Lalakbayin

Akala mo lang halaman... pero hayop! Hayop! Hayop! Opo, sea animals po ang corals.

We offer an endless wave of thanks to our fishing heroes! 💙

Thank you for your vast ocean of dedication and achievements that bring shore-to-door goodness to our tables.

Happy National Heroes Day to our hardworking fishing community!

𝙎𝙀𝙏 𝙎𝘼𝙄𝙇 𝙁𝙊𝙍 𝙎𝙐𝘾𝘾𝙀𝙎𝙎! 🌊The women fisherfolk of Barangay Decabobo continued their journey in the 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀 with an inspiring discussion held at the Coron Community Fish Landing Center.

The session featured Ms. Imelda Mazo, President of the Balisungan Marine Protected Area (Women-Managed Area), who shared insights into their 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨, highlighting the essential role of women in these efforts. She discussed how these initiatives have not only contributed to environmental preservation but also empowered women in the community, creating a significant social impact.

The session also featured Mr. Jose Mazo, Park Manager of Siete Pecados Marine Park—an award-winning MPA and recently a Blue Park awardee—who discussed their success story, showcasing how 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 have led to the park's current thriving state. He also emphasized how conservation can promote inclusivity and drive economic growth through ecotourism, benefiting both the environment and the local community.

Their success stories provided the women fisherfolk of Decabobo a thoughtful insight on how conservation efforts and the role of women can truly drive change in their community and have a lasting social impact. 🌊


🚣‍♀️🌊🪸♀️

There have been many attempts to train local communities and citizen scientists to monitor reef fish in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), but technical barriers in capturing and processing data have made these attempts difficult to sustain for most of the 1,800+ MPAs in the Philippines. A new approach was developed: the MPA Fish Monitoring App or MPA-FishMApp, a free and easy-to-use citizen science web app.

Dr. Rene Abesamis and Maryjune Cabiguin worked with the Center for Informatics at the University of San Agustin - Iloilo, Silliman University, USAID Fish Right, and stakeholders of MPAs in south Negros to create MPA-FishMApp. MPA-FishMApp helps users capture, store, and visualize simplified fish visual census data for the annual monitoring of their MPAs. After users record their observations in the app, MPA-FishMApp computes and visualizes fish density and biomass in the study sites. MPA-FishMApp can also be set up to compare data between protected areas within MPAs and fished areas outside MPAs.

Currently, MPA-FishMApp can provide estimates for 21 fish groups: species important to fisheries such as parrotfishes (loro), groupers (lapu-lapu), and rabbitfishes (danggit); species that can indicate coral reef habitat condition such as fairy basslets, damselfishes, and butterflyfishes; and endangered or rare species such as the Napoleon wrasse, humphead parrotfish, and sharks. These species were selected based on discussions with MPA stakeholders from Cauayan, Sipalay, and Hinoba-an in Negros Occidental and Siaton and Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental. With MPA-FishMApp, local communities and citizen scientists are provided the tools to do the science of MPA monitoring themselves.

Access MPA-FishMApp here: https://www.usacfi.net/mpa-fishmapp.html

Watch this explainer on MPA-FishMApp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpCkTqJuZ7o

Link to full paper: https://doi.org/10.31398/tpjf/29.2.2022-0009

Link to research summary: https://msi.upd.edu.ph/abesamis-mpa-fishmapp-2023/

Science Flash is an initiative of the UP Diliman College of Science that aims to summarize recent studies by our scientists. For interview requests and other media inquiries, please contact content(at)msi.upd.edu.ph

Photo by Kim Mamburam

𝘼𝙉𝘾𝙃𝙊𝙍𝙎 𝘼𝙒𝘼𝙔! 🌊The women fisherfolk of Barangay Decabobo continued their journey in the 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀 with an engaging lecture series at the Decabobo Elementary School Conference Hall held last August 17, 2024.

The session featured Mr. Geronimo Gevela, a Municipal Agriculturist, who delivered a presentation on the critical role of 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝘼𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨 (MPAs) in preserving marine biodiversity. He highlighted the presence of 10 MPAs in Coron, discussing their significance in maintaining the health of tropical marine ecosystems and supporting sustainable fisheries.

The session also featured Mr. Janry Serna Ducado, an Agricultural Technologist, who delivered a presentation on the 𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙨, 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙙𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙛𝙨. He explained their interconnectedness and crucial roles in providing habitat, supporting marine life, and protecting coastlines.

The discussion emphasized the importance of conserving these ecosystems for the overall health of marine environments, especially for the community and fisherfolks who rely on sustainable seas for their daily living. 🌊


🚣‍♀️🌊🪸♀️

Friends help each other. 🫂
Helping the environment in the process? Gold. 🥇

Got old clothes to donate? Our friends from Tagpi-Tagpiare looking for YOU to power up their new batch of up-cycled plushies, this time from pretty Palawan 🏝

Swipe right to know how!

𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦! 🌊The women fisherfolk of Barangay Decabobo continued their journey in the 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀 with an interactive workshop and presentation. Facilitated by Mr. Mark Joseph Laceste, Founder of Lalakbayin, the participants explored the effects of climate change through visual imagery and crafted personal pledges on how they, as women, can contribute to alleviating its impacts.

The session also featured Mr. Teodorico De Guia, also known as Ka-Tisoy, the Executive Director of the Calamianes Resilience Network, who delivered a presentation on 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙞𝙨𝙠 𝙍𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙙𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.

