Uncertain future looms for Philippine, Southeast Asian mangroves

Uncertain future looms for Philippine, Southeast Asian mangroves

Published: January 17, 2023

By: Marie Asheidee M. Masayon and Eunice Jean C. Patron

A comprehensive survey of over 300 mangrove studies across the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia (SEA) has found large gaps in our understanding of the current and future state of these already dwindling natural resources, according to scientists from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS).

Even ten years after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013, the mangroves of Lawaan and Balangiga in Eastern Samar remain a desolate wasteland. (Photo credit: Dr. Severino Salmo III)

The Philippines is the second worst country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in terms of mangrove losses: it suffered a 10.5% decline between 1990 and 2010, according to independent studies included in the survey. It is surpassed only by Myanmar, which suffered a 27.6% loss between 2000 and 2014.

 

Less than a decade left

The findings are a stark wake-up call, given the international declaration of the years 2021 to 2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, aimed at preventing, stopping, and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. With the countdown well underway, the comprehensive survey undertaken by UP Ph.D. Biology student Maria Elisa Gerona-Daga and Institute of Biology Associate Professor Dr. Severino Salmo III of existing mangrove restoration research helps identify ways to achieve the SEA region’s restoration targets and safeguard their biodiversity.

 

The pioneering study is the first of its kind in SEA. Entitled “A systematic review of mangrove restoration studies in Southeast Asia: Challenges and opportunities for the United Nation’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration,” it provides a systematic and quantitative synthesis of 335 mangrove restoration studies in the region that were published before February 2022. The investigation has also identified regional successes and failures in mangrove restorations.

 

Five priority topics were suggested by Gerona-Daga and Salmo for improving the science and practice of mangrove restoration towards realizing the UN’s targets for 2030: restoration areas and methods; mangrove restoration in climate change adaptation and mitigation programs; monitoring recoveries of biodiversity and ecosystem services; policies, governance, and community engagement; and strengthening of the ASEAN network.

The Avicennia-dominated planted mangroves in Ormoc, Leyte (left) and recolonized abandoned fishponds in Mindoro (right) show the potential and limitations of mangrove restoration. (Photo credit: M.E. Gerona-Daga and J. R. Navidad)

Restoration and climate change adaptation

The researchers propose to add more mangrove faunal and floral species as bases for selecting and prioritizing sites for restoration, thereby furthering the UN’s biodiversity goals and potentially generating useful data on genetic diversity. The approximately 3,000-square-kilometer  restorable area across SEA, as estimated by University of Cambridge researchers in 2018, should also be earmarked and ground-truthed for each country to determine suitable restoration sites. Assessing the economic and policy impacts of restoration in places that are also being considered for human settlement and reclamation will help governments create realistic and sustainable plans, Gerona-Daga and Salmo added.

 

As a region vulnerable to natural disasters such as typhoons and tsunamis, restoration programs should be designed to adapt to and mitigate climate change impacts. Technological innovations for science-based green-gray coastal engineering are critical for facing changing climatic conditions.

 

The researchers underscored the increasing need for mangroves’ adaptability to climate change. This, in turn, creates the need for new technologies and innovations that can fast-track the sustainable recolonization of mangroves.

 

Monitoring biodiversity recoveries, ecosystem services

Gerona-Daga and Salmo also point out the problems with data monitoring in mangrove restoration projects, particularly the lack thereof and the tendency of short-term monitoring to misinterpret findings. They also mentioned that while traditional monitoring methods such as transecting and plotting are crucial in assessing biodiversity, institutions should use more efficient and cost-effective monitoring methods such as environmental DNA (eDNA) and remote sensing. 

 

Although vegetation metrics may be easier to measure and reflect mangrove traits that recover faster, the researchers note that correlating these metrics with ecosystem services will be more strategic in quantifying restoration effectiveness. The researchers also advise conducting a comparative assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services among intact, disturbed, and restored mangroves to shed light on restoration trajectory patterns.

 

Strengthening government interventions

The study suggests potential government policies to support continued research and community involvement in mangrove monitoring. Southeast Asian collaborations are essential in sustaining regional mangrove protection: establishing and strengthening partnerships with neighboring countries will enable the region to form unified goals and facilitate more sustainable restoration measures. Sharing knowledge and other resources in the SEA region can also benefit countries with limited mangrove restoration research.

 

To this end, Gerona-Daga and Salmo propose an ASEAN journal focused on mangrove restoration, conservation, and management composed of a multinational scientific editorial board to share mangrove research to a wider platform efficiently and ultimately contribute to effective restoration practices.

 

“Our study aims to provide suggestions in line with international commitments of ASEAN-member countries,” says Salmo. “The pressing need is to establish and consistently monitor the state of the mangroves for each country, protect mangroves through biodiversity conservation programs, and more importantly, to stop or limit coastal reclamation projects,” he further explains.

