BELIEFS, SUPERSTITIONS, AND TRADITIONS: PERSPECTIVES ON

COVID-19 VACCINATION AMONG THE MANOBO TRIBE

IN NORTH COTABATO

__________

A Research Proposal Presented to

The Faculty of Nursing-RT Department
San Pedro College, Davao City

__________

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN RESPIRATORY THERAPY

By

Alpas, Andrey Gallardo, Zaira

Dela Cruz, Sandra Olaco, Luther James
Dimaudtang, Nadjahsalam Sano, Nicole Aska
Encarnacion, Mary Angelika

November 2021
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and … ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE ……………………..…………………………………………………………….. i

TABLE OF CONTENTS ……………………………………………………………………… ii
Introduction
Background of the Study …………………………………………………………………. 3
Literature Review …………………………………………………………………………. 6
Theoretical Lens ………………………………………………………………………….. 11
Purpose of the Study …………………………………………………………………….. 13
Significance of the Study ………………………………………………………………… 13

Method
Research Design …………………………………………………………………………. 15
Study Site …………………………………………………………………………………. 15
Participants ……………………………………………………………………………….. 16
Data Measures ………………………………………………………………………….... 16
Procedure …………………………………………………………………………............ 17
Trustworthiness …………………………………………………………………………... 18
Ethical Considerations …………………………………………………………………... 19
Data Analysis …………………………………………………………………………...... 21

REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………………….......... 22

APPENDICES …………………………………………………………………..……............. 26
Appendix A ………………………………………………………………………..………. 26
Appendix B …………………………………………………………………..……………. 28
Appendix C ………………………………………………………………….…………….. 30
Appendix D …………………………………………………………………………..….....32
Appendix E ……………………………………………………….……....………............ 34
Appendix F …………………………………………………………………………...…... 36
Appendix G ……………………………………………………………………...………... 38
Appendix H ……………………………………………………………………....……...... 40
Appendix I ……………………………………………………………………………….... 42
Appendix J ……………………………………………………………………………....... 43

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH …………………………………………………………….......... 44

 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 3

Introduction

Background of the Study

The Covid-19 vaccines have been developed at an unprecedented rate, with
roughly 458 million doses administered around the world to date. Even though this is the
"largest immunization campaign in history," significant disparities remain in vaccine
access [1]. In 2021, it is estimated that 90 percent of the population of about 70
low-income nations will be unlikely to obtain the vaccine. Meanwhile, wealthy countries
have stockpiled vaccines, with Canada being the most extreme example, having
purchased enough doses for each inhabitant to receive the vaccines five times. Fatima
Hassan, a South African social justice campaigner and human rights lawyer, has dubbed
this as "Vaccine Apartheid". According to Taylor [1], 60 percent of Covid-19 vaccines
have been purchased thus far, while high-income nations account for only 16 percent of
the world's population. Even in places where the vaccine has been made available, huge
gaps exist between who can get it and who cannot, with indigenous, rural, and poor
groups being among the most frequently left behind. Furthermore, there is a lack of
adequate and culturally relevant information that would allow indigenous people to make
educated vaccine decisions.

The Philippines has one of the worst COVID-19 infection rates in Southeast Asia,
predominantly because of vaccine hesitancy. Currently, the number of tracked COVID-19
cases is at an estimated 2,434,753, with 37,405 deaths since January 3, 2020. With this
alarming number, Filipinos worry about catching the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but many
Filipino populations are still not willing to get vaccinated. As reported by CNN
Philippines [2], in late February 2021, a Pulse Asia survey was conducted about the
vaccination hesitancy of Filipinos. Approximately 61% of the 2,400 respondents said
they were not disposed to receiving the vaccine, 16% said they were willing to get
vaccinated, and about 23% were undecided. Currently, the vaccination rollout in the
Philippines is at 43.1 million doses, with 19.7 million Filipinos who are already fully
vaccinated. This number only approximates about 18.2% of the whole Philippine
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 4

population. According to Westerman [3], some of the reasons for vaccine hesitancy are
apprehensions about the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines, conspiracy theories
spread online, misleading information passed by word-of-mouth, vaccine trauma caused
by the DengVaxia controversy, and the price range of the vaccines.

On a local perspective, as of July 31, 2021, the provincial government of North

Cotabato has started the COVID-19 vaccination rollouts to remote areas of the province.
A total of 65 older folks (A2 group) and those with comorbidities (A3), including a
92-year-old lady, got the Johnson&Johnson's Janssen single-dose vaccines [4]. The
barangay immunization initiative's objective is to reach out to elderly people and
individuals with comorbidities, despite their geographic isolation and transportation
problems. Furthermore, a municipal health officer said that a vaccination rollout will
soon be held on the upland towns, which will include many villages and the community
of Manobo [4].

Vaccination hesitancy is one of the biggest problems and controversies in the

Philippines. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) [5] named vaccine hesitancy
as one of the top ten threats to global health. According to Guevarra et al. [6], limited
studies are examining the factors that contribute to vaccine hesitancy. Most of them are
quantitative in nature and only include high-income countries. Since many people have
different opinions on the vaccination rollout in North Cotabato, the researchers aim to
know the perception of the Manobo tribe from North Cotabato towards the COVID-19
vaccination and explore the factors affecting their level of hesitancy. As of 2021, there is
still inadequate data pertaining to the vaccination hesitancy of certain tribes. The majority
of the members of an ethnic community rely solely on the traditional radio and word of
mouth for information dissemination. Consequently, a lot of people have been
speculating with regards to the effects of the COVID-19 vaccine on the health of a
person. The various vaccination misconceptions circulating the media, rapid vaccine
development, polarized socio-political environment, and the innate complexities of the
major scale vaccination efforts may undermine vaccination confidence and contribute to
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 5

the increasing complacency of COVID-19 vaccination (Rutten et al., as cited in [7]).

With this, the researchers aim to explore the in-depth reason and factors affecting
vaccination hesitancy among the Manobo tribe. This, in turn, may help contribute to the
local government of the Matalam, North Cotabato, on how to adequately address the
situation and establish strong and effective strategies to resolve the vaccination hesitancy
in the locality.

A socioeconomic study conducted in Japan on the potential acceptance of

COVID-19 vaccines has shown that only 47% of people are willing to get vaccinated,
31% are still indecisive, and 22% are unwilling. Their study utilized socioeconomic
status, demographic characteristics, and behavioral variables. These determinants
included the participant's gender, age, health status, and household income and assets.
The researchers also discovered that in some families, socioeconomic and behavioral
factors affected vaccination views. Furthermore, prior research has shown a relationship
between COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and other vaccine apprehensions (Kadoya, et
al., as cited in [8]).

The main purpose of the study is to identify the various factors, including their
beliefs, superstitions, and traditions, that affect acquiring COVID-19 vaccines of the
members of the Manobo in North Cotabato. This is to obtain data among the members of
this specific tribe of their opinions, perspectives, and views of the current ongoing
vaccine rollout and whether the members will acquire it as an individual answer of each
member and on the collective verdict of the tribe. The findings of this study will
ultimately affect the health sector as to how they can initiate and implement vaccinations,
especially in North Cotabato, where the Manobo tribes of this study reside.

