Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Perspectives, Volume 8, No. 1, May 2021 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 108 Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Perspectives Vol. 8, No. 1, May 2021| ISSN: 2782-9332 (Print) Emerging Challenges from Flexible Learning Modalities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Perspective from Philippine State University Students Moises C. Torrentira, Jr. (PhD) College of Development Management, University of Southeastern Philippines, Mintal Campus, Tugbok, Davao City, Philippines moises.torrentira@usep.edu.ph Date Received: January 5, 2021; Date Revised: April 7, 2021 Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Perspectives Vol. 8 No.1, 108-113 May 2021 ISSN: 2782-9332 (Print) Abstract – This study was conducted to identify emerging challenges confronted by the college students from a state university as they enfold the flexible learning modalities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It generated 151 responses from a 40-item survey distributed online through google forms. Data reduction was then applied using exploratory factor analysis. The rotated component matrix revealed that the college students encountered challenges as they were introduced into the online and modular classes which include ambiguity of teaching and learning direction, unfamiliarity to online and virtual learning platforms, undependability of internet connections, inadequate financial and mobilization resources, technological gap, and the dearth of socio-academic support. If not addressed, the learning outcomes of the students may be compromised. Hence, it is recommended to strengthen the strategies of the state university to further adapt to the demands of the new normal. Keywords: emerging challenges, flexible learning modalities, online and modular classes, state university, COVID-19 pandemic INTRODUCTION The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has revolutionized the landscape of the educational system worldwide. According to the World Health Organization [1], the disease has affected 235 countries or territories, with an increasing number of 31,132,906 confirmed cases and 962,008 confirmed deaths as of September 22, 2020. Because of its serious threat to public health and national security, several health protocols and quarantine measures have been put in place by local governments to make sure that the spread of the virus is controlled. As such, mandatory quarantines, social distancing, and even community lockdowns were ordered everywhere in the world as they seemed indispensable [2]. These measures have eventually affected the modalities of teaching-learning among educational institutions worldwide. In the Philippines, face-to-face classes are never allowed as long as quarantine orders are not lifted. Further, the government has restricted young people below 21 years old to freely stroll outside of their dwellings. Hence, the educational system is greatly challenged especially that most educational institutions are not prepared for this episode. A pandemic like this is not new. According to Lazzari and Stohr [3], the Greek physician and philosopher Hippocrates of the fifth century B.C. had described a pandemic-like incident in one of his famous discourses. Many centuries later, the term pandemic was used in 1580 after the influenza outbreaks occurred. In 1918-1919, the Spanish flu pandemic killed almost 20-40 million people, while the succeeding Asian flu and Hong Kong flu pandemics in 1957 and 1968 respectively each caused around 1 to 4 million casualties. This time, the world is shuttered by COVID-19 and the expanse of its aftermath on a global scale still appears to be uncertain. Governments in the world, however, have taken their steps to combat the pandemic. Wide testing using innovative approaches like mass drive-thru testing had been proven to have flattened the curve in some countries while investing seriously in coming up with viable test kits and suppression techniques [4]. The Philippine government is also catching up. With the declaration of the national state of emergency by the executive branch, the entire country was placed under strict regulation through community quarantines and lockdowns. Metro Manila, the country's capital, was even put into the quarantine implementation. Several travellers including tourists and returning overseas