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Although there have been growing concerns on how service-learning can accentuate the power differences between the server and the served, service-learning can foster transformative partnership by recognizing the contributions each can offer for a better society. Using participant observation and discourse analysis, this case study examines the perceptions of third-year undergraduate students of a health-related degree in a Philippine-based Jesuit university about their school-community collaboration in a primary healthcare setting. Despite apprehensions at the start of service-learning, students saw themselves confronted with the challenge to overcome personal barriers from authentically encountering the urban poor, whom they served in the community. However, establishing transformative partnership in service-learning was not without its share of dilemmas. Such findings can contribute to discourses on service-learning, informing practitioners how to support social transformation in university-community collaboration.

Mangrove clam is the most sought-after bivalve in the Philippines due to its taste, size, and nutrition. Due to its economic importance, this paper aims to determine the population dynamics of mangrove clam P. philippiana harvested in gleaning sites in the Davao region using the FAO ICLARM Stock Assessment Tool (FISAT II). A total of 2493 clams collected from December 2018-December 2020 with sizes ranging from 14-84 mm SL and 2.2-178.6 g were classified according to size classes with 5 mm intervals. The length-weight relationship was computed and showed negative allometry (a = 0.002, b = 2.6205, R² = 0.89). The estimated growth parameters using ELEFAN I was L∞ = 98.64 mm, K = 1.33 year-1, t0 = -1.07. Length converted catch curve routine estimated Z = 10.27year-1, M = 1.52 year-1, F = 8.75 year-1, E = 0.85, and backward extrapolation generated Lc50 = 34.83 mm SL which is below Lm = 65.76 mm SL. Recruitment patterns were highest during July and August 2020, and VPA showed a high F at 60 mm SL. Beverton and Holt Y/R analysis showed E0.5 = 0.328 and Emax = 0.551, yield isopleths derived from plotted Lc50/L∞ = 0.353 and E = 0.85 values were within quadrant D. The result revealed that Lm>Lc50 implies that mangrove clams gleaned in the area were small and immature. Moreover, F>Fopt and E>Emax and E>E0.5 suggest that mangrove clam fishery in the region was heavily exploited. The study concluded that the mangrove clam Pegophysema philippiana was overexploited and that a management strategy was needed in the Davao Region, Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangrove forest is an ecosystem‐based solution for disaster risk reduction in the Philippines, but its historical deforestation has hampered its capacity to protect coastal communities. With the increasing occurrence of storm surge in the Philippines, mangrove reforestation projects have received renewed attention, but many have failed. Community participation was deemed to be essential in those projects that did well. Hence, this paper examines successful mangrove restoration and rehabilitation projects in the Philippines to find out how community participation contributed to the accomplishments. The study found that while the transfer of science‐based ecological knowledge from project managers to the community is an important factor in ensuring successful initial planning and implementation, its integration into existing local ecological knowledge—'localisation' of science‐based ecological knowledge or hybrid ecological knowledge formation—helped to facilitate long‐term community‐based mangrove management beyond project duration by empowering community members and enabling project acceptance and ownership. Still, continuous local institutional support is a necessary anchor for community resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most prominent effects of globalization and the steady advance of capitalism is the increase in demand for skilled human capital. This is especially true in the Philippines, which relies on labor export in order to keep its economy afloat. Nonetheless, despite the demands of the globalized world, the Filipino children and youth should not only be sent to schools to be taught skills that would make them competent laborers for capitalist markets, but more importantly, they should be trained to become critical thinkers so as to be open, sensitive, and understanding of the beliefs and values of others as well as not to be enslaved by their respective belief and value systems. In this light, this paper discusses how critical thinking can be taught more effectively in education institutions in the Philippines through reconsideration of the Taxonomy of Learning Objectives and a push for Critical Pedagogy. I will argue that the Taxonomy is reductive and lacking in terms of developing critical thinking in students, whereas, critical pedagogy brings the children and the youth to the table of dialogue by teaching them how to raise and accept questions without the attitude of hostility, the latter being a characteristic of an uncritical and enslaved mind.