People doubt the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines mainly because of a lack of
accurate information where the remote area can possibly receive misleading information
such as fake news. The Manobo tribe from North Cotabato needs health education about
the COVID-19 awareness and effectiveness of vaccination against the virus as well as
encouragement to be vaccinated and to believe how the COVID-19 vaccines work to
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 6

human bodies. Accordingly, this is why a member of the Legislative Assembly in Inuvik
and a former nurse, Lesa Semmler, pushes the community-focused and
community-driven educational efforts (Mosby et al., as cited in [9]). Respiratory
therapists play a significant role in combating COVID-19. Aside from administering
therapeutic interventions and diagnostic procedures, the RTs must help directly deliver a
public health message regarding the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the beneficial
results of receiving vaccines to the Manobo tribe of North Cotabato. Thus, the respiratory
therapists and other healthcare providers can contribute their potential knowledge and
skills to gain trust and credibility to the Manobo community, and gain clinical knowledge
and effective strategies that can be applied in their field of providing respiratory care to
the COVID-19 patients and in the promotion to reduce the vaccine hesitancy in other
communities.

This study aims to explore how the beliefs, superstitions, and traditions of the
Manobo Tribe from North Cotabato affect their perception of getting immunization to
fight the pandemic against the COVID-19 virus. It seeks to formulate an implication that
could help health sectors, specifically the barangay and rural health units, reach out to
these indigenous communities usually situated in remote areas.

Literature Review
A study conducted in 2021 [10] about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on
ethnic minority communities utilized a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore
the perspectives of the ethnic community leaders and their members. It focuses on the
community's perception and how the COVID-19 pandemic affects their community as a
whole [10]. They have found that government and public health organizations must
connect with the ethnic communities and leaders to facilitate proper education about the
COVID-19 pandemic to address the underlying causes of being left behind during the
COVID-19 pandemic and even to future pandemics [10]. On the chosen clinical trials, the
study report shows COVID-19 immunization effectiveness and safety. China's Sinovac,
mRNA (Pfizer and Moderna), and AstraZeneca vaccines are being pushed out based on
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 7

the method by which an individual is protected against covid-19 infection. Based on the
idea of multiple doses, such as vaccination schedule, the four vaccines are given in two
doses, separated by a few days. Multi-doses may be required in some situations in order
for an individual to achieve the maximum level of immunity. However, a second dosage
is required in certain cases since not everyone responds proportionately and adequately to
a single dose. Following a series of vaccinations, a vaccine may require boosters for the
entire population or a select group of people to enhance waning immunity after a set
length of time. As a result, two doses of COVID-19 vaccination are advised to guarantee
that individuals obtain the most significant level of protection. In order to protect a
specific population against the local epidemic, a vaccination with reduced vaccine
effectiveness is required. Even if vaccination does not prevent an outbreak, it can save
many lives, money, and hospitalizations, as the study demonstrates. As a result, despite
its poor effectiveness, the AstraZeneca vaccine is nonetheless compelling. Furthermore,
according to the research, the Pfizer vaccine has the most outstanding percentage
efficiency of 95%, indicating success. In comparison to other vaccinations, Pfizer
antibodies take the shortest period, about 20 months (Halim et al., as cited in [11]).

Various conspiracy beliefs arise in situations wherein social crisis is rampant and
in times when heightened fear and uncertainties are present in a community. These beliefs
may attempt to understand challenging and unforeseeable situations. This makes the
current COVID-19 pandemic immensely vulnerable to the spread of beliefs that may
substantially affect vaccination intentions contrarily (Bertin et al., as cited in [12]). In the
cultural perspective, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (2018) [13] states that
approaches towards vaccination originates from (1) individual rights and public health
stances towards vaccination, (2) various religious standpoints and vaccine objections, and
(3) suspicion and mistrust of vaccines among cultures and communities. Firstly,
vaccination hesitancy starts when compulsory vaccinations implemented by law
contradict an individual's liberty about a person's right to care for his or her own body.
This issue is predominantly evident in the United States of America, where individualism
is considered to be an important principle in the people's ideals and values. The
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 8

implementation of public health regulations is intended to safeguard the health of as

many people as possible, but these regulations prioritize the needs of a community rather
than an individual's preference. Moreover, religious belief systems consider alternative
viewpoints towards disease control and prevention. These are fundamentally based on the
belief that the human body is sacred, as it should not receive any chemicals, tissues, or
blood from animals, and therefore healing should be brought upon by God or be done
through natural means. Certain ethical dilemmas about vaccines are also present since the
creation of vaccines involves the usage of human tissue cells. An example of this is the
belief of the Catholic Church in which believers are encouraged to seek alternatives to
vaccines if it is made using cell lines derived from aborted fetuses, deeming medical
interventions as unnecessary. Lastly, the issue of vaccine suspicion and mistrust is
relatively common in disenfranchised communities, that roots in a social and historical
context of mistrust and inequality. Such examples of these communities are African
Americans, Tanzanians, Nigerians, and Muslims. This should be readily addressed by
continued communication pertaining to the acceptable and effective immunization
policies and the collaboration of medical and public health officials with the general
public. In a study conducted by Bertin et al. 2020 in France [12], the research results
suggested that COVID-19 beliefs about outgroups or foreign governments and scientists
have a greater impact on vaccination intention in comparison to ingroups or ones within
the national government and industries. The reason for this points back to the foreign
origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Wuhan, China, and the distrust of multinational
pharmaceutical companies.

A study was conducted in 2020 [14] to explore the concept of superstitions in

health beliefs to analyze, develop and explore superstition under sociology, psychology,
and nursing. Thus, medical personnel should recognize and respect the values of
superstitions to provide patients with the quality healthcare services they need. Another
study supported these boundaries where Chavda added that several factors aggravated the
beliefs in superstitions, including low economic status, propaganda, lack of education,
traditional beliefs, and cultural beliefs.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 9

Furthermore, continuous resistance in accepting the COVID-19 vaccinations in a

specific community is primarily the result of superstitious beliefs, said by the Madras
High Court, as the presence of superstitions appears to be the reason for hesitations in
taking the COVID-19 vaccine shots. The COVID-19 is not the first pandemic the world
encountered, so the Indigenous communities are familiar with pandemics and vaccines
because they lost thousands of fellowmen from different disturbing infectious diseases
decimated from years ago [14]:
● 93.50% of people prayed to deities with a favor to not get infected with the virus.
● 60.30% approached witch doctors when family members suffer COVID-19.
● 45% believed that branding COVID-19 patients is a cure, while 27% started to
believe in the hermetic during the pandemic, and 45% of the people admitted they
believe in lucky charms, amulets, and witch doctors can help cure the COVID-19
infection.

