PAGTáOB The Official Newsletter of the McKeough Marine Center of Xavier University | olumeV 3 Issue 1 | January - August 2015

PAGTáOB is the Visayan term for the rising of the tide. Every flood of the tide brings with it new nutrients and important components that sustain the numerous denizens in the intertidal zone. Just like the nutrients that are being brought in, information is also vital for marine scientists. This newsletter aims to update the XU community and SECORE, MMC CONDUCT workshop on coral our partners on the propagation, conservation different programs and activities of the By Rex Samuel A Abao Jr and Ria Duana A Roble McKeough Marine Center exual Coral Reproduction (SECORE) Foun- State University, Visayas State University, Mindan- dation and Xavier University - McKeough ao State University - Sulu, De La Salle University Marine Center held a four-day workshop and XU. The Department of Environment and Nat- on coral propagation, conservation and ural Resources - Region 10 and the Bureau of Fish- Inside: Srestoration at the XU Marine Station, Jasaan, eries and Aquatic Resources - Region 10 repre- Ridge-to-Reef Exchange Misamis Oriental. Held on May 2-5, the work- sentatives were also present during the said event. Learning Visit | 2 shop was led by XU vice-president for Research MMC, MBDA celebrate and Social Outreach Dr Hilly Ann Roa-Quiaoit. Other members of the team who trained the del- Earth Hour | 2 egates and shared their insights were marine The 1st Macajalar Bay The workshop served as an avenue for the del- ecologist and SECORE Foundation communi- Pista sa Dagat | 3 egates to share insights and discuss the status cations officer Dr Carin Jantzen; aquarist Mitch MSASD holds benchmarking of the corals in the country. The lectures, spear- Carl from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquar- visit to learn MBDA’S headed by SECORE Foundation president Dr Dirk ium in Nebraska, USA; aquarists Pam Montbach experiences on coastal mng’t| 4 Petersen, focused on coral restoration employing and Tim Wong from Steinhart Aquarium, Cali- sexual reproduction, and included issues on coral fornia Academy of Sciences in California, USA; MBDA receives P1M from provincial gov’t for degradation. The concepts covered in the lectures and the aquarist, photographer, filmmaker Mike environmental projects | 4 were put into practice through laboratory works McCue from Underwater World in Guam, USA. Feature: Meeting of the and complimentary night dives that enabled the Minds | 4 participants to observe first-hand coral spawning. To conclude the workshop, a half-day seminar was held at the XU Nursing Amphitheater on May 6. The MMC joins EAFM training in Laguna| 5 There were nine academic institutions from differ- Coral Conservation and Restoration Workshop ent parts of the Philippines that participated in the 2015 provided strategies and useful information Artificial reef domes deployed in Villanueva | 5 workshop: University of the Philippines - Visayas that will aid the academe and government offices in Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, Bo- achieving coral restoration efforts in the near future. Marine Corner | 5 hol Island State University - Candijay Campus, PES project in Mt Mindanao State University - Naawan, University of Kalatungan recounts beginnings, celebrates Northern Philippines - Vigan, Jose Rizal Memorial Photos by Mike McCue and Sue Ong milestones| 6 Ridge-to-Reef Exchange Learning Visit Text and photos Sue Andrey Ong

