Melba S. Besa
8 Publications
Scopus ID: 105030208463
2024 IEEE 16th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management (HNICEM), (2025), pp. 1-6
Conference Paper | Published: December 3, 2025
Abstract
URBANIHAN is a capstone project made by Digital Dino wherein the project is a 2D animated informative video and website that is made to inform the youth into the practice of urban gardening benefits and projects and programs made from the said practice. The project consists of five episodes with each story highlighting the benefits of urban gardening as well as showcasing the projects and programs implemented by the client, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). The study aims to inform and increase the youth enthusiasm on urban gardening. The objective of the study is to inform the youth regarding the practice of urban gardening and how it benefits the people mentally, financially, economically, and socially, and education. Additionally, a website is designed using a web builder that serves as additional information about urban gardening using the supplementary materials and information provided by ATI and their urban gardening programs and projects for the community. The target audience of the study are the youth ages 15 to 30. The methodology used for the study is a combination of qualitative and quantitative approach to gather the necessary data through interviews for subject experts and surveys for the target audience of the study. As per the findings, a weighted mean of 4.51 has been acquired post-assessment, which is a significant improvement on the mean of 3.82 from the pre-assessment; indicating the effectiveness of the project corresponding to its objective. In conclusion, the videos produced provide sufficient information about urban gardening and its benefits, as well as the client. The website is also able to provide additional information about urban gardening through the supplementary materials and the previous projects mentioned in the animated videos.
Scopus ID: 85199895910
2023 IEEE 15th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management (HNICEM), (2023), pp. 1-5
Conference Paper | Published: January 1, 2023
Abstract
This capstone project aimed to explore the impact of behavioral and social stress on the mental well-being of early adolescents in the Philippines. The study highlighted the high prevalence of behavioral and emotional problems among Filipino children and emphasized the need for increased access to mental health services. The project focused on assessing the effectiveness of school guidance and counseling services as a potential solution. It effectively evaluated interactivities such as the interactive video and the interactive workbook in identifying and addressing developmental and behavioral concerns. The proponents aimed to provide insights into the factors contributing to behavioral stress and social anxiety among adolescents and suggested interventions to improve their mental well-being. This study was relevant to policymakers, educators, and mental health professionals involved in the well-being of children and adolescents in the Philippines.
Scopus ID: 85199923471
2023 IEEE 15th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management (HNICEM), (2023), pp. 1-5
Conference Paper | Published: January 1, 2023
Abstract
Sleep is critical, particularly for young adults aged 18 to 25. Young adults should get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Most young adults struggle to get enough sleep due to a variety of factors such as anxiety, depression, and excessive use of technology. As a result of continuing the same sleepless night routine in their daily lives, young adults become sleep deprived. The most common side effects of sleep deprivation are health issues such as heart disease, obesity, kidney failure, high blood pressure, and many more. Since this issue is very timely and relevant nowadays, the researchers develop a major project, an 2D Animated Interactive Video, and a minor project, a Podcast that can help young adults to be relaxed in order to get a better sleep. The 2D animated interactive video will present two environments from which users can choose. It will be uploaded to a Wix site, and each option will be unlisted so that users can interact with the animated video. The podcast, on the other hand, will be storytelling that is related to the story of the major project. It will consist of four episodes excluding the pilot episode. This project will also be uploaded to YouTube for easy and free access.
Scopus ID: 85159387699
2022 IEEE 14th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management (HNICEM), (2022), pp. 1-6
Conference Paper | Published: January 1, 2022
Abstract
Mental health is more than the presence or absence of a mental illness. COVID-19 has led to self and social isolation, disconnection from family and friends. More people than ever are experiencing feelings of helplessness, isolation, grief, anxiety, and depression. In such cases, the team took advantage of the opportunity to raise mental health awareness by developing a trilogy of interactive short films with a website that would support the project’s purpose. The film has three characters with different stories, namely Marion; a college student who is struggling to adjust to his new average experience from his online class and Kayla; a nurse who is also a mother of three children, who must participate in treating the patients with COVID at the hospital, and Marie; an OFW who works from Saudi Arabia wants to go home to visit her family. The study also intends to explore the impact of coping strategies and perceived social support on one’s ability to handle social isolation stress. Each of the characters' stories will represent the different outlook on possible mental health symptoms that everyone has experienced during the pandemic. The stories presented in the film will be based on real-life circumstances and experiences of people who have lived through the pandemic. The story aims to give hope to its viewers on what lies ahead of the pandemic. Upon testing the produced output, the study results show that most people only have a general idea when it comes to the topic of mental health issues. The study also yielded that the project has spread and increased awareness about the topic under study. Although the project could attain its specific goals and adjectives, the best and only conclusion is to seek professional help from credible and trusted experts in their respective health fields.
