on Coral Taxonomy

Way back college days, I was more inclined and interested in learning about marine plants, specifically seagrass and marine macroalgae.. more with marine macroalgae, i believe. Then, I was so fascinated with seagrass and macroalgal biology and ecology -- their chemical defense mechanisms, significance to the marine environment, and commercial importance to human. I was so into marine plants that my undergraduate thesis was focused on the review of the chemical ecology of three seagrass species that are found here in Sarangani (eleven seagrass species are found to be present in the Bay), namely, Thalassodendron ciliatum, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Thalassia hemprichii.

It was when I started to work for the Center that my field of specialization was altered. To an extent that I could hardly believe. Here, I was intoduced to the rather complex and intricate world of corals, more specifically, coral taxonomy. In fact, it was along this field of specialization that I've found one of my dearest friend: Ate Bhebz, who's also a coral specialist. She was the one who informed me that the GEF Coral Taxonomy Project, which is based at UP Marine Science Institute's Bolinao Marine Lab (BML) have been conducting coral taxonomy training. It was last year, around October, i suppose. Sadly though, I wasn't included to the approved list of participants because along the screening process, it was learned that I've also applied for the Sea Cucumber Ranching Project Research Assistantship. Conflict of interest. It was a complete heartbreaker, i really cried hard. Really hard. But then again, I have to move on. Though I was left wounded, I gathered myself up and started to do my own research for a more precise identification of corals. I've actually done this months before the said training. But the denial for my attendance on the said training gave more fuel to drive. However, my identification of corals is limited only to genus level. Can't help it. I've only meager resources. Assuredly, I won't stop studying and learning.

Porites sp.

Foliaceous Pachyseris sp.

Fire coral, Millepora sp.

Turbinaria sp. with extended polyps.

Mycedium sp.

Pectinia sp.

Foliaceous Pectinia sp. (yellow) and tabulate Acropora sp.

Euphyllia sp. with polyps retracted and extended.

Submassive Acropora sp. (although I've heard it's re-classified into Isopora sp.)

Coral Reefs: We need a chance!

Coral reef at Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province.

I really feel sorry for our coral reefs. Like any other coastal ecosystem, they are in the brink of irrepressible and inevitable peril.

A gorgonian.

For years, coral reefs have been providing unequivocal and tangible services towards the environment, and most especially to man (i.e. food security through fisheries production, tourism like diving, coastal defense from storms, reduction of soil erosion)[1].

A couple of fish taking time to be photographed.

However, for the past years, this resource is in foreboding danger, being bombarded with global problems (ocean acidification due to increase in carbon dioxide; coral bleaching and rise in sea-levelas caused by global warming; and low fisheries yield as caused by overfishing) and local threats (crown-of-thorns starfish infestation/outbreaks; algal blooms; increase in number and prevalence of diseases such as white-band disease; cyclone damage, etc.) [1].

Crown-of-thorns starfish (the one with thorny projections found over the coral) devouring a coral (Pectinia sp.?)

Until recently, their significance to man’s lives were overlooked, misled by the notion that its bounty will never be depleted, that this is an infinite resource.

Shampoo sachet in the midst of a foliaceous coral (Echinopora sp.).

Diapers: babies must have been living underwater. Mermaids perhaps?

Bits and pieces of cellophanes all over a sponge.

A coral reef is a finite and fragile resource. Like everything around us, it should be utilized sparingly, with an utmost sense of decency to leave something more from that of those that were left for us by our forefathers; such that the next generation will be able to have a better feel of the services that this ecosystem provides us.. for that, I know they will really appreciate us and perhaps, with a better perspective, they may be able to pass it on to the next generation to the next as our reefs gets better to best. The only thing they ask from us is:

Please, give us a chance.

Literature cited: [1] Mumby, P. J., and R. S. Steneck. 2008. Coral reef management and conservation in light of rapidly evolving ecological paradigms.

Sunfish (Mola mola) stranding at Alabel, Sarangani Province

Last February 6, 2009, the staff of ECPC’s Ecosystem Research Division (from which I am a part of) was prompted to act upon the report of a stranded sunfish, Mola mola (Linnaeus 1758) in the shore of Purok Belong-Belong, Maribulan, Alabel, Sarangani Province. We went as fast as we could, hoping to see the largest bony fish in the world alive. But it was long dead when we arrived.

Stranded sunfish "basking" in the sun.

Coastal residents in the area reported that the huge fish, weighing approximately 250+ kg (it took eight big men to haul it to our vehicle), has been there since around 10:00 p.m. the other night.

Curious children looks over the dead sunfish.

The fish measured 1.97m from the tip of the snout to the tip of the clavus (formed by extensions of the dorsal and anal fin rays), and .95m from the tip of the dorsal fin to the tip of the anal fin. The fish was taken to the center for taxidermy. During taxidermy, a ruptured fist-size cyst was found in the right side of the body of the fish, and a 12-cm remora (a parasitic fish) was also removed along its esophagus (the specimen was also preserved and is on display at the ECPC museum). The entire staff was also amazed after learning that the “bones” of the largest bony fish is cartilaginous, which prompted everyone to conduct further research.

Sunfishes belong to Family Molidae and can be found in temperate waters worldwide. In Sarangani Province, sunfishes were documented to be swimming in and around the Sarangani Bay area. In fact, the center has three (3) preserved specimens of this fish, including the one reported herein. They feed on zooplankton primarily jellyfish, salps, and ctenophores. They are relatively slow swimmers (thus said to be the largest zooplankton) and weighs up to over 900 kg, reaching the height of 11 feet when matured.

