The Core Team

DR. VICTOR M. CAJALA

FOUNDER, PRESIDENT & CEO, VMC ANALYTIKS
MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL JOURNAL PHILIPPINES

Dr. V.M. Cajala has been engaged in teaching and authoring research for the last 14 years. As a graduate of Master in Development Communication (Top 7 rank), and a CHED scholar for his Doctor of Communication degree, both from the University of the Philippines Open University, Dr. Cajala’s research interest posits on the interconnectedness of communication and pedagogy. He has published a number of studies and indexed by Scopus, Semantic Scholar, and Google Scholar. He has also presented papers in Cambodia and Singapore. In 2022, he earned 2 international awards: 1) Best Paper in the “World Conference on Multidisciplinary Research & Innovation,” awarded in Singapore; and, 2nd Best Paper in the “International Research Competition – Graduate Category,” awarded by the Institute of Industry and Academic Research Inc. At present, he is the Dean of the Center for Research and Institutional Development (CRID) in one of the leading maritime schools in the Philippines. He has curated and served as the Managing Editor of 2 research journals: 1) Benchmark (4 volumes); and 2) Helm & Rudder (2 volumes). Both journals have been published at the Philippine e-journals for the last 8 years. Dr. Cajala is also an expert in the preparation of research documentary requirements for schools undergoing internal and external audit, such as CHED and PACUCOA.

MR. DEC AIRO MARI S. AUSAN

VICE PRESIDENT FOR INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC RELATIONS
ASSOCIATE EDITOR, SOCIAL SCIENCE LENS JOURNAL
ASSOCIATE EDITOR, OCEAN LIFE JOURNAL

Mr. Dec Airo Mari S. Ausan is a licensed Maritime Officer and a qualified Community Worker with diverse experiences in the maritime and community services sectors. In 2015, he completed his Bachelor’s degree at the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies in Pasay City, Philippines and started his career as a seafarer. His passion for education led him to engage as a lecturer at MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy and as a Maritime Training Officer in both Wallem Maritime Services, Inc. and Astra Marine International Inc. He served as Designated Person Ashore at the peak of his maritime career.

He was a VU Future Leader Scholar at Victoria University in Australia, Melbourne Campus, where he completed his Master of International Community Development. Thereafter, he began working in the welfare sector as a Community Program Manager at the Filipino Community Council of Victoria Inc., and a Trainer for Community Services Programs at several universities and colleges including the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Southern Cross Education Institute, and Victorian International Institute of Technical Education in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. Currently, he is based in Sydney and serves as a Lecturer at Acknowledge Education and an active community volunteer at Mission to Seafarers Sydney.

MR. JORDAN B. BASCO

Chief Marketing Officer

Mr. Jordan B. Basco is a certified marketing professional. Having earned a degree in Business Management at Adamson University, Mr. Basco highlighted his marketing career by being a Family Relations Manager at McDonalds Philippines. Stationed in a store-based marketing department, Mr. Basco worked hand-in- hand with his Restaurant Manager in developing effective Local Store Marketing (LSM) activities which led in delivering optimum business results. After McDonald’s, he embarked into another career journey by engaging himself in the clothing industry. He first became a Store Supervisor at Bench and Human under Suyen Corporation. His sales skills immensely leveled up during his Bench days. Thus, with a much better offer and opportunity, he transferred to Folded & Hung. Holding another supervisory position, his stint with F & H equipped him with a wider experience in sales and marketing. With his new venture as Chief Marketing Officer of VMC Analytiks, he plans to go back to school and earn an MBA degree to elevate his credentials.

MR. CARL ANGELO B. CAJALA

Digital Layout Artist

Mr. Carl Angelo B. Cajala is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science at Asian Institute of Computer Studies in Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga. As a computer graduate, he explored a number of jobs related to digital machine operations. He started his career as Production Operator at Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. With the same position, he transferred to Molex Integrated Products at TECO Industrial Park in Mabalacat, Pampanga. He earned more than 4 years of work experience for these jobs. In 2023, he decided to work as Medical Billing Specialist at Ventra Health Global Services Inc. located at Philexcel Business Park at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. Besides being presently employed at Ventra (on a night shift schedule), he is also engaged as part-time Digital Layout Artist of VMC Analytiks since January of 2024. As he juggles his time from being a night specialist to a daytime designer, he ensured to deliver a prompt and accurate service to the company.

