Former DILG USec. and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya (Photo courtesy of Malaya’s Facebook page)
Former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya was appointed on Wednesday, March 8, as the new Assistant Director General of the National Security Council (NSC).
NSC Adviser Eduardo Año welcomed Malaya’s appointment.
“I worked closely with him in the DILG for five years,” Año said.
“His 25-year experience in the public service as well as his proven dedication and commitment to the national interest will serve this agency and the country well,” he added.
Prior to his appointment, Malaya was a Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance where he taught courses in public accountability, ethics in the public service, metropolitan and regional governance, and public policy.
Malaya was also the Executive Director of the Local Development Institute, a think tank and training institute promoting excellence in local governments.
He served in nine government offices in his 25 years in the public service, including in the Supreme Court, Senate, House of Representatives, and in the Pasay City Government. -ag
Since the U.P. Sigma Delta Phi Sorority (SDP) turned 50 years old in 1983, and every five years hence, the Mariang Maya Award has been its means to celebrate and honor outstanding members in various fields of endeavor.
In its illustrious roster of past awardees are foremost female modernist painter Anita Magsaysay-Ho, broadcaster and economist Solita Monsod, former Senator Eva Estrada Kalaw, culinary icon Nora Daza, beauty queen-women’s rights activist Nelia Sancho, to name just a few.
For the 90th anniversary of the sorority’s formal recognition by the state university in 1933, and the 9th Mariang Maya Awards, eight outstanding achievers for 2023 received their statuettes during the gala night at Bahay Alumni in UP Diliman on February 25, apropos to the People Power 37th anniversary. Their citation in their field of endeavor reads:
Marlene Catalina Paje-Rodriguez ‘66 – PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
“For being one among the rare breed of women Regional Directors at the National Economic Development Agency (NEDA) spending a successful decade in Bicol and six years in Central Visayas, likewise involving herself in poverty alleviation and community service.”
“For creating some of the most memorable images in contemporary times including a portrait of Ninoy Aquino for a 1983 magazine cover story about his untimely death, painstakingly rendered in pen & ink dots signifying with powerful imagery every Filipino’s struggle for freedom; mastheads and numerous Page Ones of trailblazing newspapers that sought to defend press freedom and resist tyranny.”
Virginia Honrado-Benavidez ‘68 – DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
“A stalwart career diplomat who gained people’s trust and friendship wherever posted – Brunei Darussalam, New Zealand, some Pacific island states – including overseas Filipinos, especially the women, whom she pledged to serve.”
Maria Lourdes Santos ‘72 – FOOD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
“A pioneering product innovator who has done research and development for major food companies across Southeast Asia, producing commercial-grade food and beverage items that have garnered international recognition.”
Linda Luz Bacungan-Guerrero ‘73 – SOCIAL RESEARCH
“For having proven herself as a highly respected social scientist, a recognized leader in the field of highly credible social surveys and opinion polls for public interest.”
Annie Gerona Dee ‘73 – BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
“A woman trailblazer in the world of mining that is traditionally led by men – a forerunner of today’s version of Women in STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – with her responsible mining advocacy while paying back nature’s gifts by directing the planting of thousands of native trees.”
Maria Elizabeth Santiago-Sichon ‘76 – HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
“Made her mark in the fields of human resources development and organizational psychology, coaching and training people to move up the corporate ladder and creating opportunities for more Filipino executives in global corporations, her insights mostly chronicled in her book, The Art of Human Resources.”
Frances Rivera ‘89 – BROADCAST COMMUNICATIONS
“A two-time Emmy Award winner for news anchoring (in the United States), who also produced news segments and, as moderator of various forums and discussions that shed light on the Asian-American experience, brought a better understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives to a wide audience.”
The School of Management extends its warmest congratulations to Prof. Pedro A. Alviola IV, PhD, on his appointment as a member of the Editorial Board of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Philippine Journal of Development.
Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer administered the oaths of office of the new officers of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of San Francisco (UPAASF) on 3 February 2023 at Sentro Rizal, Philippine Center in San Francisco.
The 2023-2024 UPAASF officers will be led by its President, San Francisco SCORE Vice Chair for Community Engagement and former UP Engineering R&D Foundation President Chato Calderon, and its new Executive Vice President, Tancinco Law P.C. Principal Partner and GMA Pinoy TV host Atty. Lou Tancinco.
