Education & Culture
combination. Listening tests showed that one of the local species produced the
best sound, besting even the prototype using imported wood.
A guitar model and design for the superior local wood was also developed. The
specific measurements currently being used by local manufacturers are suited to
the features of imported woods, but slight adjustments were made in order to
maximize the potential of the characteristics of local materials. At the end of the
project, the researchers, in tandem with local craftsmen, developed a recipe for
crafting high quality classical guitars using low-cost and sustainable indigenous
wood.
Having successfully produced 13 prototype guitars, the researchers believe their
methods can be extended and adapted to other Philippine musical instruments,
such as the bandurria, octavina, laud, and violin, among others.
The Gitara ni Juan project opens up new horizons for instrument makers, as well
as wood farmers throughout the country. Filipino musicians would also benefit
from the increased availability of good quality, affordable instruments. Early
interest in the Gitara ni Juan from overseas buyers also indicates a strong
potential for expansion into the export market.
Funded by: DOST
Learning English Application for Pinoys (LEAP): Boosting
Filipinos’ English Language Skills Through a Computer-
based App
Susan P. Festin, PhD 1 | Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, PhD 2
1 Department of Computer Science
2 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute
E-mail: [email protected]
English proficiency is often a necessary skill for Filipinos entering the job market,
particularly the lucrative business process outsourcing (BPO) or call center
industry. Research conducted in 2005 showed that a third of BPO companies
have hiring rates of only four to six percent, mainly due to the poor English skills
of their applicants.
Learning English Application for Pinoys (LEAP) was developed to augment
existing English language lessons for high school and early-level collegiate
12 | UP Diliman SALIKSIKHAY