Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
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.