Consul General Ferrer praised the UPAASF for their “unflinching commitment to serve the community and the motherland,” and expressed his hope for productive relations with the organization’s new set of officers. The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and the UPAASF have collaborated in numerous initiatives such as the latter’s Cultural Immersion Summer Camp for young Filipino Americans. (San Francisco PCG photos)
Uy took her oath as undersecretary for legislative affairs before NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan last Tuesday at the agency’s headquarters in Pasig City.
MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) director Krystal Lyn Tan Uy has been named as new undersecretary at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Uy took her oath as undersecretary for legislative affairs before NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan last Tuesday at the agency’s headquarters in Pasig City.
Uy will serve as the supervising officer of the Legislative Liaison Office and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Secretariat, which serves as a consultative and advisory body to the President on programs and policies to realize goals for the economy.
The NEDA serves as the principal LEDAC Secretariat.
Part of Uy’s duties is to articulate the NEDA’s position on legislative bills, as well as to develop and implement the agency’s legislative agenda.
She will also be undertaking policy research, monitor the bills, and be responsible in maintaining a close relationship between the NEDA and the Congress.
Before joining NEDA, Uy was the director of the Mergers and Acquisitions Office at the PCC.
She is also lecturer at the University of the Philippines – College of Law, specializing in competition and innovation law.
ABS-CBN has appointed Mary Anne Francis Toral as the new head of ABS-CBN News, succeeding Regina “Ging” Reyes.
Nadia Trinidad is News Digital Media head; Baroy Morga appointed as ANC head
ABS-CBN has appointed Mary Anne Francis Toral as the new head of ABS-CBN News, succeeding Regina “Ging” Reyes who retired on December 31, 2022.
Prior to her appointment, Francis served as ABS-CBN’s News Production head and was instrumental in the successful 2022 Halalan marathon coverage. She also led ABS-CBN News’ DocuCentral group that produced several award-winning documentaries, including “Di Ka Pasisiil,” a documentary on the Marawi siege that won a Gold World Medal in the New York Festivals – World’s Best TV & Films in 2018.
During her tenure as ABS-CBN head of Breaking News and Live Events, Francis was also responsible for the special coverage of the Visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines in 2015 and “PILIPINAS 2016,” the Presidential Town Hall Debate held in Pangasinan.
Francis, a 25-year veteran of ABS-CBN News, rose from the ranks and produced various programs including “The World Tonight” with Angelo Castro Jr. and Tina Monzon Palma, “Talkback” with Tina Monzon Palma, and “Beyond Politics” with Lynda Jumilla.
She graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Broadcast Communication in 1998. In 2009, Francis was awarded the Benigno and Corazon Aquino Fellowship by the United States Embassy in Manila.
Meanwhile, Nadia Trinidad has been appointed as News Digital Media head, and will now be responsible for ABS-CBN News Online and its digital news properties. Nadia was previously the head of the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) prior to her new appointment. She began her career as a reporter and news advisory anchor for Studio 23 and eventually took on bigger roles including being the North America Bureau chief in 2011, News Production head in 2013, and managing director in 2021. Nadia is a Communication graduate of Ateneo De Manila University and holds a postgraduate degree from Stanford University as a John S. Knight Journalism Fellow.
She succeeds Lynda Jumilla who retired last December 31 after serving as news digital head for three years. A veteran broadcast journalist, Lynda was named the Marshall McLuhan fellow in 2012 by the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines. She was the anchor of “Beyond Politics” on ANC and previously served as ABS-CBN chief of reporters.
Taking the helm as the new ANC head is Alvaro Dan “Baroy” Morga. He will be in-charge of ANC’s content production and lead its editorial production teams. He previously served as ABS-CBN News’ head of Strategy and New Business. Baroy graduated with a degree in Economics from Ateneo De Manila University.
For other updates, follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.
NIGS.SCIENCE.UPD.EDUPRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has appointed a geologist with expertise on water and climate change as undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
In an appointment letter dated Dec. 28 and made public on Feb. 14, the president appointed Carlos Primo C. David as DENR undersecretary for scientific and technical services.