Daria and Rabiul [15] discovered that Hinduists in India use cow dung and urine
to cure COVID-19, as their government claimed that indigenous cows could cure cancer
and any diseases. Believers rub cow dung, urine, and milk on their whole body to protect
them from acquiring the COVID-19 virus while going to cow shelters once a week to
perform a ritual will help them boost energy levels and immune system or drink the urine
of cows. Rural folks in Rajasthan rely on superstitions and barbaric practices of shamans;
hanging of shoes at the facades of their homes will prevent the evil spirits from coming
in, keeping campfires throughout the night will please their deities to protect their lives,
quacks treat villagers infected with COVID-19 by searing their skins with hot iron rods.

Locally, a zombie apocalypse and an end of the world are circulating throughout
the country as these conspiracies primarily came from the faith healers, shamans, and
fortune tellers in the Philippines, where these people claim they have foreseen the future
of this pandemic. Some Filipinos believe that the COVID-19 is the curse from our
Creator, where compatriots use religious beliefs to fight the virus. A news article from the
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 10

Rappler discloses that a Davao-based preacher advised his followers to decline the
COVID-19 vaccines or not get vaccinated as it will endanger body and soul as
Evangelical churches claimed this dilemma is from a biblical prophecy. The Christian
preacher added that the people who received the vaccines would die after two years
because of the presence of the metal ingredients; to support these claims, another pastor
convinced his fellow man with the use of God's power and told Rappler how Filipinos are
just mere guinea pigs in the experiment. Furthermore, Indigenous elders from the
Mountain Province of Cordillera performed various protective rituals to ward off disease
or disaster and seek protection. A ritual invoking the Lumawig to cleanse and protect the
Sagada from the pandemic; A sacrificial chicken as a symbol of protection for the
Manengtey in Bontoc and a fire has kept burning for days in the heart of dap-ay as a
protective charm against the virus; while a knotted grass or arched bamboo shoots placed
as warning signs along the pathways in Malibcong, Abra to keep people entering the
town. Indigent people mainly believe in the deities, sacred animals, sacred places,
medicinal herbs, and mythical power as their superstition to help prevent acquiring
infectious and deadly diseases.

In 2021, Coburn [22] discloses how indigent people face various health
challenges, making this COVID-19 add to its burdens by destroying the relationships in
communities as the Indigenous people mistrust the healthcare system and become more
anti-vaxxers because of the misinformation. However, Mr. Coburn reminds society to
avoid the same pitfalls of anchoring the Indigenous attitudes to the distant past, but
people should not overlook the participation of the Indigenous people in their
competency and health literacy. On the other hand, Daria S, Islam MdR pointed out the
role of public health authorities in the development of health programs to educate the
religious believers regarding the clinical information about the COVID-19 and how
government should connect to the religious leaders and faith communities to speak out
the importance of hygiene, cleanliness, and sanitation for the total wellness of the human
body.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 11

Traditions play a major role in a tribe's general decision on addressing problems

or formulating collective decisions. It could be from the way of life, or the application of
one's own share of medicine passed down, which can be close or completely different
depending on scientifically proven medical practices. In Tanzania, where half a million of
its population belong to tribal groups, had decided to deny any access to vaccines.
Moreover, these were supported by the statement of their Executive of the African
Population and Health Research Center, Catherine Kyobutungi (2020), that they should
trust in God and rely on traditional African remedies to prevent getting the virus
(Cherofsky & Madsa, as cited in [23]).

In the Philippines, Filipino folks and members of indigenous groups are fond of a
traditional medical system composed of bonesetting, pulse diagnosis, herbology, cupping,
body steaming, spiritual healing, and the likes (Nomoto, as cited in [24]). These practices
are widely used as prevention or treatment of an existing disease. In addition, according
to the paper of Sarmiento (2020) [25], about the tribe's plant-based medical system, the
Manobos have a tradition of medical practices, specifically the use of plants for
treatments against respiratory conditions such as asthma and coughs. They also added
that the elders continue to use herbal medicines and shun commercial drugs that the
government provides for free to remote tribal communities. In such cases, members of
tribes are much more reliant on the things that are already practiced and passed down by
their ancestors than on the latest and scientific-based medicine [25].

Theoretical Lens
The COVID-19 unprecedented global spread has forced significant public health
measures such as mandatory stay-at-home orders and economic shutdowns [26]. To work
on this problem, experts have encouraged people to take safe and effective vaccines as a
game-changing tool to fight against the COVID-19. Immunization is a universal term in
the health and medical field, saving thousands of lives every year. Vaccines reduce the
risk of contracting certain diseases by enhancing the human body's natural defenses. The
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 12

World Health Organization (2021) [26] ensures fair access to vaccines for everyone and
that each country can roll them out to protect their citizens from the COVID-19 virus. But
before the actual rollout of vaccines, organizations and programs conduct surveys to
ensure that the vaccine recipients are distributed, especially in the most vulnerable
sectors.

Accordingly, this study utilizes a theory-based approach, particularly the Theory

of Risk Perception and the Risk Perception Model proposed by Sander van der Linden in
his research study in 2015 [27]. Although the concept was originally developed for
climate change, it may also be used in any other issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The model encompasses three fundamental aspects of risk, which are the cognitive
factors (knowledge), experiential factors (emotions and personal experience), and
socio-cultural factors (social norms and values orientation) [27]. In addition, this idea
also includes a socio-demographic profile (age, gender, ethnicity, education level, etc.) as
its sub-variable.

The Gateway Belief Model is another theoretical model from Van der Linden and
Kerr [28] that has been widely utilized in relation to climate change and other situations,
such as vaccination hesitancy. It is a dual-process theory of attitude change among people
with regard to the information they receive. The theory states that when people face
uncertainty, they tend to prefer the experts' and authorities' opinions over the general
population, enabling them to check joint group decisions quickly and effectively.
Moreover, scientific consensus agreements quickly spread through interpersonal
communications with friends and family in a shared social group. This is crucial since
people frequently misperceive social consensus in this type of communication. Thus, the
public commonly misunderstands the scientific facts about COVID-19, which then leads
to affecting their perspective towards COVID-19 vaccination.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 13

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to explore the beliefs, superstitions, and traditions of
the Manobo tribe of North Cotabato about COVID-19 vaccination.

Research Questions
1. What are the beliefs, superstitions, and traditions of the Manobo Tribe of North
Cotabato about the COVID-19 Virus?
2. How do these beliefs, superstitions, and traditions of the Manobo tribe affect their
perceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine?
3. What are the implications of their perceptions about COVID-19 vaccination in the
following health sector;
3.1 Barangay Health Unit
3.2 Rural Health Unit?

Significance of the Study

This study focuses on finding the various factors that relate to the COVID-19
vaccine among the Manobo tribe in North Cotabato. The findings of this study will then
be beneficial to the following:

Manobo tribe and other indigenous people. To the respondents themselves, it will
allow them to know the different perspectives of their own fellow tribe members to the
COVID-19 vaccine in various ways such as if they are for it, against it, or skeptical about
the vaccines. The results of the study can be used as additional information about the
tribe, especially in their view of modern medicine such as vaccines. Results may also
give a general conclusion on the tribe's perspective of vaccines, specifically the
COVID-19 vaccines, which could then be handed over to the Department of Health that
heads the overall vaccine rollout.

