CONGRATULATIONS PROF. ERLYN A. SANA!
The National Teacher Training Center for the Health Profession wishes Professor Erlyn A. Sana a big congratulations for being the 2021 Recipient of the Award for Exemplary Civilian Service to Philippine Medicine by the Philippine Medical Association!
Your NTTCHP family is very proud of you! #TatakNTTCHP
Visit us: http://nttchp.upm.edu.ph
Source: UP Manilia FB page
Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), has been appointed by the International Council for Distance Education (ICDE) Secretary General Torunn Gjelsvik as an Ambassador for Open Educational Resources (OER). She has also been appointed as a member of the ICDE OER Advisory Committee (OERAC). These appointments are valid for two years and until the end of 2022.
The OERAC was created with the objective of increasing global recognition of OER and to provide policy support for the uptake, use and reuse of OER. The main task of the committee members and ambassadors of OER is to to support the implementation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) OER recommendations as well as the monitoring and evaluation activities.
The current advisory committee is constituted by representatives from six different world regions. These are Jane-Frances Obiageli Agbu of the National Open University of Nigeria, Nigeria; Mpine Makoe of the University of South Africa, South Africa; Xiangyang Zhang of the Jiangsu Open University, China; Daniel Burgos of the International University of La Rioja, Spain; Ebba Ossiannilsson of the Swedish Association Distance Education, Sweden; Cengiz Hakan Aydin of the Anadolu University, Turkey; Cristine M G Gusmão of the Rio Grande Do Norte Federal University, Brazil; Rosa Leonor Ulloa Cazarez of the Guadalajara University, Mexico; Constance Blomgren of the Athabasca University, Canada; and Yi Yang of Franklin University, USA.
Dr. Bandalaria is an active advocate of open education. She has been engaged in Open Educational Resource and Practices since 2017 and has led various programs and projects on this topic. Chancellor Bandalaria is also known for her leadership in open education initiatives, being the Chair of the Asian MOOCs Steering Committee, and the Co-Chair of the OER Dynamic Coalition Advisory Board on Quality, Inclusive Multilingualism.
Source: https://www.upou.edu.ph/news/upou-chancellor-bandalaria-appointed-as-icde-ambassador-for-oer/
The Upsilon Sigma Phi congratulates Atty. Victor Avecilla ‘79 for his appointment as the Presiding Commissioner of the Third Division of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).
The NLRC is a quasi-judicial agency attached to the Department of Labor and Employment. It is mandated to adjudicate labor and management disputes involving local and overseas workers.
Fellow Victor concurrently serves as a columnist for the Daily Tribune. He has been an assistant professor in the UP College of Mass Communication since 1992.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communication from the UP College of Mass Communication and a Juris Doctor degree from the UP College of Law.
Congratulations, Brod!
Source: Upsilon Sigma Phi FB page
Dr. Deo Florence L. Onda, a microbial oceanographer of The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines is set to make history as one of the first humans and the first Filipino to reach the 3rd deepest spot on earth, located in the Philippine Trench called the Emden Deep which is approximately 10,400 m or 34,100 ft deep. Dr. Onda was invited by the organization Caladan Oceanic to join the Emden Deep Expedition targeted on March 22 to 28, 2021. He will be joined in the descent by Mr. Victor Vescovo, the current record holder of the deepest manned descent in the Marianas Trench in 2019. Mr. Vescovo is also the main sponsor of Caladan Oceanic, which is a private organization that has been setting records for deepest manned descents in the world’s deepest trenches, with the most recent one in the Marianas in 2019.
Deep sea expeditions like this one are equivalent to the first early flights into outer space, thus it would be a major record-setting scientific and historic achievement. To date, most of these records are held by foreign scientists or explorers. The Philippine Trench is a unique feature found within the EEZ of the Philippines, and it is only appropriate that a Filipino scientist be one of the first to hold this record in the Emden Deep.
Dr. Onda and Mr. Vescovo will dive the Emden Deep onboard the DSSV Pressure Drop, the only marine vessel in the world capable of launching the deep-sea submersible DSV Limiting Factor that can carry humans and repeatedly dive to the deepest parts in the world’s oceans.