 

Furthering collaboration among mangrove researchers

Gerona-Daga and Salmo expect to conduct another study as a follow-up to their September 2022 publication. They aim to spark deeper collaboration among mangrove researchers all over the region towards sharing recommendations and regular tracking of the progress of mangrove conservation and restoration programs. 

 

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a perfect opportunity to underscore the urgency of mangrove restoration. Mangroves provide a long list of ecological and socio-economic benefits, so much so that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) refers to them as nature’s superheroes because they not only provide livelihood and habitats to animals but also mitigate climate change and reduce the impacts of storms and other natural disasters. 

REFERENCES:


Gerona-Daga, M. E., & Salmo, S. G. (2022). A systematic review of Mangrove Restoration Studies in Southeast Asia: Challenges and opportunities for the United Nation’s decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.987737

 


 

For interviews and further information, please email Maria Elisa B. Gerona-Daga (mbgerona@up.edu.ph) or Dr. Severino G. Salmo III (sgsalmo@up.edu.ph).

 

For other inquiries, please contact media@science.upd.edu.ph.

UPD-CS Initiatives Enhance Environmental Monitoring with Automated Technologies

UPD-CS Initiatives Enhance Environmental Monitoring with Automated Technologies

Published: January 17, 2023
By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Communities across the Philippines could become more environmentally sustainable, thanks to the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) spearheading the use of automated environmental monitoring technology and regular environmental testing procedures for possible deployment nationwide.

The AirboxSense is one of several automated air quality sensors deployed within the National Science Complex by the IESM. UPD-CS scientists are looking at the feasibility of rolling out similar initiatives nationwide. (Photo credit: Eunice Jean Patron)

At the behest of UPD Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo, who prioritized the protection and preservation of UPD’s natural environment in his vision for the campus, the UPD-CS led other colleges and institutions in the University in setting up sophisticated sensors for keeping an eye on the environment around the clock. The Chancellor appointed the multi-sectoral Task Force on Environmental Sustainability (TFES) to create environmental action points for a possible model for a green campus, which could then serve as the prototype for green spaces nationwide.

 

Real-time environmental monitoring 

 

Two key action points determined by the expert team are the deployment in the UPD-CS’ National Science Complex (NSC) of the AirboxSense system for real-time air quality reporting to the general public, and the establishment of an air and water quality monitoring network with the Diliman Environmental Management Office. 

 

The AirboxSense was developed by Innosens Technology SDN BHD which was deployed in UPD-CS through a collaborative project sponsored by ASEAN-India Science,Technology & Innovation Cooperation (AISTIC). The device was purchased by the project funding, which led to effective deployment in the Philippines, Malaysia, and India. The collaboration was between the University of the Philippines, National Institute of Technology Meghalaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The sensor technology is patented under Malaysian intellectual property.

 

“Air quality monitoring using AirboxSense in the NSC started in August 2022. It’s an initiative between the Philippines, Malaysia, and India to put up these monitoring devices for air quality control,” explained Dr. Mylene Cayetano, a Professor at the UPD-CS’ Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, a member of the UPD TFES, and the Philippine Principal Investigator for the AISTIC. The AISTIC project has facilitated valuable knowledge sharing and collecting air pollutants dataset from various geographical locations. This helps to develop efficient AI models to predict the real time air pollutants.

Aside from deploying automated air quality sensors, the UPD-CS also developed water testing procedures to regularly monitor the University’s creeks and streams. (Screengrab via UPD-CS Facebook page)

To complement the AirboxSense data, the IESM undertakes regular monitoring of the University’s various creeks and streams: water samples are collected at least once a month and analyzed in the laboratory to assess factors such as the presence of excessive nutrients and suspended solids, irregular pH, and alkalinity, among other parameters.

 

Towards a solar-powered campus

 

The UPD-CS also aims to lessen its ecological footprint through solar power installations throughout the NSC. By considering the optimal size and placement of solar panels, Dr. Cayetano and her colleagues were able to determine the best ways to address the campus’ energy needs. Solar panels can save energy for the UPD-CS by lessening the dependency on fossil fuels during the daytime.

 

“Together with UPD-CS scientists Dr. Lillian Jennifer Rodriguez and Ms. Jelaine Gan, we calculated the area ng lahat ng rooftop ng CS buildings. We determined the surface area of the rooftops facing south. Then we proposed how many solar panels we need to install in CS para hindi na tayo dependent sa fossil fuels, and eventually we will transform into an efficient campus,” said Dr. Cayetano. “UPD-CS Dean Giovanni Tapang presented this idea to Chancellor Fidel, and it aligns with the Chancellor’s initiative to make UPD an environmentally-sustainable campus,” she added.