Mr. David earlier served as a convenor and trustee of the Albert del Rosario Institute, which provides strategic solutions to domestic governance, socio-economic, and other policy concerns.
He was also a convenor of the Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship and is a member of the panel of experts of the Climate Change Commission.
He also previously worked as executive director of the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DoST-PCIEERD).
He was also one of the project leaders of DoST’s Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) Program, which is now under the University of the Philippines.
The geologist is the son of Randall “Randy” S. David, a journalist and sociologist who is a vocal critic of the Marcos administration.
The newly appointed undersecretary completed his doctorate in environmental science and geology from Stanford University in 2003. He is also a geology professor at the University of the Philippines. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
LOOK: Prof. Danilo L. Concepcion, 21st President of the University of the Philippines (UP), passes the mace symbolizing the UP Presidency to his successor, Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez, as he officially starts his term as the 22nd UP President today, February 10, 2023.
The turnover ceremony for the UP Presidency was held this morning at Quezon Hall, UP Diliman, the seat of governance for the national university. It was attended by officials of the UP System, both outgoing and incoming; officials of the different UP campuses; the families of the two UP presidents; members of the UP community; government officials and private sector representatives; and international guests, including members of the diplomatic corps and a delegation of academics from Southern Taiwan representing Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association from Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Although its habitat remains unspoiled, Helicia danlagunzadii is suspected of being collected for biological use, leading to its possible population decline
MANILA, Philippines – On the fourth day of a grueling eight-day floristic survey in July 2019, traversing all of Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape (MMPL) in southern Palawan, the researchers saw a bright yellow flowering treelet belonging to the Proteaceae family, glistening even before the crack of dawn.
It was a newly discovered species they named Helicia danlagunzadii.
“Parang sulit ‘yung pagod kasi [noong] unang beses na makita ko, [I know] it’s a new species,” said Pastor Malabrigo Jr., the first author of the study and a plant taxonomy and forest biodiversity professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
(When I first saw it, I felt that all the effort was worth it because I know it is a new species.)
The researchers officially described the new species and explained their process in a peer-reviewed journal article, published in the Philippine Journal of Science (formal publication release in April 2023). The study was led by Malabrigo – also the Museum of Natural History’s curator for trees – alongside fellow UPLB researchers Arthur Glenn Umali, Gerald Eduarte, John Ryan Navidad, and Adriane Tobias.
“Kung mapapatubo natin ‘yan sa isang landscape area o urban parks natin, palagay ko, pagkakaguluhan ‘yan,” Malabrigo said on the possible benefits of the newly discovered species.
(I think the public will be excited about it, especially if we can grow the new species in a landscape area or urban parks.)
The bright yellow flowers covering its leafless branches are a sight to behold, ensuring its huge potential not just for aesthetic purposes but for other ecological services as well.
DISCOVERY. Close-up photo of Helicia danlagunzadii’s inflorescence. Image courtesy of Pro-Seeds Development Association
As a close relative of the macadamia tree, H. danlagunzadii has the possibility of producing economically significant fruits due to the predictive power of classification. Malabrigo explained that this is a scientific concept suggesting that related species are likely to have similar properties.
“Biodiversity is directly related to food security,” Tobias said about the importance of the discovery to biodiversity and resilience.
He added that as more humans discover more species, especially those that are potential food sources, the better stability we ensure in having access to adequate food.
Compared to the other five Helicia species found in the Philippines, the new species is unique for its bright shorter clusters of flowers in a branch or set of branches (inflorescences) at 2.5-3.5 centimeters (cm) (vs. 4-32 cm inflorescences of other Helicia species with relatively darker colors) that are often found in pairs.
This flowering treelet or shrub grows up to 4 meters tall, with oval leaves and bright yellowish florets. It has the smallest maximum height among the Helicia species in the Philippines, based on the study.
The researchers chose the name, danlagunzadii, for the new species in honor of Malabrigo’s mentor, Daniel Lagunzad, who was “a great Filipino systematist and ecologist,” according to the study. Lagunzad worked as a professor at the Institute of Biology of the University of the Philippines Diliman, and was known for inspiring his students toward taxonomy and curing people’s plant blindness.
Challenges
However, the researchers, some of whom are assessors for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), have assessed H. danlagunzadii under the critically endangered classification of the IUCN Red List.