Despite their humungous size, sunfishes are gentle and do not pose any threat to human and have a great part in maintaining the balance and diversity in the marine environment.


Source: Australian Museum Fish Site (http://www.austmus.gov.au)
MarineBio (http://marinebio.org/Oceans/StructuresAdaptations.asp)

valentines day

It is Valentines Day… the time when people are reminded and get to realize that they’ve got loved ones to heed and take care of other than those things that constantly bombard them as they go along with their lives each day… the time when almost every single (unmarried ones, that is) person one you know fuss about getting to have a date, and worse, get laid tonight… the time of the year when the heart is of utmost importance – the star, the brightest of them all, the most brilliant and magnificent.

It’s Valentines Day and it’s also the 40th day of the death of my Grandpapa so I am melancholic as of the moment. However, the great thing is that we now know that he’s well taken care of up there. And we’ll be having a “family reunion” at our grandparents’ house tonight.

It’s Valentines Day and I almost got myself into an accident when the wheel of the motorcycle I’m riding on got flat while the driver seems to have the peak of his fastest ride towards wherever hell he is going to. Thank goodness, he had managed to slow us down into the safety of the side tracks.

It’s Valentines Day and I’m here in the office, doing overtime, and will later one become spent as everyone here will be.

It’s Valentines Day and I wish everyone will enjoy this day and that everyone will come to realize that one day is not enough to compensate 360+ days of slackness towards their loved ones…it's high time you work into bringing your loved ones in your life a lot closer from now on...

It’s Valentines Day, best regards!

messed up: over time

Was supposed to do my analysis for my coral data today but during startup, my computer rants: "virtual memory low"!

the heck. so now i am using my officemate's pc because my dumb (damned) computer can't connect to the internet (perhaps Gods way of saying: "Concentrate. Work, work, work!")

So i am currently uninstalling some installed craps in my pc, reckon it will help. Or so i believe it would.

Left with nothing else to do save burden or, worse, kill myself by waiting for the craps to be trashed out of the crappy pc, I am currently devouring the net for anything to do.

So i am now blogging -- guess this blog deserves to be attended this time after being sort of abandoned to weeks. But my conscience keeps babbling: "Hey Fred, the government is paying you for more by 'working' overtime.You are supposed to WORK!" Hell, yes, i am tormenting myself. Can't help it. How it pains to be conscientious!

Nevertheless, been working my ass off this week, been a good employee lately. I've never been late, save 8 minutes, for this week. A record high after being formally employed here in the Center for (uh, i'm counting... one, two, three, fo..) eight months!

Now I am bound to change. I am supposed to. Can't keep on complaining about all the problems and issues that troubles the government, more so with my co-workers, without me changing myself first. So I am helping myself.. Got to change a lot of things, especially in my outlook in life, working, and living.. Got to have a better perspective, see life with less hostility, meekly, gracefully.

Listening to Rihanna's Disturbia.. singing along my anathema with all airs i can muster: dum, dum, de, dum, dum, de, dum, dum... dum, dum, de, dum, dum, de, dum, dum...

Perhaps, Love

Love does not and cannot conform with the norms set by man, nor it can be hindered by unworthy and worldy obstacles; rather, it shines when suppressed -- fighting back with burning strength and fervour, it transgresses through time and space -- defying boundaries, ultimately, it never fails to forge into its true beautiful and glorious form such that when it touches the heart of anyone, he/she cannot deny the pleasure nor dispel the magic and power it beholds...

yadda, yadda, yadda

So I was being so grumpy today..I can even see lines in my face as I watch my reflection right in front of me, as fed by the monitor.

I actually have nothing in mind to write this moment, i just want to ease out every tension that builds up in my whole body.. perhaps a product of scant sleep and a terribly tiresome day brought about by river sampling at Glan River, Sarangani Province.. I am so tired I could hardly get myself into talking to other people, much more give anyone around me a smile, even just for charity's sake.

With nothing really in mind but desultory thoughts, perhaps I might disclose few issues and concerns I have been pondering since, uh, a few months from now..

• I've always wanted to be part of the academe. I actually don't know who've really inspired me to be one but I really have a strong inclination on becoming a teacher. Both from my father and mother side, I've got aunts who've got a teaching profession. One was an elementary teacher, and the other was previously an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the Mindanao State University - Gen. Santos City campus (where I also took my undergraduate degree) and now a math teacher at Nevada, USA. Although complaints for having a relatively low salary (as compared to other profession) was very evident and eminent among those in the teaching profession, this does not hinder me nor discourage me from becoming one (the soonest possible, the better). Teaching is such a noble profession I could not restrain myself from falling into its pit.

• I wasn't entirely happy with the meager compensation I am receiving as of now. Although many would want to be in my place (since only a few graduates of my field of specialization will have the chance to work along it) right now (though they do not necessarily want to covet my job), I reckon they would be thinking twice should they learn that this job offers no benefits (e.g. no hazard pay) and other perks deemed necessary for this course of work. I even came to a point that I felt I am being cheated. But then again, I also believe that this job gives me on of the best, if not the best training ground for greater future employment and career.

• As a product, not only once did I planned (and have actually acted) to apply for a job with greater compensation and perks. Just recently, I've applied as a Research Assistant for the Sea Cucumber Ranching Project at Bolinao Marine Laboratory and was on the brink of being hired had I not hesistated. Perhaps the will of God.