Scopus ID: 85159469079
2022 IEEE 14th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management (HNICEM), (2022), pp. 1-5
Conference Paper | Published: January 1, 2022
Abstract
Visionary Studios took advantage of creating an approach to promoting and preserving these rich Philippine legends through a form of an interactive animation film. Mitolohiya adapts the story about the origin of The First Coconut Tree and the Creation of Man, using two-dimensionl characters with three-dimensional textured environments. Go through an epic adventure featuring Bathala; a god living on a deserted planet who seeks and desires to create the first life on Earth, Galangkalulua; a winged god who wanders the universe, and Ulilangkalulua; a serpent god ruling over the clouds. Along with bonus sequences of stories showing the legends of five other deities from Tagalog myths. Tala; the goddess of the stars, Hanan; the goddess of morning, Mayari; the goddess of the moon, Lakapati; the goddess of good harvest and Amanikable; the god of the sea. This animation film is created to promote and preserve Philippine myths about Tagalog gods & goddesses through an interactive hybrid animation format. Overall, the preliminary data shows that most of the participants were not familiar with the adapted Tagalog myth in the film however, after watching the interactive film, most of the respondents gave positive feedback to the overall film's animation, design, aesthetic, story, and website. According to the data, the animation and interactivity of the film makes it more engaging for the viewers which shows that the use of the interactive hybrid animation and website is effective in promoting Philippine Tagalog mythology. It is highly recommended to give further research about the different legends and stories within the Tagalog pantheon. Due to the large variety of characters, the possibility of creating numerous adaptations can also be suggested.
Scopus ID: 85159407827
2022 IEEE 14th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management (HNICEM), (2022), pp. 1-7
Conference Paper | Published: January 1, 2022
Abstract
Apollo is an interactive animation that aims to provide both Junior High School teachers and students, additional materials for teaching and learning. It consists of three modules that present anatomical topics covered in the current K to 12 Curriculum Guide for Science (2016); Digestive, Respiratory, and Endocrine Systems of the Human Body. The modules contain interactive 3D animation videos that feature narrated lessons to guide student's learning and pop questions to further student's understanding. Several software programs used to produce Apollo includes Autodesk Maya, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere, and Adobe Photoshop. In addition, the website which Apollo can be accessed through was developed using HTML and Adobe Dreamweaver.
Scopus ID: 85128629627
2021 The 9th International Conference on Information Technology: IoT and Smart City, (2021), pp. 256-261
Conference Paper | Published: December 22, 2021
Abstract
Crafting a good digital experience for children can be difficult; game designers have to consider children's cognitive and motor skill limitations, understand their target audience, create something entertaining and educational at the same time. This should also comply with national and international jurisdiction, and time appeal to parents as well. In this paper the researchers used of an educational game called Tahderiyyah Literacy App (TLA) with standard general framework which designers and developers created for children ages four to six years old. This platform has been the testing ground for the edutainment game in the field of user experience. The purpose of the paper is to observe the interactions, experience and adaptation of kindergarten pupil (learners) on a particular on the TLA based on game's user experience. TLA was design using their mother tongue which can be played on mobile devices. Focusing only to learners from Muslim Community. While the term User Experience encompasses both physical and digital experiences, the main focus for the framework is purely for digital services wherein only touch based devices are evaluated in greater detail. On the assessment process, students were observed and interviewed about the game and what they learned about numbers and letters from game they played. This process was done to help the kindergarten answers their questionnaires. Every learner that act as respondents were guided to answer the answer the questionnaires given to them. Results of using TLA to analyze an HCI factors in learning environment are described in the later part of this paper. Implications for using TLA as a design for pedagogical tool are also discussed.
Scopus ID: 85127599578
2021 IEEE 13th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management (HNICEM), (2021), pp. 1-6
Conference Paper | Published: January 1, 2021
Abstract
Children storybooks have gone far, from flat books to embossed to Audio-book to Pop-up book and now Augmented Reality books. Augmented Reality or AR is one of the innovative technologies that will be universally used given its potential and fascination.The goal of this study is to create a new way of learning with children storybooks with new technology. The innovation underpinning this research is the embedded Augmented Reality 2-Dimensional of children’s book on a mobile application. The research provides an insight into what was done using AR on children’s story books enabling the reader to place this example of AR in perspective and understand it more clearly. This paper specifically highlights an innovative development of the interfaces for providing an AR children storybook that enhances story reading and learning experience for preschool and young schoolers children via mobile AR application.