Service learning holds the potential to educate for citizenship, preparing students as individuals who can respond not only to the daily challenges of an interconnected yet fragmented world but also to the emerging calls to rebuild disaster-stricken communities. Although seen by some as a cumbersome pedagogical approach, service learning can offer opportunities for students to recognize their role in society, take part in intercultural conversation, and develop into critical citizens, making it worthwhile to undertake for a citizenship oriented towards social justice. This case study illustrates such meaningful accounts from undergraduate students involved in postdisaster rehabilitation and recovery efforts.

Brown spot, caused by Bipolaris oryzae, is becoming more prevalent and important in the Philippines but risk assessment is limited. Surveys of 2186 farmers' fields were conducted in the major rice‐growing areas in the country from 2015 to 2018 to analyse the components of production situation (PS) that contribute to the area under the progress curve of brown spot incidence (aBS). Based on lasso regression, the components of PS that influence aBS, in decreasing order, are ecosystem (irrigated vs. rainfed), crop establishment method (direct seeding vs. transplanting), variety type (hybrid vs. inbred), rate of phosphorus fertilizer, rate of potassium fertilizer, application of organic fertilizer (with vs. without organic fertilizer) and frequency of fungicide application. Pairwise comparisons showed that aBS is positively associated with direct‐seeded rice, rainfed ecosystem, hybrid rice, moderate to high P and K rates and spraying of fungicide. Correspondence analysis and chi‐squared tests showed that the class with highest aBS is closely associated with the production situation characterized by rainfed ecosystem, direct‐seeded rice, fungicide application, moderate nitrogen and moderate to high phosphorus and potassium rates; and weather pattern (temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, rainfall and wind speed) that occurs during the wet season. These results confirm previous studies showing that increased adoption of water‐saving technologies and direct seeding for adaptation and mitigation to climate change and reduction of agricultural labour, will most probably favour brown spot. Strategies to manage the disease under these production situations should be implemented in government programmes and considered in future research agendas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disease surveillance remains a challenge in the Philippines due to its limited resources. Integration of genomic-based surveillance in the National Rabies Control Program provides additional insights into rabies virus (RABV) evolution and transmission dynamics and can, therefore, inform public health decisions. This pilot study used the previously reported 49 RABV sequences in Davao City and some neighboring provinces to evaluate the utility of targeted sequencing as an inexpensive alternative to whole genome sequencing. We applied different tree distance metrics to compare RABV whole genome (WG) and individual RABV genes. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed using IQTree2 and BEAST were used to compare differences in phylogenetic signals, tree topology, and evolutionary patterns. There were no significant differences in the phylogenetic signals of the three major clades in the trees, with strong support values for sampling variance and underlying variances at the gene and site levels. A comparison of the Bayesian phylogenetic tree of WG and individual genes showed that there were no significant differences in the substitution rate and divergence time. Moreover, patristic distances (PDs) of all individual gene trees were positively correlated and congruent to the RABV WG of identical strains, with correlation values above 99%, which ruled out the possibility of missing out on relevant findings on evolutionary dynamics using only individual genes. Based on the results of our detailed genetic analyses, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L) and phosphoprotein (P) segments were identified as the best biomarkers to investigate the evolutionary analysis of locally circulating RABV variants in Davao City due to the close PDs of their trees relative to the WG. Less expensive options such as gene-based surveillance will enable the local government to trace and monitor the actual genetic diversity and spread of the virus, which could lead to the design and implementation of focused strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have been conducted worldwide about loneliness in older adults living in nursing homes and the factors associated with it. However, only a few studies have focused on social factors that may predispose these older adults to experience loneliness. The purpose of this study was to examine the interplay between and among loneliness, social isolation, social engagement, and life satisfaction among Filipino elderly (n = 180) recruited from government and nongovernment nursing homes in the Philippines. A multiaspect questionnaire, which included the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Revised Index for Social Engagement, Friendship Scale, and Life Satisfaction for the Third Age-Short Form was used to gather the needed data and information. Results