UP Marine Science Institute

NS Gavino Trono is a Professor Emeritus at UP MSI and known as the Father of Kappaphycus Farming. He pioneered the development of seaweed farms in the Philippines and beyond. His research led to the commercialization of various seaweed strains that are still being farmed today, including sakol which is named after the island in Zamboanga. Thank you for the feature, Philippine Science Heritage Center!

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National Scientist Gavino C. Trono Jr. led the field surveys in Sakol Island, Zamboanga and Tapaan Island, Sulu that identified sites for setting up the world's first commercial seaweed farms for the red alga (𝘌𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘶𝘮𝘢) in 1972.

Tune in to our page as we feature more facts and trivia about our National Scientists!

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The Philippines is constantly named as one of the top polluters of ocean plastics in the world. But do we know the actual number of plastics we have in our waters? With PlastiCount Pilipinas, we may just find out.

Ricardo Alindayu II, Ramgem Luzadas, and Dr. Deo Florence Onda collaborated with Lance Oliver Licnachan and Dr. Paul Samuel Ignacio from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, UP Baguio to develop PlastiCount Pilipinas: Southeast Asia’s first plastic pollution database. PlastiCount Pilipinas was built to answer how many plastics are polluting Philippine waters. It consolidates data from various publications, primary data gathered by Dr. Onda’s laboratory , and data contributions from the public. The results can be freely viewed online and are visualized with a map showing the extent of plastic pollution in certain areas. Through making plastic monitoring more accessible to local stakeholders, better initiatives can be developed to manage plastic pollution in the Philippines.

Access PlastiCount Pilipinas: https://plasticount.ph/

Link to full paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2023.106771

Link to research summary: https://msi.upd.edu.ph/alindayu-moving-towards-open-data-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 courtesy of Ricardo Alindayu II

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) participated in the 2nd NARFleet Co-Management Workshop from August 29-30, 2024, along with collaborators and partners from Bicol University, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, and UP Visayas, which hosted the event.

During the workshop, collaborators discussed several critical topics, including the finalization of the quadripartite Memorandum of Agreement and the establishment of marine science research priorities in the Visayas region. These efforts align with the NARFleet initiative to advance marine science research (MSR) across various regions of the Philippines.

UP MSI was represented by Director Dr. Laura T. David, Dr. Cesar Villanoy, Dr. Charina Lyn Repollo, Dr. Deo Florence Onda, and Capt. Reyan Maalihan.

Podcast REEFcap ⏪🪸

All predictions indicate that sea level will continue to rise and accelerate. Therefore, planning for development in coastal areas must take this into account; it should not come at the cost of people's lives.

🎧 Learn more by listening to the Deep Dive podcast via
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WmPIQcnHSdTrjBg80qJ8K
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-dive-with-dr-fernando-p-siringan/id1705342032?i=1000662725080

Photo credits: RE-INVEST project & NICER-CoastER program

How will marine life adapt to climate change? Duplication of genes and diversification of functions might be one strategy.

Niño Posadas and Dr. Cecilia Conaco studied the lemon sponge, Leucetta chagosensis, to describe how calcifying sponges respond to ocean acidification and warming. Sponges were subjected to five treatment conditions simulating climate models predicted for 2100. Transcriptome analysis showed that stressed sponges activate a network of genes that detect and eliminate damaged proteins before they can cause more harm. In the sponge, precise activation of this response may be controlled by duplicate copies of XBP1 — a gene that acts as a molecular switch. Sequence and functional divergence of XBP1 gene duplicates may provide an additional level of control over the stress response networks of the sponge. This study is the first description of transcriptome-wide changes in a calcareous sponge under future ocean conditions.

Link to full paper: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11652

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 courtesy of Niño Posadas

URGENT HIRING: The Marine Biodiversity and Evolution Laboratory is looking for one (1) research assistant for a DENR-BMB funded project entitled “Integrated Research for Biodiversity Conservation and Carbon Sequestration in the West Philippine Sea (BioConSeq- WPS)”.

The position is for 1 year (12 months) only. The project leader will train the RA in additional skills needed for the project. This is a URA-1 (SG 12) position. Ideally, the applicant should be available to work by September 2024. Review of applications will begin immediately.

