Browsing by Author "Cortado, Jay Mark G."

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    Employability of forestry graduates:
    (The Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability, 2024) Cortado, Jay Mark G.
    Employability is a measure of the effectiveness of an academic program in the quality of its graduates. However, insufficient data on employability of forestry graduates are still observed, particularly in northern Philippines. Hence, the study aimed to trace the employment of BS Forestry (BSF) graduates in DMMMSU from 2015 to 2022. The study used descriptive research design to describe the BSF graduates' socio-demographic characteristics, educational background, and initial employment profile. Survey was employed as data collection method, and quantitative techniques were used for analysis. Results revealed that majority of graduates were female and had been awarded college scholarships; some graduated with honours and awards. Majority were licensed foresters, while very few had other professional eligibilities. Most were employed at least once after graduation and were professional contractual employees of companies, mainly in agriculture, hunting, and forestry. Salaries and benefits were the primary reason for acceptance of jobs, while most secured forestry-related jobs within six months after their graduation. The gross monthly income for a great majority of the initial forestry-related jobs reported was less than PhP 15,000.00. Most employed graduates agreed that their program and curriculum were related and relevant to their jobs. However, regular updating of curriculum and instruction is the major suggestion of graduates to improve the program. The likelihood of gaining employment after graduation significantly increases when school support services are provided for career and job placement. Honours and awards in college were seen to be significant factors contributing to the employability of forestry graduates.
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    Leaf and stem anatomy and wood fiber morphology of Seriales (Flacourtia jangomas) at different elevations in La Union, Philippines
    (Annals of Tropical Research, July - December 2025) Soriano, Reynalene M.; Camacho, Claudine F.; Olbinado-Quillope, Ruby Anne G.; Cortado, Jay Mark G.; Villareal, Jayric F.
    Seriales is an underutilized Philippine (Flacourtia jangomas) indigenous fruit tree with ecological and economic potential but limited anatomical evidence across elevation gradients. We quantified leaf and stem anatomy and wood fiber morphology across three low-elevation bands in La Union, Philippines (55–70masl, 71–85masl and 86–100masl). Mature leaves and young stems of F. jangomas were collected, stained, and observed for their leaf and stem anatomical measurements. Wood fibers were macerated and analyzed for fiber length, diameter, lumen diameter, and derived indices. Several leaf traits varied significantly with elevation: lamina and palisade mesophyll were greatest at the lowest site and declined upslope, whereas lower cuticle/epidermis, sclerenchyma, collenchyma, phloem, and collenchyma layers also differed among sites. In contrast, upper cuticle/epidermis, leaf xylem, and spongy mesophyll (~260–303μm) were not significantly different, suggesting conserved internal gas-exchange capacity. Stem anatomy showed decreasing cortex thickness and layer number with elevation, but increasing xylem thickness. Epidermal hairs were longer at the highest site. Wood fiber length shows values similar to tropical species, while mid-elevation trees had smaller fiber and lumen diameters, yielding higher density. High Runkel ratios (>1), low flexibility, and low slenderness indicate poor suitability for pulp and papermaking, but support use for durable woodcraft and small furniture. Overall, F. jangomas exhibits anatomical plasticity within a narrow lowland gradient, showing its resilience and value for lowland agroforestry. This study also highlights the need for conservation of this species and further studies that focus on the effect of climatic factors and stressors.