The beauty of research is in its discovery, rediscovery, and publication. In this first issue of Silliman Journal 2022, six research papers from diverse fields present meaningful and interesting insights. The first article by Arsenio D. Bulfa and Jose Edwin C. Cubelo tackles vermicomposting, a biotechnological procedure that helps to enrich and improve the quality of soil. Although understood to be a simple procedure, it considers many factors whose complexity varies. Hence, Bulfa and Cubelo attempt to understand this by conducting a study using a complete randomized design to examine the effects of varied loading schemes on vermicompost recovery and chemical properties using litterdwelling species of earthworm. In the second article, Khris June L. Callano makes a genetic assessment of eggplant and its wild crop relatives. Using DNA barcoding, Callano endeavors to highlight the genetic and taxonomic relationships of the crops. The third and fourth articles are studies in Filipino. In his article, Arnel T. Noval aims to examine the important contribution and value of chosen Sugboanong Balak to develop a teaching model for poetry. For his part, Kendrick M. Kitane investigates the experiences of students learning Filipino using modules. The fifth article delves on queer ecology. Noting the absence of trans voice in mainstream discourse, Marfy M. Cabayao does a queer ecological reading of two docu-narratives. The issue closes with a reading of a text from the Old Testament. In her article, Lily F. Apura does a resistance reading of the Tower of Babel. Enjoy! The cover artwork is by local artist and Sillimanian Cil Flores. Calling it “Everything Reminds Me Of,” Flores says it is a painting of the things that remind her of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental.

Warlito S. Caturay Jr., PhD
Editor