To apply, email the following to Dr. Malay:
- Application letter explaining your interest in the position and the skills you can bring to the project
- Curriculum Vitae / Resumé, including names & contact information of at least 2 professional references
- Copy of Transcript of Records (unofficial copy is OK initially)

Other documents needed if hired:
- Copy of NBI Clearance
- Health exam

Interested applicants may send their inquiries and applications to:
Dr. Maria Celia D. Malay ([email protected])
Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

View the full job posting here: https://bit.ly/MSIHiringRA0830

The Save Philippine Seas Commservation Workshop is back! 🤩 Are you a graduate student enrolled in UP Diliman looking to elevate your science communication skills? 📝 Save the date and apply for our next Commservation Workshop in partnership with the UP Diliman College of Science on October 12 & 14, 2024. 📚🪸

✏️ Deadline for applications is on 15 September 2024. Visit www.savephilippineseas.org/post/commservation-2024 for more details.

Our Commservation Workshop is back! 🤩 Are you a graduate student enrolled in UP Diliman looking to elevate your science communication skills? 📝 Save the date and apply for our next Commservation Workshop in partnership with the UP Diliman College of Science on October 12 & 14, 2024. 📚🪸

✏️ Deadline for applications is on 15 September 2024. Visit www.savephilippineseas.org/post/commservation-2024 for more details.

Due to the weather conditions today, the NRCP Chemical Sciences Div. X meeting this morning is postponed, both in person at the MSI-AVR and online via Zoom. Stay safe!

The DOST National Research Council of the Philippines will hold a Scientific Session on August 28 at the UP Marine Science Institute AVR, UP Diliman.

This activity is open to all interested in listening to the lecture. See the poster for more details.

"[The West Philippine Sea: State of the Coasts Report] not only highlights the ecological, economic, and social importance of the area but also brings attention to the negative impacts of competition and the lack of cooperation among the countries with claims in the region... It stresses the fact that the South China Sea is a shared heritage among all nations making claims in the region. Without a proper management strategy in place, the degradation of marine resources in the WPS will persist."

Read more in UP MSI Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Atrigenio's latest column on preserving the West Philippine Sea:

Preserving the West Philippine Sea as natural treasure - Philippine Daily Inquirer As news of the publication of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) State of the Coasts Report reached me, I eagerly delved into my collection of books and unearthed a long-lost favorite co-authored by my mentor, Dr. Porfirio Aliño. Titled “An Underwater Guide to the South China Sea,” published in Sing...

Maligayang Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa!

Nakikiisa ang UP MSI sa pagpapayaman ng wikang Filipino sa pamamagitan ng paglikha ng kataga para sa ‘marine biodiversity’, ang saribuhay laut.

Ang ‘saribuhay’ ay pagsasalin sa Filipino ng salitang ‘biodiversity’ na nagmula sa ‘sari-saring buhay’. Ang ‘laut’ (laot, lawod) naman ay ‘dagat’ sa maraming wika sa Pilipinas tulad ng Tagalog, Hiligaynon, at Bisaya, at sa mga kapitbahay natin sa Timog-silangang Asya tulad ng Indonesia at Malaysia.

Tulad ng kasaganaan ng ating karagatan, gayundin ang mga wika sa Pilipinas. Patuloy natin silang protektahan at pagyamanin. 🇵🇭

Podcast REEFcap ⏪🪸

Healthy coastal ecosystems including coral reefs, mangroves, and beach vegetation are crucial for protecting our coastlines. Increased erosion and heightened vulnerability to coastal hazards may occur when these natural habitats are degraded.

Protecting our coastal ecosystems is essential for the well-being of both the environment and our communities. 🌳

🎧 Learn more by listening to the Deep Dive podcast via
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WmPIQcnHSdTrjBg80qJ8K
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-dive-with-dr-fernando-p-siringan/id1705342032?i=1000662725080

Photo credits: RE-INVEST project & NICER-CoastER program

The DOST National Research Council of the Philippines will hold a Scientific Session on August 28 at the UP MSI AVR, UP Diliman.

This activity is open to all interested in listening to the lecture. See the poster for more details.

