Welcome to Volume 21 (2023) of the Asia Pacific Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences, a platform where interdisciplinary research converges to explore the intricate fabric of societal dynamics. Our latest issue covers a spectrum of studies, offering profound insights into the factors influencing educational success, agricultural practices, cooperative resilience, community engagement, governance transitions, and academic achievement. Embark on a journey through these thought-provoking studies, each contributing to our collective understanding of the intricate web of social and behavioral phenomena. The Asia Pacific Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences invites you to explore, reflect, and engage with the diverse insights presented in this issue.

The Asia Pacific Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences is pleased to publish a special edition of a collection of studies in the Filipino language. The theme is Teaching Filipino and Native Language: Demystifying National Identity and Experience. This special edition is in celebration of the Literature Month 2022 and the National Language Month 2022.The topics include Filipino language and culture, teaching experience, and other identities in using Filipino and native languages as mediums for the promotion, preservation, and appreciation of Filipino culture and identity. By understanding cultural diversity, readers will find new attitudes, lifestyles, ways of thinking, and logic, often different from their own. Through this, they can broaden their knowledge and level of understanding. In addition, studies in language teaching help explain components and structures to the readers so that the latter can gain a better and more in-depth understanding of the Filipino language. These studies stimulate conversations among researchers in the teaching and learning of language arts. This collection of Filipino studies is in cooperation with the Sentro ng Wika at Kultura (SWK) in achieving its mission which is to continue to develop the use of Filipino as the national language while preserving the indigenous languages of the Philippines for the unity and development of the Filipino people.

The Volume 20 (2022) of the Asia Pacific Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences is a comprehensive compilation of research endeavors that features the dynamic realm of higher education, exploring critical facets that contribute to the continuous improvement and sustainability of academic programs. From the development and validation of an Outcomes-Based Education (OBE)-focused syllabus evaluation tool to the intricate roles of university faculty in ensuring degree program sustainability, the collection navigates through various dimensions of contemporary educational practices. Topics covered include researches that illuminates the ongoing evolution of educational methodologies by presenting a meticulously developed and validated assessment; acknowledgement of the indispensable role of faculty members in the sustainability and success of degree programs; examination of the concept of constructive alignment within higher education curricula; investigation of the governance principles guiding decision-making processes at Bukidnon State University; evaluation of the vital role of career development and job placement services within higher education institutions; exploration of the intricacies of admission criteria; and the recognition of the diversity of student populations and exploring the English language experiences of multilingual students. This compilation invites readers into the refined landscape of higher education, offering a panoramic view of innovative practices and thoughtful considerations that shape the future of academic excellence.

The Volume 19 (2021) of the Asia Pacific Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences presents a compelling compilation of research articles that traverse the diverse landscapes of academia, ranging from cutting-edge models and language learning innovations to the intricacies of employee commitment in unique occupational settings. This issue captures the essence of contemporary research across multiple disciplines, presenting a rich tapestry of insights that contribute to our understanding of suicide rates and intervention, language acquisition, employee engagement, and sustainable agricultural practices. Topics featured  in this volume unravel the intricacies of suicide dynamics through a Bass Diffusion Model tailored to the unique context of the Philippines; evaluation of the impact of communicative language learning activities on students; innovative education with a game-based learning approach targeting reading comprehension; navigation of the negative antecedents and the mediating role of leader-member exchange in shaping affective commitment among Filipino call center employees; and the investigation of the intersection of technology and language acquisition; exploration of sustainable agricultural practices in the context of square-foot gardening in Bukidnon. This journal issue encapsulates a diverse array of research endeavors, promising a captivating journey through the multifaceted realms of suicide modeling, language education, employee commitment, and sustainable agriculture. Each article invites readers to explore, question, and expand their understanding of these vital and dynamic fields.

