122: Biodiversity in Makiling

I've been here in Los Baños, Laguna for three years now. I still remember the time when I first set my feet in the campus. The peaceful surrounding that welcomed me as I arrived gave such impression that it's worth staying here.

I am aware that Forestry is one of the best courses offered here in the university. I am also aware that UPLB through College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) is responsible in taking care of Mt. Makiling. It is said to be rich in flora and fauna. The view of this mountain from afar is amazing to the extent that you would want to explore it.

Just last week, June 26, a seminar about the biodiversity in Makiling Peak 3 was held at CFNR. This was a great opportunity given to me because it's really worth attending. The seminar was titled Biodiversity Expedition to Peak 3 of Mt. Makiling.

I am not really interested with the different species of animals, insects and plants that can be found in Makiling forest. In fact, I found it hard to listen to the different scientific names the speakers seems to know so well. But it is really to know that our very own Makiling serves a haven for many species of animals, insects and plants. Surprisingly, most of them are endemic.

Dr. Manny Castillo, one of the speakers and one of the members of the team who went up to Peak 3, said that there are many species of flora and faunas found in Makiling. He wished they are with some experts, particularly in fungi, to help them identify other species.

Based on the report of Mr. Juancho Balatibat, another speaker and also part of the team, there are some species of stick insect and grasshoppers that are potential to be new species. It's amazing that these explorers who went up to Makiling for almost a week found something new in the field of biological science. This would be a great contribution to the field.

I really admire the team for their hardwork, patience and guts to climb Peak 3. And of copurse, they should be appreciated for sharing to their co-faculty, students, and others what they found in the Makiling forest.

As Dr. Castillo said before he started his presentation, presenting the information they gathered about Peak 3  is for the progression of science especially the exploration for the species of animals and plants in Mt. Makiling.

As usual, at the end of the seminar, question and answer was held. An old man, who according to him also worked in Makiling years ago, extended his appreciation to the team of explores. He also mentioned the need of preserving records of the findings through database. As Development Communication student, I felt that this is where we can help. I might not be so interested in going up to Peak 3 and study the different species there. And I might not understand how they work with the species, but I can be a tool to help preserve records of their findings, and inform people about the richness of Makiling through my writings. I came to think that maybe as communication student, it is our worth in this field-- to write about what they found so that the world may know it and help aid development of science through our writings.

122: Green vs. Gray

Developing would be difficult without technology. It seems to be one of the basis of how developed a country is. In an article written by Freeman J. Dyson, there are two kinds of technology: the green technology and the gray technology. Honestly, I wasn't aware of this classification until I read Dyson's article.

Green technology has something to do with agriculture like seeds, farm animals, and other agricultural products we utilize. On the other hand, gray technology refers to computers, gadgets, electricity, and the like.   Both are useful in our everyday lives. It addresses most of the needs of the society. But, at present, we are aware that gray technology is fast advancing compared to the green technology. 

Well, according to Dyson, gray technology's dominance will come to end. Maybe not now, but it will be dominated by the green technology soon. With the new studies in biology, biotechnology, and other branches of science, the growth of green technology would possibly be faster than the gray.

So what's the advantage of the green overtaking the gray? Well, Dyson said, green is more environmental friendly. Many of our needs can be grown rather than made. But how will people appreciate green technology when we are used to with the gray one? 

I agree with what Dyson said. He mentioned that the politics and economy of a certain country would allow the use of these new technologies.He mentioned many more factors that would affect the utilization of these technologies like religion.

It is true that all has its "dark sides". Though we may now think that it's green technology that we need, there are still things we should understand about it. Green technology may be used in such a way that would ruin the "nature of human beings". Surprisingly, science has now its way on how to do that. That is through Genetic Engineering. Dyson said, with this advancement, free market of human genes would be possible. And i think, it will be favorable for the rich.

I guess whatever development in our technology, so it be green or gray, what's important is it must be utilized by everybody. And of course, there should always be limits in using such technologies. It will be helpful to the world if people would know the limitations of using it, like the limit of using genetic engineering. Technologies, if not utilized accordingly might yield to unwanted results. Let's just be aware of how we use technologies in pursuing development. It is indeed helpful when used with caution.

DEVC122. A Reflection

Science seems to be a big word. When I was a child, I used to think that it is meant only for scientists...those geniuses. But well, of course, I came to realize that it is for everyone.

As it is always said, science is a body of knowledge. In fact, in almost everything, science has an explanation. It is indeed amazing how we are consciously or unconsciously affected by works of science.

If science affects our individual lives, it will also affect us as a nation. it certainly has something to do with the development as we go modernize our country. Nowadays, technology has been advancing, and i believe it is all because of science. It seems that technologies have been one of the precursors of development.

Science is about research. Thorough research is made to verify something that is asked. And it is said in an article titled "Public Understanding Science" by Flor Lacanilao-- "Development depends on the quality of information disseminated, which relies on the way research is done. If it's that so, then there might be wrong in how we conduct research, because as we can see, development here in our country seems to be so SLOW. For me, at least this is true.


Research to science to technology to development. This is one of the diagram I saw in Lacanilao's article. These four, I agreed, are connected and dependent on each other. It is clear that science or the body of knowledge is from  quality research. And technology is the application of science which may lead to development-- the utilization of technology. If until now we can't see development, then it all boils down to poor quality research. Lacanilao seems to be so sure that "development will hardly follow...without the correct research output. Well, it's indeed agreeable.


Why have correct research output? Is it because of lack of funding? Well, Lacanilao said no. Though we are aware that the government spend less in S and T, still it is not the greatest factor affecting the research output. As it is said, it is the wrong practices how research is done that makes poor quality outputs. Maybe because most of us research only for the sake of having a research paper. We oftentimes ignore small details that would affect the whole study. And sadly, these poor research outputs serve as the basis of the laws, development programs, and policies made. It would now be obvious why most of our programs, laws and policies fail.


I believe that through shaping young generation's mind in right ways of researching, we will be able to reach development. As our professors always say, write not only for your grades, but write as if everyone will read your work.Same as with this issue. Let's do research so that it may be utilized by everyone not just for self-benifits. I believe we have the brain, we just have to use it not only for our own, but for all the Filipino people.