n February 19, the McKeough The two-week exchange visit was facilitated Marine Center, a member of the by the Valuing Ecosystem Services Together Ecosystem Alliance (EA) program (VEST) team in collaboration of the Macajalar welcomed Benin EA NGO part- Bay Development Alliance and local gov- Oners, Togolese NGO JVE and GiZ lead pro- ernment units, Kitanglad Integrated NGOs, gram country coordinator from West Africa. Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP), Depart- ment of Environment and Natural Resourc- The learning visit aimed to enhance the es-Protected Areas Management Board-Ka- knowledge and experience of the partici- latungan, Bukidnon-Daraguyen Tribe in Mt pants on river basin management, Payment Kitanglad, Miarayon-Lapok-Lirongan-Ti- for Ecosystem Services modalities in North- naytayan Tribal Association (MILALITTRA) ern Mindanao, coastal and forest manage- of Mt Kalatungan and other partner NGOs. ment, and to build linkage among NGOs. Different field exposures were con- A series of speaking engagements were ducted during the exchange visit held in Cagayan de Oro City and Malaybalay from the coastal areas of Macajalar City which provided opportunities for both Bay to the local sunflower weavers’ parties to share their best practices on en- community in Manalog, Bukidnon-Da- vironmental management of their respective raguyen Tribe and MILALITTRA organizations and adopted communities. in the province of Bukidnon. MMC, MBDA celebrate Earth Hour By Ria Duana Roble | Photos by MMC

M Supermalls once again staged This formed part of the center’s and the Earth Hour to set an example on alliance’s information, education and com- taking a stand against the indis- munication (IEC) campaign initiatives on criminate threat of global warming marine conservation. Topics discussed Sand pledged a commitment to a low-carbon centered on marine resources and its lifestyle by switching off their lights, going ecosystems, documentaries of MMC’s beyond the hour. The campaign also made and MBDA’s efforts for marine conserva- a strong statement that the simplest and tion, and environment-themed education- smallest action (like switching off electrici- al videos were shown during the exhibit. ty for an hour) when done by a lot people, can make an impact of global proportions. Guests, especially children, were intrigued and amazed of the wonders of nature Following the theme “Change Climate during the info drive. With this kind of activ- Change” the Xavier University-McKe- ity, it did not only limit to promoting aware- ough Marine Center (MMC) and Ma- ness but also encouraged people to change cajalar Bay Development Alliance their behavior and make the efforts in be- (MBDA) initiated a “Ridge-to-Reef Pho- coming more resilient to climate change. to Exhibit and Information Drive” at SM City, Cagayan de Oro on March 28-30.

2 PAGTáOB | Volume 3 Issue 4 | January 2015 - August 2015 The 1st Macajalar Bay Pista sa Dagat By Kristine Ares Galarrita | Photos by Sue Andrey Ong and MBDA

he Macajalar bay Development Al- the marine parade which marked the start The 2-day pista was made possible by liance in collaboration with Bureau of the event with a total of 12 participat- the presence of partner NGAs, various of Fisheries and Aquatic Resourc- ing boats representing the MBDA, BFAR, stakeholders, and 11 out of 14 LGUs of es X, Department of Environment DENR, XU-MMC, PNP Maritime Group, MBDA were represented together with Tand Natural Resources X, and McKeough Philippine Coast Guard and the 4th Infantry the provincial government of Misamis Marine Center held the 1st Macajalar Bay Division through the 58th Infantry Battalion Oriental and fisherfolk representatives. Pista sa Dagat on May 26-27 at Marvilla Beach Resort, in the Municipality of Opol Kristine Galarrita, MBDA program manager, Locally, LGU Alubijid conducted the Pista in line with the simultaneous celebra- culminated the opening program with the sa Dagat for two consecutive years, in 2013 tion of the Ocean and Fisherfolk Month. launching of the alliance’s official website, and 2014, as part of MBDA’s IEC program. macajalarbay.com. A night fellowship This activity aimed to mobilize among by the Oceania Festival drew together coastal municipalities/cities the awareness the participants and other beachgoers. and ownership of the ecosystems and its resources. It also attempted to tag along On its second day, DENR X led the businesses, private and other sectors, as coastal cleanup wherein the trash col- sustainability and partnerships are key lected was recorded for monitoring. elements for the success in finding ways This was followed by various games to improve the milieu of our ecosystems. participated in by the fisherfolk and fa- cilitated by the MBDA TWG members. One of the highlights of the event was

