Journal of Sciences, Technology, and Arts Research : A Scholarly Journal.

Includes bibliographical references.

Employability tracer study of the Computer Engineering graduates from a private university in the Philippines -- BUY-anihan: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the life of food delivery riders -- Proficiency of the BPP NCIl holder in teaching tourism sector and its impact on learners' productivity in selected Tech-Voc Institutions in the Philippines -- Accent neutralization policy as a form of unequal Englishes in Philippine call centers -- To have and to hold: Lived experiences of widowers -- Extended marketing mix of the United States Work and Travel Program -- Puso sa Turismo: A cross-generational oluntourism product development model using Kano-Analysis.

[Article Title: Employability tracer study of the Computer Engineering graduates from a private university in the Philippines/ Marwin Alejo, Marlon Bagara, Joseph Nalunat, and JC Apduhan, p. 3-16]<br/><br/>Abstract: This study aimed to determine the Computer Engineering graduates' employability from a private higher education institution in the Philippines. The researcher uses a cross-sectional retrospective survey method. Twenty-seven out of 63 graduates (or 42.86% Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BSCpE) participated in the study from 2010 to 2017. The researcher used an electronic survey questionnaire patterned from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) standard tracer study questionnaire as the data-gathering tool. Findings reveal that 85.19% are employed. 73.91% of the respondents preferred to seek their employment through direct company hiring, and 56.52% of them took one to six months to get a job. The majority (69.57%) declared that the Computer Engineering curriculum is relevant to their first job. The researchers recommended the annual review of the program curriculum and engagement with industry linkages for imperative and future insights. Furthermore, regular tracer study of the program graduates must be done.

[Article Title: BUY-anihan: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the life of food delivery riders/ Angelica Escaño, Ricka Marie Septimo, Christine Ena Joyce Acierto, Rita Aringo, Ma. Angela Macaraeg, Camille Fabia, and Trisha Kate Gando, p. 17-31]<br/><br/>Abstract: The purpose of this phenomenological study is to identify and understand the experiences of food delivery riders in the Philippines and how Filipino food delivery riders cope with the struggles they face before and amidst the pandemic. A semi-structured online video call interview through social media was utilized to a sample of five male food delivery riders ages 22-45 years old, working in online delivery companies. Researchers used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) with coding techniques (descriptive, emotion, and in-vivo) to analyze and interpret the responses. The generated codes for all the participants were clustered to form final themes. As a result, four main themes were (I) Struggles experienced by Food delivery riders, (2) Difficult customers, (3) Developed coping strategies, and (4) Emotions felt by the food delivery riders with the inclusion of their corresponding subthemes. The findings discussed the challenges and difficulties food delivery drivers face and how they approached these negative work experiences. Implications on improving working conditions and work benefits were areas of paramount concern.

[Article Title: Proficiency of the BPP NCIl holder in teaching tourism sector and its impact on learners' productivity in selected Tech-Voc Institutions in the Philippines/ Maria Myrna Nuque, Aldrin Agasen, and Rodolfo Cabardo, p. 32-51]<br/><br/>Abstract: The study seeks to determine the level of proficiency of the Bread and Pastry Production NCII holder in teaching tourism-related sector and distinguish its impact on the learner's productivity in the selected technical-vocational institution in Caloocan City. The research also aimed to recognize the significant difference in the productivity level of the learners before and after the supervision of the NCHI holder as the instructor. A survey questionnaire as the research tool was utilized to gather data from 58 respondents. An experimental research approach was used as the research design. The data collected were applied utilizing descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequency distribution, weighted mean, and T-test analysis for inferential statistics. The study found that most of the respondents are somehow exposed, related to the field or the industry. Moreover, only a few samples pursue the postgraduate level. BPP experts dominated the number of respondents. Considering the proficiency of the BPP NCII Holder instructor in terms of instructional delivery skills, instructional design skills, and Course/ Content expertise were substantial, while instructional assessment skills were exceptional. Moreover, the trainers' competitiveness reflects on the output and performance of the students as the result of the intervening action of the instructors. The study also resulted in a significant difference in the level of productivity of the learners between pre-and post-integration of the BPP NCII holder.