• I am so friggin tired. My body's aching and my health's deteriorating. For both of that, I am quite sure. Although I am thankful that our field works for the Biozonification Project (I am the team leader for the coral reef component and was tasked to assess the corals of the coastal barangays of Sarangani Bay ) and the sampling for the the five major rivers that flush in the Sarangani Bay was definitely over for this year, the long weeks of working under the scorching heat of the incessantly burning sun have left me so tired I want to rest and sleep for weeks on end.

Reckon that would be all for now..

sing-along..

Hardcore na trip ang ginawa namin kagabi..

From left to right: Ate Giff, Kuya Apolo, Ako, at si Kuya Jopy

Di alintana ang pagod dahil sa buong araw ng paglalakad at pagbiyahe para mag-sampling ng tubig ng sapa, pagsukat ng lalim at lapad nito't pati na rin ang bilis ng kuryente ng tubig (para sa water quality monitoring ng five major rivers ng Sarangani bay), hala! Sige parin ang lakwatsa!

Kasama ang ilang kaibigan - apat lang kami: ako, si Kuya Jopy (Marine Biologist ng Provincial Envronment and Natural Resources Office), si Kuya Apolo (Local Legislative Staff ng Sangguniang Kabataan), at si Ate Giff (Senior Environmental Management Specialist ng Environmental Conservation and Protection Center kung saan nagtatrabaho din ako bilang isang Marine Biologist/Researcher), nirentahan namin ang isang kwarto sa MusicBox para lang mag-videoke hanggang alas dose ng umaga..ikalawang beses ko nang nagkalat at nagpasabog ng malagim kong boses dun sa kwartong yun..

Gaya ng mga nakaraang araw at gabing magkasama kaming apat, hardcore ang laughtrip, food trip, usapan, at ligaya!

Sa uulitin! =))

on Twilight...

Watching Twilight at the cinema was something i was anticipating to do.. armed with high expectations and with a little knowledge about the movie much more with the story (well, i do know it's not the another-vampire-movie having fed by the lead actress saying that the vampires here were "vegetarians"), i was doomed to be disappointed.

Hardcore action was what I've expected to see although being a vegetarian vampire is sort of off-putting since I'd like to see bloods.. a hell lot of bloods! (lols) Never had I imagined that this movie is a rather cheesy love story. The whole movie is all about the getting-to-know-each-other stage of soon-to-be-lovers where almost, if not all, of the characters talk and talk and talk such that it came to a point that I've found them all irritatingly noisy. (i have to restrain myself from shouting inside the cinema but i didn't get the chance to hold my tongue on retaliating about the scenes) Moreover, I was also appalled by the lengthy scenes where both of the major characters just look at each other..almost to a point where they would devour each other since they were so close to each other that it will only take a second for any one of them to do so.

To sum it up, I really felt I'm cheated with the price I have to pay for the ticket.

But then again, there are some quotable lines that made me shiver but in a nice way:

"I don't have the strength to stay away from you.."
"You are my life now.."

Cheesy, huh?

the 2nd MBS experience...

in order to attend to this event, i'd really have to talk it over my boss to give me a rest day, just so i could come and join this yet another spectacular event i was so ecstatic to be in. then, we were doing our fieldworks for the continuation of the Biozonification Project (I was assigned as the team leader of the marine biologists who are to assess the status of the reefs.. and that, perhaps, is the greatest mistake ever done! *laughs*).

and because i was at the field, i didn't have the luxury of having to surf the net (if you could only feel the itch of my fingers), subsequently depriving me the chance of having to confirm my participation.. and so, with a little help from Mark, I was able to accomplish the task (kudos to Mark.. weeeee!).

now, i'm not going to spoil things up by the litany of how i got to attend the 2nd MBS. I'm here to talk about what i've experienced through all of it.. here goes:

I was late. I arrived at the venue at past ten in the morning. there were few talks but Mark assured me i wasn't missing great talks yet. Anyhoo, i rushed to the venue still.

I was anti-social (very anti-social, hardcore!). I was really disappointed of myself for being such during the event. However, i can't balme myself for not having mustered enough courage and confidence to socialize well.. i guess i hardly have the nerve to do such.. but then again, i was contented in conversing with Mark and Mikko who was a co-intern at the ECPC during the summer of 2007 (he's now a grown-up, not a yagit anymore..). there were lots of things to talk to with Mikko (as usual), and we've had lots of laughs.

I've met other Mindanaoan bloggers. So you see, although i was very anti-social then, both mikko and mark have also introduced me to some of the bloggers who also joined the summit. I got to see Hiyas and Elton and some of their friends whose names I could hardly remember but faces that i can't forget (because those are the only faces i got to see closer and longer from my area); Maris, Mikko's sister whom I never really expected to be THAT beautiful and, well, dropdead gorgeous; the girl who's Maris' friend way back her elementary years; and some of the blogger-organizer..

