Animo Repository - De La Salle University Research
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Crisis Communication on Facebook: Interaction Between Public Utility Companies and Their Consumers
Get PDFThis study analyzes the Facebook communication between public utility companies and their consumers in the Philippines during crises. Specifically, it investigates the public utility’s common issues or problems and communication strategies and their consumers’ tone and language. Using a mixed-methods approach, the qualitative content analysis examines language use, tone, and engagement strategies, while the quantitative analysis identifies the frequency of concerns, communication styles, and consumer reactions. The study uses the framework of Bies’s (2013) bad news management process, specifically the delivery phase. The dataset includes 23 Facebook posts, selected from an initial corpus of 41 posts, made by two public utility companies—one electric and one water—operating in different provinces of the Bicol Region, Philippines. These posts, published over a two-week period from May 1 to May 14, 2024, focus specifically on service disruptions and crisis-related issues. A total of 826 consumer comments and 3,307 reactions were analyzed. To validate the findings, a survey of 30 consumers from the same utility companies was conducted. Results indicate that service disruptions dominate utility company communications, with Facebook as the primary update platform. While companies strive for professionalism and transparency, inconsistencies in timely announcements contribute to consumer frustration. Consumer responses are predominantly negative, with high sarcasm, annoyance, and dissatisfaction frequencies. However, the water utility company demonstrates a more balanced communication approach, incorporating politeness and factual messaging. Findings highlight the need for improved crisis communication strategies, particularly in delivering timely, clear, and empathetic messages. Strengthening consumer engagement can enhance trust and service reliability, mitigating negative sentiment and fostering better consumer-utility relationships
Exploring Students’ Word Stress in Speaking: Does Ethnicity Matter?
Get PDFIn recent years, many studies have examined the impact of word stress on speaking, but few have looked into how multiethnic students handle word stress in pronunciation. This gap is particularly noticeable in Indonesia, where the rich diversity of ethnicities and local dialects presents both unique challenges and opportunities for English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) learners. This study aims to fill that gap by examining how the ethnic backgrounds of Indonesian students from Sulawesi influence their word stress. Twelve students (6 males, 6 females, aged 19–21) from four different ethnic groups were recruited as participants. Data were gathered through interviews, read-aloud recordings, lecturer feedback, and peer observations. The findings revealed that several factors contributed to the misplacement of word stress, including local dialects, mother tongues, cultural backgrounds, motivations, and learning environments. All ethnic groups tended to place stress on the second syllable, which was largely attributed to the differences in stress patterns between their local dialects and English. The study suggests that teachers should provide accurate models of word stress that consider students\u27 local dialects to help students improve their pronunciation. By addressing these factors, the research contributes to a better understanding of the challenges faced by multiethnic students in acquiring English pronunciation. It also offers practical insights for improving pronunciation instruction in diverse EFL settings, where students\u27 cultural and linguistic backgrounds play a significant role in their learning experiences
Balancing the Ideal While Keeping It Real: The Lived Experiences of Lasallian Content Creators Engaged in Lifestyle Marketing
No full textTikTok and Instagram have become global platforms being used by influencers, particularly those from Generation Z, to engage audiences in lifestyle content. Among these are Lasallian students who experience the complexities of authenticity while still following the values of De La Salle University-Manila. This study explores how Lasallian influencers balance their idealized online image and their identity, moral responsibilities, and the psycho-emotional impacts of content creation. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the study used two in-depth semi-structured interviews with eight Lasallian influencers aged 18-27 who create content on TikTok and Instagram. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring and emerging patterns in their lived experiences, focusing on identity construction, authenticity, and audience expectations. The findings reveal that the Lasallian identity plays a significant role in shaping content. Authenticity and the real self manifest in different forms, such as genuine, forced, or perceived, while audience expectations shape the ideal self. Tension arises between these two as influencers experience pressure to maintain an idealized image while dealing with public scrutiny and stereotypes. Additionally, influencers experience psychological and emotional effects, such as eustress, which boosts confidence and motivation, while distress leads to burnout and body image concerns. While coping mechanisms were found to help in these challenges, they also constantly perform a balancing act of negotiating and renegotiating their positions within the digital landscape, audience demands, and institutional values. Future researchers should explore the ethical implications for other universities in examining similar patterns associated with influencer marketing and digital authenticity
