Rizal Technological University

This study addresses the critical need for culturally sensitive Physical Education (PE) strategies to foster inclusivity for Muslim female students in public schools. It investigates the intricate interplay of religious beliefs, socio-cultural norms, and educational practices that influence Muslim female students' participation in PE. Through qualitative inquiry, the research identifies key challenges, including dress code conflicts, gender interaction concerns, and the need for adaptive pedagogical approaches. The findings culminate in the development of practical, culturally responsive PE strategies designed to ensure active engagement for Muslim female students while honoring their cultural and religious identities. This research offers valuable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to create more inclusive and equitable educational environments.

Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) have emerged as a critical concern in rapidly urbanizing areas, exacerbating thermal discomfort and hindering sustainability efforts. This study conducts a temporal analysis of UHI trends in Makati City, Philippines, over a five-year period (2020–2024), utilizing satellite-derived land surface temperature (LST) data to evaluate spatial and temporal variations in urban thermal patterns. The research investigates the morphology of urban hotspots and cold spots, correlating these findings with land-use patterns and vegetation cover. The results reveal significant thermal disparities between urban and rural areas, underscoring the role of urban morphology in shaping thermal environments. Implications for adaptive urban planning are discussed in the context of achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), with a focus on strategies to mitigate UHI impacts and enhance urban resilience.

To enhance quality management practices, a digital transformation of human resources was proposed as a key strategic initiative. This study centered on developing a cloud-based data transaction system for HR management, specifically focusing on learning and development, and incorporating AI-powered document authentication tailored for particular LUCs in NCR. The shift from traditional HR systems to a cloud-enabled platform offered improved precision, security, and accessibility. This transition aligns with the progressive developments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing, generally leading to more streamlined HR processes, particularly in document verification, data management, and quality assurance. Employing Agile methodologies, the HR cloud data transaction system was developed through iterative sprints, addressing user authentication, document management, automated workflows, and AI-driven verification using convolutional neural networks (CNN). The system's evaluation, based on the ISO 25010 software quality model, involved gathering feedback from HR professionals and administrators in specified NCR LUCs, assessing various aspects including functionality, performance, and security. The research combined descriptive and developmental approaches to examine current HR practices, identify challenges, and determine system requirements. The resulting HR cloud data transaction system successfully met the LUCs' specific needs, enhancing HR business processes by minimizing manual interventions while bolstering document authentication security through AI. The AI and CNN-based document authentication system demonstrated effectiveness in validating digital signatures and improving data transactions within HR environments. Users noted significant improvements in data accuracy and usability, coupled with enhanced accessibility.

Araceae’s most remarkable genus is Amorphophallus, which is propagated for food, ornamental, and herbal medicine due to its medicinal properties. This checklist includes 241 accepted species of Amorphophallus, featuring their scientific names, covered countries, conservation and distribution status, ecological habitats, and biogeographical regions. Around 83% of Amorphophallus species are native, and 17% were endemic, and found in Burundi, Benin, Cambodia, Cameroon, Congo, China, Equatorial Guinea, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Madagascar, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Thailand is the most species-rich country (66 spp.), while Indo-Malay is the most species-rich biogeographic region (56.65%). Furthermore, limestone areas are the typical ecological habitat in which Amorphophallus species can be found (9.76%). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species documents the genus as ‘Critically Endangered’ (4.15%), ‘Vulnerable’ (2.90%), ‘Endangered’ (0.83%), ‘Near Threatened’ (0.83%), ‘Least Concern’ (0.83%), ‘Data Deficient’ (0.83%); 76.35% (184 species out of 241) were not evaluated because the report’s scope for assessing threatened plants might be inadequate, and 13.70% have no record. This inventory from digital databases will assess a more holistic strategic conservation plan of Amorphophallus species worldwide.

Assessment plays a vital role in the teaching and learning process. Understanding the lived experiences of teachers in relation to their assessment practices during unprecedented times offers valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and researchers. Examining how teachers perceived and implemented assessments in remote distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic provides a benchmark for improving educational responsiveness in rapidly changing contexts. This study employed a qualitative research design, specifically a case analysis approach, to explore the assessment practices of teachers at San Vicente Elementary School in Bani, Pangasinan, during the pandemic. All teaching personnel were considered informants. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, guided by the Community of Inquiry framework.Eight (8) themes emerged from the analysis and were categorized under the Community of Inquiry framework: three (3) themes related to social presence, three (3) to cognitive presence, and two (2) to teaching presence. The findings reveal that teachers navigated evolving assessment practices by adapting strategies to accommodate the diverse needs of learners in a remote learning environment.The study concludes that assessment practices during the pandemic remain in a developmental stage, requiring ongoing refinement to align with learners’ diverse contexts. Notably, cognitive presence in assessment must be strengthened to promote reflective and constructive learning experiences. These findings underscore the importance of responsive and adaptable assessment systems in supporting learners and educators during times of crisis and beyond.

