9 speak about academic research, professional practice 

Nine Far Eastern University (FEU) administrators, non-academic managers, and faculty members recently earned their doctorates: Joeven Castro, VP Student Development and Continuing Education; Hardie Gieben Cruz, director, Guidance and Counseling; Joseph Jintalan, Senior Director for Academic Standards; Maria Carmen Lapuz, dean, Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance (IABF); Leo Angelo Nery, faculty, Interdisciplinary Studies; Reyett Paunan, executive director, Basic Education; Celmer Santos, director, Alumni Relations Office; Ronnel Talusan, faculty, Language and Literature Studies; and Nikko Visperas, manager, Media Center. FEU News sat down with each of them separately for a brief conversation in a mix of English and Filipino. Each of them was asked the same questions: What was the most challenging part of being a post-graduate student? What was the most fulfilling experience in your post-graduate study? What would say to someone who asks about dissertation writing? What is next for you after earning your doctorate? What piece of advice would give to a post-graduate student? 

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Joeven Castro 

PhD. in Communication 

University of Auckland, New Zealand 

Challenges. First, finding the research gap is hard especially in crisis communication. Second, homesickness because I was studying abroad. 

Sense of Fulfilment. Academically, having successfully completed my oral examination. Socially, having learned how student well-being is promoted and adapting this to the FEU system. 

Dissertation Writing. Know your positionality. When you know it, have the experience, studied the field—you can’t fake it; everything appears as second nature. On the social side, find an outlet that makes the process bearable. Having such provides the pauses that you need.  

Up Next. I need to publish not because it’s a requirement. I must contribute to the discourse and mainstream framework. On the social side, I want to splurge within my limits. 

Piece of Advice. [Post-graduate study] requires emotional and psychological maturity. Break in before you break. It’s not a walk in the park, but hardships are part of self-growth. 

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Hardie Gieben Cruz 

PhD. in Guidance and Counselling 

Philippine Normal University 

Challenges. Managing the workload. Since I had been appointed to a managerial position I stopped post-graduate study for a while. Thankfully I had the support of the FEU administration. 

Sense of Fulfilment. After I interviewed my research participants, they introduced me to public groups on social media. It was meaningful to know their experience and observe their reactions. 

Dissertation Writing. In the process of writing you will experience more downs than ups. You are also required to address ethical considerations. It may be complicated at first, but [the effort] is worth it in the end. Your defense is just a presentation of what you have done. 

Up Next. Practice my profession. Write studies from my dissertation (I could write three). Focus on my administrative mandate. Teach in the Institute of Education (IE) Graduate School. 

Piece of Advice. Be yourself and trust the process, they say. Many people lose their confidence in [doing coursework and writing dissertation]. Ask yourself: “what is the purpose why I am here?” Elevate yourself.  

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Joseph Jintalan 

EdD. in Curriculum and Instruction 

University of Santo Tomas 

Challenges. I decided to stop schooling when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The Undergraduate Studies Department of IE, which I headed, was transitioning to the “now normal.” We provided our students with much needed support services. 

Sense of Fulfilment. Engaging with other professionals, teachers, and peers. In my firs two years I had the opportunity to interact also with administrators of Catholic schools as well as the late Dr. Fe Hidalgo (former secretary of the Department of Education) who was full of wisdom and experience. Nuns who I thought to be conservative turned out to have progressive ideas. I gained insights into different perspectives on education. 

Dissertation Writing. Find your niche. Sense that lukso ng dugo (instant connection) when choosing a topic. Reflect on what you advocate for. Nobody ever said it was easy. You need to love even the gathering of data on what matters to you. 

Up Next. I am aware of the responsibility in contributing to the production of knowledge. I shall try do more in capacity-building or training of teachers and contribute to the society—train them in FEU or outside, anywhere in the country. 

Piece of Advice. Remember why you started. In times when you feel discouraged, also remember that post-graduate study is only one aspect of your life. While in post-graduate study, be of service to your family, community, and profession. Therefore, you can make sense of all this. 

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Maria Carmen Lapuz 

PhD. in Business Intelligence 

National Kaohsiung University, Taiwan 

Challenges. The entire thing. It doesn’t become easier as data are not always 100 percent reliable, and one works with limitations. I was advised to start with a study that was “not too simple, not too complex” after I had imagined groundbreaking work.  

Sense of Fulfilment. Publishing journal articles and representing Taiwan in a conference in Warsaw, Poland.  

Dissertation Writing. It’s exciting [when you] thirst for knowledge. For me, I couldn’t afford to be miserable. I was up for the challenge. It’s not just a requirement, it’s a goal—PhD., and dissertation is part of it. You must not drag your feet. Ask yourself: “why am I here?” Earn that PhD. 

Up Next. Continue doing research while I perform my duties as academic manager. Being a scholar has pushed me to be more curious, and I want to contribute more, and make an impact as well as give back to FEU by encouraging faculty members that we can collaborate so writing would not be done solo.   