of single and multiple regression analyses indicate an effect of the three factors (social isolation, social engagement, and life satisfaction) on loneliness with social isolation having the greatest impact on loneliness. Notably, increased social isolation, inadequate social engagement and decreased life satisfaction consequently aggravate loneliness. Social engagement produced a positive effect to both social isolation and life satisfaction in a way that a decrease in social engagement will decrease life satisfaction and increase social isolation. On the whole, loneliness in geriatric nursing homes is evident, and it is shaped by social isolation, social engagement and life satisfaction. Impliedly, interventions and measures to minimize loneliness are necessary, and further research is needed to explore other variables contributing to loneliness in geriatric nursing homes. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

Background: Erasmus syndrome is a rare disease entity characterized by the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a background of silica exposure or silicosis. Case Report: We report the case of a 40-year-old Filipino man who previously worked in a silica grind mill for 10 years and eventually developed Erasmus syndrome. The patient initially presented with chronic back pain in 2018 associated with findings of pulmonary tuberculosis on chest X-ray, with notable improvement after 6 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment. However, his back pain recurred in 2021; this time with arthralgia, Raynaud's phenomenon, thickening of both hands, skin hypopigmentation on the chest, back, and forehead, and exertional dyspnea. Physical examination revealed salt-and-pepper dermopathy and skin tightening over the back, chest, and extremities. Mobility of his hands was limited, associated with sclerodactyly and digital pitting. Antinuclear antibody-immunofluorescence and anti-scleroderma-70 antibodies were strongly positive, confirming the diagnosis of SSc. Chest computed tomography illustrated multiple subcentimeter nodules and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes with eggshell calcifications, consistent with silicosis. Spirometry with body plethysmography was normal but diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was severely reduced. Histopathology of the skin showed markedly thickened collagen bundles in the dermis. Conclusions: Chronic silica exposure is a risk factor for the development of silicosis. The clinical course of patients with silicosis may be complicated by SSc. Maintaining a high index of suspicion is key to the diagnosis of Erasmus syndrome. The present report emphasizes the importance of preventive measures and surveillance among those with occupational exposure to silica. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of Erasmus syndrome in the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food safety is one of the long-sought problems in the world. Chemical and biological characteristics must be considered when evaluating the safety of various food products. This study aimed to assess the food safety of cabbages grown from Mantalongon, Dalaguete, Cebu. Cabbage samples acquired from three different farms in Mantalongon were tested for the presence of Salmonella spp. (and other potentially pathogenic bacteria) and pesticide (cypermethrin) residues. To detect the presence of Salmonella spp., pre-enrichment and enrichment methods were done. For the analysis of cypermethrin residue, samples were subjected to gas chromatography. No putative Salmonella spp. colonies (with a black center) were isolated However, other potentially pathogenic bacteria suspected of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp., or Shigella sp. were isolated Cypermethrin concentrations (0.006-0.054 mg kg-1 ) were within the maximum residue limit. Knowing that some vegetables are eaten raw or slightly cooked, consumers are at risk of ingesting residual amounts of pesticides and are prone to bacterial infection. Hence, the food safety of fresh vegetables should be monitored from local farms to markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess the level of library anxiety among freshmen students at Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in the Philippines in order to develop an appropriate library program to help alleviate their anxieties and increase library usage, thereby contributing to student academic success. The survey questionnaire was used to gather the necessary information. It was adapted and modified from the psychometric instrument by Bostick Library Anxiety Scale (LAS) to measure the library anxiety level of 342 respondents using the systematic sampling design technique. Cronbach's alpha was calculated on the 57 statements. The test has strong reliability and validity, with a score of 0.921. In the statistical analysis, frequency, percent, mean, standard deviation, descriptive statistics, T-test, and (One-Way) ANOVA were utilized. The findings revealed that all factors, such as knowledge about the library, library regulations and policies, barriers with staff, affective barriers, information retrieval, comfort in using the library, and resource barriers, revealed mild levels of anxiety in the respondents. When library users are grouped based on their profile, such as age, sex, and frequency of library