AT VISAYAS SEA CAMP
Nat'l Scientist challenges youth

The Philippines is the third largest country in the world with the widest coral reef area. It has about 25,000 square kilometers of coral reefs, next to Indonesia which has 80, 000 sq. km., and the Great Barrier Reef near Australia which has almost 350,000 sq. km.

However, according to National Scientist Dr. Angel Alcala, only 4-5 percent of Philippine coral reefs have been protected; the rest are facing various stages of degradation from overfishing, destructive fishing methods, pollution, and unsustainable tourism practices.

Alcala pioneered in research on and establishment of Marine Reserves or “no take zones,” having started his work at the Silliman University Marine Laboratory in the early 1970s.

In its simplest sense, a marine reserve is about protecting at least 20 percent of a coral reef area from all kinds of fishing and extraction to allow fish and other organisms to feed, breed and grow undisturbed. In time they mature and migrate to the nearby unprotected areas, where people can harvest them, and produce larvae to sustain fishing areas.

By creating a network of marine reserves, you expand the areas of protection and increase the volume of production. Alcala has declared time and time again that good reserves can increase fish yields by more than tenfold.

At a youth camp dedicated to environmental protection, Alcala urged young leaders to continue the work in conserving and expanding the protection of the rich marine biodiversity in the country.

“The results of our work have been known in various countries in the world and contributed to the Philippine status as a country with mega-biodiversity. It's your time to mobilize the people to follow our example and continue our work,” said Alcala as the keynote speaker during the Visayas SEA (Sea and Earth Advocates) Camp in Lake Balanan, Siaton, Negros Oriental last April 28.

The camp is organized by Anna Oposa of the Save Philippine Seas movement and supported by U.S. Embassy Manila.

ENCOUNTER

WITH NATURE

During his talk, Alcala said his experience as a child in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, inspired him to help the environment.

“When you are confronted bythis pristine environment you cannot help but respect it, vow to study all forms of life in the environment and make important actions to allow them to survive and continue to give beauty to the people,” Alcala said.

Alcala went on to study BS Biology at Silliman University and graduated magna cum laude. But, as he keeps telling junior faculty at Silliman, undergraduate study is not enough.

He proceeded to  Stanford University  in the U.S. on a Fulbright scholarship, and by 1966 got his Ph.D. in the biological sciences. Immediately he returned to Silliman to continue his research, teaching and administrative work. He set up the Silliman University Marine Laboratory in 1974.Eventuallyhe was appointed University President in 1991, a short stint, it turned out, because President Ramos persuaded him to join his Cabinet two years later. After his government appointments (1992-1999), Alcala returned to Silliman to resume his scientific work, for which he earned numerous recognitions, including as National Scientist of the Philippines last year.

At the SEACamp Alcala told the youngsters,“Universities are important. And in order to acquire knowledge, you must not stop from learning and studying. Open your minds to other people, other places, and learn from them.”

He added that in order to have a proper conservation, one must have “proper information.”

“In order to maintain good work, you must study. Your study will tell you which of your results will be made available to the people,” Alcala said.

RAIN FORESTS IN THE SEA

Alcala stressed that if people continue to destroy coral reefs and don't practice conservation, people will suffer in the end.

“Coral reefs are the equivalent of rainforests. And if we continue to overfish, destroy coral reefs, time will come when the fishery component on which we depend will decrease and fishermen can no longer get any more fish.”

Almost 60 of the Philippine population depends on the coastal areas, Alcala said.

However, with the growing population and the growing consumption, implementing “no take zones” in some coastal areas to conserve marine resources is difficult.

In order to reach out to people and make them understand the importance of conservation, Alcala said biologists and other natural scientists should collaborate with social scientists.

"They are important in changing public opinion, people's attitude and behavior.You can't do the work alone. You must collaborate, as I have done with Philippine and Australian colleagues,” Alcala said.

YOUTH CHALLENGE

At the end of SEA Camp participants will present a project proposal intended to uphold coastal conservation to a panel of judges, and the winners will receive funding for their project.

Thus, Alcala challenged the participants, “And to you, young generation, mobilize the people to follow our example and continue the work. There are more coral reefs to be protected. We should protect our marine resources to the tune of 20-30% converted to no take zones,” Alcala said.

He also said, “Protection should not be limited to coastal areas but should include the offshore and the deep portions of our coastal waters.”

“Our lives are really connected to nature. The land is connected to the sea and sea is connected to the land.”*

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K amalig workshop starts

The “Kamalig: Visayas Theatre Craft Development and Capability Building Workshop” will be presented by Teatrokon: The West Visayas Theatre Network in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the province of Negros Occidental and the Negros Museum at the Negros Museum, Bacolod City, starting today.

Kamalig is a month-long workshop that includes courses on directing, production design, technical theatre and production management, a press release from the Negros Museum said.

The workshop aims to develop playwrights, designers, directors and actors in the Visayas; to provide and open theater and creative opportunities for collaboration to interested potential theater educators, performing artists, playwrights, designers and stage directors; to equip basic and necessary knowledge, skills and techniques through discussion and holistic workshop experience required in specialized areas in theater, the press release said.

The directing workshop finished its intensive classes with an output of nine short scenes directed by each participants last April 26, 2015 at the Museum Grounds of the Negros Museum.

Those interested may contact Cleo Patricio at 433-4764 / 708-5080 or visit the Negros Museum at Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City, the press release added.*

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Co, Alvarado exhibit set

A back-to-back exhibit of the two Negrense visual artists, Nunelucio Alvarado and Charlie Co, titled “Dreams and Reality – Exploring Social Change,” will open at the Negros Museum lobby at 6 p.m. tomorrow.

“Dreams and Reality” will showcase artworks that speak about social issues and of our Negrense themes and is curated by Alvaro Petierrra, a press release from the museum said.

The exhibit was first opened and shown to the delegates of the AsIan Pacific Economic Cooperation on April 30, when they visited the Negros Museum, the press release said.

The exhibit will continue until June 16.

Those interested may contact Cleo Patricio at (034) 433-4764 or visit the Negros Museum at Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City, the press release added.*

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