Part of the goal is to wave the Philippine Flag in the Emden Deep during its record-setting voyage, highlighting that it is an integral part of our nation’s heritage. Dr. Onda, as the sole Filipino researcher representing the country, will also be given a unique opportunity to be exposed to state-of-the-art vessels capable of deep-sea activities, which can enrich our experiences and knowledge as the Philippines builds its own National Academic Research Fleet (NARFleet), an ongoing national project funded by the Philippine Government. This endeavor can spark interest and passion for many other young Filipinos who would want to make a career in the sciences and bring more attention to the protection, preservation, and conservation of the Philippine marine environment.
Dr. Onda is now onboard the DSSV Pressure Drop and will start the voyage from the port of Guam to the Philippine Trench. This activity has been fully coordinated with the Philippine Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and is considered a non-Marine Scientific Research (MSR) activity.
For more information, please send inquiries to [email protected],ph/ (632) 922-3962, (632) 981-8500 local 2902 or email Mr. Rob McCallum ([email protected]), the expedition leader of the Caladan Expedition.
Source: http://www.msi.upd.edu.ph/?fbclid=IwAR1sENv2idRtUvtKBpyU-YAmj9fT-aJ25cIUYVN_f56lKM9vTegY5b31aMw
The Upsilon Sigma Phi of the University of the Philippines in late February honored 11 of its alumni with the Upsilonian, Noble and Outstanding or UNO awards.
This year’s UNO awardees are community development guru Nestor M. Pestelos, a political detainee during Martial Law; and retired General Gregorio Pio Catapang, former AFP chief of staff; retired Colonel Nereo C. Andolong, past Philippine Olympic Committee Chairman and PCSO General Manager; US based physicians, Dr. Emmanuel A. Lat and Dr. William E. Romero, both past Presidents of the UP Medical Alumni Society of America; entrepreneur Ray A. Orozco; former Unilever executive Jose “Pong” Ejercito; More Power President Roel Castro; the late former DBP chairman Ramoncito Z. Abad; the late news anchor Angelo Y. Castro Jr.; and the late Capiz Representative Gerardo A. Roxas Jr.
The awarding ceremonies were conducted online during the biennial Upsilon Congress, which itself was conducted via Zoom due to health protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Upsilon Congress ushered in the new leadership in in the USP Alumni Association of House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez as chairman and Unilever Philippines executive Ed Sunico as president.
The other new officials are Myki Cantero, vice president; Bong Uichangco, treasurer; and Atty. Eric Pilapil, corporate secretary.
Members of the new Board of Directors and Trustees include Dr. Bill Romero, Ricky Marcelo, Roel Castro, Bong Manlulu, Lewis Yu, Dr. Alan Austriaco, Gari Tiongco, Dennis Gelacio, Atty. Jorenz Tañada, Jon Javier, Atty. Poli Policarpio 2000, Atty. Jeff Coronel, and Alaine Gonzales.
The Upsilon Sigma Phi is recognized as the oldest Greek-letter society in Asia and is based solely in the State University’s primary campuses, UP Diliman/UP Manila and UP Los Banos.
It celebrated its centennial in 2018.
From Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association press release
Written by Rowena N. Peter and Mary Charlotte O. Fresco
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”(Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Philosopher)
In time for its 88th General Membership Assembly, National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), the country’s premier agency for basic and fundamental research and the largest collegial body, has named its member-awardees and member emeriti as the recipients of the 2020 NRCP Awards.
Seven (7) NRCP Regular Members (researchers) were carefully chosen as awardees and will be conferred the NRCP Achievement Award, the highest recognition bestowed by the Council since 1979 on its members whose works greatly contributed to the advancement of their respective fields of expertise and responded to the needs and challenges of various industries.
Two (2) awardees will also receive the NRCP Member Emeritus Award which is given in recognition of the member’s distinguished lifetime accomplishments in research and for mentoring younger scientists and researchers.
Indeed, more than their works, is the enthusiasm they demonstrate in sharing their expertise and continued advocacy in encouraging the young to get into research and eventually contribute to the development goals of the country.
The official presentation of the awardees will be part of the NRCP Annual Scientific Conference and 88th General Membership Assembly on March 10, 2021 via an online platform.
The 2020 NRCP Achievement Awardees per scientific division are the following:
Division of Mathematical Sciences
JOSE ERNIE C. LOPE, Ph.D.