XU - McKeough Marine Center (MMC) 3 MSASD holds benchmarking visit to learn MBDA’S experiences on coastal mng’t By Kristine Ares Galarrita | Photo by MBDA

he Metro Siargao Alliance for Sus- lessons to the participants, marine expo- tainable Development (MSASD), sure through snorkeling and other water an alliance composed of 9 mem- activities in the Agutayan Island of Jasaan. ber-LGUs from the province of TSurigao del Norte, embarked on a bench- This is the fourth time for MBDA to host a marking trip aimed at learning how the Ma- learning visit after the Passage Develop- cajalar Bay Development Alliance (MBDA) ment Alliance, Cagayan de Oro River Ba- was established, how it has addressed its sin Management Council for its Ang Pa- challenges and sustained its programs. nagtagbo sa Tigbantay sa Lasang, Suba ug Dagat, and XU – McKeough The learning visit was held on June 19. The Marine Center for its International Union for activity highlighted the importance of the the Conservation of Nature - Ecosystem Al- academe’s involvement on coastal man- liance and its EA Benin-Togo NGO partners agement, such as the partnership of MBDA from the Republic of Benin in West Africa. and Xavier University, sharing of MBDA’s technical working group’s experiences and Meeting of the Minds By Haskell Ann Rama Distajo ach person that we meet knows es and the environment as a whole. without constraint, is an environment a something that we do not. It is person would feel more open and free. rare for students from different This was not done in an air-conditioned schools to gather to share expe- room, as one would think it would, but It is difficult to find people with whom Eriences and opinions about a subject. this was done outside the corners of you share the same mindset and pas- the campus, it was through river trek- sion. Meeting the students of the UP-Vi- However, last July 12 of this year, Ma- king in Mapawa, Misamis Oriental. It sayas was a gathering of minds with the rine Science Society took on a rare op- was different to share one’s knowledge same thoughts, opinions and perspec- portunity to meet and talk with some and experience in a room with artifi- tive about the marine environment. And marine biology students from the Uni- cial lights and calculated temperature. for the Marine Science Society, it was a versity of the Philippines-Visayas about Outside, where the sun is bright, land is worthwhile and a joyful experience for their experiences as students and their rough and bumpy, with the wind touching we truly did learn things we did not know. opinions about marine life, resourc- one’s skin gently and where water flows

Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan For more information, you may contact: offers a course on Marine Biology where students are trained to be knowledge- able in the field of Marine Science, Biology Department and to be able to conduct research on the utilization, development, and (088) 858-3116 local 3102 conservation of marine resources. Office of Promotions, Testing and Ad- Graduates can also proceed to medical mission (OPTA) school and other related fields of research. (088) 858-3116 local 2055

4 PAGTáOB | Volume 3 Issue 4 | January 2015 - August 2015 MMC joins EAFM training in Laguna Marine Corner By Nadine Arabelle L Vivares

cKeough Marine Center staff Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resourc- Kristine Ares Galarrita and es Research and Development (PCAAR- Rex Samuel Abao Jr partic- RD-DOST), the 5-day training aimed to ipated in the course training provide basic knowledge on the EAFM Mfor Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries process and how EAFM can assist in de- Management (EAFM) conducted in Los cision making for responsible and sus- Baños, Laguna last June 29 to July 3. tainable fisheries management in the respective regions of the participants. Conducted by the Philippine Council for

Artificial reef domes deployed in Villanueva The Stonefish By Ria Duana A Roble and Stephen J Pedroza | Photos by MBDA By Nadine Arabelle L Vivares Photo by Fra-and Timothy Quimpo