The DOST National Research Council of the Philippines will hold a Scientific Session on August 28 at the UP Marine Science Institute AVR, UP Diliman.

This activity is open to all interested in listening to the lecture. See the poster for more details.

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

The long-lived stony coral Porites is home to many generations of marine life, and is a major builder of coral reef ecosystems in the Indo-Pacific region. The layers of calcium carbonate it secretes provide a foundation for baby corals to settle on. Its lengthy lifespan also comes with an unexpected bonus: Porites is a great witness to how climate change has changed our oceans.

Dr. Fernando Siringan, Keanu Jershon Sarmiento, and Edwin Dumalagan Jr. joined this collaboration between UP MSI, DOST ITDI Updates, and DOST - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. Dr. Angel Bautista VII of DOST-PNRI led the team of scientists in using Porites samples to develop a new way to measure sea surface temperatures from the past. Similar to how tree rings can track tree growth, proper analysis of a coral’s density bands can reveal a lot about growth conditions during a specific time. The team of scientists used 3D X-ray Computed Tomography as a quick and precise method to analyze the density bands of Porites corals from Baler, Aurora. Through using Porites as a historical record, scientists can more easily reconstruct past sea surface temperatures and track ocean warming through the decades.

Link to full paper: https://mjst.ustp.edu.ph/index.php/mjst/article/view/1063/211
Link to Porites on the World Register of Marine Species: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=206485

Species Splash is an initiative of the UP Marine Science Institute that features the marine biodiversity being studied by our scientists. For interview requests and other media inquiries, please contact content(at)msi.upd.edu.ph.

Photo by Fra-and Quimpo

Join the forum “Science, Policy, and Diplomacy in a Hot Zone: A Focus on the West Philippine Sea” on Aug. 22, Thursday, 1–5 p.m., at the UP Diliman National Engineering Center Audiovisual Room and via Zoom.

The event is organized by the Conservation and Biodiversity Program of the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies as part of the launch of the MariTESS (Maritime Talks on Environment, Science, and Security) Forum.

Know more and register at https://bit.ly/maritess822.

Let's discuss national policy for inter-agency cooperation in areas of research, monitoring, enforcement and securing the Philippines' maritime areas. View details, sign up: https://bit.ly/maritess822

Mandaragats, update your calendars! The schedule for the All MSI Homecoming has been changed from October 24, Thursday to October 26, Saturday. Let us know if you’ll be joining the big party through bit.ly/Oct26_MSIHomecoming so we can properly plan for your arrival.

We hope this new date means more people can join us in this community celebration of UP MSI’s 50th Anniversary. After all, these 50 years of going beyond borders in marine science research would not have been possible without all the students, faculty, staff, and researchers who were part of the journey.

Make sure to RSVP on the form to be updated about the program and souvenir merchandise for the All MSI Homecoming. Looking forward to seeing the whole MSI family on October 26!

The sea cucumber Stichopus cf. horrens or hanginan has a very characteristic quirk: it melts into a soft, viscous mass when feeling threatened. In investigating this sea cucumber’s unique body wall, scientists found potential for a new kind of smart bio-material.

In this collaboration with the UP Diliman Institute of Chemistry, Kim Sisican, Vicenzo Paolo Torreno, Dr. Eizadora Yu, and Dr. Marlon Conato developed heat-responsive thin films with collagen from Stichopus cf. horrens body walls. These thin films proved more stable and durable than other sources of marine collagen, retaining its soft, film-like properties even when heated up to 56 °C. At 100 °C and 150 °C, the thin films turned brittle and opaque, but reverted back to its soft, normal state at room temperature. The smart heat-responsive films from Stichopus cf. horrens collagen can be further developed for food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications. Product development of thin films from sea cucumber collagen will soon commence with the support of DOST-PCAARRD.

Link to full paper: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c03299

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 courtesy of Kim Sisican

Podcast REEFcap ⏪🪸

Appreciation and coordination.

These are the two solutions to coastal erosion emphasized by Dr. Fernando P. Siringan, a coastal and marine geologist and Research Professor at UP MSI.

To ensure that our solutions do not harm coastal communities and ecosystems, we must understand and appreciate the processes occurring in coastal areas. And we cannot achieve this alone; there must be planning and coordination among coastal communities, government agencies, and concerned stakeholders.