Full Professor, Institute of Mathematics
University of the Philippines Diliman
Dr. Lope is one of the foremost experts in the area of partial differential equations, contributing both to theory and applications. He has distinguished himself through his significant and numerous research publications in high-quality international and national journals. He serves key positions in research and professional organizations including National Board Member and the current Vice-President of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines. He has received prestigious awards for his research and teaching, such as appointment to the UP Scientist I position, the UP Diliman Gawad Chanselor para sa Natatanging Guro, National Academy of Science and Technology Outstanding Young Scientist Award, NAST-The World Academy of Sciences Young Scientist Award and first prize in the NAST-Du Pont Talent Search for Young Scientists. He has successfully mentored numerous students at all levels.
Division of Biological Sciences
VACHEL GAY VELASCO PALLER, Ph.D.
Professor of the Institute of Biological Sciences
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Dr. Paller is a distinguished expert whose advocacy and contributions in the field of parasitology research have fostered interdisciplinary and interagency approaches in addressing parasite control and prevention in poor-resource communities in the country. Her advocacy in promoting ONE HEALTH through evidence-based research, teaching, and extension has fostered interagency and international partnerships, improved academic curriculum, and capacity building of higher education institutions and local communities to improve ecosystem, animal, and human health. She was hailed as one of the UPLB Outstanding Alumni awardees in 2014, awarded the UP Scientist III title, the UPLB Outstanding Teacher in Biological Sciences in 2016, the UPLB College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Researcher Award in 2020, and the One UP Professorial Chair Award for 2016-2021. She has published over 50 original scientific articles in high-impact journals.She also exemplifies excellent leadership and mentoring with the exceptional ability to inspire her colleagues and students to uphold the ideals of honor, excellence, and service. She authored NRCP Monograph titled “Fish Parasites as Heavy Metal Absorbents” and was the project leader of the NRCP-funded project “Diversity and Ecology of Acanthocephalan Parasites in Freshwater Fishes from the Seven Lakes of San Pablo City, Philippines and their Potential as Heavy Metal Bioindicators.”
Division of Agriculture and Forestry
RAMON A. RAZAL, Ph.D.
Professor 12 at the College of Forestry and Natural Resources
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Dr. Razal is a distinguished researcher whose work on non-timber forest products such as bamboo and resin contributed greatly to enriching knowledge and providing policy support to improve the lives of people in forest communities. He has published numerous scientific papers in indexed and peer-reviewed journals, books and book chapters, and technical reports. He is also an accomplished administrator and teacher and received awards such as the 2020 UPLB Outstanding Senior Researcher in Natural Sciences Award, the 2019 Kapisanang Kimika ng Pilipinas – Southern Tagalog Chapter Distinguished Achievement Award in Research, and the 1999 UPLB Outstanding Teacher Award in Physical Science, among others. He shares his technical expertise by conducting training and giving lectures to a wide array of audience and participants. He served as the Chair of NRCP’s Agriculture and Forestry Division from 2016-2020 and as NRCP President from 2018-2020.
Division of Engineering and Industrial Research
ARISTOTLE T. UBANDO, Ph.D.
Full Professor and Research Fellow
Mechanical Engineering Department
De La Salle University
Dr. Ubando’s research works focus on finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics, process integration and optimization, and energy system modelling. He has published more than 120 Scopus-indexed journal papers in the national and international level with an h-index of 13. He is selected as one of the 2017 Asian Scientist 100 for his contribution in the sustainability field. He is a multi-awarded scientist in the Philippines, among his national awards is the Outstanding Young Scientist in 2016 bestowed by NAST Philippines. He is also a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship Program at the University of Arizona and Texas A&M University in 2013. Prof. Ubando has been engaged as an RD Leader under the RD Leadership program being implemented by NRCP for the development of Mindanao Renewable Energy R&D Center.
Division of Physics
JINKY BAUTISTA BORNALES, Ph.D.
Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension
Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology
Professor Bornales is among the foremost experts in the application of path summation and white noise functional techniques applied to quantum and biomolecular systems. She has applied these methods in contexts such as fermions in Aharonov-Bohm-Coulomb systems, polymer entanglements, fractional Brownian motion, and biomolecular transport. She has actively been engaged in administration work, having served as Chair of the Physics Department, Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, and President of the Samahang Pisika ng Visayas in Mindanao (SPVM). She has led projects such as Establishment of Center of Innovation and Technopreneurship (CIT) at MSU-IIT and TBI 4.0: Mindanao SCALE UP Program for DOST-iDEYA TBI. She heads the FABLab Mindanao and heads the MoCoS (Modeling Corona Spread) Philippine Team, and is a member of the Scientific Board of the Institute for Research Innovation and Scholarship and is the current Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension of MSU-IIT.