For respiratory therapy education. It instills into the students that the persons that
they will encounter in the field will have varied backgrounds in life. It highlights the
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 14

importance of this fact to promote the student to apply different methods and adapt to
their culture in treating their patients without demeaning their way of life.

For the respiratory therapy administration in the institution. It opens up the

possibilities to include tribal groups in their programs to expose the students to the
communities. It adds a new perspective to the community engagement program as well as
can be a way to promote the course to the different communities.

Respiratory therapy practice. The findings of this study can be used as a basis by
the medical health workers, especially respiratory therapists, to plan out strategies in their
goal to vaccinate the entire population of the country, including the different tribes
wherein in this study is focused towards the Manobo tribe of North Cotabato.

Respiratory therapy research. The study can be used as reference material for any
future studies that relate to vaccinations that will focus on or include the perspective of
the Manobo tribe in North Cotabato in their studies.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 15

Method

Research Design
The study will use descriptive qualitative research design pursuing assumptions of
epistemology and axiology under philosophical underpinnings to gather the different
reasons for the existing beliefs, superstitions, and traditions of the Manobo tribe that
affect their perceptions of the Covid 19 vaccine [29]. Through this design, exploration
and descriptions of the varying lived experiences of the community that greatly affect
their perspective is possible. Consequently, axiological assumptions will be used to
promote consistency and honesty throughout the research, including the researcher's
existing values, biases, and intuition to have a much credible data interpretation. Lastly,
the epistemological assumption is expected to give direction for collecting data in the
participant's natural setting by trying to get as close as possible to the participants and
minimizing the gap between the researcher and the members of the Manobo tribe without
causing any disturbance that could influence the credibility of the future results.

A paradigm of social constructivism or advocacy will be utilized to give emphasis

between the beliefs, superstitions, and traditions of the Manobo tribe affecting their
perspectives towards COVID-19 vaccinations. This will enable the study to develop
findings based on the shared perspectives and experiences of the tribe, rather than
individual.

Study Site

The researchers will conduct a data gathering in the City of Kidapawan, North
Cotabato Province to determine beliefs, superstitions, and traditions of Manobo tribe
regarding the COVID-19 vaccination.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 16

Participants
The researchers will be gathering ten (10) participants of the Manobos who are
gonna participate in conducting the study through data gathering. The participants of the
study are over 18 years old or older, so there will be no minors. Moreover, the study
only includes the pure-blooded Manobos residing in Brgy. Kibia, Matalam, Cotabato. By
these criteria, those who are not part of the Manobo tribes and those who have
neuromuscular disorders that can hinder their participation are excluded from the study.

The researchers will be using purposive sampling and snowball sampling. Prior to
the criteria of having a specific group of communities to be studied, purposive sampling
is an ideal strategy to gather a group of people for in-depth information regarding a
phenomenon. Moreover, snowball sampling helps the researchers to find more willing
participants by having other participants recruit or recommend other Manobos within the
community.

Data Measures
A researcher-made semi-structured interview guide questions will be used to
explore the various beliefs, superstitions, and traditions of the Manobo tribe of North
Cotabato about the COVID-19 vaccine. This provides objective candidate comparisons
while also allowing for spontaneous exploration of issues about the beliefs, superstitions,
and traditions on the vaccine. The questionnaire consists of three major parts: informed
consent, participant's data information sheet, and the interview guide questions.

The initial part of the questionnaire reveals the data information sheet, which
contains the participant's name, age, sex, marital status, address, and tribe. On the other
hand, the second part is the interview guide questions which comprise of two major
categories: (a) the beliefs, superstitions, and traditions of the tribe, (b) perceptions to
COVID-19 vaccines.

The participant will be gathered and interviewed individually for approximately

20 minutes over Google Meet. Additionally, to measure the reliability and validity of the
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 17

responses, the researchers will schedule a focus group discussion among the participants.
This will facilitate in determining the range of opinions, ideas. The inconsistencies and
variation exist in the tribe in terms of their beliefs, superstitions, and traditions about the
vaccine.

Procedure
Before actually proceeding with the data gathering on the selected participants,
the researchers will first prepare the needed materials and the research proposal, which
compromises the key points related to the topic, a semi-structured questionnaire that will
serve as an interview guide, and letters that will be addressed to different offices for the
study's permission and approval. After compiling these papers, the researchers will
undergo a grammar check and anti-plagiarism check by submitting the research proposal
to the RPIC. An oral defense will be held, together with a panel of experts, to evaluate the
manuscript for errors and as well as to acquire fundamental insights regarding the
specifications essential for the research.

Revisions on the manuscript are anticipated with respect to the commentaries

from technical experts after the oral presentation. Furthermore, the researchers will
formulate a well-established questionnaire as part of the revision of the research proposal,
to be validated by the San Pedro College - Research Ethics Office (SPC-REC) to assess
the completeness of the research proposal.

Upon receiving the SPC Research Ethics Committee's approval, the researchers
will immediately submit a letter addressed to the SPC Dean of RT-Nursing Department to
ask permission for the student researchers to conduct an interview with the selected
participants outside the school premises. The following step upon receiving the
permission would be sending the letters to the National Commission on Indigenous
People (NCIP), Office of the Mayor of Kidapawan, and the tribe leader (Datu) of the
Manobo to ask permission for the selected site. Additionally, a letter of invitation and
certificate of consent will also be provided for the participants. The approved set of
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 18

questionnaires will serve as the guide in interviewing the selected participants. A chosen
researcher member nearest to the selected site will be present, to assist during the
interview connecting the participants and the rest of the members via an internet
platform, Google Meet. During the interview, an interpreter will also be present to fill in
gaps between the researchers and the members of the tribe. The data acquired from the
participants will be analyzed and interpreted to come up with established findings and
implications for the final manuscript of the study.

Another oral defense will be held for the evaluation of the final manuscript with
another set of technical experts. After the presentation, there will be a dissemination of
research implications and recommendations. Finally is the publication of the final
research manuscript. Data privacy and confidentiality will be guaranteed by deleting all
the interview files collated by the research leader and selected interviewers from the
Google Meet session.

Trustworthiness
It is crucial to scrutinize the trustworthiness of every phase of the study from the
preparation, collection of data, data organization, data interpretation, and reporting of
results. This research study will be conducted with regards to the criteria of
trustworthiness developed by Lincoln and Guba (1985), which includes credibility,
transferability, dependability, and confirmability [30].

Credibility. The researchers will use the appropriate research design and methods
to ensure the internal validity of the entire study. In addition, the researchers will be
providing multiple data references to guarantee comprehensive and well-developed
related literature.