The Editorial Board

CAPT. JERIC E. BACASDOON

Editor-in-Chief, Ocean Life

Capt. Jeric Bacasdoon is a licensed Master Mariner – the highest license of seafarer qualification. He graduated as Cum Laude under the Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation program at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) in 2010. He completed his degree in Master of Science in Maritime Affairs, specializing in Maritime Education and Training (MET) with “Distinction”, at the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden in 2021 wherein he received the Lloyd’s Maritime Academy Dissertation Prize and the Kalmar Global Prize – the first Filipino at WMU to receive the said awards. Presently, he is taking up his PhD in Maritime Affairs at the same university, being the first recipient of the Nippon Foundation – International Association of Maritime Universities (NF-IAMU) Global Maritime Professional (GMP) Faculty Fellowship. Capt. Bacasdoon has represented the IAMU as their understudy at the 9th session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW-9) in London. He is actively engaged in IAMU’s research projects and activities and has presented several maritime-related articles and studies, pariticulaty in MET at international conferences. He has been a panel and reviewer for undergraduate thesis papers at Asian Institute of Maritime Studies for the last two years. At present, Capt. Bacasdoon is one of the Innovations Project Officer of MAAP in Bataan.

DR. ANNA LIZA PO

Editor-in-Chief, Communication Continuum

Dr. Anna Liza Po has been in the market and industry research for quite some time. She started her career as Research Analyst of PLDT and Project Manager of Synovate. She earned several line management positions at Emerson Philippines – a leading global technology, software, and engineering company providing innovative solutions for customers in industrial and commercial markets. At Emerson, she was assigned as Corporate Market Research Senior Manager to being the Director of Research and Insights for both Corporate Market Research and Commercial and Residential Solutions. At present, she is the Director of the Research and Insights Division of Copeland Philippines – a global climate technologies company engineered for sustainability. A certified research enthusiast, Dr. Po graduated with an undergraduate degree in Communication Research with honors. She also took a Master of Arts Degree major in Demography where she earned a thesis grant from Macro International Inc. of Calverton, Maryland, USA. Both degrees were taken at the University of the Philippines – Diliman. She also earned a “Dean’s List” award for her Doctor of Communication degree at the University of the Philippines Open University. Dr. Po and Dr. Cajala were classmates during their intake of their doctoral program.

DR. ELISA BERNADETTE E. LIMSON

Editor-in-Chief, Social Science Lens

Dr. Elisa Bernadette Entao-Limson is currently the Director for Research and Evaluation and an Associate Professor of Psychology and Counseling Department at St. Scholastica’s College (SSC) Manila. She is an experienced educator as well as a seasoned researcher, mentor, and administrator in the academe. She held consecutive posts as Assistant Director for Research, Director for Planning and Research, and Research Director. Dr. Limson is a teaching chair awardee for 3 academic years, a recipient of the Best Minor Research award for 2 school years, and a recipient of the “Administrative Chair of the Year” award for her role as Research Director in SSC Manila. She has also conducted workshops on various research capacitation topics and has published in Scopus and Web of Science indexed journals. Together with her co-authors, she is a recipient of the Research Quill Gold, Silver and Bronze awards by the South Manila Educational Consortium for her research on “research ethics.” Her research interests are in the areas of motivation, bilingualism, and mental health.

Dr. Limson completed the degrees Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology and Master of Arts in Education major in Guidance and Counseling at De La Salle University Manila and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts at St. Scholastica’s College Manila. She is a PRC Registered Guidance Counselor with experience in counseling industry – based clients, adolescent, and adult populations. Dr. Limson is also a resource speaker and workshop facilitator for various mental health education and support topics such as suicide awareness and prevention, resiliency, motivation, depression, and stress. Dr. Limson is currently the Chair of the Educational Psychology Division of the Psychological Association of the Philippines, and a member of the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, and recently, an accreditor of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities

MR. MELVIN A. MACUHA

Editor-in-Chief, Pedagogy Review

Mr. Melvin Macuha has earned considerable experience in teaching research as well as in treating statistical data. As a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Psychology at St. Paul University – Manila, his love with his college alma mater brought him back to spearhead a teaching career. He started teaching at St. Paul University in 2017 handling psychology, research methods, and statistics classes. He also served as a full-time Secretary of the institution’s Research Ethics Committee. In 2021, he also started his engagement with AIMS as External Panel and Statistician. His passion for teaching led him to advance his education by pursuing a Master of Science degree in Psychology major in Clinical Psychology at De La Salle University – Manila. He also earned distinctive certifications and licenses. He is a civil service eligible, a registered Psychologist and a licensed Psychometrician. He is also a member of the Psychological Association of the Philippines. At present, Mr. Macuha is pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology at Ateneo De Manila University – Loyola School.