I've learned some tips and info about blogging. Although I've been blogging for years now (not as frequent as I am today -- that needs further assessment still), I'm still naive of a great many things about blogging and the blogosphere (or perhaps i am just indifferent to learn more about it. i just love to write, that's it!). And so I learned that, indeed, blogs/blogging is a very powerful tool. It's a very potent media where a plethora of things can be done and can have different purpose, as in for advertising, advocacy, etc. But i believe, what is really important is that it can be a catalyst of (positive) change (credits for Mark). But then again, action STILL speaks louder that blogs. (laughs)

erratic

My mind is racing and my heart's pounding.
Restless as restless as I can be.
I am in the brink of crossing borders, I am in the tip of a never-ending spire.
I am walking in the dark, trying to feel every corner, trying to have a grasp of the world I am currently traversing.
Feeling that piercing pang of angst linger over my sore soul.
Licking every droplet of sour mien with utmost reluctance, living it with divine annoyance.
I am to move away from my comfort zone, forging into a new horizon.

pitong pisong bayani

Gaya parin ng maraming gabing galing ako sa trabaho, wala na naman ako sa bahay at kumakain kung saan (dun kami sa paborito naming pinagpapabentahan ng garlic chicken, kain todamax). Matapos kong tsibugin peyborit kong binawangang manok at magpakabusog hanggang sa halos di na ako makatayo (wala akong kunsyensya, ang mga kapamilya ko halos wala nang kinakain, at malalaman ko pa pagkarating sa bahay na may tinira pa sila para sakin.. whoa! kaka-touch), tinamad na kami't nag-ayos para umuwi. Habang naglalakad papunta sa sakayan ng jeepney eh naisipan kong bumili ng kape sa kalapit na Dunkin Donuts (shet, promotion.. penge talent fee!!). Gaya ng dati, kahit pagod na ako eh di ko pa maatim na matulog dahil marami pa akong pag-aaralan (studious kasi ako, akalain mo yun?!). Pero di gaya ng dati, may special plans pala si Lord para sa akin ngayong gabi. Hindi naman na magiging angel na ako ngayong gabi (although mukha naman talaga akong anghel sa personal. oo, maniwala ka.. kundi..) o maging isa sa mga malokong superhero na ipinangangalandankan ang kanilang colored na briefs gaya ni Superman or magiging singer na nagsisisigaw ng "Good evening Aranetaaaaa!!!" oramismo. Ngayong gabi, plano pala ni Lord na maging tagapagtanggol ako ng naapi't tagapangalaga ng kaayusan ng mundo. Pero pauso ko lang yung huli..

Matapos kong bilhin yung kape ko na sinamahan ko na lang rin ng isang donut para maging value meal at makatipid ng pitong piso (ito ang magiging pamasahe ko ngayong gabi papunta sa terminal ng tricycle na papasok dun sa kung san mang lupalop ako nakatira), eh nagawi na ako dun sa sakayan.. Nakita ko itong isang bata -- mga nasa elementarya, medyo loose ang damit at may malaking bag sa likod -- na nakikipag-usap sa isang tricycle driver. Di nagtagal pag-uusap nila, iniwan sya nung langyang driver kasi di ata nagkasundo sa bayad. Kaya ayun, sa lamig ng gabi eh nag-antay ulit ang bata ng masasakyan. Ako naman, dahil di naman ako mahilig makialam sa mga bagay-bagay sa mundo, eh naghintay rin ng masasakyan.. papara minsan ng tricycle, makikipagtawaran, tapos iiwan ang driver habang nag-iisip, at minsanang iniinom ang mapait na kapeng nabili sa Dunkin Donuts (pangalawang beses ko nang binanggit to, tsk. bayad! bayad!).

Habang nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagtri-trip ko sa mga mukhang perang driver eh lumapit saken yung bata.
"Lagao ka rin kuya?", tanong nya.
"Oo. Ba't ikaw, san ka?"
"Sa Lagao rin, sa may Capareda Street."
"Ah okay. San banda, papasok ka pa ba o sa kanto ka lang?"
"Sa kanto lang po."
"Sige, sabay na tayo. San ka ba galing?"
"Kukuha sana ako ng uniform, kaso sarado na yung patahian.. Sumali kasi ako sa isang skateboard competition, may libreng uniform."
"Ah okay."

La na kaming imikan nung bata. Makalipas ang ilang minuto eh kinausap nya ako ulti. "Di ako pinasakay nung driver kanina kasi raw eto lang bayad ko." sabay bukas ng palad at ipinakita sa akin ang barya niya. Mentally, binilang ko. Anim na piso. Sa loob-loob ko, lintik na driver, piso nalang kulang, di pa pinasakay?! Amfutek. "Hayaan mo na yun," kako, "ako na bahala sa iyo." (kahit kasi di nya pa sabihin, di naman ako ganun katanga para di makuhang nagpapatulong siya) Bigla ko naalala nun na meron pala akong isang donut, kinuha ko't iniabot sa kanya. Tinanong nya ako kung ano ba daw yun.. kako, donut, sayo nalang.. (busog naman kasi ako't pag dinala ko yun sa bahay eh alam kong pag-aawayan lang yun ng mga kapatid kong mga pataygutom na gaya ko)