Rex Samuel Abao and Jue Alef Lalas) de- News about a tourist dying reportedly ployed the domes in selected sites of Villan- because of a stonefish sting has been mak- ueva. Among those in attendance were par- ing rounds on the Internet a few months ago. ticipants from Macajalar Bay Development Whether it was what really happened, it is true Alliance (MBDA), XU-MMC, LGU Villanue- that stonefish venom is one of the most potent va including Vice Mayor Edwin Dagasuhan. venoms in the animal kingdom, and fatalities due to stonefish envenomation have been reported around the world. Stonefishes are considered MacBay is a major fishing ground in North- the most dangerous venomous fish in the world, ern Mindanao and serves as a pivotal however they only cause harm when they are hub for international and local industries. stepped on; they do not actively attack people. However, economic pressures and strong coastal migration have posed threats to Stonefishes (genus Synanceia) are the ecological diversity and stability of the found in the coasts of the Indo-Pacific, including he Junior Chamber International bay. MBDA pushes for a multisectoral de- the Philippines. They owe their name to their (JCI) Manila and JCI Macajalar velopment towards marine conservation, ability to mimic stones and corals with their mot- 24K (an all-female chapter based provides expertise in bay enforcement, tled color and textures. Their excellent camou- flage makes them effective hunters as their fish in Cagayan de Oro City) in part- and develops information, education, communication activities and materials. prey (and humans!) cannot distinguish them Tnership with the McKeough Marine Cen- from the substrate; this is why it is important ter (MMC) of Xavier University, Scuba de to wear protective footwear when in the ocean. Thirteen dorsal spines jut out from the ven- Oro and the local government unit of Vil- om glands along its back which inject venom lanueva, deployed artificial reef domes in when pressure is applied to them, such as the Villanueva portion of Macajalar Bay when a person accidentally steps on them. on March 16, 2015 to promote marine Envenomation will cause excruciating pain, swelling, paralysis, and shock, which may growth and rehabilitation of damaged cor- result in death if not treated immediately. als. The artificial reef domes are a mix- ture of cement, sand and dead corals. IF STUNG BY A STONEFISH, these are the things to remember: (1) immediate- JCI initiated a project dubbed as “Sea ly get out from the water; (2) immerse stung of Life” that aimed to build environmen- limb in hot water, in a temperature as hot as tal awareness against illegal means MMC sees the partnerships with the victim can tolerate. It is known that stone- fish venom has heat-sensitive proteins, so of fishing and to rehabilitate the ar- non-government organizations and oth- heat inactivates the venom; (3) seek medical eas where coral growth is possible. er sectors to boost active marine pro- help the soonest possible; (4) a tetanus im- tection and preservation efforts, ensur- munization should be given after treatment. A total of 8 divers, (3 of whom are from ing a sustainable future for the coastal MMC namely, Fra-and Timothy Quimpo, communities and the Macajalar Bay.

XU - McKeough Marine Center (MMC) 5 PES project in Mt Kalatungan recounts beginnings, celebrates milestones By Stephen J Pedroza | Photos by Anthony Jacob C Karagdag