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Music Genres and its Impact on the Sleep Quality Among DLSU-Manila Grade 12 Students
No full textAs quality sleep is vital for physical and cognitive development and music remains an integral part in students’ daily routine, this study investigated the relationship between music listening before bed and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-based (PSQI) sleep quality. Focusing on 3 different genres (Classical, Jazz and Rhythm & Blues) and 3 different timings, the research aims to determine whether these variables influence sleep quality. The data was collected from De La Salle University-Manila Grade 12 students using a two-part survey questionnaire. The first part consisted of the PSQI questionnaire, an established test which determines sleep quality based on 7 components through self rated questions over the past month. The second part consists of supplementary questions aimed at understanding the participants’ own perception of music’s influence which allows for deeper understanding when assisted with the gathered related literature. The main data analyzed were the participants’ Global PSQI scores using Kruskal-Wallis tests as the data analysis method where (p \u3c 0.05) were considered significant. Ultimately, the study concluded that there were no significant differences among the GPSQI scores of the participants across the different genres and timings. However, the supplemental questions revealed that music plays a role in creating a calming sleep environment, aiding the participants in sleep latency, and subjective sleep quality. These highlight music’s potential psychological impacts in influencing sleep quality which invites further studies to be done
Development of “Defaketicon” an Educational Deepfake Awareness Website for Senior High School STEM-Technology Students
No full textThis study addresses the increasing threat of deepfake media by developing “Defaketicon” an educational website designed to raise awareness among senior high school STEM-Technology students at Adamson University. The primary objective is to evaluate the students’ perceptions towards the website in terms of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions. Using a convergent mixed-method approach, the researchers conducted a non-experimental descriptive design for the quantitative data and a narrative inquiry for the qualitative aspect. A total of 117 students participated through simple random sampling, while 8 were purposively selected for in-depth qualitative analysis. Findings from the quantitative data revealed high median ratings of perception towards the website’s performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions. Thematic analysis further strengthened the quantitative data and indicated improved digital literacy, increased user confidence, and the website’s relevance to students\u27 social contexts. The results confirm that students perceive “Defaketicon” as an effective, empowering, and accessible educational platform that meaningfully supports their understanding of deepfake technology. The study concludes that integrating web-based platforms like “Defaketicon” into digital literacy education can significantly enhance students’ awareness and critical thinking in navigating misinformation. The researchers recommend institutional adoption, inclusion of non-STEM audiences, expert evaluation, and the combination of website use with synchronous activities to further enrich its impact
The contours of religion through the narrated photographs of Philippine catholic university students
No full textThe study claims that religion is tangibly present at a Catholic university in the Philippines. Examining the participants’ views of religion yielded the following contours: a. Well-being; b. Connections; c. Service-Oriented; d. Dispositions; e. Higher Value; f. Metaphysical; and g. Encompassing. These contours are consistent with contemporary theories of religion on how people worldwide create and re-create their sacred worlds and often utilise physical landscapes where they are located as material resources. The use of phenomenology in the present study emphasises religion’s embeddedness in physical space yet simultaneously encompasses the spiritual or metaphysical areas and areas in- between, where young people manifest religion in the interconnections and interstices and crevices of spaces, real or imagined. The research affirms Graham Rossiter’s view that Catholic educators must be able to draw out young peoples’ contemporary meanings of religion and spirituality to draw out a possibility of Catholic universities becoming transformative spaces for students to express their religious and spiritual views
Balancing hard and soft counterterrorism measures: The case of the United Kingdom, Singapore, and France
No full textIn the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the US, states have realized the intensity of the threat of terrorism domestically and globally. Following the launch of the US War on Terror, the world was expected to follow its lead and support the fight against terrorism. In response to this, many states focused their counterterrorism policies on the use of military power and increasing military capabilities to intercept terrorist operations and apprehend top leaders and members of various terrorist organizations. While military power is vital to the success of counterterrorism efforts, various shortcomings and challenges also come with it. Increasingly, studies point towards nonmilitary domestic issues as the main root causes of terrorism, thereby raising questions on the effectiveness of military-centric counterterrorism policy and the need to incorporate measures addressing them.