The discussion emphasized the importance of building continuous awareness and consciousness, especially for this community living near municipal waters, who are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. 🌊


🚣‍♀️🌊🪸♀️

A massive win for marine conservation! Dugongs have been recently spotted in Siete Pecados, the award-winning, best-managed Marine Protected Area in Coron, Palawan.

Curious about these gentle giants? Let’s have a quick lesson on what dugongs are, their vital role in our marine ecosystem, and what it means if you've encountered one. Share this with your friends to help spread awareness! :)

Siete Pecados Marine Park
Barangay Tagumpay
Sangguniang Kabataan ng Barangay Tagumpay

𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘾𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙎𝙀! 🌊 The 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀 kicks off its first week with 50 women fisherfolk from Barangay Decabobo, Coron, Palawan.

In the first week of our program launch on August 3, 2024, participants and organizers gathered at the Multi-purpose Conference Hall of Decabobo Elementary School.

Key representatives, including the Barangay Captain, SK Chairman, BFARMC, and the Committee on Environment of Barangay Decabobo, shared messages that aligned with the program's goals. Additionally, our special guests, Ms. Imelda Mazo, President of the Shalom Women’s Biodiversity Conservation Association and Balisungan Women-Managed MPA, and her team, delivered an inspiring message on the importance of collaborative conservation efforts.

After the orientation, a pre-workshop survey was conducted, followed by a workshop on "𝙀𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮’𝙨 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚," led by the Founder of Lalakbayin. The women fisherfolk were divided into groups to collaborate on creating their own Vision Statement, Key Areas of Focus, Women's Role in Conservation, and a Simple Action Plan.

Stay tuned for more updates as we celebrate the importance of recognizing and strengthening women's roles in managing Marine Protected Areas (MPA). Here’s to driving the initiative onward.

🚣‍♀️🌊🪸♀️

We are excited to announce that our pilot project, the 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀, has been awarded a grant by the 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙣 𝘿𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙁𝙪𝙣𝙙. The project is supported by the U.S. State Department through Global Ties U.S. and is led by four alumni and the Academic Director of the East-West Center’s YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Environmental Issues.

During the proposal stage, we were grateful to receive endorsements from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Oceanus Conservation, Siete Pecados, and the Calamianes Marine Protected Area Network. For the implementation phase, we are thankful for our partnerships with SOA, SOA Philippines, Tagpi-Tagpi, East-West Center's Southeast Asian Ocean Professionals Program, and the UN Ocean Decade.

The 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀 (WFLC) project aims to empower women fisherfolk by raising awareness about 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 and offering 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. Through these activities, this project not only contributes to the preservation of the Barangay Decabobo Marine Protected Area but also to the conservation and management of marine ecosystems as a whole by coastal communities. 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

The Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented in partnership with Global Ties U.S. For more information, visit https://alumni.state.gov.


🚣‍♀️🌊🪸♀️

The mystery creature is none other than the 𝐃𝐔𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐆! ✨

Dugongs (𝘋𝘶𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘶𝘨𝘰𝘯), also known as sea cows, exclusively eat seagrass and can live up to 70 years. They hold their breath for up to 11 minutes, and dive 33 meters to feed. While their eyesight is poor, they have excellent hearing and can communicate with various sounds.

As 'ecosystem engineers', their feeding maintains healthy seagrass beds by controlling plant growth. This supports diverse marine species that rely on seagrass for food and shelter.

Thank you to everyone who participated! Stay tuned for more exciting games and reveals. 🕵️🔍

Want to turn your pre-loved clothes into cute marine mammal plushies? Donate clothes and create marine friends!

In partnership with Tagpi-Tagpi (), the women fisherfolk of Brgy. Decabobo in Coron, Palawan will be receiving livelihood training on sewing. They will turn your pre-loved clothes and fabrics into marine plushie toys to be produced as an alternative source of income.

To learn more about the project, check out our website: https://bit.ly/SheForTheSeas

What are ?

What are 4️⃣ benefits they may include?

Each MPA is unique and provides a different range of benefits.

Learn more about them through these facts⬇️🌊🪸

via Fisheries and Oceans Canada

SALAMAT ‘TAY! 💙

We’ll always be grateful for our fisher fathers’ commitment to improving their craft and providing for their families and our community. Happy Father’s Day!

With the success of the Ocean Summit 2024, we are deeply grateful to our major sponsor, the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines - Local Government of Canada through Canada Funds for Local Initiatives (CFLI). Your support makes this meaningful event possible and fuels our mission to protect Palawan's marine ecosystems.

Looking forward for another Ocean Summit next year!

Did you know that Oceanus has surveyed 19 mangrove sites with over 1167 assessed trees!

*Surveyed in 6 barangays in Busuanga

Mangrove trees act as natural shields, protecting our shores from erosion and storms. Their roots provide homes for sea creatures, making sure Busuanga and other coasts' underwater ecosystems stay healthy.

It's 5 days to go until the Ocean Summit, join us in celebrating and find out what you can do to help keep mangroves safe for our future!

Today is World Environment Day. May we remember that Biodiversity supports all life on earth and we are connected species sharing this blue planet. 🌎 Without all species, we wouldn’t have air, food, or water.

And as a megadiverse country experiencing grave threats, protecting is crucial for our collective future. Protecting our land and waters is taking care of our collective wellbeing and survival.

Because if we do not protect our country’s biodiversity now, then when? If not us, then who?

likha ng pag-ibig,
✍️🩵 pilipinas journal / Z Santillan