🎧 Learn more by listening to the Deep Dive podcast via
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WmPIQcnHSdTrjBg80qJ8K
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-dive-with-dr-fernando-p-siringan/id1705342032?i=1000662725080

DEADLINE TODAY! Applications for the Microbial Oceanography Laboratory's Plastics Research Intensive Methods Training Program (PRIMe-TP) for Luzon close later tonight, 11:59 PM. Apply now at bit.ly/primetpluzon

Prime-TP is an all-expense paid, two-week program that aims to build and enhance capacity for macro- and microplastics research through an intensive training program on the use of traditional and advanced methods. The latest training, dedicated specifically to plastics researchers in Luzon, will be held on September 15-27, 2024 at Batangas State University.

Aspiring Luzon Primers, get your applications in!

The deadline for submitting applications is tomorrow, August 13, 2024. Simply visit bit.ly/primetpluzon or scan the QR code in the poster below to apply.

Be a mover, be a PRIMer. Join PRIMe-TP Luzon. Apply now!

PRIMe-TP Luzon is brought to you by the Microbial Oceanography Laboratory of the UP Marine Science Institute, the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc., Holcim, One Earth - One Ocean and the Circular Explorer, in cooperation with Batangas State University and the VIP Center for Oceanographic Research and Aquatic Life Sciences.

Three days left until we examine how marine ecosystems are built — from the interactions of a few tiny individuals to larger-scale outcomes that affect both the oceans and us.

Dr. Aletta Yñiguez’s seminar, “The View from the Bottom-Up: Insights into the Mechanisms of Marine Ecosystems”, will be held in the MSI AVR on August 12, 2 PM.

Register now: bit.ly/MSIat50LS18

Certain areas in the Philippines have already encountered a sea level rise of 5.7 to 7.0 millimeters per year between 1993 and 2015. This rate is approximately twice as high as the highest global average rate of 2.8 to 3.6 millimeters per year. The [Philippine Climate Change Commission's] report foresees a 20 cm increase by the 21st century... This emission-intensive scenario, often dubbed “business as usual,” indicates a probable worst-case scenario if concerted efforts to reduce emissions are not made. This projection suggests that there will be more frequent and severe storm surges and floods.

Investing in proactive approaches to climate-proofing Metro Manila, such as promoting natural water drainage systems and proper waste disposal practices to prevent clogging, is paramount. Addressing deforestation and land subsidence issues is also crucial for creating a more resilient and sustainable urban environment for both current and future generations.

Read more about the connection between climate change and the extreme flooding in Metro Manila in UP MSI Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Atrigenio's latest column:

Is Climate Change Behind Metro Manila's Recent Floods? - Philippine Daily Inquirer It appears that traditional flood control systems, as acknowledged by President Marcos himself, may no longer be sufficient to handle the increased water volume brought by intense storms. Several factors worsen this situation, including ongoing shoreline modifications that extend old drainage areas,...

Cooperation among government bodies, local communities, and stakeholders is essential for a swift and well-coordinated response to minimize environmental damage and mitigate social and economic impacts.

Scientists are vital in oil spill response, guiding efforts by modeling potential oil spill transport, advising on cleanup strategies, and monitoring impacts. The economic repercussions of oil spills on sectors like fisheries and aquaculture necessitate swift intervention to avert long-term harm to livelihoods.

Read more in UP MSI Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Atrigenio's latest column on the Manila Bay oil spill:

A call for action to deal with environmental and human health concerns following the Manila Bay oil spill - Philippine Daily Inquirer The Philippines, as an archipelago, faces a high risk of oil spills due to significant ship traffic, whether from within the country or international vessels on friendly passage. Notable incidents like the Guimaras and Mindoro oil spills underscore this risk. The severity of the Guimaras oil spill i...

The Biological Oceanography and Modeling of Ecosystem Laboratory is hiring a Project Technical Assistant III (SG 12), Project Technical Assistant VI (SG 15), and Project Administrative Assistant I (SG 10) for the three year project “Applying coastal observation and modeling systems to address different use cases in Philippine coastal waters”. The positions will be based at UP MSI, Diliman, Quezon City.