visits, they all exhibit the same level of anxiety. However, when it comes to information retrieval factors, males and females have significantly different mean scores. This suggests that men are more anxious than women. The factor "comfort of use of the library" also showed a significant difference in the frequency of library visits implying that freshmen students with higher levels of library anxiety visit the library and use library services less frequently. The study, therefore, suggested that librarians should be aware of the characteristics of anxious students and provide more anxiety-reduction strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabies is a neglected tropical disease that continues to be a public health threat despite the government's intention to eliminate it by 2022. Specifically, Davao City has implemented the Intensified Rabies Control Program (IRCP), but animal rabies remains endemic, primarily due to canine transmission. Understanding the dynamics of rabies and its control is critical in formulating strategies to hasten disease eradication. This study utilized hotspot analysis on reported canine rabies cases in Davao City from 2005-2017 to determine the spatiotemporal behavior of the disease pre- and post-IRCP. Around 42% of the barangays have had at least one reported case of canine rabies, most of which were owned dogs (82.0%) and unvaccinated or non-updated vaccination (80.1%). Using the Getis-Ord statistic, five hotspot clusters were detected during pre-IRCP, which was reduced to three new clusters in post-IRCP -- all of which were highly populated barangays (> 9,000 residents). The hotspot clusters shifted to neighboring areas with recurrent hotspot barangays located at the junction of this shift, suggesting spillover mediated by the hotspots. The number of rabies cases (mean per barangay of 0.797 pre-IRCP and 0.610 post-IRCP), proportion of affected barangays (33.5% pre-IRCP and 30.2% post-IRCP), and rate of improper vaccination (mean per barangay of 31.8% pre-IRCP and 28.8% post-IRCP) did not significantly decrease post-IRCP, suggesting the need to boost the vaccination program and responsible pet ownership. There was no systematic geographical distribution of rabies control programs, hence prioritizing high-risk areas through hotspot analysis provides an efficient alternative to addressing the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two nautilid (Cephalopoda, Mollusca) fossils are discovered from an exposure of the late Miocene -- early Pliocene Calatagan Formation in Talim Point, Lian, Batangas, southwestern Luzon. They were identified as Nautilus sp. because of the similarity in conch shape and sutures to those of extant species of Nautilus. The two Nautilus specimens were found in a fine- to medium-grained sandstone unit and observed to be associated with other macrofossils such as corals, gastropods, bivalves, brachiopods, and echinoids. The age of the Nautilus specimens was determined through the analysis of the planktonic foraminifera in the sandstone matrix. These specimens represent the oldest fossil record of Nautilus in the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legumes are extensively cultivated around the globe for human consumption and may contain potential estrogenic activities that interfere with normal physiology and pathophysiology. However, different cultivars grown in different regions of the world have different activities that may provide different nutritional value. Hence, in this study, legume cultivars from Benguet, a major source of legumes and other highland vegetables in Northern Philippines, were evaluated for their proliferative effects in the breast epithelial cancer cell line MCF7. Ethyl acetate extracts from Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., but not from Tamarindus indica L. and Pisum sativum L., induced slight proliferative effects on MCF7 cells at a low dose but reduced cell number at a higher dose. The proliferative effect of the extracts is likely estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent, as the same legume extracts only displayed inhibitory effects in the ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. Similar proliferative effects of P. vulgaris and V. unguiculata ethyl acetate extracts were reflected in their similar HPLC profiles, which is distinct from the HPLC profile of the T. indica ethyl acetate extract. Overall, our findings show that certain legumes from Benguet have slight proliferative activities in MCF7 cells, implying their potential estrogenic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines recent levels, patterns, and determinants of traditional contraceptive method use, based on pooled data from the 2003, 2008, and 2013 Philippines Demographic and Health Surveys. Most contraceptive users in the Philippines rely on modern methods, but over the past ten years traditional method use has continued to account for about a third of all contraceptive use. Results show women in 2003 and 2008 were more likely to use periodic abstinence (rhythm) over modern methods compared with women in 2013, while withdrawal rather than modern methods was preferred more by women in 2013 than in 2003. The characteristics of women who use traditional methods have changed little over the past decade. Knowing the characteristics of traditional contraceptive method users