Transferability. This study will make clear themes and contextualize the patterns
of cultural and social ties among the selected participants to achieve external validity. The
data findings of this study will be distributed and utilized by other individuals, groups,
and communities for which the study is intended.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 19

Dependability. The researchers will strictly impose consistency and reliability

within the findings of the study for replicability. There will be careful conceptualizations
which will draw out implications to be critiqued by interested researchers in the same
field of expertise and use as literature.

Confirmability. The researchers will thoroughly examine the data collated from
the subjective interviews of the participants to come up with accurate findings and
implications for the study. A panel of validators and commentators will then evaluate the
transparent narration of the totality of the research to secure that the findings are
supported with genuine data.

Ethical Considerations
The researchers will conduct this study strictly according to the code of ethics by
considering the following ethical principles to avoid any possible risks or harm to the
participants.

Voluntary participation and consent. The researchers will first contact the National
Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) to inform the commission that the study will
involve the Manobo community as the primary participants and will have to wait to be
acknowledged before conducting the study. Upon approval from the NCIP, prior to
gathering data from the participants, the researchers will give an orientation to explain the
nature, purpose, and goal of the study being conducted and ensure that they understand
and comprehend it. In addition, the researchers will also alot a time for an open forum to
answer any queries the tribal members may have and provide an information sheet that
further elaborates the study. Informed consent will then be given to the tribal members as
a legal document that ensures that the participants willingly choose to take part in the
study. The researchers will respect the decisions and the freedom of choice of each tribal
member and will only conduct the study under those that have agreed to be a participant.
The researchers will strictly not do any procedures involving persuasion and deception to
force the tribal members to participate in the study.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 20

Privacy and confidentiality. The anonymity and confidentiality of the participants

will be preserved by not revealing their basic information, including names, location and
contact information, in the data collection, analysis and reporting of the study findings
[31]. All interview files gathered from the participants will be held with the utmost
confidentiality. These will strictly only be used to gather data from the participants and
nothing more. Gathered data will only be accessible to the researchers throughout the
entire study. After the successful completion, as stated previously, all files containing
confidential information, especially basic information, will completely be deleted,
including all back-ups.

Minimization of Risk. The study will minimize the possibilities of risk as much as
possible. Risks defined in this study are in accordance with the University of Oregon's
(2020) criteria in Human Subjects Research, which states risks involving physical,
psychological, social or economic, legal, and the loss of confidentiality [32]. The
researchers will strictly adhere to their premade questions for the interview. They will
only deviate from it on the basis that it does not overlap with the criteria and if the
question will enable the researchers to obtain valuable information. Furthermore, the
researchers will only conduct the study onto participants that are of legal age (18 years
old as of the day of the interview and above).

Validity and reliability. In order to obtain valid and reliable data, the researchers
will, as much as possible, strictly adhere to its pre-made questions when interviewing the
participants. This will reduce the possibility of introducing unnecessary answers that will
deviate from the main focus of the study. However, questions that may further introduce
valuable information may be asked by the researchers to the participants during the
interview as long as it does not pose a risk to the participant, as stated in the minimization
of risks.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 21

Data Analysis

This study will utilize Braun and Clarke's 6-step thematic qualitative data analysis
to properly identify the themes or the significant patterns in the data and use these themes
to address the issue of the study. Generally, this data analysis method is used to approach
large data sets and use a subjective interpretation in organizing the data into broad themes
[33]. Braun and Clark's framework comprises six steps which are: familiarization of
data, generating of initial codes, generating of themes, reviewing of themes, defining and
naming themes, and writing up.

The first step of this method focuses on familiarizing the totality of the data's
overview collected from the study participants. Afterwhich, the data collected will be
initially coded according to their corresponding contents and patterns, which will result in
words or sentences with common ideas recurring all throughout the data. Themes will be
created from the codes, which are generally broader and convey significant ideas related
to the data collected. Next, the identified themes will be compared to the data collected,
in which modifications and further development to the preliminary themes may be made.
Each of the preliminary themes will then be named and defined. The naming of themes
involves making brief, concise, and coherent names while defining themes involves the
construction of the exact meanings of each theme and determining how this theme will
help in the understanding of the data collected. Lastly, the data analyzed will be put into
writings, particularly in the results, discussions, and conclusion. In addition, the themes
gathered will focus on the latent level of themes which is generally about the
interpretation within the ideas, conceptualizations, assumptions, and ideologies [34].
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 22

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 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 24

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28. ‌Kerr, J. R., & Linden, S. Communicating expert consensus increases personal
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Guide for Learning and Teaching Scholars. All Ireland Journal of Teaching and Learning
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2017. Accessed on November 12, 2021.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 26

APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
LETTER OF PERMISSION

Dr. Sarah Bernadette Baleña

Dean of RT-Nursing Department
San Pedro College

Dear Ma’am,

Good day!

We are the third-year BS-Respiratory Therapy students of San Pedro College who are
currently taking Introduction to Research Methods. Our research is titled "Beliefs,
Superstitions, and Traditions: Perspectives on Covid-19 Vaccination Among the Manobo
Tribe in North Cotabato". The study aims to explore the different beliefs, superstitions,
and traditions of the Manobo tribe of North Cotabato that could affect their perspectives
about COVID-19 vaccination. In light of this, we would like to ask permission for us to
proceed with our research study.

Should this request merit your approval, you may contact the head researcher, Ms. Zaira
Gallardo, to further discuss the details with you. She may be reached through the mobile
number (+63 915 533 0049) or through the email address (zairagallardo42@gmail.com).

We hope for your favorable response regarding this matter.

Thank you.

Respectfully yours,

Andrey Alpas Zaira Gallardo Nicole Aska Sano

Sandra Grace dela Cruz Mary Angelika Encarnacion

Nadjahsalam Dimaudtang Luther James Olaco

 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 27

Noted by:

Asso. Prof. Samuel F. Migallos, PhD, RN

Research Instructor

Approved by:

Dr. Sarah Bernadette Baleña

Dean of RT-Nursing Department
San Pedro College
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 28

APPENDIX B
LETTER OF PERMISSION

Eric Raz, LLB

NCIP Provincial Officer
Kidapawan City

Dear Sir,

Good day!

We are the third-year BS-Respiratory Therapy students of San Pedro College who are
currently taking Introduction to Research Methods. Our research is titled "Beliefs,
Superstitions, and Traditions: Perspectives on Covid-19 Vaccination Among the Manobo
Tribe in North Cotabato". The study aims to explore the beliefs, superstitions, and
traditions of the Manobo tribe of North Cotabato that could affect their perspectives about
COVID-19 vaccination. In light of this, we would like to ask for your approval if we
could gather 15 members of the Manobo Tribe from your region as respondents for our
study.

Should this request merit your approval, you may contact Ms. Sandra Grace R. dela Cruz
to further discuss the details with you. She may be reached through mobile number (+63
917 120 2117) or through the email address (delacruzsands0910@gmail.com).

We hope for your favorable response regarding this matter.