Kindly check the individual job postings for the job descriptions and qualifications.

To apply, kindly submit the following requirements by email:
- One-page letter describing why the applicant is interested in this position, highlighting relevant background and experience
- Transcript of records
- Curriculum vitae with contact details of at least 2 referees

Interested applicants may send their inquiries and applications to:
Dr. Aletta Yñiguez ([email protected])
Email subject: SUSTAIN Job Application, Position - Surname, First Name

LOOK: UP MSI launched the West Philippine Sea State of the Coasts Report on July 30, 2024, at the new MSI building.

The launch was attended by representatives from partner agencies, organizations, and local government units. Upon arrival, participants appreciated the "Waves of Discovery" exhibit which shared past research expeditions in the West Philippine Sea. Partner organizations, namely USAID Philippines, DOST-PCAARRD, DA-BFAR, and DENR, gave messages of support during the program. The launch was livestreamed by UP MSI and Kumusta Mangingisda.

Highlights of the report were presented by fisheries expert and one of the editors of the publication, Dr. Hazel Arceo, while MSI Research Professor Dr. Fernando Siringan delivered the keynote message. Both emphasized the necessity of further exploring and researching the WPS and encouraged regular and comprehensive publication of findings like this report.

The report underscores the ecological, economic, and social importance of the West Philippine Sea, consolidating data on coral reefs, fisheries, and various aspects of coastal resource management initiatives in the area.

Download the WPS-SOC Report here: https://msi.upd.edu.ph/downloads/wps-soc-2024/

Photos courtesy of USAID Fish Right.

For the next speaker in the MSI@50 Lecture Series, the best models for understanding change and survival start small.

Dr. Aletta Yñiguez’s seminar, “The View from the Bottom-Up: Insights into the Mechanisms of Marine Ecosystems”, will be held in the MSI AVR on August 12, 2 PM.

Register now: bit.ly/MSIat50LS18

UP MSI is proud to share these recent publications from July 2024, together with publications that were not included in the previous list.

"Gene networks governing the response of a calcareous sponge to future ocean conditions reveal lineage-specific XBP1 regulation of the unfolded protein response" is the first description of how a calcarean sponge, Leucetta chagosensis, initiates transcriptome-wide changes to survive the effects of ocean acidification and warming. Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11652

"Metamorphic Success and Production cost of Holothuria scabra Reared on Microalgae Concentrates Compared with Live Microalgae" compares the use of three imported commercial concentrates - TW1200 (Thalassiosira weisflogii), TISO1800 (Isochrysis sp.), and Shellfish1800 (mixed diatom) - with live Chaetoceros calcitrans as feeds for the high-value sea cucumber, Holuthuria scabra. Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.31398/tpjf/31.1.2023-0032

"Trace Metals in Phytoplankton: Requirements, Function, and Composition in Harmful Algal Blooms" is a review on the roles that trace nutrients (Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Cd, Mo, and V) play on the growth, toxin production, and other underlying mechanisms of harmful algal blooms. Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16124876

When it comes to sea-level rise, flooding is not the only problem we’re facing. UP MSI’s latest research in the West Philippine Sea shows that we are also losing land along our coasts. In this article, Dr. Fernando Siringan, Anne Drew Carrillo, and Jeffrey Munar from the Geological Oceanography Laboratory - UP MSI explain how coastal erosion is slowly depleting islands in the Kalayaan Island Group.

READ: https://msi.upd.edu.ph/why-were-losing-land-in-the-kalayaan-islands/

For the eighteenth entry in the MSI@50 Lecture Series, Dr. Aletta Yñiguez will explore the complex dynamics of marine ecosystems through bottom-up modeling, and how understanding small interactions in an ecosystem can pay off in big ways for marine conservation and resource management.

The MSI@50 Lecture Series is an official UNESCO Ocean Decade activity that features the various topics and disciplines in marine science our faculty members and collaborators specialize in. As one of the institute’s major events leading up to our 50th Anniversary, the Lecture Series celebrate the many ways UP MSI and its partners have gone beyond borders to forward marine science for the people.

Dr. Yñiguez’s seminar is on August 12, 2PM to 4PM at the MSI AVR.

Register now: bit.ly/MSIat50LS18