Dr. Arvin Dela Cruz

Editor-in-Chief, Technologique

Dr. Arvin R. Dela Cruz finished two masteral programs: Master of Science in Management Engineering, and Master in Information Technology. Taking a notch higher, “Doc Arvin”, as popularly known, completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Management and is currently finishing his second doctoral program – PhD in Computer Engineering – at Selinus University of Arts and Sciences, in Ragusa, Italy. He is a Network Security Expert Certified by Fortinet NSE Institute, a Scrum Foundation Professional Certified by CertiProf, and TESDA Certified in Computer System Servicing and Event Management Services. He enriched his profession through membership at the Institute of Computer Engineers of the Philippines (ICpEP), Institute for Engineering Research and Publication (IFERP), Asia-Pacific Consortium of Researchers and Educators, Inc. (APCoRE) and a Digital Transformation Committee Member Association of Universities in Asia and Pacific (AUAP). Currently, he is a member of the Board of Trustees and Regional Advisory Board Chairman of the Mechatronics and Robotics Society of the Philippines (MRSP).

His academic and research portfolios were solidified by a number of roles and achievements. First, he was a Scientific and Technical Committee and Editorial Review Board on Computer and Systems Engineering as well as a Technical Committee of the World Conference on Applied Science, Engineering, and Technology (WCASET). He is now an active reviewer of Elsevier’s journal in E-Prime – Advances in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, and Energy. He was awarded as Man of the Year Award in 2019 for Outstanding Dedication in Information and Communication Technology by the University Circle of Professional Educators (UCPE). He is also one of the JEDI Champions and Trainer by Java Education and Development Initiative (JEDI) and Best Presenter in the 19th World Conference in Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (WCASET). His research interests include management engineering, machine learning, data science, data engineering, neural network systems, big data, image processing, cybersecurity, digital forensics, robotics, artificial intelligence (AIoT) embedded systems, enterprise resource planning, and modeling with simulation systems. Presently, he is the Graduate School Research and Extension Chief of Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Manila. He is also an Associate Professor of the Graduate School and Open University – Graduate School and College of Engineering as well as the Program Chair of the MS Computer Engineering Program of the above school.

JEANETTE M. ROXAS

CHIEF REVIEWER, LOGISTICA

Jeanette M. Roxas is an accomplished educator, customs broker, and professional with over 30 years of experience in the fields of customs brokerage, logistics, and higher education. Known for her commitment to bridging academic knowledge with real-world application, she has been a driving force in shaping the careers of students, practitioners, and fellow educators in the customs and logistics sectors.

As a leader in her field, Ms. Roxas has dedicated much of her career to mentoring aspiring customs brokers, guiding them through both the theoretical and practical aspects of the profession. Her expertise spans a wide range of subjects, from customs laws and tariff regulations to logistics management and research methodology. She has earned numerous accolades for her contributions to education, including a prestigious award from the Philippine Federation of Professional Associations (PFPA) in 2023 for Distinction in Academe/Research and Development as Customs Broker.

In addition to her academic roles, Ms. Roxas is an active consultant and lecturer, collaborating with leading brokerage and logistics firms and delivering specialized lectures across various universities. She currently holds key positions in several professional organizations, including the Philippine Association of Customs Brokers in Education (PACBE) and the Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc. (CCBI) – Batangas Chapter. As a prolific author, she has contributed to the field through her books and educational materials aimed at helping students and professionals prepare for the Customs Broker Licensure Examination.

Ms. Roxas’ passion for research and development is reflected in her active involvement in committees that shape the future of customs administration education in the Philippines. Her unwavering dedication continues to inspire and impact the next generation of customs and logistics professionals.

MS. CHARITY T. MANUEL

Associate Editor

Ms. Charity T. Manuel has been in the academe for almost 9 years. Having finished her Bachelor of Arts in English (with Academic Excellence award) and Master in Educational Management degrees at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Ms. Manuel has taught English language and literature courses. Her teaching stint commenced at AMA College – Makati Campus where she taught for more than 5 years. At present, Ms. Manuel is a full-time professor at Mapua University – Makati Campus where she handles social science, humanities, and English courses. She is also a panel and reviewer of undergraduate research in one of the leading maritime schools in the Philippines. She is currently finishing a study delving on the interview skills of graduating college students in preparation for their prospective employment.