Division of Humanities
JOSE WENDELL P. CAPILI, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice-President for Public Affairs
Director of Alumni Relations
University of the Philippines Diliman
Dr. Capili is a Professor of English, creative writing and comparative literature at the College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman. His works were published in Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia. He has held various administrative posts across the UP System since 1997. He was a recipient of the National Book Award (Literary History/Literary Criticism, 2017), the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature (Essay, 1996), the Cultural Center of the Philippines Award for Literature (Poetry, 1993), the UP International Publication Award (2001), the UP Diliman Gawad Chancellor (1998), the UP System Outstanding Student Artist Award (1989), the UP System Creative Writing Grant (2003), the UP Carlos P. Romulo Professorial Chair (1998, 2000), the UP Centennial Professorial Chair (2009, 2010, 2011, 2017), and the One UP Professorial Chair for Teaching and Research (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), as well as various scholarships, grants and fellowships.
Division of Earth and Space Sciences
BETCHAIDA D. PAYOT, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
National Institute of Geological Sciences
University of the Philippines Diliman
Dr. Payot is an expert in igneous petrology and geochemistry whose works significantly contributed to the understanding of the origin and the processes involved in the formation of igneous rock suites called “ophiolites” in different parts of the Philippines. Some of her most notable works include elucidating the evolution of several Philippines islands through petrological and geochemical analyses of ophiolitic rocks in Pujada peninsula, and Palawan, among others. Her research on xenoliths hosted by volcanic rocks in Mt. Pinatubo, the Batanes group of islands and in Baguio also shed light to magmatic and metasomatic processes in the Luzon arc. Aside from her active involvement in geological research in the Philippines, she also currently serves as one of the Board of Trustees of the Geological Society of the Philippines (GSP). Dr. Payot is actively involved in other extension services that aim to bring science closer to the masses through information and education campaigns and various lectures and workshops on geohazards.
The 2020 NRCP Member Emeriti are the following:
Cluster 1
BELEN TAN-GATUE MEDINA
Retired Professor
Department of Sociology
University of the Philippines Diliman
Professor Medina is the recognized expert in the sociology of the family and the author of the only textbook on this topic in the country, The Filipino Family, published by the UP Press (3rd Edition, 2015). Her other works are on emerging structures and arrangements in families, marriage patterns among slum-dwellers, intermarriage, fragility of marriage and other marital problems, chain migration of families to the United States, outmigration of village families, and the Filipino elderly.
Professor Medina served for more than half a century as a founding member and officer of the Philippine Sociological Society and as pioneering faculty member of the UP Diliman Department of Sociology, and has contributed to the professional growth of several generations of sociologists, now at the helm as institutional leaders in the country.
Cluster 4
CEFERINO P. MAALA, DVM, Ph.D.
NAST Academician
Professor Emeritus
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Dr. Maala is an expert in veterinary anatomy specially that of the water buffalo. His researches on the anatomy of the Philippine water buffalo have significantly contributed to the improvement of the Philippine water buffalo production in the country. Among the monitoring works of Dr. Maala include the muzzle and palatine printing method which could be adapted as alternative methods in the identification of the Philippine water buffalo. Despite having retired from teaching, Dr. Maala is still actively involved in teaching graduate courses as well as serving as thesis adviser to undergraduate and graduate DVM students. He has just organized the Philippine Association of Veterinary Anatomists (PAVA) and was elected its first President. In recognition of his exemplary accomplishments in teaching and research, Dr. Maala has been honored Outstanding Teacher and Researcher Awards in Veterinary Medicine by various professional and scientific groups in the country.
The Alpha Phi Omega Sorority – Eta Chapter would like to congratulate our sister, Atty. Dahlia B. Salamat, for being elected as the Vice President for the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Zambales Chapter.
May you continue to uphold Leadership, Friendship, and Service in all your endeavors. We’re very proud of you!