 

Deployment beyond UP

 

Going beyond the confines of the University, the UPD-CS, and the IESM collaborated with the Rotary Club of Makati on a system that reports real-time data on air quality via the Airtoday.ph website. The system was also initially designed to record and display air quality data on other areas outside the UPD, including the Lung Center of the Philippines and EDSA Muñoz.

 

“Picking up from this initiative, nagkakaroon ng other initiatives pa towards a smart campus and environmental sustainability,” Dr. Cayetano said. She cited the UPD Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (EEEI) for helping automate the AirboxSense through the UP Center for Air Research (UP CARE) program. Dr. Cayetano also highlighted the Robust Optical Aerosol Monitor (ROAM) developed by Dr. Len Herald Lim of the Institute of Chemistry, which could be deployed outside UPD in the future.

 

Aiming for nationwide deployment 

 

Dr. Cayetano believes that these projects are of nationwide significance: the information they gather and the data they record will greatly help organizations and institutions across the country in finding solutions to environmental issues. “These [information and data] will eventually tell the numbers. Nasaan na tayo? Nasaan ‘yung baseline? Ano ‘yung emissions natin noong walang activities dahil sa pandemic? Ano naman ‘yung increase ng emissions noong nagkaroon ng activities such as face-to-face classes and the opening of the UPD campus and offices? By knowing these, we know where to stand. By knowing those numbers, we will know how to manage the impacts on the environment of such activities.”

 

Through these and other initiatives, UPD’s TFES is spearheading the creation of tailor-fit approaches to environmental challenges that can be implemented outside the campus. Data collected from these initiatives can also be used by local governments and other decision-makers in managing localized environmental activities.

 

The UPD-CS recognizes the importance of international collaboration in addressing environmental challenges and is committed to working closely with its partners to deploy and develop AI models to predict real time air pollutants via AirboxSense.

For interview requests and more information on UPD-CS’ automation and environmental monitoring initiatives and the TFES, please contact Dr. Mylene Cayetano at mcayetano@iesm.upd.edu.ph

 

For other inquiries, please contact media@science.upd.edu.ph 

Sulong-Agham multilingual children’s book launched at UPD-CS

Sulong-Agham multilingual children's books launched at UPD-CS

Published: January 11, 2023

By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

The newly-launched Sulong-Agham series of multilingual children’s books aims to inspire Filipino children to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by showcasing the lives and work of Filipino scientists.

Professor emeritus and “Doktor ng Dagat” author Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu (fifth from left) is joined by UPD-CS MSI marine scientist Dr. Deo Onda (4th from left) and UPD-CS dean Dr. Giovanni Tapang (6th from left) at the Sulong-Agham book series launch at the UPD-CS Admin Building, December 12. Looking on are (L to R) SSI vice president Prof. Jose Monfred Sy, DFPP chair Prof. Schedar Jocson, UPD-CAL dean Dr. Jimmuel Naval, UPD-CS SAPA associate dean Dr. Lillian Rodriguez, UPD-CS MAPA associate dean Dr. Eizadora Yu, UPD-CS FARM associate dean Dr. Marian Roque, and SSI president Cheeno Marlo Sayuno. Photo credit: Andro Sampang

Born out of a collaboration between the UP Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) and non-profit organization Supling Sining, Inc. (SSI), together with the UP Diliman College of Arts and Letters Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikang Pilipino (UPD-CAL DFPP), Sulong-Agham was successfully launched last December 12 at the UPD-CS Admin Building.

 

Limited signed copies of the first book in the series, “Ang Doktor ng Dagat,” were given out at the event, which was graced by the author, former UPD-CAL dean and professor emeritus Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu; and the titular subject of the tome, pioneering oceanographer and marine scientist Dr. Deo Florence Onda of the UPD-CS’ Marine Science Institute (MSI). Written in Filipino, Cuyonon, and English, the storybook touches on Dr. Onda’s life and work as the first Filipino and one of the first humans ever to explore Emden Deep in the Philippine Trench  — the third deepest place in the world’s oceans. 

 

Following the successful launch of this first volume, Dr. Torres-Yu announced that the next title in the Sulong-Agham series will tackle the life and work of famed Filipino biologist Leonard Co.

Sulong-Agham logo
The Sulong-Agham book series on the lives and work of Filipino scientists, available in Filipino and other languages.

Dr. Torres-Yu also talked about how “Doktor ng Dagat” began as a passion project during the pandemic. It was, for her, a creative spark of hope at a time when it was most needed: “Sa karanasan kong ito, lalong lumakas ang paniniwala ko na ang malikhaing imahinasyon ang naging sagwan ko sa pag-gaod sa dagat ng takot, kawalang pag-asa, at lungkot upang matuklas ko ang misyong lumikha ng mga kuwentong magbubukas sa mga batang Filipino sa mundo ng agham.”

