We are proud to present the inaugural issue of our multidisciplinary journal for 2025, a curated volume of research that reflects the evolving landscape of scholarly inquiry across the sciences, humanities, and applied fields.

We begin with Hamzah Abdurraheem’s critical stylistic analysis of Esiaba Irobi’s Nwokedi, which unpacks the rhetoric of violence embedded in language, ideology, and cultural discontent. Using systemic functional linguistics, the study lays bare how linguistic choices can serve both as artistic strategy and social commentary, foregrounding the authorial voice in a narrative of political unrest. The social sciences are strongly represented in Ivan Kaye F. Bantigue and Augusto V. de Viana’s historical sociological study of gang formation in Tondo, Manila. Their work provides a nuanced look at how geography, migration, and marginalization coalesce to shape survival strategies and social identities in one of the country's most complex urban settings.

In the field of health sciences, Beatriz P. Merquita, Mary Clarence P. Malinao, Lily Ann D. Bautista, Maria Mirjana M. Calunod, Jevenus M. Malicay, Sunday Marie M. Cabarrubias, Paul Michael Partosa, and Johnniel S. Evangelista offer an evidence-based comparison of muscle energy technique, dynamic stretching, and a combination of both for alleviating cervical pain. This quasi-experimental study not only adds to the growing literature on physiotherapeutic modalities but also highlights the importance of accessible and non-invasive interventions in community health settings. From the vantage point of environmental and agricultural sciences,

Michaelito A. Naldo explores the pivotal role of nutritionists in reshaping the animal feed industry toward greater sustainability. By advocating for informed choices in feed formulation and the use of alternative raw materials, this paper underscores how technical expertise can drive environmentally responsible practices in the agri-food chain.

Rounding out the issue is a fascinating inquiry. Kim G. Sarong, Dinah Belle P. Abong, Esther Ann Nacita, Marc Daniel Nisperos, Daniel Sarte, Queenie Fritzie Sarte, and Pretty Vilar investigate the antibacterial properties of epidermal mucus in Scarus fish species. Their findings not only contribute to our understanding of aquatic immune defenses but also hold promise for the development of natural antibacterial agents in the fight against pathogenic microbes.

The art cover is by Negros Oriental visual artist and fashion designer, Dan Ryan Duran. It is a vintage Igorot photo printed on scrap fabric.

Warlito S. Caturay Jr. , PhD