The Romblon State University (RSU) Board of Regents has appointed lawyer Glenn Niño Sartillo as the new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) effective January 18, 2021, according to RSU President Merian Catajay-Mani.
Sartillo holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP-D), a master’s degree in Public Administration from UP National College of Public Administration and Governance, and a Juris Doctor degree from the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Makati.
He earned a certificate in advanced course on the Basics of Patent Drafting from the World Intellectual Property Organization Academy and has published papers on local governance and development.
He was formerly LPU-Manila’s Resident Legal Counsel; Chairman of the College of International Relations; Compliance Officer for Privacy and Technical Expert on Innovation and Technology.
He also served as Presidential Staff Officer 5 at the Presidential Management Staff of the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines.
He is a lifetime member of the UP Chapter of the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society and of The Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
He was the second Filipino to receive the highly coveted Outstanding Scout of the Asia Pacific Award, adjudged one of the Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines, and cited as a National Ulirang Kabataan awardee.
As CAO, Sartillo will be working closely with the university president and other officials in the implementation of administrative policies and in managing the human resources; finance, property, and procurement; security and general services; information, communication and technology; and other administrative affairs of RSU.
MANILA – A Filipina historian has been given the highest academic honors by Spain’s Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
In a statement, the Philippine Embassy in Madrid said Dr. Ros Costelo was given the mark of sobresaliente cum laude, the highest possible mark given by the Spanish educational system.
Costelo defended her doctoral thesis last January 28. Entitled “Public Works and the Spanish Colonial Agenda of Sanitation, Order, and Social Control in the Late 18th to 19th Century Manila”, Costelo detailed how the Spanish colonial policies shaped the creation of public works in Manila during that period.
Costelo received praise for her original research and its contribution to the study of the 18th and 19th century Philippines.
Her panel is composed of Spanish, French, and Filipino historians.
MAKING, REMAKING OF MANILA
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Costelo explained that her dissertation focuses on the development and urbanization of Manila during the late 18th to 19th century, crediting Spain both for the successes and failures of their colonial policies on public works, sanitation, and order.
“Kasabay ng urbanization ang paglitaw ng sala-salabit na problema ng sanitation, order, at control,” she said, noting the housing, sanitation, and environmental problems in the city.
(Along with urbanization came interconnected problems in sanitation, order and control.)
She also explains in her thesis at from the late 18th century, Manila was no longer divided areas inside and outside the walled city of Intramuros. Rather, the city was divided into the areas located on the right bank of the Pasig River, and those on its left bank.
Areas in the right side of the Pasig River include Binondo, Tondo, Quiapo, San Miguel, Sampaloc and Sta. Cruz, while those on its left bank are Paco, Ermita, Malate and Intramuros.
By looking at how the Spaniards organized Manila in that period, Costelo said she saw that problems of road congestion, mobility of people, sanitation and public order, and even lack of housing, can be traced back to this period.
She also said that the problems in Manila in that period can still be seen at present.
“Bakit problema na natin sila ilang siglo na ang nakakaraan, at nakikita pa rin natin ngayon?” Costelo said.
(Why is it that they have been our problems centuries ago and yet we still see them at present?)
During the course of her research, Costelo was also able to produce original maps of 19th century Manila, drawn based on the information she gathered.
Costelo, likewise, said her research did not only focus on the positive side of the Spanish colonial policies, as she also showed the different forms of resistance and negotiations that existed at that time.
“Ipinakita ko sa dissertation ko ‘yung iba’t ibang forms of resistance ng inhabitants of Manila, iba’t ibang forms of negotiation,” she said.
(I showed the different forms of resistance of the inhabitants of Manila, the different forms of negotiation.)
“The making and remaking of a city (Manila) needed more than just the transformation of the physical space. More importantly, it involved the conversion of mentalities and habits of people,” Costelo added.
CHALLENGES
Having stayed in Spain for a little over 5 years, Costelo said the biggest challenge for her and for other Filipinos who might also want to study there is the language.
Costelo wrote her dissertation both in Spanish and English, as she had to study the language in order to access the archival sources in Madrid and Seville.
She also said it is very important for the younger generation of Filipinos to rediscover the country’s colonial past by looking back at the sources and writing it in the Philippine perspective.
“Very important ang ating pag-rediscover ng history through our own eyes,” Costelo said.
