News & Announcements

The Philippines should brace for potentially stronger and more destructive typhoons due to climate change, warns new research coming out of the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science’s Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UPD-CS IESM).

Dr. Rafaela Jane Delfino and Dr. Gerry Bagtasa, together with colleagues from the UK, found that future Philippine typhoons may have a higher cyclone damage potential (CDP) than today’s typhoons.

CDP is a metric that takes into account several factors, including the size of the cyclone and the speed of its winds. The scientists gathered data from recent typhoons and projected these onto likely future climate scenarios to figure out future CDPs. The greater the CDP, the greater potential damage costs, particularly from winds.

Specifically, the researchers looked at three of the most deadly super typhoons in recent history: Haiyan (which happened in 2013 and was locally named Yolanda); Bopha (2012, Pablo); and Mangkhut (2018, Ompong). They then hypothesized the potential damage from these typhoons if they happened in a future where the climate is forecast to be warmer and more humid, based on multiple climate projections for the years 2070 to 2099.

Moreover, by employing various projections and considering several factors such as atmospheric temperature, sea surface temperature, pressure, and relative humidity, the researchers were able to conclusively link climate change to the intensification of the three Philippine typhoons mentioned in the study. They also found that future typhoons may be expected to be stronger and more damaging. Like spinning tops, the potentially faster winds and slower movement of these future typhoons could lead to them lingering longer over land and therefore causing more damage.

For example, under one forecast model, the CDP from a future cyclone similar to Super Typhoon Yolanda was seen to be as much as 37% greater than the damage experienced in 2013. In another simulation, Super Typhoon Ompong, which had a simulated maximum wind speed of 205 kph under present climate conditions, could potentially hit 270 kph under future climate conditions. The projections also showed an increase of as much as 50 kph in the maximum wind speeds of future typhoons like Yolanda and Pablo.

“Based on our simulations, it is found that the most damaging tropical cyclones like Haiyan, Bopha, and Mangkhut will have higher wind-related damage potential in the future,” the researchers concluded in their paper.

“Tropical cyclones of such intensity and damage potential in the future will have serious implications with the increasing exposure and vulnerability in the Philippines,” they added, calling for further research using other models and typhoon data sets.

For interview requests and other concerns, please contact [email protected].

References:

Delfino, R.J., Vidale, P.L., Bagtasa, G. et al. Response of damaging Philippines tropical cyclones to a warming climate using the pseudo global warming approach. Clim Dyn 61, 3499–3523 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-023-06742-6

October 19, 2023, former board members of the UP Alumni Association Baguio-Northern Luzon Chapter and friends of UP Baguio Alumni turned over its donation to Chancellor Corazon L. Abansi to fund the renovation/repair of the hallway, offices of the University Student Council, Council of Leaders and Outcrop- Alumni Center-UP Baguio.

Taos pusong pasasalamat sa walang sawang pag-suporta sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Baguio!

In photo: UP Baguio Alumni and Friends. Left to right, John Henry Romero, Monalie Sta Cruz-Romero, Chancellor Corazon Abansi, Lilia Bautista, John Ray Libiran and Gil Bautista.

Source: UP Baguio Facebook

Nominations are now open for the board and officers of the UPOU Alumni Foundation Inc. from 2024-2026!

The University of the Philippines Open University Alumni Foundation Inc. (UPOUAFI) will be conducting a Chapter Election from 23 October to 12 November 2023 to select new leaders who will represent the UPOU alumni community. We would like to seek your nomination on who will be the next UPOU Officials.

The officials must have the following qualifications:
-Candidate must be a graduate of a degree program (associate’s, graduate diploma, or MA) under UP Open University.
-Candidate may be nominated by any member including him/herself
-Candidate must possess good leadership skills
-Candidate must be able to represent the alumni body
-Candidate must not have committed an offense or violation

Link to ballot here: https://url.upou.edu.ph/Alumni-Officers-Nomination

Source: UP Open University (UPOU) Facebook

In a remarkable partnership, the University of the Philippines Baguio, alongside the UP Baguio Alumni Volunteers and Friends (UPAVF) and the UP Sigma Beta Sorority – Baguio, hosted a Legal Aid event on October 16, 2023 at the Iskolar ng Bayan Building, UP Baguio.

This Legal Aid initiative, in collaboration with the University of Baguio – School of Law, Saint Louis University – School of Law, and the Cordillera Career Development Colleges – College of Law, was organized under the auspices of the UP Baguio Alumni Relations Office. The UPAVF, primarily comprising legal professionals, were instrumental in bringing this event to fruition.

The public had the opportunity to access services, which included legal counseling, as well as the drafting and notarization of simple oaths and affidavits, offering crucial legal support to those in need.

Furthermore, the collaboration with SLU, UB, and CCDC marked the beginning of potential opportunities to serve the community. This partnership signified a step toward a more robust commitment to addressing legal needs in the region.

Source and more photos: University of the Philippines Baguio Facebook

Unlocking Potential: MOA Signing Between the University of the Philippines Baguio and Alpha Phi Omega Gamma Pi Alumni Association for the Launch of “Alpha Phi Omega Gamma Pi Futures” Financial Grant Program

UP Baguio and APO-Gamma Pi joined hands in a historic MOA signing ceremony. Acknowledging the critical role of financial assistance in nurturing deserving UP Baguio students, both entities committed to a collaborative effort in providing substantial support. The result of this partnership is the launch of the “Alpha Phi Omega Gamma Pi Futures” financial grant program, which is an initiative in enhancing educational opportunities and nurturing future leaders.

Photos: UP Baguio Office of Public Affairs

Source and more photos: University of the Philippines Baguio Facebook

Bee nests are a marvel of natural engineering that have inspired human engineers and inventors for centuries. Now, Filipino researchers are investigating ways to create porous materials that not only mimic the strengths of beehives but are also able to selectively trap microparticles. These new materials have potential uses in everything from water purifiers to medical sensors.