[Article Title: Accent neutralization policy as a form of unequal Englishes in Philippine call centers/ Elaine Masangya, p. 52-63]<br/><br/>Abstract: Research developments in global markets have led to a renewed interest in outsourcing, In the Philippines, where a majority of the outsourced businesses are call centers, the opportunity to be considered a global leader in the market has raised issues in language, accent, and globalization. With the validation of English in these businesses, American and British varieties become models for prospective employees, resulting in a constricting policy. This paper will discuss how the Accent Neutralization Policy is a primary consideration in the recruitment, selection, and training of employees in the outsourced contact industry, even if the practice can be considered a form of unequal Englishes. In addition, the paper strongly recommends the elimination of this strategy in the entire contact center process.<br/>Existing findings and interviews conducted by early researchers in international call centers will be used. Also included in the discussion are personal insights and experiences of the author as a former call center mid-manager and recommendations as to how the industry can move forward in adopting a more globally inclusive English.

[Article Title: To have and to hold: Lived experiences of widowers/ Therese Josephine Aranda, Geraldine Almosera, Rita Aringo, Franchezka Raven Ang Angela Neleen Flores, and Ella Mae Ranches, p. 64-83]<br/><br/>Abstract: Expressing grief or any other overwhelming display of weakness is often discouraged in men because vulnerability is viewed as a feminine trait. Stereotypes suggest that women can register more and express grief than their male counterparts. Thus, men tend to apply the "masculine grieving" process, which deals with handling grief by themselves. Understanding gender differences is crucial in knowing how men give meaning to their experiences as widowers. However, the existing literature shows few gender-comparative studies on the experiences of widowhood. The present study investigated the lived experiences of widowers (men whose wife has died) to see how they went through and how they gave meaning to these experiences. Five men between the ages 30 and 78 and are currently in between 2-5 years of widowhood were interviewed about their widowhood experiences using the phenomenological method. After coding for similarities and differences between their experiences, four major themes emerged in all interviews: (1) living with the loss, (2) becoming a widower, (3) familial concerns, and (4) support system. As a result, the study showed the struggles widowers faced from their wives' demise until the time of complete acceptance of their loss. Nevertheless, despite the challenges, widowers' motivation to cope with the change and to continue moving forward is evident in this study.

[Article Title: Extended marketing mix of the United States Work and Travel Program/Rodolfo Cabardo, Laila Malabanan, and Aldrin Agasen, p. 84-94]<br/><br/>Abstract: Internships, on-the-job training, and even apprenticeship programs in both local and international venues have been deemed necessary in delivering programs. Their goal is to expose the trainees within the industry trends and practices. The students will hone their competencies for a higher chance of grabbing an employment opportunity after graduation. Using the Five Marketing Mix Model, this study assesses the respondents' United States Work and Travel Program (USWAT) program experience and perception. This study utilized a 16-item questionnaire and descriptive statistics, percentage and frequency distribution, and weighted mean and inferential statistics of Kruskal-Wallis as tools for analysis. The study's findings revealed that the majority of the respondents agreed that the program was beneficial to them in several ways. In addition, the study showed that the respondents generally have varying views and assessments of the program. The study found a significant difference when age, gender agency, and expenses are concerned. Hence, there is no significant difference in assessing the marketing mix (except the program aspect when the school is concerned. Thus, the study suggests that the inclusion of the other stakeholders shall help to have a more in-depth analysis of the program.

[Article Title: Puso sa Turismo: A cross-generational voluntourism product development model using Kano-Analysis/ Mark Chris Lapuz, Miracle Sarmiento, lanna Kane Pascua, Rona May Diaz, Mikaela Felicidario, and Jalen Mikaela Dee, p. 95-113]<br/><br/>Abstract: Voluntourism product development is one significant aspect of niche tourism studies. As the different tourist segments showed varying preferences on the type of experience they shall avail, this research explored the perceived importance and preferences of Generation X, Y, and Z tourists regarding the voluntourism product dimensions. The different components of voluntourism experience that include packaged experiences, placement opportunity, voluntary modality, and intended cause were assessed by voluntourists across different generations based on their perceived preference and importance. The research gap explored by this study is the determination of the significance of voluntourism dimensions as appropriate for every tourist generation. Kano analysis was utilized to determine which dimensions are considered must-have, performance, attractive, indifferent, or reverse attributes. Using quantitative analysis, the results revealed that the intended cause is considered an attractive dimension across Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation Z. However, adding to the significance of the intended cause, the nature of placement opportunity is considered another order-winner among Generation Z voluntourists. The resulting framework for voluntourism will be an essential guide in sustaining voluntourism in the country.