Di nagtagal eh nakasakay nga kaming dalawa -- ako at yung bata na pinapapak na ang bigay kong donut.. marami kaming kasabay papunta rin sa Lagao, isa nalang at puno na ang trike.. habang binabaybay namin ang daan eh wala kaming imikan nung bata.. marami kasi akong iniisip (sobrang ogag ng braincells ko, kung kelan ako pagod, saka marami akong naiisip.. gusto ata akong i-torture). Nang malapit na kami sa bababaan niya, iniabot niya sakin ang bayad niya sabay sabing "Kuya, eto na bayad ko oh.." Itinaas ko ang kamay ko sabay sabing "Naku wag na, ako na bayad sayo." "Huh? talaga?" tanong nya. Gusto ko siyang sigawan na ako na manlilibre pero nagpakahinahon ako't nagwikang "Oo. Ako nang mamamasahe para sa iyo. Okay?" Matapos nito'y pinahinto na niya ang driver at bababa na raw siya.. alam kong di siya sanay sa ganito at ako rin eh hindi (kasi naman kahit sanay akong magpaka-hero sa mga uod, lamang dagat, at iba pang hayop eh di ako kelan man nagpaka-hero ng ganito sa isang tao). Nasiyahan lang ako kasi alam kong bukal sa loob niya ang pagpapasalamat sa akin nung pababa na siya. Dalawa o tatlong beses? Di ko na alam kung ilang beses niyang sinambit yun pero ang sarap pakinggan.

Ang gaan ng loob ko matapos ng eksenang to (feeling ko nga eh sobrang nagliliwanag ako't nagkaron ng halo nung oras na yun). Kahit na sanay na ako manlibre ng kung anu-ano at inaabot pa ng ilang daan o libo nagagastos ko sa panlilibre eh di ko pa to naramdaman.. iba pala talaga ang galak na naidudulot ng sincere na pagtulong at pagpapasalamat sa tulong na nagawa mo. Kahit na di kami magkakilala at tanging alam lang namin sa isa't isa eh pareho kaming nakatira sa Lagao area, at alam kong skaterboarder sya't anim na piso lang pera niya pauwi sa bahay nila, at ang alam nya lang lang saken eh isa akong lalaking ubod ng gwapo, matipuno ang katawan, matalino, umiinom ng kapeng sobrang pait, namimigay ng donut at nanlilibre ng pamasahe; alam kong magkatali na buhay namin.. (sharks naman, parang mag-jowa o mag-asawa) Siguro makakalimutan nya ako isang araw (subukan nya lang, papapatay ko sya) pero alam kong paminsan-minsan eh maaalala nya ako at ang kadakilaan ko (alam kong magagawa nya yun, nakita ko kasi kung pano niya ako o ang tricycle lingunin nung nakaalis na kami't siya naman eh naglalakad na papunta sa kung san mang bahay nila) at siya naman eh habang-buhay kong papasalamatan sa pagtuturo at pagpapalasap sa akin ng sarap ng pagtulong at pagpapaalam sa akin na pwede ako maging superhero kahit di nakalabas ang brief ko't sa pamamagitan lang ng pitong piso.

Surely, I'll be in GenSan for the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit

Mark have always been so ecstatic with the event he and other great people are brewing up -- the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers' Summit. He could not resist to invite me every time we get to text each other. Convinced as I am but battling with the need (and want) to attend a training on coral taxonomy to be sponsored by the GEF Coral Reef Targeted Research Project at the Bolinao Marine Laboratory of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, I said yes but with a certain condition: that my decision will rest on whether on not I'll get accepted for the training.

Now, since I am quite sure that I will not be able to attend the said training, I've already give in to Mark's request and will attend the said summit given the opportunity. Hell yeah, I am convinced and thrilled at the prospect of having to attend the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers' Summit although I am still a newbie in the blogosphere.. Surely, this will be one hell of an experience. One worth the time. One that you'll surely can't afford to miss, especially when you've been living in GenSan since birth like i do (lols!)..

And, before i forget.. Here goes the 2nd MBS' sponsors and summit partner we've got to thank also.

CO-PRESENTERS:

NOKIA (Philippines), Inc.
Mayor Pedro B. Acharon, Jr.
Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio
ABS-CBN Regional Network Group
Mindanao Bloggers
Bariles Republic

GOLD SPONSORS:

ACLC-Skeptron Ventures, Inc.

SILVER SPONSORS:

Asia United Bank
NoKiAHOST.COM
Family Country Hotel & Convention Center
East Asia Royale Hotel

BRONZE SPONSORS:

Digital Filipino
Pacific Seas Seafood Market
Shalom-Crest Wizard Academy
Prints and You
Sta. Cruz Seafood, Inc.
Dellosa Design Builders, Inc.

on ragged leaves and brittle twigs

So while being bored and walking at the garden around our house, i chanced to see and stumbled upon these rare treasures.. on a small kalamansi tree (i am not quite sure if i should call it a tree since it's only about one foot tall, anyhoo, since I've already qualified it as small, so I'll let it be a tree), I've noticed two brown caterpillars (both have white bands and a small projections around their soft bodies) secured on the the leaf axils of the leafless tree. Seeing their dire situation, having left with no leaves to eat and being exposed to a number of detrimental factors, my mind raced on strategies to save them. I pondered that since i found them in a kalamansi tree (a leafless tree at that), if ever I'd rescue them and put them into safety, i ought to ward them in yet another kalamansi tree (God, I can hardly believe myself to have such logic. *laughs*).

Then, i remembered that we've got this tall kalamansi tree near our gate. Without thinking twice, i lowered myself and with the aid of a small stick that i found in the stack of rotting leaf litters, i slowly picked up the bigger one, careful not to puncture its mushy body. Slowly, i stood up and walked briskly towards my target while keeping watch on the fragile individual on the stick. Once there, I've strategically put the little organism on the apex of a small branch where leaves were lush and where I can always see them every time I check. After which, i rushed to get the smaller caterpillar. Again, I put it at the apex of a branch adjacent to that of the other caterpillar. And so, they're set. Confident that they'll be just fine in their places, I continued to marvel around our garden and set off for another enriching, novel, and heroic adventure. But after a few minutes of walking and stopping over seemingly interesting things, I got tired and thought that I guess God wouldn't mind me resting. Besides, I've already had my share of heroic stunt for the day.