Jonathan Patricio, Gillian Kathryn Yap, Jose Jesus Gayosa, and Dr. Susan Arco of the UP Diliman College of Science’s Institute of Chemistry (UPD-CS IC) and colleagues from the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) were able to control the physical properties of porous polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films by adjusting the drying temperature used in the manufacturing process.

The PVC is formed around droplets of water which, when they evaporate, leave a pattern of microscopic holes reminiscent of a bee’s nest. Such honeycomb structures have long been recognized for their engineering applications:

“One of the most interesting structures inspired by nature is the honeycomb pattern… Its unique properties and structure inspired the construction of light and robust aircraft and spacecraft, protection gear, panels, packaging, and cushioning because of an ability to absorb impact and energy,” the researchers explained in their paper.

“The repeating units of a honeycomb pattern can also effectively trap particles and impurities thus making them a promising structure for air and water filters,” they added.

The researchers also explored the wettability of the various honeycomb PVC materials they created, as well as the potential of selectively trapping microparticles by subjecting the honeycomb to an electric charge.

The study “opens the possibility of integrating polymeric honeycomb structures into substrates used for microparticle trapping, sensing, and other related applications,” the researchers concluded.

For interview requests and other concerns, please contact [email protected].

References:

Budlayan, M. L. M., Patricio, J. N., Yap, G. K. B., Gayosa, J. J. A., Arco, S. D., Diaz, J. M. A., & Guerrero, R. A. (2023). Honeycomb pattern formation on poly(Vinyl chloride) films: Electrically-driven microparticle trapping and the effect of drying temperature. Materials Research Express, 10(8), 085304. https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/acefb1

Written by Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc

The University of the Philippines Alumni Council, the advisory body of the UP Alumni Association (UPAA), resolved to fully support Ambisyon 2040, the government’s program for long-term economic growth.

The council made the resolution during its annual meeting with the theme, “Handog sa Pamantasan, Pag-alay sa Bayan”. With resource person for the resolution, Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The meeting was held at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman on August 18.

Balisacan, this year’s UPAA Most Distinguished Alumnus, explained Ambisyon 2040 in his UP Alumni Council Meeting lecture, “Social and Economic Transformation for Inclusive Philippine Development”. The program envisions human development as “matatag, maginhawa, at panatag”.

He emphasized that a “rapid, sustained, and inclusive growth is a necessary condition for the Philippines to become a predominantly middle-class society” by 2040. Balisacan spoke of a target annual growth rate of 6-8.5%.

While maintaining that the trick to growth is in the hands of the private sector, particularly through innovation and actively targeting bigger markets, government must raise its spending to achieve the targeted growth rates. Balisacan said government must sustain spending on infrastructure at 5-6% of GDP (gross domestic product). He said NEDA would continue monitoring and advising slow spenders in government.

Balisacan further highlighted the need for government to enhance society’s ecosystem for research and development and innovations, requiring, among others, robust partnership among government, private sector, and the academe.

The UP Alumni Council through Atty. Raul Reyes, the UPAA legal counsel and Chair of Council’s Resolution Committee, presented a draft of the resolution, which stated that the UPAA “will fully support the [NEDA’S] program for long-term economic growth called the Ambisyon 2040”.

It further resolved that the UPAA “will support and participate in the academe’s role in the government’s plan for social and economic transformation in order to raise the quality of investments vis-a-vis employment” and that it “will actively contribute to and encourage academic programs that will produce graduates who are eligible to provide efficient human capital to the government’s programs”.

The UP Alumni Council is composed of: University officials, deans and directors; past and present members of the UP Board of Regents; the current UPAA Board of Directors and the current officers of the UPAA chapters; the Distinguished Alumni Awardees; and other persons as may be designated by the UPAA Board of Directors.

It holds the annual meeting in order to draft and pass resolutions presented for endorsement to the general UPAA membership during the General Homecoming. These resolutions are then submitted to: the UP alumni in Congress and in the Senate for aid in legislation; the Board of Regents; and appropriate government and private agencies for reference in formulation of policies.

Additional photos of the Alumni Council Meeting are available below.

Source: https://up.edu.ph/upaa-to-support-governments-ambisyon-2040/

Reforesting damaged forests is crucial for fighting climate change and protecting wildlife. One common way to do this is by planting trees, but this can be expensive and labor-intensive. A cheaper and more effective approach is Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), which can involve the use of bird perches to attract fruit-eating birds that can help spread tree seeds and speed up the natural regeneration of the forest.

Researchers from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science Institute of Biology (UPD-CS IB), the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, and the UK’s Newcastle University aim to embark on a systematic review and meta analysis of previous studies and observations to figure out how well artificial and natural perches work in increasing seed dispersal and seedling growth on degraded areas.

“The results will synthesize available evidence on the topic, identify knowledge gaps we need filling to upscale the strategy, and inform their use in concert with other ANR strategies,” the researchers said in their paper. “The search strategy was informed through a literature scan and discussions with stakeholders and experts,” they added.

The meta study aims to see if perches help bring in more seeds and seedlings in terms of numbers and types. The researchers hope to learn how to use perches better and combine them with other strategies to bring damaged forests back to life.

The results of the meta study are expected to be available in 2024.

References:

Gan, J. L., Grainger, M. J., Shirley, M. D. F., & Pfeifer, M. (03 August 2023). How effective are perches in promoting bird-mediated seed dispersal for natural forest regeneration? A systematic review protocol. Environmental Evidence, 12(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13750-023-00308-z

For interview requests and other media inquiries, please contact: UPD-CS Science Communications at [email protected]