Young Filipino filmmakers focus lens on climate change awareness in 6th Indie-Siyensya Film Festival

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Engaging the youth with talks on climate change can sometimes be daunting and boring. But not for the hundreds of young filmmakers and storytellers who dared to change this narrative as they joined the 6th Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition of the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).

The competition received an overwhelming response of about 267 short films from all over the Philippines, all relevant to this year’s theme “Communicating Climate Change.”

Short documentary films effectively captured in motion the consequences of climate change and highlighting actions taken by the community to solve it. While explainer videos creatively tackle diverse topics such as climate resiliency, biodiversity conservation, and effects of climate change in everyday life.

Ten short films emerged to become the top finalists of the competition, as screened by Indie-Siyensya board of judges composed of esteemed filmmakers and science experts. Documentary films and explainer videos were judged by the following criteria: scientific content, execution of idea and the use of film techniques.



Below are the finalists for the Open Category:



1. Banta – Ranjee Javier B. Basquiñas (Oro Site High School)

2. Climacts – Kyle Carlo C. Lasala (Evolutionary Pictures)

3. K5: Katutubong Kahoy Kontra Krisis sa Klima – Celine R. Murillo

4. Kamalayan – Jerson Paul C. Malupa (Sempre Films)

5. Marka ng Pawikan – Humphrey Mark Gian Francesco L. Torcuator (Far Eastern University Manila)



Below are the finalists for the Youth Category:



1. 3C's: Communicating Climate Change – Carlos Miguel P. Enriquez (Luis Palad Integrated High School)

2. Earth's Trial: Debunking Climate Change Myths – Glenn John T. Degamon (Science and Technology Education Center)

3. Marvels of Science: Climate Change – Frances Sophia D. Flores (De La Salle University - Integrated School Manila and Marcelo H. del Pilar National High School

4. Sirak – Charles Joshua T. Uy (Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus)

5. Tanaw Juan – Yashmen A. Gerez (Quezon Science High School)



The shortlisted films will premiere simultaneously at the Cinematheque Centre Manila, Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan, Cinematheque Centre Davao, and Cinematheque Centre Negros on January 21-22. Meanwhile, Cinematheque Centre Iloilo will follow with the screening on January 26-27. The free screening is made possible in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

For its sixth run, Indie-Siyensya will also be available on JuanFlix from January 28 - February 5. JuanFlix, formerly known as the FDCP channel is an online streaming platform featuring classic Filipino films and special selections from recently conducted local film festivals. Viewers must register at juanflix.com.ph to watch the entries for free.

Indie-Siyensya is one of the first science filmmaking competition in the Philippines, pioneered by DOST-SEI to promote science and technology culture among the youth and the public using film as a medium. It has two categories – the Open Category for college students, teachers, and S&T professionals at least 19 years old and the Youth Category for high school, tertiary school, and out-of-school youth aged 13-18.

Winners for both categories will receive P100,000 for the Best Film, P50,000 for the 2nd place and P20,000 for the 3rd place. The Awarding Ceremony is scheduled on February 25 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City.

Race, raise funds, and receive prizes at 7-Eleven Run 2023 this February 4 and 5

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


In keeping with their annual run series tradition, 7-Eleven propels 2023 with a two-day fun run event encouraging everyone to step on the tracks for their 11th installment. Sprinting on February 4 and 5, the country’s go-to convenience store chain strengthens their hallmark of convenience by championing the event as an avenue for unifying recreation and fundraising. 7-Eleven enjoins communities to create change where proceeds of the run will be donated to the beneficiaries of Philseven Foundation, Inc., 7-Eleven’s non-profit social advocacy arm.

The 7-Eleven Run 2023 is open to all beginner and professional runners and is an exciting avenue for an outdoor date with friends and families. Multiple categories from 1k, 3k, 5k, 10k, 10k Buddy, 21K, 32K, and up to 42k are up to enjoy in the simultaneous event happening in three locations: Filinvest, Alabang in Metro Manila, SM Seaside City, in Cebu City, and SM City Davao in Davao City.

This year’s run converges personal and community benefits as medals and cash prizes await winners of all categories at the finish line. More tokens are also to be awarded to the top three male and female finishers of the 21k, 32k, and 42k categories as they win the opportunity of representing the country in an international race.

 

Racers may join in two ways: paid or promo registration. The paid registration period runs until January 22, 2023 where prices vary according to participants’ chosen category. They may also opt for the Earn Your Way to the Finish Line promo registration that’s exclusive to CLiQQ members. Here, members can earn e-stamps for every P100 minimum purchase inclusive of participating products. A total of 15 e-stamps are needed to redeem one Run 2023 Registration Code for the category of their choice, and the promo duration runs until January 17, 2023.

All participants are entitled to free Race Kits upon payment and a Finisher Kit and Finisher Entitlements for those who cross the finish line. And 7-Eleven being the convenience caterer, over 30 sampling booths are also available at the event for runners to try with products from the run’s sponsor brands.

Save the dates and prepare to sprint in 7-Eleven Run 2023. Start the year on the right foot—everyone is welcome to run the streets to aid raise funds, have fun, and earn prizes with the next-door convenience buddy.