can help establish policies and programs that promote more effective contraceptive use, including encouraging users of traditional contraceptive methods to switch to the more effective modern methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arctodiaptomus dorsalis is an invasive calanoid copepod from America, and is now found in 23 out of 32 lakes and rivers in the Philippines. Live specimens of A. dorsalis were collected from Lake Taal and cultured in the laboratory. The specimens were reared under three different temperatures (25°C, 30°C, and 35°C) with the same food and light conditions, i.e. ~105 cells mL-1 of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and 12L:12D at ~60 lx, respectively. Post-embryonic development times from hatching to adult decreased from 31.5 d to 18.3 d as the temperature increased, while those during naupliar stages were quite similar, i.e. 4.4, 2.8 and 2.3 d at 25, 30 and 35°C, respectively. The naupliar durations were substantially shorter than the copepodid stages. Clutch sizes were almost the same, 8.7-9.2 eggs clutch-1, among all temperatures tested, while hatching success decreased from 85.9% at 25°C to 24.2% at 35°C. Overall survival rates from hatching to adult decreased as well from 67% at 25°C to 23% at 35°C. This is the first successful attempt to culture A. dorsalis collected from a freshwater lake in the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing is recognised by leading international health organisations as a probable causal factor for obesity. Outdoor advertising near schools embeds commercial food messages into children’s everyday lives and acts as a cue for food purchases. This project aimed to describe food advertising in the area around schools in two demographically and culturally disparate cities in the Asia Pacific Region. Data on outdoor food advertising were collected from the area within 500 m of 30 primary schools in each of two cities: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and Manila, The Philippines. For each food advertisement, information was collected on: distance from the school (within 250 or 500 m); size, setting, type and position of the advertisement; and the food/drink product type promoted (core/healthy, non-core/unhealthy and miscellaneous). Density of advertisements was calculated per 100 m2. The density of food advertising was twice as high in the area closest to schools compared to the area further from schools (.9 vs. .5 in Ulaanbaatar and 6.5 vs. 3.3 advertisements per 100 m2in Manila). Almost all food advertisements were for non-core/unhealthy foods/drinks (92% in Ulaanbaatar and 85% in Manila), and soft drinks were most frequently promoted. Children in Ulaanbaatar and Manila are exposed to large numbers of advertisements for unhealthy foods/drinks on their way to and from school, and these are particularly clustered within the immediate vicinity of schools. Clear directions for policy development are outlined to reduce children’s exposure to this marketing, including restricting the placement and content of outdoor advertising. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Archipelagic and island countries are among the most affected by the worsening climate change. To mitigate global warming, the Philippines mandated the use of biofuel through the Biofuel Act of 2006. However, coping with the increasing biomass demand for biofuel production is challenging because of the country׳s limited freshwater and land resources. On the other hand, the Philippines has rich but untapped marine biomass resources. Hence, the potential of seaweed resources as the most accessible energy source for coastal and island communities of the Philippines was explored for methane fermentation. The seaweed species, Sargassum spp., Turbinaria spp., Hydroclathrus spp., Caulerpa spp., and Ulva spp., which can allow sustainable biomass supply either through managed harvesting of natural stocks or through cultivation, have been identified. Information on the geographical distribution and seasonal productivity of these species were laid out. The proximate and elemental components of the biomass were presented for viability assessment as feedstock. Challenges on biogas technology in the Philippines and anaerobic digestion of seaweed biomass were also evaluated. Research on the development of culture technologies for the Sargassum spp., Turbinaria spp., Hydroclathrus spp, and Ulva spp. is recommended to avoid the adverse impacts of harvesting on natural stocks. Further studies on anaerobic digestion conditions of the selected seaweeds that are suitable for utilization by island communities should also be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Results from the first detailed radiolarian biostratigraphic study conducted in Luzon are reported. The data were obtained from cherts associated with the Casiguran Ophiolite, a dismembered ophiolite mass consisting of serpentinized peridotites, gabbros, dolerite dikes and pillow basalts exposed along the eastern coast of the Northern Sierra Madre, Luzon, Philippines. Cherts and limestone interbeds conformably overlie the ophiolite. The radiolarian assemblages from the cherts constrain the stratigraphic range of the cherts to the Lower Cretaceous (upper Barremian–lower Aptian to Albian). This new biostratigraphic result is in contrast with the Upper Cretaceous stratigraphic range