To understand how soft counterterrorism measures aimed at addressing the root causes of terrorism can be implemented alongside military efforts, this study examines the counterterrorism strategies of the UK, Singapore, and France. Using the theory of neoclassical realism, this study examines how international (the US War on Terror) and domestic (leader images, strategic culture, and state-society relations) factors impact the formulation and implementation of soft counterterrorism policies. Furthermore, this study argues that combining hard and soft approaches to counterterrorism is more effective in preventing and protecting a state against the threat of terrorism
Identification and virulence assessment of gram-negative bacteria from wastewater in De La Salle University-Manila
No full textUrban wastewater, particularly when untreated, serves as a reservoir for microorganisms, including gram-negative bacteria known for their drug resistance and pathogenic potential. While wastewater treatment plants aim to reduce these risks, they often serve as hubs for the persistence and dissemination of such pathogens. In the Philippines, studies focused on gram-negative bacteria in untreated wastewater remain limited. This study addresses that gap by identifying and assessing the virulence of gram-negative bacteria from untreated wastewater samples collected at De La Salle University-Manila. Samples from three campus sites were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, with isolates subjected to Gram staining and colony morphology analysis. Virulence assessment employed Tenebrio molitor larvae as a model organism, with Kaplan-Meier survival curves used to illustrate pathogenic profiles. Molecular identification was performed through a BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) search using the NCBI nucleotide database to compare the obtained sequences against known reference sequences. Key findings revealed the presence of virulent Gram-negative bacteria, notably Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Stutzerimonas stutzeri highlighting significant risks these bacteria may pose to public health and environmental safety. Although the study was limited to samples from the university and excluded antibiotic resistance profiling, it provides critical insights into the ecology and pathogenicity of gram-negative bacteria in urban wastewater. These results highlight the need for further research in the Philippines
Bioefficacy of three allium species against lasiodiplodia theobromae and colletotrichum asianum and their impact on symptom development in mango (Mangifera indica L.)
No full textMango (Mangifera indica L.) is an economically and nutritionally valuable fruit. Mango production and quality are severely affected by various diseases, including stem-end rot (SER) caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae and anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum asianum. Recent studies show that certain plant extracts, such as those from Allium species, have antimicrobial properties and can suppress various plant pathogens. This research attempted to manage SER and anthracnose in mango using antimicrobial extracts derived from Allium species. In vitro and in vivo tests demonstrated Allium species\u27 antifungal properties. Five trials were conducted for the in vitro assay, each with varying concentrations of Allium extracts. For the in vivo assay, protective and curative techniques were performed, and Allium extracts were sprayed directly on the mangoes. Radial growths of fungi were measured and analyzed using one-way ANOVA. In vitro tests showed that onion (A. cepa) and garlic (A. sativum) extracts had significant antifungal activities, but shallot (A. ascalonicum) did not. In vivo tests exhibited no significance for curative and protective assays against L. theobromae. However, onion and garlic extracts demonstrated significant inhibition against C. asianum. Curative and protective techniques did not differ from each other. While onion and garlic extracts were shown to be highly antifungal, their use in the field may be limited as protective applications on mango fruits diminish after 3 days. Nevertheless, the extracts used in this study did not cause phytotoxicity on mango fruits. Further research on prolonging the protective mechanisms of these extracts and identifying key bioactive metabolites is needed. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of alternative approaches for managing SER and anthracnose once results are validated in the field. They may serve as a foundation for future research on plant-based antifungal treatments