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Onda fondly recalled how he all but stumbled into becoming a scientist, initially pursuing a biology degree as the first step to fulfilling his parents’ wishes for him to become a medical doctor. However, he quickly discovered that his interests were elsewhere: “Habang nagba-Biology, doon ko narealize na hindi biyolohiya ng tao ang gusto ko. Isang araw, sumulat ako sa mga magulang ko. Sabi ko sa kanila na hindi na ako magmemedisina. Gusto ko na lang ituloy ang pagiging biyolohista, at maging isang marine biologist pagkatapos.”

 

He also looked back on the thrill of his adventure in Emden Deep. It was a scary once-in-a-lifetime experience that he just couldn’t pass up: “Ilang beses lamang ba nagiging balita ang isang siyentipiko? Ilang beses lamang ba nagiging kuwento sa buong bansa ang kuwento ng isang siyentista? Napakalimitado. Napakakaunting panahon. Napakakaunting oportunidad.”

 

But Dr. Onda quickly added that the real story at the heart of “Doktor ng Dagat” is much bigger than himself; it’s about the liberation and empowerment that comes from following a dream. “Sinasabi ko po lagi, ‘yung kuwento ng Emden Deep, mas malayo pa siya sa kuwento ko. Kuwento ‘to ng mga batang nangarap, nangangarap, at tinutupad ang mga pangarap nila. Sana ‘yung kuwento ng Doktor ng Dagat ay maging inspirasyon ng mga batang wala masyadong oportunidad sa buhay. Sana maging daan rin siya para mangarap sila at ‘yung mga taong tutulong sa kanila ay maging inspired rin para tulungan sila.”

 

UPD-CS Dean Giovanni Tapang wrapped up the launch by highlighting the rarity of children’s books that feature scientists, and his hope that the Sulong-Agham book series could help children see scientists in a more positive light.  “Importante na magkaroon tayo ng mga ganitong klaseng libro para bigyan ng ibang klaseng pagtingin ang mga kabataan natin na maganda maging isang siyentista, mag-aral ng agham, kasi ito ang kailangan natin sa ating lipunan ngayon.”

For partnership and sponsorship inquiries, please contact China Pearl de Vera at chinapearldevera@gmail.com. For interviews and other media requests, please contact media@science.upd.edu.ph

 

The full proceedings of the book launch can be found here: ​​https://www.facebook.com/UPDScience/videos/829153225012586




UPD-CS graduates help cement UP’s lead in Asia

UPD-CS graduates help cement UP’s lead in Asia

Published: November 28, 2022

By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

UPD-CS graduates attend the College’s 2022 Special Recognition Program wearing the University’s iconic sablay sash. (Photo credit: UPD-CS Facebook Page)

One out of every ten graduates of the University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD) is from the College of Science (UPD-CS), underscoring the latter’s essential contributions to the University’s standing as the country’s premier institution of higher learning.

 

In 2022 alone, UPD-CS accounted for 331 or 9.52% of UPD’s 3,475 graduates. This helped UP as a whole rank 87th in Asia and 18th in Southeast Asia in the recently-released 2023 Quacquerelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings, ahead of other Philippine universities. To help maintain and improve UP’s premiere status, UPD-CS is mandated to produce internationally-recognized graduates, institutional partnerships, and research output. 

 

“The College aims to collaborate with different NGOs, private entities, SUCs, HEI, and local and international institutions in the scientific community to promote and mobilize scientific experts,” explained UPD-CS’s Associate Dean for Research, Innovation, Development, and Enterprise Ricky Nellas. “This will serve as a training ground for UP experts, students, and staff to fill network engagement between researchers.”

 

UPD-CS also has 18 active international research collaborations, five of which started just this year, plus a further 18 ongoing local partnerships. These were also taken into consideration in UP’s QS score and subsequent ranking.

 

Moreover, UPD-CS aims to produce industry and government leaders as it transforms itself into a leading research institution in Asia. Apart from strengthening the College’s research projects and partnerships, having a multi-tier support system for researchers would help achieve these goals, according to AD Nellas.

 

“This system should include not only financial coverage, but also holistic activities for the physical, mental, and psychological well-being of researchers,” he said. “Moreover, CS and the University should partner with lawmakers to improve taxation for researchers and lobby for tax exemptions for the research-derived honoraria and financial incentives. Alternatively, an increase in research honoraria can be implemented in lieu of tax breaks.”

 

AD Nellas added that the most crucial step UP should take is to improve the procurement process needed to establish, operate, and maintain scientific infrastructure and facilities. Restructuring the procurement pipeline for research activities, simplifying requirements, and providing exceptions for specialized needs would help reorganize the procurement process.