ChatGPT has gained popularity in research writing and language teaching, yet its specific influence on students’ English learning processes remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate students’ experiences using ChatGPT in English language learning from two countries: the Philippines and Indonesia. Employing a qualitative research design, the study purposively collected the data from 90 university students—50 from University Technology in the Philippines and 40 from Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya (UNUSA), Indonesia. They completed questionnaires via Google Forms, using a five-point Likert scale (strongly agree to strongly disagree) to express their perceptions of ChatGPT’s role in their learning. In addition, interviews were conducted with four teachers (two from each institution) to deepen insights into classroom impacts. Findings reveal that ChatGPT significantly enhances students’ English learning by boosting creativity, encouraging critical thinking, improving engagement, and supporting knowledge retention. It also aids in time management, facilitates collaborative problem-solving, and optimizes learning resources. Teachers reported 13 distinct positive effects on student learning outcomes. Therefore, ChatGPT is a valuable educational tool that transforms traditional learning environments and better prepares students with essential 21st-century skills. It is recommended that ChatGPT be more widely integrated into English language instruction to maximize its benefits.

This study aimed to explore and determine the presence of bot armies and their manipulation tactics in online social networks (OSNs) through a survey and interview organized among the residents of Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The study revealed that younger adults (18-29 years old) and users with higher education were more likely to be social media users and interact with bots. Moreover, sex and daily online activity levels do not significantly impact how often users encounter bots. In identifying bots, users prioritize checking for unusual content and new accounts with no history of activity. Engagement metrics and follower counts were considered less reliable indicators of bot activity. The result of the study revealed that the presence of bots negatively affects user trust in social media platforms and contributes to the spread of misinformation. However, users were not easily swayed by inauthentic popularity metrics, prioritizing credible and relatable content. The study also revealed that users were becoming more aware of recognizing bot manipulation techniques, including repetitive content spamming, malicious posts designed to provoke users, and the spread of clickbait links. Furthermore, users reported being directly messaged by bots and identified attempts to create fake engagement through other bot accounts. The study emphasizes the importance of data analytics in uncovering bot manipulation and highlights the need for educational programs to enhance user literacy. These findings suggest that social media platforms develop safeguards to contribute to a healthier online environment.

High power insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) are integral to modern power conversion systems across railway traction, renewable energy, and HVDC transmission. Traditional gate drivers offer limited adaptability under dynamic conditions, leading to increased switching losses and reduced reliability. This paper proposes a novel current source based active gate driver (CS-AGD) tailored for high-power IGBT modules, enabling dynamic control of transient switching characteristics. We design and prototype a CS-AGD circuit, integrate it within a wide-range double-pulse test platform, and experimentally validate its performance under voltages up to 1000 V and currents up to 600 A. Results demonstrate significant reductions in switching losses and peak voltage/current overshoots compared to conventional gate driving strategies. The proposed solution offers enhanced controllability, opening new pathways for reliability- optimized and high-efficiency power electronic systems.

One of the leading factors contributing to the development of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease is protein misfolding. These proteins lose their proper form when they occur, leading to dysfunction and aggregation. Limited remedies that focus on symptomatic relief have been developed, leading to plant-derived compounds gaining attention as their potential to stabilize proteins. The study aims to determine taro leaf extract's effect combined with egg albumen on protein structures observed through infrared spectroscopy, evaluating protein structural change and mass measuring for protein denaturation. Researchers compared all groups containing egg albumen to four concentrations (12.5, 25, 50, and 100%) to diclofenac sodium and distilled water. Only 100% concentration and control groups were analyzed using FT-IR spectra, revealing hydrogen bonding interactions and structural differences by distinct shifts in Amide I bands. Through deconvolution, 100% concentration showed the highest α-helix content, presence of β-sheet, and no random coil signals, revealing preservation of native secondary structure and protein stability in opposite to negative control. The gravimetric analysis further supported increased mass in higher extract concentrations. A one-way ANOVA for gravimetric analysis yielded a p-value of 7.11 × 10^ (-5), indicating significance between groups. Tukey's HSD post hoc test showed significance between 100% and the concentrations (12, 25, and 50%) with p-values of 0.013, 0.016, and 0.017, indicating distinct aggregation caused by 100% compared to the lower concentrations. Moreover, no significant differences were compared to controls with p-values of 0.149 and 0.584 which reinforces the extract's coagulative role rather than its anti-inflammatory effect. Findings suggest that the extract induced protein structural shifts, preventing misfolding and stabilizing the α-helix and β-sheet structures' secondary structures. However, further investigation is needed to explore its role as a coagulative agent and dosage-dependent behavior, covering its way for other therapeutic approaches in protein misfolding on early-onset neurodegenerative diseases.