Thank you.
Respectfully yours,

Andrey Alpas Zaira Gallardo Nicole Aska Sano

Sandra Grace dela Cruz Mary Angelika Encarnacion

Nadjahsalam Dimaudtang Luther James Olaco

 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 29

Noted by:

Asso. Prof. Samuel F. Migallos, PhD, RN

Research Instructor

Approved by:

Eric Raz, LLB

NCIP Provincial Officer
Kidapawan City
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 30

APPENDIX C
LETTER OF PERMISSION

Mayor Joseph A. Evangelista

City Mayor
Kidapawan City, North Cotabato

Dear Sir,

Good day!

We are the third-year BS-Respiratory Therapy students of San Pedro College who are
currently taking Introduction to Research Methods. Our research is titled "Beliefs,
Superstitions, and Traditions: Perspectives on Covid-19 Vaccination Among the Manobo
Tribe in North Cotabato". The study aims to explore the beliefs, superstitions, and
traditions of the Manobo tribe of North Cotabato that could affect their perspectives about
COVID-19 vaccination. In light of this, we would like to ask for your approval if we
could gather 15 members of the Manobo Tribe from your region as respondents for our
study.

Should this request merit your approval, you may contact Ms. Sandra Grace R. dela Cruz
to further discuss the details with you. She may be reached through mobile number (+63
917 120 2117) or through the email address (delacruzsands0910@gmail.com).

We hope for your favorable response regarding this matter.

Thank you.

Respectfully yours,

Andrey Alpas Zaira Gallardo Nicole Aska Sano

Sandra Grace dela Cruz Mary Angelika Encarnacion

Nadjahsalam Dimaudtang Luther James Olaco

 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 31

Noted by:

Asso. Prof. Samuel F. Migallos, PhD, RN

Research Instructor

Approved by:

Mayor Joseph A. Evangelista

City Mayor
Kidapawan City, North Cotabato
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 32

APPENDIX D
LETTER OF PERMISSION

Datu Camilo B. Icdang

Deputy Mayor for IP Affairs
Kidapawan City

Dear Sir,

Good day!

We are the third-year BS-Respiratory Therapy students of San Pedro College who are
currently taking Introduction to Research Methods. Our research is titled "Beliefs,
Superstitions, and Traditions: Perspectives on Covid-19 Vaccination Among the Manobo
Tribe in North Cotabato". The study aims to explore the beliefs, superstitions, and
traditions of the Manobo tribe of North Cotabato that could affect their perspectives about
COVID-19 vaccination. In light of this, we would like to ask for your approval if we
could gather 15 members of the Manobo Tribe from your region as respondents for our
study.

Should this request merit your approval, you may contact Ms. Sandra Grace R. Dela Cruz
to further discuss the details with you. She may be reached through mobile number (+63
917 120 2117) or through the email address (delacruzsands0910@gmail.com).

We hope for your favorable response regarding this matter.

Thank you.

Respectfully yours,

Andrey Alpas Zaira Gallardo Nicole Aska Sano

Sandra Grace dela Cruz Mary Angelika Encarnacion

Nadjahsalam Dimaudtang Luther James Olaco

 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 33

Noted by:

Asso. Prof. Samuel F. Migallos, PhD, RN

Research Instructor

Approved by:

Datu Camilo B. Icdang

Deputy Mayor for IP Affairs
Kidapawan City
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 34

APPENDIX E
LETTER TO THE PARTICIPANTS

Dear Participant:

We, the researchers from the Respiratory Therapy Department of San Pedro College, are
currently conducting research entitled Beliefs, Superstitions, and Traditions:
Perspectives on COVID-19 Vaccination Among the Manobo Tribe in North
Cotabato, would like to invite you to be a participant in our study.

We hope you can help us by providing your subjective response about your tribe's
perspectives on COVID-19 vaccination. We guarantee that all information acquired will
remain private between the participant and the interviewer. Additionally, you may
withdraw your participation at any moment, since this survey is completely optional. We
are looking forward for your favorable response and rest assured that your confirmation
and participation will be of great value for the successful completion of this research
study.

Should you participate in our study, the researchers assure you that all information and
data collated will remain confidential. Overall, this interview will take 20 minutes most
of your time. If you have any questions regarding the consent and the data collection, you
may contact the head researcher, Ms. Zaira Gallardo, to further discuss the details with
you. She may be reached through the mobile number (+63 915 533 0049) or through the
email address (zairagallardo42@gmail.com).

Thank you.

Respectfully yours,

Andrey Alpas Zaira Gallardo Nicole Aska Sano

Sandra Grace dela Cruz Mary Angelika Encarnacion

Nadjahsalam Dimaudtang Luther James Olaco

 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 35

Noted by:

Asso. Prof. Samuel F. Migallos, PhD, RN

Research Instructor
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 36

APPENDIX F
INFORMED CONSENT FORM FOR THE PARTICIPANTS
MANOBO TRIBE NORTH COTABATO

This is an Informed Consent Form to the members of the Manobo Tribe of Kidapawan,
North Cotabato. We, the researchers from the Respiratory Therapy Department of San
Pedro College, are currently conducting a research study entitled Beliefs, Superstitions,
and Traditions: Perspectives on COVID-19 Vaccination Among the Manobo Tribe
in North Cotabato, would like to invite you to be a participant in our study.

We guarantee that all information acquired will remain private between the participant
and the interviewer. Additionally, you may withdraw your participation at any moment,
since this survey is completely optional. We are looking forward for your favorable
response and rest assured that your confirmation and participation will be of great value
for the successful completion of this research study.

Should you participate in our study, the researchers assure you that all information and
data collated will remain confidential. Overall, this interview will take 20 minutes most
of your time. If you have any questions regarding the consent and the data collection, you
may contact the head researcher, Ms. Zaira Gallardo, to further discuss the details with
you. She may be reached through the mobile number (+63 915 533 0049) or through the
email address (zairagallardo42@gmail.com).

Respectfully yours,

Andrey Alpas
Sandra dela Cruz
Nadjahsalam Dimaudtang
Mary Angelika Encarnacion
Zaira Gallardo
Luther James Olaco
Nicole Aska Sano

I, _____________________________, of legal age and a member of the Manobo Tribe

from North Cotabato, voluntarily consent to partake in this research study entitled
“Beliefs, Superstitions, and Traditions: Perspectives on COVID-19 Vaccination Among
the Manobo Tribe in North Cotabato”.

___________________________________ __________________________
Participant Signature Over Printed Name Date Signed (mm-dd-yyyy)
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 37

___________________________________ __________________________
Researcher Signature Over Printed Name Date Signed (mm-dd-yyyy)

Noted by:

Asso. Prof. Samuel F. Migallos, PhD, RN

Research Instructor
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 38

APPENDIX G
INTERVIEW GUIDE QUESTIONNAIRE

Dear Participant:

We, the researchers from the Respiratory Therapy Department of San Pedro College, are
currently conducting research entitled Beliefs, Superstitions, and Traditions:
Perspectives on COVID-19 Vaccination Among the Manobo Tribe in North
Cotabato, would like to invite you to be a participant in our study.