Days passed and I've come to forget about my little caterpillars. Then, earlier this day, a butterfly, sporting vivid yellow green and black wings, flew in front of me. Right then and there, I was reminded of the caterpillars I've saved a few days ago. With a sudden burst of excitement and euphoria, and with a camera in hand, i rushed to see and take a picture of them ( sadly, my cam's battery was about to get depleted, so i rushed to take their pictures and ended up with this ludicrous image [see picture at the left]). Among the raggedly eaten leaves and about to drop its share of excreta to nourish the soil, i saw one of them. On the other branch, however, I was astonished to see how one have grown so fast and so big even for only a couple of days. Smiling, I took a photo (the one you see here) and rushed back home to prepare to go to work. It's already 9:00 in the morning and I am friggin one hour late for work. But who would mind being late? For these two mushy and frail caterpillars, I'm their savior and hero, and for that, I'm one proud papa.

And so I arrived at work at exactly 9:57a.m., very, very late but was really exuberant and filled with good aura nonetheless.. I am so excited to the prospect of having those caterpillars undergo drastic change in morphology through metamorphosis and eventually become a full-pledged butterfly, ready to struck the world in awe and marvel over its flamboyant wings and charm every organism with its subtle and care-free flight.

badly needs help

It is with deep consternation to learn that the earth, ironically, has been housing and nourishing, for hundreds of years, a creature that does more harm than good. It is a creature that threatens not only its own extinction but, worse, the destruction of earth itself. It is even more alarming to learn that it is us.

Man’s activity coupled with his negligence has brought himself (and the earth) into the brink of foreboding and irreversible danger. His selfish deed, especially those that brings comfort to him, overlooks the welfare of other living organisms. Today, it has brought issues that are of global concerns, such as air and water pollution, and even triggering the now apparent climate change, as well as other significant environmental changes. Among these major concerns are the ozone depletion and the supposedly valuable Greenhouse effect.

Those matters were largely an effect of the industrialization of the countries that were equipped for advancement and “development”. However, setting and meeting their goals of “development” have reached the extremes. Man has developed chemicals and compounds that are indeed beneficial to him but brings menace to the environment. He has made the chloro-fluorocarbons (CFCs) where the chlorine (its by-product) attacks and causes the depletion of the ozone (a layer in the atmosphere that reflects harmful ultraviolet light). Consequently, man had also invented vehicles and machines that make use of fuels and other non-renewable energies that emit large amount of gases. These gases “clog” at the atmosphere, escalating the Greenhouse effect or the trapping of absorbed heat from the sun.

Obviously, ozone depletion was one of the adverse consequences of man’s oblivious deeds. With it, he is now held liable of his actions. He is now facing the threats posed by the depleted ozone layer such as the intrusion of harmful ultraviolet light (especially UV-B). As a result, UV light may suppress man’s immune system, increasing his susceptibility to diseases. It may also cause him blindness and make food production suffer.

Moreover, the Greenhouse effect is an issue that should be resolved as well. The Greenhouse effect is a natural process wherein radiant energy enters the earth and the resulting heat is trapped by a layer of gases (termed as Greenhouse gases, which is composed mainly of carbon dioxide, methane, etc.). It is with this trapping mechanism that life was made possible, for without it the earth will be too cold to support life. But as of man’s interference, as a result of air pollution, more carbon dioxides and other greenhouse gases are expended into the atmosphere, trapping more heat. This extra heat causes ocean expansion and the melting of ice in the Polar Regions, resulting to an increase in seawater level; chaos in agriculture and fisheries; and ultimately, the climate change.

These seemingly horrible things could have been avoided had man been careful and sensitive of his actions. It may be a cliché, but, still “prevention is better than cure”. Given the situation, man has nothing to do but exert extra efforts for preventing further destruction and spoilage of our resources. Better yet, he must find ways to actually reverse the result of his actions. Initially, he can start with small things (in any way, great things start with small beginnings). He must promote the use of fuel-efficient vehicles and the use of PUVs instead of private transport; ban the use of CFCs; stop illegal logging and deforestation; use renewable energies; and the conduct of growing of trees activity. Also, he must not debate between saving the environment and progressing towards development. Instead, he must gear towards sustainable development. Further, he must disseminate information regarding the adverse effects and the possible solutions to the problems at hand, penalize some if not all “environment offenders”. And finally, work as well as live in harmony with nature.

Our Life-Blood

The forest is an integral part of the earth’s ecosystem and holds great responsibility in the maintenance of its balance. It has long been a resource that is of great significance to man and his proliferation on earth. The forest has been, and continues to be, one of man’s sources of food – be it plant materials or meat; natural products that may be used as dyes, flavorings, fragrances, stimulants, hallucinogens, insecticides, poisons, and as therapeutic agents; raw material for paper manufacture; and mostly, a source of lumber for his shelter.

Nowadays, with the world and its inhabitants being threatened by climate change, the forest’s (specifically, trees’ and other floras’) ecological role enters. It is a fact that where vegetation is lush, it can convert large amount of carbon dioxide (one of the most prominent of the greenhouse gases) into oxygen, and thus tagged as the “lungs of the earth”. It also houses wide arrays of flora and fauna that are either endemic and/or diverse, which are there for the pleasure and “disposal” of mankind. Also, it is valued for their capacity to regulate water vapor, control drought, erosion, and flooding, and the recycling of nutrients as well.