he inaugural year of the Payment The Miarayon–Lapok–Lirongan–Tinay- In his presentation during the “Modalities, for Ecosystem Services (PES) tayan Tribal Association (MILALITTRA) Practices and Experiences in the Im- project in Mt Kalatungan in Tal- serves as “the seller” or forest manager in plementation of PES” forum on July 17, akag, Bukidnon reaped promis- this project while different sectors — busi- Xavier Science Foundation (XSF) exec- Ting outcomes and engagements amid nesses, cooperatives, academic institu- utive director Roel R Ravanera said that the challenges of a paradigm shift to tions, religious organizations and house- the pilot year of PES in Mt Kalatungan what is known as an “emerging finan- holds in Cagayan de Oro City— are “the has harvested “very encouraging” results. cial tool for environmental conservation.” buyers” of the various ecosystem services, such as ensuring the streamlines along the “Different sectors and groups have shown This rehabilitation project, built on research region develop high water infiltration capac- their support in this project since we and community collaborations, has intro- ity and providing continuous supply of pota- launched it in May 2014,” Ravanera re- duced to Northern Mindanao a market-ori- ble water, clean air and food, among others. counted. “Over the past year, we were ented “rewarding mechanism” where there able to gather Php1.3M, which is a very exists “the seller” who protects and provides This green project was officially launched encouraging response from the people ecosystem services to “the buyer” who on May 21, 2014 with the presence of Cagayan de Oro City despite the dif- benefits from these intangible products. of leaders and representatives from ficulties of selling ecosystem services.” public and private institutions. After a “First of all, PES was and still a big challenge month, the first wave of project imple- XSF acts as the fund manager of because it’s very difficult to convince people mentation and tree-planting activities the PES project in Mt Kalatungan. to pay for environmental services,” recount- took off for the pilot three-hectare area. ed Raoul T Geollegue, senior technical This accumulated fund will be used to ful- consultant of Relief International – Enter- Mt Kalatungan is among the 18 protect- fill the 5-year development master plan prise Works Worldwide Philippines, one of ed areas provided with PES technical of MILALITTRA in the areas of environ- the lead partner institutions for this project. and management assistance from differ- mental protection, cultural preservation, ent public and private groups. Harbor- youth development, and education and “This is a juxtaposition between what ing diverse species of flora and fauna, health services, among other aspects. are forest goods and the services. it was identified as part of a “Terrestrial Their Community Development Plan Our mindset is that we pay for goods Biodiversity Corridor,” the Kitanglad-Lig- (CDP) targets to reforest 832 hectares but not for something that is not con- wasan Corridor in the Greater Mindan- and utilize 816 hectares for agro-for- crete, like fresh air,” Geollegue added. ao biogeographic region with “extreme- estry within their ancestral domain. ly high critical” conservation priority.

6 PAGTáOB | Volume 3 Issue 4 | January 2015 - August 2015 Members of the partner lumad com- XU - Engineering Resource Center (ERC) ed a lot of activities to promote the im- munity for PES in Mt Kalatungan ex- together with national and international portance of working together for PES,” press their heartfelt commitment to research organizations, most of the wa- said VEST social marketing supervisor continue their participation in this proj- ter and sediments which came down and Evans I Yonson, who is also a Develop- ect and at the same time share their cul- ravaged the “City of Golden Friendship” ment Communication professor at XU. ture that is rooted to the life of the forest. originated from the headwater tributaries in Bukidnon during the lash of Sendong. “We applied different social media strat- “The forest is an extension of our identi- egies to invite people to our events and ty as a tribe,” MILALITTRA leader Datu PES has brought together the communi- encourage them to “inVEST” in na- Dungkoan “Rio” Besto said in Bisaya. “We ties from the downstream and highlands of ture,” Yonson added, without forget- are committed and we will do our tasks NorMin to this landscape rehabilitation to ting the use of catchy hashtags such in protecting and preserving the environ- provide the ecological services of prevent- as #VESTfriendofNature, #inVES- ment of Mt Kalatungan to ensure that we ing flood in a catchment area such as CDO. TinNature and #50ShadesofGreen. have delivered our part in this project.” “The people who contributed to this PES The social marketing team along with vol- were the ones who experienced Typhoon unteers from XU visited Miarayon on July Sendong so it was easy for them to re- 31 to distribute water jugs to schoolchildren late,” Ravanera shared, adding that for as part of the “Jug for Education” project the sustainability of the project they need of VEST. The team also produced a photo to step up to the challenges of getting the book chronicling the journey of this cam- trust and confidence of the buyers, ensur- paign, which will be launched during the ing the delivery of results and services, ceremonial turnover of management of this and providing efficient management. environmental campaign to the XU - Cen- ter of Communication for Development. Now that it has to track another year, the issue of sustainability has been given an In a span of one year, VEST has built a A champion of environmental conserva- utmost importance by the key players of network of student volunteers, conducted tion, Datu Rio, whose name means “riv- this project. PES in Mt Kalatungan is in school orientations, produced two albums er,” is optimistic that this endeavor will the list of priority projects supported by the of songs about conservation, organized help develop and preserve their culture. Cagayan de Oro River Basin Management speaking engagements and film festivals Council and it hopes to get the support about the PES project and collaborat- “This project is not just for the pres- of the local government units in Region ed with different organizations for local ent generation but also for the fu- 10 as part of their environmental policies. and global environmental celebrations. ture of our tribe,” he continued. In addition, the Del Monte Founda- The MILALITTRA is also looking forward to tion endowed P1.25M worth of en- the construction of their tulugan (a sacred demic seedlings for this green proj- place for community dialogues and rituals) ect. The ceremonial signing of the and the CDP provision of incentives for the memorandum of agreement on the dona- Bantay Lasang volunteers using the in- tion also transpired at the July 17 event. come and support generated from PES. Part of this endeavor is to mainstream The wrath of Typhoon Sendong (interna- the principles of PES, raising awareness tionally known as Washi) in December among Kagay-anons so they would par- 2011 was more than a daunting revelation ticipate in the fund drive to reforest Mt for the people of CDO that what was once a Kalatungan and reward the efforts of the “With these milestones of the proj- “disaster-free city” can no longer ignore the lumad people as the forest managers. brunt of climate change. The tragedy has ect, we can see that it was already a good start,” Yonson mused. “The propelled both public and private sectors to With this idea, Xavier University, craft sustainable and long-term solutions to VEST journey continues because car- through its Research and Social Out- ing for Mother Nature doesn’t stop.” prevent another severity from reoccurring. reach and McKeough Marine Cen- ter, launched the offshoot campaign “Sendong is very traumatic for Cagayan known as Valuing Ecosystem Services de Oro City,” Ravanera expressed. “We Together (VEST) in November 2014. need to really work together in hopes that we can avoid disasters in the future.” Editor’s note: This is an abridged version “After the grand launch, VEST has pro- of the article which originally appeared on duced more IEC materials and conduct- Based on the flood maps produced by the the XU website: http://www.xu.edu.ph/.