This questionnaire will consist of two main parts:

PART I: Participant’s Data Information Sheet
PART II: Interview Guide Questionnaire
(a.) The beliefs, superstitions, and traditions of the tribe and;
(b.) Perceptions to COVID-19 vaccines.

We guarantee that all information acquired will remain private between the participant
and the interviewer. Additionally, you may withdraw your participation at any moment,
since this survey is completely optional. We are looking forward for your favorable
response and rest assured that your confirmation and participation will be of great value
for the successful completion of this research study.

Should you participate in our study, the researchers assure you that all information and
data collated will remain confidential. Overall, this interview will take 20 minutes most
of your time. If you have any questions regarding the consent and the data collection, you
may contact the head researcher, Ms. Zaira Gallardo, to further discuss the details with
you. She may be reached through the mobile number (+63 915 533 0049) or through the
email address (zairagallardo42@gmail.com).

Respectfully yours,

Andrey Alpas
Sandra dela Cruz
Nadjahsalam Dimaudtang
Mary Angelika Encarnacion
Zaira Gallardo
Luther James Olaco
Nicole Aska Sano
The Researchers
BSRT-3A
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 39

PART I: Participant’s Data Information Sheet

Name:

Age: Sex: Marital Status:

Address: Tribe:

PART II: Interview Guide Questions

This study utilizes a researcher-made semi-structured questionnaire that provides

objective candidate comparisons while also allowing for spontaneous exploration of
issues about the beliefs, superstitions, and traditions about the vaccine. Additionally, to
measure the reliability and validity of the responses, the researchers will schedule a focus
group discussion among the participants.
The interview guide questions comprise of 2 major categories: (1) The beliefs,
superstitions, and traditions of the tribe and; (2) Perceptions to COVID-19 vaccines.

A.) The beliefs, superstitions, and traditions of the Tribe

1. Are you aware of the COVID-19 virus?
2. What are your beliefs about the COVID-19 virus?
3. Do you have any existing superstitious beliefs about pandemics like the COVID-19
virus?
4. Do you have any existing traditions about the occurrence of pandemics like the
COVID-19 pandemic?
5. What are the different preventive measures you practice to avoid contracting the
virus?

B.) Perceptions to COVID-19 vaccines

1. Are you aware of the COVID-19 vaccine?
2. What are your perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine?
4. Do you believe that vaccines are essential to prevent contracting the dangerous
COVID-19 virus?
4. If you have the chance to get vaccinated, are you willing to get the vaccine? If YES,
why?
5. If your answer to the previous question is NO, what hinders you from getting
vaccinated?
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 40

APPENDIX H
LETTER TO THE VALIDATORS

__________________________
__________________________
__________________________

Dear Ma’am / Sir,

Good day!

We are the third-year BS-Respiratory Therapy students of San Pedro College who are
currently taking Introduction to Research Methods. Our research is titled "Beliefs,
Superstitions, and Traditions: Perspectives on Covid-19 Vaccination Among the Manobo
Tribe in North Cotabato". The study aims to explore the different beliefs, superstitions,
and traditions of the Manobo tribe of North Cotabato that could affect their perspectives
about COVID-19 vaccination. In light of this, we would like to ask permission for us to
proceed with our research study.

Should this request merit your approval, you may contact the head researcher, Ms. Zaira
Gallardo, to further discuss the details with you. She may be reached through the mobile
number (+63 915 533 0049) or through the email address (zairagallardo42@gmail.com).

We hope for your favorable response regarding this matter.

Thank you.

Respectfully yours,

Andrey Alpas Zaira Gallardo Nicole Aska Sano

Sandra Grace dela Cruz Mary Angelika Encarnacion

Nadjahsalam Dimaudtang Luther James Olaco

 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 41

Noted by:

Asso. Prof. Samuel F. Migallos, PhD, RN

Research Instructor
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 42

APPENDIX I
INSTRUMENT VALIDATION SHEET
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 43

APPENDIX J
GRAMMARLY CHECK AND ANTI-PLAGIARISM
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 44

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

OF THE

AUTHORS
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ANDREY M. ALPAS
Third-Year Student, Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
San Pedro College, Davao City, Philippines
Mobile No. (09612545310)
FB Messenger @Potato.Dreeey; Email: alpasandrey@gmail.com

Andrey attended Matalam High School for his junior high school. Furthermore,
he graduated with a senior high school diploma at Ateneo de Davao - Senior High
School. He is currently a third-year student in Bachelor of Science in Respiratory
Therapy (BSRT) at San Pedro College, Davao City.

He has consistently been an honor student from Junior High School to her Senior
High School years. In relation to this, Andrey completed his Senior High School program
at the Ateneo de Davao University under an academic scholarship called Top 500. Also,
he has been a scholar of San Pedro College since his first year in the Respiratory Therapy
department. Throughout his academic years, Andrey was also an active member of Chess
varsity and Science & Mathematics Club. Consequently, he also attended outside school
training and seminars for the academics of high school students such as Science Quest
and Math Competitions. Nowadays, he is an active member of SPC Socio-Medical
Association of Respiratory Therapy Students (SMARTS) as an auditor.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 46

SANDRA GRACE R. DELA CRUZ

Third-Year Student, Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
San Pedro College, Davao City, Philippines
Mobile No. (09171202117)
FB Messenger @ Sandra de la Cruz; Email: delacruzsands0910@gmail.com

Sandra dela Cruz attended Stella Maris Academy of Davao for her junior high
school. She graduated with a senior high school diploma at San Pedro College. She is
currently a third-year student in Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) at
San Pedro College, Davao City.

She is an athletic person that strives hard both in her sports and academics. In her
senior high, she got third honors and also in her first year of college. She was also the
cluster head last 2019 of the SHS intramurals. Since she was a varsity, she has had no
clubs and organizations.
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NADJAHSALAM G. DIMAUDTANG
Third-Year Student, Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
San Pedro College, Davao City, Philippines
Mobile No. (09261971248)
FB Messenger @ Nadjah Dimaudtang;
Email: nadjahsalam_dimaudtang@spcdavao.edu.ph

Nadjahsalam Gonsang Dimaudtang finished her junior high school education at

University Laboratory School – University of Southern Mindanao in 2017, thereafter
completing her senior high school at Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) in the year
2019. She is currently studying for, Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy in San
Pedro College and is in her third-year level.

In junior high school, she was the editor-in-chief of the official school’s Filipino
publication – “Gintong Butil.” She was a medical officer of the Citizenship Advancement
Training with a captain rank. In Senior High School, she was one of the Top 500 students
who were granted a full scholarship by AdDU. She is consistently an honor student and
finished her senior high school With Honors.

In college, she was the class treasurer when she was in her first year. From her
second year of college until now, she has been the class president of BSRT-3A. She is a
consistent dean’s lister and an active member of the Student Congress, College Red Cross
Youth, Peer Facilitator’s Group, and Iman – Muslim Students Organization. She was
awarded by the Student Congress – Servus Princeps Awards as a Student Congress
Awardee, Herald of Vibrance, Herald of Proactivity, and Herald of Commitment.
Furthermore, she was nominated in two categories for the Gawad Pedro Awards
organized by the Saligan Student Council. She was one of the top 5 nominees for “Most
Outstanding Class President,” and the dean of the respiratory therapy department
nominated her as the “Most Outstanding Sophomore.” Fortunately, she was also one of
the top 5 nominees.

