|
Third of a series
 Dr.
Angel C. Alcala is the principal Filipino
scientist in a research program regarded as an
outstanding contribution to Philippine biological
sciences. They comprise studies on land vertebrates and
marine biodiversity of the Philippines that involved
ecology systematics and conservation biology based in
Silliman University, Dumaguete City, spanning 1955 up to
the present.
The
program produced empirical scientific data that were put
to practical use in terms of special development and
academic programs at the university level.
Dr.
Alcala is presently professor emeritus of Biological
Sciences, and director of Silliman University-Angelo
King Center for Research and Environmental Management.
He is concurrently director of the Commission on Higher
Education Zonal Research Center at Silliman University
(SU).
The
research collaboration resulted in substantial
publication output of 169 scientific papers and books.
Dr. Alcala authored either by himself or as first author
86 (51 percent) of the articles and books.
He is
the first Filipino to put together the most
comprehensive studies on Philippine amphibians and
reptiles, with minor contributions to birds and
mammals. His fieldwork from 1954 to 1999 resulted in
the addition of 50 new species of amphibians and
reptiles out of the 400 known species.
International conservationists now have a reliable basis
for establishing conservation programs on Philippine
vertebrate biodiversity because of the works of Dr.
Alcala and others at SU on ecology and taxonomy.
Dr.
Alcala is a recipient of numerous recognition, including
the Biodiversity Award from Field Museum, Chicago;
Magsaysay Award for Public Service; and Pew Fellowship
in Marine Conservation, among others.
He is a
Fellow of the American Society of Ichthyologists and
Herpetologists, Honorary Fellow of the California
Academy of Sciences, and elected as Academician at the
National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines.
****
THE
Philippine Human Development Report (PHDR) is the
Philippine counterpart of the United Nations Development
Programme’s (UNDP) Global Human Development Report.
 The
PHDR developed a reputation for factual, insightful and
well-written analyses of human development issues in the
Philippines. This reputation is owed largely to the
efforts of Prof. Solita Collas-Monsod, who led the Human
Development Network (HDN) for over a decade and created
the model to produce these reports in a truly
collaborative and multidisciplinary approach.
Each
report represents the efforts of many scholars and
practitioners whose contributions are put together
seamlessly by Dr. Noel de Dios.
In 1994
the PHDR introduced the concept of human development,
explaining the significance of life expectation,
literacy and education to development.
The 1997
edition focused on gender, specifically the enhancement
of women’s capabilities and opportunities to make
choices. In 2000 the PHDR turned to education, examining
the alarming decline in the quality of Philippine
education and presented proposals to deal with the
problem.
The
theme for 2002 was employment in the Philippines,
covering the nature of unemployment, profile of the
unemployed and quality of employment, and recommended
steps to generate employment opportunities.
The
fifth report of the series published in 2005 dealt with
the issue of human security and conflict, exploring the
dimensions and major sources of conflict in the country
and analyzing the current dynamics that may help to
resolve or aggravate conditions.
Dr.
Arsenio M. Balisacan, HDN’s current president (2003 to
present) will receive the award in behalf of the
network.
****
 Dr.
RAMON C. BARBA led the “Mango Flower
Induction with KNO3” which was recognized for the
mango-flower induction technology, considered the most
important breakthrough in mango research.
No other
crop commodity has benefited as much from any single
technology as the mango from flower induction. The
technology has lifted mango from virtual neglect until
1974 to become No. 2 in export at $60 million in 2007
and No. 1 in gross value added at P16 billion.
The
industry contributes P41.6 billion to the national
economy and supports 2.5 million farmers. It has become
a worldwide practice with Mexico and Brazil, exploiting
the technology more aggressively and more successfully
than the Philippines.
These
unconventional experimentation and unprecedented success
reflect on Dr. Barba’s exceptional capacity to analyze
and innovate, to perceive and recognize a problem of
major importance, and to find and simplify solutions
without elaborate gadgetry but use of simple tools.
****
 Dr.
Romulo G. Davide is a retired professor and
professor emeritus of the University of the Philippines
Los Baños (UPLB), and considered the Father of Plant
Nematology for introducing it in the Philippines.
He led
the proposal/institution of undergraduate and graduate
courses in nematology in UPLB.