previously reported in the region. Radiolarian biostratigraphic results from the Casiguran Ophiolite provide additional evidence for the existence of Mesozoic oceanic substratum upon which Luzon and neighboring regions within the Philippine archipelago were likely built. Interestingly, the result closely resembles those reported for the ophiolite in southeastern Luzon as well as the oceanic crust of the Huatung Basin situated east of Taiwan and the ophiolites in eastern Indonesia. In light of this, along with previously gathered geochemical data from the ophiolites, a common provenance is being looked into for these crust–upper mantle sequences in the western Pacific region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although tropical peatlands are huge carbon reservoirs, they are threatened by climate change and anthropogenic disturbances. Here, we assessed two contrasting peatland sites in the Philippines in terms of aboveground biomass and carbon content, soil carbon stock, and CO2 fluxes in the soils. The Caimpugan peatland in Agusan del Sur was considered the 'undisturbed' site, while the Bambanin peatland in Mindoro Oriental was the 'disturbed' site. The aboveground biomass at the undisturbed site was 35.8 ± 30.0 Mg ha−1) while at the disturbed site, it was 2.0 Mg ha−1 ± 1.9 Mg ha−1. The aboveground C content at the undisturbed site varied from 1.29 Mg C ha−1 to 37.2 Mg C ha−1, while the disturbed site only ranged from 0.1 Mg C ha−1 to 2.1 Mg C ha−1. A trend of increasing soil carbon content as the soil gets deeper was observed in both sites. At the undisturbed site, the average soil carbon content was 750 ± 710 Mg ha−1 and 595 ± 406 Mg ha−1 at the disturbed site. In terms of soil carbon emission, the undisturbed site had 3.6 ± 3.0 g C m−2d−1 and was only one-third the emission rate at the disturbed site (11.2 ± 6.4 g C m−2d−1). Our study highlights the dire condition of a disturbed peatland in terms of vegetation/soil carbon dynamics. We underscored the need to address the pressing issues on peatland drainage, agricultural activities, and human settlement within the peatland sites geared towards effectively managing this important carbon reservoir in the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternating chert–clastic sequences juxtaposed with limestone blocks, which are units typical of accretionary complexes, constitute the Buruanga peninsula. New lithostratigraphic units are proposed in this study: the Unidos Formation (Jurassic chert sequence), the Saboncogon Formation (Jurassic siliceous mudstone–terrigenous mudstone and quartz-rich sandstone), the Gibon Formation (Jurassic(?) bedded pelagic limestone), the Libertad Metamorphics (Jurassic–Cretaceous slate, phyllite, and schist) and the Buruanga Formation (Pliocene–Pleistocene reefal limestone). The first three sedimentary sequences in the Buruanga peninsula show close affinity with the ocean plate stratigraphy of the North Palawan terrane in Busuanga Island: Lower–Middle Jurassic chert sequences overlain by Middle–Upper Jurassic clastics, juxtaposed with pelagic limestone. Moreover, the JR5–JR6 (Callovian to Oxfordian) siliceous mudstone of the Saboncogon Formation in the Buruanga peninsula correlates with the JR5–JR6 siliceous mudstone of the Guinlo Formation in the Middle Busuanga Belt. These findings suggest that the Buruanga peninsula may be part of the North Palawan terrane. The rocks of the Buruanga peninsula completely differ from the Middle Miocene basaltic to andesitic pyroclastic and lava flow deposits with reefal limestone and arkosic sandstone of the Antique Range. Thus, the previously suggested boundary between the Palawan microcontinental block and the Philippine Mobile Belt in the central Philippines, which is the suture zone between the Buruanga peninsula and the Antique Range, is confirmed. This boundary is similarly considered as the collision zone between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Analysis of the 12 samples taken from two horizons (the pre-1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption and the post-1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption layers) of the six deep water cores that were collected along the Eastern South China Sea shows that the absolute abundance of Recent benthic foraminifera (total assemblage) in the post-eruption layer is much lower compared to the pre-eruption layer. The post-eruption layer also shows lower diversity with relative high abundance of Quinqueloculina spp., which probably form part of the recolonization fauna. These observations suggest that environmental stability plays a vital role in the distribution of foraminifera in the eastern margin of the South China Sea. The disturbance created by the immense amount of pyroclastic materials that originated from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo has resulted in the dilution and, eventually, the decimation of most of the benthic foraminifera. The species that were able to survive might have taken advantage of the small amounts of available nutrient supply. These might also be the species that were able to adapt quickly to the changes in the environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions (PEN) implementation in Region eight in the Philippines which include use of monitoring tools, functional referral systems, and availability of essential equipment.