At present, she is the Internal Vice President of the Socio-Medical Association of

Respiratory Therapy Students.
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MARY ANGELIKA A. ENCARNACION

Third-year student, Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
San Pedro College, Davao City, Philippines
Mobile No. (09994413664)
Facebook Messenger @ Angelika Encarnacion; Email:
encarnacionmaryangelika@gmail.com

Mary Angelika Encarnacion attended Kabacan Wesleyan Academy, Inc. for her
junior high school. She graduated senior high school at Colegio de Kidapawan, Inc. She
is currently a third-year student in Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy at San
Pedro College, Davao City.

She has been an honor student in her junior high school and senior high school
years. She attended Journalism Seminar and Workshop in August 2016, and she was an
active member of Youth for Environment in School Organization (YES-O) during junior
high school. Moreover, she participated as a nursing aide in the Bloodletting Program of
Kidapawan Blood Bank Center during her immersion days in senior high school. She also
joined the SPC Director's Guild from 2019-2020.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 49

ZAIRA C. GALLARDO
Third-Year Student, Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
San Pedro College, Davao City, Philippines
Mobile No. (09155330049)
FB Messenger @ Zaira Gallardo; Email: zairagallardo42@gmail.com

Zaira Gallardo attended Maryknoll College of Panabo for her junior high school.
She graduated with a senior high school diploma at Davao Doctor's College. She is
currently a third-year student in Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) at
San Pedro College, Davao City.

She has consistently been an honor student from Junior High School to her Senior
High School years and has been a scholar under a private company up until the present.
She was also an active member of the Red Cross Youth (RCY) Organization, Boys Scout
of the Philippines (BSP), Science & Mathematics Club, and Filipino Club throughout her
academic years. On the other hand, she has worked as an Administrative Aide at various
Panabo City government offices, including the City Administrators Office (CADO),
Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and Panabo City Negosyo Center. At present,
she is still an active member and a volunteer service provider of the SPC-College Red
Cross Youth Council. Additionally, she is also one of the SPC Socio-Medical Association
of Respiratory Therapy Students (SMARTS) Media and Publicity Committee.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 50

LUTHER JAMES P. OLACO

Third Year Student, Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
San Pedro College, Davao City, Philippines
Mobile No. +639222733270
FB Messenger: Luther James Olaco; Email: lutherpolaco@gmail.com

Luther James Paquera Olaco completed his junior high school education at Davao
City National High School (DCNHS) in 2017, thereafter completing his senior high
school at Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) in the year 2019. He is currently studying
for the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy in San Pedro College and is in his
third year in the course.

In junior high school, he was under the school's Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics program. This was also the beginning of his inclination to
digital arts when he joined the school publication, The Davao Wave (2015-2017) as a
layout artist. In Senior High School, he was fortunate enough to be part of the TOP 500, a
full scholarship program given by AdDU to students coming from public schools, where
he finished With Honors. He also continued his passion for digital arts through
journalism in the school's publication, The Blue Bridge, all throughout his senior high
school starting as a Junior Layout artist in his first year then transitioning to Art Head in
his second and last year.

At present, he is a scholar of the Davao City and the Commission of Higher

Education’s Tulong-Dunong scholarship program. He is also an active member of the
Socio-Medical Association of Respiratory Therapy Students, where he started as a
multimedia committee member (2019-2021) before attaining the position as the current
Multimedia Head for the academic year 2021-2022.
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NICOLE ASKA G. SANO

Third-Year Student, Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
San Pedro College, Davao City, Philippines
Mobile No. (09067441309)
FB Messenger @ Nicole Aska Sano; Email: nicolegenotasano@gmail.com

Nicole Aska is a junior high school graduate of Stella Maris Academy of Davao
in 2017. She graduated from San Pedro College for her senior high school in 2019.
Currently, she is a third-year student in Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
(BSRT) in San Pedro College, Davao City.

She was a consistent honor student during her junior and senior high school years,
and graduated with honors from both of her alumnus. In her junior high school, she was
an active member of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, and was elected as Vice Chairman
of the GSP Davao Council Savers Group in 2016. She was also a Citizen Advancement
Training (CAT) Officer in 2019, with the position of Assistant Medic; and was also a
COMELEC Liaison. In her senior high school, she was the SPC SHS Commission on
Elections (COMELEC) secretary in the academic year of 2018 to 2019. Currently, she is
the General Secretary of the SPC College Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for the
academic year of 2021 to 2022.
 Beliefs, Superstitions, and ... 52

SAMUEL F. MIGALLOS, PhD, RN

Associate Professor 2, Faculty of Nursing and Respiratory Therapy
San Pedro College, Davao City, Philippines
Landline (082) 2241778; Mobile No. 09185832208
FB Messenger @ Miggy Sam; Email: samuelspc099@gmail.com

Dr. Sam completed his Bachelor of Science in Tourism degree from the
University of the Philippines-Asian Institute of Tourism, Diliman, Quezon City. He
graduated Summa cum Laude in Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Family Clinic
College of Nursing, Manila. His Master of Arts in Nursing and Doctor of Philosophy in
Nursing were earned at San Pedro College-Graduate School in Davao City where he
graduated Meritus (cum Laude).

He worked as Volunteer Nurse at the Heart Station, Endoscopy Room and

Operating Room of the Alexian Brothers Health and Wellness Center in Davao City. He
was a staff nurse at the Surgical Unit of San Pedro Hospital. Pursuing a career in the
academe, he was hired as Clinical Instructor at the Faculty of Nursing in San Pedro
College, Davao City. Later on, he was promoted to the position of Nursing Coordinator,
Assistant Director of the Office of Student Affairs, Director of Research and Publication
Office, and faculty of the Graduate School. He was a Visiting Scholar at Mae Fah Luang
University in Chiang Rai, Thailand in 2019 where he taught Nursing courses at the
College of Nursing. He is currently the Project Leader of the Collaboration Research of
Ateneo de Davao University, Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc., and San Pedro
College. Recently, he was appointed as the Program Coordinator of the Master’s and PhD
in Nursing and Master in Hospital Administration program of SPC Graduate School. He
is also an online professor of Nursing in Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai teaching
nursing students from Thailand and Bhutan during Covid-19 pandemic.

Some of his research works include Systematic Desensitization Program for

Students in Psychiatric Nursing, Filipino Nurses Caring for People with Diverse
Nationalities, An Exploratory Case Study on the Common Illnesses of People Living
along the Davao River, Profiling the San Pedro College Health Center Clients: Basis for
Policy Intervention, and Perspectives of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) on their
Roles, Enablers and Challenges in Maternal, Newborn, Child Health, and Nutrition. His
international journal publications include Multiple Risky Behavior of Adolescents: A
Convergent Mixed-Method in Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics
(EJAIB).