Along
with student-advisees, Dr. Davide conducted pioneering
studies on plant diseases caused by nematodes and their
control, and published research results in 140
scientific papers here and abroad. He authored manuals
and books on nematodes affecting banana, which are now
widely used as valuable reference here and in Latin
America, Africa and Australia, among others.
Dr.
Davide’s research and development work on nematode
survey, identification, host-parasite relationship and
interaction with other plant pathogens spanning 16 years
culminated in the discovery of an environment-friendly
nematode-trapping fungus called Paecilomuces lilacinus,
which feeds on the plant parasitic nematode eggs, larvae
and adults, thus, killing them.
This
also led to his development of BIOACT, the first
Philippine biological control product containing P.
lilacinus, used against the root-rotting and
gall-forming plant parasitic nematodes attacking
vegetables, potato, banana, citrus, pineapple, rice and
other crops.
BIOACT
is the first UPLB biotechnology product transferred to a
private company for commercialization. It is also the
first agricultural fungal preparation patented in the
Philippines and the US. It is a practical substitute for
the highly toxic and expensive chemical nematicides.
Dr.
Davide’s other valuable research led to the discoveries
of nematodes Tylenchulus semipenetrans, a major cause of
citrus disease in the Philippines; Radopholus similes,
the most destructive nematode on Cavendish banana
commercially grown in Davao affecting over 50,000
hectares; and Meloidogyne incognita, which commonly
attacks vegetables like tomato, okra, ampalaya and
eggplant—all of which can be controlled by BIOACT.
BIOACT
is now produced commercially in Germany and Australia
and distributed worldwide by a private company.
Dr.
Davide received 46 national and international awards and
citations for his pioneering studies and achievements in
plant nematology, and technology-transfer efforts to
industry and poor farmers.
These
include an award for extension services and promotion of
BIO-N and organic farming from Biotech-UPLB and
Technology Resource Center-Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) in April 2008; Distinguished Award in
Agriculture from Gamma Sigma Delta International Honor
Society of Agriculture in 2007; Lingkod Bayan Award from
the Civil Service Commission in 2006;
Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Development in
Asia from the Asian Agricultural Research Development
Fund Ltd. in Hong Kong in 1995; Jose Rizal Pro Patria
Gold Medal Award, and Presidential Citation as
Outstanding Agricultural Scientist from the Department
of Agriculture and Pres. Fidel V. Ramos in 1994;
Outstanding Scientist in Nematology-Plant Pathology from
DOST Region 7 in 1994; and Asean Achievement Award for
Research and Development from the Asean Business Forum
in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1993.
****
 Dr.
Ernesto O. Domingo organized and led the
Liver Study Group in the University of the Philippines
until his retirement in 2001. The group did major
studies on viral hepatitis including hepatitis A, B, C,
D, E and G.
He was
also involved in the investigation of Schistosomiasis
japonica and did what is considered the best clinical
study on morbidity of schistosomiasis in a community
setting.
His
other researches included those on cirrhosis, primary
liver cancer and peptic ulcer. His studies on liver
cancer treatment are considered as the most extensive.
Dr.
Domingo established the first schistosomiasis research
laboratory at the University of the Philippines Manila
funded by the Rockefeller Foundation. It is the
precursor of the schistosomiasis laboratory at the
Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.
In 1984
Dr. Domingo organized the Clinical Epidemiology Unit
with a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. This unit
is now both an institute and a department with a
graduate program, which is considered an important
national asset. Dr. Kerr White, originator of the
concept of present day epidemiology in his book cited
Dr. Domingo for his efforts on the field.
Dr.
Domingo’s success as champion of the Clinical
Epidemiology Unit was acknowledged when he was appointed
to the board of trustees of Philadelphia-based Inclen,
the overall administrative organization for the network
of Clinical Epidemiological Units worldwide.
He has
authored or coauthored about 122 research papers
published locally and abroad that led to numerous
recognitions, including being elected as Academician at
the National Academy of Science and Technology
Philippines; IBM Science and Technology Award; Science
Achievement Award in Medicine, National Research council
of the Philippines; Outstanding Researcher, UP and UP
Medical Alumni Society; Outstanding Health Research
award, Philippine Council for Health Research and
Development; and several awards from different medical
organizations.
Based on
his research accomplishments, Dr. Domingo received
invitations for membership to the editorial board of
three international journals, granted membership to
international and regional professional societies on
liver diseases, and adviser position in the World Health
Organization.
To be
continued ... ... ... |