Early growth performances of 11 native tree species were investigated in three different sites in Mindanao, Philippines, to evaluate their adaptability and potential for plantation development. Three alien species were added to assess how native species could potentially compete with these alien species based on survival rate, diameter growth rate (DGR), and height growth rate (HGR). A year after planting, the native species common to all sites that obtained >80% survival rate were Casuarina equisetifolia L. Alstonia macrophylla Wall. ex. G.Don., Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br., and Parkia javanica (Lam.) Merr. and were comparable to an alien species Acacia mangium Willd. The species with the lowest survival rate (30%) across all sites was Duabanga moluccana Blume. Native species P. javanica, Eucalyptus deglupta Blume, and A. macrophylla all had a DGR of 34 mm year−1 and were comparable with the alien species Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) S.F.Blake with 38 mm year−1. However, the HGR of native species E. deglupta (245 cm year−1) and Melia dubia Cav. (230 cm year−1) were higher than an alien species S. parahyba (222 cm year−1). No native species can compete with the DGR (52 mm year−1) and HGR (384 cm year−1) of A. mangium. Rainfall significantly explained 13%–97% of DGR, HGR and survival rate of >70% of the species while air temperature explained about 17%–96% of the variations of similar variables. This early assessment provides a strong basis to better predict the early performances of native species in the Philippines. Through this, appropriate silvicultural intervention can be recommended towards improving the growth and survival of the native seedlings as alternative industrial tree plantation species in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the unique study of a team of economists and medical doctors in assessing the impact of prolonged use of pesticide on health of rice farmers in the Philippines. Evidences of health and organ impairments; Assessment of the economic costs and benefits.

The article presents a study which examines cross-cultural research as a decision making tool in standardized or non-standardized global advertising. The study compares the cultural contents of display advertisements from three countries such as the U.S., Philippines, and Thailand to determine the use of cross-cultural research in global advertising. Results show that the advertisements from the three countries have illustrated an identical manner of cultural advertisement in which the roles of males and females are depicted in a traditional manner. Moreover, the advertisements have projected the concept of the superiority of males over females.

Selection of native tree species for commercial purposes is a continuing challenge and an opportunity in tropical silviculture. Because of this, we explored domesticating 33 native species in the Philippines that were tested for survival rate, total height, and diameter-at-ground-level (dgl) increments. The first five years (2014–2018) of assessment showed that 13 species (40%) of the 33 native species reached a survival rate of more than 80%. Grouped as 'slow'-, 'medium'- and 'fast'-growing field trial species, a 709 cm average total height at five years was attained by the fast-growing cluster where Bagalunga (Melia dubia L.) and Kupang (Parkia javanica (D.C.) Merr.) were among the fastest-growing species. Slow-growing trees like Tindalo (Afzelia rhomboidei (Blanco)) and Kamagong (Diospyros blancoi (Willd)) were among the slowest-growing with an average height of 193.8 cm. Dipterocarps like Yakal (Shorea stylosa (Foxw.)), Tanguile (Shorea polysperma (Blanco)) and Mayapis (Shorea squamata (Blanco) Merr.) had the lowest diameter at ground level (dgl) increments (average 25.9 mm) while diametric expansion of fast-growing species spanned up to 93.5 mm. Overall, height and dgl increments were almost five times the original measurement five years after planting. A sudden surge in the rate of change in total height (83%) and dgl (72%) occurred a year after planting, yet a sudden decline occurred in the fifth year with only 21% for height and 23% for diameter growth suggesting the first 3–4 years as the crucial stage in seedling development. Survival rate is better correlated with the changes in dgl increment (R2 = 0.19, p < 0.05) than the height growth (R2 = 0.12, p < 0.05). Increasing rainfall and optimum air temperature significantly correlated with height and diameter growth while any increase in recorded wind speed slightly reduced the growth of the species. Our findings are initial steps towards developing appropriate silvicultural and management interventions when planning for the massive plantation development of domesticated Philippine native trees in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The collision of the Palawan microcontinental block with the Philippine mobile belt had significantly influenced the geological evolution of the Philippines. Multiple collisions involving several fragments, through space and time, resulted into the collage of terranes of varying origin exposed in this part of central Philippines. Cusping of the overriding plate, volcanic arc gap, ophiolite emplacement, incipient back-arc rifting, island rotation and tilting, raised coastal terraces, metamorphism, intrusion of igneous rocks and steepened subducted slab as seen in focal mechanism solutions are some of the manifestations of this collision. A late Early Miocene to early Middle Miocene age (20–16Ma) is proposed for the major collision between the Palawan indenter and the Philippine mobile belt. The collision boundary is located from the northern part of Mindoro through the central mountain range swinging east of Sibuyan Island in the Romblon Island Group and finally threading along the Buruanga Peninsula and eastern side of the Antique Ophiolite Complex before exiting and connecting with the Negros Trench. The collision, through accretion and crustal thickening, has contributed to the crustal growth of the Philippine archipelago. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Zambales Ophiolite Complex (ZOC) on the island of Luzon, Philippines is one of the most well-studied crust-mantle sequences in the region. Several massifs comprise the ZOC, one of which is the Coto Block overlain by clastic sedimentary units previously dated as Eocene. Geochronologic studies from diabase, granodiorites and other late-stage magmatic products similarly yielded the same age. Succeeding tectonic models have therefore all been grounded on the assumption that the entire ZOC is Eocene. Recent investigations, however, revealed the presence of chert blocks within the Early to Middle Miocene clastic formation overlying the Acoje Block in the northern part of the ophiolite complex. Radiolarians extracted from the cherts yielded a stratigraphic range that suggests a Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous age. The recognition of a much older age than previously reported of the ZOC warrants a re-examination of its actual distribution and genesis. Correlating with other similarly-aged ophiolites, we suggest defining a western Mesozoic ophiolite belt, largely extending from the west-central portion of the archipelago to the northeastern tip of Luzon island. Tentatively, we attribute the Mesozoic ophiolitic and associated rocks in western Luzon to an arc-continent collision involving the Philippine Mobile Belt and the Palawan Microcontinental Block. In addition, differences in the clastic compositions of the Cenozoic sedimentary formations provide material not only for deciphering the ZOC’s unroofing history but also for constraining the timing of province linkage. The intermittent appearance of lithic fragments and detrital minerals from the ophiolite in the units of the Middle Miocene Candelaria Limestone and the Late Miocene to Early Pliocene Sta. Cruz Formation indicates significant but geographically variable contributions from the ophiolite complex. In the northern Zambales Range, the Sta. Cruz Formation caps the Coto Block and the Acoje Block of the ZOC, providing a minimum age for their amalgamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabies is a fatal zoonotic and neglected tropical disease caused by the rabies virus (RABV) and is associated with neuronal dysfunction and death, with dogs as the predominant carrier. The Philippines plans to eradicate rabies by 2022, but this is challenged with sub-optimal coverage of vaccination programs coupled with sustained transmission chains, making it unable to eradicate the disease. We investigated the dynamics of canine rabies in the highly urbanized Davao City of the Philippines and its neighboring localities by assessing genetic relationships, transmission patterns, selection pressure, and recombination events using the whole genome sequence of 49 RABV cases from June 2018 to May 2019, majority of which (46%) were from the district of Talomo, Davao City. Although phylogeographic clustering was observed, local variants also exhibited genetic sub-lineages. Phylogenetic and spatial transmission analysis provided evidence for intra- and inter-city transmission predominantly through the Talomo district of Davao City. Around 84% of the cases were owned dogs, but the genetic similiarity of RABVs from stray and owned dogs further alluded to the role of the former as transmission vectors. The high rate of improper vaccination among the affected dogs (80%) was also a likely contributor to transmission. The RABV population under Investigation is generally under strong purifying selection with no evidence of vaccine evasion due to the genetic homogeneity of viruses from vaccinated and improperly vaccinated dogs. However, some homologous recombination (HR) events were identified along the G and L genes, also predominantly associated with viruses from Talomo. The complementary findings on epidemiology, transmission, and recombination for Talomo suggest that high incidence areas can be seeds for virus dispersal and evolution. We recommend further Investigations on the possibility of HR in future large-scale genome studies. Finally, districts associated with these phenomena can be targeted for evidence-based local strategies that can help break RABV transmission chains and prevent emergence of novel strains in Davao City. • Rabies transmission patterns in Davao City were both intra- and inter-city. • Stray dogs may act as transmission vectors with pets as the major victims. • RABV is under purifying selection, with no evidence of vaccine evasion. • Potential recombination events were detected. • High areas of incidence appear to be seeds for RABV dispersal and evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]