 

“These would greatly accelerate research and alleviate the administrative workloads of both project staff and the faculty. CS and the University could also allow and lobby for the deregulation of research-related contracts to allow our researchers greater flexibility, make procurement efficient, and improve the working conditions of staff and personnel,” he concluded. 

 

For further information, please contact UPD-CS Associate Dean for Research, Innovation, Development, and Enterprise Ricky Nellas at rbnellas@up.edu.ph.

 

For interviews and other inquiries, please contact media@science.upd.edu.ph.

Undersea discovery leads to multilingual childrens’ books on Pinoy scientists 

Undersea discovery leads to multilingual childrens’ books on Pinoy scientists

Published: November 21, 2022

By: Timothy James M. Dimacali

A children’s storybook about a pioneering Filipino scientist who made a surprising discovery in one of the deepest parts of the world’s oceans has led to a collaboration between the University of the Philippines – Diliman’s College of Science (UPD-CS) and College of Arts and Letters (UPD-CAL) for a series of inspiring multilingual children’s books on the lives of Filipino researchers.

 

UPD-CAL DFPP Professor Emeritus Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu and UPD-CS Associate Dean Dr. Lillian Rodriguez (2nd and 3rd from left, respectively) hold up copies of the children’s book, “Doktor ng Dagat,” the first volume of the Sulong-Agham Book Series. Looking on are publisher Supling Sining, Inc. Vice President Jose Monfred Sy (leftmost) and the DFPP Assistant Chair Maynard Manansala

The Sulong-Agham Book Series is set to launch in December with the book, “Doktor ng Dagat.” Written by CAL Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas (DFPP) Professor Emeritus Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu and developed for publication by Supling Sining, Inc., the tome touches on the life and work of Dr. Deo Florence Onda of the UPD-CS’ Marine Science Institute (MSI) who was the first Filipino and one of the first humans ever to explore Emden Deep in the Philippine Trench. 

 

The third deepest place on Earth, Emden Deep is one of the world’s most inaccessible regions even though it is just barely 100 kilometers away from Eastern Samar. And yet, despite its depth and isolation, it was not untouched by humans. You will have to read the storybook to find out what Dr. Onda saw in the depths of the ocean, but it was enough to prompt him to dedicate his life to  helping raise public awareness about maintaining the health of our rich marine resources.

 

Dr. Onda’s life story comes to life in the expert hands of Dr. Torres-Yu, a renowned storyteller and beloved mentor, with illustrations by Paul Eric Roca. Aside from winning and, later, being a judge of the prestigious Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, Dr. Torres-Yu is also the former dean of CAL and former director of the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino. Meanwhile, Roca is a painter, illustrator, and internationally-published editorial cartoonist.

 

“Doktor ng Dagat” is written in Filipino with translations in Dr. Onda’s native Cuyonon as well as in English. It is the  pilot volume of the Sulong-Agham Book Series, done in partnership between UPD-CS and UPD-CAL, which aims to inspire Filipino children to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by showcasing  the lives and work of Filipino scientists. Other books in the series will also be published in Filipino and other Philippine languages, with English translations.

 

“We hope that this series of stories, beginning with Dr. Onda’s, will help bring about  a new generation of scientists and a more science-minded public,” Dr. Torres-Yu said. 

 

“This pioneering project between CS and CAL underscores the importance of collaboration between the arts and sciences and invites young readers to experience the wonders of science,” noted UPD-CS Dean Giovanni Tapang. 

 

“Doktor ng Dagat” and the Sulong-Agham Book Series will be formally launched on December 12, 2022 at 4:00pm in the lobby of the CS Administration Building in UP Diliman. Supling Sining is open to sponsors who are interested in gifting the book to underserved communities, at just ₱100 a copy.

 

 To purchase copies of “Doktor ng Dagat” or to inquire about sponsorships, please contact China Pearl de Vera at chinapearldevera@gmail.com. For interviews and other media requests, please contact media@science.upd.edu.ph. 

UPD-CS pays tribute to Former Chancellor Claro Llaguno

UPD-CS pays tribute to Former Chancellor Claro Llaguno

The UP Diliman College of Science joins the scientific community in mourning the passing of former UP Diliman Chancellor and former Director of the Institute of Chemistry Dr. Claro T. Llaguno, PhD.

 

Dr. Llaguno was one of the country’s foremost experts in Quantum Chemistry. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1966 and obtained his doctoral degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1971. He then undertook post-doctoral studies at Brock University in Ontario in 1972. He was recognized as an honorary alumnus of UP by the UP College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Foundation (UP CASAF) in 1997.

