Ifugao State University - College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) through its Research Development Unit held a Webinar Series on October 19, 2020


Said webinar series is part of the Betelnut Digest, an on-site and online sharing series being spearheaded by both Department of Research and Development (DRD) and Department of Extension and Training (DET) that aims to popularize researches and extension services’ best practices of the Ifugao State University (IFSU) to its target audience/s.

Dr. Dinah Corazon M. Licyayo, Vice President of Research Development, Extension and Training (RDET) reiterated that in celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the University, the Betelnut Digest will aim to feature 100 sessions of Research Development and Extension (RDE) innovative ideas, best practices, updates and highlights.

As recalled, Betelnut Digest Sharing Series kicked-off this year with a session on environmentalism with the National University for Senior People from Japan.

Dr. Licyayo also added that the Betelnut Digest is a title of a publication way back in the 1980s and ‘90s started by late Mr. Julio Bunoy, English teacher of the then ISCAF Laboratory Secondary School.

“We saw it proper to revive the Betelnut Digest in this momentous occasion of the University as a way of acknowledging the efforts of former employees. The aim before which is to share relevant data for informed decision-making remains the same. To respond to the needs of times and situations, we decided to bring the discussions online,” remarked Dr. Licyayo.

Five (5) researches were presented by four (4) faculty members. Eulalie D. Dulnuan, Director of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) and Chairperson of Department of Tourism Management; and Dr Marissa P. Bulong, Director of Human Resource and Development, presented their research on the “Documentation of the Tired and Scarred Wooden Traditional Houses in Kiangan, Ifugao.”

Their research revealed that there are 207 traditional houses in the research site. Ten (10) are old and significant structures that are more than 50 years old; 9 are more than 100 years old, and only four (4) are relatively new.

Donato O. Abaya, a Psychology Faculty Member, shared his research on the Development and Validation of College Admission Test for Ifugao State University.

Based on the result of his study, Mr. Abaya recommended the use of the Ifugao State University - College Admission Test (IFSU-CAT) for the admission of incoming first-year college students for it is a valid and reliable instrument in determining the scholastic ability of incoming freshmen.

Moreover, Joshua H. Tuguinay, a Psychology Faculty Member, talked about his research on the Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem on the Relationship between Social Anxiety and Student Academic Performance.

The study concluded that a high level of self-esteem has beneficial contributions to student academic performance as well as in managing the negative effects of social anxiety in students.

Mr. Tuguinay’s study further recommends the conduct of capability workshops and trainings designed to raise awareness and understanding to teachers about the nature of social anxiety and its effects on students.

Michael C. Jamillon, Political Science Faculty Member, tackled two (2) researches titled, “Exploring the Dynamics of Political Patronage in the Provision of Disaster Assistance in Small-town of Isabela” and “A Case Study on the Implications of Patronage Politics to Disaster Relief in Landslide-prone Municipalities of Ifugao”. The former is a joint research study with Dr. Bumidang.

Both studies conclude that political patronage influences the allocation and provision of disaster relief in the province. This makes disaster response inefficient because the needs of every area are not properly addressed. Disaster response depends on the level of an area’s electoral support.