And yet through all of these blessings bestowed by the forests upon man, he exploits this resource with utmost carelessness and an unbelievable ignorance of what his actions may result to. He dares to cut trees extensively, again for his benefits – to meet the demands for lumber, raw material for paper, and to plant crops that are basal to his diet. With these, man depletes and destroys not only the forests but also leaves its residents bereft of their habitats, displacing them to places that are deficient in food and suitable shelter, and may eventually lead to their death. This distracts the stability and equity of the entire ecosystem, causing imbalance. This imbalance may lead to an undesirable and potentially perilous change – a change that more or less will lead to the annihilation of man and the death of all life forms on the earth.

To facilitate and rescue the rapidly diminishing forest cover, man should conduct activities that will augment the restoration and expansion of the previously cut and lost trees. Man should rather conduct tree growing activities instead of tree planting. He should be able to replace the cut trees with a seedling/sapling (preferably of the same species) right after logging. He must be aware and be able to share this awareness to other people. Lawmakers should pass laws that are more environment-friendly and that are more inclined to the conservation and protection of our environment. To sum it up, he must be sensitive enough of his actions and be held accountable of every problem his actions may and will inflict.

Sadly, though there are measures and advocacies done to conserve and protect our forest, it seems insufficient and inefficient. Perhaps, it is because man’s interests goes in conflict with these measures. The laws are there but either the gravity of the penalties is inconsequential or its implementation is inept.

But even through all of these, I believe that there is still hope for our forest. I am still positive of what man can do, especially when the need arises. I trust that a man makes a difference; in fact, only a man can make a difference! I still believe that he will be able to reverse the adverse effects of his deeds. And that his help, with an alliance to the forests’ capacity to mend itself, together, they will flourish and stand tall.

Hair Cut

With nothing to do, save killing some time by watching TV and texting, I resolved that I have to get rid of my hair, which by that time have grown long and started to annoy me.

For the first time in my life, I've had it cut by a probie. I've had it cut by myself (and with a little help from my younger bro -- who, for having tasked to cut my hair, was appalled).

..and so cut it, I (or shall i say 'we') did.

Little by little (that is in millimeters), my brother cut my hair. Carefully, and with the great patience (where does he get those?! He ought to share some to me.), slowly, he transformed my hair from mess to cleanliness. However, his slow and steady pace had made me impatient. Just then, i took the scissors out of his hand and went in front of the mirror. Cut, cut, cut,and cut I did. After an hour of painstaking and indiscriminate cutting, my bro polished my rather raggedly cut hair. Then, when both of us got content with my new hairdo, I took a bath.

Refreshed and euphoric, i dried my hair and went on to see myself in front of the mirror. Combing my hair to my desired style, i felt smug.

It is just the cut that i wanted.

Later..

I've always been time conscious. Time for me is important because as we all know, it is passing. It flies by so fleetingly, so elusive that it can only be captured by cameras through pictures. But then again, like time, cameras and pictures are ephemeral. Cameras and pictures may last longer then we may, still, eventually they’ll come to an end.

The times that have passed can’t be turned back, save from, perhaps through our memory palace. But then again, time is constantly moving; forward, it goes on and on. Never looking back, it leaves us behind with a "closed mind" and with an ultimate goal: to outdo us, to outlive us, to defeat all of us.

But then again, like time, my consciousness of its transience has passed. For a month now, I have been coming not later than 8:30. For a month now, only once did I come to work at a striking 7:58 am. My tardiness has accumulated and has equated to one and a half days of absence. I could only laugh at my own fate. With the meager salary that I am receiving, such tardiness won’t help a bit.

So now, I am waking up from this rather apathetic and oblivious state. Just today, I’ve made my move… I timed in at exactly 8:28 in the morning… Now that’s a change.

Trabaho 'ka mo?

minsan lang aku mag-isip.. at pag nakapag-isip na eh kung anu-anu nalang naiiisip ku.. heto na naman ang mga lang kwentang kwentong sabog ku..

1. Working can be both constructive and destructive – that is, it can make you or break you, depending on how you deal with it;
2. That the working environment can be both heaven and hell, all at the same time..
3. That no matter how hard you tried, no matter how big your effort is, some things just go unappreciated, and much are unnoticed;
4. That in order to work “harmoniously” with co-workers, one needs to have a certain degree of “plasticity”;
5. That being a cum laude graduate and having PD 907 eligibility does not necessarily put you into a good position, much more be compensated well;
6. That four years of sacrifices and doing good in college/university is such a futile battle having the fact that credits are not always given where credits are due;
7. That gullibility and hasty decisions may put you into undesired circumstances, ergo, think not only twice, otherwise, live to suffer the consequences and learn from it;
8. That in order to be effective and efficient in doing what you ought to do, you must be happy and content first;
9. That whatever you do, unless your heart is not into it, you’ll end up depressed and frustrated;
10. And, lastly, in order to survive, learn to be happy and more appreciative of all the things that come your way – be it good or bad.