 

Dr. Llaguno began his career at UPD-CS as an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry (now Institute of Chemistry) in 1977. He was the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs of the College from 1984 to 1986, and was Chairman of the Department of Chemistry from 1986 to 1988 before he became the newly-formed Institute’s Director from 1988 to 1990. He was also a UPD Safety and Security Commission member from 1989 to 1993.

 

He was appointed UPD Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs in 1993 and served as Secretary of the University and the Board of Regents from 1995 to 1999.

 

Dr. Llaguno served as UPD Chancellor from 1996 to 1999. During his term, he implemented the Student Evaluation of Teachers (SET), the basic instrument used for evaluating the quality of instruction in the University still in use today. He also initiated the creation of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD) and the establishment of the College of Music’s Center for Ethnomusicology.

 

After stepping down from the Chancellorship, Dr. Llaguno served as Professor 12 at the Institute of Chemistry until his retirement in 2013.

Dr. Llaguno’s remains lie in state at the Agoncillo Room of La Funeraria Paz at Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque. Interment will be on Sunday, November 13, at 3:00 PM, preceded by a mass in the Agoncillo room at 1:00 PM.

Science and the supernatural: Filipino folklore through a scientific lens

Science and the supernatural: Filipino folklore through a scientific lens

Published: October 28, 2022

By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Even with the rise of science and technology, Filipino folklore is still passed on from generation to generation – including stories of creatures and curses that heretofore have seemed scientifically unanswerable.

 

Filipino folklore is an interesting topic to delve into for scientists as the Philippines’ library of research on such supernatural phenomena continues to grow. Discoveries in science and technology have helped shed light on some folklore beliefs that generations of Filipinos grew up believing in. Scientists and researchers from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS), as well as from other institutes, have researches that focus on health conditions linked to Filipino folklore, enriching our understanding of what we heretofore could only think of as supernatural.

 

Tracing the Aswang’s true roots

 

One of the most feared Filipino supernatural beings is the aswang, a shapeshifter that takes on human form during the day but transforms into a grotesque creature at night that would feast on humans. Aswangs are said to live mainly on Panay Island, particularly in the province of Capiz. But in 1975, Filipino doctors discovered a neurodegenerative disorder there called X-linked Dystonia Parkinsonism (XDP)

 

People diagnosed with XDP exhibit symptoms of dystonia, such as cramping of the foot and involuntary pulling of the neck. The jerky, seemingly unnatural movement of XDP sufferers could easily lead one to think that they are being possessed by the devil. Then it progresses to Parkinsonism symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slow movement, and impaired balance and coordination which could sometimes lead to falls.

 

“The [aswang] myth tried to explain the transformation when these people eventually started to manifest the trait,” said National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB) Director Dr. Pia Bagamasbad, who recently published a study on how stress hormones affect the expression of genes of XDP patients. “They [XDP patients] were born normal, they grew up to be normal, then they suddenly transformed, exhibiting these involuntary contractions na parang nagtatransform. Ganoon ‘yung sinasabi na ‘aswang’. Kaya nagkaroon ng myth.” 

 

Dr. Bagamasbad visited Capiz in 2019 for a completely different reason, but talking to the citizens piqued her interest in probing the link between stress and XDP. “‘Yung iba sinasabi na after a very stressful situation, like [typhoon] Yolanda, doon nagsimulang magmanifest ‘yung symptoms,” Dr. Bagamasbad narrated her experience.

 

XDP is due to a mutation in a gene found on the X-chromosome. Therefore, this disease more commonly affects males. All individuals afflicted by XDP can trace their roots to Panay Island. There is still no cure for XDP yet, but according to a case study on XDP published in the Philippine Medical Association Journal, it is important for this disease to be recognized.

 

“The patients who suffer from X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism are people who need care and are not supposed to be feared. Perhaps, if the disease becomes common knowledge, the fear will be turned into understanding, the stigma would be abolished, and the patients afflicted with the disease will be given the appropriate management and be given hope,” the study said.

 

Blindness due to a ‘curse’

 

Meanwhile, according to ophthalmologist Dr. Ryan Collantes, it is rare for young people to suffer from glaucoma. So he was naturally intrigued when a 16-year-old approached him because of possible glaucoma.

 

“The patient also offered an interesting history. Both of his siblings were blind in one eye. His father was also blind. In his case, [glaucoma] was a familial disease. I thought that there was a genetic component because there was a strong penetrance of the disease,” said Dr. Collantes in an interview

 

Dr. Collantes flew to the patient’s hometown to learn more about the patient’s family history and genetics, only to meet more than 50 family members who had juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG), a rare glaucoma condition. 

 

After collecting blood samples from the family members and analyzing its extracted DNA at the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), Dr. Collantes discovered a new type of mutation that causes glaucoma in affected family members.