XU - McKeough Marine Center (MMC) 7 Crossword Puzzle Across 1. Phylum where jellyfishes belong to 2. Members of this group have the most advanced nervous system of all invertebrates 3. Amazing ability of sea stars to re-grow injured arms and even grow a new individual from a detached arm 4. Refers to the whole community of mangrove plants 5. Organisms that are small, microscopic drifters of the marine environment 6. Shark species that can live in both salt and freshwater environments 7. The largest sea turtle species in the world that can be found in the Philippines 8. The only living species where males give birth to their babies 9. “Little dragons”; generally colorful, small, benthic fishes 10. A type of eel commonly found in coral reef crevaces Down 1. Tridacna gigas 2. Sharks and rays 3. Fishes are cold-blooded creatures, also known as ______4. The Filipino term for a popular red algae used for food/carrageenan 5. Scientific name of the largest and heaviest bony fish 6. Small, shell-less, and often colorful and striking in form, this mollusk’s name also means “naked gills” 7. Longest bony fish in the world 8. Chironex fleckeri, a species of box jelly 9. An extinct herbivorous marine mammal whose closest living relatives are the dugongs and manatees 10. The fastest shark in the ocean

McKeough Marine Center Publisher NADINE ARABELLE L VIVARES Project Editor and Design & Layout Editor | STEPHEN ROY J PEDROZA Proofreader and Writer Rex Samuel A Abao Jr, Ria Duana A Roble, Sue Andrey Ong, Kristine Ares Galarrita, Geran John Flores, Haskell Ann Rama Distajo Contributors | Mike McCue, Sue Andrey Ong, Fra-and Timothy Quimpo, Anthony Jacob C Karagdag Photo contributors

McKeough Marine Center 2/F Science Center Building, Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City Philippines, 9000 (+ 63-88) 858-3116 local 3115 [email protected] www.xu.edu.ph/mckeough-marine-center