CMU hosts ASBP Symposium

CMU hosts ASBP Symposium

Renalyn G. Padoginog / Annabel L. Nambatac


The University, through the concerted efforts of the Center for Biodiversity Research and Extension in Mindanao (CEBREM), hosted the 2015 Symposium of the Association of the Philippine Taxonomists, Inc. (formerly known as Association of Systematic Biologists in the Philippines) and Annual Meeting on May 28-29, 2015 at the University Farmers Training Center (FTC) with the theme “Re-understanding Philippine Biodiversity in the Age of Scientific Pluralism.”


The symposium aimed to tackle the relevance of interdisciplinary approaches and methods to completely understand and or describe the taxonomic diversity, origin, structure, ecology, and evolution of Philippine flora and fauna. Furthermore, the symposium aimed  to provide scientific basis for sustainable and adaptive management of natural ecosystem, taking into account the different levels of organismic and environmental diversities.


“It is with this reason that biologists and researchers in the Philippines and even from foreign countries gather together to emphasize some little known academic, educational and societal benefits of biology leading to a multidisciplinary approach of understanding taxonomic studies and their interrelationships,” Dr. Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, ASBP President from
University of Santo Tomas said.


Furthermore, Dr. Alejandro added that systematics and taxonomy are essential components of biodiversity research. He further encouraged the participants to work together to discover and conserve biodiversity.


“It is with our firm belief that this gathering of biologists for the re-understanding of Philippine biodiversity in the age of scientific pluralism is one of our collective undertakings with supplying purpose in preserving mother earth not just for this present generation but for the next generation to come,”Dr. Judith D. Intong, the CMU’s VPA  said.

She added that the outputs of different researches to be shared, the exchanges of ideas to be transpired and the sharing of various experiences among the participants are essential in arresting further destruction of the Philippine biodiversity.

There  were 114 participants  in  the symposium. It had three plenary speakers, 38 lectures, 36 poster exhibits, and three workshops on discovering and conserving Philippine biodiversity. The symposium also served as a venue to select top three best studies presented in both graduate and undergraduate category including the quest for top three best posters showcased during the exhibit and these were   studies on  Kanapia (Vanguerieae): A New  Endemic Genus of  Philippine  Rubiaceae by Axel H. Arriola, Lyn Paranguison and  GrecebioJontyhan D. Alejandro  and Phylogeny and DNA  Barcoding of Philippine Lasianthus Jack (Lasiantheae: Rubiaceae) including  a Novel Species  and new Records by Muhammad Jefte C. Arshed and Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro  from the University of Santo Tomas, España Manila. Presentorsfrom  the Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City likewise were awarded as Best in Poster in the study Diversity and Distribution  of Ants in Selected Areas of Northern  Mindanao, Philippines.

For the Graduate Category of the Young Systematic Biologists Forum (YSBF) Vincent  Louie D. Cabelin and  Grecebio Jonathan  D. Alejandro from the Graduate School of  University  of Santo Tomas of Espana Manila, and Notre  Dame of Dadiangas University in General Santos City got   the 1st place with  their study “DNA Barcoding of Philippine  Medicinal Plants  and Establishment of DNA Barcoding Database.  The 2nd place was the study on Zooplankton Diversity and Taxonomy in Freshwater Ecosystem of  South Cotabato (Mindanao Island, Philippines) presented by  Marjorie Davadilla  and the 3rd place was the study on Molecular Phylogeny and Barcoding of  the Philippine MycetiaReinw  (Rubiaceae)  presented by  Ulpiano P. DelaBajan from  the University of Sto. Tomas, Espana, Manila.

On the other hand,  the Undergraduate Category  for Young Biologists Forum (YSBF), presentor Aimaie  Jean B. Lunsayan  and Dr. Florfe M. Acma (Adviser)  of Central Mindanao University with their  Research Study on Taxonomy and Distribution of
Zingiberaceae  in Selected  Forest Patches of Malaybalay City  Bukidnon got the 3rd place.

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