 

His further research on this disease allowed Dr. Collantes to become a research fellow at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear and the Harvard Medical School. He also received the international Dr. David L. Epstein award for clinician-scientists pursuing research on glaucoma.

 

“These people [with JOAG] think that they’re cursed. But, through this scientific discovery, we proved that they aren’t [cursed]. I want to give patients hope. It means a lot to them that we’re looking into their situation. I want to genuinely look out for them,” Dr. Collantes shared.

 

The mystery behind kulam

 

Whenever severe adverse events happen, Filipinos often wonder if it has something to do with ‘kulam’ or sorcery. Usually, ‘kulam’ involves serious ailments that cause pain, and uses ‘kontra-kulam’ remedies as treatment.

 

However, Department of Anthropology Professor Emeritus and former UPD Chancellor Dr. Michael Tan wrote an essay elaborating on how certain diseases can be thought to be caused by kulam. Neuritis, a condition involving inflammation of nerves, is one such disease. And sicknesses that are visually disfiguring are also commonly assumed to be an aftermath of kulam. Psoriasis is another example, where patches of thick red skin and scaly patches appear on the skin. And these diseases can also overlap with nervous diseases: anxiety can cause people to scratch their skin and experience mild pain that could worsen over time.

 

Chronic ailments such as ascites, a condition in which fluid builds up in the abdomen, are also commonly associated with kulam. Ascites may be often caused by liver problems, but some people readily believe that a mangkukulam placed foreign objects into the sufferer’s body.

 

Psychosis or paranoia, a mental health condition that involves irrational suspicions or mistrust of others, is another ailment commonly associated with kulam. Patients with paranoia often believe they are being threatened despite having little or no evidence.

 

Kulam, according to Dr. Tan, reveals Filipinos’ lack of health literacy and how widespread and dangerous that can be.

 

Building on the supernatural

 

And yet, modern science doesn’t always necessarily have to debunk folk beliefs. 

 

In some ways, science can supplement or even enrich our appreciation of folklore by enabling us to understand what makes the seemingly impossible, possible. And it is through this understanding that we are able to make better-informed decisions.

 

“Words like ‘mutation’ or ‘carrier’ are very common now, and there’s less stigma among the people afflicted with this disease [XDP],”  recounted Dr. Bagamasbad as she talked about her research on XDP.  “Now, their health-seeking behavior has improved. Some of them even volunteered their post-mortem brain to advance the understanding of what’s happening at the tissue level.”

 

Through folklore, we are able to glimpse our ancestors’ perspectives on life, which can in turn cultivate our own self-understanding. Folklore also points the way towards the unknown, raising to our awareness the mysteries of our world, thereby setting the stage for our innate scientific curiosity to learn more about and understand them.

 

Eunice Jean Patron is a graduate of Development Communication from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. She is a Senior Science Communicator at the UP Diliman College of Science.

 

Ghosts of WW2: Loss of life and genetic variation in Manila due to war

Ghosts of WW2: Loss of life and genetic variation in Manila due to war

Published: October 27, 2022

By: Timothy James M. Dimacali


The iconic Oblation stands at its original location ca. 1945 in front of the war-torn ruins of what is now UP Manila. Over 100,000 civilians are said to have died in Manila towards the end of World War II, out of a population of 1 million people. (Photo credit: j&b photos/flickr.com)

The ravages of World War II — particularly the destruction of Manila in 1945 — continue to haunt the Philippines even almost a century after they happened, as evidenced through the difficulty in the search for native Manileños.

 

Since 1996, researchers from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) Natural Sciences Research Institute’s (NSRI’s) DNA Analysis Laboratory have been surveying the genetic ancestry of Filipinos across the country. More recently, the laboratory’s ambitious Filipino Genomes Research Program (FGRP) has aimed to document and understand the rich diversity of Filipinos’ genetic heritage. The study’s findings, when completed and made available, will have far-reaching implications on many fields, from forensics and medicine to history and anthropology.

 

But despite the program’s urgency and lofty goals, there is at least one place in the country where genetics and local ancestry have proven to be difficult to document for the most poignant of reasons.

 

Searching for native Manileños

 

Partnering and volunteering for the FGRP seems simple enough: to become a representative of a particular Filipino group from a particular Filipino region, you as well as your parents and grandparents on both sides should also be from the same place. Meeting these criteria outside of the National Capital Region (NCR) would be no problem — especially in largely homogeneous ethnic groups, such as those in the Cordilleras and in Mindanao. However, the researchers have found it next to impossible to obtain samples from Metro Manila, despite repeated efforts. 