This is a special journal edition of the Asia Pacific Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences for 2020 highlights the studies conducted by the faculties of Bukidnon State University on the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in the Province of Bukidnon, Philippines. The CHED Discovering – Applied Research and Extension for Trans/Inter-disciplinary Opportunities (DARE-TO) research grant is a two-year research program aimed to develop an integrated framework for the assessment of various adaptive measures of disaster risk reduction and management for the province. The researches in this 2020 volume are on governance, education, health and sciences. They also focused on the basic services of LGUs, DRR management for school-aged children, health and environment risk assessment, and land use policies. These researches respond to issues in flood- and landslide-prone areas in the province and are the bases for policy formulation and extension program of Bukidnon State University or other SUCs willing to take off from these research results. The studies published here are on DRRM mechanisms for school-aged children, community-based risk assessment in flood- and landslide-prone areas, development of DRM and mitigation extension program, health risk assessment of residents in disaster-prone areas of Bukidnon, governance issues on DRR of LGUs, risk assessment of basic social services, psychological risk assessment of residents, hydrologic model for flooding in Manupali Watershed and its implications, and hazard, exposure and vulnerabilities of school-aged children. Bukidnon State University administration and researchers would like to thank the Commission on Higher Education for granting this research project called DARE TO. This program was supported by CHED-OPRKM Research Management Division.

This current edition of Asia Pacific Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences (APJSBS) presents works of academics within Bukidnon State University and excitingly enough those from another university and schools in Asia and the United States. This is an exciting leap from previous editions not only because it is one criterion by which the Commission on Higher Education in the Philippines gauges this journal on but more importantly because we get to read studies conducted by academics elsewhere in the world with different perspectives. The first studies are on gender, where the first one found that equality in education does not guarantee equal access to economic opportunities and participation, and the second delved into the push/ pull of the migration of Cambodian women into Thailand for work. Then there are two studies on the development of indices, one for research index applicable to higher education institutions, and the other on responsiveness index in the development of 21st century competencies applicable to education. The last two are separate studies on the use of pragmatics in determining the discourse used in the rituals of Bukidnon, one of the indigenous tribes of the Philippines, and the other a phenomenological study of preservice teachers in an elementary school.

The Volume 16 (2019) of the Asia Pacific Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers a thought-provoking journey through the diverse realms of psychology, education, international relations, and global phenomena with this compelling collection of research articles. This issue searches into the intricate practices, evolving trends, and future directions of forensic psychology in the Philippines, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of psychology and the legal system. Research topics covered the exploration of transformative impact of development programs on learning leaders, the role of journal writing in problem-solving, and the complex interplay of self-efficacy, study habits, teaching strategies, and their influence on student science performance. Additionally, the journal presents insightful inquiries into the nexus between military expenditure, national peace, and economic growth, and probes the connection between the state of happiness and its potential role in fostering global peace. Concluding with a diffusion model applied to the highly fluctuating phenomenon of global hunger, this issue promises a captivating exploration of pressing issues shaping our understanding of psychology, education, international relations, and global challenges. This journal encapsulates a diverse and thought-provoking array of research inquiries, inviting readers to engage with the complexities of forensic psychology, educational leadership, problem-solving strategies, science education, military expenditure, happiness, and the global challenge of hunger. Each article promises a unique contribution to scholarly discourse in these multifaceted fields.

Volume 15 (2018) of Asia Pacific Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences (APJSBS) embark on an enlightening exploration of diverse academic landscapes. Research coverage include an in-depth analysis of developmental mathematics in community colleges, examination of the productive pedagogies practices within an English language program, intersection of language and maratabat, investigation into the links between self-efficacy, attitude towards mathematics, and their implications for effective mathematics learning, practices on capital investment decision analysis in Region 12 and its contributions to maximizing company value, and innovative education methods through the lens of the Alternative Learning System Radio-based Instruction, shedding light on unconventional avenues for facilitating learning. This journal edition encapsulates a rich tapestry of research inquiries, each contributing to our understanding of developmental education, language dynamics, cultural influences, pedagogical strategies, corporate decision-making, and alternative learning systems. Each article invites engagement with critical issues, contributing to the collective advancement of knowledge in these multifaceted domains.

This current edition of Asia Pacific Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences (APJSBS) presents works of academics within Bukidnon State University and excitingly enough those from another university and schools in Asia and the United States. This is an exciting leap from previous editions not only because it is one criterion by which the Commission on Higher Education in the Philippines gauges this journal on but more importantly because we get to read studies conducted by academics elsewhere in the world with different perspectives. The first studies are on gender, where the first one found that equality in education does not guarantee equal access to economic opportunities and participation, and the second delved into the push/ pull of the migration of Cambodian women into Thailand for work. Then there are two studies on the development of indices, one for research index applicable to higher education institutions, and the other on responsiveness index in the development of 21st century competencies applicable to education. The last two are separate studies on the use of pragmatics in determining the discourse used in the rituals of Bukidnon, one of the indigenous tribes of the Philippines, and the other a phenomenological study of preservice teachers in an elementary school.