MR. JOSE RAFAEL Y. BENITO

Associate Editor

Having been in the academe for almost 7 years, Mr. Jose Rafael Y. Benito had since loved his teaching profession. His bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication at Centro Escolar University (Dean’s List) earned him the privilege to teach several language and social science courses. His teaching career began at the Asia Pacific College in Magallanes, Makati City where he served as Cluster Head and Faculty of the Languages and Communication of the Senior High School Department. Noting his love for teaching, he pursued his Master of Arts in Teaching English Language at De La Salle University – Manila. Just like Ms. Manuel, Mr. Benito is also a panel and reviewer of undergraduate research in one of the leading maritime schools in the Philippines. He is also a co-author of Dr. Cajala in undertaking a tracer study of Hospitality Management graduates where he was also privileged to present the paper in a conference in Indonesia. The study was published by the International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research and indexed by Semantic Scholar. At present, Mr. Benito is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Liberal Arts of Mapua University where he teaches English and Communication courses.

MR. DHUFF MATTHEUS ORTIZ

Associate Editor

At a very young age, Mr. Dhuff Mattheus Ortiz has worked in various research-related positions in both the corporate and academe setting. Upon completion of his degree in Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Dean’s List) at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), he took the exam and passed the Licensure Examination for Psychometrician. After which, he immediately engaged as Research Assistant at the Research Center for Social Sciences of the University of Santo Tomas. After which, he transferred to STI College – Sta. Mesa as Research & Extension Coordinator. When pandemic struck, the academe was one of the sectors that laid off numerous employees. With this, he then worked in various corporate companies. He first engaged as Senior Research Executive of IPSOS Philippines – an international market research firm. Then as Market Research Specialist of Tech1 Corporation. His love for research has led him to return in the academe. Hence, he is now engaged as Academic Research Department Head in one of the leading maritime schools in the Philippines. He was also privileged to author 2 studies which respectively won the 2nd and 3rd best paper awards during their final colloquium. Both papers were published in the International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research and indexed by Semantic Scholar and Research Gate. At present, Mr. Ortiz is undertaking his thesis writing for his Master of Psychology degree at Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

MS. MA. CELIA C. CABASAL

Associate Editor

Ms. Maria Celia C. Cabasal is a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering graduate at Adamson University, Manila. Besides being a Dean’s Lister and University Scholar in college, she is also the Editor-in-Chief of her school publication. Though majority of her work engagement was in the industry, as she was an engineering graduate, she was however engaged in several research positions. Among of which is being the Research and Development Engineer of Rezcoat Inc. and the Research and Development Head of Fashion Mogul Inc. She also held line management positions. She became a Production Supervisor of House Technologies Pte Ltd and the Sample and Development Manager of PT. Sainath Industries in Indonesia. The latter having spent 10 years of work engagement. Her call to work in the academe came last 2022 when she was hired as the Administrative Research Department Head in one of the leading maritime schools in the Philippines. She was also given the opportunity to author 2 research papers where one was awarded “Best Paper” during the final colloquium. Her papers were published by the International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research and were indexed by Semantic Scholar and Research Gate. At present, Ms. Cabasal is currently pursuing her Master in Environmental and Natural Resources Management at the University of the Philippines Open University.

MR. Bench G. Fabros

Associate Editor

Mr. Bench G. Fabros is a faculty from Central Luzon State University, a licensed professional teacher, an educator, author, international manuscript reviewer, peer reviewer, international speaker, visiting lecturer, guest lecturer, and at present teaching mathematics, research, and allied subjects from junior high school to graduate levels in an online and face-to-face modality. His journey in academia began at Victoria West Central Elementary School, where he laid the foundation for his academic pursuits. Graduating with distinction in April 2011, Mr. Fabros continued his educational voyage at Victoria National High School-Main, culminating his graduation in March 2015. Driven by his passion for mathematics and pedagogy, he embarked on a transformative educational journey at Central Luzon State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Secondary Education specializing in Mathematics. In June 2019, he proudly attained his baccalaureate degree, laying the groundwork for a fulfilling career in education. Elevating his commitment to excellence, Mr. Fabros successfully navigated the rigors of the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT) in the same year, solidifying his credentials as a licensed professional teacher. Fueled by his thirst for knowledge, he furthered his academic pursuits, obtaining a Master of Science in Education majoring in Mathematics from the same esteemed institution in July 2021. Notably, Mr. Fabros’ academic journey has been enriched by the prestigious distinction of being a DOST-SEI scholar, a testament to his dedication to academic excellence and contribution to the nation.