Piece of Advice. Have fun. Relax. Take breathers. You cannot always write. Take all that you can—knowledge, resources. Use what you have to guide your path. Create your own opportunities when you can. 

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Leo Angelo Nery 

PhD. in History 

University of New South Wales, Australia 

Challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic I was separated from my wife and daughter. Also, I did not have much access to online libraries. 

Sense of Fulfilment. Completing my post-graduate degree. It meant that, as a scholar, I had gained new ideas ang perspectives.  

Dissertation Writing. Build the habit of writing. [Celebrate] important milestones [like running segments in a marathon]. Small steps [when taken in total amount to big decisive strides]. 

Up Next. Two-fold: one, publishing and building more knowledge; two, being a mentor to students. 

Piece of Advice. Start early. Do not fear even imposter syndrome. Have the courage to try. 

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Reyett Paunan 

PhD. in Education 

Taylor’s University, Malaysia 

Challenges. Research was out of my comfort zone, and I was coming back to school after 10 years. The rhythm of studying took a while to settle. 

Sense of Fulfilment. Whenever I received approval from my dissertation supervisor… [I saw these as] testaments of my work. 

Dissertation Writing. You [need] to have the patience and perseverance. Stay on course. Stay focused. Accomplishing even the littlest [task] matters. Keep on writing. 

Up Next. I am returning service to the university as I was under a scholarship grant.  

Piece of Advice. Work smart. Seek mentors who are not mere supervisors. Expand your network also by attending conferences. Learn from others and their experience. 

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Celmer Santos 

PhD. in Leadership Studies, major in Business Leadership  

Ateneo De Manila University 

Challenges. Balancing work and studies. Since I was working full time, I didn’t have the privilege of study leave. My family was young, too. 

Sense of Fulfilment. It came in stages. Each semester [my classmates and I] asked ourselves: “why are we doing this?” We found the entire experience fulfilling.

Dissertation Writing. Spend a lot of time writing. Find time to read. Also find ways to find your own rhythm.  

Up Next. Back to work. Catch up on projects. I am contemplating on doing research at the same time teach courses in IABF. 

Piece of Advice. Lessen the number of courses you’re going to take should you encounter difficulty, but never stop because if you do it will be difficult to get back on track. 

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Ronnel Talusan 

PhD. sa Malikhaing Pagsulat 

University of the Philippines Diliman 

Challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic added “drama” to [most of our lives—including mine]. I had to stop studying because I was on tenure track at FEU, so I needed to focus on teaching. 

Sense of Fulfilment. Aside from meeting academic requirements, I wrote a novel.  

Dissertation Writing. While it is tiring and time-consuming, it is also fulfilling as you realize that you worked hard to contribute to the [production of knowledge in] Philippine society… you feel worthy of earning the highest academic degree. 

Up Next. Be active in conferences. Write articles for academic journals and publish creative works.  

Piece of Advice. Be productive as a faculty member. Help improve your program. Serve your students and the Filipino youth. 

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Nikko Visperas 

PhD. in Communication 

Polytechnic University of the Philippines 

Challenges. Change of lifestyle. Change of routine. [I needed to] use time [well] especially in writing my dissertation. 

Sense of Fulfilment. Aside from publishing studies, the nature of the topics, which contribute to the community.  

Dissertation Writing. Dissertation writing is about reading journal articles, writing literature review, and finding research gaps. Exploring contribution to policy recommendation is expected of a dissertation. 

Up Next. In my current role as a practitioner I am trying to marry practice and research. I try to integrate my media practice in academic researches or studies. 

Piece of Advice. Uninterrupted study. Follow your Gantt Chart. Don’t chase time because you’re behind but so you can be ahead. Pauses are also scheduled. 

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Their dissertations are: Castro, J. “Grabbing Empty Air in the Dark”: Filipino Teachers as Crisis Communication Intermediaries During COVID-19; Cruz, HG. “Uncovering Indigenous Voices: The Lived Experiences of LGBTQ Students as Basis for a Mental Health Framework”; Jintalan, J. “Sustainability Education and Critical Thinking in Outcomes-Based Teaching and Learning”; Lapuz, MC. “Linking Intellectual Capital to Service Innovation: A Comparison Study of Serial Mediation and Moderation Analysis in Travel Agency, Hotel, and Airline Services; Nery, LA. “Filipino Women and the Gendering of Sciences in the American Colonial Philippines, 1901-1941;” Paunan, R. “Investigating the Relationships of Principal Change Leadership Competency, Teacher Agency, and Teacher Commitment Among Private Secondary Schools in CALABARZON Region of the Philippines”; Santos, C. “Narrative Voices of NGO Leadership in Successful Community Transformation: An Example from the Philippines”; Talusan, R. “Dugo sa Bagwis ng Anghel: Nobela;” and Visperas, N. “Communicative Practices in the Right to Care Card: Basis for Frameworks on Transformative and Gender-Responsive Communication.”