 

“Nahihirapan talaga kami hanapin silang mga at least third generation na born in Metro Manila, kahit na ikinalat na namin ang aming recruitment sa iba’t-ibang LGUs, universities, at maging sa Facebook at Twitter,” said FGRP researcher Noriel Esteban. “Kaya we are now relaxing our inclusion criteria to at least having both parents born in Metro Manila.” Yet even despite these adjustments to the eligibility criteria, Esteban said that out of over 40  potential partner-volunteers from the NCR, only 17 were able to be accepted into the study. 

 

This present dearth likely hints at an ominous past, according to evolutionary geneticist and FGRP Program Leader Frederick Delfin. 

 

Genetic ghosts of lost people

 

“Such a massive loss of native populations can be due to a natural event, such as a volcanic eruption, or as is most likely in this case, a man-made event such as war,” Delfin explained.

 

More than one in ten civilians were killed out of a population of just 1 million people in the Battle of Manila towards the end of the Second World War in 1945, based on historical accounts and census data. This decimated the local population, which never completely recovered and is the likely reason for the near absence of native Manileños today. 

 

“Catastrophic events can severely reduce the population size, with locals either killed or forced to leave. This can result in the reduction of genetic diversity in an area. It takes a very long time for local populations to recover, if at all,” Delfin lamented. “In a way, we can think of the lost genetic variation as the ghosts of the people we lost.”

 

FGRP seeks partner-volunteers

 

The FGRP is a comprehensive study that emphasizes the informed consent of its participants, especially indigenous peoples. A similar earlier study, published by the University of Uppsala in 2021, was plagued by ethical issues.

 

With COVID-19 pandemic restrictions easing up, the FGRP’s nationwide sampling is proceeding at a steady pace as the team is focused on acquiring permission from, as well as explaining the project’s objectives and potential impact to, the country’s various indigenous peoples.

 

To learn more about the FGRP and to inquire about becoming a partner-volunteer, please contact Frederick Delfin at fcdelfin@up.edu.ph. You may also visit their Facebook page for ongoing and future recruitment postings at https://www.facebook.com/DNAForensicAndEthnicity/

 

For other requests and media inquiries, please contact media@science.upd.edu.ph.

UPD-CS faculty work to address PHL’s  ‘most disaster-prone country’ status

UPD-CS faculty work to address PHL’s ‘most disaster-prone country’ status

Published: October 14, 2022

By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

The Philippines is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, according to a recent international study. But a handful of scientists from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) hope to change that.

NATURAL DISASTERS: SCIENCE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS. UP Officials and scientists composed of (From L-R) Dr. Mario Aurelio, Dr. Gerry Bagtasa, Ms. Jamaica Pangasinan, former UPD Chancellor Michael Tan, current UPD Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo, Dr. Giovanni Tapang, and Dr. Lemnuel Aragones, conduct a press briefing on the Taal Volcano Eruption in January 2020. (Photo: Andro Sampang, UPD College of Science)

The 2022 World Risk Report warned that, out of 193 countries, the Philippines has the greatest risk, exposure, vulnerability, and susceptibility to disasters, further aggravated by a deep lack of coping and adaptive capacities. 

However, timely to the release of the Report, the University of the Philippines recently conferred the UP Centennial Professorial Chair and Faculty Grant on 98 UPD-CS faculty members from the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology and the National Institute of Geological Sciences, as well as from the National Institute of Physics, Institute of Biology, Institute of Chemistry, Marine Science Institute, Institute of Mathematics, and National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. 

The conferment also came just days ahead of the UN-declared International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction last October 13. 

“The Centennial Grant is a welcome acknowledgement of, and support for, the hard work that UP’s scientists and researchers put into their respective fields. It helps us to focus on the tasks at hand so that we can bring the science to where it is most needed,” said UPD-CS Dean Giovanni Tapang.

“There are a lot of research studies to understand the physical, social, and economic components of risk. Our main role as scientists is to communicate and disseminate information on hazards and their impacts, hoping these will guide efforts in disaster response,” added Centennial Grant awardee Dr. Noelynna Ramos, a professor of Geomorphology and Geohazards at the National Institute of Geological Sciences and the head researcher of the Geomorphology and Active Tectonics Research Laboratory. 

“Much of the research we undertake is very meticulous and painstaking. For outside observers, they may not seem immediately important or even necessary. But patient persistence pays off, because we are eventually able to find underlying patterns that enable us to come up with practical, real-world solutions,” explained Centennial Grantee and atmospheric physics expert Dr. Gerry Bagtasa. “There is much that can and should be done in terms of disaster response in the country, and I’m thankful that UP and the College of Science understand this and enable us to help address these.” 

The Centennial Grants are awarded annually to UP faculty members in recognition of their outstanding performance in the areas of teaching; research or creative work; and public service. In their various capacities, the Grantees’ research is helping improve our understanding of the natural world and, more specifically, the nature of natural disasters and how best to respond to them.

For more information and interview requests, please message media@science.upd.edu.ph.