Bukidnon State University has changed the name of its research journal into the Asia Pacific Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences beginning in this volume. This was formerly called Bukidnon State University Research Journal. Even as far back as 2013, the Editorial Board and researchers have mulled over a new name because they thought anytime soon publications will have to respond to the changing scenario of research publications in the Philippines. It has increased the composition of the editorial board, and taken out the seal of the University so that it can encompass the articles that would be submitted from the different parts of the world.

he Volume 12 (2015) of Asia Pacific Journal os Social and Behavioral Sciences features a comprehensive exploration of critical global issues, educational dynamics, health patterns, social justice, and corporate responsibility in this thought-provoking journal cover story. The intellectual journey includes the in-depth analysis of the irregularities of global terrorism incidents; fractal analysis that uncovers the hidden dimensions of global business English proficiency; spatial epidemiological examination of HIV, the insightful investigation into the dynamics of human trafficking, addressing the imperative of gender equity; research-based evaluation instrument focused on teaching performance and learning outcomes; exploration of the experiences of graduate students in thesis writing and consider their implications in the context of ASEAN integration; investigating the importance of environmental awareness by examining the integration of climate change lessons in Grades 7 and 8; insights into the reflections of AB-English students on their language experiences; and implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by agribusiness firms in Bukidnon, shedding light on responsible business practices within the local context. This journal issue encapsulates a diverse and impactful collection of research endeavors, each contributing to the collective understanding of complex issues that shape our world. It invites readers to engage with pressing global challenges, educational innovations, health insights, societal dynamics, and responsible corporate practices.

The Volume 11 (2014) of Asia Pacific Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences highlights the dynamic realms of education, linguistic preservation, academic writing, institutional typology, and literature instruction with this captivating collection of research articles. This journal issue explores research topics on the internationalization of instructional programs in business, accountancy, and hospitality through on-the-job training; introduction of a Language Loss Index for speakers of indigenous languages; exploration of scaffolding strategies employed by thesis advisers in the graduate school; examination of approaches aimed at enhancing students proficiency in this critical academic area; development of a typology for Bukidnon State University, utilizing the Commission on Higher Education standards; and in-depth look at the instructional landscape of Philippine literature. This journal covers a diverse array of research endeavors, each contributing to the advancement of knowledge in education, linguistics, academic writing, institutional analysis, and literature instruction. It invites readers to engage with the evolving landscapes of these critical domains, promising insights that resonate with educators, researchers, and practitioners alike.

Volume 10 (2013) of the journal is a collection of research studies that utilizes fractal analysis as a novel approach to explore diverse aspects of education and socio-economic issues. This volume intertwines studies that utilize fractal methodology to investigate the relationship between the performance of tertiary teachers and the academic achievements of their students, alongside a similar fractal examination of the overall academic performance of college students. It also ventures into the realm of economics, with a thought-provoking paper that uses fractal analysis to compare the effectiveness of the Gross National Product and the Multidimensional Poverty Index in explaining poverty incidence. Additionally, there is a study on the fractal patterns in the population distribution of Bukidnon, offering new perspectives on demographic analysis. The volume is rounded off with an insightful exploration of students\' experiences in on-the-job training, providing a practical viewpoint on the application of academic learning in real-world settings. As a whole, this volume not only showcases the versatility of fractal analysis in academic research but also highlights its potential to provide deeper insights into educational dynamics and socio-economic challenges.

Volume 9 (2012) of our journal presents a multifaceted exploration of socio-economic and cultural dynamics in Bukidnon, Philippines. This volume integrates diverse research areas—ranging from human capital development and its role in poverty alleviation, the impact of investment in tertiary education, to the nuanced examination of health, water quality, and the socio-economic disparities in Malaybalay City. It further delves into the digital divide in accessing information and communication technology for poverty alleviation across various sectors in Bukidnon. Adding depth to this analysis are insightful studies on political life, cultural richness, economic practices, and the complex poverty indices within the indigenous tribes of the region. Collectively, these papers not only highlight the unique challenges and opportunities in Bukidnon but also offer a comprehensive lens through which to understand the interconnectedness of education, health, economics, and cultural identity in shaping community resilience and development in emerging regions.