(It is very important to rediscover our history through our own eyes.)
And as if the language barrier was not enough, Costelo contracted COVID-19 last October.
Luckily, she only suffered from mild symptoms and was able to recover at home.
Costelo hails from the town of Tunga in Leyte, the sixth of eight siblings. She has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in History from the University of the Philippines, and is currently an assistant professor at the Department of History in UP Diliman.
Before taking her Ph.D, Costelo also took another master’s degree in contemporary history, also from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, whose notable alumni include Jose Rizal and Antonio Luna.
Aside from teaching, Costelo also participates in events organized by the Philippine Embassy in Madrid.
“Dr. Costelo is not only smart, motivated and hard-working, but she has a good heart and is always there to help towards advancing Philippine-Spain relations. I am certain that she will continue to make the country proud,” Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier said about Costelo.
For any questions or clarifications, Costelo may be reached via email at [email protected]
Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com
Two young Filipinas made it to the prestigious 2020 Young Explorer program of the National Geographic Society.
Together with other youth leaders from around the world, farmer-entrepreneur Louise Mabulo and youth advocate Josefa Tauli from the Cordillera region will be joining the 2020 class of NatGeo’s Young Explorers.
This batch of NatGeo’s Young Explorers is made up of 24 inspiring 17-25-year-old changemakers on the frontlines of the most complex and urgent issues of the world.
Mabulo, 22, heads The Cacao Project, a social venture aimed at equipping farmers for sustainability.
She also hosts an online cooking show aimed at promoting cultural diplomacy and locally produced with the Department of Foreign Affairs called Simply Sarap.
“It is an absolute privilege to be recognized by National Geographic Society for this honor — knowing that they align with our vision and are here to support me through it. It’s extremely reaffirming,” she said.
On the other hand, 25 year-old Tauli is a member of the Steering Committee of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), a global movement of young people active on biodiversity. GYBN also acts as the international coordination platform for youth participation in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
A proud member of the Kankanaey-Ibaloi Igorot ethnic group from Baguio, Tauli advocates for the meaningful and effective participation of youth in environmental policy spaces, and Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
“I feel very excited and privileged to have been given the support by National Geographic to continue forward with the causes close to my heart. I’m also really looking forward to connecting with and learning from fellow youth who are all doing very inspiring work,” said Tauli.
Josefa and Louise are now part of #GenGeo, a global community of young people with empathy, tenacity, passion and an insatiable drive to seek solutions to build a sustainable future and thriving planet.
“These young changemakers firmly believe that nothing is impossible and together — when they work as a collective — they are unstoppable,” said Chris Fisne of National Geographic.
Since 1888, the National Geographic Society has brought together extraordinary individuals from around the world. This program has expanded to include the younger generation who are working on the frontlines to solve global problems.
Inclusion in the program will fund their projects that promote their respective advocacies: farming and indigenous people’s rights.
“I plan to use this platform to promote local Filipino farmers and cultivate resiliency through sustainable and regenerative farming practices among local cultivators — allowing farming to continue to preserve our ecosystems,” said Mabulo.
“One of my advocacies is to deconstruct negative stigmas associated with the Philippine agricultural industry and Filipino farmers. We have to empower them so that they can be stewards of the environment and build resilient livelihoods that benefit both people and our planet.” she added.
Tauli said she’ll use this platform to forward advocacies related to indigenous youth.
“I aim to use this opportunity to develop materials and activities that work toward the capacity development, self-strengthening, and mobilization of indigenous youth around the world so that we can represent ourselves and bring our voices to decision-making spaces and processes,” she said.
“In particular, indigenous peoples, as stewards of much of the world’s most biodiverse areas, play a globally significant role in addressing the current biodiversity crisis — and so our voices need to be loud and clear in environmental decision-making.” she added.
Both Mabulo and Tauli advocate for empowerment of the younger generation of Filipinos, so that they can contribute to societal change.
“My message to the Filipino youth is to recognize your own responsibility to positively contribute to the future of our country, even in small local ways. We can make global contributions and impacts by acting local, and going out to support our own communities,” said Mabulo.
“We as young people have the crucial task of deciding what kind of world we want to live in, and confidently working toward it. We should never doubt our ability to transform current systems that aren’t working,” said Tauli.
“We shouldn’t settle for a future less than we deserve,” she ended.
