Research

As the national university, we champion and support innovative research that addresses the country’s most pressing challenges.

16 Dec 2025

The National Greening Program had little effect on forest cover in Central Visayas from 2013 to 2019

This study assessed the effectiveness of reforestation efforts in Central Visayas from 2013 to 2019 using satellite imagery (Landsat 8)...

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16 Dec 2025

Students perceive teachers as more credible and effective when using realistic avatars over cartoonish ones in the metaverse

Teaching in the metaverse presents a dynamic frontier for educational innovation. Avatars, serving as digital representations of teachers, play a...

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15 Dec 2025

The Abaknon’s use of local knowledge to conserve natural resources and adapt to climate change is sustainable

The Abaknon, an indigenous group in Capul Island, possesses unique traditional knowledge and practices that have enabled them to adapt...

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12 Dec 2025

Aggression increases an athlete’s risk of injury

The role of sports, particularly combat sports, in controlling aggression and shaping prosocial behaviors in young people remains unclear. The...

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10 Dec 2025

Luzon provinces are hotspots for severe depression, anxiety, and stress among emerging adults

Despite the enactment of the Philippine Mental Health Act, mental illness remains a significant public health concern, particularly among young...

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05 Dec 2025

Researchers pioneer the use of topological data analysis for Filipino Sign Language alphabet recognition

This research aims to improve recognition of Filipino Sign Language (FSL) letters, which is crucial for better communication in the...

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04 Dec 2025

The risk of measles is higher on warmer days

This study looks at how measles spreads in certain areas of the Philippines, specifically Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA, using...

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03 Dec 2025

Ang moral na ligalig ng Agosto-Setyembre taong 1995 ay nakasandal sa ilang istereotipo sa mga rakistang banda

Ang saliksik na ito ay pumapaksa sa kasaysayan ng moral na ligalig (moral panic) noong Agosto-Setyembre taong 1995 kung saan...

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02 Dec 2025

New method can authenticate Philippine stingless bee honey, considered the “next superfood”

Stingless bee honey is gaining recognition as a superfood because of its exceptional health and therapeutic benefits, which rival—or even...

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01 Dec 2025

Family interactions and experiences at school and home strongly shape the psychological traits of pre-service teachers

Mental health research has been a key priority among higher education institutions globally to support the advocacy for the holistic...

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28 Nov 2025

The efficiency with which Robusta coffee farms convert inputs into outputs declines at higher elevations

This article explains the factors that affect the productivity and efficiency of the Robusta coffee farms in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines....

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27 Nov 2025

Emotions are vital resources for queer rights activists when they lobby for social reforms

The article analyzes queer rights activists in the Philippines as they demand social reforms. It highlights emotions as these activists...

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Research

In this study, I looked at how single Filipina mothers working as domestic workers in Singapore maintain their familial ties, especially with their children. This study goes beyond just recording the challenges and approaches single Filipina migrant mothers use in maintaining family relationships from afar; it also aims to reflect their perspectives and hopes for amplifying their voices.

My findings showed that while the experiences of my participants share some common themes with other overseas mothers, they also face distinctive challenges. They balance being the main breadwinner and primary caregiver, feel a strong need to work abroad while being solely responsible for their children, and manage caregiving from a distance through female relatives. They also deal with working in a foreign country without the emotional and financial support of a partner. Additionally, I found that their paid caregiving work in Singapore and their unpaid caregiving in the Philippines are not mutually exclusive but rather interconnected activities. Ultimately, this article strives to make my interlocutors’ voices heard and attempts to contribute towards achieving justice in knowledge representation.

My research is significant for three reasons, mainly within the field of sociology of gender and global inequalities. First, I explore how single Filipino mothers manage family life from abroad to float unique narratives that are often overlooked in the literature on transnational mothering by Filipina migrants. Although Filipino single mothers appear in various studies, their specific experiences have not been the focus. Second, I apply standpoint theory to the lives of single Filipina migrant mothers. This theory suggests that one’s social position influences one’s worldview and that unique experiences in these positions can shape knowledge. Third, I employ Filipino indigenous methodologies: pakikilahok and pakikipagkwentuhan. These methods are deeply rooted in Filipino culture and emphasize participatory research. Beyond centering a segment of Filipino experience, the findings of my study are applicable and relevant globally, especially in comparative migration studies.

Author: Athena Charanne R. Presto (Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines Diliman)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1177/00207152251319744

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