Uncertain future looms for Philippine, Southeast Asian mangroves

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



A comprehensive survey of over 300 mangrove studies across the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia (SEA) has found large gaps in our understanding of the current and future state of these already dwindling natural resources, according to scientists from the University of the Philippines - Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS).

Even ten years after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013, the mangroves of Lawaan and Balangiga in Eastern Samar remain a desolate wasteland. (Photo credit: Dr. Severino Salmo III)

The Philippines is the second worst country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in terms of mangrove losses: it suffered a 10.5% decline between 1990 and 2010, according to independent studies included in the survey. It is surpassed only by Myanmar, which suffered a 27.6% loss between 2000 and 2014.

Less than a decade left

The findings are a stark wake-up call, given the international declaration of the years 2021 to 2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, aimed at preventing, stopping, and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. With the countdown well underway, the comprehensive survey undertaken by UP Ph.D. Biology student Maria Elisa Gerona-Daga and Institute of Biology Associate Professor Dr. Severino Salmo III of existing mangrove restoration research helps identify ways to achieve the SEA region's restoration targets and safeguard their biodiversity.

The pioneering study is the first of its kind in SEA. Entitled "A systematic review of mangrove restoration studies in Southeast Asia: Challenges and opportunities for the United Nation's Decade on Ecosystem Restoration," it provides a systematic and quantitative synthesis of 335 mangrove restoration studies in the region that were published before February 2022. The investigation has also identified regional successes and failures in mangrove restorations.

Five priority topics were suggested by Gerona-Daga and Salmo for improving the science and practice of mangrove restoration towards realizing the UN’s targets for 2030: restoration areas and methods; mangrove restoration in climate change adaptation and mitigation programs; monitoring recoveries of biodiversity and ecosystem services; policies, governance, and community engagement; and strengthening of the ASEAN network.

The Avicennia-dominated planted mangroves in Ormoc, Leyte (left) and recolonized abandoned fishponds in Mindoro (right) show the potential and limitations of mangrove restoration. (Photo credit: M.E. Gerona-Daga and J. R. Navidad)



Restoration and climate change adaptation

The researchers propose to add more mangrove faunal and floral species as bases for selecting and prioritizing sites for restoration, thereby furthering the UN’s biodiversity goals and potentially generating useful data on genetic diversity. The approximately 3,000-square-kilometer restorable area across SEA, as estimated by University of Cambridge researchers in 2018, should also be earmarked and ground-truthed for each country to determine suitable restoration sites. Assessing the economic and policy impacts of restoration in places that are also being considered for human settlement and reclamation will help governments create realistic and sustainable plans, Gerona-Daga and Salmo added.

As a region vulnerable to natural disasters such as typhoons and tsunamis, restoration programs should be designed to adapt to and mitigate climate change impacts. Technological innovations for science-based green-gray coastal engineering are critical for facing changing climatic conditions.

The researchers underscored the increasing need for mangroves’ adaptability to climate change. This, in turn, creates the need for new technologies and innovations that can fast-track the sustainable recolonization of mangroves.



Monitoring biodiversity recoveries, ecosystem services

Gerona-Daga and Salmo also point out the problems with data monitoring in mangrove restoration projects, particularly the lack thereof and the tendency of short-term monitoring to misinterpret findings. They also mentioned that while traditional monitoring methods such as transecting and plotting are crucial in assessing biodiversity, institutions should use more efficient and cost-effective monitoring methods such as environmental DNA (eDNA) and remote sensing.

Although vegetation metrics may be easier to measure and reflect mangrove traits that recover faster, the researchers note that correlating these metrics with ecosystem services will be more strategic in quantifying restoration effectiveness. The researchers also advise conducting a comparative assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services among intact, disturbed, and restored mangroves to shed light on restoration trajectory patterns.



Strengthening government interventions

The study suggests potential government policies to support continued research and community involvement in mangrove monitoring. Southeast Asian collaborations are essential in sustaining regional mangrove protection: establishing and strengthening partnerships with neighboring countries will enable the region to form unified goals and facilitate more sustainable restoration measures. Sharing knowledge and other resources in the SEA region can also benefit countries with limited mangrove restoration research.

To this end, Gerona-Daga and Salmo propose an ASEAN journal focused on mangrove restoration, conservation, and management composed of a multinational scientific editorial board to share mangrove research to a wider platform efficiently and ultimately contribute to effective restoration practices.

“Our study aims to provide suggestions in line with international commitments of ASEAN-member countries,” says Salmo. “The pressing need is to establish and consistently monitor the state of the mangroves for each country, protect mangroves through biodiversity conservation programs, and more importantly, to stop or limit coastal reclamation projects,” he further explains.



Furthering collaboration among mangrove researchers

Gerona-Daga and Salmo expect to conduct another study as a follow-up to their September 2022 publication. They aim to spark deeper collaboration among mangrove researchers all over the region towards sharing recommendations and regular tracking of the progress of mangrove conservation and restoration programs.

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a perfect opportunity to underscore the urgency of mangrove restoration. Mangroves provide a long list of ecological and socio-economic benefits, so much so that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) refers to them as nature’s superheroes because they not only provide livelihood and habitats to animals but also mitigate climate change and reduce the impacts of storms and other natural disasters.