Silliman Anthropology faculty, student place second in reg’l health research confab
Two researchers from the Silliman University (SU) Department of Anthropology and Sociology of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) secured second-place honors in their respective categories during the 11th Central Visayas Health Research & Innovation Conference (CVHRIC), held from May 13 to 15, 2026, at the Cebu Parklane International Hotel and the Cebu Institute of Medicine in Cebu City.
Faculty member Karla Khristine L. Melon and anthropology student Von M. Dagpin were recognized in the regional research competition co-organized by the Central Visayas Consortium for Health Research and Development (CVCHRD) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VII (DOST-VII).
Melon won second place in the Professional Qualitative category of the Oral Research Podium Presentation for her study, “Social Transference of Pain to Burden in Family Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients: An Autoethnography.”
Her research examined the lived experiences of family caregivers of hemodialysis patients and explored how caregiving burdens extended beyond the private sphere into work and social environments.
Using autoethnography and narrative interviews, the study highlighted the emotional, physical, and financial strains experienced by caregivers while also examining how cultural values such as filial piety both eased and intensified caregiver burden.
Dagpin also earned second place in the Student Qualitative Research category for her paper, “Negotiating Weight Stigma: An Autoethnography on Navigating Urban Public Spaces as a Plus-Size Woman.”
Dagpin’s study explored how body size shaped social interactions, emotions, and self-perception, particularly in urban environments not designed to accommodate plus-size bodies.
Drawing from personal experiences and reflections, the research underscored how stigma manifested through public spaces, social attitudes, and family dynamics, while calling for more inclusive design, weight-inclusive healthcare, and greater cultural awareness.
Melon and Dagpin won Php 10,000 and Php 7,000 cash prizes, respectively, for placing second. Both were mentored by Dr. Enrique G. Oracion.
These achievements reflect the Department of Anthropology and Sociology’s continuing commitment to producing socially responsive research that addresses local and national concerns through interdisciplinary inquiry.
Carrying the theme, “From Evidence to Impact: Translating Health Research into Policy, Programs, and Innovation,” the 11th CVHRIC gathered researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and innovators from across Central Visayas to bridge health research and community practice.
The conference also featured competitions in oral and podium presentations, research posters, health infographics, infomercials, and policy pitching to strengthen evidence-based healthcare solutions in the region.