Their assessment will eventually be approved and added to the updated IUCN Red List website. They acknowledged the possibility of population decline due to the limited number of the said species found in the identified area – a key biodiversity location. Only three matured H. danlagunzadii were observed during the survey.
Although its habitat remains unspoiled, the species is suspected of being collected for biological use, leading to its possible decline. The said species was discovered during a floristic survey in 2019, as part of the project “Enhancing Conservation Actions in Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape” funded and supported by the Forest Foundation Philippines.
“We have the so-called ‘tragedy of the uncommons’ sa (among) trees. Kapag hindi kilala, walang economic value, hindi alam na sa kanila lang makikita, critically endangered, and then pinuputul-putol lang (If it is unknown, has no economic value, and people are unaware that it can only be found in their area and is critically endangered, would likely be cut down),” Malabrigo explained, as most of the locals replace native plants with their misperceived high-value ones.
With 10 vegetative cover types, MMPL is home to more than a hundred threatened species, and the lack of knowledge of a species makes it difficult to impose existing protection laws. Since H. danlagunzadii is located in the transition zone between mossy forest and sub-alpine forest, as well as along the trek path, the new species is likely to have experienced gathering from both locals and tourists.
Rising hope against biodiversity loss
Collected on July 25, 2019, from the highest mountain in Palawan, H. danlagunzadii is crucial to the biodiversity of the said province and the country.
With Palawan as a biodiversity hotspot, which entails high plant endemism and habitat loss, discovering new species provides hope amid biodiversity loss. Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem resilience and stability – and, essentially, for human survival.
The researchers highlighted the importance of discovering and naming new species, which is the root of all eventual discoveries about their ecological and economic importance to humans.
They said even the locals do not have a name for H. danlagunzadii, suggesting that it has no specific economic value for them. It strengthens the need for more taxonomists in the country, whom they also called “critically endangered” in the country.
“Napakalaki ng ambag nito, hindi lamang sa Palawan at Pilipinas, kundi maging sa buong siyensya (This discovery has a significant contribution, not only to Palawan and the Philippines but also to science),” Umali said about their discovery and the entire process of naming new species.
Malabrigo suggested both in situ (onsite) and ex situ (offsite) conservation strategies to the government and concerned organizations. As a critically endangered species, it falls under a utilization ban to prevent any illegal gathering and protect these species.
More importantly, he pointed out the need for grant-giving institutions to prioritize biodiversity explorations, especially since the Philippines is a megadiverse nation.
“Unless a species is named, hindi mo siya mapapag-aralan,” Malabrigo reiterated. (Unless a species is named, people will never start to study it for further exploration.)
Future studies
Currently, the researchers have already discovered and published four new species from MMPL alone, with another three still undergoing publication review. They excitedly shared that they also have identified 10 new species for further exploration.
With their upcoming book launch in June 2023, in line with the anniversary of the MMPL proclamation, the researchers are excited about the biodiversity research and exploration possibilities in the country.
With the numerous unexplored areas and species in the Philippines, the researchers encourage young people to experience the exciting life and several perks of being a botanist: going to different places, encountering various creatures, and having a significant contribution to science, all while getting paid for it. – Rappler.com
Prof. Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap, dean of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas, was appointed to the Technical Panel for Fisheries Education of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Yap took oath as a member of the new set of technical panels in a ceremony held online on February 7, 2023.
CHED chairman Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera III administered the virtual oath-taking of the seven-member team spearheaded by Mr. Michael Tiu Lim as the chairperson. Lim is the Vice President for Business Development of Mega Fishing Corp.
Other members of the said panel are Atty. Gloria E. Ramos (Vice President, Oceana- Phils), Dr. Carlos C. Baylon (Member, PRC Board of Fisheries), Dr. Catalino Dela Cruz (Member, PRC Board of Fisheries), Dr. Maria Rowena R. Equia (Professor, De La Salle University and retired Scientist, SEAFDEC AQD), and Dr. Dan M. Arriesgado (Dean, School of Marine Fisheries and Technology, Mindanao State University – Naawan).
The technical panel is expected to assist CHED in the formulation of policies and standards, and in the evaluation or assessment of higher education institutions (HEIs) and the program offerings.
Members of the technical panel were selected based on their expertise, training, and experience.
