic Error Analysis of Pre-University EFL Learners" and "Exploring Politeness and Power: A Register Analysis of Request Emails by Campus Journalists."

Meanwhile, Taub and Tiongco presented their investigations on "Combating English Language Speaking Anxiety using the Jigsaw Method of Cooperative Learning" and "Reflective Practices in Grade 10 English Language Learning: The Role of Exit Tickets in Dumaguete City Public High Schools."

This year's conference bears the theme "Upskilling and Upscaling: Moving up with the 8Ms of Language Teaching." Renowned language educators and researchers from various parts of the Philippines and Asia served as keynote and plenary speakers to carry out the mission of empowering language educators to inspire minds.

#𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑯𝑺𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉

STEAM alumni Althea Picardal, Leonard Mandajoyan, Noah Catan, and Chase Cuyacot generously shared to SHS students their exemplary research work during the Curious Collective: A Balik-Talent Research Forum on August 13, 2025. Aside from presenting their research purpose, methods, and key results, they also gave valuable tips and advice on making an impactful research work with practical applications.

Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Janice Forster, SU TBI manager, introduced to the crowd the facilities, services, and opportunities they can explore and avail in connection to their innovative and creative ideas.

The dedication and contribution of our research advisers, Asst. Jan Cynth L. Palama and Mr. Ezra Maurel D. Torno, were also acknowledged for their guidance and mentorship to the young researchers.

This Balik-Talent research forum is in celebration of the 124th founding anniversary of SU.

Thank you very much to all the individuals, offices, and partners who made this forum possible most especially to the SU Language Learning Center and the American Corner Dumaguete.

Together, we soar high in senior high!

📸Teal Clicks, Gemmella Tebio, Dr. Brenda Boladola

"From using technical terms with fellow experts to simplifying ideas for the general public, Dr. Raymond Tan emphasized the relevance of matching your language to your target audience. Adapting the message of your research to its intended recipients creates not just clarity but impact as well."

Sharing our research is not one size fits all. As researchers it is essential to always have a clear and relatable explanation.

From using technical terms with fellow experts to simplifying ideas for the general public, Dr. Raymond Tan emphasized the relevance of matching your language to your target audience. Adapting the message of your research to its intended recipients creates not just clarity but impact as well.

DLSU Vice President for Research and Innovation Dr. Raymond Tan is one of the mentors of the SALIKsik: Lasallian Research Communication Fellowship.

#𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑯𝑺𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉

Check out the presentation of the research work titled "From Concept to Market: Perceptions, Market Potential, and Branding Elements of an Alugbati (Basella alba) and Cocoa (Theobroma cacao)-based Chewing Candy for Athletic Performance" during the Curious Collective: A Balik-Talent Research Forum on August 13, 9:00 am at the SHS Building. This was presented during the 8th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research Studies and Education (ICMDRSE) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A product from their Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion class, this research was conducted and authored by Garanchon, C.D.M., Catan, N.V., and Cuyacot, C.D. under the guidance of their adviser and co-author, Asst. Prof. Jan Cynth L. Palama.

Read the paper's abstract here:
The demand for sports products has risen as consumers increasingly seek proper nutrition and lifestyle choices. However, many energy-boosting products contain synthetic ingredients, raising health concerns, particularly among studentathletes. This study explores a natural alternative in the form of a chewing candy made from alugbati (Basella alba) and cocoa (Theobroma cacao). It aims to evaluate student-athletes’ initial perceptions, the product’s market potential, branding elements, and factors influencing consumer acceptance. A mixed-methods approach, using concurrent triangulation, was employed. Data was collected through focus group discussions and structured surveys, analyzed via thematic analysis, frequency tabulation, weighted mean computation, and a reliability test (Cronbach’s alpha). The results revealed that while student-athletes were unfamiliar with alugbati’s functional benefits and uncertain about the product’s effectiveness, they expressed willingness to try it, provided there was clear health transparency. Initial acceptability and adaptability were high, suggesting strong market potential. Barriers and facilitators to consumer acceptance were identified, and the product’s branding elements were found to be visually appealing. This study promotes the use of underutilized local ingredients in food products, contributing to sustainability and resource expansion within the industry.

#𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑯𝑺𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉

Check out the presentation of the research work titled ENHANCING MOSQUITO CONTROL: ARDUINO-BASED MOSQUITO LARVAE KILLER USING ULTRASONIC WAVES during the Curious Collective: A Balik-Talent Research Forum on August 13, 9:00 am at the SHS Building. The prototype project of the research, called "Arduino Larvae Control System," won bronze during the International Creativity and Innovation Award 2025 in Vietnam.

This research, conducted and written by Ancla, M.A.B., Carriaga, K.B., Ikeda, A.V., Mandajoyan, L.J.V., Mariño, J.N.V., Paquibo, J.R.Y., and Picardal, A.G.Y.B., was a product from their Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion class under the mentorship of Mr. Ezra Maurel D. Torno.

Read the paper's abstract here:
Mosquitoes, vectors of numerous diseases, pose a significant global health threat, particularly in regions like the Philippines where dengue is endemic. Traditional mosquito control methods, including chemical insecticides and larvicides, present environmental and health concerns. This study addressed these concerns by developing and testing an Arduino-based mosquito larvae killer using ultrasonic waves. The researchers designed a quasi-experimental study to assess the device's effectiveness. The device, utilizing a piezo buzzer driven by an Arduino Uno, emitted ultrasonic waves at 30kHz within a controlled test chamber. The researchers recorded mosquito larvae mortality rates following exposure to the ultrasonic treatment and compared them to rates observed with a chemical larvicide. The study found that the Arduino-based killer reduced larvae populations, although less effectively than the chemical larvicide, which achieved 100% mortality. A cost analysis further revealed that while the initial cost of the Arduino-based system was higher, its operational costs were significantly lower over time. The study concluded that Arduino based ultrasonic larvicide shows promise as a sustainable and cost effective alternative, but requires further development to enhance its larvicidal effectiveness.

Keywords: mosquito larvae, arduino, ultrasonic waves, mortality rates, larvicides, endemic

In celebration of Silliman University's 124th founding anniversary, the Senior High School Department invites you to 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: 𝐀 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐤-𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 on August 13, 2025 (Wednesday), 9:00 am at the SHS Conference Hall (SH 201-205). Witness the research presentations of our notable alumni: Althea Picardal, Leonard Mandajoyan, Noah Catan, and Chase Cuyacot who brought and showcased their innovation and creativity in various international research conferences.

Joining them is Asst. Prof. Janice Antoniette V. Forster, manager of the SU Technology Business Incubator (SU TBI), who will share the resources, services, and facilities of the office to further promote and develop students' research works and inventions.

This event is initiated by the SHS Department in partnership with the Silliman University Language Learning Center and American Corner Dumaguete.

The 2025 Silliman University National Writers Workshop is officially open!

Here are some highlights of the opening program photographed by Dolrich Agraviador of The Silliman University Camera Club.

The 63rd season of the oldest creative writing workshop in Asia will be held from June 9 to 20, 2025, at Silliman University, Dumaguete City.

See details below! 🫶

Only 60 days left!

Submit your fellowship application to the 63rd Silliman University National Writers Workshop (SUNWW) before the deadline on January 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM.

The workshop offers ten fellowships to outstanding writers across the Philippines. Join the longest-running creative writing workshop in the country and in Asia.

The 63rd SUNWW will be held on June 9-20, 2025, at Silliman University, Dumaguete City.

This annual workshop is a flagship program of The Edilberto and Edith Tiempo Creative Writing Center and is hosted by the Silliman University English and Literature Department.

Please read the updated guidelines and submit all the necessary documents through this link: https://tinyurl.com/63rdSUNWW

For questions or clarifications, contact our official FB page or email us at [email protected].

PHOTO: The fellows and panelists of the 61st SUNWW during the midweek out-of-town session at Café Panganod, one of the long-time sponsors of the Workshop.

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