The Project

The Biozonification Project has afforded me a plethora of knowledge and experiences that are worth treasuring and reminiscing. It has brought me to places that I’ve never been; made me know many people, and got acquainted with the rather complex web of yeah-I-know-her/him-too! and other linkages; made me see the glimpse of the real me; has taught me countless lessons and made me ponder into sheer realizations; and has made me more appreciative of what I have, and much more to what the beauty and bounty the sea may offer.

Now, one might ask, “Biozoni… what?” Hands up. Curiosity’s a good sign. Way to go! *winks* Anyhoo, here’s a brief overview of what the project is all about (bear with me; I am yet to read the rationale and the project proposal so this information is still subject to corrections):

· The Biozonification Project is a project funded by ADPO-PMU and by the local government of Sarangani Province. The official title of the Project is “Biozonification Project: Sarangani Bay Resource Profiling.” As the name implies, it aims to update the profile of the marine resources of the Sarangani Bay, as well as the coastal resources of other municipalities of Sarangani, i.e. Kiamba, Maitum, and Glan. It also includes the profiling of Gen. Santos City. The project gathers data of four major components of the coastal marine ecosystem, namely, the coral community, coral reef fishes, seagrass community, and the mangrove community. It also includes resource mapping. The data gathered here will serve as a “baseline data” for the academe, and most especially for planning purposes of future uses.

Well, that is basically what I learned of the Project after, uh, five months of being one of the research assistants that are commissioned to conduct the necessary assessments.

Among the four components, I am tasked to perform the benthic coral community assessment. For the assessment, we are using the Line Intercept method as describe by English, et al. (I am sorry, I can't find the date.) I am tempted to describe the method in detail here but for the sake of those who may find it very technical, I’ll simplify it. And I am keeping my hands crossed here, hoping that I may be able to convey rightly. *winks* Here goes. We survey the benthic community (that includes all life form in the sea floor), but is focused on the assessment of coral community. We lay down a transect (a measuring tape) up to 50-m in length parallel to the shore, and take down all the organisms and abiotic components that are intercepted (those that are found under the transect) by the transect in centimeters; that is to say that we survey the whole 5,000-centimeter of the benthic community. How? We scuba dive it and stay underwater for the whole duration of the survey. Assessments are conducted at both shallow and deep areas of the each site, at two stations per site. That is to say that there is a supposed four dives every day. However, we divided the group into two, such that two persons will dive in the deep (for coral assessment and fish visual census – for fish assessment), and two for the shallow area. And when I assess, it usually take me forty-five (45mins) to sixty minutes (1 hour) to finish. The O.C. in me sure pesters some of my group mates but, of course, my data is unquestionable. Or so I believe. *laughters*

I started working for the Project since early February of this year. Yep, I work while I am still studying. I find it necessary to be a part of the Project team since it will enrich me with trainings, the right perspectives for work, and the skills necessary for future employment. And of course, extra money is such a temptation! *laughs* Anyway, February was allotted for the assessment of the coastal barangays of Glan, and I have become part of the coral assessment of around five barangays.

The assessment in Glan was one of the most memorable since. In one of its barangay (I believe in Pangyan), I encountered a sea snake that is more than a meter long! I was in the midst of reading the transect when my peripheral vision has detected a movement among the rocks and corals on my right, barely a meter away from me. Compulsively, I was made to verify it. Then, not only did the sight of a sea snake distressed me, it sent panic into my very nerves – having learned that its venom is potent enough to kill a person in, I believe, matter of minutes only. Then, I was prompted to go up to call upon my buddy (Kuya Jopy), whom, I reckoned later on, was on his way back to the patrol boat. He signaled that I should not worry and that I go on with my task. And so I did after seeing it (the snake) glide far away from me and my transect. However, the knowledge that sea snakes occur in the area (based on my own experience *winks*) left me disturbed and brought about the paranoia that it might occur again not only to traverse on my side but to stop and bite me as well. It took me an hour to finish my task. After which, as I was going to roll the transect back to its proper place, I was again struck by a yet another astonishing discovery. The sea snake is back, and it travels side by side with my transect, facing me. It froze me. I held my breath. Let myself float up high. I couldn’t move. Then, the sea snake, having distracted by the movement of the rather longer and sleeker measuring tape, stopped traversing its chosen path. It held its head up high, and voila! There goes me and the sea snake – face to face, watching each other. And to aggravate it, the sea snake slowly moved upwards, coming to my very direction. Right then and there, I flushed, and my head raced. “What should I do?” I asked myself. I mustered not to move. I didn’t even breathe. I was so afraid that the bubbles coming out of my very mouth will attract, or worse, provoke the sea snake. And so, moving and breathing was my last option. The sea snake, after having suspended half of itself along the water column have, perhaps, thought that I am of no harm (which at that moment, is frankly the truth) and that I may not be of any good to him, slowly arched its way down, and moved away. And well, heavy knots suddenly loosened up, I was again able to breathe. I waited for a minute or two before I moved. One can never tell. *winks* Moreover, after a moment, I raced and rolled the transect as fast as I can and swam my way to the boat. There, I rested my rather fast beating heart, and had my doze of a soothing fresh air.

Our assessment in Maitum wasn’t all that memorable. I have to juggle things up for my academic requirements for graduation, more so of my thesis. That is why I am not able to join much of the assessment there. However, it was there that I was able to see a live ray or pagi..it lies beneath my transect, guised in the sandy bottom. Finding it, even accidentally, was so exhilarating. Watching it swim away from me using its wing-like “fins” was a sight to behold. Then, I am left to wonder of its existence. And so, I again went proceeded with my task…

..to be continued.